The choice was now mine. Vic's reality was in front of me. Maybe that's exactly what mom was talking about? She didn't see a future between a human and a werewolf… which made sense. But then, how did mom know about this? I felt like every answered question led me to further questions. And I hated the spiral already. But I actually wanted to know more. I wanted to understand Vic. I wanted to give him the chance to speak his heart out and be himself for once, without the fear of being judged.
Vic awaited my response, giving me the option to back out of it now if I wanted to… But I didn't.
"I do." I said, as Vic came up to me and took my hands in his. I was lost in his eyes yet again, as his voice guided my mind. I lost all sense of reality as his words started to manifest in front of my eyes and I was able to see the history of Hestia…
"Hestia was born out of love and out of hate. It was primarily a town where Vampires and werewolves were constantly at war. The clan of witches were the only peacemakers. They healed us and gave us life. But often, the witches were forced to choose a side. While only a few chose sides, the witches liked to remain autonomous and heal everyone. Werewolves and vampires held great power, and so did witches. Most people think only cursed souls can turn into vampires or werewolves, but this was hereditary here. But love knew no bounds, Moon. Once, the princess of the witch clan fell in love with a werewolf, and married him. Her sister, out of sheer jealousy, married the werewolf's brother. War is preventable if it's on the outside, but when it's on the inside, it really destroys everything. The feud that was between sisters, soon reached the outer world. A war broke out, many died. A lot of vampires were executed, and a lot of them fled the town to nearby countries and kingdoms, leaving only a handful of captured vampires. These vampires didn't want war, they wanted peace. And so, agreed to live in Hestia as lower beings. The main power completely shifted to the werewolf clan, but the damage that the war did to Hestia was unimaginable.
The princess of the witch clan was hurt, and she left Hestia, never to come back. When her sister realized the depth of her mistake, she gave up her powers. Hestia became hysterical and began searching for hope in the form of the princess, but nobody was able to find her anymore. Ultimately, the surviving king and queen decided to summon the power of Eternia to save the people of Hestia. Whatever is in front of you today, is a vague, water-down version of the true Hestia. While it's true that Hestia could have been a powerful kingdom today, all we have are a bunch of powerless humans driven by their darkest desires, and some unfortunate souls like us who are destined to live forever and suffer in silence. Most people that you see here today are humans. Centuries later, humans started to inhabit the town and take to its cultures and rituals. Hestia began coming back to life again, but you see, there's always a shadow to light. Maybe I am that shadow for humanity. On every full moon, I transform. Trust me, I try not to, but I am forced to. I have to give in to my inhuman desires. Most of the time, I try to leave Hestia so as to not harm anyone, but…"
I was out of the trance when I looked at Vic's tired and troubled face.
"Dione gave you the power to control yourself, didn't she?"
Vic nodded.
"She did. She taught me how to control myself, and just in case I harm someone, she taught me how to procure a remedy to treat the wound. She really brought me back to the light, Moon. I remember those nights when I used to travel far away into the woods on full moon nights, and she would come find me. She would make me calm down, feed me, and I'd just lay there with my head on her lap, feeling serenity wash over me."
Vic's words made me emotional. How long did he even have to live without Dione, like this?!
"There was a time when I was afraid of the moon. I hated it. Dione taught me how to accept my fears and grow. She taught me to love the moonlight. But when she left me, my life was turned upside down, Moon. I was going crazy. I was becoming inhuman, even in my human form. For centuries, Moon… For centuries I had to suffer in silence. I would travel into the woods every full moon, hoping Dione would come find me, but she never did. I lost my peace. I lost my sanity. I began staying like a madman, Moon. I lost family, I lost every sense of humanity in me. And soon enough, every full moon, I would turn into a werewolf and harm whoever came in my way. And… and that night… it was you…"
Vic closed his eyes as a few more tears rolled down his face. He was hurting, I could tell, but before I could stop him, he continued.
"It was a full moon night. Driven by my darkest desires, I was out to hunt. You were in the garden, speaking to the moon like a lunatic. I didn't know who you were, and as you approached the bushes, I attacked you. I didn't think of right or wrong. I simply pounced on you. But trust me, Moon. It took me just a second to realize who you were, when I saw your face… when I saw those eyes. In a matter of seconds, every single moment I had spent with Dione flashed before my eyes, as I saw your crying face. I immediately ran away. The guilt of hurting you was eating me up on the inside. I cried a lot that night, Moon. I hit my head on the wall, trying to think of ways to help you, to win you back, but I couldn't find a way. I was helpless, Moon. I was feeling stupid. But then, early in the morning, Misaii came to me. She barely visited me or Vlad, but she was able to notice the flush of green in the wound. Only certain entities are able to do that, Moon, and even though I was never able to detect what Misaii was, I was glad she asked for help. She pushed me to remember the remedy and took me to treat your wound. I thought… I thought that was my only chance to get rid of the guilt in me. But when your mother went against me treating you, I almost felt like that was the end. But then, you came to save the day, just like the old times. I- I really didn't have any intentions of getting close to you, Moon. In fact, I told you to go away… Zacam nalvage… but… you didn't. And I didn't know why, but fate kept bringing us together, and that's why I couldn't help but fall for you ages later, Dione… My love for you is still alive… very alive. And I might be an animal, but my love for you doesn't change because of that…"
When Vic finally stopped speaking, it felt like he had just narrated a tale that he had been holding in for centuries, and in fact, he was. I realized I was crying restlessly only when Vic stopped and turned towards me, and then walking up to me he wiped the tears off my face.
"I'm sorry, Moon. I didn't want to hurt you in any way. Seeing tears on your face makes me feel awful. Please… don't cry… If you want, you can still leave me, Moon. You don't have to stay with a half-animal half-human. You're free to go and live happily. It's your happiness that matters the most to me and nothing else, trust me."
Though Vic's words were sincere and he meant it only with the best intentions, I still couldn't fight the urge to slap him hard. I was still crying. My heart ached as I slapped him, but I couldn't stop myself. Vic didn't resist either, until I grabbed the collar of his shirt. I spoke and sniffled, "Don't you dare, Vic. I'M TELLING YOU FOR THE FINAL TIME, DON'T YOU DARE, VICTOR, TO MAKE ANY DECISIONS FOR ME. Because any decision you make for me, only entails me going far away from you and I'm not doing that. Not in this life, Vic."
Vic grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me closer. His eyes were soft and compassionate. He smiled at me as if that was the best thing he heard all throughout his life. I hugged him tight.
"Don't you dare leave me alone, Vic. Because I'm not getting off your shoulders that easily."
Vic laughed as he hugged me, wiping his tears away. Deep down, I was kind of spooked knowing that Anya was right all along about these mythical creatures, and that all these people around me were not actually humans, but I couldn't care less as long as I was with Vic. He gave me peace and filled my heart with joy. We stood there in silence for a while, embracing each other. Vic was visibly calm after admitting everything to me, and I was glad that I knew everything now.
"Ahhhh, so that's what you guys are doing here, huh?" Anya's voice startled both of us, as we immediately pulled away. Astra's laugh was heard right after, followed by Vlad's mocking claps. All three of them surrounded us like we were some sort of captives. I wiped my face clean and tried not to look anyone in the eyes because of how embarrassed I was. Even Vic was blushing hard.
"So? What did you guys do while we weren't seeing, hm?" Anya said as she nudged my arm. I looked at her, still blushing and responded, "I'll tell you, only if you tell us what Vlad and you did last night."
"I- uh- wh-what? We did… we did nothing!"
"Oh yeah? So that's the 'some other place' you went to last night, huh? Well that makes a lot of sense now." Vic said smirking at Vlad, and now Vlad was blushing red.
"Jeez, you guys! I'm feeling a little lonely here, don't you think?" Astra pouted, making the puppy eyes, as we all burst out laughing and went in for a big group hug. It felt right this way. Maybe this really was the life that I was meant to live. Maybe it was better this way.
"Now come on, now! The sweets would all be distributed and you won't get a piece if you guys keep standing here romancing each other!" Astra said as we pulled back. We shared a hearty laugh together, as we then headed back to the festival grounds.
The rest of the day was spent with the group as we happily roamed around the festival grounds, bought various handicrafts, and ate various delicacies. Mom and dad had gone back home after the prayer itself, so it was just us enjoying among the people of Hestia. In no way did I feel different from these people anymore. Hestia suddenly wasn't as ominous to me, or as mysterious to me as it was before I arrived here. It just took the effort from both sides for me to get to know Hestia, and now I was here, celebrating with the ones who really cared about me and loved me. Soon, the sun went down and it was evening. The evening vibes were totally different from the morning vibes. The festival ground was decorated beautifully with colorful fairy lights, reflective fabric pieces, and flowers. In the center of the ground, right in front of the Turbeh, a beautiful carpet was placed on the ground, where various musicians were seated on one side, and the audience was seated on the other.
Anya, Astra and I took our seats on the front row. We soon noticed Vlad on the other side, among the singers. Anya's face lit up in excitement, as she cheered for Vlad. Vlad blushed a little from the other side and smiled at her. Vic stood behind Vlad, almost as if scanning the crowd until his eyes rested on me. He smiled.
The sound of various string instruments filled the air. The choir soon began singing various ragas, and Vlad took the cue and began singing his song.
His voice was strong, but as flowy as water. He hit every note precisely and every crescendo and vibrato, while he kept looking at Anya and smiling. I noticed Anya and saw how she was blushing from this side. Though I didn't understand the language, I was happy to see Anya happy. She for sure could understand Vlad's love language really well. But I was curious too. I turned to Astra who was sitting next to me.
"What is he singing?"
"A soulful classical song, Moon. It speaks of a royal love between a king and a queen, and how their hearts and souls were not two but one. It's about the love that the king felt for the queen, and his pure passion towards her, that he said that they complete one another."
Though I only had to refer to the tune of the song, I realized how beautiful the song really was.
"A royal love…" I smiled, as I looked at Vic. He was still looking at me and smiling. As Vlad ended his song, the choir kept going, but in lower voices. The crowd in the audience clapped, and Anya almost cried. I smiled at them both and got up, and approached Vic.
"Hey." Vic said, smiling at me. But I wasn't in the mood for pleasantries.
"Where's my song?" I asked. Vic raised an eyebrow.
"Song? What song?"
"A song for me! Vlad just sang for Anya, what about you? Won't you sing for me?" I asked, tugging on his shirt. Vic gently pulled my hand away and looked me in the eyes.
"No."
"No?"
"No."
"But why?" I whined. Vic didn't answer.
"Go back to your seat, or someone else will take it."
"But- Vic, I-" But before I could say anything more, Vic pushed me away since the next performance was starting. I pursed my lips, sadly walking away, only to hear the same familiar voice join the choir in a song. I turned around immediately and saw Vic in the singer's seat, looking at me while he sang. He smiled at me, as beautiful ragas and tunes escaped his lips. It was blissful to hear his song, and even though I didn't understand a word, I could feel it in my soul that it was a song of love. His voice bounced with every beat of the drum, and soared higher with every touch on the string instruments. I was mesmerized.
"This is a Qawwali song about another royal love, where the lover tells how much he loves and adores her beloved. He tells her that his love for her is the only true thing in the universe and that it's as true as the sun and the moon. He believes in their love as much as he believes in the holy texts, and her beloved was the only religion he followed- the religion of love." Astra explained, while neither Vic nor I broke eye contact until the song finished. It was as if I was living the song through his vocals. Once he finished, I looked away blushing. I was also emotional, but in a good way, and it had been years since I felt someone love me so much.
The songs went on almost till midnight. Vlad and Vic were done early with their songs and joined us for the rest of the evening. Smiles and laughter, and the smell of fresh food filled the night air, as we all chatted away until the night was dark and people started to head home one by one. Soon, the ground was empty, and it was just Vlad, Anya, Astra, Vic and i.
"When do we go for the ritual, Vic?"Anya asked.
"In a bit. The Royals should be here any moment with the scepters. And then we can go."
Almost as if on cue, Mom and dad arrived with the glowing scepters, followed by my grandparents.
"That's right." Mom said. "Although you know the ritual, we have to reiterate and state some rules that you must follow."
Anya, Vlad, Vic and I listened intently, as Astra went and stood with my grandparents.
"The ritual of the night is a crucial part of the festival of Eternia." Mom addressed the four of us.
"After praying to Eternia, we light up earthen oil lamps and float them in the river to Eternia to secure her blessings. It is very important to note that girls bear the scepter with white light, and boys bear the scepter with golden light. Moon and Anya would carry the earthen lamps as well. Once you reach the river, plant the scepters on the ground. Vic and Moon should hold one earthen lamp, while Anya and Vlad the other one. This is when you pray to Eternia about your concerns and finally, both the couples should release the lamp in the water together. Most importantly, NOBODY, I repeat, NOBODY is to utter a word during the walk, or before the lamps are released into the river. Is that clear to all of you?" Mom asked, but specifically looked at Anya. She nodded alongside the rest of us.
Dad and grandpa walked up to Vic and Vlad respectively and gave them the golden scepters, while Mom and Grandma handed me and Anya the white scepters. They took the earthen lamps that Astra had been holding and gave them to Anya and I, as we very carefully walked towards our partners.
"Go ahead. Nobody is supposed to wait for your return, so unfortunately we'll have to leave," Dad said, "but we don't want anyone to go near the river again until the sun rises tomorrow, after the ritual is done. Therefore, Vic and Vlad, you both would return to the mansion with Moon and Anya, okay?"
Vic and Vlad nodded obediently, as we then started our walk. Vic and I walked in front of Vlad and Anya. We were all silent throughout the walk, concentrating on the ritual. I didn't know about anybody else, but my heart was pounding in my chest. I could hear my heartbeat loud and clear in the silence. I was nervous about the whole thing and probably I was more scared than Anya about messing up anything.
Finally, we were in front of the big tree near the river. We silently planted our scepters on the ground, and walked towards our partners. Anya held the lamp alongside Vlad, and I held my lamp with Vic. As the lamp lit up our faces in the dark, I looked at Vic's calm face. He looked at me and smiled, relieving me of all my fears and worries. I closed my eyes in prayer, along with Vic, and visualized a happy life with Vic. I visualized a life where I was his queen and deserved to be a Royal in Hestia. I visualized Dione, and wished that I was able to feel her in me, so that I could do good to the people in the world. I opened my eyes in unison with Vic, as we lowered the lamp and held it above the water. The waves of the water were heard clearly in the silence. Once Anya and Vlad were done praying, they lowered their lamps as well, and together, we released our lamps into the water.
All four of us got up, and smiled at each other. My heart almost felt like a butterfly once we were done with the ritual. I heaved a sigh of relief, as we all turned around towards the festival grounds.
But the instant I took a step forward, cold winds raised a whirlpool of dust around us, forcing us to close our eyes.
"I-WHAT THE HELL?!" Anya screamed, as Vlad held her tight so as to keep her safe. Something ominous was calling for me. I could hear it… I could hear the voice calling for me. I turned around towards the river, and to my horror, the flames of the Earthen lamp had turned red and almost seemed to reach the sky, while they got caught up in a whirlpool, swallowing everything. It was like a battle of good and evil, and I was terrified. My hands were trembling, and I was about to cry.
"NOOOOO!!" I screamed, as his voice became clear like a crystal.
""Galveh-medgal-grap… grapdru-medveh-nagonundrux… gongisg-ván!! HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF!!!"
A thunderous laugh filled the air. It was the same voice I heard when I had arrived in Hestia. It was as if I was reliving those moments of terror. Almost instinctively, my hands kept searching for Vic in the dust, but in vain.
"VIC!!!" I screamed out his name, but to no avail. I could still hear Anya and Vlad in the distance, but it almost felt like they weren't even the main victims. I was the main victim here. And as if confirming my worst fears, my legs gave up as I fell to the ground, and something inhuman grabbed my leg, pulling me forcefully towards the water.
"AHHHHHHH!!!" I screamed, trying to grab anything that came in my way, but couldn't. Only when my legs were under water, did I feel someone grabbing my hand tightly and jerking me out. It was Vic. I held on to him as tight as I could and saw his terror-stricken pale, but desperate face. He held me tight, but turned towards the voice, which still seemed to be laughing at how miserable we were, and shouted,
""SHAHASTRAR-MIVINA! AA-TURKH-MI-VISTRAL! ZACAM YA ADI! I HAVE LIVED FOR A THOUSAND YEARS TO ELIMINATE THE EVIL. I WILL NOT LET YOU HARM ANYONE!! GO AWAY WHILE YOU STILL CAN, YOU DEVIL!!"
I was almost horrified as I heard Vic speak. Weren't these the exact same words that I had said a few days back? This was what it meant?
"Vic, I-"
"ZACAM NALVAGE, MOON!! ZACAM!!"
The voice in the abyss almost made fun of Vic with its inhuman laugh and said, "AW, tch tch tch, poor little angel… Go, go, run away like your little lover says, here! BUT REMEMBER, YOU CAN'T HIDE FROM ME!! I WILL FIND YOU AND TAKE MY SWEET REVENGE, LITTLE ANGEL. YOU DID A GRAVE MISTAKE BY LOVING THIS MAN HERE, AND NOW YOU'VE ONCE AGAIN RELEASED A DARK SPIRIT, MY LOVE. AND THIS DARKNESS WILL ENGULF EVERYTHING!! EVERYTHING!! I WILL FEAST ON YOUR SCREAMS AND YOUR BLOOD, MY DEAR… AND THEN WHEN THIS LITTLE ARMY OF YOURS HAS PERISHED, I'LL ENJOY YOU THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT!!!!"
"OVER MY DEAD BODY, MALVIC!! I WON'T LET YOU HURT DIONE!! NOT THIS TIME!!" Vic screamed. I could feel his muscles tense up, but my head was pounding way too much to focus on anything. Who was this? What evil entity did we release into the world? What was going to happen?
"RUN AWAY, LITTLE ANGEL!!"
"No…" I could hear from within.
"RUN AWAY!! LET ME ENJOY SEEING YOU CRY!!"
"No… I won't…" I could feel Vic pulling me, but as if I was turning into stone, I stood there, peering into the distance. Something was calling me. I could see it. Flashes of memories floated in front of me, but I was unable to make any sense of them. Fire, swords, rituals… and death. All floated in front of my eyes. I screamed into the abyss, but to no avail. Instead, the voice grew louder and louder, making me sway.
"DOALIM YA ADI!! ZACAM!! ZACAM NALVAGE!!"
A bright light emanating from Astra dissipated the dust, as the voice in the darkness screamed at us one final time, and slowly faded away. The whirlpool in the river dissipated as well, only leaving the earthen lamps floating, but the flames had gone out. Vic was still holding me, but I wasn't feeling myself anymore. My body convulsed and gave up, as I fell limp in Vic's arms…