The Moon Symphony

Mourning Valley

"Hey, Ayari. Wake up." Ani said, touching my face and pinching it.

"Ouch! You don't need that, Ani." I said.

"But look at the person next to you; he must be exhausted lending his shoulders to you." Ani said and laughed.

I looked at the person next to me, and it was Apo. I quickly stood up and bowed my head to apologize. I hurriedly ran to the makeshift tent. I can hear Baku and Ani laughing.

It's so embarrassing. When did I doze off?

I fixed myself and went out of the tent. I saw Ani and Baku smiling widely and, Apo was busy fixing his bag.

I went to where Apo was, and before I can speak, he said that it was okay. I am so embarrassed by what happened. I can feel that Baku and Ani were talking behind me.

When did they become so close?

After preparing for an hour, we decided to continue our journey towards the Mourning Valley. Baku said that the Oracle resides at the end of the Valley. He also told us that the Oracle would entertain us if we pass her test. The test will depend on the personality of the person. He also warned us that the Oracle would not give us a chance, to be honest with ourselves.

Ani asked me if what do I want to know from the Oracle. I told her that I was initially untouchable and I don't have abilities since I was born. I want to see the reason why the deities choose me.

I cannot tell them that I was not really from Orient Seas, and I was reborn by the Moon Goddess's help. Baku probably knew the real reason, but he keeps telling me that soon, I will find out everything during this journey. I still have a lot of questions unanswered.

Apo is still the same. Ani keeps on asking him questions, but he chose to stay silent. I understand why he keeps up a front like this after hearing what he said last night.

We continued to take the path towards the Oracle.

"Do you want to know the origins of the Mourning Valley?" Baku said.

"Myths? They also exist here?" I said.

"Of course, Orient Seas is full of mysteries. Aside from the tales about the deities, there are also exciting tales about creatures and pieces of stuff here." Baku said.

"I heard from my father that the Valley was originally a city that got destroyed." Ani said.

" I guess different versions formed the Valley." Apo said.

"Do you notice those crystals that protrude almost everywhere?" Baku said.

"Yes, so how are they connected to the story?" Ani asked.

"They said that those crystals were dragon tears. Also, the paths that formed here were the position of how the dragon died."

Baku started to tell us the story.

During ancient times, there were two neighboring villages located here at the Mourning Valley. Both were prosperous, and they are in harmony.

For several years, they lived harmoniously until the Ikapati tribe gave birth to a beautiful maiden. Everyone fell in love with the beauty she possesses.

Everyone decided to take chances to win over the heart of the maiden, but they failed. The father of the girl also disagreed with the suitors.

During noontime, the girl would take a stroll at the river near the village. She did not know that someone from afar was admiring her, and that person will change her life forever.

The man approached the maiden and tried to win her heart. At first, the girl did not like the man, but she started to develop feelings with the man's effort.

Little did she know the man was keeping a secret from her. The man's father warned him not to get associated with the girl because that will cause dissonance between the tribes. He was from the descendants of the dragon tribe, but they hid the truth from the people. They don't want the people to hate or judge them because of their lineage.

The man and the maiden continued to see each other, hiding from the people's eye. One of the suitors of the girl discovered their secret. He kept on thinking of a plan on how to separate them.

He found out that the man was originally from the dragon tribe. He started to spread the rumor that caused turmoil in both clans. They tried to convince both of their parents but did not allow them to continue their relationship. The lovers decided to run away from their families.

The father of the maiden heard their plan and decided to kill the man from the dragon tribe. Before the lovers can escape, the soldiers hunted them down. During their escape, a soldier accidentally shot the maiden.

The man was so angry that he cannot control his emotions. He transformed into a dragon, destroying the tribes. The maiden asked the man to stop his rampage, but it was too late.

The tribes decided to kill the man. The soldiers exhausted the man and landed a critical hit, and the man cried in agony, tears falling in every direction. His body hit the grounds, creating large cracks on the land. Those serve as the pathways in the present day.

Before death, the man promised that he would find the girl, even if it takes him a lot of time to do so. In return, the maiden pledged that she would stay in the place where their love bloomed and wait for his return.

"So what's the connection of this story to the Oracle." I asked Baku.

"The people said that the oracle was the maiden in the story." Baku said.

"Why do they say so?" Apo asked.

"It's because the people who successfully passed the oracle's trials said that she never aged, and her appearance did not change. People also said that on the Oracle's hands were sigils that symbolize her lover's tribe." Baku answered.

After hearing the story of the Mourning Valley, I felt sad somehow. I don't know why. But one thing is for sure, it's so tragic.

We reached the temple of the Oracle after hours of walking. The place gave off a very serene vibe. I was amazed by how the area looked. My nose started tingling. The familiar scent entered my nose.

Lily of the Valley.