{Take A Life To Save A Life}
The morning started like every other but Anastasia had this unsettling feeling.
Moon was fast asleep, I mean it's not a big deal except Moon was fast asleep . It's not supposed to be a big deal but Moon is always the first one to wake up in the morning.
Anastasia had discussed this matter with Miss Sunshine but she was assured that babies behavior tend to change everyday. "Just because your baby enjoys milk doesn't mean she'll like it two weeks from now. Relax... Your baby is fine" Miss Sunshine said.
Anastasia was skeptical. Moon has refused to eat, she's lost weight. Her eyes no longer carry that warmth it once carried.
Anastasia prayed to every god in heaven to heal Moon.
"My lady the milk is here" Hannah said. Anastasia took the milk and fed Moon in her arms.
Moon threw up everything, then she threw up blood. Anastasia panicked. "No... No... No... What is happening?" Anastasia asked in horror.
Hannah grabbed a napkin and cleaned up the mess. "Take her to see a physician or something" Hannah said.
Anastasia didn't hesitate, she held Moon firm on her chest as she dashed out of the room. Moon kept throwing up blood but Anastasia didn't mind at all.
Anastasia rushed out of the castle like a mad person, she ran back to the castle. She went to the throne room, kicked the door open.
"Someone help me.... My baby is.... Blood.... I need help please.... I can't afford to lose her" Anastasia said. Rose was beside her within minutes.
"Take a deep breath Guinevere.. she'll be fine" Rose said. "What happened?" Charles asked.
Azriel folds his hands into a fist underneath the table. He was in the middle of a meeting when she barged in. That's not why he's angry tho, he's angry because his chest feels tight knowing that Guinevere isn't fine.
"All I did was feed her the bottle of milk.... Then she vomited blood... I panicked... I didn't know what to do" Anastasia said. "Calm down... We are going to make sure she's fine" Rose assured her.
"I'm terrified. What if... I can't allow Moon to die" Anastasia said. "Let's take her to somewhere private" Rose said.
Rose carried Moon in her arms while Charles helped Anastasia to her feet.
"Luke?" Anastasia called out. Azriel gave a small nod. "Excuse me your Majesty" Luke said as he accompanied Anastasia to Rose's castle.
"What's the problem?... Is she alright?" Anastasia asked nervously. "Where did you find this baby?" Luke asked.
"The day we were assigned to take care of a baby" Anastasia replied shakily.
Luke looked tensed "What's the problem?" Rose asked. "This baby is what the ancient texts talk about.... A baby born with white hair and golden eyes. They're considered cursed because a man named Edgar, fell in love with the goddess of lust"
"Unfortunately he found out he was under a spell and decided to end things with the goddess. She didn't let him go so easily. He left the goddess and went down to the mortal realm.... He fell in love with a human girl"
"Feeling betrayed the goddess cursed their unborn child with white hair and golden eyes. She swore that they will never know peace.... She went so far as to place a metal chain around their heart. The older they got, the tighter the chain become" Luke said.
"What's the way out.... I would do anything to protect Moon" Anastasia said in desperation.
"There's no way out of this.... In the end their children never made it pass the age of six...." Luke said. "But the baby is only three months old" Charles said.
"Something is pulling the chains tighter" Luke said. "What is the way out?" Rose asked. "By the look of things.. there isn't one" Luke said.
"Are you suggesting that I watch Moon die slowly?" Anastasia asked. "There's nothing I can do" Luke asked.
"How long does she have?" Charles asked. "Not much time" Luke said. "No.... I haven't witnessed her smile. I haven't heard her cry.... I can't lose her knowing I haven't enjoyed life with her" Anastasia said.
Rose hugged Anastasia as she broke down in tears. "I'll make a potion that can help her for at least two days... Also note that within these days she would have to endure the pain" Luke said.
"After two days... What next?" Anastasia asked in fear. "I'm sorry" Luke said. Anastasia collapsed to the ground. "Guinevere!!" Rose yells.
Anastasia couldn't believe what she just heard, she left the room in a daze.
Anastasia couldn't eat or go outside. Moon was still in Rose's castle.
Anastasia didn't have the courage to visit her. Anastasia could only reminisce the moment she shared with Moon. "It makes sense now, she never wanted to bond with me because she knew she had little time left.
"It's all adding up now, I wish I saw it sooner. I wish I had more time to spend with her. What do I do now... what's.... what's the way out? What's the way forward. I can't.... I can't let her die"
"I must find a way Moon won't die. I'll give my life in return if I have to but that angel will not die. My angel is not dying, just hold on a little bit baby. Mama's coming"
Today the weather wasn't friendly at all. It was raining... It wasn't pouring softly. Instead it was a full thunderstorm and lightning all together. The sky was dark, it felt like the sky knew some bad decisions were going to be made.
Anastasia walked outside, she was drenched immediately she stepped her foot on the wet ground. Thunder roared like a raging beast.
Anastasia needed to clear her mind. Perhaps the rain would make her feel safe. lightning struck viciously.
Anastasia observed her surroundings. The entire castle was deserted, every window was shut. No soldier to guard the gate.
Anastasia looks at the sky, she closed her eyes and allowed the rain to wash away the fear and tension suffocating her brain.
She heard a silent whisper. "Call Nari"
It was loud but yet quiet. It felt like that voice you hear when you want to do something bad.
"Nari" Anastasia said cautiously. "Yell it" The voice echoes faintly.
"Nari!!!!" Anastasia yells but it wasn't as loud as the voice wanted.
"NARI!!!!!" Anastasia yelled with everything inside her. The ground shook violently, the air became thick and unbearable. It felt like oxygen no longer existed.
A woman with tattoos of chains across her body appeared before Anastasia. "Ah... Finally I get to talk to the famous Valarie" Nari said.
"You must be Nari" Anastasia said. "You catch up quick" Nari said.
"I need your help" Anastasia said but Nari cuts her. "The baby am I right?"
"How do I save her?" Anastasia asked. "I have a story to tell you" Nari said.
"How does that have to do with the situation at hand?" Anastasia asked.
"You might find the answers you seek" Nari replied calmly.
"Alright I'll listen to your story" Anastasia replied in defeat.
"This is a story about a goddess who left her throne just so she could protect a king who happens to be her friend. She abandoned everything just to keep him safe"
"Unfortunately she lost her life because she was betrayed by the king himself. The goddess laid on the ground, she could feel her heart slow down. When she opened her eyes, she found death standing beside her"
"What am I doing here? She asked. You decided to risk your life for a mortal. Death replied with a voice that's not human. The goddess understood her actions had consequences. Death led her across a calm dark river. Inside the river you could see every human, who was at the point of death"
"She saw a particular human that caught her attention. She stopped to analyze her past. You need to come with me for your punishment. Death said. Can I look at her past for a bit? She begged"
"Death agreed. The goddess saw how the human girl was tortured since she was young. Her sister got everything she desired but she was treated like an eyesore. One night she was beaten up so badly that she fainted. Her parents tied her wrist together with a heavy metal"
"They dumped her inside the water. The goddess watched how the human struggled to survive. That made the goddess feel pity for the helpless human"
"The goddess looks at death. I want you to save that human. The goddess said to death. That is impossible... She is destined to die. Death said"
"What do I have to do for you to save the mortal? The goddess asked. To save a life, you must give a life. Death said with his scary voice. I'll give up my life to save hers. The goddess said. That is impossible, you are dead already. Death said. I'm not dead.... Immortals can't die... I can walk out of here and you'll do nothing. The goddess said with a smug smile across her face."
"Death felt enraged, the earth shook and cracked. How dare you disrespect me with your arrogance. Death said. Oh please..... Chillax... I will trade my life for hers, if only you place her in a body that isn't being treated badly. The goddess said. And what would you like in return goddess? Death asked clearly disgusted."
"Simple.... I'll die but my spirit would be preserved in her subconscious protecting her from harm. The goddess said. A life for a life so the world must have balance. I will grant your wish. Death said. Thank you. The goddess said."
"Eventually Death kept to his word, he saved the human. Her soul was transported into a novel. Into the body of an eight year old, who unfortunately was doomed to die either way. But she had white hair and golden eyes.... The only reason why she survived this long is because someone gave up their life for them" Nari said.
"You mean in other to save Moon I have to give up my life?" Anastasia asked. "No, you can't give your life because someone gave her life for you.... In order for this to work you need a soul who has never been on the brink of death" Nari said.
"Tell me how I can save her" Anastasia said. "If you want to save her, then you must meet the person who started this generational curse.... Find Isis, the goddess of love and lust, she can help you lift the chain but remember, take a life to save a life" Nari said.
"Where do I find her?" Anastasia asked. "That's for you to figure out. I guess you ought to start your research and remember time is of the essence little human. Fair well, until next time" Nari said as she disappeared.
Anastasia felt the rain pour on her. She didn't notice that Nari had cast a spell that prevented the rain from disturbing them.
"Anastasia!!! What are you doing out under the rain!!" Rose asked in a worry. "I... Don't know" Anastasia's voice was hoarse.
"Come on, let's go inside" Rose said. Anastasia went inside the castle.