Before Maximus shifted his focus to the bright and joyful little town, he was first greeted by moon elves who had always seen him as someone special for as long as anyone could remember. They were always waving as he passed, and some even blew kisses his way, but he never really paid much attention to any of it. His troubled past had left him with very little interest in things like that, so he mostly just kept to himself. Stargazer let him wander around the place for a while, letting him take in the sights, until finally they reached the exact spot he had wanted Maximus to see all along. It was a magic store, one of those places where all kinds of magical orbs and strange little trinkets were laid out for sale, common enough around these parts but still fascinating to look at.
"Alright Max, I want you to meet an old friend of mine. Just give me a moment alright..."
After a few seconds, a man with a strong build and a long grey beard came walking down the stairs. His eyes went wide the second he spotted Stargazer, like he had just seen a ghost after all this time.
"Hey! Haven't seen you anywhere around here for three whole decades Gaze!"
Stargazer just chuckled softly and walked over to grab one of the wooden chairs set up along the side of the store, pulling it out and sitting down easy.
"Yep, you know me, I always knew I'd cross paths with you again sooner or later."
Maximus just stood off to the side, waiting quietly like he had been taught to do. Stargazer glanced between him and his old friend for a second before waving him over.
"Oh right! Max, come over here don't be shy."
Maximus walked over and took the seat right next to Stargazer, glancing back and forth between the two of them, feeling a little awkward and out of place.
"Max, this is my buddy Ejar. He's a moon elf just like me but... we went through a whole lot together back in the day, things that happened a long long time ago. It's probably best I don't go telling you all the details right now, cause it's... well it's pretty deep stuff to put it short."
Ejar just laughed and bumped his shoulder playfully against Stargazer's.
"Now now, no use dwelling on all that old history Gaze'. Though I gotta say, this young man here looks like he's got a good head on his shoulders. Max was it?"
Maximus gave a short but polite nod as he introduced himself.
"Good day to you sir Ejar. My full name is Maximus. Just Maximus is fine though."
"No last name?"
"No sir."
Ejar let out a small laugh when he heard that, but he didn't push it. He already knew the truth anyway, that Maximus did have a family name but chose not to say it. There was always some heavy complicated reason behind things like that, usually tied to family matters that were better left alone.
"Alright then Maximus... huh? Sounds good to me. You seem like a decent fella', so I got something I wanna give you as a treat."
Ejar turned away and started looking through a big pile of orbs that most people thought were useless junk, while Stargazer stayed there talking to Maximus just to keep him relaxed and at ease.
"So Max, about that grave we passed earlier... that's a story that goes back way further than you can imagine. You wouldn't believe just how long it all goes on for. I've been coming to visit that same grave for... well over a hundred years now I think. And you might have noticed it never gets all covered in moss or fungi and dirt like the graves out in the rest of the world. That's cause the whole Moonlight Forest takes care of itself, keeps everything clean and fresh no matter how much time passes."
Maximus thought about that for a second before speaking up.
"So what you mean is... this whole entire forest... is actually alive?"
"Eh... yeah, you could pretty much say that I suppose."
Right about then Ejar finally found what he had been searching for, and when he held it up it was something truly amazing. It was an orb glowing bright yellow, so bright it lit up the whole corner of the room, the kind of thing that even the luckiest people in the whole world would go their whole lives without ever getting their hands on.
"This here... is called a Light Orb. Unlike all the other magic orbs you'll find anywhere, this one has a mind of its own almost. It can give you light whenever you need it, give you energy when you're feeling worn out, even work as a campfire if you're out travelling and need somewhere warm to sit. And that's not even all it can do, there's plenty more you'll find out as you go. Here, take it, it's yours now."
Ejar tossed it over to him and Maximus caught it easily in both hands. He stared down at the glowing thing, feeling a sudden curiosity and interest he hadn't felt in a long time, before finally slipping it safely into his bag.
"Thanks sir."
"Oh no need for all that formal stuff, just call me Jar' for short yeah?"
After a while it was time for them to head off, promising they would come back and visit again another day soon.
"Alright thanks buddy, we'll see you later!"
Ejar waved after them as they walked out, shouting loud enough for them to hear even as they got further away.
"You're both always welcome here anytime!!"
Once they were back out on the street, Maximus took a deep breath of fresh air and looked over at Stargazer with a small smile on his face.
"Your friend... he was really nice you know."
Stargazer nodded slowly and firmly, agreeing completely.
"He always has been, one of the best people you could ever meet. Though I should tell you, he knows a lot of secrets too, especially about that grave we talked about. But I still can't tell you any of it Max, not yet anyway."
"Alrighty... I understand."
They kept walking through the main part of town, and after a little while Maximus suggested they stop for a bit, so they went over and sat down on one of the wooden benches along the side of the road.
"I need a little rest if that's okay..."
Maximus let out a small grunt as he sat down, his legs feeling heavy from all the walking. Stargazer sat down too but he didn't look tired at all, not even a little bit after wandering around for hours.
"Spirits don't get tired Max, remember? But I don't mind waiting while you catch your breath. Besides, I got plenty more people I want you to meet here in Moonlight Town, Ejar was just the first of many."
Maximus smirked a little and let out a long deep breath, feeling his strength coming back already.
"Alright then, keep it going. I think I'd like to meet some new people... for now anyway."