The Hidden Piece

Luna POV:

When Gabriel handed me the dagger, its ornate hilt cool against my fingertips, a jolt of familiarity surged through me. It was as if the touch of the dagger had triggered something deep within, a locked chamber of memories suddenly swinging open. I felt like I was standing on the edge of revelation, staring into an abyss of recollections that had long been shrouded in mist.

I held the dagger, its weight seemed to anchor me to a distant moment. In my mind's eye, I saw a scene materialize, a blur of colors slowly sharpening into focus. I was in a dark forest, yet a sense of warmth and safety surrounded me. A woman stood before me, her face obscured, yet her presence radiating a gentle strength.

In her outstretched hand, she held the very dagger I now clutched. Its glint caught my attention, drawing my gaze like a moth to a flame.

“Luna,” she spoke with a melodic whisper that echoed in the recesses of my mind. “This is for you, a gift to protect you. Carry it with you always, and know that it holds the strength of our bond.”

Her words resonated within me, weaving a strong connection that stretched through the haze of my forgotten memories.

“Luna” I whispered, tasting the name on my lips like a long-lost melody. “My name is Luna”

“Luna, you have a beautiful name” He muttered,

I could sense a subtle shift in Gabriel's demeanor, an emotion that seemed to hover just beneath the surface. Even though his head was turned away from me, I could still sense the emotions that played across Gabriel's features. There was a kind of tension and guilt, his emotions were far from what I had expected.

“What's wrong? Are you not happy I remembered my name” I whispered, my voice gentle yet probing.

His response came slowly, as if he was carefully choosing his words. “Luna,” he began, his voice wistful and guilty, “I am happy, truly. But…"

His gaze went to the dagger clutched in my fingers, it struck a chord in me.

“The dagger,” he continued, “I hid it from you. I should have given it to you earlier, maybe it could have helped you remember your name sooner, given you a clue to your identity. I'm so sorry Luna”

“Gabriel,” I said gently, wanting to alleviate his burden, “I understand. You must have had reasons for what you did.”

“I don't think I do”

“You seem to forget I'd be rotting away at the bottom of the river, serving as food for fishes if you hadn't saved me”

My eyes flickered toward him, a gentle smile tugged at the corners of my lips. And there it was, unmistakably etched on his face, joy, relief, and a touch of something deeper that words couldn't quite capture. It was as if a burden he hadn't realized he was carrying had been lifted, His posture, his stance, even the subtle way his shoulders relaxed, they all revealed the emotions that played just beneath the surface.

“Do you remember everything?”

“No” I shook my head “just my name”

“If we can get further information about the origin of the dagger, we'd find more clues about its connection to you”

“Finding out more about the dagger's origin sounds like a great idea,” I agreed, my voice tinged with eagerness. “But, How?”

“We will figure it out, I will ask around”

The mere fact that he was so willing to take on this task for me tugged at my heartstrings. But what truly touched me was the way he kept using “we” throughout our conversation. Every mention of “we” emphasized that he saw us together, facing the unknown together. He wasn't just helping me discover my past, he wanted to be by my side every step of the way.

“Gabriel, could you please help me safe Keep it until I know what to do with it?”

“It will be an honor” he replied,

I tightened my arms around his shoulder. A soft smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I felt a warmth spread through me. “Gabriel,” I said, my voice filled with appreciation, “thank you for being here with me.

“It's a pleasure, miss..... Luna" He quickly corrected. “I will get used to it”

His smile in response radiated warmth.

“You must be tired, let me down, I'm sure I can walk now”

“Save your strength, I'm fine. Besides, We are almost home.”

A sudden scream of women and children shrieking in horror jolted me to a standstill. I stopped both my breathing and heart to get a better listen, and it got even louder. It sent a chill down my spine.

My ears strained to confirm what they had heard. The desperate cries of women and children slicing through the air like shards of glass. I felt my heart race, pounding against my chest as if trying to break free.

“Can you hear that?” I asked with fear.

“Hear what?”

“Screams”

He stopped dead in his track and paused to listen.

“No, I don't. Nothing but the sound of crickets and birds”

I knew I couldn't be mistaken because the screams were still reverberating in my brain.

Then, as if guided by an unseen force, I lifted my trembling arm and pointed towards the heavens.

“Look at that” I said, pointing towards the sky. My voice cracked with urgency as I implored him to shift his gaze

A thick fog of smoke was spiraling upward, darkening the already darkened sky and casting a somber shadow over the landscape.

“It's coming from the village” I announced.

His features, once composed, contorted with shock and dread. His brows furrowed deeply, and his eyes, once calm and distant, widened in horror. The color drained from his face, leaving his complexion pale and drawn. His lips, usually curved in a tranquil smile, parted slightly with shock.

The horrifying reality of the situation sunk in, his once steady gait erupted into a frantic run. My hair whipped in the wind, my heart raced, my pulse synchronizing with the rhythm of his hurried footsteps.

“Gabriel, you don't have to carry me!” I gasped, my voice nearly lost amidst the rush of air and pounding of feet against the earth. My fingers tightened around his shirt, trying to convey my plea through touch. “You can set me down, it'll be faster for you!"

He didn't slow down, didn't falter in the slightest. His response, delivered amidst labored breaths, was resolute and laced with determination.

“I can't leave you behind, Luna. We'll be just as fast this way.”

His words were met with both admiration and frustration on my part. Admiration for his unwavering commitment to my safety, but frustration for my inability to convince him that perhaps his speed could be optimized without carrying me.

My fingers subconsciously traced patterns on his back, an attempt to channel my nervous energy. The world around us became a blur as he sprinted towards the village. Perhaps, he was right, he did run as fast with me latched on his back. Even Jack barely kept up with his pace.

He was running at full speed, yet the grip of his arms around my legs was unwavering. Perched precariously on his back, my arms clung to his shoulders with an intensity that matched the urgency in my heartbeats.

We approached the village, the chaos ahead loomed large, smoke billowing in ominous waves, the horrific voices were getting louder. The gigantic walls of the village came in sight, but what awaited us made him skid to a halt.