The Moon Symphony

Origins

Another huge meteorite?

I moved closer to the debris, and the compass I was holding was moving crazy. I looked at the stone, and there were strange marks. Stars?

In the middle of the stone, there was a socket.

What is this for?

I touched the socket, and the compass reacted. It glowed then flew towards the hole. Light burst from the stone, knocking me backward.

I opened my eyes, and the stone cracked in half, revealing a pathway underground. I looked around and checked if there are still to make sure that they will not follow me.

Where does this path lead to?

I descended towards the path, casting a light spell to illuminate my way. Gemstones glittered when the light shined on them, and they look like stars in the night sky. It's so pretty.

I continued walking and marveled at the surroundings. It's like a planetarium, and it feels like I am floating in a milky way.

After minutes of following the pathway, I reached a chamber, and it was full of images—the same as what I saw in Amihan and Moon Temple. It was depicting a woman surrounded by circles that looked like stars. On the upper part of the wall, there was an ancient text.

"To those who seek comfort, look at the night sky. The stars will be with you all the time."

I continued walking towards the chamber, and it leads to another path. The area was much bigger than the previous one, containing various tools and weapons.

I looked at them one by one, and I was fascinated. It was different from what I saw from the other tribes. This must be the invention of Estrella. It was way more advanced compared to the other villages, and they were terrific. At the end of the second chamber, there was a giant statue, and she looks like Tala. I can tell because of the bangles that she was wearing when I saw her at the realm.

There was another portrait of her at the wall, this time, holding on her weapon, the Star Shatterer. There was another slot embedded on the wall, and this time, I placed the compass.

The wall opened and revealed another pathway, and this time, stones attached in the wall lit the place. Where will this take me this time?

I walked and followed the path again, and I reached an open area, and it was the same as the Moon Temple. I can see the sky from here.

There was also a lake in here, and there was a massive agate with the color of the stars at the center.

The compass my hands reacted again, and it flew towards the agate. The stone gave of bright light, blinding my sight.

After a few seconds, I regain my sense of sight, and I was transported to a different place.

I think I know where I am. I'm at the realm of the goddess, but this time, it's not where Mayaro stays.

"Sorry for calling you out, Ayari." The woman said.

It was Tala. I bowed down to her.

"It's okay, and It's my pleasure. Is it alright to ask if why did you summon me here?" I asked.

"Well, about that, you must have seen the situation at my village, right?"

"Yes, it was horrible. I'm sorry if we didn't make it on time," I said.

"It's okay, Ayari. I would have never thought that someone might be able to breach Estrella." Tala said, looking down.

"Ayari, you must be very careful from now on. Okay?"

"Yes, I will, and thank you for your reminder," I said.

"Do you remember what I said before about your sister?"

"Yes, what about it?"

"Promise me first that you will not tell your sister," Tala said.

"Okay, listen carefully, Ayari."

"Ester was one of my descendants in Estrella."

"What do you mean?"

"She is not the real Ayari's sibling."

"What? How did that happen?"

"Ayari's father, I mean your father, had an affair with one of my priestess in Estrella."

What kind of revelation is this? I was shocked by what Tala said.

"How did that happen?"

Tala started to tell me what happened in the past. Father went out on an expedition to find resources to help Bulan. Bulan was suffering from drought during that time. They ventured out to look for things that can help the village survive. As they traveled in far lands, they accidentally discovered the path towards Estrella.

When they arrived at the village, the townspeople captured them, thinking that they were enemies. Father and his soldiers pleaded for their lives and asked to be spared. He also told them about the situation at Bulan.

At first, people did not believe them, but the active priestess was the only one who listened to them. The people let them out as one of the requests of the maiden.

Little did they know that will change my father's fate. He started having feelings for the maiden, and the other felt the same.

News spread at Estrella that their priestess was pregnant, and they were shocked to know that the father was the outsider they let in. The people did not like the idea and decided to remove the woman from her position. It was believed that the maiden that will serve Tala must be pure.

Father accepted the maiden and invited her to live with him at Bulan. He also decided to tell the truth that he was married already.

It broke the maiden's heart and decided to stay at Estrella, but Father disagreed. The woman wants him to leave, but he pleaded to remain until the child was born.

Something happened during the delivery of the child, and the maiden died during childbirth. Father decided to take the baby to Bulan. Mother was shocked when father returned, but since she was so kind-hearted, she forgave him. She also loved the child like her own and named Ester.

"That explains why she was chosen as my successor."

"Okay, I understand. Honestly, I don't know what to say."

"I know, and please don't let this truth affect your relationship with Ester."

"Of course, she is still my sister," I said.

"One more thing, Ayari."

"Yes?"