Tears of midnight Crystal

Chapter 3

Narrator's Pov

Lou, Hestia's mother, awoke in the dead of night, her breath ragged and heart pounding. Sweat beaded on her forehead as remnants of a terrible nightmare clung to her consciousness like a dark cloud.

In her dream, she had seen her beloved daughter Hestia standing amidst the ruins of the Aquamarine Clan's temple. The once-grand pillars lay shattered, and the walls were crumbling. Hestia's eyes, usually warm and gentle, glowed with an unsettling light as she reached out towards the central statue—the one adorned with the sacred gemstone that symbolized their clan's power.

Lou could still hear the echoes of her own voice screaming, pleading with Hestia to stop. But her daughter seemed possessed, her movements jerky and determined as she grasped the gemstone with a force that defied reason. In that moment, the gemstone shattered into a thousand pieces, its brilliance fading into darkness.

Napaluhod si Lou sa tabi ng kanyang kama, habang ang mga luha ay umagos mula sa kanyang mga mata. Hindi niya maunawaan kung bakit si Hestia, ang kanyang pinakamamahal na anak, ay nagpapakita sa kanyang panaginip na gumagawa ng ganitong kasamaan. Ang takot na mawalan ng kontrol at mawala ang kanyang anak ay humapdi sa kanyang puso.

"Paano nangyaring ganito?" bulong ni Lou sa kanyang sarili, habang pilit na inilalayo ang mga negatibong saloobin na pumasok sa kanyang isipan.

Si Hestia ay isang mabait at mapagmahal na bata, walang masamang tinapay sa kanyang katawan. Ngunit ang panaginip na iyon ay tila nagbabala sa kanya ng isang bagay na mas malalim at mas malalim.

Trembling, Lou sat up in bed, clutching the sheets tightly to her chest.

"Hindi. Hindi ito maari." she whispered to herself, trying to dispel the lingering dread from her dream.

She had always known Hestia to be kind-hearted and gentle, a child who loved their clan and respected its traditions.

But the vividness of the nightmare haunted her. She couldn't shake the feeling that it held a deeper meaning, a warning perhaps.

The temple represented not just their physical sanctuary but the heart and soul of their clan—their history, their unity, and their strength.

Lou feared for Hestia's future, torn between her maternal instincts and the unsettling images from her dream.

"Ito ba ay isang tanda? Galing sa aming mahal na ninuno. " she wondered aloud, her voice barely a whisper in the silence of the night. "O pandaraya lamang ng aking isipan?"

As dawn approached, Lou found herself unable to sleep. She resolved to keep a closer eye on Hestia, to guide her daughter with even more care and attention.

"I must protect her," she vowed silently, her thoughts a jumble of worry and determination.

"Whatever happens, I will not let my nightmare become reality."

Lou couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling from her nightmare about Hestia and the temple. As the morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room, she knew she couldn't delay confronting her daughter any longer. With a deep breath to steady her nerves, Lou approached Hestia, who was quietly eating breakfast in the kitchen.

"Hestia," Lou began tentatively, her voice betraying the concern that had kept her awake most of the night. Hestia looked up, sensing the seriousness in her mother's tone.

Setting down her spoon and giving her mother her full attention.

Lou hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to broach the subject delicately.

"I... I had a nightmare last night," she finally admitted, choosing her words carefully. "Tungkol sa templo at saiyo."

Hestia's brows furrowed in confusion, but she remained silent, waiting for Lou to continue.

"In the dream," Lou continued, her voice trembling slightly, "kitang kita sa dalawang mata ko. Kung paano mo nawasak ang templo gamit ang iyong kapangyarihan. At..... kinuha ang gemstone galing sa statwa ng ating ninuno."

Hestia's eyes widened in surprise, clearly taken aback by her mother's words.

"Ina." she began softly, reaching out to touch Lou's hand, "Iyan ay isang bangungot lamang. I would never do anything to harm the temple, or anyone."

Lou nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over her at Hestia's reassurance. "Alam ko, anak," she said gently, squeezing Hestia's hand. "It's just... it felt so real, and I couldn't shake off the worry."

Hestia smiled reassuringly at her. "Naiintindihan ko ina. Salamat at sinabi mo iyan, alam na ba ni ama?"

Lou nodded.

As they sat together in the quiet of the kitchen, bathed in the morning light, Lou felt a sense of peace settling over her. She knew that nightmares were often just tricks of the mind, but having Hestia's comforting presence and understanding made all the difference. Together, they would face whatever challenges came their way, stronger in their bond as mother and daughter.