Tides of the Moon

The night air was thick with tension as Divine and Caelan returned to the safety of the cabin. Inside, the faint glow of the fireplace cast long shadows on the walls, a flickering reminder of the unease lingering in the air.

Divine paced restlessly, her mind replaying the encounter at the shore. "The Lunar Nexus," she muttered. "What does it mean?"

Caelan leaned against the doorway, his arms crossed. "It's not just a place. It's a gateway—a meeting point between this world and… theirs."

Divine stopped in her tracks, her brow furrowing. "You knew what they were talking about. Why didn't you tell me?"

He hesitated, his jaw tightening. "Because I was trying to protect you. The Lunar Nexus isn't somewhere you just walk into. It's dangerous, Divine. It's tied to your past—your powers—and everything you've forgotten."

"Exactly," she said, her voice rising. "It's tied to me. I deserve to know what it is, even if it's dangerous."

Caelan pushed off the doorway, his eyes flashing with frustration. "You don't understand what you're asking for. Those three weren't just messengers—they're part of something bigger, something you're not ready to face yet."

Divine stared at him, her emotions swirling. "I don't need you to decide what I'm ready for, Caelan. I need you to trust me."

The tension between them hung in the air, unspoken words threatening to spill over. Finally, Caelan exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "If you're determined to go, then I'll go with you. But promise me you'll be careful."

She nodded, her resolve hardening. "I promise."

The next morning, the air was thick with an eerie stillness as they prepared for the journey to the Lunar Nexus. Divine packed what little she had, her mind racing with questions she couldn't yet answer.

"Are you sure about this?" Caelan asked as they stepped outside, the sunlight glinting off the morning dew.

"No," she admitted. "But I need to know the truth."

As they began their trek, the landscape around them seemed to shift. The trees grew taller and denser, their branches weaving together to form a canopy that blocked out the sun. The air grew cooler, and the faint sound of waves crashing against rocks echoed in the distance.

Hours passed, and the forest gave way to a rocky cliffside overlooking a vast, shimmering expanse of water. In the distance, an ancient stone archway jutted out of the sea, its surface etched with glowing runes that pulsed faintly in the moonlight.

"The Lunar Nexus," Caelan said quietly.

Divine stepped closer, her heart pounding. The air around the archway seemed to hum with energy, pulling at her like a magnet.

Before they could take another step, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was the shorter man from the night before, his expression unreadable.

"You've come," he said, his voice calm. "I wasn't sure you would."

Divine squared her shoulders, meeting his gaze. "I want answers."

He nodded, stepping aside to reveal the archway. "Then step through. But be warned—what you find on the other side may change everything."

Caelan moved to follow her, but the man held up a hand. "She must go alone."

"No," Caelan said firmly. "I'm not letting her walk into this alone."

"This is her journey, not yours," the man said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Divine turned to Caelan, her eyes filled with both fear and determination. "It's okay. I'll be fine."

He hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "I'll be here when you get back."

With one last glance at Caelan, Divine stepped through the archway.