The cry of the owl faded away into the distance. Silence settled deep over the training arena. The silence was broken by Etna walking up to Lena and lightly pushing the man beside her toward Lena.

"This is Jonik. Jonik, Princess Lena," Etna stated.

"Princess?" Jonik's eyes darted from Etna to Lena, looking surprised and sinking into a bow. "I'd heard you returned to Erinaea. It's an honor to meet you. I am at your service."

"It's nice to meet you as well," Lena replied.

"Lena wants to see a sparring match! You up for it?" Etna said smirking mischievously. She turned from Jonik to Lena. "He's a bit scared of me. I have won the last several hundred matches. He keeps saying he will beat me someday, but as of now I have yet to see that become a reality."

"Hey! I've gotten close to winning a few times!" Jonik protested.

"Yeah, a few," Etna said. Jonik chuckled awkwardly and fidgeted with his sword. Lena couldn't help but giggle. It felt good to laugh.

"Let's start!" Etna stepped several paces away from Jonik as he did the same. They stopped and turned to face each other, bowed, and raised their blades. Lena watched them both, but her eyes kept being drawn toward Etna.

"Ready... fight!" Cyran called from behind Lena and she jumped slightly. She had almost forgotten he was there.

Etna moved quickly, yet delicately, like a dancer. Her sword raised before her in one hand, her emerald eyes fixed on Jonik's. Jonik held his blade aloft, watching Etna, scanning her movements, a look of calm determination on the part of his face that was visible under his armor.

Etna and Jonik circled each other slowly for a long moment, sizing each other up, then Etna attacked with a quick slash. Jonik blocked the strike, but just barely. Etna's sword clanged loudly against Jonik's as they collided, then Jonik shoved Etna's sword off to the side.

The two returned to circling each other. Lena watched Etna. Etna moved like a dancer, graceful, poised, beautiful. Her movements mesmerized Lena. Etna looked alive in a way Lena had never seen her look before. A smile lit up Etna's features and a fierce excitement danced in her brilliant emerald green eyes.

Jonik lunged with a quick jab which Etna dodged and parried almost effortlessly. It was no exaggeration that Etna was incredibly skilled with a sword. Cyran moved up to the same bench Lena sat on, watching Etna and Jonik spar with increasing intensity as the minutes passed. Over time, Etna only seemed to gain enthusiasm while Jonik seemed to be tiring.

The fight was over before Lena even noticed what had happened. In an instant, Etna slashed her sword toward Jonik's chest. As he dodged backward Etna swept his legs from under him and he went down hard on the ground. Etna held the tip of her sword to Jonik's throat victoriously. Both were panting as Jonik released his sword and raised his hands in a motion of surrender. Etna turned toward Lena and Cyran, bowing dramatically before extending a hand to help Jonik to his feet again.

"Good fight," Jonik said, shaking Etna's hand with a smile.

"Thank you!" Etna replied cheerfully. "I can't pass up the chance to show off for the princess!"

Etna hefted her sword across the top of her shoulders and strolled toward Lena.

"So, are you ready to fight me, Lena?"

Lena froze. She had forgotten about that. She was going to have to face Etna. The thought was daunting. There was no way she could beat her.

"Don't worry!" Etna laughed, clearly picking up on Lena's scared expression. "I'll go easy on you until you learn. I'll teach you. I'm sure you'll be good."

"It's late, so me and my shattered pride are going to take our leave now. I'll see you around Cyran. It was lovely to meet you, princess!" Jonik bowed to Lena before heading out of the arena.

"Would you like me to escort you back to your room, Princess?" Cyran asked.

"I think I'll be alright. Thank you," Lena said.

Cyran said his goodbyes to Lena and Etna before walking back toward the castle. Lena gathered up her things and began to follow Cyran.

"Lena!" Etna jogged up to Lena before slowing to walk beside her. They walked in silence for a few moments, and Lena became increasingly aware that this was the first time that she had been alone with Etna since before Aleta had been murdered. Lena's eyes flicked to Etna's sword, gleaming in the starlight. She looked away quickly hoping Etna hadn't noticed.

"So, how do you like Erinaea?" Etna asked, breaking the silence as they left the training arena and walked amongst the cluster of town structures that surrounded the castle.

"It's... different. Busy, but people are nice, the forest is beautiful, and I really enjoyed today." Lena replied.

"Look," Etna pointed into the night sky. A star seemed to slide down the ark of the sky like a silver tear. A bright tail seemed to follow the star before it vanished over the treetops and the more distant mountains.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yes," Lena murmured.

"Just wait until moonrise," Etna's eyes sparkled despite the darkness.

"Hasn't that already passed?" Lena inquired, gesturing to the silvery orb that hung low in the sky.

"Oh, no. That's just one. There are two in Erinaea. Come with me!" Before Lena knew what was happening, Etna had taken her by the hand, running with her, leading her. Lena stumbled and hurried to keep up with Etna. Etna led Lena to a stone tower. She opened the door to reveal a tight spiral staircase of stone. Etna let go of Lena's hand but motioned her to follow before dashing up the stairs. Lena hesitated for only a brief moment before following.

Several hundred steps later, Lena emerged into a circular room.

"This way!" Etna beckoned to a doorway that led onto a balcony that overlooked the buildings and forest. From that high, Lena could see past the sea of trees to the distant mountains. A faint violet glow emanated from somewhere beyond the peaks. Etna sat down on the edge of the balcony with her legs hanging off the ledge between the stone railings. Lena did the same, feeling a slight bit of vertigo at the height they were at. Once again the idea crossed her mind that she was alone with Etna. Etna who was beautiful... Etna who may have murdered Aleta.

For a split second Lena imagined how easy it would be for Etna to push her off the edge, it could look like an accident... Almost as soon as that idea had formed, it was gone. Lena sat beside Etna and the two stared out over the forest together in silence. The view was beautiful and peaceful. Lena couldn't help but feel at ease.

Beyond the mountains, a tiny sliver of violet moon appeared on the horizon. The larger purple moon slowly ascending the sky to join its silver partner.

Suddenly, Lena was caught off guard as Etna started to sing softly beside her.

"Starfall... Moonrise... and obsidian skies... Starlight... moonrise in your eyes..." Etna's voice was beautiful, high and clear in the otherwise silent night. Lena turned to look at Etna, only to find Etna gazing back at her.

Before Lena was even aware of what she was doing, she leaned over to Etna and kissed her softly but firmly for only a second before beginning to pull back. She was even more shocked when Etna pulled Lena back to her for a long moment. The kiss was soft, yet strong. Beautiful and slow, yet somehow urgent.

Lena suddenly became aware of what she was doing and pulled back, jumping to her feet. In the violet and silver glow from the two moons, Lena saw her own wide-eyed expression mirrored on Etna's face.

"I- I don't know what that- I'm sorry. I don't know what made me-," Etna struggled to find words as she quickly stood and tried to avoid directly meeting Lena's gaze.

"It's okay. I mean... I started it... I don't know what I was doing either. I don't know why... I just... I- no one can know! Please! You can't tell anyone!" Lena pleaded before turning and running down the steps leaving Etna alone on the tower.

Lena didn't stop running until she had reached her room. She quickly shut the door behind her and her hand moved almost subconsciously to her lips. She could almost still feel Etna's lips on hers, almost still taste her.

Lena looked out of her window at the two moons as they cast beautiful light across the realm. A tiny voice whispered at the back of Lena's mind, something she wasn't sure she wanted to admit, even to herself.

"So that's what it feels like to kiss someone... I think I like it."