Reborn In Moonlight

Ashes and Evhoes

The forest was eerily quiet.

The frost covered roots crunched softly underneath Aerin's boots. Her eyes darted towards the dark treetops, searching for any sign of movement. The wind had even stopped blowing. There were no whispering leaves, no chirping birds or buzzing insects. Just complete silence that felt like they were being watched and followed.

Kyre walked next to her, shrouded in shadows, his wounds hidden below his shirt . His wounds healed quicker than that of humans. But tonight, he seemed restless burdened by the rise of the blood moon .

"The veil is already thinning", he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I can sense it... A vibration beneath my skin".

Aerin nodded. The journal throbbed against her hip, its rhythmic him was a reminder of the burdens she bore. The vision of the cathedral haunted her in her sleep. The memories of Teresa's ultimate sacrifice, Maeron's fury and the light that had consumed her past self.

They were on their way to the haven, a sanctuary untouched by the war's devastation. An abandoned shrine deep in the forest was the key to sealing the curse that plagued them without Aerin having to repeat Teresa's fate, but this could only be achieved if they arrived before the blood moon peak.

This time, Aerin was properly aware that magic comes with a price and Maeron knew this fully well.

"Do you think that Maeron might to stop us?" she questioned quietly.

Kyre didn't respond immediately. "I'm not sure he will. If he wants to, he'll send someone else to do his bidding".

With the blood moon's arrival, the sky transformed into a canvas of crimson. As the light touched the stone threshold, an ancient presence began to stir.

Mara was already waiting at the shrine, seated on the creaky stairs with a kettle steaming beside her and that familiar gentle smile on her face.

"I thought I detected your footstep", she said, standing with ease . "You both look like you've been through a storm".

Kyre tension eased slightly as he said. "Still making tea in spite of the chaos?

"Yeah, the chaos doesn't stop me from making tea", Mara replied sharply, pouring tea in a cup and giving it to Aerin. " As a matter of fact, I knew you guys would need tea".

The warm nature of the cup was appealing but Aerin didn't drink it.

Instead, being near Mara brought her peace, but a sense of unease persisted.

"You shouldn't be present here". Kyre said looking around. "Maeron could be somewhere around watching"

"Uhmm... I'm quite sure he is". Mara said simply..

Aerin stood still in shock .

Kyre froze.

Mara's smile didn't falter. "Chill please, I didn't say I was on his team".

"You didn't bother denying it", Aerin said back.

Mara's grip loosened, and the teacup hit the floor with a splintering sound.

"You're not fully aware of what he's trying to do". Mara spoke softly, her voice infused with an unfamiliar emotion. "He is not the bad guy you all think he is".

Aerin's heart sank. "You've known all along, haven't you? About Teresa and the curse". Aerin said, her voice rising.

"I was once her guardian". Mara said. "Even before she met Kyre. Before the war started. I was present when she found the circle. And I was also present when Maeron pleaded with Teresa not to touch it".

"Why didn't you tell this to me all this while?"

"I didn't tell you because I knew that you weren't prepared to bear her memories. You weren't just prepared to be her". Mara looked hurt now. "Since you're ready for it... you need to know the whole truth".

Kyre moved forward. "Review to us the whole truth right now." He said demanding.

At first Mara hesitated. After a while she finally spoke.

"The circle was meant to evolve and not to be closed. Teresa misinterpreted it's power believing it meant destruction. In fact, that power was untamed. Maeron tried to make it known to her but she dreaded it".

"She feared the cost of it", Aerin said sharply. "And she wasn't wrong. Take a look at what it cost her".

"No!" Mara exclaimed, voice rising. "Look at what she made of it. For what reason? She cursed an entire lineage and sentenced to Kyre to centuries of suffering. Yet, the world she sacrificed for remained ungrateful.

Kyre's voice narrowed. "You speak just like Maeron"

"Perhaps, I sound like him because I once believed as he did". Mara whispered. " And perhaps a part of me still believes so".

Aerin stepped back feeling betrayed. "You were on our side"

"And I still am", Mara completed. "But I won't allow you repeat the same mistake as Teresa". "You now have an opportunity to mend what was destroyed".

As the moon rose higher, the ground shuddered, casting its blood-red glow across the shrine.

Aerin's voice was razor-sharped. "They why did you conceal it? Why pretend like you knew nothing?

Mara's eye welled. "I didn't reveal it to you because if I did that you... you would have despised me".

There was a wave of silence.

"You were the one that handed over the journal to Maeron", Kyre realized aloud. "Weren't you? Speak!!"

Mara stared but didn't say anything I her defense.

Aerin felt betrayal burn in her stomach like acid. "That means you aided him".

"No, I guided him". Mara corrected sharply. "To know the truth. And now I'll do same with you".

But Aerin's thoughts were spinning. "You were the one who pulled her from the circle", Aerin whispered. "You didn't just witness her death. You aided in ending it".

Mara still didn't say a word.

An angry Kyre stepped between them. "Don't you come near her. Back away!", He growled.

But Mara was already going back.

"I won't be an obstacle to you", Mara said, tears welled up in her eyes. "But I won't watch you destroy what's left either".

She vanished into the fog.

Kyre and Aerin entered the shrine silently.

The ancient walls wore faded runes, mystical glyphs that predated the curse. A pedestal positioned at the center, holding a small crystal orb that shimmered with a violet light.

As Aerin advanced cautiously, the crystal orb glimmered again and a vision consumed her.

*Vision*

She found herself standing on a hill sorrounded by a sky ablaze with flames, the haunting howl of wolves echoing behind her.

And beside her, stood Kyre and Maeron.

You must make a choice, the wind whispered.

You have to choose between life and fire.

Between memory and rebirth.

Between curse and freedom.

And between Kyre and Maeron.

Teresa's voice lingered in her head. "The circle demands balance. The vessel must be willing. The blood must be pure".

Then there was...

A blade.

A hand.

A scream.

She gasped.

The vision came to an end.

She stumbled back, her hand instinctively covering her heart.

Kyre caught her before she could fall. "What did the vision show you". He asked inquisitively.

"There were choices", she whispered, voice low. "And sacrifices too. The circle doesn't just demand blood. It wants a willing vessel. One it can bind completely".

"Maeron...", Kyre whispered. "He plans on using you as a vessel".

Aerin nodded. "But i feel someone else already tried... But the person failed.

"Teresa?"

"No, I don't think she's the one". Aerin said in a cracking voice. "Someone else. Someone before her".

Kyre's eye darkened, realization dawn on him. "My grandmother".

Aerin turned to him in shock.

"Mmm? You've got a grandma? And you've never said anything about her".

"She disappeared before the curse. According to my father, she had a natural talent for old magic. She tried to harness the circle. But she vanished during the blood moon".

"She didn't vanish", she whispered. "The blood moon claimed her".

The air became colder. A shadow formed behind them. And a voice, thin and ancient spoke from behind them.

"You're getting to close to the real story".

Kyre turned snarling.

A woman emerged from the shadows, her hair white as snow, her eyes milky coloured, but the striking resemblance was present.

It was Kyre's grandmother.

"You should not be here", she said stepping closer. "You can't put an end to what has started already".

"You're alive grandma?", Kyre said, disbelief shaking his voice.

"No," she said. "I am the remaining part of it. The circle claimed me and my purpose is to ensure it chooses its next vessel".

Aerin felt the journal vibrate at her side.

"You were the first".

"No, I was the mistake", the old woman uttered. "And now it wants correction".

She lifted up her hand and the shrine exploded in light.

After some hours, they awoke under the trees, the blood moon directly overhead.

Smoke emitted from the ruins of the shrine.

With a surge, Kyre stood up, blood trickling from his temple .

Aerin struggled to sit up, her head was spinning and her body aching. The journal was gone.

"She took it", Kyre said in bewilderment.

Aerin nodded.

A voice rang out from the center of the clearing:

"At midnight, the circle will open. One of you must be willing to enter. Or you all will burn".

It was... Mara.

But she wasn't alone.

Maeron loomed behind her, his cloak flowing and eyes gleaming with cruel excitement.

"Make a choice", he said with a sly smile. "Before the blood moon bless dry".