Chapter Seven

Sephora's POV

The walk was quiet and I could feel Sequoia's eyes on me. I was deeply troubled but I did not look at her, instead, I turned my attention to the flowers in the field. They were beautiful, blazing with colour, just like Sequoia's fire, like 'my' fire.

We continued to walk to the pack house and there was still a silence between us and yet in the silence, I could still hear the many questions of Sequoia's heart. There was still so much to tell her but she couldn't know about them yet.

As we approached, Artemisia walked up to us and by her side was Niylah. She looked quite tired but happy all the same.

"I take it that you two had a nice day."

Niylah was itching to say so much but Artemisia restrained her.

"It was good," said Artemisia flatly.

I smiled at Artemisia.

"You need to lighten up, sister. How about we all go and eat together?"

We walked inside and found the table already set. I was surprised because I had not asked anyone to set the meal yet. Artemisia turned to me.

"I had the table set. I figured that you would be hungry when you got back."

"And you didn't eat?"

"The Goddess encourages us to eat as a family."

I smiled at Artemisia but all she did was give a polite nod. We all sat down to eat and I watched as Niylah and Sequoia whispered to each other about their day. I smiled. I remembered when I and Artemisia were like that. As close as two sisters should be but things had changed terribly and even more so now that Sequoia had been born.

It had been 18 years and as time had passed by, Artemisia had become quieter and stiffer. She hardly smiled and it compromised her powerful beauty. I was about 70years but I looked like I was 25. Artemisia and I were about the same age but she looked less youthful than I did.

The meal was eaten in silence, except for Sequoia's whispers with Niylah. Soon we were done and the little ones excused themselves to go and play. I was alone with Artemisia and I turned to her.

"Sister, you have been rather quiet."

"She lacks poise, Sequoia. I bet Niylah would have been a better Suprema."

"Relax sister. She shows promise. She needs a little more time..."

"Well we don't have that luxury! The girl turns 18 in a few moons and she will have to–"

I watched as Artemisia became silent. I knew what she was going to say.

"–she won't do as good a job as you have done. She won't be able to go through with..."

Suddenly a black mist filled the room. We both turned our heads and watched as Kali walked in majestically.

"Good evening Sisters."

"Mistress Kali," we said together.

She took her seat at the table and looked at the both of us calmly, her aura filled the air and her mist swirled around her.

"Artemisia, it has been 18 years and yet you have not still been able to come to terms with the fact that Sephora will no longer be with you. You must set that turmoil to rest."

Artemisia bowed low.

"I know. But I have no faith in the girl. She is not ready. She won't be able to go through with it."

Kali turned to me in surprise. I took a deep breath and faced her.

"I told her what she is and proceeded to spar with her but she refused to fight me in her wolf form. She said that it wasn't a fair fight. She held back."

Kali lowered her head in disappointment and I felt my heart sink. I had failed. I had become too close to her.

"Sequoia has a good heart. I see it in her," said Kali calmly, "but she must do the ritual. She has to be the one to take your life. If she doesn't, there will be chaos. The rites of the Suprema have been done correctly for years, we can't fail now. I understand that she has grown to love you as all sisters should but you must prepare her Sephora. You have 5 months left. She must be ready."

"I will do my best."

Kali nodded and turned to Artemisia.

"Lighten up sister. Have faith in Sequoia."

Artemisia growled silently and excused herself from the table. We watched her storm out and Kali turned to me.

"If Sequoia goes through with the ritual, Artemisia won't see the next dawn."

I was stunned at Kali's words.

"What do you mean?"

Kali took a deep breath.

"Two years ago, she came to me. Her heart was heavy and she was sorrowful. She made an oath and tied her life to yours. If Sequoia kills you and the next Luna defeats her, she will lay her soul to rest. She couldn't bare living without you. She asked me not to tell you but the Goddess has asked me to make it known to you."

I felt my heart break. Artemisia, what have you done? She could have lived a healthy life till about 200 but she chose to throw it all away. A tear ran down my cheeks. I wanted her to stay with Sequoia and guide her but she had chosen her fate.

"She also knew that you would want her to guide Sequoia but she wished her spirit be given to Niylah. She believes that she will be the new Luna in her place. A noble sacrifice indeed."

More tears fell from my eyes. Artemisia had gone through all this trouble just for me. This was more love than any sister could give.

"You should talk to her Sephora. It will make her feel better."

I nodded slowly and wiped my eyes.

"I will mistress Kali."

Kali nodded and took her leave and I was left alone at the table. The evening was rolling in and a crescent moon was seen in the sky. I had to find Artemisia.

I picked up her scent and followed it around the pack house. The smell went up stairs to the top terrace of the pack house that overlooked the lands. I found her standing in the dim light of the moon, looking into the vastness.

"Sister..."

"Kali told you, didn't she?"

She turned to me and there was a tear running down her cheek. I had rarely seen Artemisia cry. She was always so calm and collected.

"Sister, you shouldn't have..."

"I can't live on. You have always been there for me. I can't imagine a life without you in it."

Another sad tear rolled down her face and tears formed in mine. I had always loved Artemisia as a sister, friend and loyal Luna.

I walked up to her and pulled her into a hug. She sobbed into my shoulder and I patted her long hair.

"Your sacrifice is to big, even to repay in the next life."

"Being with you is payment enough."

I pulled away and gave her a sad teary smile. We both looked over the top terrace and saw two girls running into the forest. I peered closer and noticed it was...

"Isn't that Sequoia and Niylah?" asked Artemisia, wiping her eyes.

I smiled and watched them run into the forest.

"Let them have their fun. They remind me of us when we were getting up to our usual hijinks."

"You always had a knack for getting into trouble," said Artemisia with a smile.

I turned to her and held her hand, squeezing it gently.

"And you had a knack for getting me out of them."

The moon shone bright in the sky and the stars twinkled. The day had ended beautifully and we could hear the rustle of the leaves as the young ones disappeared into the forest, beneath the crescent moon's light.