Whispers of the Moonlight

e streets wove like veins through the heart of the settlement, carrying whispers of the past - and whispers of curses. The

ht was one of

ontact with the villagers bustling about their morning routines. The air smelled

," a woman whisper

him everywhere," t

had followed him since he was a child, growing louder with each passing year. To them, he was cursed - born under a moon th

The vendor, a stout man with weathered hands, snatched the coins without a word, his e

," Aster s

didn't

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nd plain, but it was the only space in the world that felt like his. Sketches covered the walls - landscapes, anim

a familiar face emerged on the paper. It was a man's face, sharp and angular, with dark eyes that seemed to stare stra

ge was comforting, but it was also a reminder of his solitude. The only sound was the cra

ld, disappearing into the night without a word of explanation. The villagers said they had fled to escape

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as he often did. He pushed open the door wit

u're brood

om his sketchbook.

from him, shaking his head. "You're al

Aster said

resting his elbows on the table. "You can't keep hiding away in this cottage. Peopl

. "It's easi

"You deserve more than this, A

ng. Aster knew Elijah meant well, but happiness felt

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oon that hung low in the sky. Its silvery light bathed the village in

the night seep into his bones. The moon always made him restless

whispered to the night

carrying his words

't know it yet, those

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vest, a sick child, a broken wagon wheel - everything was blamed on Aster. He

supplies. As he approached the blacksmith's forge

allowed here,"

ng but bad luck,

ced an order for new kitchen knives. But as he turn

alk around like you belon

buy supplies," A

t belong in this village. You'r

to defend himself, but he knew it would only make things worse

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g into the flames. The words of the villagers repl

enzy of frustration and longing. The face of the dark-haired man appeared on

are

eal?"Aster

g offered

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the cold wind biting at his skin. He looked out at the

murmured to himself. "One day, I

o the night, and the moonlight

the mountains, fa