Tides of the Moon

The world spun violently as the threads of the Loom tightened around Divine and Caelan. Their hands, once clasped, were torn apart by an unseen force. Divine screamed his name, but her voice was swallowed by the vortex, and she felt herself falling into an endless abyss of light and shadow.

When the spinning stopped, Divine found herself alone, standing on a platform of shimmering threads suspended in an infinite void. The air hummed with energy, and the threads beneath her feet pulsed like a heartbeat.

"Caelan?" she called, her voice trembling.

No answer came, only the eerie silence of the Loom.

"You are alone now," a voice echoed, deep and resonant. It wasn't the Weaver, but something older, more primal. "To mend the Loom, you must first mend yourself. Face the threads of your past, Keeper of the Moon."

Before Divine could respond, the threads around her began to twist and weave, forming a tapestry that stretched high into the void. The glowing threads shifted, creating an image that made Divine's heart stop.

It was Moonshadow Haven, the city as it had once been—a vibrant, thriving place bathed in moonlight. People bustled through its streets, their laughter echoing in the air. In the center of it all stood Divine, radiant and powerful, her silver hair flowing like water. She was surrounded by her people, who looked at her with awe and reverence.

But then, the image shifted. The laughter faded, replaced by screams. The moonlight dimmed, and the city crumbled into ruin. Divine watched in horror as the people who had once adored her turned to shadows, their faces twisted with anger and despair.

"You abandoned them," the voice said, cutting through her thoughts. "Your fear and indecision led to their downfall. Do you deny it?"

"I—" Divine faltered, tears welling in her eyes. "I didn't mean to abandon them. I thought leaving was the only way to protect them."

"Intentions do not erase consequences," the voice replied coldly. "You must face their pain, their anger. Only then can you begin to mend the threads you've torn."

The shadows of her people began to rise from the tapestry, their forms twisting into wraithlike figures. They surrounded Divine, their hollow eyes fixed on her.

"Why did you leave us?" one of them hissed, its voice filled with anguish.

"You were supposed to protect us!" another cried.

Divine backed away, her heart pounding. "I didn't know what to do! I thought I was doing the right thing!"

The wraiths closed in, their voices growing louder, more accusatory. Divine felt their pain like a physical weight, crushing her chest.

"Stop!" she shouted, her voice breaking. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

The wraiths paused, their hollow eyes flickering with faint light. The voice returned, softer this time.

"Regret is not enough. If you truly wish to mend the Loom, you must take responsibility for your choices."

Divine took a deep breath, her hands trembling. She looked at the wraiths, meeting their accusing gazes.

"I can't change the past," she said, her voice steady despite the tears streaming down her face. "But I can promise you this—I won't run anymore. I'll face whatever comes, no matter how hard it is. I'll do everything I can to make things right."

The wraiths began to dissolve, their forms unraveling into threads of light. The tapestry shifted again, the image of Moonshadow Haven stabilizing. It wasn't fully restored, but it no longer crumbled.

The voice spoke once more, its tone approving. "You have taken the first step. But the path ahead is long and treacherous. Prepare yourself, Keeper of the Moon."

The platform beneath Divine began to glow, and she felt herself being pulled upward, back toward the vortex. As the light engulfed her, she heard the faint echo of Caelan's voice, calling her name.

"I'm coming," she whispered, determination burning in her chest.