Chapter V: Miya's Mission

The very next day I woke up rather late but felt super motivated to do what needs to be done. I quickly finished my moondew tea and proceeded to head on towards the Lunafall Xanadu to receive the instructions from the councilmen.

They had already been assembled when I arrived, and I found out that H'undras is now the new Elder Councilman, taking the place of the late Califax. A new member has also been added to the council (thus maintaining its status of being a council of 7), though he or she is still in training and is best unnamed.

"Commander Miya, you're late." Stated the new Elder with great authority.

"Forgive me, Elder Councilman, I woke up late from last night's -"

"Woah loosen up abit! I was only messing with you." Interrupted the Elder Councilman who had apparently "joked" about me getting late and thought a serious, authoritative voice helps his purpose.

"And please, I prefer not to be addrressed as some "Elder" councilman. I would much rather be called by just H'undras thank you very much." Added H'undras.

"As you say, H'undras."

"Now, to the matter at hand! The sacred mission to awaken our Moon King. Be warned, Commander, that not only is this process lengthy, it is also highly costly. Councilman Zignon will be the one to fill us with details."

"I understand." Any price I would pay just to see my Teetee again.

"Shall we begin?" asked Zignon politely as he always does.

"Let us commence." responded the other councilmen in unison.

"The first step in the preparation for the awakening requires the use of specific flora and fauna, all of which can fortunately be found here within the Emerald Glade. Namely these are: (1) A lot of Empyrean Shrooms, (2) 1 Pod of Titans, and (3) atleast 5 Twilightgales to chant and sing the ritual.

The first one, the Empyrean Shrooms, are rather common here on the glade. They are inedible and are easily distinguished by their caps which appear like a mini-universe on their backs. Take just enough to form a moderate sized mushroom ring on the ground before the Great Tree. These shrooms are rather easy to find so I suggest you secure the other materials first.

The Pod of Titans is a super rare flora that requires you to travel to the far north of the glade, to the marshes. Finding it there shouldn't be too hard a task, since the pod is literally taller than a full grown adult moon elf. The hard part in taking the pod lies in dealing with its guardian. The guardian of the marshes goes by the name of Belerick, and to be able to access the pod you first have to answer his riddle.

I suggest you pursue the pod before anything else for 2 reasons.

First, because the guardian will no longer be welcoming towards visistors who arrive during dusk to nightfall. Anyone who visits the marsh beyond daytime is met with hostility by the guardian. And second, the pod shouldn't be a burden to carry around with as it truly only weighs as light as a feather despite its size."

"Regarding the guardian giving you a riddle, what if one is unable to answer it? Will the guardian provide an extra riddle?" I asked Zignon as he didn't seem to cover the "what if I mess up and things go very wrong" part of the scenario.

There are no extra riddles. It's either you answer his riddle CORRECTLY or be strangled to death by vines. THORNY ones. Any more questions?"

"None." I responded along with the other councilmen. Okay, don't screw up on the riddle. Got it.

"Now, where were we? Ah yes, the Twilightgales. Those dreamy, nocturnal, avian creatures have always been friends to us moon elves. Requesting them to sing for the ritual? A task even an infant could easily do, no biggie. Earning their trust however, harder than life. It's rather simple, despite the difficulty.

Twilightgales are perhaps most known for their love for gossip or "tea" as they call it. You just have to satisfy that love of theirs and give them a truth about yourself that even you, as an individual, find hard too fully embrace or accept.

It's a challenging task, but hey, it's always a good day for a challenge right Commander Miya?"

"Rrrrright. But I'm good on more challenges right now, Zignon. What I need is Teetee here beside, to lead our people to victory."

"I understand that you and our Moon King Estes share a history together, and I respect that, but there is one more on this list, and I can guarantee that this one might be the most difficult."

"Thank you, Zignon. One more on the list? And more difficult? What could possibly be more difficult than telling a truth about yourself that even you can't accept to some gossipy birds who might spread it to all corners of the Land of Dawn?"

"Sacrifice. One's life for the Moon King to rouse from his slumber." Zignon quickly answered and in a serious tone.

"Sacrifice?" I felt lost for a time. I didn't know that awakening the Moon King would cost more than the usage of some flora and the participation of some fauna.

I mean, a life? A mortal life? I- I'm...

"And it cannot be just anyone's life. The sacrifice must come from any of the royal moon elven families, a royal blood so to speak.

... and among all of us who are here at the capital today, only y-"

"Only I have royal blood." My words came out before I could even land a thought of reconsideration on our life after the war.

I had hoped Teetee and I could spend our eternity in each other's arms, and even settle down to make our own family.

THAT WON'T BE POSSIBLE if I die before he even wakes up. What a cruel twist of fate life has so kindly prepared for me.

I tried to look at every angle about what Zignon had just said, but all lead to the same answer. I can only be the one to do it.

I finally understand what it truly means to really make sacrifices for the preservation future of your people.

They need a KING who will guide them and be their light in times of darkness more than a COMMANDER who hesitates to visualize their future for them.

I- I have to do it. Even if I find it hard to let go, of my love for Teetee, my everything, I have to do it. I must steel my mind and my heart, for my people.

"I'll do it." I said, hoping it won't sound as if I'm actually having second thoughts about this new-found responsibility of mine.

I was not trained to show hesitation on carrying out a task bestowed upon me. No, I was trained to accept it and put the burden on my shoulders, praying it's weight won't come crashing down on me.

Everyone remained silent. It could just be me, but I feel as though their eyes leave a remark of expecting highly of me, almost reminding me that I normally must do this. One life for the salvation of all.

"I'll do it. I accept full responsibility on the awakening of our Moon King and bringing the salvation that our people deserves." I said again hoping to receive atleast a response this time.

Everyone stayed silent still.

"For the love of Mother Moon, will anyone say something?! Anyone?! Anyone at all?" I yelled in disbelief.

I guess I really needed reassurance at that time. I needed some bolstering, a little push off the ledge.

"M- Miya. You don't have to do this." Said H'undras gently. It's the first time hearing such a gentle tone from him, it's nice and really leads you to believing as if he cares.

"You are not making sense, H'undras? I understand that nobody else can, so I simply MUST."

"W- what I mean is, we are not forcing this task on you. Yes, to guarantee our victory we must awaken the Moon King. But without him, there is a still little chance we might win."

"We'll take what little chance we have, Commander Miya. I think I speak for everyone here when I say that the burden of saving our people shouldn't be carried by one elf alone." Added Councilman Agatha.

Okay, I have to admit, this is not the type of bolstering I had expected from them. Wierd flex for sure.

Telling me that I in fact have a choice?! Not helping really. I have to be the sacrifice. I NEED them to make me want to do it, not give me alternatives that discourage me from doing so.

My people's future shouldn't be put on some little chance, it must be swift and sure. It must be put in the rightful hands of the Moon King.

My mind is set and no one can change it now.

"I am grateful for your concern, everyone. And I agree, the future of the people shouldn't be carried on the back of one elf alone.

Each of us has a part to play in realizing that dream. All of you here have already done yours by preparing me for this mission, and now it's time for me to do mine."

Before anyone could utter another word I immediately made my farewells, not wanting to be attached any further.

I depart first thing in the morning tomorrow. I wouldn't be able to attend the ceremony for late Elder Claifax' death so please send my prayers to him for me.

I must get some rest. Aratura, for the last time."

It was nighttime when I left the room and the xanadu and hurriedly headed home. Knowing that Mikko and Rosden might be staying there right now, I decided to stay by the Moon lake for a while instead of heading straight home.

I... I needed some time alone, and I trust the Moon Lake will provide me the peace and quiet I need.

I'M GONNA DIE in this mission of mine, the toughest quest I have to face yet.

But before I do, I want to enjoy this serenity for the last time.

I'm gonna miss this.

I'm gonna miss the moonlight reflected by the still waters of the lake. I'm gonna miss the tranquility of the forest around me.

I'm gonna miss the dark shade which the old trees provide. I'm gonna miss Sitri the self-righteous fairy, and the evil raccoon who still drops his nut shells on my bed.

I'm gonna miss everyone who I have encountered and who I hold dearly in this life. The Rog'unnes I have studied under, the late Elder Califax who treated me like his own, the Lunafall councilmen, even H'undras.

Speaking of people I'm gonna miss gravely, Rosden and Mikko must be looking for me now. I must go.

"Today, I revel and enjoy life. Tomorrow, aratura."

The thought of Teetee waking up without me pains me greatly.

So above anything else, I'm gonna miss Teetee and the future we never had.