Wysteria

Chapter 11

In a different realm
(Not edited)
—————

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I noticed was the ceiling of my bedroom. The dark wood was hand carved in a symmetrical pattern. The second thing I noticed was the feeling of the bed underneath me. The mattress was soft, but firm. It followed the curve of my body. I sighed at the wonderful feeling of my body sinking deeper.

The last thing I noticed was the large platter on my side table. It was my breakfast- alongside a moonlily in a small glass vase.

I sat up in bed, stretching my arms as high as possible. I hear a satisfying 'pop!' And lower my arms. My nightgown slips down my shoulder as I bring my arms down. My long black hair felt heavy on my head, and stuck to the nape of my neck due to sweat. I swung my legs over and slipped my feet into the slippers I left on the floor last night. Flicking my hair away from my neck, I lean over and grab the folded note tucked under the platter.

My dear Luna meum, When you are finished with your slumber, join me in the mirror room.

I refolded the letter and placed it back on the table. Ignoring the food, I enter my closet and skim quickly through the many dresses I own. I finally pick a long, dark blue number with silver stitching. It was modest and not too revealing.

Perfect for a meeting with the Moon Goddess.

After getting dressed, I grab the note again. I walk across my room with even, unhurried steps and press a blue button next to the fire place. Blue flames immediately burst to life, blazing and dancing. I toss the note into the fire, and I watch it burn.

After walking the many twists and turns and halls that lead from my wing to the mirror room, I pull open the door. It's the only door in this castle that pulls open from the outside.

I don't see anyone inside, but I slip in anyway. The mirror room is a small room, for a castle, with mirrors from the floor to the ceiling.

The mirrors are enchanted to show anything you ask for. But because the mirrors also serve as a portal, they can be dangerous. Getting lost in the mirrors would mean getting lost between realms. A place where no one comes back from.

"I know you are here, Moon Goddess." I say, turning slowly in the mirror room. The tall, slim girl in the glass all around me follows my movement. She looks like me, but sometimes I wonder if we are the same.

"You have made me wait a while, child."

The girl in the mirror shimmers, and to my right, the image of the Moon Goddess appears.

"I only just woke up. You know that. You've been watching me." I say back, pointing to the girl in the glass.

"Yes." She says. Her back was to me. Her long hair flowed down her back in gently waves. Her head turned to the left and she gazed at me with soft, wise eyes.

"Why am I here?" I ask. I look away from her, staring back at my reflection. Though excessively long, my hair falls down my back in curls, silky and shiny. My eyelashes cast shadows over my bright eyes. I glance down and catch sight of my lips, which are full and a soft pink. My reflection was perfect, with no faults. It was almost unsettling.

"You are a special... being. A special creation. And you have a special mission."

I look up and catch her eyes. She stares back, the Moon we live on reflected back in her eyes.

"Why am I here, Moon Goddess?"

I turn around as she stands. She walks until she is standing in front of me. Selene places her hands on my shoulders and squeezes gently.

"You have a mission to complete. You must go to earth and find the source of the darkness. This darkness is feeding on the lives of humanity and turning innocents into empty vessels for demons escaped from hell. You must find the source of the darkness and report back to me."

I nod my head, trying to take in as much information as possible.

Selene takes a strand of my hair and tucks it behind my ear. "You will find yourself in a place of comfort. You will be tempted to stay. You will slowly forget what you came there for. But you must remember Amaris. Do not forget your mission."

"Yes Moon Goddess." I say.

"Are you ready?" She asks, stepping back.

"Now? May I pack a bag?" I ask, already heading towards the door to the mirror room.

"No. You will not need for anything. When you get to earth, you will be provided with everything you could ever ask for. But you must remember- it is all temporary." The Moon Goddess takes her place back on the small chair in the corner.

"What do I do when I get to earth?" I gently place my hand over my wrist, imagining how fast my heart would be beating if it could.

"You live."

"What-?"

"Mirrors, show me Earth."

"Wait-!"

Selene ignores me and waves her hand. "Mirrors, open the portal."

"Mama-!"

And suddenly there is a gust of wind. And then rain, and thunder and lightening. It is storming, the sky screaming with anger. And I am falling.

I land with a crash, causing a small crater. I bleed from every pore in my skin. For a second it hurts- blinding pain in every bone of my body- and then everything is peaceful. The rain no longer hits my skin, and I no longer bleed silver. I see a green glow at the edge of the crater- kind of like a dome.

My eyes begin to close-

I feel the need to breathe-

I see a white light and-

I am reborn.