The weight of the iron bar presses against my chest like a judgment. I stare up at it. My arms tremble as I push upward, the muscles in my shoulders screaming in protest.
“Just a few more,” Luna’s voice floats from somewhere above me, gentle but insistent. “You’re doing wonderfully, Christopher.”
I grunt in response, focusing all my energy on completing this last rep. The courtyard is different from the training grounds I’ve grown used to, smaller, more secluded, with high stone walls that block out the afternoon sun. It’s peaceful here, if you ignore the sound of my labored breathing and the clank of metal against metal.
The bar rises slowly, my arms shaking with the effort. When I finally lock my elbows, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
“Good!” Luna claps her hands together, the sound echoing off the stone walls. “That’s twelve. You can rest now.”
I lower the bar back to the stand with a clatter that seems too loud in the quiet courtyard. Sweat drips down my face as I sit up, wiping my forehead with the back of my hand.
“I’m surprised there are even dumbbells here,” I say, gesturing to the collection of weights arranged neatly against the wall. “I figured this world would be all swords and magic.”
Luna smiles. “Physical strength has always been valued. The church has maintained these training grounds for centuries.”
She lifts her holy rod, the white wood catching the sunlight as she raises it above my head.
“Regen,” she says softly, and a warm golden light envelops me.
The sensation is incredible, like slipping into a hot bath after a long day. The ache in my muscles melts away and the burning in my lungs subsides. But the exhaustion remains, a heaviness that no magic seems able to touch.
“Thanks,” I say, rolling my shoulders experimentally. “That feels amazing.”
Luna lowers her rod, her white eyes studying me with that unsettling intensity. “You keep thanking me, but I’m just doing my job.”
“Isn’t that the polite thing to do?” I ask, genuinely curious about the customs here.
She nods, a small smile playing at her lips. “I suppose so.”
“So how are you liking it here?” she asks, settling onto the stone bench beside me.
“It’s good,” I say, glancing toward the training grounds where I know Brooke is probably excelling at whatever advanced magic Morgana is teaching her. “I miss Brooke though.”
“But you must be so proud of her for doing more advanced magical training?” Luna’s voice carries genuine interest.
“Of course I am,” I say, feeling that familiar swell of pride. “She’s incredible at everything she tries. But I gotta catch up. I don’t need to drag her down when we’re out adventuring.”
Luna tilts her head, those milky eyes finding mine. “You’re learning at your own pace, Christopher. I think you’re doing amazing.”
I laugh, a bit self-consciously. “That’s nice of you to say, but we hardly know each other.”
“Morgana caught me up on everything,” she says, her voice soft but confident.
I nod, not sure what to say to that.
“It’s strange, though,” Luna continues, her fingers tracing patterns on her holy rod. “Every other group of heroes before you created two separate parties and went off adventuring alone. They only came together to fight the Demon Queen at the end.”
I blink at her, processing this information. “Wait, really?”
“Yes. That’s how it’s always been done.” She leans forward slightly. “But your plan is to be a single party from the start?”
“Well...” I rub the back of my neck. “I assumed so? I mean, Brooke and I are together. We’re a team.”
Luna makes a soft “hmm” sound. “Interesting.”
“Let me try another set,” I say, lying back down on the bench. The metal feels cool against my sweaty back as I grip the bar again.
“Of course,” Luna replies, moving to spot me.
I push through another twelve reps, focusing on my breathing and form. Luna’s presence beside me is surprisingly comforting, her gentle encouragement helping me push through when my arms start to burn.
“You did so great,” she says as I finish, her voice warm with genuine praise.
I sit up, wiping sweat from my brow. “Thanks.”
Luna raises her holy rod again. “Regen,” she murmurs, and that soothing golden light envelops me once more. The relief is immediate, my muscles relaxing as the healing magic flows through me.
I nod in appreciation.
“So, what do you think of Morgana?”
The question catches me off guard. I hadn’t expected to discuss our magic teacher, especially not with Luna.
“Well...” I hesitate, trying to find the right words. “When we first met, I found her eyes a bit intense. They’re so purple, and she stares right through you sometimes. But she’s actually been super nice to us. She’s a great teacher, especially after that one-on-one session we had.”
Luna nods slowly, her expression thoughtful. “She’s quite talented. Probably the most skilled mage in the kingdom.”
“Can she do what you do?” I ask, gesturing toward her holy rod.
Luna nods. “Yes, of course. Morgana is a skilled in white magic as well.”
“Oh, yeah… She healed me once.”
Luna tilts her head, her platinum blonde hair catching the sunlight. “In your world, would Morgana be considered attractive?”
The question hits me like a punch to the gut. My mind immediately flashes back to my pre-Brooke days, when I spent countless hours in my bedroom scrolling through images of big titty goth girls. Morgana would have been the queen of that particular fantasy realm.
“Uhh...” I stammer, feeling heat rise to my face. “I mean, yeah. She’d definitely be considered... conventionally attractive in my world.”
Luna smiles wide, her white eyes somehow finding mine with unnerving accuracy. “Oh... would you have gone for someone like her?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m with Brooke.”
Luna tilts her head, her platinum hair catching the light. “Would you have gone for her if you hadn’t ever met Brooke?”
I pause, considering the question. It’s been so long since I’ve thought about dating anyone else. “Getting the courage to ask out Brooke was a miracle within itself. I can’t imagine I’d ask out someone that hot who was older also than me...”
“Morgana’s hot,” Luna says, her voice dropping to something almost conspiratorial. “Would I also be considered attractive in your world?”
I sigh, running a hand through my sweat-dampened hair. “Luna, if you want me to keep coming to these sessions, I’d stay away from topics like this. Brooke gets jealous easily, and she’s doing us all a favor letting me be here.”
“Of course, of course...” Luna nods, her expression softening. “I guess I just want to know if I’d be considered more attractive in your world than Morgana?”
“I think you’d both do very well for yourselves there,” I say diplomatically, hoping to end this line of questioning.
“Interesting.”