Tides of the Moon

The moment she passed through the archway, Divine felt the world shift around her. The air grew colder, the light dimmer, and the hum of energy became a deafening roar in her ears.

She found herself standing on a shimmering expanse of water, the surface glowing faintly with the light of the moon. Above her, the sky was a swirling canvas of stars and shifting clouds.

In the distance, a figure stood waiting.

As Divine approached, she realized it was the woman from the night before, her glowing eyes now softer, almost kind.

"Welcome back, Moonlight," the woman said, her voice echoing across the water.

"I don't understand," Divine said, her voice trembling. "Who am I? Why can't I remember?"

The woman stepped closer, her expression sympathetic. "You are Divine, the goddess of the moon and the sea. You were cast down to the mortal realm to atone for your past, to learn what it means to be human. But your journey is far from over."

"What past?" Divine asked, her voice breaking. "What did I do?"

The woman's gaze grew somber. "You were betrayed by those you trusted most. But in your anger, you unleashed a storm that destroyed more than you intended. This is your penance—to rediscover your true self and restore the balance you once protected."

Tears welled in Divine's eyes. "I didn't mean to hurt anyone."

"I know," the woman said gently. "But now you have a chance to make it right. Your powers are returning, but with them comes responsibility. The choices you make now will shape not only your future but the fate of the world."

Divine took a deep breath, her resolve strengthening. "I'll do whatever it takes."

The woman nodded, a faint smile playing at her lips. "Good. Then your journey begins now."

As the world around her began to fade, Divine felt a surge of energy coursing through her veins. She didn't have all the answers yet, but she knew one thing for certain—she wouldn't stop until she uncovered the truth.

When she stepped back through the archway, Caelan was waiting, his relief evident.

"What happened?" he asked, his eyes searching hers.

"I'll tell you everything," Divine said, her voice steady. "But first, we need to prepare. There's more at stake than I ever realized."

The two of them set off together, the weight of Divine's newfound purpose pressing heavily on their shoulders. But even as the mystery deepened, so did the bond between them, setting the stage for the challenges—and revelations—that lay ahead.