A completely dark expanse, illuminated only by the campfire and what faint moonlight shone from above by the broken moon.

Gray took a spoonful of the stew and cautiously sipped it. He had been expecting it to taste weird... but it tasted good. A bit salty, herby, and refreshing.

Eliza let out a soft smile from her spot beside Gray. "Do you like it?"

Gray smiled. "It's good. Thanks for cooking, Eliza."

"It's only natural." Eliza smiled. "This is the least I can do for you."

Gray laughed and said, "Careful. If you keep acting like that, I might not be able to let you go."

Eliza leaned against Gray and whispered, "Why would you have to?"

Gray froze and then looked away, his face burning up.

Eliza smiled.

Gray cleared his throat and kept eating. As he did, he scanned the surroundings.

...Nope, still completely dark. Although there was a small circle that Gray could see because of the campfire, for the most part, the surroundings were pitch black.

The only thing Gray could make out was the faint tips of the grass shifting, barely illuminated by the faint moonlight. And that also brought a thought to mind.

Gray stared at the broken moon and then said, "Hey, Eliza."

Eliza straightened and then nodded. "Yes, Gray?"

"What happened to the moon?"

Eliza blinked. "The moon?"

Gray froze. 'Crap.'

He had forgotten. Something as ridiculous as a broken moon would definitely be commonsense for people in this world.

Asking about it... wasn't that just outing Gray as someone who wasn't familiar with this world? As an outsider?

Even so. While it was definitely a question that would raise red flags... Eliza didn't react. Instead, she just smiled and said, "No one truly knows... but there is a famous story among my people. Would you like to hear it?"

Gray resisted the urge to let out a sigh of relief at Eliza not reacting to his weird question. But then he realized what she said and leaned forward, interested. "That'd be cool, yeah. What's the story?"

"Well..." Eliza set her bowl of stew on her lap and looked up at the shattered moon. "I mentioned before that Runes are fragments of the moon itself."

Gray nodded. "Yeah, I remember that. Something about having the power of nature?"

"Indeed." Eliza nodded. "It was said that the moon once fell in love with a mortal. However, because she lived in the sky and he on the Earth, they could never meet. She lamented this fact, especially as she watched him slowly age while she remained the same."

"Wait." Gray blinked and pointed at the moon. "You mean... that? Fell in love with a mortal?"

Eliza laughed. "It is a bit ridiculous. But that is how the story goes."

Gray blinked again. Then he shook his head and said, "Sorry. Continue."

It was a bit of a strange story...

But Gray couldn't fault it. After all, there were stranger stories on Earth. A casual read of any culture's mythology would find plenty...

Eliza nodded and said, "In any case... the moon lamented that her love's death was approaching. So she decided to make the ultimate sacrifice. Tearing out her own heart, she cast it down to the Earth to be with her love. Infusing her very lifeblood into her lover, she gave up her nature as a celestial body to become a human and live with him. And he, who had always adored the moon, cherished her from that point on."

"Huh." Gray slowly nodded. "So it's a happy ending?"

Eliza hummed. "In part. But while the moon and her love were blessed, their children were not. The Children of the Moon... well." Eliza stared at Gray, contemplating. Then she shook her head and let out a soft smile. "That is a story for another time."

Gray could tell there was a lot Eliza was holding back. And for some reason... he felt like she was trying to tell him something without saying it outright.

But after a bit of silence, he decided to leave it be. Instead, he smiled and said, "That's a nice and romantic story."

"It is, is it not?" Eliza giggled. "To give yourself so completely to your love and have them cherish you... is that not what everyone desires?"

"It is." Gray nodded. "But it's pretty reckless too. What if they aren't a good person, you know?"

Eliza smile and then held Gray's hand. "Well... I know that you are, Gray."

Gray felt his face heat up again, especially seeing the loving gaze Eliza was sending him. Then he coughed and said, "W-We should eat before our food gets cold."

Eliza nodded. "Yes. That would be best." After saying that, she let go of Gray's hand and continued eating her stew.

Gray kept eating as well. Even so, he kept stealing glances at Eliza.

She was beautiful. Almost too beautiful to be real. Her ethereal silver hair, her enchanting crimson eyes...

Even if Gray wanted to look away, he couldn't ignore her. And her body too, so lithe and yet curved in all the-

'Stop that!'

Gray quickly averted his gaze, swallowing. To distract himself, he started quickly eating his stew.

Even so, he couldn't help but think about what Eliza had offered him before. To settle down and start a family with her.

It was something Gray couldn't do.

As wonderful as Eliza was... Gray had obligations. Duties. Promises he needed to fulfill back on Earth. He wasn't some deadbeat or high schooler who could cut all his ties on Earth and start a brand new life in another world.

But...

"Gray?" Eliza tilted her head. "Is something wrong?"

Gray smiled, ignoring the feeling of his heart being torn in his chest. "Nothing, Eliza. Just thinking about the future."

Yes. The future.

One that very well may be without Eliza.

'Are you going to leave her behind too, like the other one?'

A soft voice in his mind.

Gray ignored it and said, "So, what's the plan from here, Eliza? I'm guessing we're headed to the closest village?"

-Ignore it. Ignore that voice.

Even if the future might result in him leaving her behind. Even if he might not be able to take her with him.

'For now, she's here. So let's just take solace in that, okay?'

Gray smiled, hiding his emotions, and said, "Hopefully it's not too far. I'm pretty scrawny, as you can see, haha."

Eliza stared at Gray.

For a brief moment, Gray felt like those crimson eyes saw straight to his core. That Eliza could see everything he was hiding.

But if Eliza did, she didn't bring it up. Instead, she put on a soft smile and said, "It is about a day's journey from here. But we can take our time, Gray. For now, we should rest. You have had a long day, I am sure."

"I could say the same to you." Gray sighed. "Being in that situation... Well." He smiled and said, "You're free now."

"Free..." Eliza murmured.

"Hm?" Gray tilted his head. "Did I say something wrong?"

Eliza shook her head. "No. Just... you are right." She let out a radiant smile and placed her hands on her chest. "I am free now. Completely."

Gray felt his breath catch in his chest. Eliza... she was just too stunning.

Eliza giggled and said, "Your stew is starting to tilt, Gray."

"Gah!" Gray quickly fixed his bowl before any could spill. "Thanks."

"Of course." Eliza smiled and said, "Now... I told you a story. Do you have any you could share with me?"

Gray sipped his stew, finishing the last of it. Then he set his bowl aside and hummed. "Well... a story, huh?" He stopped to think.

He wasn't an avid reader. That had always been more John and 'her.' And mythology didn't really count.

"Hm... Ah. I know one. Since we were talking about the moon, have you heard the love story between the moon and the sun?"

Eliza's eyes sparkled. "No. I have not. How does it go?"

"Well..." Gray hummed. "It's a similar story. You see, in the past, the moon was seen as an evil presence. With her came cold and darkness. In contrast, everyone admired the sun since he brought warmth and light. Even so, the sun adored the moon and hated how she was reviled. So... he sacrificed his light every night, dying for her sake so that she can have a moment to shine."

Gray laughed and rubbed his neck. "It's just a brief summary... but it's something like that. I'm terrible with words, so it's not the most romantic, but..." He looked up at the broken moon. "...I guess it's a bit sad, huh? Did the moon in this world not cherish the sun? Or... did something happen, I wonder."

Eliza paused and murmured, too soft for Gray to hear. "Maybe that's why we were cursed."

Gray looked over. "Did you say something, Eliza?"

Eliza shook her head and said, "Nothing. Just..." She smiled and said, "I think I like your story of the moon better."

Gray laughed and said, "Well, it's still a little bit too self-sacrificing for my tastes... but I have to admit, it is pretty romantic."

Eliza giggled and said, "You say that, but were you not the one who put your life on the line to save me?"

"H-Hey! It's not like I had a choice! How can I avoid a beautiful girl in a situation like that, huh?"

Eliza smiled and leaned against Gray, letting out a content sigh.

Gray tensed for a bit. But then he let out a content sigh too, subconsciously holding her close.

"Gray?"

"Yes, Eliza?"

"I..." Eliza looked up at Gray, hesitating. Then she shook her head and said, "No. I'll tell you another time."

"...Alright. If you say so, Eliza." Gray yawned. "It's getting pretty late though... should we sleep?"

Eliza stood up and said, "You can rest first. I'll wake you when morning comes."

Gray frowned. "Are you sure? I know you're... well, you." Gray remembered how she was practically a superhuman and could use magic. But even so... "Don't you need sleep though?"

Eliza shook her head. "I will be fine. So please, rest. It would make me happy."

Gray hesitated. But then he nodded and said, "Alright. Then..." He walked to the tent Eliza had made earlier and said, "Good night, Eliza."

"Good night, Gray." Eliza let out a warm smile. "I will see you with the sun."

Gray laughed. "Alright. Don't be like the moon and break yourself for my sake, okay?"

Eliza smiled.

Gray waved and headed inside to sleep.

Eliza waited and then looked up at the night sky. "...That might be difficult, Gray. You are my sun... and I do not wish for you to do as he did in the tale you told."

A faint breeze blew across the dark grassy plains.

Eliza sighed and then sat down, keeping an eye on the surroundings.

It would be a long night.