The night wind blew gently, rustling the leaves of the trees around the castle. Mariane still felt the lingering effects of the vision the moon had shown her, and the Princess's words echoed in her mind like an unsolved riddle. The sacrifice. The choice. What should she leave behind? Her heart raced with a mixture of fear and fascination, yet at the same time, a strange force urged her to move forward, to embrace the unknown.
The moon shone brightly overhead, its full glow illuminating the garden like an ethereal beacon. The air was thick with magic, as though the earth itself was holding its breath in anticipation. The ancient oak tree, a silent sentinel in the centre of the clearing, stood proudly with its gnarled branches reaching towards the sky, as if yearning to touch the very stars themselves. It was here, beneath this tree, that Mariane had heard the call—the haunting melody that had drawn her to this moment.
The Princess stood beside the tree, her silver hair glowing in the moonlight, her eyes closed as if she were in communion with something far beyond the realm of mortals. Her calm, graceful presence gave off an air of wisdom, as though she had witnessed the passing of centuries. By her side, the Prince—Lúcio—exuded an entirely different aura. He was warm, approachable, and kind, with eyes that seemed to sparkle with empathy and understanding. His smile, gentle yet radiant, had a way of putting anyone at ease, even in the most uncertain of moments.
"Are you ready, Mariane?" The soft voice of the Princess broke her thoughts.
Mariane hesitated. She had spent so much time writing in her journal, piecing together the mysteries of the castle and the moon, but now that the time had come to face them, she felt unprepared. How could she possibly understand something so vast, so ancient? The weight of the decision ahead felt heavy in her chest.
But before she could respond, the Prince, Lúcio, stepped forward. His presence, soothing and kind, was like a balm to her restless mind. "I know this is a difficult moment for you, Mariane," he said in a voice so tender that it immediately eased the knot of tension in her stomach. "The moon brings wisdom, but it also asks us to face our fears. Don't worry. You are not alone in this."
Mariane felt an unexpected sense of relief. She had been so consumed by the mysteries of the castle, by the weight of the visions, that she had forgotten how powerful support could be. Lúcio was here, with a kind smile and a reassuring presence, and that somehow made everything feel less daunting.
"I know," Mariane replied, her voice small but steady. "But... what is happening? What is the moon asking of me?"
The Princess's gaze softened, her expression distant, as if she were listening to a conversation only she could hear. "The moon has chosen you, Mariane," she said, her voice like a soothing melody that seemed to resonate with the very earth beneath them. "It is not something to fear, but something to understand. Like me, Lúcio, and the others in this kingdom, you are connected to a force that transcends what we can see with our eyes."
Lúcio nodded, his eyes never leaving hers, his expression one of unwavering support. "The moon has the power to reveal deep truths. It connects us all, but it also challenges us to grow. What the moon asks of you will not be easy, but it is your path to walk. We all must face it, each in our own way."
Mariane turned her gaze to the moon, her heart racing as the full moon illuminated the world around her. The silver light bathed everything in its gentle glow, making the trees and the castle appear as though they were part of some dreamlike world. The melody she had heard earlier—the one that had drawn her out of her chambers and into the night—had returned, but this time, it was louder, clearer. The stars seemed to hum along with the song, the very air vibrating with energy.
"The moon speaks to us all," the Princess continued, her voice low and soft, as though she were speaking a sacred truth. "But not everyone can hear its song. You are one of the few who has this connection, Mariane. And with it comes the responsibility to understand what it asks of you."
Mariane's heart pounded in her chest, the weight of the moment pressing down on her. She was no longer just a curious visitor in the castle. She had become part of something far larger than she had ever imagined. The moon had called her, and now she had to answer—but what was the question? What did the moon want her to do?
Lúcio, sensing her unease, stepped closer, his gentle hand reaching out as if to offer her comfort. "The moon is a guide, not a force that will lead you astray. But it will not give you all the answers. You must find them for yourself. That is why it asks for a sacrifice."
"A sacrifice?" Mariane repeated, her voice trembling slightly. "What kind of sacrifice?"
The Princess stepped forward, her eyes meeting Mariane's with a knowing expression. "The moon does not demand something easy," she said quietly, her gaze focused on the horizon. "What it asks will not be something you can give lightly. Sometimes, to gain something great, something of equal value must be left behind. But the sacrifice is not a loss, Mariane. It is a necessary step in the journey of understanding. The path is not without its challenges, but it is through these challenges that you will grow."
Mariane felt a wave of confusion wash over her. She had always thought of sacrifices as painful losses—things you had to give up in order to achieve something. But the Princess's words made her wonder if there was more to it, if there was something she had yet to understand.
The Prince spoke then, his voice kind but firm. "The moon teaches us that sacrifice is not always a negative thing. It is a part of life, a necessary step toward something greater. What you are meant to sacrifice, Mariane, is something only you can know. But the moon will guide you. The answer lies within you."
Mariane closed her eyes, trying to understand. The music of the moon filled her ears, the soft hum like a pulse beneath her skin. It was beautiful, yet it carried with it an undeniable weight, as though the very fabric of the world was shifting in response to her choices. She felt her heart stir, as if something deep inside her was awakening, something she had not yet discovered.
She opened her eyes and looked at the Princess and the Prince. Their faces were soft with understanding, their gazes full of encouragement and support. In that moment, Mariane felt as though she were standing at the threshold of something extraordinary, something that would change her forever. The choice was hers, and the moon was watching, waiting for her to decide.
"You are not alone," the Princess said softly, her voice full of warmth. "Whatever you choose, we will be here. The moon has called you, Mariane, but we will walk this path with you."
Lúcio smiled gently, his eyes full of trust. "The journey ahead will not be easy, but you are stronger than you realise. Trust yourself, and trust the moon."
Mariane took a deep breath, her eyes turning once more to the glowing moon. She could feel the pull, the connection. The song it played was a melody that resonated deep within her soul, calling her to something greater, something more. And for the first time in a long while, she knew that whatever the future held, she was ready to face it.
"I will listen to the moon," Mariane said, her voice steady, her resolve growing with each passing moment. "I will find my way."
The Princess smiled, her eyes glowing with pride. "You have made the right choice, Mariane. And you are not alone."
As they all stood beneath the full moon, the air thick with magic and mystery, Mariane felt a sense of peace settle within her. The path ahead was unclear, but she was not afraid. The Prince, with his gentle support, and the Princess, with her ancient wisdom, would be by her side. And the moon, with its song, would guide her to whatever lay ahead. Together, they would face the journey that awaited them all.