The Moon Symphony

Decision

I was surprised when we arrived at our destination, and I don't know how to explain what I saw. It's true what Ingo says. No one lives around the mountain anymore.

The situation around was really depressing. Of all the places I have been, this had the worst case of all. The surroundings were totally destroyed by the dark aura. The atmosphere was too heavy too. 

We decided to move forward, and the deeper we went in the Cordilleras, the aura was getting thicker. I can also feel the desolation of these places. To think that this forest was once abundant with life, and due to the evil intentions of the dark forces, everything changed. 

"Do you know which direction the lair of the beast is located?" I asked Ingo. 

"It's east of where we are standing right now. We need to pass at the river to reach there, but going to its lair now is not a good idea." Ingo said. 

"I just want to have a closer look, but don't worry, Ingo, we will not get past the river. I just want to examine if how immense the energy of the beast is. Judging from our distance, it's already intense." I said. 

"Okay, Ayari. If that's what you say, but please be alert. The minions of Lobo are all over this place. We are lucky that we did not encounter any of them so far." 

"Okay, Let's continue, Ingo." 

We started following the path to the east to reach the river that Ingo was talking about. I am not sure, but the closer we are getting, the uneasy feeling is getting severe. I am sensing some unknown spiritual energy surrounding us. 

"Ingo, I think we should go back now. I am sensing something around us." I said. 

"Yeah, I actually felt that too. Okay, let's go back and plan again." I said. 

"Yes, that will be a better option, but I guess we need to clear these enemies off first," Ingo said and pointed in front of us. 

I started to feel the surge of energy that came from the enemies. They were full of hatred, and it's radiating all over their bodies. At first glance, they looked like deformed dogs. As soon as they closed the gap, they were actually wolves, and some of them were wild boars. There were a lot of them. We got caught up in trouble again. 

I looked at Ingo, and I can see that he was trembling with fear. I feel stupid for asking him to come with me, not thinking about how he will feel. I am getting nowhere again, and I am dragging another person in danger. 

"Don't worry about me, Ayari. I'm okay. What we should think of is how we are going to get away from these enemies." Ingo said. 

There he goes again. I can really feel that he can read my mind. 

So what do I do now? 

"Uhm, Ingo. Please stay behind me. Let me try this," I said. 

I summoned the Night's Fall and stabbed the ground with it. I closed my eyes and started to cast the spell that I learned from the scroll that I borrowed from Estrella. 

"Moon that guides those who are lost, 

listen to my command. 

Shower us down with your light, show them your might.

Cast your decree on the evil, make them disappear at your will. 

Give me thy strength as I am the Luminary." 

The mark on my arm began to tingle, and a massive magic circle appeared on the ground. It was glowing brightly, and the light energy filled the surroundings. Cold air started to radiate from the ground. 

White Dwarf!

After casting the incantation, the Night's Fall ignited, and the sky darkened. A small moon descended from the sky, giving off cold energy. Ice shards started to come out from the moon and dropped on the enemies below. One by one, the monsters fell down while the others froze place. The others who tried to flee were still caught up in the barrage of attacks. 

After a minute, the wave of monsters was cleared. I stood up and pulled out the Night's Fall. The sky went back to normal after that leaving the surroundings frozen. I suddenly felt dizzy after casting massive magic. Maybe, this is because of exhausting my spiritual energy when I was in the Underworld. I think I am not fully recovered yet. 

I sat down to take a rest. 

"Are you okay, Ayari?" Ingo asked.

"Yes, I am fine. Let's go back before the other enemies arrived. " I said.

I had a hard time standing up because of the loss of spiritual energy. I overused my powers again, not thinking that I might have exhausted it the last time. 

I feel bad letting Ingo help me move around so that we can return back safe. I don't want to be a burden to him, especially he already saved me from the brink of death. 

After a few moments, we were able to arrive back at his house. I told Ingo to head straight to my room. When we arrived, I asked him to help me go to bed to take some rest. I don't know, but anytime now, I can feel that I will pass out. 

"How are you feeling, Ayari?" Ingo asked. 

"I'm feeling dizzy. I don't know why but after using that spell, I almost lost my balance. I feel drained." I said. 

"Okay, Let me check on you, Ayari," Ingo said and reached for my hand. 

He placed his fingers on my pulse to feel my spiritual energy. He kept silent for a minute as if he was confirming things. I can think that I am having difficulties in breathing. My chest is getting heavier. I want to close my eyes. 

My temperature is also rising from ordinary.  

"I'll be back, Ayari. I'm going to get you some medicines. This is bad." Ingo said, then hurried out of the room. 

What's happening? Is my situation this bad?

I want to close my eyes, but someone told me not to do so at the back of my head. I tried to fight the feeling that I am having right now. Closing my eyes will not be a good option. 

After a few minutes, Ingo went back. Makiling was with her. 

What's happening? I tried to speak, but no words came out of my mouth. My throat is so dry now. 

I can see their worried faces. Ingo helped Makiling to move towards me. As soon as she reached my bed, she hurriedly sat down beside me. 

"Ayari, listen to me. Don't ever close your eyes before I treat you, okay? Listen, you are having spiritual energy deficiency now. It's unstable, and it's terrible if not treated." Makiling said. 

She pulled out the flower brooch from her chest then placed it on my head. She started to hum a soft melody, and I began to feel the energy flow around me. Ingo sat down opposite Makiling and held my hand. I can feel the warmth wrapping around me. 

Makiling continued to sing the melody as if she was chanting some healing spell. She kept on singing until I felt that my breathing was back to normal. But I still feel feverish. 

After a few minutes, she took the flower brooch from my forehead and placed it back on her chest. Ingo placed a wet towel on my forehead after that. Then, Makiling started to speak. 

"You can rest now, Ayari. We will talk after you feel better." Makiling said. 

As soon as she said that, I can feel my eyes closing as if my body responded to her words. All I can remember was the scent of lavender in the room. 

--- 

After some time, I woke up in familiar scenery. I was waiting for the lady to appear in front of me. I headed to the big stone near the lake and sat down there. I guess she is still not here. 

After minutes of waiting, the person I was waiting for showed up. 

"Hey Ayari, how are you?" Mayari said and sat down beside me. 

"I'm feeling good now, I wanted to talk to you again a long time ago, but it seemed impossible," I said. 

"I'm sorry, Ayari, I had matters to attend in the Celestial Seat. It's getting worse over there." Mayari answered. 

"What do you mean?" 

"I can't tell you that for now, but soon if things did not escalate well, I'm going to inform you about this," Mayari said. 

"By the way you sound, the situation there is not good, right? Well, anyway, I'm not going to pry about that anymore." I said.

Mayari just nodded and placed her hand in my head. She ruffled my head and smiled at me. 

"I can see that there's a lot of things going on with you right now, my warrior. I'm sorry, I was not there when you need my help." Mayari said. 

"It's okay, I understand. I'm just having doubts with myself right now, after what happened at the Underworld. How should I say this, but I feel incompetent after that."

Mayari touched my back and patted it to comfort me. I smiled at her.

"I don't know if my decisions were correct, and I feel like I cause trouble with the people around me. I could not keep my promise to improve, and I feel many things lacking within me. After that incident, I realized a lot of things." I said. 

"I understand your worries, Peter. First, I want to sincerely apologize because instead of guiding you, I was not there when you need me. The same goes for your companions. But please, don't ever think that what you did was useless. If you count the good things, you will be surprised. Don't look on the opposite side of things, Peter. There's a reason why fate itself chose you to be my successor. So believe in yourself. Don't lose your will on something like this. You will encounter more in the future, but you can overcome that." Mayari said. 

After hearing what she told me, I remembered all the good things I had so far in this world. Those bonds that I formed. I remembered what I promised myself, to protect those who I love the most. I don't know, but all of a sudden, I hugged Mayari. I just heard her chuckle after that and patted my back again to comfort me. 

"Listen, Peter, just a warning. The enemies are on the move now. You need to be more careful this time so that nothing will happen again like in the Underworld, okay. And please, don't ever overexert yourself again. If your spiritual energy dropped below that what you have, you would have died." 

I was surprised by what she said. I did not know that this will be the outcome if I continued using my powers earlier. That's why Makiling and Ingo were so worried about me. 

"I'm sorry, Mayari. I have a question, how do I recover my spiritual energy again?" I asked. 

"That's simple, Peter. The answer is already within your reach; I mean, that person is already around you?" Mayari said. 

"What do you mean?" 

"The Eye of the Storm." She answered. 

"Is there any other way I can do that without bothering Ingo? I know that if he uses his abilities again, he will lose his eyesight totally." I said. 

"You need to cultivate again under the Full Moon, but it will take another three months for the Full Moon. Also, it will depend on that person if he wants to do it or not. He will play a huge role in your growth Peter."

"But---

"I understand your worries, Peter but think again. If you do not recover your abilities before the demon army attacks, it will be game over for the whole Orient Seas. I am not scaring you or anything. I'm just telling you the facts. I can only do this much."

Mayari reached out for my arm and placed her hands on my mark. She closed her eyes and began to chant an inaudible incantation. After a few minutes, I felt a surge of spiritual energy rushing through me. 

"This is what I can do, Peter. It's a rule in the Celestial Seat, and I cannot go against that. I adjusted your threshold for the spiritual energy and gave you some from my energy. In this way, you will be above the critical level, so you are safe now. But remember, you still need the help of the bearer of the eye of the storm." Mayari said. 

"Thank you so much, Mayari. I'll think about what you said."

"Now, rest again, Peter. Be safe, always." Mayari said and waved her hand. 

After that, I woke up again, and I was back now in the room that Ingo lent me. I saw that he was sitting beside me, wiping my head with a wet cloth. 

He saw that I was awake already and stopped what he was doing. 

"So how are you feeling now," Ayari? Ingo asked.

"I'm feeling better now. Thank you so much for taking care of me. So, how long have I been sleeping?" I asked. 

"You were out for almost three days now." He answered. 

"I see, so about your offer, I have decided already. I want to do it." I said. 

"Are you sure, Ayari?" Ingo said. 

"Yes, Let's do this," I said.