Mist and Moonlight

Epilogue II

"Are you sure about this?" nagaalalang tanong ni Jared kay Artemis.

"Oo. I am not alive if not..." pirmi nitong sagot.

Dadalo sila sa isang party. Inihanda ito ng council. Ang minsang paglabas ng Eclipse sa kanyang kaaraawan ay hudyat pala ng malaking responsibilidad. Leading the council—the first female.

Inayos niya ang bowtie at kwelyo ng tuxedong suot nito. She is wearing a gold sleeveless spaghetti strap dress na humulma sa katawan nito. Her hair is curled nakaladlad sa kaliwang balikat nito.

The reapers—Lincoln and Justin—are invited. Magiging parte na sila ng council under Jared's command na paalit sa Lolo nito. Simula sa gabing ito.

"Let's go." naghihintay ang dalawa sa baba. Mauuna ang mga magulang nila sa party.

Madaming tao sa ballroom. The formal party to welcome them. Nakaabrisiyete si Artemis sa braso ni Jared.

A power couple. That's what people call them. A leader of the wolf council at 1st rank reaper in command.

"Ayan na pala sila."

They gave way nang makita ang mga ito. May mga nagbow ang iba'y umiwas ng tingin. Intimidation and authority is the air that they carry for tonight.

"Mama, Papa..." kissing their cheeks. Hinalikan din ni Jared ang pisngi ni Minerva, Aries clap his shoulder.

"Good evening po." He greeted them with a smile.

"Si Kuya po?" Hanap niya sa kapatid.
She found him with a girl in a classic dress and a bun. Lindsey Allison Benett—Lincoln's sister. Genevive can't come madami daw gagawin.

Hindi niya alam kung paano nagsimula. Pagbalik niya galing new york ay sila na. She finished economics in NYU. Tinapos niya ang college bago napagdesisyunnag umupo sa council.

They joined them. Talking to the elders. They greeted them as the new leaders. The formality of introduction.
Jared's grandfather is with them beaming with pride.

"Kamusta ang biyahe?" her brother ask. She kissed her friend on the cheeks.

"Walang naman masyadong traffic."
Sagot niya dito.

Biglang namatay ang ilaw. It's time. An elderly man came to the stage at kinuha ang mic.

"Ladies and gentlemen..." simula nito. They know what this means. Starting tonight the responsibility to manage Wolfs and Reapers lay on thei shoulder.

"The new leaders of The council."

Composure is what others can see but deep inside her heart beats like a running horse.

She remembered the question she ask bago magdesisyon. The necklace is the symbol of the council. A mark of leadership.

"What if I fail?" tanong niya sa mga magulang niya.

"Trust yourself sweetie. If you don't fail hindi ka matututo." her mother answered.

"Tama ang mama mo. You can talk to us if you want to." her father assured her.

After this she will be considered a femme fatale. A strong lady, the first one to lead the council. Noong una ay madami ang tutol pero wala itong nagawa. The moon choose her. It is her destiny.

"Ms. Celestine Artemis Luna Jacinto—the new leader of the council and Mr. Jacques Rider Sison—reaper's representative."

Applause and bows ang natanggap nila mula sa mga panauhin. Wolf and reapers alike.

A toast is offered for them. Binigyan sila sa stage ng champagne.

"A toast for the new generation and the future of the council." She stated.
Sabay-sabay silang uminom ng champagne.

The party started. Naghalo ng mga tao. May nakaupo, may naguusap ang iba'y sumasayaw.

The slow dance started. Sa una'y classical ito ngunit kalauna'y napalitan. A familiar tune but with a classical touch.

Violin and cello cover of Your Guardian Angel.

"May I have this dance?" isang kamay ang nakalahad sa harap niya.

"Of course." tinanggap niya ito.

They started swaying. Hinilig niya ang ulo niya sa dibdib nito. Listening to his heartbeat.

Sa tabi nila ay si Lindsey at Salem. Hindi niya ito mabitawan. She might break if he lets her go. Her brother is watching. Malungkot ang mga mata nito. Remeniscing the past. It's been years but there he his unable to let go.

"Did you request this?" She smiling looking at him.

"Maybe." Patuya nitong sagot.

Other couples continued dancing too. Even their parents. Nakita niya si Cassy na inakay ang kaibigan. For the first time nakita niya itong ngumiti ulit. The little girl looks like her cousin except that she is calm and collected.

She accepted her path tulad ng pagtanggap niyang hindi na maibabalik ang dati. Lincoln became mature pero malimit din itong ngumiti. The both of them the new leaders fulfilling their roles.

The choices they make affect everything they do. A domino effect.
Walang nakapagsabi ng susunod na maangyayari hanggat walang kumikilos.

The moon shines above the skies while they dance. Two stars are with it.

Nagpunta sila sa balcony. Lima silang sumulyap sa langit. It is a crescent moon para itong nakangiti sa kanila.

"They are with us." Lindsey's eyes brimming with tears.

"Always." si Justin "Sana nakikita din ito ni Genevive.

"Babantayan nila tayo." si Lincoln, tahimik na tumayo sa tabi ng kakambal.

"From afar. They will guide us." Jared's arms snakes arounde her waist.

"We will live for you Naia and Dan." pinunasan niya ang luhang pumatak galing sa mata niya.

The choices we make affects our tomorrow. We can choose the dark side or the bright side of the moon.
Let the mist blind us or let the moonlight guide us.

You always choose the path to write or be written again.

That's why live your life to the fullest and enjoy everyday given to you. Life is limited but love is eternal.

———

Good evening guys!

The story is complete.

This is my first story na napublish.

I have ideas but it will not be posted as soon as possible kapag sinipag hehez.

I will be posting the untold chapters on a different book to be published.
Keep safe on this pandemic. And stay healthy.

Thank you for the readers all that stay  all through out the story. Nahirapan din po ako. I revise it thrice before settling to the plot of the story.

Comment or direct message me for questions I will gladly answer it for you!

Don't forget to vote!

God bless you all.

Aria ❤️