Roxanne stood, frozen on her single spot. She didn’t know what to make of the two beings who stood before her. On one hand was the fabled moon goddess, a stunning beauty who had a dazzling smile and a warm demeanor. On the other was the cheerful, yet fierce man-wolf. The moon goddess had called him Kyron, and he had declared himself the Origin Wolf.
‘Just what is happening here?’ Her mind rang.
“I understand you’re confused, Roxanne. Do not fret, we’ll explain everything to you.” The moon goddess spoke softly.
All of a sudden, the waves of unease that had been welling up within her dissipated, shrouded in the warm comfort of her voice.
Still, Roxanne didn’t know if she could utter a single word in their presence.
“My name is Lara, or as you all know me as, the moon goddess. Here, beside me is my mate. His name is-”
“Kyron! You’ve said it already. And you’re Roxanne, yeah? It appears we all know each other.” Kyron interrupted, appearing a little impatient by the introduction.
Lara, the goddess made a face at him, which he responded to with a mischievous grin.
“Hey, I was till talking…” Lara said to him, clearly displeased that he had cut in.
“Come on, she understood already. Besides, you know we don’t have all the time in the world to spend here… oh wait…” Suddenly bursting out laughing, Kyron seemed to revel in a joke only he understood.
>Sigh<
"You're the only one who thinks this is funny." Lara said, though a small smile formed on her own face.
Looking at their actions, Roxanne felt like she was watching two loving couples engage in teases and light arguments. She was suddenly reminded of how her home was when her father was still alive. She had experienced many memories akin to this.
Seeing this now, Roxanne couldn't help but miss her own family.
"Ah, sorry about that interruption. Kyron just got a little excited since it's been a while we've talked to visitors." Lara smiled, waking Roxanne from her nostalgia.
"Y-yeah, no. It's fine…" Roxanne stuttered as she spoke.
Lara smiled even broader, seeming to entirely read the young girl's mind and totally understood what she was going through. However, she didn't mention the topic, only giving a slight, knowing nod.
Roxanne felt assured by this, and as she felt at ease, many memories began to surface into her, memories of Katrina's warnings, her flight, the worries that had been shoved down… Asher!
"Where am I?" Roxanne finally asked.
Lara nodded, looking at Kyron who returned her smile with his. They were pleased that Roxanne had finally eased up in their presence.
"You are in the Ether Realm. It's a space that's endlessly vast and wide, dwelling beyond the concept of space and time. This is merely a portion of it, a stage made by the collection of Kyron's efforts and mine to speak with you as you drifted in the abyss." Lara explained.
There were so many things she didn't understand from what was just said, but Roxanne got the idea that this was pretty much not Earth. She looked at her astral form in panic, but Kyron seemed to have already guessed her thought.
"No physical entity can access this plane, so your astral body alone came here. Your physical self should still be in the toilet where you lost consciousness." He said, folding his hands.
"A-ah, I see…" Roxanne mumbled, trying to soak it all in.
A burning question rang in her head, so Roxanne spoke.
"Why am I here? Were you the ones who brought me to this, erm, Ether Realm?"
"Well… it's a yes and no question, really." Kyron gave a vague answer.
Lara, however, appearing more considerate, decided to elaborate.
"You were here because your inner self was very disturbed. You were facing very conflicting choices, and as a result, your inner realm became very turbulent. Since it was unstable, it sought a solace. I used that opportunity to create a window where it could find rest, this bringing you here." Lara explained.
In essence, it was a joint effort between Roxanne's unrest, and Lara's use of the situation. Still, that didn't answer all of her questions.
"B-but why? I still don't understand. Why am I here?" She muttered.
She was standing before deities, legends who birthed the werewolf lore. They supposedly died over a thousand years ago, maybe even more. What would such entities want from her?
"No normal person should be able to gain access to this realm, not even if they experience inner conflicts. Even Werewolves hardly ever get a glimpse of this place, save a few." Lara stated.
This further drove Roxanne into confusion. Why her?
"Its because of the recent change that has occurred in you. The manifestation of your Werewolf Art, one so unique that only one other person has ever possessed…" Kyron added, looking in Lara's direction.
"W-wha-? Y-you mean…?" Roxanne stuttered again.
"Yes, Roxanne. I was the first and only person before you to possess the Art you manifested just recently… Luna's Wish." Lara answered.
Originally, only Six Ancient Arts were known among werewolves, therefore, whatever Roxanne manifested was bizarre. The revelation Lara just gave made Roxanne feel much closer to the truth than before.
"Please tell me more…" She pleaded.
Of course, the two agreed. That was one of the reasons she was there to begin with.
"Luna's Wish is the most powerful of all the Werewolf Arts, in fact… one could say it is the origin of them all, and the catalyst of the existence of Werewolves." Lara began.
"Do you know how the Werewolves came to be?"
Roxanne remembered the tragic tale that Rita told her and nodded.
"Well, I'm certain our descendants still pass on the stories, though the accuracy might have drastically reduced. However, the most important aspect of the tale is the origin. How it all started. It began with a desire, the desire of a girl for the impossible… and that desire was granted."
Roxanne remembered. The girl in the story wished to be with the wolf she loved, even if she had to abandon everything. She was able to turn into a wolf and spend time together with her lover, giving her satisfaction and happiness.
"You mean… that was the Luna's Wish?!" Roxanne exclaimed.
Lara nodded.
"B-but you weren't even a Werewolf then!"
Lara smiled, as though she was already expecting that kind of reaction.
"You are right. I wasn't one. However, the Luna's Wish is far deeper than just the Werewolf bloodline. It is a supernatural force that fulfils the desire of whoever wills it, if their will is strong enough, and if it's for the sake of love!"
The two elements Rita stated had to be the key catalysts for the Art to manifest.
"Have you ever heard of miracles? Prayers being supernaturally answered? People suddenly gaining superhuman strength to protect those they love, of performing various feats that defy natural logic? These are all manifestations of a supernatural force that moves through everything… Luna's Wish." Lara furthered.
This was the first time Roxanne was hearing something so bizarre. Yet, for some reason, it resonated with her.
"So, you're saying… anyone has the capacity to activate this? Then what makes it so special that I have it?" Roxanne said, still not entirely getting it.
"No, Roxanne… you are different. No, we are different. Unlike the others who merely tap into the force at given moments, you and I harnessed it's power and it completely changed us, staying with us, becoming one with us… The Luna's Wish became an Art that could be used by us."
Upon hearing Lara's words, they shook Roxanne at her core. The supernatural force that defies logic and grants the user their wish… Roxanne had it within her!