Moon Goddess

Serene music permeated the atmosphere, joyful sounds echoed in response from within Ava. Flowery scents competed with one another as Ava picked out smells of roses and lilac, among others. She involuntarily sniffed deeply to assimilate and possibly store the sweet savor for later use. Her ears tingled as she turned her head here and there in search of the melodious strain. The sky above her head was blue without a trace of clouds, bright light filled everywhere. Ava threw a glance up to check where the sun rose from in this land of utopia, but no harsh sun was above, only brightness.

Am I dead? She wondered then sighed in relief. That would be okay, it would be good riddance to the bad rubbish that her life had turned out to be. Maybe she would even meet her parents. Will I be able to recognize them? It’s been so long. At least they would recognize her, she consoled herself.

Ava’s eyes travelled beyond the horizon as she searched for a possible companion in this beautiful space. She needed a friend, she had been so lonely in her short life. She thought of her life in the past twenty-one years. It had been a long monotony. She closed her eyes as scenes of the past scrolled in her mind.

She saw how she lost her parents when she was six. No wonder she only had vague memories of them. The only incident that stayed with her was her sixth birthday, when her parents took her for a family picnic. Her father had his own bodyguards and her mother had maids but she could not remember any of those faces anymore. Her father really loved her mother and they sat side by side on the picnic mat that day, while she played with her own maid. Another family member had been present that day, she tried hard to recapture the eluding scene.

In her muddled memory, Ava saw as some men rushed to their picnic site and a fight ensued. Her father had told her mother to carry her and run to a safe place but her mother was reluctant to part with her husband. Someone struck her father with a heavy object and he fell on his face. Ava could hear her shrieks mixed with her mother’s screams as the attackers came towards them. The rest of the scene was a blackout as Ava squeezed her memory but it remained blank.

‘That is enough for now.’ Ava heard as if from a distance, a calming yet sure voice with a subtle tone of command that the hearer would willingly obey. She slowly opened her eyes. Could this be a vision? She thought to herself. How could someone be this beautifully magical? A tall woman stood before her, ageless with silvery wispy hair, heaped upon her head and caught in place with a flowery crown. Eyes that kept changing color in concurrence with her mood and words, locked with Ava’s eyes. Clothed in flowing white gown with white shoes on her pretty feet, the lady shined with an ethereal light, invisible to the eyes. She was the right description of a fairy godmother in bedtime stories. Ava knew in her inner mind that the being coming towards her was definitely the Moon Goddess. As she reached that conclusion, she was captured in a bear hug which dissipated all her pains, fears, worries and sadness. I am home! She rejoiced in her heart.

‘My daughter, your troubles are almost over.’

Ava reluctantly disentangled a little and stole a look at the divine face.

‘Almost?’ She stuttered. ‘You mean they are not yet over? I assume I am finally home.’

Moon Goddess snapped her finger and a soft handkerchief appeared in her hand. She took Ava’s face in her hands as if she was a toddler, and wiped her tears clean. Ava was surprised that she had tears on her face, they must have run when she remembered her parents.

‘Thank you Moon Goddess. But, why can’t I remember what happened after my father died?’

‘You will know when the time comes.’

‘When will that be? I thought they would be here. Can I see my parents now?’

Instead of answering her, the Moon Goddess waved her hand and a table with two chairs appeared beside them. She sat on one chair and signaled Ava to sit on the other. She obediently sat and realized that the chair was very comfortable, she rested her back and waited for the next magic. The Moon Goddess tapped the table and a large scroll appeared, it spread itself across the table. Mesmerized, Ava drew closer to see what was written on it.

Ava Winston – special breed

Late bloomer – endangered

Blooms night of 21- mighty weapon

Mission: Save the generation

Ava could not understand many of the words on the scroll and looked at the Moon Goddess quizzically.

‘What do these mean?’

‘You will understand it better by and by. Just know that you, Ava Winston, are very special.’

‘Hmmph’ sneered Ava.

‘How special can I be? I’ve been waiting for my wolf since my eighteenth birthday. I thought I would get a stronger wolf by my 21st birthday, but no. The mate you gave me ruthlessly rejected me and tormented me. No wolf, no mate, no pack. There is nothing special in me at all.’

‘Don’t worry my daughter. We will settle it one by one.’ She clapped her hands and a little rusting beside Ava produced a grey wolf, with amber eyes, it was so beautiful and majestic. It came closer to Ava and bowed.

‘Hello Ava,’ it said. ‘I am Nadia, your wolf.’

‘My wolf?’ Ava asked. ‘My wolf!’ She shouted and jumped up.

‘You now have a wolf, Ava. Congratulations.’ Ava quickly thanked Moon Goddess with a hug, and then she bent before Nadia and hugged her. Nadia hummed in enjoyment of the hug.

‘You were born for a purpose Ava. You have a great destiny. Be strong and courageous.’ Ava nodded in agreement.

‘Next is your mission.’