Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Eighteen years ago....
The harvest moon’s orange glow shines down on the land, giving the forest and meadow surrounding it an ethereal glow. The soft breeze carries the scent of fall on the wind towards where two wolves sit in waiting hidden amongst the tall grass and wild flowers that cling to life before the winter frost can hit. As the harvest moon slowly climbs to its apex, a mirage slowly appears on a crystal clear lake in the shape of a crescent moon. This mirage will soon be a lush green forest only visible during two events. The first being the ascension of the new Moon Goddess who will take the place of the Current one once she is grown, the second is the birth of the Moon Goddess’ pup only if the Moon Goddess has met her mate after becoming the next Goddess.
Today is the latter. The current Moon Goddess is due to give birth to her baby after many years and hope from the wolves she watches over. This is also the day for the two wolves to strike. The Goddess took their daughter from them just after the two heard her one and only cry. They would take her newly born child as revenge and make her face the suffering they have gone through as well. The right time soon came for the wolves hidden in the shadows to strike as the lush forest comes to life. With only a twenty minute time frame from the moment the forest materializes to the moment the full moon begins its descent, the two wolves spring from their hiding spot, their paws thundering against the hard dirt.
Guards are sure to patrol the forest as the Goddess gives birth, so caution is taken as they slink like shadows along the trees and underbrush of the forest, the orange moon providing enough light to see but also enough shadows for the thieves to hide in. Their snouts are to the wind, scenting the air and avoiding any wolf that blocks the way to their goal – the center where the weak Goddess will lay after child birth.
“The Goddess’ mate is on his way to take the pup.” The thieves stop as low voices converse, their heart beat picking up. If the Goddess’ mate arrives earlier than expected then their plan is foiled.
“We have orders to take the Future Goddess to him outside the forest before this forest vanishes.” The thieves wait as patiently as possible till the guards move on. With the cost clear, they continue moving from shadow to shadow until the soft wails of an infant reaches their ears. They had reached their destination.
Slinking from the shadows, the two wolves bare their teeth at the women sprawled across a bed made of moss, her white hair fanned out behind her and her complexion wane from the hardship of child birth. Beside the weak women – the Moon Goddess – is a wooden stump carved into a bassinet where the sound of wailing comes from. A child with white hair and prismatic coloured eyes protests her birth and the cold she is facing, the future Moon Goddess just in reach. A twig being stepped on by the thieves alerts the resting women to their presence but no one is there to stop them.
“Please, leave.” She whispers out weakly her hand reaching towards the pup that has now settled. The larger of the wolves growls menacingly, stopping the weak Goddess from moving in fear of her new born being harmed. The smaller of the two wolves steps forward, her eyes trained on the new born. She was so innocent with small curly whisps of white hair swaddled in a black wool blanket. The smaller wolf knew she came here to kill the infant pup but instead of closing her sharp teeth around the little ones neck and ending her life like the two had planed weeks before, the smaller wolf took hold of the blanket and gingerly carried the pup away. Confused, her partner follows suit as the heart broken wails of the Moon Goddess follows their retreat and the calls to find Baby Geminie is ordered by the guards.