When Luna woke up, she was comfortably lying on a cushioned bench in a garden under a dome of glass, full of green plants and colorful flowers. She slowly opened her eyes, and the first thing she recognized was the fifty-two stars of the ink-black sky. Luna could hear songs of cicadas and felt a cool, gentle breeze that carried a smell of lilac. Once she touched her skin, it was as warm and tangible as in the real world, even if she was aware that it was an illusion.

Luna shifted her body to a sitting position, then spread her arms on the headrest and looked around. She was like a ghost in an alien body, a body which she couldn't control, even if she felt every smallest stimulus – her heartbeat, the way her vocal cords vibrated when she hummed unfamiliar song, or leaves of dewy grass brushing against her ankles when she finally, with a cat-like grace, made her way to the automatic door right in front of her eyes.

Sterile corridors, cold floor, white lamps. It all made an impression that the place is a hospital or a research facility. Luna turned right and picked up a towel from a hook, then moved to the bathroom, where she began to take a long, hot shower.

A minute or so before she was done, she overheard someone knocking on the door.

“Speak, Daichi.” - Luna said.

“What do you want for breakfast?” - Daichi asked.

“Is there any leftover onion tart?” - Luna spoke. - “It was delicious.”

“You aren't bored with that dish yet?” - Daichi replied. - “Honestly, I can prepare you almost anything you want, I know many other recipes.”

“No, no. One onion tart, please.” - Luna stated firmly.

“Eh.” - Daichi gave up. - “Okay, one onion tart, coming right up.”

Luna continued to hum her melody and dressed in a comfy tracksuit, put on her flip-flops, and headed to the kitchen.

Daichi, with eyes full of tears from chopping onions, asked. - “How are you feeling today?”

“Better, but that doesn't mean I forgot.” - Luna responded. - “Even if it's a pleasant experience, it's still a prison.”

“I'm sorry.” - Daichi replied. - “I can't let you leave, not yet.”

“Because I will want to take revenge?”

“Please, let it go. There was too much bloodshed already.”

“My own creators used me to bring death, and your brothers allied with Mö

bius survivors. You know very well what they've done to me, and you still want me to pretend that it didn't happen.”

“No, that's not what I want. Please, do scream and rage, fight for justice, but don't wreak more havoc. That's not what you were born for.”

“Not?” - Luna scoffed.- “You know well, why Anaari created me.”

“Anaari aren't the ones who gave you a soul.” - Daichi countered.

“This nonsense again?”

Daichi walked to the stove to fry the onions. - “Don't let the past, that you didn't choose, decide who you are going to be.”

“...and who is supposed to decide that? You, again?”

“I don't want to impose my will on you.”

“Then, free me.”

“The time for that will certainly come, once you begin to listen to the heart that you were gifted.”

“You contradict your own words.” - Luna said, her eyes studying Daichi's every move like a vulture, still waiting for his mistake.

“Without love, truth can't be seen...” - Daichi responded. - “...your true self can't be seen.”

“I know how I feel.” - Luna hissed, angry. - “Don't try to tell me who I'm supposed to be.”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“...and who are you supposed to be? A grim reaper?”

“To them, it would be more than mercy.”

Daichi sighed. - “I see it's too early for you to change your mind...”

Luna was silent. She felt that her arrest would never end, and she would have to learn to live like this.

“...but I can't keep you in this cage forever.” - Daichi added. - “How about a small trip?”

Luna's eyes widened. - “Are you not afraid that I'll run away?”

“I'm slightly afraid, but I trust that you won't try...” - Daichi replied. - “...and I also have a few tools that will make it harder.”

“Don't lie to yourself. You are aware that your 'puzzles' are trivial to me.” - Luna half-bluffed. She knew that if she tried her best, she would be able to escape. She just didn't know how long it would take her to regain her freedom.

“Eh... I know, I know.” - Daichi sighed once more. - “Please, don't mess with my stuff too much.”

“If you ask nicely, then maybe... maybe I'll reconsider.” - Luna teased.

“Please.” - Daichi said rather seriously.

“Oh... hoho...” - Luna laughed. - “How docile, and to think that I was supposed to be a prisoner here.”

“Right now, we both are prisoners.”

Luna covered her face, hiding a playful smile. - “...so, where are you taking me?”

“Goliath.”

“The last of the twelve?” - Luna said, her curiosity was evident.

“Yes. It's the best place for you to learn the true nature of sentient life.”

After these words, Luna felt herself being dragged into a thick mist, and the memory blurred away. She noticed a message in front of her. - “End of recording. Do you want to continue with the free offer?”

Luna couldn't figure out what it was about, so she pressed 'Yes'. Her vision became blurry again, but she could notice shapes and colors shifting around her, until she was back at the simulation pod, back at the tent. Avi was waiting for her and helped her to get out.

Luna looked around. - “Where are Virka and your parents?” - She asked.

“You have been there for so long, so they returned to the ship...” - Avi said, then hugged Luna and whispered to her ear. - “...but I was yearning to see you again.”

Luna felt pleasant shivers down her neck. She felt Avi's natural smell mixed with her shampoo, and that her heart was beating faster than usual. Avi let Luna go to give her space, and Luna's eyes focused on the room for a moment. She had an eerie feeling that something was wrong.

“Why aren't there any guests?” - Luna asked.

“It's nighttime, they are already closing...” - Avi explained. - “...but they have a few bedrooms for clients.” - She took Luna's hand and started to lead her. - “We will wait there for the morning tram.”

Luna didn't protest, but her eyes kept being focused on her surroundings more than on Avi.

“Luna... is everything alright?” - Avi asked, stopping right before the door on the second level of the tent.

“Yes... It's just...” - Luna said, but when she felt Avi's hand on her cheek, she forgot what she wanted to ask. Avi's face moved closer to Luna's, and she gazed at her with her big eyes.

“You need to relax... It's safe here.” - Avi persuaded.

“I know...” - Luna replied after detailed scans. It appeared that there really was no reason to worry.

Smiling, Avi led Luna inside the bedroom, then lay herself on the bed. Luna sat next to her, with her eyes gazing at the empty streets beyond the window.

“Avi... I think... I think I'll wait outside. Sleep peacefully.” - Luna uttered.

Avo, however, grabbed her wrist, making it clear she wants her to stay. - “You still remember?”

“Yes.” - Luna confirmed. - “I really don't want to make it unpleasant to you.”

Avi gently got up to sit, her hands wrapped around Luna's neck, and she rested her head on her friend's shoulder. - “I... have to apologize for what I did back then.”

Luna felt Avi's heartbeat. It was soothingly peaceful now. - “Apo... logize?”

“Yes. I... wasn't honest with myself, and you. I tried to avoid what I didn't yet understand...” - Avi replied. - “...and I didn't pay attention to your suffering.”

“Avi...?” - Luna turned to Avi, her face was now dangerously close to her friend's.

“I'll make it up to you, I promise.” - Avi said, gently pushing Luna and her own body to the pillows. Her loose hair concealed the world around them, and her sweet smile was now the only thing Luna focused on.

“Avi... what are you doing?” - Luna replied hesitantly, her heart beating rapidly.

Avi's face moved closer to Luna's, their lips almost touched as she gazed right into Luna's eyes. Luna could feel Avi's warm, unsteady breath from up close, and soon felt that Avi's knee moved between her legs, and then how Avi almost lay on top of her.

“I care about you... and I want to show you, how much.” - Avi whispered and closed her eyes, then leaned closer.

Luna could tell her heart was pounding. She held her breath and pushed her hand in-between her lips and Avi's, blocking the girl before anything more could happen, then scrambled out of bed and started frantically looking around the room.

“Stop the simulation! I repeat, STOP IT!” - Luna shouted.

Avi sat on the edge of the bed, confused. - “Luna?”

Luna didn't pay attention to her. - “STOP IT OR I'LL GET ANGRY!”

“Luna... please calm down. It really is just the two of us here...” - Avi said, but couldn't finish.

Luna's light flared brightly, and her hair floated upward. - “You won't control me. I escaped Anaari, and I'll escape this place too.”

The reality began to shatter like falling tiles. There was a short circuit and all the lights in the Afterlife turned off. Luna's chest rose, almost bursting out of the capsule, and the girl took a deep breath.

There was confusion outside. The guests were disoriented by the sudden lack of power, and their host tried to calm them all. Luna wasn't interested in the aftermatch. She got out of the pod, the rhythm of her heart still unsteady and accelerated, and, staggering on her feet, walked to the exit.