AMAYA
(Son Of The Moon)
Episode 12
I already felt lost way before I even went back home.
For the next three days, I cried everyday. My first and last thoughts always about my mother and my relatives,feeling so lost again. I actually blamed myself because of her misfortune, which is stupid cause how could have I helped? I blamed myself for not visiting more and for being selfish. Sometimes, I forget that I was only sixteen and had no control over my powers. I started having really bad chest pains (like a heart attack) that I actually thought I was going to die, maybe they were anxiety attacks. I had such dark thoughts and felt like I couldn’t talk to anyone, like I physically couldn’t or I would start crying. Even though I didn’t know my powers really well, I think the reason why I grieved so hard was because I was robbed of a childhood with relatives, robbed from ever saying goodbye, and most of all lessons I could’ve learned.
The following morning after I had returned from meeting the gods in the woods,I angrily removed the bracelet from my wrist. A lightning strike that sounded ‘like an explosion’ woke residents and shook homes in the community and beyond.
The loud boom was heard by residents at around 10.50Am on Wednesday, as high winds and rain were lashing the area from Storm Gerrit.
But a storm that developed over the south and west brought with it lightning, which struck near the town, startling residents.
Many took to rumours following the loud clap, which some took to be thunder, but was a lightning bolt striking the ground north of the town.
“Wise one! What’s wrong? You removing the bracelet from your arm isn’t an ordinary sign. ” One of the shrine servant asked.
“Go! Meet my father,and tell him to prepare the altar for the sacrifice. ” I commanded.
“But …! Wise one,you are the moon child,you are the one to prepare the sacrifice, because it’s your right to do so. ” One of them said.
“I will not repeat myself. ” My eye brows scrunched together.
“Okay wise one!” He said and left.
The loud crash of thunder drew a loud, fear-stricken yelp from Christian. “Christ..!” he muttered, dropping the phone in his hands and pressing himself against the wall with wide eyes.
Whining quietly, he sunk into the bed, his back sliding against the egg-colored wall as he did so. As he reached to pick up his phone, another crash of thunder sounded, causing him to jump yet again.
Quickly grabbing his phone, Christian turned the display back on and read the messages he had missed.
Message; “Did you hear about the new update from the village?” It was a message from a friend in the village. ” I have just been told that your little brother,the moon child would serve as a sacrifice for the gods in this covenant month. “
Zoe’s palace.
It started as a rumble. The lights flickered on and off. Zoe woke from his slumber beside the fire and growled at nothing, or so I thought. He continued to eat his dinner for one with the only other noise in the room being that of the clock ticking by. Then as if a heavy articulated truck went by the house, the ground shook. Zoe growled once more. The clock chimed as the hour struck. The tree started to sway in the front garden as the wind picked up. He picked up his phone following a buzzing notification that popped on it. It was a message.
It was,I reflected, quite surreal to hear the city’s early morning birdsong signalling a new day while I was ending ending my own life. I watched as my life drained, quite literally, from me standing on the ground at my feet; the blood running in rivers between the cobbles from the wound in my chest. If only families hadn’t betrayed me they could still have been asleep but they hadn’t and had to accept the consequences.
Pulling off at the shrine path, Christian,Zoe,and mama came down from a any-coloured car. I continued with the seal of covenant without minding their presence.
“Amaya, why did you stab yourself with a knife? Amaya!” Tears strolled down mama cheeks. “The bracelet,did you get it off your wrist too? “
“Amaya!!” Christian and Zoe chorused.
“I’m not doing this for Vincent. I’m doing it for my people. I want to be the last human sacrifice ever taken by the gods. ” I said.
“This has been on for decades,why do you think you can abolish a tradition just like that?” Mama cried profusely,but I didn’t answer further.
“Amaya! Can I stay with you tonight?” Zoe asked.
“I do not need your presence or anyone else’s. Go home! Put your house inorder. “I replied Zoe.
“You’re gradually building a wall between you and Zoe. What’s wrong this time around?” Christian asked.
“Amaya! Amaya,why are you doing this?” Mama asked in-between sobs,as she used the helm of her wrapper to wipe her face.
“Everyone of you should return back home. I have a journey to embrace. ” I replied.
So,they returned home after some hours.
I usually find solace and tranquility in the soft glow of a flickering flame,capturing a cozy night. I lit up few candles and laid quietly on a mat.
I felt a cold draft and the candle started to flicker.
“Amaya May! Amaya May!!” The soft voice called.
“Who are you?!” I questioned as I jolted.
“A messenger from the moon. ” The stranger said calmly. “Your father bought his immortality powers from a dark goddess,in exchange of your life. This covenant includes sacrificing human lives twice every year. The moon gods never requests for human bl00d but animal’s. This was why you were sent to this kingdom to stop the covenant between your father and the dark goddess,Hannah. “
“So,for these years,why are the moon gods silent?” I inquired.
“The gods were waiting for the right person to come,which is you,a sixteen years old boy. ” The invisible being said.
“But…! Why am I being persecuted by the people I love?” I inquired.
“Your brother, Vincent is being used against you by your father and the dark goddess. Do not blame him for his rivalry attitudes towards you. He loves you dearly,but can’t explain what’s happening to him. ” The voice said.
“Vincent?!” I exclaimed.
“It is to stop you from being the moon messenger. This was why your father led you into the dark forest to make a request for your own death. The shadows you saw that night were the messengers of goddess Hannah and not the moon messengers. You were told never to look back as you return home,but you looked back. You broke the oath to k!ll you. Tomorrow night is the day for the sacrifice to the dark goddess of agony. You shall be taken to her altar to be slayed,but a rescue team will come for you by the same people that loves you. ” He said.” Your father will not see the dawn of tomorrow. He shall be called back home tonight and will be punished accordingly and for eternity. “
“The end of the dark goddess is here. ” I whispered.
“It is only your father’s death that can restore Vincent to his senses. “The voice said.
Suddenly,a scream echoed from the bushes and the voice disappeared.
“So,the human sacrifices aren’t for the gods of the moon afterall,but to a dark goddess? Father! You’re so heartless!” I cried bitterly.
As the roaster ushered a new day,a message came to me about my father’s demise,just like the moon messenger had promised.
… To Be Continued.
©️ Rihanne Maya
