Moonlit Destiny

Prologue

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The sun dipped low over the horizon, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets of Castle Combe. To the untrained eye, it was just another ordinary day in the quaint town, where the scent of freshly baked pastries wafted from the local bakery and children's laughter echoed from the nearby park. But for Meissa, ordinary was a word that had long since lost meaning.

At a young age, Meissa had already learned the hard way that the world was not a kind place. Growing up in the cold, gray walls of St. Margaret's Orphanage, she had spent her days dreaming of escape, her nights filled with whispers of magic and adventure. The orphanage was a sprawling, Victorian building, its once-grand façade now faded and peeling. The orphanage was ever so small, it was just her with 3 other kids and the matron, an old woman called Audrey Reede. Despite only having to take care of 4 children, Mrs. Reede was always tired, making the children do all the work. While villagers gave them food the rest was all taken care of by the four of them. The harder work however was always done by Meissa. Mrs. Reede argued that she should be grateful to even have a place to sleep and to pay respect to her she should do all the hard chores. You see the other kids were orphans because their parents died and Mrs Frye, the matron before her, was kind enough to take in the children of the village. Meissa was a whole different story. 

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

A small bundle lay swaddled, in a faded blanket with her name on it, in the arms of a young woman roaming the streets of Castle Combe. The soft cries of a baby pierced the stillness of the early morning. Meissa, just a few days old, had no way of knowing the weight of the world that had brought her to this moment.

Her mother, a young woman with wild, dark curls and eyes that sparkled like the night sky, stood at the edge of the street, her heart heavy with sorrow. The decision had been agonizing, but she knew that this was the only way to keep her daughter safe. Knowing that bringing her to her father's family was far from what she wanted for her child. Tucking a necklace in her blanket, a necklace that was once given to her. "This was your father's, most people think of the pendant as a star but as your father said, it is a spark of light. As I was once the only light in his life. Now you are my spark of light."

With trembling hands, she placed the baby gently on the steps, wrapping the blanket tightly around her. "I'm so sorry, my sweet Meissa," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I can't give you the life you deserve. But I promise, I will always love you." Tears streamed down her cheeks as she pressed a soft kiss to her daughter's forehead, imprinting the moment in her heart.

As the woman knocked on the door and ran around the corner, she heard the door open. The matron called Briar Frye, picked up the small bundle and watched down the streets. But saw no one, looking down at the child she sighed. "Oh my sweet child, let's get you warmed up inside."

The young woman watched her child being taken inside, as she turned around in silence a single tear streamed down her face. As she got to the edge of the village she spoke a few words in a foreign language as she held out her hand. Seemingly creating a shield around the village. "This is all I can do for you for now my sweet Meissa"

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The turning point came on a particularly stormy night. The rain lashed against the windows, and the wind howled like a banshee. Meissa lay in her small cot, listening to the sounds of the storm, her heart racing with a mix of fear and excitement. It was then that she made her decision. She couldn't stay in the orphanage any longer. The thought of being trapped within those walls, of growing up without love or freedom, was unbearable.