The Luna’s Legacy

Chapter Five: Inauguration

***Lisa's POV***

I couldn't believe my eyes. Jared stood next to us in physical human form along with Raven.

I never thought about what Jared and Raven would look like if they had human forms. OK, maybe once or twice, but it didn't compare to what stood next to us.

They were breathtaking!! I found it romantic that Raven was the Moon Goddess's daughter, making her a princess, while Jared was a Japanese swordsman!! A protector for the princess!!

The Elders were a mystery of powerful beings. Everyone around us sat in silence as Moraine spoke out.

"Welcome to our Chamber! I am so pleased to meet you all in person finally! First, I would love to say what an amazing job you have done defeating Robert and his army of Bloodthrone Ogres. That was not an easy task.

Second, I would never imagine a human to be so blessed by the Moon Goddess, which leads me to believe that even as a human you possibly had some hidden talent?" Moraine asked, tilting her head to the side while giving me an intellectual look.

I stood frozen in place, unsure if I could casually talk to this woman of a higher power. I was still learning a lot about their world.

Sensing my uncertainty, Moraine spoke up.

"You are free to speak, my dear; it's OK," Moraine said, giving me a brilliant smile that matched her beautiful white wavy hair.

I took a deep breath, thinking about my human life before being reborn.

Nothing stood out that I could think of other than my dreams, maybe? So I didn't consider being a doormat a special set of skills.

"I am not sure... I just always assumed I was weird, different? I never really fit in and just assumed that I was cursed", I replied, glancing down at the moon water that rippled across the stone floor.

I noticed that our clothes were dry even though we were standing in the water.

"My dear, your dreams of visions and ability to get onto things most humans would overlook is most certainly a talent. Although, maybe talent is not the right word?

It is a blessing, your ability to go through everything you have gone through and wonder? How do I manage to keep going?!

When all you ever wanted to do was to stop living, how many times have people asked you when you were there for them? So how do you keep going? And your response was, I don't know, I can't explain it, I just do?

Not to mention how often you could have perished from self-infliction or through no fault of your own. Yet, even on the last day, you were human. You did not die when anyone else would have.

Your strength is immeasurable, my dear.

Look at all the people you have helped throughout your life! It would seem as if you have always been a fighter, even if the reason never seemed obvious.

You never felt at home because you never truly were. You do not belong in the human world, my dear. You were meant to be with us, to become one of us!

Unfortunately, your journey to us got diverted, which led to you going through a tragic, horrific event that should never have happened. I am truly sorry we did not step in sooner.

I will take full responsibility for that, as will everyone in this room", Moraine said, looking at me with heartfelt remorse.

All of the Elders around the room agreed with Moraine's statement.

I stood looking at the moonwater, thinking of all the memories of my human life flickering through my mind.

Dull images of my life appeared in the moon's water, gently rippling across its surface. It was as if the water was speaking to me.

All those tears, all those painful experiences, everything was meant to lead me up to this?! Well damn!! Talk about a turn of events.

"Respectfully asking, why didn't you step in sooner?" I asked curiously, pulling my attention away from the moon water that was now still and looking back up towards Moraine.

I couldn't be mad at the past anymore as I had everything I wanted right here and now. Was my human life tragic? Absolutely! But everything I had ever cried for, begged for, and daydreamed about had come true.

I was happy, madly in love, had a new family, amazing friends, and a second chance at life along with my children.

"Unfortunately, our magic is not perfect; nothing in life is. You, among many others with special gifts, float through our chamber as sporadic visions, and we sometimes lose track.

We lost track of you. If it were not for Anderson coming to us when he did, we would have lost you, our future Moon Goddess Warrior.

Your job is not done, my dear. Now you have Raven, Noah, and Jared with you. Not to mention new allies that will come into your life.

I must warn you, more evil is on the horizon, and you will be called upon once again", Moraine explained.

"Moraine, does this mean the dreams Lisa and the little one have been having to signify what is to come? Is there a way to know when?" Raven spoke out while stepping forward.

Raven was stunning. She walked with confidence and a commanding aura about her. However, the ears on top of her head reminded me that even though she was a powerful being, she was still my goofy Raven.

But what did she mean by little one?! Who was she talking about? How did Raven know about my dream if she couldn't get into them?

I looked toward my kids.

Alexander gave me a shrug while the expression on Rosemary's face had a million unspoken words.

"It is very likely, yes. Unfortunately, the timeline cannot be established now, but your mother has assured me the wheels are in motion.

It could be days, weeks, months, even years. But, that is part of the reason we have asked Lisa and Noah to be here today.

Lisa, Noah, as you know, our species lives a longer lifespan than those of a human.

However, we will eventually pass away to the next life.

As Elders, we are given direct power from the Moon Goddess to live longer than our fellow werewolves until she decides it is time for us to come home.

Then, after our time has expired, we can choose to go to the next part of our journey or remain there to help those next in line.

You saw our beautiful, curious koi fish as you walked in. Those are our Elders who have passed on and wished to stay here to protect Hotep.

You have also met Oneironaut and his pack. That was the path they chose after their time had passed.

Jean and Ron will not always be here; eventually, they will need replacements, and so will I.

On top of you replacing them, I am asking you both to take over my place here, along with those you will choose to help you continue what we have built.

Protecting our lives is of the utmost importance.

Do you understand this responsibility?" Moraine asked after giving me a lot of mind-boggling news.

Maybe it was easier for Noah and the rest to understand because they have had years to know most of this. Well, to a certain degree, I would assume.

Was I able to handle this?!

Anxiety started to take over as I thought about everything Moraine had said.

"Look at everything you have been through, my sister. You are more than prepared to handle this when the time calls," Raven said, turning around, placing her small delicate hands on my face, her pink eyes sparkling from the moonwater.

"I know together this is something we can accomplish. There is no one better for this responsibility," Jared said, walking over to Raven and placing his hand on her small waist.

I looked at Noah, who was smiling at me. He hadn't let go of my hand the whole time.

"You came into our lives for a reason, and now you know what that reason is! This IS your destiny!! I will be with you the entire step of the way and into the afterlife. After all, the moon needs its sun", Noah said, stepping closer to me, his eyes staring into my soul, bringing me comfort and confidence.

Nothing was impossible with the four of us. I have been through so much, always managing to walk out on top even if I had to stumble and learn to walk all over again.

I looked into the eyes of the people I loved more than life before making up my mind.

I knew what I had to do.

"So what do you say, great Moon Warrior?" Moraine asked as she got up from her seat and made her way towards us, her face full of hope and admiration.

"I will do it. If I can save so much as one person, then I know I have made a difference, even if it's a small difference, because I know that small difference will grow into something greater," I said, looking back to Rosemary.

I couldn't put my finger on it, but something told me she was following in my footsteps.

Moraine broke out into a joyous smile as she clapped her hands together. Everyone who sat around us broke out into applause.

"You bring my heart and wolf tremendous joy! So let us get this underway as a grand celebration is waiting to be had!" Moraine said triumphantly.

Moraine stepped back as the four of us stood holding hands.

The room went silent before going completely dark. The moonwater emitted a faint glow.

Suddenly, strands of glowing moonwater flowed around us, leading to Moraine, who now had a pure white aura around her.

Her eyes shone white like the moon, and her hair flowed gently around her. Her old hands were outstretched to the sides of her, accepting the glowing moon's rays.

She was chanting something in a foreign dialect.

Voices from those sitting around us joined in on the chant. Then, finally, the glowing water gently flowed through the air to all of the Elders sitting until this point.

Now they stood hand in hand.

Rosemary, Alexander, Barbra, and John kept seated, watching in amazement.

The glowing water encircled itself around us. The water made me feel loved, respected, strong, and wise.

Like a group of sirens, voices were singing a song that quickly filled my mind. At first, I did not understand what was being sung.

As quickly as the voices started singing with me not knowing the song's lyrics, the quicker the song's lyrics became clear.

The song was the oath that would bind us to the Elder, making us one of them.

Moraine spoke out as the voices kept singing.

"I, Moraine Clearwater, make a binding contract with my chosen Elders to our newfound brothers and sisters, future leaders to the Elders, and to be Elders themselves upon the passing of Jean and Ron, then myself.

Luna Lisa, Alpha Noah of Crystal Lake, do you accept your position within these sacred walls to be our newest Elders and the leader of the Elders when the Moon Goddess herself sees fit?" Moraine asked, her haunting voice echoing through the chamber.

"I, Luna Lisa of Crystal Lake, accept this obligation wholeheartedly," I announced loud and clear.

"I, Alpha Noah of Crystal Lake, accept this obligation wholeheartedly," Noah announced firmly.

"As guardians of Lisa and Noah, we also accept this obligation wholeheartedly," spoke Raven and Jared, smiling at us proudly.

"Then it is with our greatest pleasure and blessing from the Moon Goddess and her court that we accept you, brothers and sisters, into our circle of protection, light, and love.

May you always choose to be kind, wise, and, above all else, see through the darkness, rising above it.

Use your powers with responsibility and dignity.

With these bonds, I now inaugurate you into the Elder's Circle. Welcome to the Chamber of Hotep.

The Moon Goddess watches over you always", Moraine said before the glowing moon water gently disappeared before reappearing on the floor beneath our feet.

The chamber gently lit up the soft blue light like it was when we arrived.

Moraine stood before us, smiling with open arms. We walked toward her as she pulled us into her arms.

Moraine's hug felt like a mother's hug, warm and safe. I couldn't believe I was worried about meeting these people.

We stepped away, keeping our eyes on Moraine before she looked at us with pride.

"Welcome, brothers and sisters, that look is very becoming of you, Noah," Moraine said with a wink.

I looked at Noah, who was confused. Noah's perfect jet black hair was now a thick strip of pure white hair, signaling the mark of the Elders.

"Wow, look at you!! Now we match," I said, running my fingers through his soft hair.

"What?!" Noah asked, trying to look at his reflection in my armor.

"Here, child, let me show you," chuckled Moraine as she made a mirrored image of Noah appear by twirling her fingers through the air.

Noah looked at himself, flicking the white part playfully.

"Huh, I like it. It gives me a mature silver fox look, don't you think?" Noah asked as he wiggled his eyebrows for me.

"Totally!! I'm sure Mariposa will love it", I teased back.

"You won't let me live that down, will you?" pouted Noah.

"Nope!" I said, sticking my tongue out.

"I can always punish you later, you know," Noah lowly but playfully growled.

"Oh no, I'm so scared," I teased him, knowing full well he would punish me for being a brat, and I looked forward to it.

"Hey guys, we have to go now, well from this way anyways," Raven said as her transparent self sparkled slowly away.

A part of me was sad because it was nice to have her stand next to me, but she would quickly be back in my head demanding to eat everything.

"You got that right!!" Raven giggled, her ears lying down flat against her head.

"It was great to experience this, brother," Noah said to Jared as they hugged each other before he completely faded away.

"Yes, it was," smiled Noah, stepping away and taking his place next to me.

"Hope to see you like this again one day," I said as they slowly faded away, slipping back into our minds.

"Of course!!!" they both said cheerfully.

Noah wrapped his arms around my shoulders, holding me close to him.

"Who is ready for a grand celebration?!" exclaimed Moraine.

Everyone in the room cheered as they got up to congratulate us.

Rosemary, Alexander, Barbra, and John made their way over to us.

"I am so proud of my babies," sniffled Barbra, giving Noah and myself a kiss.

"You did good, kid," John said, giving Noah a strong pat on the back.

"That was some crazy s**t!! So cool!! I can't wait to tell the guys about it back home", Alexander said excitedly, giving Noah a fist bump.

Since when did my son start doing that?! Good grief.

Rosemary slipped into my arms, holding me close to her.

"You're not mad at me for not telling you, are you?" Rosemary quietly asked, looking up at me with one blue eye and one brown eye.

"I could never be mad at you!! I love you. Will we have a private talk later on when we get back home? I have so much to tell and teach you!" I whispered back to her before kissing her on the cheek.

She gave me a happy nod before burying her face in my chest.

After the congratulations had been passed out, we all made our way out to the surface.

On my way up, I looked at the koi fish, giving them a smile of respect.

They quietly looked back at me, giving me a wink before swimming off.

I couldn't wait to get back home to tell everyone about Hotep while still keeping the secrets it so closely held.