Page 66 of Lunar Bound
"Rowan has made contact with her journalist colleague. The evidence package we compiled is being released to multiple news outlets within the hour. It may provide sufficient distraction to delay Milano's search efforts."
"And if it doesn't?"
Eclipse's twilight essence rippled in determination. "Then we defend this position. Solar and I have established perimeter countermeasures using modified Zorveyan technology."
Poppy nodded, grateful for Eclipse's calm competence and touched by the protectiveness all of them showed toward Lunar. "Thank you."
Eclipse hesitated again, then added, "There is one more thing. Bob and Gary sent a transmission from the council."
This caught Poppy's full attention. Milano and now Zorveyan threats? How many more storms were they expected to weather? Why couldn’t everyone just leave them alone?
"What did they say?"
"They have officially classified Lunar as non-functional," Eclipse explained. "Essentially, exiled from Zorveya. Because of his high rank in the Solarus guard, Solar has been classified as being on a secret mission. They don’t want to admit he chose to leave. I am on probation since they determined I was unable to return due to my condition. But there was an additional message, specifically for Lunar."
"What message?"
"The Shadow Intelligence Division acknowledged the value of his Milano threat assessment. They have agreed to establish a permanent observation post on Earth, with Lunar designated as the official liaison."
Poppy's heart skipped. "They're letting him stay? Officially?"
"It would appear so," Eclipse confirmed. "Though I suspect it is their way of saving face after failing to prevent him from leaving."
A soft laugh escaped her, the first genuine moment of joy since Lunar's arrival. "He outsmarted them even before he left. He knew they'd have to acknowledge his value eventually."
Eclipse's form brightened slightly. "Indeed.”
"What about Solar?" Poppy asked, thinking of Dani. “Will they try to make him go back?”
"He’s posted here with a similar arrangement through the light-dweller administration. It seems our connections with Earth have created an unexpected diplomatic channel."
After Eclipse departed, Poppy returned her attention to Lunar, a new hope warming her exhausted body. "Did you hear that? You have permission to stay. Not that you needed it, but still. No one will be hunting you from Zorveya."
Inside the chamber, the star patterns within Lunar's essence pulsed slightly brighter, as if responding to her words. Encouraged, Poppy continued speaking, telling him everything that had happened since he left—how she'd built the array, how Eclipse had taught her about Zorveyan energy patterns, how she'd felt him across the stars even when communication seemed impossible.
"I never stopped believing you'd come back," she whispered. "Even when everyone thought I was crazy for trying to reach you."
The star patterns shifted again, more dramatically this time. Poppy sat up straight, watching as Lunar's essence began to coalesce more rapidly, the scattered fragments of his shadow form drawing together into a more defined shape.
"Eclipse," she called, not taking her eyes off him. "Something's happening!"
Eclipse appeared immediately, his twilight essence flowing into the mine. Solar followed, his golden light dimmed to avoid disrupting the delicate balance of Lunar’s recovery.
"His essence is reconsolidating at an accelerated rate," Eclipse confirmed. "The critical threshold has been reached."
"What does that mean?" Poppy demanded.
"It means," Solar explained, his tone carrying unusual warmth, "your love saved him.”
The simple statement was strange coming from them.
The mine began to hum with increasing energy as Lunar's essence continued to strengthen. Star patterns multiplied and brightened, swirling together into the familiar constellations Poppy had memorized during their time together. His form became more defined, edges solidifying from vapor into the humanoid shape she remembered.
“Step back,” Eclipse ordered.
Poppy instantly stood and gave Lunar space.
Solar and Eclipse both began to glow, sending swirls of their energy toward their friend.
