SWNOVELS Chapter Chapter Eight
Tim’s Pov:
To my relief, he stopped before he discovered the boundary. Hurt overtook his features. Intrigued, I ventured cautiously over to him, stopping just shy of the reflection. Much to my surprise, a single tear slipped from his eye.
“Thank the Goddess it’s over. It only cost me everything I could ever hold dear. For you, my darling Hellena, I choose to make these lands my new home. Not as a sign of my victory, as all will think, but to always be near you,” he vowed, before heading back to the rest of the wolves.
“I proclaim these lands to be our new homelands. May the Goddesses always grant us their favor,” he bellowed. Cheers erupted from all the wolves.
Enraged, the Girl spat on the ground. “I curse the homeland of Silverlight. On the moment of our daughter’s 18th birthday, I command all the wild ones to rally and push Silverlight to her,” she hissed. Just then, she motioned for us to follow our long-gone tribe mates. As I headed to the reflection, I glanced at Amethyst and Gretchen, unsure of how they would make it out.
I felt my mother’s familiar and loving hand on my shoulder. “All will be fine. Pass through,” mother whispered. Nervously, I stepped through the puddle, taking a moment for my eyes to adjust to the brilliant light which now surrounded me.
The sweet aroma of wildflowers mixed with the freshness of the forest filled my nostrils. Instantly, this place felt familiar and like home. Excitement swelled within my heart as I walked down an unknown path.
It is here where the Goddesses’ plans were to unfold. From nowhere, a loud thud came from behind me. Unsure of what made the noise, I turned to see the reflection close. Gretchen was laying in the grass; Amethyst was studying me.
“What happened to Gretchen?” I asked. “The power needed to open this portal was too much for Gretchen. She needed a nap,” Amethyst replied dryly.
Taken aback, I checked Gretchen for life signs. Thankfully, they seem to be normal. Carefully, I lifted Gretchen into my arms. “Ok little miss saucy, where is the rest of the tribe since you seem to understand so much of the Goddesses’ plan,” I scoffed at Amethyst. The child smiled victoriously. “Follow me,” she beamed.
I watched her black hair sway back and forth as she skipped toward the massive forest. “Do you know where we are? Do you know where we are?” Amethyst sang coyly. The grin on her face was easily heard in her voice. A smile crept across my face thanks to this young, astonishing girl.
“You know I don’t,” I sighed. Amethyst giggled. “I am glad you are enjoying yourself,” I retorted. “Goddesses have taken us so far away that ships can only reach us,” Amethyst stated in a matter-of-fact tone. The realization hit me hard. “The Amazons are safe now,” I muttered in astonishment.
“No, ships can see us. So eventually, the wolves will find us,” she grinned. “We are almost home,” Amethyst chirped, running into the thick forest. I quickened my pace to keep up with her.
As I passed through the veil of trees, a great town with houses carved into the trees took form. Just off in the distance, there were two rock faces across from one another. Each one has a structure carved into it. Everything we needed to survive was already here and waiting for us.
“Impressive, isn’t it?” the Girl gloated, flashing me a rare and genuine grin. She glanced at Gretchen with disdain for a moment.
“The power we thought was Gretchen’s, in fact, belonged to little Thyst. The child is Gretchen’s servant’s daughter. A small child fooled the mighty Goddesses of the Moon,” the Girl laughed. Obviously amused by this unexpected turn of events.
“Amethyst, although her body has only walked this world for 4 years, her mind has already lived many lives. Amethyst was born the most powerful witch to grace this land. Her gift of foresight rivals our own. She may have already seen more years than you, Timothy,” mother added.
“Foresight is the least of her gifts,” the Girl scoffed. “But how? You are Goddesses. How did Amethyst receive such gifts?” I asked, amazed they were unaware of this.
“No matter how much planning, or the number of details we place into a being, we always place a certain amount of chance. Everything and everyone are perfectly imperfect,” mother sighed, almost as if I should have known this.
“Choice and chance, balance, and chaos. Life, like a magnificent sword, has two sides. Amethyst must have been chaos to my balance,” my mother shrugged.
I followed the Goddesses as we made our way through the town. “This is our temple, the Temple of the Moon. Here, the high priestesses will live after their mortal deaths. From here they will join us in the sky, watching over all as a star. The inner sanctum is where we will live with you and your brothers,” the Woman continued.
On entering the Temple of the Moon, my eyes didn’t believe the splendor they took in. Everything was made from marble, the pillars appeared to reach the sky. The Temple of the Moon floors were made from the blackest marble, with silver and gold coursing through each tile.
The walls and ceiling appeared to be the night sky with millions of twinkling stars. At the back of the room, there was a raised platform. Upon it sat three thrones. The one in the center was taller than the others. It bore my mother’s sigil of an upturned crescent moon.
“One throne to the witches, one throne to the wolves, and one to the Amazons. Together, the three will rule in harmony until our daughter claims her throne to rule overall,” the Girl beamed.
“Who are to be the three to rule until then?” I asked. “I have not chosen my Amazon just yet, as I think they will battle for the title,” the Girl replied with excitement in her eyes. “Title? What title?” I demanded, annoyed at the games they were playing with their plan.
The Girl turned to face me, her silver eyes glowing. “The title of Gamma to Lunar’s Light’s Alpha,” she laughed.