shadows of the moon

The night air was cool and quiet as I laid beneath the stars counting them all one by one. The moonlight casting a glow over the field causing me to feel energized and powerful. For once there was no danger, no shadows from the past, nobody was hurt, it was just Leo, Orion, and I watching the stars. For once, there was peace. I heard the hum of crickets and the gentle rustle of grass beneath us. Deep down, I knew this peace wouldn't last. Leo was already fast asleep next to me while Orion stood a few feet away staring at the statue as if trying to figure out its significance. I wanted to get up and try to see if I could help him but I was sure he'd say no. The statue still lingered in my mind as well and so did his memories including the one he didn't remember. Something wasn't adding up. The biggest question I kept asking myself was why couldn't Orion remember what I saw? Was that even Orion's memory? If not, whos memory did I see? Orion looked over at us and I realized I was accidentally staring at him so I quickly turned away. He walked up to me and tapped my shoulder. "Luna? Are you awake?" He whispered. I turned to him. "I have something I want to show you." He said then started walking. I stood up just watching him walk. He turned around signaling me to follow him and so, I did. I walked side by side with Orion leaving Leo behind temporarily to allow him to get some rest.

 "I always loved coming here with your mother." He said as he plucked out one of the flowers growing around us. "You came here with her?" I asked. "A few times. I barely remember it but your mother and I were friends since childhood. I mostly remember her explaining to me what this place." Orion said. "Which is?" I asked. "It's a sanctuary for the moonlight bloodline. These flowers." He gave me one he picked earlier. "These flowers that grow around you they are called Nyxblooms. They let out a powerful toxin to anybody who isn't invited into this place." Orion said. "Why isn't it letting out a powerful toxin to you?" I asked. "Because you haven't reclaimed this sanctuary to the moonlight bloodline yet." He winked then started walking faster and I followed along. Orion stopped at this tree then he pushed it aside to reveal an alter standing there. It was an ancient weatherworn slab of pale stone. Moss clung to the edges and it had delicate lunar flowers that bloomed around in a perfect crescent around its base. Etched into the surface, was a crescent moon cradling a radiant star both symbols carved so precisely they still shimmered faintly in the moonlight. Tiny constellations were chiseled around them. Despite the altar;s age it pulsed gently with energy as if the moon and stars had once touched it and never truly let go.

Orion glazed his hand over the altar feeling the texture of the stone. He smiled. "Still as sturdy as the day your mother did the ritual." My eyes grew with shock. "You were there?" I asked the surprise seeping into my voice. "Oh yes. She was I believe, 13 years old when it happened. Becoming apart of this land, an owner, is kind of like a bar mitzvah for your family. It's a right of passage for all the woman and men of your family." Orion said. "Does that mean my dad did it to?" I asked. "I mean probably but I don't know. My memory is really fuzzy I barely remember anything about him and your mother." I put my head down staring at the floor as if it would move. "What is it Luna?" Orion asked. I shrugged. "I guess it just seems like Leo and I wouldve had a nice childhood is all." Orion looked down at the altar. "You're mother loved you very much Luna." Orion said. "I know. I don't know how but I know." I said. Orion still had his hand on the altar. "I can feel the stone. Sort of like how you can feel others emotions, I can feel it. It's calling out to you Luna, you and Leo. It's ready for you to take your rightful place as the heir to the moonlight bloodline." He lifted his hand up. "Once we do the ritual tomorrow you and Leo can live a nice quiet life. Away from the Eclipse Order and anyone who dares to hurt you. Maybe you can build a house here, grow old, the flowers will protect you and you'll never have to worry again." Orion said. I walked up to the altar putting my hand on it. "Maybe I don't want a quiet life." Orion took his hand off the altar and gave me a hug. "Oh Luna, how I wish you're mother could see you now." He said. "It seems like you cared for her a lot." He nodded. "I loved her but as a friend." He pulled away from the hug. "Yea, that's right." He looked confused. After a minute of silence he shook his head as if shaking off his feelings "Right." He gave me a pat on the back. "Let's head back we wouldn't want to get Leo worried would we?" He started to walk. "Ok." I said to myself as I started to follow him. Then the two of us started to walk back to the entrance ready to take on whatever lied ahead. We were silent on the way back to Leo. By the time we got there, Leo was still sleeping and I layed down beside him. "Get some rest Luna, tomorrow will be a long day." And that, I did.