The chair on which she sat had vanished, dissolved into the wispy robes of night sky. The entire corner felt disconnected from the rest of the room, silent except for the chill breeze of no origin. All was black besides her face- though you couldn’t necessarily call it that: a large two-dimensional circle, white with patches of grey and cream that shone dimly like a candlelit lamp in a dark room. No eyes, no mouth, no ears, no nose just what seemed like a cardboard cutout of the moon for a face.

“Is he dead?” a voice boomed from all around her.

“No,” Malachi seethed, “I doubt he ever will be. Why did you order me to kill the child?”

“Humans...” she sighed, “You were going to-eventually. A threatened man makes hurried decisions. He can’t think. He has nothing to live for-“

“And?” Malachi asked growing impatient. He had been on his way to address his plan to a couple of willing, cheap henchmen when whoever this was loomed in front of him. He had tried avoiding her, knowing completely well of demons and ghouls that awoke in the night yet she had promised him things that would bring him and his power to new heights.

“He won’t fight back if he has no purpose” she completed, “Your plan, dear Malachi, involved rousing him, making him come for you- try save them- because he’d feel like he still has a chance. I just made everything much easier!” She shifted in her seat, her cloak dragging the shadows that danced around the all towards her. Her disc-like head on her spindly wiry neck looked moments from slipping off. The wind around her grew stronger as she exhaled.

“What is in this for you?” Malachi asked, suddenly curious about this being’s background, “Why are you so eager for this?”

“Wishes, Malachi.” She said, “Granting wishes make you stronger, bigger. The more popular- the more powerful.”

“But how does that relate to-“

“WAIT TILL I FINISH!!!” her voice bellowed, shaking the large wooden beams that held up the roof of the empty tavern. “You saw another man with this Captain of yours?”

“Yes” Malachi replied, “Although I’m not quite certain he is some ordinary man-“

“He isn’t” the Moon confirmed, “He is Polaris- the North Star- granter of wishes- way finder. Long ago, the weak spirit of the North Star, much like I’m the spirit of the Moon, bound herself with a human. So she could carry on living, despite my fatal wounds to her. As queen of the night, I must be the one who decides what happens and what doesn’t, NOT some petty incompetent star!!!”

Malachi’s moustache twitched confusedly. He still wasn’t able to put the pieces together and was too afraid to ask. He crossed his arms and nodded, encouraging the demon in front of him to complete her overarching tale.

“A human’s body can only hold magic for so long.” She continued, “and his time is almost out- regardless of how young he looks. A moment too late and he ages rapidly into dust, unable to transfer the North Star’s soul to someone else. Someone who loves them just as much as he loves the latter.”

“You’re telling me, that your ‘Polaris’ or whoever, has the eyes for Amias”. Why was everyone falling for this thief?? Malachi started wondering whether it was his personality that was the issue.

“Yes.”  The Moon said, “Kill him and Polaris will have no one. The reign of the North Star would be over! And I could grow! Grow bigger than Soleos himself!!” she exploded into a howl of malicious laughter, sending the curtains flapping violently and blowing out all the lights in the room, besides her own face. Malachi beamed, aiding in such a crusade could reward him greatly.  He was most probably going to get a position of his own- probably become a star himself.

“I will grant you your wishes, my queen” he bowed gracefully, “Even the queen of wishes needs help sometimes”

“Aren’t you adorable, Malachi” you couldn’t see it, but Malachi imagined a smile drawn across her face, “Go get me my prize”

“I won’t be long” he tipped his hat and stepped out. The sword at his hip bouncing excitedly to the beat of his step.

“Humans, such a desperate little species…”