Page 23 of Lunar Bound
Poppy studied him in the dim red light, her expression serious. "Because of me?"
"Partially," Lunar admitted. "But additionally, I have noticed aspects of Earth's existence that deserve preservation, like the balance between light and dark, the ability to adapt to change, and the freedom of self-determination."
"Things your world doesn't have," Poppy concluded.
"Things the shadow territories specifically lack."
"What does that mean for you personally?" Poppy pressed. "When Galaxy Brides comes back, will you leave with them?"
The question required Lunar to confront contradictions in his operational parameters. His loyalty to the shadow territories was absolute, ingrained through generations of genetic and cultural programming. However, his experience with Poppy introduced new factors that could not be easily reconciled with a simple return to his previous role.
"I do not know," he answered truthfully. "The optimal course of action remains unclear."
Poppy studied him for a long moment. He wished he could read inside her thoughts. Finally, she said, "Well, I guess first we need to survive Milano's hunting party. Then we can worry about interstellar travel plans."
A faint vibration traveled through the rock above them, followed by the distant sound of mechanical equipment. The search was expanding.
"Do you feel that?" She touched the rocky ground. "We should get moving."
She led him to the edge of the underground pool, where the water disappeared into the rock wall. "This is where it gets tricky. There's a submerged passage here that leads to another chamber. It's not long, maybe fifteen meters, but you have to swim through completely underwater."
Poppy dug inside her pack, pulled out a plastic container, and put her cell phone inside.
Lunar assessed the challenge. His shadow form could navigate the passage without difficulty, flowing through the smallest openings regardless of water content. But Poppy would face significant risk.
"No. This creates unacceptable danger for you," he stated.
"I've done it before," Poppy assured him. "I mapped this system last year. The passage is wide enough, and I know exactly where the air pocket is on the other side."
Despite her confident tone, he detected a shift in her energy. She was scared.
"The presence of Milano creates additional variables that you did not face when you mapped the cave. If they detect us, you could be trapped.
"Got a better idea?" Poppy challenged. "Because this is the only way to an exit that comes out in a completely different area."
Lunar considered alternatives. "There is another option. I can transport you through the passage."
"Transport me? How?"
"By extending my shadow field to encompass you," Lunar explained. "It would allow you to move as I do, through spaces that would normally be impassable."
Poppy's eyes widened. "You can do that? Turn me into a shadow?"
"Temporarily," Lunar clarified. "It is not without risk. No human has experienced the shadow state before. The effect on your biological systems is unknown."
Poppy considered this for only a moment before nodding. "Let's do it. Better than drowning if something goes wrong in the underwater passage."
"The process requires complete physical contact," Lunar informed her. "My energy field must fully envelop yours."
Without hesitation, Poppy stepped closer, placing herself directly before him. "I trust you, Lunar."
He extended his arms, drawing Poppy against his shadow form. His energy field expanded, flowing around and through her physical body like water surrounding a stone. He felt her initial tension, then conscious relaxation as she surrendered to the process.
"Your heartrate has accelerated," he noted, monitoring her biological responses carefully.
"It feels incredible," Poppy whispered, her voice taking on an echoing quality as the shadow energy enveloped her more completely. "Cold but not unpleasant. Like being underwater but still able to breathe."
Lunar completed the energy transfer, fully incorporating Poppy into his shadow field. To an observer, they would appear as a single shadow entity, her physical form indistinguishable within his dark essence. He could feel every aspect of her biology now, the flow of blood through her veins, the electrical impulses of her nervous system, the exchange of oxygen in her lungs.
