Moon Of Gold

Chapter 14: The night of the Golden Moon

We all sit down at the dinner table and I feel myself slowly die inside. I was correct on what I guessed. The old woman wanted us to enter the 'secret area'. I'm not sure if I could ever go back down there but I can't say no now.
"There is an unspeakable evil that lurks down there. I know I should have said something earlier but I don't think anyone could vanquish it" Thando says, rubbing her temples.
I turn my head to Lyla who sits there, puzzled. Her eyes narrow and she shakes her head. "Is it really that difficult to kill this thing!? How long have you known? Now you bring it up?" She groans, crossing her arms.
She faces Mika and Cia and they huddle together, whispering quickly. Mika steps back first then the others follow. She crosses her legs and places her hands gently on to her lap. "Well...fine. However, we need to make a plan together. Does this beast have a name?" She questions. Thando slowly nods "As I have lived here, a name echoed in my dreams. It called itself the 'Crypt'. It actually seems to resemble a wendigo; a monster that fills the world with its well-known mythology. Whether it is one or not, it lived here since or snuck in" she explains.
I catch myself shivering at the thought of it. Wendigos were usually beasts that lived in dark forests. Cannibalism or not they made me uncomfortable. I was still confused, however. Why was there a fountain of blood down there? Furthermore, I wasn't sure if it was time for me to even say anything yet. I had recently remembered my powers. They laid dormant for so long. Too long in fact to the point that I couldn't remember how to use them properly.
I catch Opera's eye and turn my head quickly. I guess I was making a bunch of weird faces again. When I think too much it happens. I facepalm and groan.
"I meant to ask you. Have you used your powers yet?" Thando asks. I slowly lift my head up and nod. "Yes...but not in a while. I was practicing years ago but then I finally released them again. Well, some of it that is" I answer, sighing. She nods her head and looks to Ophira. "I apologize for our first encounter, young pup. Your parents would have scolded me. As well as Julian's. Well, his mother that is."
I watch as Phira's eyes light up. I felt uneasy for myself, of course. I haven't seen my mother in forever. My father was long gone before I had ever known. It was too late now. Much too late.
"You...knew them? Are they alive? Where are they? Why did they leave me?" Ophira quickly asks, firing questions? "Calm down pup! Patience is very important. Now I have something for both of you. Come" she says, getting out of the chair and walking away. I follow behind her with Ophira. I glance back quickly and frown at Silvaus. He frowns back and shrugs his shoulders.

***

I sit down in the chair and Julian sits next to me. I have never felt so uneasy before. At the same time, my mind was running wild. This woman knew my parents? She apparently knew his mom too. Is there a loop?
Thando sets herself down in front of us. She reaches into her bag and pulls out an oddly colored bottle of liquid. "This here is something I brewed up a few days ago. It doesn't really have a name but I've made it before. My tribe uses this to help calm the mind and show things to others that have not seen what someone else has" she explains, reaching her hands out to give me the bottle. I hesitate for a moment then gently take the bottle. It was white but had tints of red in it. Almost making it seem pink but not quite.
Thando slowly gets up and heads to the entrance of the room. She closes the door behind her and I look down at the bottle. I hope this wasn't a joke.
I pop the bottle up and a fruity aroma fills the room. Then it turned sour almost like a skunk. Julian covers his nose and he gets up. "That's...horrid! Did this woman kill a skunk and shove it's scent glands or something in her cauldron?!" He gags. I shake my head and chuckle a little. "Well, I don't know. I guess I have to take this" I reply. With a quick swig, I downed the liquid. I placed the bottle gently down on to the ground. It took me a few seconds to swallow it. The taste was all over the place. Whatever it was, I hope I don't die.
I take a few minutes to kick in but, oh boy was I loopy. I feel drunk and really tired at the same time. I wasn't clearly paying attention and nearly dropped to the ground. I feel Julian grab me and lift me up. I turn my head and narrowed my eyes. "Thanks. Julie Bug" I slur. Did I really just say that?
I hear him laugh as he gently places me back in the chair. I close my eyes and drift off.