The Last Moon Goddess

Chapter 9

Chandria and Nate set out on their hike early in the morning, just as the sun began to rise. The chilly air made their breath visible, but they didn't mind it at all.

As someone who had hiked to the Shkhara Glacier several times before, Nate offered to be Chandria’s guide so they wouldn’t need to ask anyone else for directions. It was just the two of them, walking towards the Lamaria church in Zhibiani dedicated to St. Mary, located in the northernmost neighborhood of Ushguli. Despite her recent unsettling experiences in the village, Chandria couldn't help but feel awestruck by the stunning scenery. She made sure to capture every moment with her camera, eager to impress Lasha with her work.

When they reached the church, it felt like time had frozen because everything had stayed unchanged for centuries. The fence surrounding the church was made of rocks, and inside were ancient frescoes, each with its own unique story, almost faded with age. Since the sun's rays didn't enter the church, it was illuminated with candles, giving it a more untouchable and mysterious feel. Chandria was busy capturing everything on camera, while Nate shared interesting facts about the church, like how it was constructed in the 10th century, and he attentively listened to her remarks.

"I'm very fortunate to be given a chance to explore your village. But it's sad to think that not many people are familiar with this place. They'll never get to see it in their lifetime," Chandria said, shaking her head in disappointment.

Nate gave a warm smile, impressed by how much she was thinking about others. "Well, now they will be able to see it, thanks to you."

Chandria smiled and tapped Nate on his arm. “You know what? You probably have a lot of experience with women.”

Nate let out a hearty laugh. “And why do you think that?”

"You just know how to say the right things. You know exactly what a woman wants to hear," Chandria teased.

Nate chuckled. “Well, I should just be glad that it's working on you then,” he replied playfully. Her smile widened.

Chandria felt grateful to have met Nate during her trip to Ushguli. She felt a sense of ease and comfort around him. His vast knowledge of the area and his easygoing personality made her feel at home. She hadn't felt this way in a long time, not even when she was back in her hometown. All her life, she had yearned to belong somewhere, and Nate was giving her that kind of feeling.

As they left the Lamaria church, Nate suggested they rent horses to go to the Shkhara Glacier restaurant where they could have a quick break. Chandria was hesitant at first, as she had ridden horses only a few times before and wasn't great at it, but her adventurous side agreed to try it out. Nate helped her onto the horse and gave her a few tips on how to ride.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got you. Just hold onto the reins and try to relax,” Nate said reassuringly.

Chandria was still a bit nervous, but she trusted Nate and held on tight. As they began to ride, she felt the wind in her face and the horse’s hooves clattering against the rocky path. It was exhilarating. She tried to keep calm and not make a scene but couldn't help letting out a small scream a few times.

Nate couldn't help but tease her, "I think the horse would appreciate it if you didn’t scream every time it moves."

Chandria laughed at his comment, leaning back slightly in her saddle. However, her laughter proved to be her downfall as she nearly lost her balance and almost fell off her horse. In a split second, Nate reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her back into the saddle.

For a moment, their eyes met and they just stared at each other. Chandria felt her heart racing. She noticed the intensity of Nate's gaze and couldn't help but wonder if he was feeling the same way or if he was just really good at staring contests. Finally, Nate broke the awkward silence by clearing his throat, and Chandria let out a breath she didn't even know she was holding.

They continued their ride through the stunning valley, surrounded by breathtaking views of the majestic mountain range. Chandria couldn't help but feel small in comparison to the towering peaks around her. As they crossed a small stream, she felt the chill of the water against her legs, but it only added to the excitement of the adventure.

"I can't believe I'm doing this," she exclaimed, looking over at Nate with a huge grin on her face.

"I knew you could do it," Nate replied, his eyes shining with admiration.

"It's so beautiful here. I don't want to leave," she added, feeling a sense of peace and contentment in the moment.

Nate smiled at her, "We still have a lot to see, and I promise it only gets better from here."

The gravel road ended at the wooden Shkhara glacier restaurant where Nate and Chandria decided to take a short break. The cold mountain air was crisp and refreshing, and the view of the glacier was breathtaking. They decided to sit outside the restaurant and ordered soup and beer. The warm soup was comforting in the cold air, and the beer added a refreshing touch.

"This view is incredible," Chandria said, gasping in awe.

"Yes. But be careful not to get too close to the glacier,” Nate reminded Chandria, his voice tinged with concern. “And watch out for falling rocks. The area has become unstable due to climate change and the glacier melting.”

Chandria nodded, appreciating Nate's concern. "Do you think it will snow soon?" she asked, looking up at the clear blue sky. "I've done some research. It's already September. Some say snow starts in October, while others say there's no fixed month, but it usually lasts for about six months."

Nate shrugged. "Who knows? Nature is unpredictable."

***

As they rode towards the designated area for observing the glacier, Nate and Chandria felt the cool mountain air brush against their faces. Pausing for a moment, they took in the stunning surroundings. The jagged mountains rose high into the sky, and the icy blue glacier sparkled in the sun. Chandria's eyes widened with wonder as she pulled out her camera, eager to capture the natural beauty before her. She clicked away, trying to capture every detail of the distant glacier. After taking numerous photos, she decided to film a video for her vlog.

All of a sudden, Chandria noticed snowflakes landing on her camera and hand. Excitement surged through her as she realized what was happening. Turning to Nate, who looked concerned and preoccupied, she exclaimed, "It’s snowing!" Her face lit up with delight, having longed to see snow before leaving the mountains.

"We need to go," Nate said urgently, his expression serious as he stared beyond the glacier.

"Just five more minutes," Chandria pleaded, not ready to leave. "Here, just take a quick photo of me." She was handing Nate her camera but he was focused on something else to get it from her.

"There's no time to waste," he responded, his voice laced with concern.

Persisting, Chandria begged, "Please, just a few more minutes?"

Before Nate could reply, the horse beneath Chandria began behaving erratically, as if it had a will of its own. She tugged at the reins, following Nate's instructions, but it seemed determined to take her towards the glacier.

"You're not allowed to go past the boundary!" Nate yelled, but the horse was too quick, and they were rapidly approaching a dangerous point of no return.

As they neared the glacier, the weather suddenly changed. The sky darkened, and the air grew icy. Large snowflakes fell rapidly, making it difficult to see. Rocks tumbled down the sides of the glacier, creating an alarming noise.

Chandria's heart raced with fear as the danger of the situation became clear. She tightly gripped the reins, trying to steer the horse away from harm, but the animal was determined to approach the glacier despite the risks, pushing past the designated area and into uncharted territory. The snowfall grew heavier, stinging her face and eyes.

As they ventured deeper into the glacier, Chandria's heart sank. She realized they had gone too far, past the point where anyone had ever been before. Her surroundings were unfamiliar, and she could barely see anything in the thick snowfall. The horse continued to move forward, seemingly unfazed by the danger that lay ahead.

It was then that Chandria vowed never to ride a horse again if she survived. But it seemed the horse had heard her vow and showed mutual dislike towards her. Suddenly, it reared up, throwing Chandria off its back and onto the snow-covered ground. She landed hard, dazed and disoriented. She struggled to get up, but her limbs felt heavy and unresponsive. Every time she opened her eyes, she saw a different image: her camera, a man, a warm chest, a fur cloak, a pendant. And then darkness.

***

Chandria could hear a faint melody or song that she couldn’t quite understand. It was as though she was hearing a different language, but she knew it wasn’t Georgian. Her eyebrows knitted as she struggled to open her eyes.

When she finally succeeded, the first thing she noticed was the unfamiliar room she was in. Her nostrils flared as she inhaled deeply, and the scent of herbs and spices enveloped her senses. She squinted at the shelves filled with jars and bottles, trying to discern their contents. However, her blurred vision made it difficult to make out any specific details.

She tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness crashed over her, causing her to fall back on the bed. As she lay there, a group of women in black robes entered the room, surrounding her like a flock of birds. She was confused and frightened, struggling to keep her eyes open.

Before she could even say anything, her consciousness faded once more. When she woke up again, she found herself back in her room in Ushguli, with Nate holding her hand tightly.

"Where am I?" Chandria asked groggily, trying to focus.

"You're in the guest house," Nate replied, relief evident in his voice.

"What happened to me?"

Nate hesitated before replying, "You fell in the snow, and I found you. I brought you back here."

Chandria couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Was it all just a dream? she asked herself. But the memories of the strange room and the women surrounding her felt too vivid to be just a dream.

"I'll get you some food and water. You've been asleep for almost a whole day," Nate said before turning to leave.

"Nate," she called after him. "Are you sure I was here the whole time?"

"Yes. There's no place other than the village where you could have gone,” he replied, his voice gentle yet firm.

As Nate left the room, Chandria closed her eyes, trying to recall the dream-like images that had plagued her. However, they slowly slipped away, leaving her with only a vague image of the pendant she had seen in the snow.

Frustrated and confused, Chandria stood up, feeling a newfound energy after getting a proper sleep. She looked out the window and saw Nate talking with Nana. Something felt off, and Chandria stood frozen in the room, staring out the window in disbelief. She had never experienced anything like this before. Her ears picked up every word Nate and Nana exchanged, as though she was standing right beside them.

She slapped her face a few times, wincing in pain. She knew she was awake. What on earth had happened to her? She tried to listen to their conversation again but failed, her head spinning. She thought she must have imagined things again and sighed in relief. But the nagging feeling that something strange was happening refused to go away. As a rational person, she knew it was impossible for her to be hearing things like a supernatural entity. Or was it?