The mid night moon
981 Words
Sona's POV
Sona looked around, not knowing exactly what to do. She was sitting with her boss, Dev Rollins, and her best friend, Priya, in a crowded movie theater filled with hundreds of people. In only a few minutes, it would be midnight.
If midnight found her here, everyone present would witness something they had never seen before.
By the sacred laws of her kingdom, every serpent had to return to their true form under the full moon.
It was the Hour of the Full Moon.
The time when every serpent shed its old skin, renewed its powers, and became stronger than before. Those who had already awakened their abilities would receive even greater strength, while the newly initiated would finally embrace their true nature.
Every celebration and ritual had to take place at the Red Hill Temple.
"Lord Shaghan, please help me get away from here within the next minute," she whispered quietly to herself.
"What did you say?"
Sona immediately looked to her side.
It was Priya.
"Nothing... nothing at all," Sona replied, forcing a smile despite the panic rising inside her.
"You've been mumbling to yourself ever since the movie started. Don't tell me those blue eyes have made you a little crazy too," Priya joked softly, making sure only Sona could hear her since Dev was still occupied with something on his phone.
Before Sona could answer, the movie suddenly ended.
She blinked in surprise.
She could have sworn there were at least fifteen minutes left.
"That was such an interesting movie," Priya said excitedly as the three of them stood up. "I have to watch it again."
"I need to use the bathroom before we leave," Sona quickly suggested.
"You better hurry," Priya replied.
Sona nodded and walked toward the ladies' washroom.
Little did she know that ever since her body had begun shifting into its true form, someone had been watching her closely.
"My Queen, I arrived just in time."
The familiar voice echoed through the empty washroom.
Sona turned around immediately.
The brown serpent was waiting behind her.
"I have to reach the Red Hill Temple before midnight," Sona said, unable to hide the panic in her voice.
"I am here to grant your wish."
The brown serpent hissed softly.
Suddenly the ground shook.
A violent earthquake spread beneath her feet, making the walls tremble.
This was one of the ancient methods serpents used to travel during the Night of Initiation.
Within seconds, Sona's human body dissolved into her magnificent serpent form.
The earthquake stopped as suddenly as it had begun.
"You have arrived, my Queen," the brown serpent said respectfully.
Sona slowly looked around.
Her eyes widened.
She was no longer standing inside the washroom.
Instead, she found herself at the sacred Red Hill Temple, built upon the peak of Mount Mavaka.
The moon shone brightly above, bathing the entire mountain in silver light.
"Eeeeh... Lord Shaghan..."
The voices of the priests echoed through the temple.
Seven priests stood in perfect formation, each occupying their sacred position and preparing for the ceremony.
Sona slowly made her way to the highest platform.
The throne of the Serpent Queen awaited her.
"We welcome you, our Queen," the priests chanted together.
Thousands of serpents from every corner of the kingdom surrounded the temple.
One after another, they shed their old skins and emerged stronger than before.
"Lord Shaghan, grant us the blessing to recognize every enemy."
"Reveal those who pretend to be our friends."
"Expose those who hide behind false faces."
The prayers continued as the priests performed ancient rituals around Sona.
"You shall possess unlimited power."
"You shall receive the strength needed to defeat every enemy."
"No enemy shall ever overcome you."
One by one, they blessed her with sacred gifts.
A warm current of energy flowed through her body.
Her powers multiplied.
Her senses sharpened.
She could now detect the Serpent Charm and identify anyone who carried it.
That single gift would bring her one step closer to finding the legendary Black Stone.
The Queen had finally awakened.
---
"Did I make you wait long?"
Sona asked as she returned from the washroom.
"Not at all," Priya answered cheerfully. "You were gone for only a minute."
She grabbed Sona's hand and led her toward the parking lot.
Sona was stunned.
She had spent nearly an hour at the temple.
Then she remembered the enchanted chain the priests had given her.
It could bend time in the minds of ordinary humans, making hours feel like mere seconds.
She had simply pressed the hidden symbol on the chain before returning.
No wonder Priya believed she had been gone for only a minute.
"You two should get into the car," Dev said in his usual cold voice. "I have work tomorrow."
The girls walked toward the vehicle.
Before Sona could open the back door, Priya quickly climbed inside and stretched across the seat.
"There isn't any space here," Priya announced innocently. "I'm going to take a nap."
She looked at Sona with a mischievous smile.
"You'll have to sit in the front."
Sona instantly understood what her best friend was trying to do.
Priya had not given up on pairing her with her brother.
With no other choice, Sona walked around the car and sat in the passenger seat.
Dev started the engine.
The city lights passed silently outside the windows.
It was almost one o'clock in the morning.
Sona knew her parents would definitely question where she had been.
The silence inside the car lasted several minutes.
Then, unexpectedly, Dev spoke.
"Where were you when you went to the washroom?"
Sona's heart nearly stopped.
She slowly turned toward him.
How could he possibly know something was wrong?
For the first time that night, she wondered if Dev Rollins was hiding secrets of his own.
Hello, good readers.
Thank you so much for reading my books.
.
- Writer
