F.E I (The Frontier Escapade)

Rakuyō: F.E 1 𓇢

Arizona I

Frontier Escapade 

October 13th, 1889, 3:45 PM Arizona

Chatter, laughter, and cards slapping against tables echo throughout the saloon. A piano plays in the corner, as prostitutes and cowboys dance to the tunes, drinking whiskey sloshing from their glasses.

"Are you fuckin' kiddin' me here!" A man shouts out, slamming poker cards on the wooden table, his cowboy hat falling off his head, as his face is red from being tipsy. "Ugh, take the damn money, damn you!" he shouts, throwing four gold coins at another man who's laughing.

The man stands up, stumbling over his stool, his gaze drifts towards the young bartender who's standing sweeping the floor behind the counter. "Heh… I might try to recruit and get a shot with that too." he hiccups, wobbling forward towards the counter.

The girl standing behind a counter, facing her back towards countless bottles of booze, wears a pure white gown, a white headwrap resting over her black wavy hair spilling over her shoulders, her eyes a deep golden amber, as freckles cross over her olive skin.

As she sweeps, her thoughts start to race. "Mmm…" she hums to herself, her focus drifting off as the sounds of the chatter muffle.

‘I can't get it out of my head, I've been reading that same book over and over. There's no way those claims can be real, right?’

She starts to sweep harder. 'Apparently, 2,000 years ago a man named Yesha existed—he's supposedly who Jesus was based on this entire time? I don't believe it, so who have I been praying to all my life.'

'It still shakes me, the book didn't even give me much information on the guy either… She grits her teeth. If I show Dad that book he'll snap! He'll probably turn me into the church and accuse me of blasphemy.'

‘It said this Yesha guy could heal the wounds of others, cure blindness, and grow life from just his fingertips.’

'There's no way that's possible, it just sounds like a retelling of Christ with life magic. Is this book just pulling my leg? This is the last time I buy something pawned!'

"Howdy lil' lady!" A man's gruff voice shouts out as he walks over to the counter, barely reaching the top of it. He slams his cup on the surface as he hiccups.

"Ugh…" She groans under her breath, crinkling her nose, looking down at him as she towers over him. "I don't think you have the room to call anyone little here," she says.

The man drags his fingers across the wood, looking up into her eyes. His face now completely red. "Let me get a little refill, eh, pretty?"

"Make it extra strong for me, heh!" he chuckles, "I need to feel it through my entire body now!" He exclaims, flicking his cowboy hat upwards.

He tilts as the sunlight glows upon his skin and blonde mustache, revealing the hairs growing into his nostrils.

Soluna puts the broom behind her, turning to the man, she nods, "Right, give me one second."

"Oh, and by the way, before you do…" He cuts in.

"Yes?" Soluna replies.

"How about an offer, lil' lady." The man smirks, bending over the counter. "You see, you're way too pretty to be working in this run-down place. How about you and I partner up?"

Soluna tilts her head. "Partner up?" she mutters. "I'm not sure what you mean by that."

"Well, how about me and you make some big mula out here." He rubs his fingers together. "You be my lil' lady, I give you to some others for a night, they pay us, and bam. We're done." The man says.

"Think about it, you're using those looks for nothing. You got them pretty lil' brown eyes—hell, it's making my heart skip a beat just looking at you. That smooth face and features—oh yeah, you can make us big bucks out here."

Soluna scoffs, "I'm fine, I'm not interested," she then adds on, "Out of the women here who are more than willing to partake, you choose me?"

"Is the whiskey confusing you, or is something just not right up there?" she says as the man leans in closer, smiling and revealing his yellow teeth.

"Oh, c'mon, it's the opportunity of a lifetime."

Soluna's eye twitches. "Basta!" She shouts, stepping back. "I said I'm not interested. I'm a woman of God, and those are activities I refuse to partake in!"

"Tch." The man sucks his teeth. "Your loss, then. Hurry up with the refill, I don't have time to beg broads."

"Hmph…" she grunts. She turns around, grabbing the bottle of whiskey, turning back to the man, popping the cap open, pouring golden liquid from it.

"By the way, I didn't introduce myself properly, did I? Name's Joe," he says, before adding, "Joe Tucker." He tips his hat.

"I would say it's a pleasure to meet you, but you are a little difficult."

Soluna remains silent, continuing to pour. Tucker raises an eyebrow. "How rude of you. Not gonna tell me your name back?"

Tucker lets out a chuckle. "You see, I just had to chase a few of them negros out myself the other day, buncha niggers running around here with no respect." He then locks eyes with Soluna, smirking. "And here you go, actin' just as disrespectful as they do."

He moves his hand upward, grabbing hers as she pours, and tightens his grip. "So I'll ask you again, what is your name?"

"If you value anything in life, you'll unhand me this instant," Soluna says, her voice lowering.

"Sorry, would you be a little louder, dear, I didn't hear ya. You know this place is noisy."

Soluna starts to shake as the liquid continues to pour out, her pupils starting to dilate.

"I said…" she stutters, her teeth starting to clatter.

"Ehhh? Come on, speak up," Tucker says with a smirk, leaning in.

"Heh, no need to be scared, I-" Before Joe could finish his sentence, Soluna yanks her hand back, pulling Joe over the counter. "UGH!" Joe shouts.

"UNHAND ME!" Soluna yells as her pupils dilate.

She pours the rest of the whiskey on the ground, stepping forward as she hisses, "Tch!" She arcs the bottle downward, striking Joe across the head.

"AUGH!" He screams as the bottle smashes apart on impact, glass shards impaling his face. She bends down, grabbing him by his collar, lifting him up.

"Eugh!" he chokes as blood streams down his face. He struggles to pry her arms from his neck.

Soluna tightens her grasp. "When someone says no, learn to get the hell away from them!" She bellows, tossing him back over the counter.

The music stops as people turn their heads, looking at Joe on the ground, panting.

He trembles as he picks his head up. "Y-YOU BITCH!" He screams as saliva flies out of his mouth.

He struggles to stand. "Urgh!" he hisses. "I'll kill you!" he bellows, reaching into his belt, grabbing a revolver.

"Aye, aye, aye! What's wrong with you!" A man shouts from one of the tables. "That's the missionary's daughter!"

Tucker thrusts his gun forward, aiming it at Soluna. "I couldn't give less of a damn who she is!"

Another man cuts in, "Have you lost your mind?" he says. "Put the gun down, do you have any shame trying to attack a woman of the church?"

Soluna slowly reaches underneath the counter as Joe's focus is on the people around him. She stays silent.

"SCREW THAT! DO YOU SEE WHAT SHE DID TO ME!?" Joe shouts, looking around.

He grits his teeth, turning back to face her. "YOU'RE SO BIG INTO GOD RIGHT?!" He exclaims. "I'LL SEND YOU TO MEET HIM!" The revolver spins.

"Stop!" another man then yells.

A clicking sound comes from under the counter. She quickly pulls her revolver out.

BANG!

Everyone in the saloon ducks as Soluna stands still, the tip of her gun smoking.

"Augh…" Tucker groans, his pupils starting to fade as a bullet wound near his heart spills blood. He wobbles backwards, then drops to the ground, his torso folded under his legs.

Soluna huffs. 'Damn it! I didn't mean to lose my cool like that! Now people are going to be looking at me!'

'Just make a panicked face… act like you didn't know what just happened…'

Soluna clears her throat as her gaze widens. "Oh my Lord!" she calls out, sounding panicked. "Everyone, I'm so sorry! He was harassing me, I didn't know what to do!"

People start to surround Tucker's body as he bleeds out. "What a sick son of a bitch, I would have killed him myself if I knew he was doing that."

A man with long brown hair, wearing a black poncho and cowboy hat, crouches down to place two fingers on Tucker's neck, checking his pulse.

Everyone stays for a moment before the man raises his hand. "Well, he's gone. The poor guy chose to duel the wrong girl."

"Well, mood's ruined, everyone might as well head home at this point." The man just shrugs.

Soluna's eyes widen. At that moment she slams her hands on the table. "Hey! Let's not go that far now! The night's still young! Hell, it's still noon even, buy some more booze!"

'I can't let business get messed up like this!'

"He's right, the mood is ruined, we'll continue this another day," a man says, wrapping his arm around a woman.

"Yeah, you're right, it's been fun," another says. "Hey, wait! No, come on, guys!" Soluna yells, grabbing another bottle from under the counter. "Prices of shots are cheap for today! One-time offer!"

"We're good, lady. Tell your father we'll be back when he's back running the show, there's barely any fights when he's in charge."

"Ugh!" Soluna groans, putting her head on the counter. "He's going to kill me…" she mutters.

People start to walk out as two men drag Joe's body, a trail of blood dripping behind.

The man with brown hair walks up to Soluna. "Well, there, I'll take you up on the offer. A cheap booze can't hurt anyone, right."

Soluna looks up at the man; his beard is scruffy as the sunlight shines across his blue eyes. She sighs. "Right… since you're the only one left, I might as well make it on the house."

"Haha! Thanks! You know, I've had a long day. I could really wind down a bit!" The man exclaims, pulling out a stool.

He sits, leaning his back against the counter, and lifts two fingers. "Can you make it double? I hope that's not much to ask."

Soluna grabs two wooden cups from the cabinet above her. She places them down in front of the man as she pours whiskey into both.

"You seem pretty relaxed after killing a man, you know? Ain't you rattled just a tiny bit?" the man asks.

Soluna pauses for a bit before continuing to pour the whiskey. "Yeah… I am, I just have trouble processing it, that's all."

"Interesting, so if you don't mind me asking, how's Mr. Moreno doing these days? I never knew he had a daughter like you."

"A daughter like me?" Soluna repeats, raising an eyebrow. "Explain?..."

The man chuckles. "You know, I never expected to see a woman know how to shoot like that. Hell, you were so quick with it, I could barely keep track of what even happened."

"It reminds me of the stories of this one outlaw, I'm sure you've heard of The Demon of the West. The infamous killer that's been running around killing people."

Soluna sighs, continuing to pour. "Yeah, I've heard of him before, how could I not, didn't he kill over 10 people over the last year."

The man snickers. "Oh no, it's more than that, they say the beast killed over 20 men in the last 6 months alone. A true monster."

Soluna fills both cups, closing the bottle. "A monster, you call him?" She hums.

"I get where you're coming from, I guess, but you know, living in a country like this, you need skills like that to survive."

"A prime example: people like that guy I just killed will take advantage of the weak if not careful. So I guess I can understand where The Demon comes from," she says.

The man chuckles. "Oh, you mean Joe Tucker, yeah, he's nasty. Hell, just last week I saw him chase out a group of nigg-" he stutters before Soluna interrupts.

"Shut up! Don't say that word around me!" Soluna snaps.

The man raises his hands. "Hey, hey now! Don't go off on me now! I'm not trying to lose my life like Joe there," the man says, panic in his voice.

"Then don't repeat that word, it's not hard to refer to them as people! They're just like you and I," Soluna bellows.

The man mutters, "Just like you and I, huh? Well, I don't recall our people being slaves…"

Soluna glares at him. "I will not have this conversation. If you can't show basic respect for people who bleed the same as you, walk the same as you, talk the same as you—there's no business that needs to be had between you and I."

The man grunts. "Hm… okay then, must be a touchy subject. Well, let's change it, mind if I ask your name?"

Soluna crouches, placing the bottle back under the counter. "Soluna, and you?" She stands back up, pushing the cups towards the man.

The man tips his hat upward and smirks. "Glad you asked, my name is Tommy James, known for being the best gunslinger in Santa Misericordia, pleasure to meet ya!"

"I was meant to ask your father where you guys are from. With the last name Moreno, I thought you were from Mexico, with all those Spanish-speaking folk."

Soluna raises an eyebrow. "Well, we are 'Spanish-speaking folk,' just not the kind you're thinking of. My father is from Spain, and my mother and I are from Venezia, Italy," Soluna replies.

"Uhh?" James hums, narrowing his eyes. "Venezia? I don't think I've ever heard of that."

Soluna sighs. "I forgot you Americans don't say it the proper way, Venice, Italy. You know, the city of water?"

James chuckles. "I ain't much of a reader now. Haha, a city of water, you say? So it's all underwater?"

Soluna blinks in disbelief. "Uhh… no… never mind…" She sighs. "Are those the only drinks you're getting today? I might as well just close shop for today."

"Hey, I want to talk to you some more, don't try to kick me out just yet," James says, chugging his drink.

He slams the cup back down and burps. "I want to know more about you. Maybe try to calm your nerves down a bit."

Soluna grabs her broom. "I'm okay, I'm not really in the talking mood. Come by tomorrow, I'll probably be better." She walks to the edge of the counter, opening a mini door. "I have to clean all this blood anyway."

"Aw, man… fine, but hey, one thing though," James says. Soluna turns to him. "What is it?" James grabs the second cup, holding it towards her. "I heard from a redskin there's a meteor shower happening tonight, I was wondering if you would like to come and watch it with me?"

He hiccups. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime event, I heard it only happens once every 1,000 years."

"Once in a lifetime?" Soluna repeats. "Is it like a custom in this country or something? In Italia we never had anything like that."

James shrugs. "I don't know, I believe it happens at random places in the world. Luckily, it's happening here, and I can finally get my wish!"

Soluna raises an eyebrow. "And what would that wish be?" James grins, leaning back. "My wish, just like any man's, wealth, fame, and a beautiful lady at his side."

"And I think I'm looking at my first wish right now."

Soluna snorts. "Really? That was a good one, I'll give you that, but I'm not interested in anything romantic with anyone."

James lets out a sharp sigh. "Of course you aren't, just when I thought I struck gold!" he says.

"I believe you'll find your person one day, just like everyone, God has a plan," Soluna says calmly, walking towards the backroom.

She pushes open the door, placing the broom down, switching it out for a mop and a bucket full of water.

"So if you believe 'God has a plan for everyone,' what about you? You just plan on being single for the rest of your days?"

Soluna hums. "I don't know, I never really thought of it. My only goal is to go back to Venezia and be a caretaker for children, romance isn't something I worry about."

James scoffs. "What a bland dream, you don't even want to get rich? Nothing? Okay, let me ask you this, your dream man, what would you want your future husband to be like or look like."

"Good question. Hm…" Soluna hums. "The man I've always dreamed of—well, I'd say one like my guardian angel."

James tilts his head. He leans forward, putting his hand on his ear. "Repeat that? Guardian what?"

"Yes, you heard me correctly, my guardian angel, the man I saw at death's door when I was a child," Soluna says, walking to the pool of blood. "If I had to describe him from what I remember, he had hair white as the clouds, they were in some shape like they were combined together, he had amethyst eyes, and a rich brown skin tone."

"So a black guy with purple eyes is your dream partner? James asks. "Did you really have to get all poetic with it though?"

"Correct, the man who saved me from death. It sounds unrealistic, I know, you probably think I'm crazy, that's why I hate explaining it to people," Soluna sighs as she starts to mop the blood, "but to put it simply, just a guy who resembles him."

James scratches his head. "Well, I've never heard of something like that. In love with a dream man."

He stands from his chair. "Don't know how to compete with that, na." He sighs, pushing his stool in.

He walks past Soluna as she mops the blood. "Well, I'll at least see you tonight, as a friend, of course. You don't want to miss this."

Soluna nods, staring down at the water washing away the blood. "I'll try to check it out, I can't make any promises."

James huffs. "Such a boring girl you are, ya know," he mutters, lifting his hand. He walks out and waves. "Catch you later then."

The swinging doors shut behind him as Soluna finishes up mopping. She walks towards the doors, grabbing the lever for the shutters.

'What a waste of a day… At least I made a few profits from the surge this afternoon. By the grace of God, of course.'

The shutters close as she walks back to the counter with the bucket in her hand. She bends over it, grabbing a rag from under it.

She huffs as she walks to a nearby table, wetting the rag, starting to wipe it down.

Hours pass as she finally finishes cleaning up the saloon. She stretches her arms upward. "Mmm…" she groans. She opens her eyes to look out the window. Oh, the sun's setting, I have to check on them before night falls.

She walks to the backroom, grabbing a lamp on a desk next to her, and flicks it on as the bulb radiates a soft light. A beige basket covered with a white cloth sits across from her. She grabs the handle of it, walking back out of the room.

She looks around at the saloon. 'Okay, everything's all cleaned, good, I can leave.' She puts the lamp down on the counter, walking to the back entrance of the saloon, locking it.

She looks around at the passing wagons, the hooves of the horses clapping against the ground, faint chatter from passersby spread through the air. She inhales, looking up at the deep orange sky mixed with purple clouds.

She exhales, grasping the handle of the basket as she starts to walk through the dirt roads.

She thinks back to the conversation with James. 'He called The Demon of the West a monster, but is it really being a monster if it's for the right cause? How long will I continue to hide behind faith to hide my actions? Will the Lord forgive me for everything I've done?'

'How many will I murder until I'm satisfied? Each piece of scum I rid the world of weighs more on my conscience. It's not guilt, per se, it's more, will God step in and send someone to give me judgment as well?'

She continues to walk, passing a billboard with paper faces of outlaws drawn on them. She looks at one with a question mark written on it. 'Demon of the West, a $1,500 bounty on my head… interesting, that's more than most outlaws.' She then looks at the paper next to it.

A drawing of a man with a black coat and shoulder-length curly hair sits on the paper. "The Shepherd?" she reads out loud to herself as she looks at the bounty below his name.

'2,600? Geez, that's a fortune, a lot higher than mine.'

"Well good day, missionary girl, reading the list of outlaws huh?" A voice of an old woman calls out.

"Hm?" Soluna hums, turning around to see an elderly lady with baggy tan skin approaching her, the sound of her wooden cane slapping against the ground, she wears a grey gown with dirt marks staining it.

"May I help you?" Soluna asks, looking down at her.

The lady chuckles. "Well, what an honor to finally meet you," she says. "You're always cooped up in that saloon of your father's."

"Just by looking at you, I can see you're different, your hair, your features, it doesn't scream you're from here."

Soluna lifts an eyebrow. "Oh, really? I can say the same about you, you don't scream white either, are you one of the natives they talk about here?"

"Well, you're right about that, I'm no white woman, that's obvious," the old woman says. "I'm just curious about you, I've heard the missionary who runs the saloon had a daughter, I never expected her to look beautiful."

Her eyes crinkle. "I've noticed your interest in the outlaws, I'm pretty sure the Demon of The West and The Shepherd caught your attention," she says.

"Out of my years in this white man's frontier, those two might be the worst criminals I've heard of yet."

"The worst, you say?" Soluna repeats, as the lady nods.

"None like them, I don't know much about the Demon, but its killing spree has gotten worse over time. There's no telling when and where it'll show up."

"I'd be careful walking alone around this time, when people or things are up and about, especially for a young pretty girl like you," the lady says.

Soluna scoffs, "I'm sure I can handle myself around here, thanks for the concern."

"Do you now?" The lady says with a chuckle, she points her cane at her. "Don't be overconfident in yourself just because you're the daughter of the church, some people around here don't care about titles like that."

"I always tell my granddaughter Kona this, no matter how skilled you are at fighting or shooting a gun there's always someone greater out there," she says, then adds, "And from the look of you, you look pretty delicate."

Soluna's eye twitches for a quick moment. 'Delicate? Who does this lady think she's talking to?'

"I've seen plenty of negro women get kidnapped recently too. And you looking as different as you do, they're bound to be after you too," the lady says.

"Plus, I heard the Demon of the West might be in town, that's more concerning to worry about, who knows, he might try to kill you too."

Soluna rolls her eyes. "Enough… I get it," she interrupts, "I doubt the Demon of the West will target a girl like me, he seems to only go for certain people, given the pattern."

"Just heed my warning, girl, and stay safe," the lady says, turning away from Soluna.

"Mhm, will do, grazie," Soluna responds, continuing to walk.

Moments pass as she walks further out of town, entering a grass field. 'Three women kidnapped, all targeted negro, is the Klan back in town? Better yet, where are they located?'

'A few more kills to add on later… God will have to understand when they reach him for judgment.'

She walks further through the field, reaching a small wood cabin isolated from the town. She knocks on the door a few times. "Hello? Smokey, you in there?" she says with a soft voice.

The door cracks open. "Soley?" a young boy's voice calls out. Soluna smiles. "Sí, can I come in?"

The door swings open as a boy with dark skin, wearing a brown shirt and blue pants, comes running out. "Soley! Thank God you're here! Come see what I found!"

"Huh?" Soluna hums, blinking as Smokey grabs her by her gown and pulls her inside. "Look!" he points, with a smile.

Soluna's eyes widen. "What the…" she mutters as she sees a stash of meat, bread, sandwiches, and booze.

She looks down at Smokey, grabbing his hand. "Where did you get this!?" "Did you-" she stutters.

Smokey snickers. "I stole it from the town! The people had their doors wide open!"

Soluna gasps as she slaps his wrist. "Are you stupid?!" she exclaims.

"Do you know how dangerous that is for you?! What if you had been caught? They would have killed you!"

"B-but," Smokey whimpers as his wrist stings.

"Tch." Soluna sucks her teeth. "No buts, listen to me! Dangerous people are in that town! Especially to people who look like you, they won't show you any mercy!"

"So listen to me when I tell you not to do this again!" Soluna yells.

Smokey's voice starts to shake. "I don't want to just be trapped in this cabin all the time! I want to live too!"

"I understand that, but this isn't the best place for you to do that, until I find you a new family that'll take care of you!" Soluna snaps back.

Smokey yanks his hand from Soluna's grasp. "And who knows when they'll come! No white family wants a negro boy as a son!"

"And you told me before, all the negros are getting chased out of town! So tell me, what can I do!?" he yells.

Soluna's lips quiver. "I-" she stutters. "I'll keep looking, I won't stop until I know you're in safe hands!"

'I wish I could just take him in… but knowing my lifestyle, he wouldn't be able to keep up. If I'm ever caught, he'll be a target.'

Smokey looks down at the ground as a tear forms in his eyes. Soluna drops her basket on the ground, crouching down, and wipes his tear from his face with one finger. "Listen, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scream at you."

"It's just, I don't want to lose you, I don't want anything happening to you out there," Soluna says, putting her hand on the back of Smokey's head.

Soluna brings him in, putting her head on his forehead. Smokey sniffles. "Is this a life that God really meant for me to have… why doesn't he help me too," he says.

"He will, that's why he brought me into it. See, I believe I'm meant to help you, and when you're big and strong, you can help others the same," Soluna says back. She lifts her head off Smokey's, turning to the basket, lifting the clothing to reveal a stack of sandwiches.

"I guess we can just preserve these now, since you already have a load of food," she says with a soft smile.

She stands, turning to the booze near the meat. "Aye, no, no, no!"

"You are absolutely not drinking these!" She shouts, walking toward the stash.

Smokey wipes his eyes. "Aw, come on, just once!"

Soluna shakes her head. "No! A little boy has no business drinking this! I'm taking them back with me when I leave."

"Now say a prayer and eat, we have somewhere to be at nightfall."

Smokey nods his head, huffing. "Yes, ma'am…" he mutters.

Smokey sits down, crossing his legs on the wooden boards. She grabs a sandwich and a piece of meat from the stash. He closes his eyes. "Dear Lord, thank you for this meal today, please continue to look over me and Soluna. And please help me find a family soon."

"Amen," Smokey says, opening his eyes. "Amen," Soluna repeats.

Smokey starts to eat as Soluna watches, standing above him. Smokey… you've come a long way. It seems like only yesterday I found you alone, unable to speak. It's been 2 years since that day.

She sits down next to Smokey, grabbing a piece of meat. I've tried my best to teach you how to read and write. I've tried to recreate what you've lost: the love of your parents.

'Knowing they were killed for nothing just sickens me, the Klan got to them and just left the child alone.'

'I'll never understand the hate for people with darker skin. But I know the only way to make a change is to give them the same energy they give others.'

She looks over at Smokey, noticing he's starting to doze off. She puts her hand on his shoulder. "Hey, don't sleep yet, we have somewhere to be, you don't want to miss this."

"Huh…" Smokey groans, his eyes barely staying open. "Sorry… I'm a bit tired."

Soluna stands, bending down to pick him up. "Come on, I'll take you." She looks out the window as the sky is full of stars.

'Now where would this star shower be? We should be able to see it from here, right? We are on a flat field.'

Soluna walks to the door, opening it, her feet crunching on the grass below her. She looks at the sky as one star flies past, leaving a comet trail. Soluna's eyes widen. "Oh?" her voice full of wonder.

"Smokey, look up, the stars are starting to fall."

"Hm?" Smokey hums, still in Soluna's arms. He looks up at the starry sky as more continue to fall down.

Different colors start to shine from the comets as they race down. Smokey's eyes start to glisten as he stares at the stars.

Smokey points up at the sky as he looks at one star that's still in the sky, it stays put as the others rush past it. "Are some stars supposed to stay still like that?" he mutters.

Soluna turns her attention to the golden dot Smokey is pointing at, "I-I'm not sure," she stutters.

"But go on and make a wish, they say shooting stars will grant anything you dream of," Soluna says softly, giggling.

"A wish? Well, you already know my wish, I already prayed to God about it. Do I ask the stars or him?" Smokey says in a tired voice.

"I-" Soluna stutters, exhaling quietly.

"Maybe this is from God himself? Maybe he sent this for you to make a wish?" she then pauses as her mind races, 'Why do I keep lying to myself? I'm telling him what he just wants to hear… What I think is the right thing to say.'

'Do I even believe half the things I preach?'

"If God truly knows my wish, then he'll grant it, right? A couple of stars don't have that power, right?" Smokey asks.

'I don't know… I don't at all, all he can do is have faith in it.'

Soluna chuckles. "You're right, Smokey, what was I thinking?" "It's just-" before she could finish, she notices a purple comet pass by.

An image of her guardian angel flashes in her head. 'Him… the man who claimed to be Death. So beautiful… When he saved me, when he told me it wasn't my time. That was the day I truly started questioning God. I just called him an angel to fill in the blanks.'

Her body starts to shake, staring into the purple comet, remembering his gaze meeting hers. 'La Morte… yes, I remember calling him that. I guess that's my wish then, seeing him again.'

Growling can be heard from a distance as multiple footsteps approach, breaking Soluna out of thought. "Who?" she mutters to herself, looking in the direction of the sound.

"We found a cabin, boys! The dogs smell the meat! Shit, so this is where the little nigger ran off to!" a man shouts.

Soluna grasps Smokey tighter. "Hey-" Smokey stutters before Soluna covers his mouth. "Sh! Don't make a sound!" she whispers.

She slowly backs up. 'I can't outrun a dog! Fuck… Maybe if I tell them I'm with the church daughter, they'll leave. I just need to hide Smokey!'

She places Smokey down. "Run… don't worry about me, just run away, okay?" she whispers as the footsteps grow closer.

"But…" Smokey says. "I said run! Go!" she says more aggressively. Smokey nods, running to the east, away from the sounds.

Soluna takes a deep breath. As the footsteps keep approaching, she rushes into the cabin, sitting in the dark, waiting for them to approach.

A few seconds pass as the dogs make it to the cabin, pairs of footsteps crunching on the grass. "What a broken old cabin this is. Hell, as expected for someone like that to live in this."

Soluna grits her teeth, hearing this from inside. Four… that's how many footsteps I hear, so there are four men here. Damn it.

At that moment, one of the men kicks down the door. "Come on out, na, we won't bite, show yourself, little thief."

The moonlight washes inside, revealing Soluna sitting near her basket. She looks up at the man wearing a brown cowboy outfit, his hair black and short.

"Oh, what do we have here, na? A woman?" He then whistles. "Aye, y'all look at this here."

"Um, hello there? Can I help you?" Soluna says, standing up, folding her arms.

The others come to peek through the door. "Now what in all hell is this? Why is a girl just here in the dark?"

"Just out here whoring, probably," another man says.

Soluna shakes her head. "Oh no, no, I'm only here to sit and enjoy the falling stars. May I offer you guys some sandwiches."

The man with black hair tilts his head. "An odd spot to watch the stars, don't chu think? Why ain't you with the others back in town?"

Soluna nervously chuckles. "Haha, you know, this is just some alone time."

"Now, you know it's dangerous for women to just be here in the dark like this, right?" the man says.

"Anything could happen, murder, rape, who knows. Consider yourself lucky, it's just us."

Soluna's gut drops. "Yeah… lucky…" she mutters, pulling out her cross chain. 'Damn, I don't have any weapons, I can't just attack this guy…'

"May I give you guys a prayer… before you-" Before she could finish, another man pushes the one with the black hair out of the way. "Move, McCarthy. Let me see this girl for myself."

The man stands in the moonlight as the stars continue to fall behind him. He has a bushy ginger mustache, wearing a beige cowboy hat. "Oh, this is the little lady from the saloon?"

"You're the one who killed Joe Tucker in a duel this afternoon, ain't ya? Taking out my poor brother like that, have you no shame?" he says with a grin, flicking his hat up.

The stash of food behind her then catches his eye. "And then you steal our food? Oh boy, oh boy, we got a naughty one here." He whistles. "And she's a cute one."

He looks back at the other guys. "Hey, let's take turns teaching her a lesson, what do y'all say?"

Soluna's eyes widen as she crawls back. "No…" she mutters, stepping back.

"Haha, hell yeah, Tucker, we treat thefts accordingly." one of the men shouts out.

Soluna holds onto the cross. "Wait!" she calls out, Tucker raises an eyebrow, "Hm? What is it?"

"Before you do anything rash, I have info that can help you out! It can change your life!" Soluna says.

Tucker narrows his eyes, adjusting the belt of his pants. "Now, whatchu talkin' about, na? What info?"

Soluna stutters. "T-the Demon of the West, I know who they are! I can help you collect the bounty, just please spare me here!"

Tucker's eyes burst wide. "You pullin' my leg here, girl? What do you know about the Demon of the West?"

Soluna forces a smile. "I know him pretty well, actually. I give you my word, I'll bring you to him and it'll set you and your friends up for life."

"Wait, John, what did she say?!" McCarthy yells out from behind Tucker.

"She said she knows the Demon of the West." Tucker says, answering for John, turning his head back.

"Well, shit! Sign me up then!" McCarthy yells. "You hear that, boys, we're rich!"

The other men cheer. "Bout damn time, tired of shutting in that damn building all the time," one of the men says.

Soluna huffs as she stands to her feet. "Just please let me get a bit of fresh air, and I'll lead you to him, you have my word."

Tucker sighs. "Fine, fine, get your ass over here and start movin'!" He moves out of the doorframe.

Soluna slowly walks out, scanning each of the men's pockets. 'Only the one with the black hair has a gun, it seems… if I can just take him out first.'

"C'mon, take us! Now! Get movin'!" Tucker shouts, shoving her forward. "Ugh…" Soluna groans. 'At least Smokey is safe… I just need-'

Before she could finish her thought, the two dogs around them start to bark and howl. "SOLEY!" Smokey's voice shouts out, rushing towards her.

Soluna freezes watching him run for her. 'What the hell, why is he-?!'

"SMOKEY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" she screams.

The four men turn their attention to Smokey as McCarthy reaches into his belt for his gun.

"Aye, that's the boy that took our food and booze!" McCarthy shouts.

Tucker looks down at him. "So you were working with the little bastard this whole time, woman?" he asks as he turns to Soluna.

"You bitch! What did you steal with him?!" he exclaims. "What woman of the church are you supposed to be?!"

Tucker balls his fist. "So you both are criminals, technically. I ain't too fond of thieves now!" He whirls to Soluna, striking her in the face. "Ugh!" Soluna shouts, falling to the ground.

"STOP, PLEASE!" Smokey shouts. "I'M THE ONE YOU WANT, NOT HER!"

"Aye, Wick and Billy, grab the kid, we got something for his ass," McCarthy commands as the two other men rush to Smokey.

Smokey starts to scream and shout. "SOLEY! I'M SORRY!" as tears stream down his face.

Soluna, on the ground, looks up at McCarthy standing in front of her. Her eyes burst wide as she flexes her legs.

She twists her torso, sweeping her legs across his feet.

"What?!" McCarthy shouts as she trips him down to the ground, Soluna flips upward, pouncing on his stomach. "AUGH!" he screams.

Soluna snatches the gun from his grasp, thrusting it toward Tucker.

Tucker whirls to face them. "Aye, what are you–"

BANG!

The sound of a gunshot radiates through the air, McCarthy squeezes his eyes shut, gritting his teeth.

Tucker stumbles back as blood leaks through his chest. "Damn… you…" He groans weakly, before falling to his knees, his body folding as his face lands on the grass.

McCarthy opens his eyes. "T-TUCKER!" he shouts. Soluna turns the gun down to McCarthy, the moon shining over her, illuminating her gown as her shadow looms over him.

McCarthy's eyes burst wide as Soluna places the barrel of the gun point-blank at his head. A cold metal feeling touches his skin. "P-please, no-" before he could finish.

BANG!

Blood sprays on her face, staining her gown. She stares coldly down at McCarthy's now corpse, the bullet wound in his forehead leaking out, his eyes still wide open.

"Errk!" Wick shrieks, tightening his grasp on Smokey. He pulls a knife out of his pocket.

Billy, on the other hand, charges at Soluna. "BITCH!"

Soluna quickly faces him, aiming the gun towards him, she presses the trigger as then-

BANG!

The sound of the gun firing echoes throughout the field. The bullet this time strikes him directly in the head as he's still in the middle of running.

Billy collapses onto his back, dead instantly. Soluna stands off McCarthy's body, blood covering her gown and face.

Soluna turns to Wick, who's shaking, holding Smokey with a knife to his neck. "STAY BACK OR THE KID DIES!"

Soluna stares at him coldly, raising her gun. Wick grits his teeth. "I'M WARNING YOU! YOU THINK I CARE IF SOME BLACK KID DIES? ONCE YOU SHOOT, I'LL SLIT HIS THROAT!"

Wick steps back with a grin as Smokey whimpers in his grasp. "I'LL FEED HIM TO THE GATORS! WATCH ME! FILTHY BITCH!" he screams.

At that moment, in the sky, a golden comet starts to fall, aiming for the field. Soluna and Wick both don't notice it.

Smokey starts to weep in Wick's grasp. "Soley, just shoot! It's okay! I'll be able to see my mother and father in Heaven! Please just do it!"

"Ugh!" Wick growls, punching Smokey in the head. "ERG!" Smokey shrieks.

"Shut the fuck up!" he shouts. "Your voice will distract me!" Soluna's pupils tremble as her chest tightens.

"Y-you… how dare you…" she stutters, shaking.

The two dogs around her charge at her, lunging and biting her arm and leg. She shrieks, stumbling back and falling.

"HAHAH!" Wick laughs, stepping back once more. "Even better, how about I have Cliff and Burt maul you to death?!"

He presses the knife harder on Smokey's neck. "A life for a life! That's fair, right?! You killed both Joe and John, McCarthy and Billy. So how about I make this death slow."

Smokey closes one eye as tears flow out of his open one. "I'm sorry…" he whimpers.

Soluna, on the ground, still being bitten by the dogs, opens her eyes, trying to reach out for Smokey. "S-Smokey-" her vision starts to blur.

A golden light shines over the area as heat radiates from it. Wick looks up to the sky. "W-what the-" he mutters in shock, watching a comet crash down towards them.

"DAMN!" he panics, twitching, accidentally slashing Smokey's neck.

The comet crashes down, blowing everything away, the area quaking as dust flies in every direction.

Moments pass as everything settles. Soluna lies near a crater. She slowly opens her eyes, as the grass around her is gone, bare earth left behind. The dogs that were biting her lay with wounds over their bodies nearby.

She looks ahead at the meteorite as it pulses golden.

'I appear once more,' a voice calls out.

Soluna's ears perk as she stutters, "Who's-" The rock continues to pulse, turning white as it starts to float, it stretches and twists as its form starts to change.

Soluna twitches on the ground, blood leaking out of her arms and leg, golden light shining over her.

'The games have begun, the contestants have been decided,' the voice says once more. Soluna's open eye widens as the golden light flashes across the area.

The light dissipates as the pain coursing through Soluna disappears, her wounds closing. "What the-" she mutters as her ears ring. She lifts her arm, looking at her palm.

She sits up and looks down to see a flower growing beneath her.

"WHAT IS THIS!?" Wick shouts from across the meteor. Soluna clenches her jaw at the sound of Wick's voice. Branches grow around her as her pupils, in that moment, turn rose pink.

'Use that anger for righteous revenge, destroy your enemies, and strive for the wish you desire,' the voice says once more.

The branches start to wrap around her, creating a suit of twisted wood. Her gown rips apart as the branches cover her body, flower petals growing out of it. As it reaches her face, it contorts into a mask with one hole for her eye, the pink glow shining through it.

Soluna leaps forward, landing on top of the meteor. She looks down at Wick, as orange flames surround him. His outfit now wears a red velvet cape, as his eyes are now a bright orange shining like two suns, on the inside of his cape he wears a black suit with golden buttons each in the shade of the flame emblems.

His hair is now longer as it sits on his shoulders with light curls.

"This voice… asking me what I desire?..." Wick says to himself, faint embers starting to surround him, he clenches his fist. "To be a King, to leave this dusty frontier behind and become someone who rules!"

"That's my desire!" he shouts as Soluna's voice then cuts in.

"YOU!" She shouts as Wick looks up at her as his eyes widen. "What the hell?!" He exclaims. "What is that thing!?" he shouts, stepping back.

Soluna remains silent, looking around. "Smokey…" she mutters as she begins to tremble.

"WHERE IS SMOKEY?!" she roars, stomping her foot down on the meteor, dust and pebbles bursting through the air from the impact.

"Huh?" Wick grunts, recognizing the voice coming from the creature in front of him. "I-It's you…" he says, his voice trembling. "Why do you look like that?!"

His question falls on deaf ears, as she points her finger down at Wick, shooting a small round wooden bullet to the ground as it burrows into the dirt.

"The hell?!" Wick whispers to himself, looking down at the hole it left behind. At that moment branches sprout from the ground, their tips full of thorns sharp as blades, charging at him.

Wick leaps back, sucking his teeth. "Damn it!" he shouts as he arcs his arm, creating a wall of flames in front of him.

The branches burn on contact, as he lands back on the ground skidding backwards, he looks down at his palm as embers and particles of flame emit from it. "Ha…ha…" he starts to chuckle, as sweat races down his face. "This power… It feels great!" he shouts.

He clenches his fist, laughing to himself, "Maybe I don't need to worry about anything at all with this!" he says, looking back up the blazing wall.

Behind the wall Soluna leaps off the meteorite, landing on the dirt, she stomps her feet down rushing towards the fire wall.

She lunges forward, clapping her hands together as they create branches growing from the armor, they contort and combine into a tree trunk.

The roots snap as it breaks off her arms, she then grips both sides of the trunk, launching it towards the fire wall.

On the other side, Wick's eyes gleam a bright orange, as his chest then tightens, a chill runs down his spine. "Eugh!" he grunts as the trunk bursts through the wall, lunging towards him.

He quickly aims his arms downwards, blasting flames from his palms, propelling him upwards, barely able to dodge the trunk.

He pants as his hair and red coat flutter from the pressure and wind, he looks down at the wall as a swirling hole is left from the trunk piercing it.

"Wild animal!" he bellows as his body starts to turn into flames.

Soluna jumps through the hole, crashing her feet to the ground, she looks up in the air watching him flare up.

"DIE!" he roars, slamming his arms down, blasting a beam of fire down at Soluna as she charges towards him.

Soluna crosses her arms, planting her foot in the ground as a flower with white petals that glisten and shine from the incoming beam.

(Covering the petals with aloe allows the flowers to now act as a natural fire resistant.) Once the fire strikes it, it blocks the impact, dissipating the flames instantly.

"Ugh!" Wick grunts as Soluna takes that opportunity to leap over it.

Wick starts to shake, his pupils tremble as his teeth start to chatter. "FUCK YOU! YOU HEAR ME!? FUCK YOU!!" he bellows.

"I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!" He roars, crashing down to the ground.

Soluna runs, rushing forward as branches and vines with a pink glow covering them burst from her armor. They sharpen as they grow, firing at Wick.

"Stupid bitch, I'll just burn them down aga-!" Before Wick could finish his sentence, a faint growl radiates in his ears from behind him, the voice distorting and childlike. "Wha-" he stutters.

Black smoke appears behind him, as a being with a white mask with no mouth or eye holes appears, its dark ghastly hair flowing backwards, as the moonlight reflects off its mask making it shine.

"RUHHH!" the creature growls, as its voice lowers.

Wick's eyes burst wide. "What is this!?" he screams before the creature lunges towards him with pairs of dark claws.

"EUGH!" Wick shrieks as the claws drive into his neck. He groans and chokes as blood leaks from his neck, the light from his pupils starting to fade, as blood spills from his mouth.

His vision starts to blur as he watches Soluna's branches grow closer.

The creature's claws dig deeper into Wick's neck as more blood sprays out the wound. The vines and branches are only inches away.

The voice reappears in both Soluna's and Wick's heads. 'The victor has been decided!'

"N-NO!" Wick chokes, screaming as the branches and vines impale him, the sound of gushing and splatting echoing through the air.

Wick's eyes roll back as his body grows limp, the branches push him upwards as he dangles from the tips, as the creature behind instantly disappears into a black cloud.

Soluna digs her feet into the ground, stopping her momentum, skidding across it, stopping in front of the branches. She tilts upward, watching Wick's body dangle as his flames turn into small embers.

Her mask bursts open, unraveling branches surrounding her neck, her hair now messy, spilling over the collar of wood. She huffs. "Desire…" she repeats.

The creature appears in front of Soluna from black smoke. "Soley!" he screams. Soluna steps back, flinching. "Who are you?!"

It floats forward. "It's me, Smokey! You can't tell by my voice?"

Soluna shakes her head. "No, not at all, you sound and look like a monster!" she exclaims. "If you're Smokey, what's your real name, the one you hate telling people!"

"Ehhh, you know I hate saying my name! But… Sosthenes Rose."

Soluna instantly leans forward, grabbing Smokey from the air. "Hey-" he stutters as she pulls him towards her.

"Thank goodness… thank goodness you're alive!" she says, her voice cracking. "I don't know what I would have done if I lost you…"

A tear runs down Soluna's cheek, dropping down to the soil, and on impact it scatters, growing a flower. She holds Smokey tighter. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry this happened!"

Smokey hums as the bottom of his mask fades, revealing his mouth. "It's okay… I'm the one who caused all this… I stole from them. This is my fault… I'm the one who's sorry," he says, putting his arms around Soluna.

The meteor behind them starts to glow once more as it rises into the air. The voice returns. The host has been chosen. Soluna's eyes widen. "What?" she mutters, turning towards it.

The meteor starts to turn white as it rushes towards her. Soluna quickly lets go of Smokey, pushing him out of the way. "UGH!" she shouts as it strikes into her torso, cracking her wooden armor.

The meteor breaks apart as particles and dust seep inside the cracks.

Instantly, a sharp pain radiates through Soluna's body. "AUGH!" she screams, dropping to the ground. The wooden armor bursts apart into splinters as golden light covers her entire body.

"SOLEY!" Smokey shouts, watching as the light beams from her. It starts to dissipate, revealing her laid on her back in a new outfit. A battle black and ivory skirt on the bottom, with layering torn fabric, an emblem of the sun and moon embedded in her torso, her sleeves disconnected, wearing an ivory chest wrap.

Smokey floats above her. "Are you alright?!" Soluna grumbles, opening her eyes. "I'm okay… I don't know what-"

The host is now activated, the game has begun, find your other half to secure the wish, the voice says.

Other candidates will hunt you down. Once they've killed you, the power of being the host will transfer to your killer.

"What?! Others will hunt me down?! What does my other half mean?" Soluna yells out.

"That voice's been bothering me too! Who is it?" Smokey asks, looking around.

'Follow your instincts, let it lead you to the other piece.'

'My instincts…' she thinks to herself, closing her eyes. A vision plays in her head of a golden orb floating in a desert dune, a starry sky and moonlight shining over it.

"Death Valley…" she whispers to herself. She turns to Smokey. "We have to go now!"

"Where?" Smokey says back. Soluna turns to the direction of the town. "People are bound to be on their way here, I'll tell you back at the saloon, just come on!"

Smokey nods, flying towards Soluna. "I'm trusting you!" he says, grabbing onto her hand.

The two start to rush towards town, leaving behind the carnage they left. The corpses of Billy, Tucker, and McCarthy full of burns and sears from the impact of the meteor, Wick continuing to hang from the branches as blood drips from him.

This is the start of Soluna's paranormal journey in the Wild West, a battle to grant her deepest wish.

Rakuyō: Frontier Escapade 1 END (X)