Chapter 23: 10 Years Of Suffering
Jasem, who had skillfully cooked breakfast for the group, watched as Adam and Luna happily enjoyed the meal. Luna, awakened by the irresistible aroma of the cooked rabbits, had joined them at the makeshift dining spot.
Previously cautious around Luna, the two heroes now seemed more at ease after witnessing Dean's new skill the day before. They had learned that Luna was utterly loyal to Dean and wouldn't betray him.
This change in behavior brought a smile to Luna's face. The heroes spoke to her more casually now, appearing less tense in her presence. Feeling more accepted, Luna savored the newfound warmth in their interactions.
Curiosity sparked within Jasem as he took a massive bite from the rabbit leg he held. He turned to Luna and asked, his mouth still half full, "Tell me, where are you from?"
Luna, slowly savoring her food, swallowed before answering. "I come from a city called Highsand in the Siriray Kingdom, located north of here."
Finished with his meal, Adam sat down and listened intently to the conversation. When he heard the name of Luna's kingdom, he immediately grabbed his map, hoping to locate it. But to his surprise, there was no mention of the Siriray kingdom on the map.
Perceiving Adam's confusion, Luna smiled slightly and responded, "It's situated atop Mount Safari in the north."
Adam's eyes quickly found the mountain on the map, but he couldn't find any trace of the kingdom or city Luna spoke of. Puzzled, he looked at her curiously. "I see the mountain, but I can't find any reference to your kingdom or city."
Luna's smile faded, replaced by a hint of sadness in her eyes. She replied, "Do you think the humans who attack us for merely looking different and then enslave us, killing our families, would acknowledge our small kingdom on their maps?"
Realizing his mistake, Adam glanced at the map for a few moments before rolling it up and storing it away. He didn't want to press Luna further or make her uncomfortable by asking more questions.
Meanwhile, Jasem, having finished his meal, observed Luna drawing on the ground with a small wooden stick. Intrigued by her earlier comment and her current demeanor, he asked, "How long have you been in this kingdom?"
Jasem wondered about the extent of Luna's suffering and the duration of her enslavement. Her body bore scars from old wounds, some of which had healed, while newer injuries were healing thanks to Dean's use of his blood for her recovery.
Luna remained silent for a moment, continuing to trace patterns in the dirt with the stick. Finally, she began to answer Jasem's question, still seated beside Dean, who had awakened but chose not to interrupt their conversation.
Luna recounted her abduction at the age of 8 by Duke Gabriel's men, who controlled the vast Northern territory of the Rawan kingdom. Highsand, her once-thriving city, fell prey to a night raid where parents were ruthlessly slain before their children's eyes.
Taken captive, Luna and other young ones were transported to a desolate slave camp. There, they endured rigorous training, learning not only the language of their captors but also menial skills like cooking and cleaning, designed to enhance their market value.
Their torment reached its peak at an auction attended by noble families, where innocent lives were bartered for ownership.
Luna revealed that she was sold to her first Master at the age of nine, fetching a price of six gold coins after a year in the slave camp. Fear gripped her upon entering her Master's home, but her anxiety dissipated when she discovered fellow slaves who brought her a sense of comfort.
Her initial relief continued as Luna served as a maid in the Leones Family's kitchen for four years. She found happiness in the respectful treatment they received, regardless of their race. However, tragedy struck when the Hewthels Family seized control, annihilating the Leones and subjecting Luna and her comrades to brutal conditions.
Under the Hewthels' merciless rule, they were overworked, given no respite except for sleep. The slaves endured physical and mental abuse, leading some to tragically choose death over enduring further torment.
As the years rolled by under the oppressive reign of the Hewthles family, the once-strong and joyful group of fifty slaves, who had once thrived under the Leones, dwindled to a mere seven. Their spirits crushed, their bodies battered, they existed in a state of wretchedness and despair.
These survivors bore the scars of relentless abuse, enduring daily torment at the hands of their merciless masters. Though they yearned to resist, their feeble attempts were swiftly quashed by the family's henchmen, leaving them defeated and broken.
Growing weary of the slaves they had subjected to years of suffering, the Hewthles family deemed them expendable. Without a second thought, they condemned the remaining seven to be sold at the market, seeking to extract whatever meager value they could. Luna, alongside two others, found themselves sold to another noble family, though their new masters proved to be only marginally better than the Hewthles.
While this new family also inflicted cruelty upon them, the slaves discovered some fleeting respite in the form of a few minutes of rest and two warm meals each day. The family recognized the need for strong workers to fulfill their tasks, providing these meager comforts to ensure their continued productivity.
Luna's newfound glimmer of happiness emanated from the stolen minutes of training she received from her teacher, Amoux. In clandestine sessions, hidden from prying eyes, he imparted the secrets of Highsand swordsmanship using makeshift wooden weapons. These forbidden lessons, along with other skills he shared, held the promise of a brighter future.
After two years of absorbing Amoux's teachings, Luna's desire for freedom became an unquenchable flame. Ignoring her teacher's warnings, she resolved to escape the life of a slave. With a daring leap over the estate's imposing walls, Luna embarked on her desperate bid for liberty. Yet, her efforts were thwarted by the cruel, unyielding slavery collar that restricted her movements. Far from the place she yearned to leave behind, Luna fought valiantly against the guards who pursued her, skillfully dispatching many of them. However, her triumph was short-lived as she was ultimately captured after a grueling struggle.
In the clutches of her enraged Master, Luna suffered a brutal beating, teetering on the precipice of death. With cruel intentions, he sentenced her to be sold at auction or meet a gruesome demise, a spectacle to amuse the villagers.
It was on that fateful day that Dean crossed paths with Luna, witnessing her plight. Recognizing her worth beyond the chains that bound her, he stepped forward and purchased her from the callous auctioneer, offering a mere two gold coins for her life. However, unbeknownst to them, Luna's destiny teetered on the edge of the hangman's noose, poised to be snuffed out before her encounter with this unexpected savior.
After hearing Luna's heart-wrenching story, Jasem couldn't help but feel a surge of guilt and remorse for his harshness towards her the previous day. Unaware of the depths of her past, he now carried the weight of his words heavily upon his conscience.
Luna, engrossed in a playful interaction with the dirt and her stick, immediately turned her attention towards Dean as he began to stir awake.
"Good morning, Master!" she greeted him with a beaming smile on her face.
Dean, wiping the sleep from his eyes with a feigned yawn, acknowledged her with a smile. He gently patted her head as he sat up and glanced around, noticing Adam and Jasem nearby amidst a scattering of discarded bones.
"Tsk... you traitors, eating without waking me up," Dean playfully scolded, though his smile betrayed his mock annoyance.
Adam, sheepishly scratching the back of his head, smiled guiltily. Jasem, aware that there was still food left for him, stood up and tidied his attire before addressing Dean.
"Don't worry about food, Luna saved some for you. Now, let's get moving. We need to reach the town before sunset," Jasem instructed, his tone conveying a sense of urgency.
Adam promptly rose to his feet upon hearing this, eager to resume their journey. Dean, who had initially planned to enjoy a leisurely meal, was about to request a brief delay to satisfy his hunger. However, before he could utter a word, Adam and Jasem had already begun walking away.
"Hey, where are you two going? I need to eat before we leave," Dean called out, slightly exasperated.
Adam, strolling with his hands behind his head, continued walking while Jasem, maintaining a steady pace, responded to Dean's protest from a distance.
"We don't have time to waste sitting around. You can eat while we walk," Jasem called back, his words laced with determination.
Dean let out a sigh, realizing that his companions were resolute in their decision to press forward. With Luna still on his back, he reluctantly rose to his feet and trailed behind them, struggling to consume the meat Luna had saved for him.
"Tsk..." Dean muttered in frustration, contemplating setting his food aside for later. However, before he could act on this thought, Luna, perched on his back, gently took the food from his hand and began feeding him.
"Let me do it, Master!" she insisted, cutting the meat into bite-sized pieces and offering them to him.
Dean smiled brightly at that, as Luna was cutting the meat into small pieces and feeding him directly. He kept walking behind his two comrades, who were jealous when they saw the scene that was happening behind them.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone