A burly, heavyset man emerged from the mist, his condition dire. His once-pristine clothes were stained crimson and olive, but there were no visible wounds on his skin; his condition was uncracked.
The usual recurring feeling covered his mind, one of indifference in the face of his tormentors, which he had only tolerated because of the false love Tila had shown him, but this feeling was quickly discarded after the man's face became more vivid in his mind.
"Boom Boom Bun Man?" shouted Ratella.
"Ratella, is that you, my boy?" shouted back the man, his tone rough and full of worry. "I'm glad you're okay."
The man swiftly approached the two of them, focusing on Ratella and the six wings affixed to his body.
He stayed silent despite the many questions rattling around his brain and embraced the boy, genuinely worried about his safety.
Luna eyed the man, not making a move, sensing her intervention would only cause problems for their continued relationship.
"Oh, I was worried you'd been killed or hurt after those bullies chased you into the meadows. I tried to stop them, but my strength isn't what it once was. I'm sorry."
"Is that all you're concerned about?"
"Yes, yes. I know it's insensitive considering the carnage encompassing the village, but the guilt was eating me up, and I had to get it off my chest."
His attitude shocked Ratella. Although their conversations were often brief, Ratella still cared for the man and saw him as a true friend.
"You really are a good person, aren't you, old man?"
A newfound, gleeful smile appeared on the once downtrodden man. The boy's kind spirit lifted his spirits.
"Oh, stop it, you'll make me blush," exclaimed the man as he ruffled the boy's hair. He looked at the mass of light standing in the boy's shadow. It looked exactly like the light that had hovered over the village an hour ago, just before destroying it.
"Ratella, tell me something, what is with the mass of destruction hovering behind you?"
"Um, well, it's hard to explain."
Luna did not answer the man's questions. She simply drew her blade, signaling the conversation was over. Ratella saw her sudden hostility, and sweat raced down his brow.
"Wait! Don't kill him, please, just let him go. He was always kind to me despite my status as a wingless."
"My mission was clear. I'm sorry, but I must eliminate anyone I come across. That was one of the terms in my mission, and I mustn't deviate from the order."
"Then your terms dictate I must be killed as well," exclaimed Ratella, pleading for the man's death.
"You are an exception," stated Luna, raising her blade towards the man but not striking. Her thoughts rattled as she considered the correct course of action.
"What is going on, Ratella, and why do you have six wings?"
Ratella ignored the man's question and continued pleading with the woman. Not wanting to see the only person who had shown him true kindness killed right before his eyes.
"Fine, so be it. I'll let him live as long as he will tell no one of you," stated Luna, withdrawing her blade back into its scabbard.
"Mister, you mustn't speak any tales of my wings or the Radiances' appearance here, okay?" asked Ratella, his eyes still laced with worry.
"My survival hinges on this fact?" asked the man. Ratella merely nodded his head. "Very well, I wasn't in Nova when it was destroyed."
Ratella's worry quickly left his shoulders, replaced by relief at the man's intelligent decision.
"Leave," ordered Luna, her voice stern and authoritative.
"I wish you good fortune, Boom Boom Man."
The man began to retreat. He sensed a sinister aura coming from the bundle of lights. By now, he had definitely overstayed his welcome.
He walked away from the village in search of civilization. He waved at the boy and opened his mouth just before fading into the shadows.
"My name is Bundus. I hope we meet again, kid," shouted Bun before disappearing.
Ratella shouted back, but his voice didn't reach the man. His mood vastly improved after his meeting with the man.
Luna stood still for a moment, looking in the direction the man walked off to, mumbling something under her breath. A serene buzzing encompassing the surrounding area for a split second.