The loud noise woke me up. Through barely opened eyes I saw a puddle of my own blood, seems like I've been lying here for quite some time now. I tried to stand up, but started choking on blood, my entire body shook from sharp pain. I had some pieces of glass, sticking out from my left leg and arm. I bit my lip and slowly started pulling them out, one by one. It was painful, but I needed my body to heal completely.

After taking care of my wounds, I looked around carefully - should have done that first, but my mind was occupied with pain. As of now, I was on the second floor in the "flower room". The glass roof was shattered. But where is the monster? Is Thea in danger? With struggling steps I was walking around the room with a hope of finding the clues of creature's whereabouts. And there it is. One door was smashed open. I took a deep breath and I started following the signs of the monster.

This side of the building was more destroyed, the wind and rain coming through the holes made the place colder and more humid. I was moving slowly, putting more weight on my healthy leg and trying to be as silent as possible, so the monster won't hear me approach. Suddenly, the loud sound of a gunfire has reached me, as well as roar of the beast. I have gathered my strength and ran as fast as I could to reach the source of the noises.

I dashed outside, where I saw Thea, shooting at this screeching abomination. She was about to get attacked by it, but I couldn't let this happen. I grabbed my bow and "ghost powered arrow". The shot was executed perfectly and sent the monster flying away from Thea. She looked at me with wide eyes and was about to say something, but the creature's raspy roar interrupted her. It wasn't over yet.

- Hide somewhere! Now! - I shouted.

With a little nod Thea quickly hid behind one of the trees, her hands visibly shaking, while reloading a gun.

The monster finally got up and I was ready for the fight. It charged at me with a lightning speed, but I teleported behind it and shot another ghost arrow at monster's back. But then, an unexpected sound has caught me off guard. It was another creature, smaller in size and more swift. My body did not react fast enough, allowing this monster to grab and lift me off the ground. I grasped my knife and cut off one of it's arms, accidentally injuring myself a bit. I managed to free myself and pierced his neck with a knife. This has totally distracted me from the bigger threat. The Giant almost snatched me, but Thea's bullet stopped it and so I, with all my remaining strength, shot a stronger ghost arrow straight to it's heart. The monster fell over and I felt like I will do the same any second, but then I felt a bullet zoom past my left ear. I glanced over my shoulder, there were two dead monsters now, I must have missed another one.

Thea left her hiding spot and slowly approached me. I could see the confusion on her face.

- Thanks... I didn't see that one behind me. - I exhaled, relaxing.

To my surprise, the confused expression on Thea's face got replaced by anger, her gun now pointing at me..

- You are a fucking Ghost! - She screamed. - Why are you here?! Why are you pretending to help us?!

- I... - I froze in place, not knowing what to say.

- I almost started to trust you! And you... you... - tears ran down her cheeks. - WHY?!

- I'm sorry... but I'm not your enemy. I know what people are saying about "Ghosts", but I...

Thea wiped her eyes and pressed the barrel of her gun to my head.

- If I will fire my gun and shoot you in the head... is this going to kill you? And will you stay dead or will come back to life?

- It will kill me, but I might come back to life.

A dead silence fell between us, we were just looking into each other's eyes, standing still. Then she pressed the gun even harder.

- Does it even feel painful for you?

- It does.

- How can I trust you now? How can I know, that you won't kill me, when I turn my back?

- I won't kill you... - I started to feel really tired and dizzy, but I had to keep myself up. - You can shoot me right now, if you want.

- But you said, that it does hurt you.

- Yes. But if this will make you feel safer... you can also take my weapons.

Thea stepped away from me and put her gun on her back. She turned around, her back facing me now, and with quiet voice said:

- Come on now... we need to get to the Desert Town. I'm tired.

I was confused, but instantly felt a relief, that she didn't shot me. I took my knife and we made our way back to the bike without saying anything.

After, presumably, an hour of driving, the forest has disappeared and an empty, dark and rocky desert has showed up in front of us. There was almost nothing, just some dead trees and holes in the ground, like the ones left after the explosions.

- What has happened here? - I asked out of curiosity.

- War. - Thea replied firmy and shortly.

This world was full of questions and when I tried to make sense of it, another questions kept piling up in my mind. I started to have doubts, it's been so long since I last saw Shaun... how would he be able to survive here in this cold and dangerous world?

We have finally arrived at the Desert Town. We parked next to the massive stone wall, what was protecting the town and people from danger. I got off from the not so comfortable bike and Thea knocked on the town doors. Two guards opened the doors and looked at us carefully. After some inspection they let us in. The town was small but full of people, who were glancing at us with inquisitive eyes. The guards took the bike and Thea told me to follow her somewhere. I was walking behind her, not really knowing, where we were going. The people around seemed friendly and the heat from town lights made me feel better. Suddenly, Thea stopped in front of one house and knocked on the door. An elderly man greeted us with a soft smile and stepped aside, allowing us to enter. This building turned out to be a small bar, packed with customers, enjoying their time and drinks.

- You stay here, I need to contact Noiry and let him know, that we have arrived. - She said.

- Can't I go with you?

- No. Stay here and... I don't know, get something to drink maybe.

She left me with the drunk people, who noticed me and tried to strike up a conversation. I paid them no attention and sat down at one of the tables, feeling tired and sleepy. My small wounds have already healed up, but the bigger one from that monster spear still hurt. My eyelids became heavy and I was on the verge of falling asleep, when an older lady sat at my table, observing me.

- Um... Can I help you somehow? - I asked politely, adjusting my posture.

- What's your name, if I may ask?

- My name is Joker. And what's-

- Joker Kayn, am I right? - I tensed, feeling fully awake now.

- How do you know?!

- Let's say... - Her lips stretched into a smile. - I've meet someone with the same name. He told me a lot about you. - I almost jumped from my seat, but I tried to keep myself calm.

- Was his name Shaun?

- Shaun Kayn... - She said slowly.- He was a good kid, but he did get in a lot of troubles, just like you. - The lady gave me a big smile.

I couldn't believe I have finally found someone, who knows Shaun.

- Where is he now? - I asked eagerly, not able to contain my happiness.

- Well.. I don't know. He left the town around three years ago, when the war has ended. - My excitement has diminished with that answer, the smile slowly vanishing from my face. - I'm sorry, dear, he told me how much he misses you and he hoped, that one day he will see you again.

- I hope so too... I came here to find him. I'm afraid, that something bad will happen to him.

- Even if the trouble will find him first, - the lady got closer to me, - I think we both know, that he will be fine. - She winked at me.

- Why do you think like that?

- He was a really powerful Dark Moon. He was not afraid of kicking some monster asses. - She laughed loudly and I chuckled in response.

- Heh... can you tell me more? Like... what was he doing here?

- Oh, he was doing a lot of things. He helped everyone and we helped him with... you know... the "blood" thing. - She looked away for a second. - Everyone here can tell you something about Shaun. He was our friend... and he reminded me of one person, who lived here before. Who sacrificed his life for us. - Her smile went away.

- Who was that?

- His name was Réss, he was one of the last Keepers left alive... - My heartbeat quickened. - He was a kind person, really powerfull. Your brother reminded me of him, he even looked similar.

- What happened to him?

- He... - She moved her chair closer to mine and started whispering. - He got taken by The Darkness herself. He tried to fight it, but... nothing can beat the darkness.

- Who is the "darkness"?

- Who is SHE?! - The old lady glared at me like I'm insane. - She is the Goddess of Darkness, The Mother of Evil and everything, that is Dark. She... - She went silent for a second and looked straight into my eyes. - She created the Dark Moon curse.

I was surprised and didn't know, what to answer, then I heard Thea's voice, urging me to get up and follow her. I thanked the woman and quickly joined Thea. My head was buzzing, so much information to process. I need some time to think it through.

We stayed at the "hotel" or something, that looked like one and, unfortunately, we had to share the room. At the very least, each one of us got a bed. I've had enough for one day and just collapsed on my bed, not even removing my boots. I needed some rest, so I quickly put myself into the hands of dreams.