The Last Moon Goddess

Chapter 4

Being in Georgia felt like stepping into another world—at least for Chandria. The vast forests seemed to stretch out endlessly, with towering trees so dense that she struggled to see beyond them. As they drove through the winding roads, Chandria sat in the backseat of a 4x4 minivan, gazing out the window in awe.

On their way to Ushguli, they passed several Svaneti villages, where magnificent towers rose steadfast against the backdrop of the lush mountains.

"Those towers were built for military purposes," the driver explained, his voice tinged with pride, "except for one—the Tower of Love."

Chandria's interest was piqued as the driver shared the legend behind this tower. "A wealthy daughter fell in love with a man from another village. Despite opposition from both villages, they got married. He went off to war and promised to return, but he died on the battlefield. The bride refused to accept the news and waited for him. Her father then built a tower for her to wait in, and she remained there for the rest of her life." The driver spoke in somewhat broken English. It was like a Georgian version of Romeo & Juliet, minus the poison and teenage angst.

Chandria was never a fan of movies with sad endings, but the legend about this tower had her heart aching. She couldn't imagine waiting her whole life for someone who might never return.

As they continued their journey, Chandria admired the beautiful scenery. However, she couldn't help but notice the winding and bumpy roads, filled with massive potholes. They made the car bounce up and down like a rollercoaster ride. The experience was nerve-wracking, especially since she had researched that landslides were frequent in the area. Fortunately, Lasha had arranged for a skilled local driver who knew how to navigate the road conditions.

To document every part of her adventure, Chandria captured the waterfalls, roadworks, and even the cattle blocking the road in her vlog. They made her feel like she was producing her own National Geographic documentary.

Despite the challenges of their journey, the beautiful sights made it all worth it. The majestic mountain peaks towered behind the trees. Their snow-capped tips glistening against the clear blue sky, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. Chandria was so captivated that she almost lost track of time.

Finally, after travelling for around three hours, they reached Ushguli. Chandria couldn't wait to explore every inch of it. But first, she needed to stretch her legs and find a restroom.

***

Chandria had been looking forward to her trip to Ushguli, a remote village nestled in the heart of the Georgian mountains. But no amount of reading articles or watching videos could have prepared her for the overwhelming beauty she just witnessed in person.

As she got out of the car, Chandria's eyes scanned the village, trying to take in every detail. She made sure to capture everything with her camera, determined not to miss a single thing. She breathed in the crisp mountain air, and listened to the soothing sound of trickling streams.

The snowy peak of Mount Shkhara, the third-highest mountain in Europe, provided a stunning backdrop for the scene. The village's ancient stone structures and narrow alleyways seemed to transport her back in time. The lush green fields stretched out as far as the eye could see, providing plenty of space for cows, sheep, and goats to graze. The towering peaks of the mountains appeared as though they were touching the sky.

It felt like she was in heaven – if not closer.

However, Chandria felt like something was off. Despite the beauty that surrounded her, the place felt empty. She knew there were around 200 people living in this hidden gem but there were only a few people currently in sight.

Lasha sponsored and prepared everything for Chandria’s one-week visit in Ushguli. She arranged for her friend, a knowledgeable English speaker from the village, to ensure Chandria's comfort during her stay. But as she looked around, she couldn't see anyone waiting for her. A few people were just going about their usual daily chores with no sense of urgency or excitement, and the village seemed to lack the welcoming energy she had hoped for. Some were busy tending to their livestock, while others were working hard on their fields.

Despite feeling disheartened, Chandria took a moment to give herself a little pep talk, just as she had done many times before.

"I've been to remote places before. I can totally handle this on my own," Chandria said to herself as she carefully tiptoed through the unpaved streets, trying not to slip on the "landmines" of mud and cow poop.

Unfortunately, luck wasn't on Chandria's side as her foot landed squarely in a fresh pile of cow manure. The warm, squishy sensation caught her off guard, and she closed her eyes tightly, wishing it was all just a bad dream.

"Of all the things that could happen," she muttered under her breath, clearly annoyed. "I had to hit the jackpot."

Chandria looked down at her shoes, now coated in dung, and tried to scrape it off with some nearby grass. But it only spread the mess further. She found some wet wipes in her bag and knelt down to clean her shoes. She couldn't help but wonder if the cow was watching from afar, laughing at her misfortune. Relieved that they looked presentable again, she continued walking.

Just when she thought her day couldn't get any more eventful, a striking onyx hound appeared out of nowhere, wagging its tail and vying for her attention. Despite its unkempt fur, the dog had a pair of expressive eyes that gazed up at Chandria with an almost pleading look.

"Well, at least someone's excited to see me," Chandria chuckled as she gave the onyx hound a friendly pat on the head. "I don't know what your name is, but I'll call you Coal from now on. Will you keep me company?" she said, noticing his black fur.

To her surprise, the hound seemed to understand her. And before she knew it, Coal had become her unofficial tour guide, leading her deeper into the village.

***

Chandria eagerly followed Coal as it showed her around the village. Walking through Ushguli's medieval streets, she was struck by the unique architecture of the stone and wood defense towers that loomed over her. The intricately carved stone houses with their wooden balconies, slanted rooftops covered in stone slabs, and overall rustic charm of the village were both inviting and enchanting.

Chandria trusted her furry tour guide and went with it everywhere. However, she found herself doubting her next few steps, as Coal led her down a dark and narrow alleyway that seemed unexplored - especially by visitors like her.

The sound of barking dogs filled the narrow alleyway, causing Chandria's heart to pound in her chest. As they approached the other side of the passage, the noise grew louder, making her feel more and more uneasy.

"Hey, Coal. Don't you think it's a little too early for you to introduce me to your friends?" Chandria asked Coal with a hint of sarcasm. She wondered if it was time to part ways with it.

However, just when she was about to turn her back and walk away, Chandria saw a pack of dogs surrounding something on the ground. Her fear turned to dread when she saw two legs poking out from the center of the group. The barking grew louder and more intense as the dogs recognized her presence.

She hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do. She couldn’t run away because they'd be faster than her, but she couldn't stay and suffer either. Looking at Coal beside her, it seemed to be keeping the other dogs at bay.

Chandria's gaze fell on a few nearby rocks, and she considered using them to fend off the pack of dogs. However, just as she was about to make a grave mistake, Coal let out a fierce bark, causing the dogs to retreat.

As the pack of dogs dispersed, Chandria's attention was drawn to what they had been hiding. She approached cautiously and covered her mouth in disbelief. She saw a man lying on the ground! He looked like he was around her age or even older. He lay shirtless, his well-defined muscles were visible beneath his fair skin. Though there were no signs of scratches or bite marks, he appeared so pale, almost as though he had been in a very cold environment. His eyes were closed; his expression suggested a peaceful death.

Yes, Chandria's heart sank as she realized he was probably dead. She couldn't help but wonder who he was and how he had ended up in this alleyway. Was he a victim of a brutal crime?

Despite the unsettling situation, Chandria couldn't help but take notice of the man's striking features. His chiseled and angular face boasted prominent cheekbones, a strong jawline, and a straight nose. His slightly wavy hair was tousled, as though he had been in a hurry before his untimely demise.

"Looks like even death couldn't make him less attractive,” she whispered to herself sadly.

Determined to protect the man until the locals arrived, Chandria took off her black leather jacket and covered his face and half of his body. She felt proud of herself for showing compassion.

Suddenly, the man's body jerked and sat upright, causing Chandria to scream in horror and nearly jump out of her own skin! She couldn't believe what she was seeing - was the man coming back to life?!

The man rubbed his eyes and yawned, as if he had just woken up. Chandria felt a wave of relief wash over her as she realized that he was indeed alive. She couldn't help but feel embarrassed for assuming the worst without checking his pulse.

"Bodishi!" she exclaimed, snatching away her jacket in a panic. The man looked disoriented, squinting his eyes and mumbling something in a language that Chandria couldn't understand.

Chandria quickly pulled out her phone and tried to communicate with him. "Me ar vitsi kartuli," she said, admitting that she couldn't speak Georgian. "Do you happen to speak English?" she added, giving the man a hopeful smile.

However, the man simply stared at Chandria, his kind brown eyes blinking a few times. She gulped nervously and tried to break the ice by introducing herself, "Me mkvia, Chandria," she said, extending her hand for a handshake. But the man just continued to stare.

In a desperate effort to connect with him, Chandria tried asking for the restroom in her broken Georgian. "Tualeti! I need to go to Tualeti!" she said, hoping she had gotten the pronunciation right. But the man remained silent, his gaze unwavering.

Looking around, Chandria realized that Coal was no longer beside her. She was alone with a mysterious stranger. Sensing danger, she turned to leave. But before she could take a step, a rough hand grabbed her arm, pulling her back against a hard, muscular chest. She gasped as she found herself sitting on the stranger's lap, both of them now on the cold ground.

"What the-" she began, but her words were cut off as the man leaned in close, his nose brushing against her neck. Chandria shivered as she felt his hot breath on her skin, a jolt of unwanted arousal running through her body.

Trying to push away, she felt the man's firm hold on her tighten, and his nose continued to trace along her skin, leaving behind hot trails. She could sense his desperation, but had no idea what he wanted.

"What do you want?" Chandria asked, her voice shaking slightly. "Just please don't touch me and let me keep my camera!” She had been mugged before, but this was the first time she had felt so vulnerable.

Just then, the man suddenly pulled back and started sniffing her bag.