On reaching home, Atlas found Venusa waiting for him in front of the house. Atlas rushed to her worriedly.
“My love, what are you doing out here? Aren’t you cold?” Atlas asked worriedly as he quickly took off the coat he was wearing and wore it on her.
“Where did you go?” She asked, her voice breaking. Atlas cupped his wife’s face. Her face held sadness and worry. Atlas sighed and embraced Venusa warmly. Venusa held Atlas tightly. Atlas could feel her vulnerability.
“I’m fine, love.”
“Atlas…” Venusa choked on her tears. “I feel tragedy coming.”
Atlas withdrew. “Tragedy?”
Venusa nodded. “I can feel it. It’s near. It’s only an amount of time before it strikes our clan. I… I’ve never told you this but I’ve been having some dreams lately.”
Atlas frowned. “Dreams?”
She nodded. “I see our clan on fire. Today makes it the third time I dreamt about it. At first, it seemed like a silly dream but not anymore. Not after what happened to our son.”
Atlas’s heart picked up its pace. His fingers trembled in fear as Venusa’s words settled in his brain.
Does this mean the Redmoon Pack will strike?
Will they invade and destroy everyone?
What will I do?
What about my family?
His head was filled with different thoughts.
“What are you thinking about?” Venusa asked. Should I tell her? Atlas wondered. Should I tell her about Redmoon Pack? He feels like he should tell her but he didn’t want to worry his precious wife. She’s worried enough and adding to it would not be ideal considering her condition.
“Nothing. Nothing I’m fine. You know what? Don’t worry about anything. Like you said, it’s just a silly dream. To assure you, I will tighten the security. The warriors will go through more rigorous trainings for heightened protection. I promise you, my love, nothing is going to happen to us.” Atlas assured and Venusa nodded. She held her husband tightly and shut her eyes, praying to the goddess that they may be protected.
“Daddy, you’re back!” Riaz beamed from the entrance. He has also been waiting for his father.
“Yes, buddy. Missed me?”
Riaz giggled and ran into his father’s arms. Atlas picked him up and ruffled his hair.
“How are you feeling now?”
“Great! Mummy healed my wounds.”
“Yeah. Because she is fantastic. You will be able to that too when you grow up.” Atlas said and Riaz grinned. He loved the sound of that. He wouldn’t have to wait for his mum to heal him again.
“Stay with Riaz. I want to see mother for a second.” Venusa said and Atlas nodded. Pulling up her gown to avoid tripping, Venusa went to her mother’s residence. When she got there, she met her mother meditating. She sat beside her and meditated alongside.
“You’re troubled, daughter.” Umbria said as she opened her eyes. “What’s the matter?”
Venusa sighed. She didn’t know where to begin. Did she even need to say anything? This is her mother. She knows everything before anyone else does.
“You know why I am, mother.”
Umbria chuckled. A soft wind blew by and Umbria trailed her fingers in the air. “Nature is troubled, Venusa.” She said as she turned to face her daughter. “They are troubled because their mother is troubled. You should smile.”
“Mother, I’ve been seeing something for the past few days.”
“Dreams?” It didn’t sound like a question. More like a confirmation that she knew what her daughter has been seeing.
“They trouble me, mother.”
“Don’t let them, daughter.” She took Venusa’s hand and kissed them. “Our clan has been here for over centuries. No one has ever trespassed.”
“Just because they haven’t over the years doesn’t mean it won’t happen.”
“Sweetheart, this is Red Orleans. Only those wanted in our land will know the direction to this place.”
Venusa raised her brow. “That does not make any sense.” She said and Umbria chuckled.
“It does. If Red Orleans was easy to find then why haven’t we been invaded all these while?”
Venusa hummed. She found some sense in what her mother said. “Maybe I’m being worried for nothing.”
“Yes, you are. You should not worry too much. Just focus on being healthy for you child.” Umbria said and Venusa rubbed her belly subconsciously. Maybe I’m being oversensitive, she thought.
“Alright. I should get back home.”
“You should. Make sure you rest well tonight, okay?”
“I will.” Venusa promised and left after hugging her mother goodbye. With Venusa out of sight, Umbria stood up and faced the spirit tree, Yivok. She placed her hand on it and sighed sadly.
“I guess tragedy is really inevitable, Yivok. Let your will be done but can you guarantee the safety of my family?” Umbria pleaded and the vines of the tree shook. Umbria couldn’t decipher what Yivok meant.
“Is it at this moment that you forsake me?”
No reply came from Yivok. Umbria got on her knees and bowed, facing the northwest direction. She bowed and began to pray to the goddess of the moon, Shuru.
“Please, o great Shuru. Goddess of the moon, mother of nature. Grant us safety in the time of tribulations.”
As Atlas promised, the security of the clan was tightened and a strict curfew was implemented. No one was to go out or enter Yok past nine in the night. Riaz was prohibited from going out to play on his own. His father either goes with him or Roma or a trusted guard. For the next three months, no intruders showed up.
Venusa was no heavily pregnant and due in two weeks. The maidens and Umbria have been preparing for her delivery. The royal delivery room has been decorated and sprinkled with spiritual water. The priests stay in there to pray for four hours everyday to ensure a safe delivery. Atlas and Riaz stayed by Venusa’s side always. Roma also visits thrice a week to say hello to his friend’s wife and to keep Riaz company. He didn’t want him to feel lonely because of all the attention directed toward the coming princess.
“Venusa, you should go inside to rest.” Atlas said for the umpteenth time as he followed behind his heavily pregnant wife.
“Atlas, this is the time I’m supposed to move around more. Don’t you want your daughter to come out easily?”
“I do but-”
“Then it is settled. Let me walk on peace.”
“You’ve walked round the palace nine times now! Are you not tired?”
Venusa took a bite out of her banana and shook her head. “I feel so energized. It’s so strange. I didn’t feel like this when I was pregnant with Riaz. See? I can even jump!” Venusa beamed as she leaped and landed back on her feet.
Atlas’s heart almost dropped. He feared his daughter would fall out. Even the passing maids couldn’t believe how strong their queen was. They feared she would injure herself but Venusa was stronger than they imagined.
“Just take it easy, hm? Let’s go in now.”
Venusa shook her head and began to jog.
“Venusa, come on.”
“Catch me if you can!”
“Venusa, come on! Venusa! Venu…”
It came in a speed of light.
The bright light followed by a loud explosion that blew Venusa and Atlas across the ground.
“Venusa!” Atlas yelled as he rushed to his wife.
“Venusa, my love, can you hear me?”
Venusa held her stomach in pains. “My child. My…” She choked on her tears. She looked forward and saw the palace in flames. Everyone was running helter skelter. In a second, they emerged. The wolves of Redmoon Pack.