Luna stood across from the desk of Princess Elia. The Princess looked about 20 years of age, with long silver hair, grey eyes, and a traditionally beautiful face. Elia was in what Luna had come to recognize as her work clothes, a black dress with gold trim that fit comfortably enough that the person wearing it wouldn't mind having it on for extended periods.

The office they were in didn't appear to be anything fancy at first glance. The walls a simple black and white pattern inverted beneath the chair rail, the floor a matte black carpet, and the furniture practical and sturdy with little ornamentation. Nothing stood out in the space at first glance, but if someone analyzed it in detail, they'd find a multitude of barriers and enchantments to prevent spying and protect those inside the room from any external assault.

Luna had received instruction to come and give a report about the day's events to the princess. The fact that those instructions had been worded like an invitation rather than the order that they were didn't escape Luna's mind. But, Luna didn't mind the theatrics or the bizarre pleasantry.

"So, what did you think of the tournament winner?" The Princess asked Luna in a flat tone, continuing to work on the documents in front of her.

"I don't know. He's definitely something unique." Luna voiced her opinion on the man who went by Mask.

>Unique is undoubtedly one way to describe it.

Princess Elia looked up from the papers in front of her at the words. "Unique, in what way?" She asked.

Luna thought on the question for a moment before saying anything. "He didn't give a real name, only said to call him Mask. He never actually spoke, used these floating golden letters to communicate. Every inch of his skin is covered, from the mask on his face to the boots on his feet. He was ambitious, knowledgeable, and polite. But, the most bizarre thing about him was that" Luna held a small pause to see if any thoughts of hiding this information floated to the surface. When none appeared, she continued. "I couldn't appraise him."

The pen in the princess's hand paused at this statement. "Appraisal resistance on his equipment?" Elia asked for clarification, concern evident in her voice.

>Hah, if it were that simple, then you'd have said that.

"No, this felt different. I've felt the way the spell bounces off someone wearing equipment like that, but this was more like the spell couldn't even tell he was there. I tried several times, and every time it was like he wasn't a valid target." Luna said, confusion and concern in her own voice.

"That... That is concerning." The Princess said, a tinge of fear in her voice. "With everything you saw and experienced, how likely is it that he is a spy for the enemy." The Princess asked, a look of determination across her beautiful face.

>Oh, I feel so sorry for this poor girl. She looks to have lost the ability to trust.

"Right now, I can't tell. If he is a spy, he did a poor job seeming unsuspicious. I assume you heard about how his fight ended in the arena?" Luna asked The Princess.

"I have. Quite a bizarre decision to try and kill the judge rather than cut the throat of the defenseless opponent in front of you." Elia said coldly.

"Might have been to demonstrate something to those watching, or his way of thinking isn't in the same line as yours," Luna said, trying to be clear that she was not particularly fond of the princess suggested course of action. "Personally, I think that we should avoid directly confronting him, even if he is a spy." Luna gave her suggestion, aware that it was only that, a suggestion.

>Oh, don't be like that, dear. Your words hold more weight than you think.

The princess set down her pen and rested her chin on the back of her hands. "Ooh, and why do you think that?" Elia sounded genuinely curious.

>He'd wipe the floor with anyone sent after him. >You'd die. >Too dangerous. >Don't even think about it. >Death. A cacophony of voices drifted at the edge of Luna's mind, barely outside her own thoughts.

"I don't really know what it is, but something tells me that antagonizing him would only end in destruction," Luna spoke about the thoughts she'd had ever since she first met the masked man.

"So, what course of action would you suggest?" Elia said, humor in her voice.

Luna hesitated to speak her mind. She'd spent the past six months under what might as well have been a military command, every action she took was one someone else dictated, and now she was hesitant to suggest a course of action outside of the norm.

Princess Elia noticed this and spoke up. "Luna, in five days' time, you will attend a parade that signifies that you have left the capitol. When that time comes, you will, in all forms, have left the control of those in this castle. This close to the end of our relationship as superior and subordinate, I believe you should decide what you want to do, instead of having me or someone else dictates what you should do." The princess paused for a small moment to let the message sink into Luna's mind before restating her previous question with slightly different wording. "What course of action will you take?"

Luna thought about the words. Before coming to this world, she'd never had to make such a big decision entirely on her own. The pressure in her mind was unbearable. A pressure that stemmed from the feeling that choosing wrong could lead to something far more disastrous than a wasted year at the wrong college or an old friendship ending. But, an unfamiliar voice in her head, a whisper of a voice, a small tiny voice so little Luna almost missed it, spoke up. >You already know what you want. All you have to do is say it. Say what you're thinking. Tell her, and it will be made real.

Luna didn't recognize the voice, but that was no surprise. Ever since coming to this world, her mind had been a jumble of new thoughts and voices she'd never heard before. The idea of another one added to the mix wasn't something Luna feared. Besides, What it said was right; she knew what she wanted, so she spoke her mind aloud for Elia to hear.