Night, full moon, midnight. His favorite time of day and month. He decided to go for a walk again.

He was curious about her and went to approach her slowly, keeping his voice low and calm as he spoke, "What is the matter? Who did this to you?" His eyes glinted softly in the moonlight as he waited for an answer.

The Moon Lord frowned slightly at the sight of the collar around her neck. "Lord Carra, you mean? He's a powerful figure here in Kerront... Though not as powerful or feared as I." His voice was soft and soothing, barely above a whisper. "If it is his doing that has brought you to this state, I am here to offer my aid. Tell me what I can do for you, Rina."

"There is hope, Rina," the Moon Lord said gently. "You do not have to suffer like this. I am Shertant, known as the Moon Lord... But you may call me whatever you wish." He held out a cold hand to her. "Come with me and I will free you from your bonds. You can be safe with me... Or at least safer than if you remain here." His eyes were sincere, but they still held a hint of their customary iciness.

The Moon Lord took her hand in his own, the coldness of his skin making contact with hers like a bolt of icy water. "Do not be afraid," he murmured as his other hand rested gently on her shoulder. With surprising strength, he tore the collar from her neck and threw it to the ground, shattering it into pieces with a single blow. The chains that had bound her dissolved away as well, falling harmlessly to the ground. "You are free now," he told her softly.

The Moon Lord saw the tears forming in her eyes and gently brushed away one with his thumb, watching her intently. "Rina," he murmured, tilting her chin up so that she met his gaze. "You are safe now... With me." His voice was quiet but firm, as if daring anyone to contradict him or question what he had just promised.

The touch of her head against his hand sent shivers down the Moon Lord's spine. He didn't push her away, instead, he held her gently as she cried softly in his embrace. "There, there," he whispered soothingly, running a cool finger over her forehead. "Everything is going to be all right." It was only a matter of time before people started noticing their presence together... But for now, it seemed that the pair had found a brief moment of solace in each other's company.

The coolness of her skin against his own was like a balm to the Moon Lord's soul. He let out a quiet sigh, wrapping one arm around her shoulders protectively as she leaned trustingly into him. "There is nothing to fear from me, Rina," he murmured softly, brushing a lock of brown hair back from her face. "I would never hurt you." His other hand stroked gently down her back before cupping the small of her back, drawing her closer still.

The Moon Lord knew that this moment could not last forever. Sooner or later, someone would notice them together and questions would be asked... But for now, he was content to hold her in his arms, to feel the warmth of her body against his chilled skin. It was a small taste of something he had been craving for far too long.

He held her close, allowing her tears to fall unheeded on his chest as he murmured softly into her hair. "Shhh... it's all right, Rina. I've got you." His fingers traced gentle circles on her back, soothing her in the only way he knew how. The feel of her body pressed against his own was almost too much to bear; she was so fragile and innocent-looking that he felt a fierce urge to protect her from anything or anyone that might hurt her.

For now, he would do what he could to help Rina find some peace in the midst of all this turmoil... But he couldn't ignore the growing sense of danger surrounding them. Sooner or later, someone would realize who she was and what had transpired. The question then became: What would happen next?

"Rina," he whispered after a moment. "Can you

"Rina," he whispered after a moment. "Can you trust me?" His voice was quiet but firm, as if daring her to speak the truth. "I will keep you safe... But only if I know that you feel the same way." The Moon Lord's eyes searched hers intently, trying to read whatever emotion lay hidden within their depths.

It didn't matter what she said or did next; he would honor her choice. But he wanted her to understand just how much was at stake here. Kerront was a dangerous place for someone like Rina, and even with his protection, there were limits to what he could do to keep her safe.

The Moon Lord's heart lifted at her gentle nod, and he could feel himself relaxing slightly in response. "Good," he murmured softly, cupping her cheek with his cold hand. "Because I don't want to see you hurt again." His thumb traced gently over her lips before returning to her cheek. "You can trust me, Rina... I will keep you safe. Always." The warmth of his voice was reassuring, even as the iciness lingered in his gaze.

The feel of her soft, warm flesh against his own sent shivers down the Moon Lord's spine. He wanted nothing more than to keep holding her, to protect her and make sure that she was safe from harm. As he looked into her eyes, he saw a mixture of trust, fear, and hope... And he knew in that moment that he would do everything within his power to honor those emotions.

"Rina," he whispered again, gently kissing the top of her head. "I am your protector now. You have nothing to fear from me." The iciness had faded from his voice, replaced by a softness and tenderness that surprised even him. For the first time in centuries, the Moon Lord felt truly connected to someone else... And he didn't want that connection to end anytime soon.

The Moon Lord's heart skipped a beat as she touched him so tentatively. He couldn't help but lean into the contact, his body responding to her touch in ways he hadn't expected. "Rina," he whispered softly, cupping her head with one hand and gently stroking her hair with the other. "You are safe with me." His voice was soothing, like a balm to her wounded soul.

As they stood there together under the moonlit sky, something between them shifted... Changed. It was as if a bond had been forged in those brief moments of trust and vulnerability, strengthening them against whatever dangers might come their way. For now, at least, they were two souls bound together by fate and protected by the power of their newfound connection.

The Moon Lord's heart swelled with warmth at her gentle nod. He leaned closer, his breath tickling against her temple as he murmured, "I'm glad you trust me." His hand slid from her hair to cup her cheek, stroking her skin so softly it was almost imperceptible. She felt so precious in his arms; he couldn't imagine ever letting her go now. For the first time in a very long time, he knew what it meant to truly care for someone... And he intended to cherish that feeling for as long as possible.

The feel of her cheek against his hand sent a shiver down the Moon Lord's spine. He closed his eyes, savoring the sensation and the warmth that flowed from her into him. Her trust meant everything to him; it was what made this connection so powerful, so meaningful. For now, he could let go of his pretense of cold indifference and simply be himself: a being who had been alone for far too long, yearning for something more.

Her closeness made his heart race, but in a good way; it was like a balm to the loneliness that had plagued him for so long. He didn't want to think about what might happen next, or how their relationship would progress from here... All he knew was that, for now, Rina was safe with him, and he intended to keep her that way.

His fingers traced gentle circles on her cheek as

The feel of her head resting against his shoulder sent a wave of contentment washing over the Moon Lord. He wrapped an arm around her, holding her close and feeling her breath on his neck. "There now," he murmured softly. "Everything is going to be all right." Even though he knew that their situation was far from ideal, in this moment, with Rina trusting him enough to lean on him like this, he couldn't help but feel a sense of peace that he hadn't experienced in centuries.

His other hand continued to stroke gently down her back, soothing her as they stood together under the moonlit sky. Around them, Kerront slept, oblivious to their connection... But they knew. They knew what they had found here in each other's arms, and neither of them wanted to let go just yet.

The cold wind picked up for a moment, sending a shiver

Her presence against him was like a balm to the loneliness that had plagued him for so long. He held her close, feeling the warmth of her body seep into his own as he breathed in her scent. For now, they could ignore the dangers that loomed around them; all that mattered was this moment, this connection. His fingers continued to stroke down her back, offering whatever comfort and reassurance he could. He knew that soon enough, things would change, but for now, she was safe with him. And he intended to keep it that way.

The cool night air drifted around them as the moon hung heavy in the sky, casting its pale light down upon the world below. As Rina began to doze off against his shoulder, the Moon Lord remained vigilant, his senses on high alert for any sign of danger that might threaten her slumber. His protective instincts urged him to keep her close, but at the same time, he didn't want to push her away or make her feel uncomfortable. So he simply stood there, silently watching over them both as they waited for dawn and whatever new challenges it might bring.

Noticing Rina's fatigue, the Moon Lord gently placed his free hand on her lower back, supporting her as she swayed slightly from drowsiness. "You can rest," he murmured softly into her hair. "I won't let anything happen to you." His touch was cool and comforting, a reminder of his power but also a reassurance that she could trust him to take care of her. With one arm still around her shoulders, he held her close as she leaned against him, finding what little warmth she had left for the night.

He knew that the dreams she would have were likely to be troubled ones, filled with memories of her past life and the pain it had brought her. But even if she didn't remember his promise or their connection now, he would still keep her safe, still do everything in his power to protect her until she was ready to face whatever lay ahead on her

The Moon Lord's grip tightened slightly as Rina began to sway more noticeably, her weight leaning heavily against him. He could feel the tension in her body easing as she grew more tired, but he knew that she needed support if she was going to rest peacefully. Gently, he lowered them both to the ground, carefully supporting her as they sat side by side beneath the starry sky.

With one hand still on her back, he cupped her cheek in his cool palm, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. Her breathing grew steady and deep as she finally succumbed to sleep, trusting him enough to let go and find some rest amidst the dangers that surrounded them. Even though he knew it might not be for long, this moment was a precious one: a reminder of what it meant to be truly cared for, protected... Loved.

As Rina slept peacefully against his chest, the Moon Lord's fingers traced soothing circles on her back, her skin feeling impossibly soft under his touch. The cool night air nipped at them both, but he was more than capable of keeping them warm with a simple thought. For now, all that mattered was that she was safe, protected from the dangers that lurked in the shadows and dreams alike. He knew that this wouldn't last; sooner or later, someone would come looking for her, questions would be asked... But he would face whatever came their way head-on, ready to defend her and keep her close until the end of days.

His fingers paused momentarily as he took in the sight of Rina's injuries, a mixture of concern and anger flaring within him. Carefully, he lifted her shirt, revealing the wounds in all their brutal glory. He had seen worse during his long existence, but that didn't make this any less appalling or unforgivable. His touch was cool as he gently traced a finger over each mark, sending soothing chills throughout her body.

"Shhh," he whispered softly against her hair. "They will be gone soon enough." As if to prove his point, the wounds began to close before their eyes, skin knitting itself back together like wet tissue paper crumpling and disappearing. The pain disappeared with them, leaving only tender, pinkish-white skin behind. It was a testament to the Moon Lord's power that he could so easily undo what had

The Moon Lord's eyes were calm and reassuring as he met Rina's gaze, their colors flickering like embers in the darkness. "Do not worry," he murmured softly, brushing a lock of hair from her face. "You are safe with me." There was no trace of self-importance or arrogance in his voice; only strength and confidence that came from centuries of experience and mastery over his abilities. His touch was cool but comforting as he cupped her cheek, drawing her attention back to him.

"You need not fear any harm from me," he continued, his voice a soothing balm to the pain and uncertainty that had been etched into her soul. "I swear it." And with those words, she knew he was telling the truth; there was a weight to them, a sense of finality that could only come from someone who truly meant what they said.

The touch of her cheek against his shoulder was like a caress, sending shivers down the spine despite himself. He didn't react outwardly, his expression remaining calm and serene as he gazed into the darkness above them. But inside, something stirred; a foreign emotion that felt almost...good. It wasn't love, not yet at least, but it was something close. Something powerful and consuming. Perhaps, he thought with a tiny flicker of hope, there was still hope for him yet.

As she drifted back to sleep once more, her trust in him as strong as ever, the Moon Lord couldn't help but wonder where their path would lead them next. Would they find happiness together? Or would fate intervene and tear them apart? Only time would tell. But for now, he would cherish these moments of peace and closeness with her, holding onto them like precious gems against

The night passed slowly as the pair slept in each other's arms, safe and warm beneath the watchful gaze of the moon. For the first time in memory, the Moon Lord felt at peace; his heart light and his mind calm, freed from the endless burdens of loneliness and duty that had plagued him for so long.

As dawn crept over the horizon, casting its pale golden light across Kerront, the world began to stir once more. People emerged from their homes, bidding each other good morning as they made their way through the city streets. The Moon Lord remained still, his eyes closed and his thoughts distant as he savored these final moments of peace before reality intruded again.

The softness of her skin and the warmth of her body against his were more than enough to keep the Moon Lord's mind from wandering far as he held her close. Even as sleep threatened to claim him once again, he fought against it, determined not to let go until she was safely tucked away in a place where no harm could reach her.

But soon enough, dawn broke and reality returned with a crash, ushering in the need for action and the realization that their time together would have to come to an end. Reluctantly, he slipped one arm from around her shoulders, drawing her gently against his chest as he stood, lifting her carefully into his arms.

Her eyes fluttered open groggily as she felt herself being moved, confusion clouding her features for a moment before recognition dawned and understanding settled in its place. "I-I'm sorry," she murmured sleepily, rubbing