I felt scared and nervous as we drove down the quiet forest road after we had just left the cabin.My hands were shaking a little, and my chest felt tight. The note from the restaurant was still in my mind and what Alaric said was also in my mind too everything was just confusing I was lost in my own mind."Jason… I am not safe here," I whispered softly. "I don't understand the Red Moon, the letters, or anything. I don't know what is happening to me."
Jason's eyes were dark and steady. He looked at me with a soft but serious gaze. "I think I know a place where you can get some answers," he said quietly. "It might help you understand a little, even if it's only a little."
I swallowed hard. My stomach felt tight. "Where?" I asked quietly.
Jason gave me a small, gentle smile. "You'll see soon. It is a temple. A place where the Moon Goddess can speak to those who are ready to listen. She can guide you, Aria. maybe you'll get some answers there.
I shivered a little. I had never seen a real temple before. The idea that a goddess would speak to me made my heart race, but I nodded. "Okay," I said softly.
Jason parked the truck in a small clearing. The temple stood in front of us. It was very old, made of grey stone, with tall pillars that reached up toward the moon. Silver moonlight shone on the stones, making them look like they were glowing. Vines climbed up the walls, and small flowers grew in the cracks. The air smelled fresh and sweet, like rain and wildflowers.
"It is beautiful," I whispered, looking at the temple.
Jason held out his hand. "Come with me. You will be safe here," he said.
I took a deep breath. My legs were still a little weak, but I stepped out of the truck. My feet made soft sounds on the dirt and stone path. Every step made my heart beat faster. The temple felt alive. I felt a strange energy in the air, like it was breathing with me.
"Jason… I don't understand anything," I said quietly as we walked closer. "I don't know what the Red Moon means. I don't understand the prophecy. I just… I want answers."
"You don't have to understand yet," Jason said softly. "Just be calm and listen. Let it come to you. Let it guide you."
I knelt in the center of the temple. My knees pressed into the cold stone floor. The air seemed to glow around me. It felt warm, soft, and heavy all at once. I closed my eyes and whispered, "Moon Goddess… please… I don't understand. Please show me the truth. Please tell me what I am supposed to do."
Suddenly, a gentle light wrapped around me like a warm blanket. I felt my body move, but it was not only me moving. Something else was inside me, something big and powerful.
"Aria…" a voice said softly inside my head. "Child of the Red Moon…"
I gasped and opened my eyes. "Who… who is there?" I whispered out loud. My voice shook a little.
"It is I," the voice said. "I am the Moon Goddess. You are searching for answers, and you wish to know the truth."
"I… I do," I whispered again. "I don't understand anything. Please… show me. Tell me what I must do."
The light grew brighter. It wrapped around me like silver fire. My mind filled with the voice. It was soft, strong, and beautiful all at once. "Love will be the end of you," the Moon Goddess said. "Care will be your weakness. Protect, or perish. You carry the key to a future no one else can touch. The Red Moon watches you. Your path is dangerous. You will face many trials. You will feel fear and pain, but you must survive. You must be strong."
I shivered. "I… I don't understand," I whispered. "What am I supposed to do?"
"Listen carefully, little one," the Moon Goddess said. "Watch what happens. Learn from what you see. Your choices will shape the lives of many. The Red Moon child is the key. Shadows will follow those who hold her close. You must be ready. You cannot hide. You cannot run. Only by surviving will you fulfill your path." wait what does that even mean please don't go I need real answers explain better am confused what does that even mean wait I shouted.
The light slowly faded. My knees hit the cold stone floor. I gasped for air. My chest felt tight and my hands trembled. Jason's arms were around me before I could fall. "Aria! Are you okay?" he asked, his voice soft but strong.
"I… I saw something," I whispered. "I… I don't understand it all. I just… I don't know."
Jason held me close for a moment, his hands strong on my shoulders. "It's okay," he said quietly. "You are safe. I will keep you safe."
I nodded, but fear did not leave me. My heart raced as I thought about the Red Moon, the prophecy, and the letters. Everything was changing too fast it's like the world was falling apart.
Then, a voice cut through the temple suddenly, loud and urgent:
"ARIA!"
I jumped and turned around. Lena was running toward us. Her face was pale, but her eyes were full of determination. She reached us quickly, breathing hard.
I've been looking everywhere for you aria and I was worried I haven't slept all night I did some research so I came as fast as possible to make sure you are not hurt "I… I did some searching," Lena said, her voice shaking a little. "I think… I think I found out about Jason's curse. And… I think it was Jason sending those letters!"