Frustration welled up within Lauren as she clenched her fists, nearly succumbing to the pull of the earth beneath her.
"For the love of God, Lauren Turner, do I resemble anything you encounter within your everyday existence? Look around you! If you continue to dismiss the extraordinary before your very eyes, no witch shall ever deem you worthy of their regard!" the unicorn scolded her, its voice filled with a potent mix of exasperation and wisdom.
Lauren's knees almost buckled beneath her as she absorbed the unicorn's admonition. The profound realization that this beautiful creature possessed the power of speech, if only within her thoughts, ignited a newfound sense of purpose within her.
Resolute, she lifted her gaze and called out to the mare, her voice brimming with determination.
"Wait up!" she exclaimed, as she began to pursue the elegant unicorn, driven by an insatiable curiosity and a desire to unlock the secrets of this extraordinary realm that had unveiled itself before her.
As Lauren finally caught up to the graceful mare, she discovered it quenching its thirst from a glistening, sparkling river. Standing alongside the majestic creature was a mesmerizing woman, her hair cascading down to the back of her knees in a waterfall of ethereal beauty.
As the woman turned around, a gasp escaped Lauren's lips, her jaw dropping in astonishment as she knelt before the otherworldly being, rendered speechless by her dazzling presence.
With a warm smile adorning her features, the woman gracefully approached Lauren, extending her hand in a gesture of kindness. Her voice, a soothing blend of tranquility and clarity, washed over Lauren's senses as she spoke.
"I imagine Eragon gave you quite a hard time," she uttered, her words a gentle balm to the young woman's ears. Lauren, still on the ground, slowly reached out and took the outstretched hand, allowing herself to be guided upward, rising from the floor.
Overwhelmed by a flurry of questions swirling within her, Lauren wasted no time in seeking answers.
"Please, may I know who you are? Who is this Eragon you speak of? And why am I here?" she inquired, her voice filled with a potent mix of curiosity and urgency, now that she stood on her own two feet once more.
Gazing towards the mare by the river, the woman gestured, indicating Eragon's presence.
"Eragon, my dear, is the one sipping from the river's edge," she replied, her voice laced with familiarity towards the enigmatic creature.
"As for me, I bear many names, but ultimately, I am known as the Moon Goddess. As for your last question, the answer lies within you," she added, her voice gently echoing the mysteries and leaving Lauren puzzled but intrigued by her response.
Curiosity burning brightly, the Moon Goddess turned her attention towards Lauren, her captivating gaze locking onto the young woman's eyes. "Tell me, my dear, what is the last thing you remember?" she inquired, her voice imbued with ancient wisdom and compassion.
Lauren's mind hastily retraced its steps, conducting a swift dance through the corridors of her recollections.
"Well, I remember... wait," she began, as the vivid images of the previous night flashed vividly within her mind's eye. "I recall reading a book my Aunt Veronica gave me, a grimoire of sorts... It was titled 'The Benneth Grimoire.' I was engrossed in its pages last night, and then I woke up in this unfamiliar place," Lauren recounted in a single breath, her eyes widening as the memory solidified within her consciousness.
A gentle smile tugged at the corners of the Moon Goddess's lips, and she turned gracefully, beginning to make her way back towards the river.
Lauren, instinctively drawn to the enigmatic figure, followed closely behind. "You knew my grandmother?" she inquired, a mixture of awe and intrigue lacing her words.
A soft chuckle escaped the Moon Goddess as she settled upon a massive rock beside the river.
"Oh, my dear, I not only know your grandmother, Khallesi Benneth, but she, along with every other supernatural being, are one of my children—the good, the not-so-good, and, of course, the special ones," she replied, exuding an air of serene wisdom tinged with a sense of light-heartedness.
Despite the strangeness and unfamiliarity of everything she's heard, she decided to lend an ear and sat upon a small rock by a babbling stream.
"Why don't you have a drink" the moon goddess urged her to quench her thirst. Lauren obliged and bent down to take a drink, her hands cupped in the cool water of the river.
As she raised her head, a breathtaking transformation unfolded before her eyes. The air in this new place carried the enchanting scent of cinnamon and lavender, and towering trees of various kinds stood tall around her.
A voice, soft yet commanding, whispered behind her, "This is the Benneth Coven, a thousand years in the past." Lauren spun around in surprise, but her fears quickly subsided as she recognized the familiar face of the moon goddess.
"Come, Lauren," said the moon goddess with a gentle smile, and in the blink of an eye, they appeared amidst a gathering.
There, Lauren beheld a heartwarming scene: her beloved grandmother engaged in conversation with a group of young ladies.
It felt as though she were peering into her grandmother's past through a translucent mirror, the image both real yet distant. Lauren couldn't help but feel a surge of joy, exclaiming, "She's as radiant as my own mother!" A single tear of tender emotion rolled down her cheek, unbeknownst to her.
Lauren attentively observed her grandmother as she imparted wisdom to the younger women.
Just as she was about to pose a question to the moon goddess, a whisper passed through the air. Lauren's grandmother swiftly concluded her conversation with the girls and was approached by a group of older women, their expressions filled with anxiety and urgency.
Perplexed by the turn of events, Lauren turned to the moon goddess for answers, only to be hushed and urged to listen. With bated breath, she watched as her grandmother and the others mounted horses, a group of nineteen in total, save for one who excused herself due to illness.
."Vampires? Who is the vampire king?" Lauren couldn't resist the urge to ask, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"Patience, dear Lauren, all will be revealed in due time," the moon goddess reassured her, instructing her to continue watching with unwavering focus.
Lauren held her breath, her eyes fixed on the unfolding scene, yet an unsettling feeling gnawed at her insides.
"Something is wrong... I think..." The words caught in her throat, refusing to escape.
Before she could voice her concerns, the vampires suddenly launched their attack, catching everyone off guard.
Helplessly, Lauren bore witness to a fierce battle the vampires and witches, her people fighting bravely but undoubtedly were outnumbered. Her heart shattered as she saw her grandmother's selfless sacrifice, trading her own life to save the remaining few witches.
Overwhelmed by grief, Lauren's throat tightened, as tears streamed down her cheeks. Collapsing to her knees, she cried out in anguish for her grandmother.