+ Hecate +

The moment Luna's eyes fluttered open, she found herself precariously teetering on the brink of a towering cliff. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw a shadowy chasm below, shimmering with flecks of rock and ice, reflecting the ominous glow of a blood-red sun. But its depth? That eluded her understanding. She could discern that only if she plunged, but not once did the thought cross her mind to risk such a fall, especially when life still pulsed within her.

Breath coming in ragged gasps, she gripped the cliff's edge with a desperation born of sheer terror. Suddenly, countless spectral hands emerged, clutching at her legs, each seeking a piece of her, yanking her towards an unknown void. She recalled witnessing a demon once; was this Hell itself?

A scream tore from Luna's throat as malevolent souls twisted their fingers into her long silver tresses, hoping to secure their hold. Frantic, she whipped her head back to shake them off, only to ensnare more of them. More hands slithered around her waist and shoulders, their chorus of voices—each distinct—chanted her name as they sought to drag her into Hell's blackest depths.

Horrifying shrieks echoed from these dark entities as they clambered up, their talons sinking into her tender flesh. As Luna's scream pierced the air once more, a sudden stillness ensued. She couldn't fathom why the ghoulish figures that haunted the edges of her vision and the malevolent presences wrapped around her legs evaporated as if they had never existed.

She cast a fearful glance over her shoulder, watching them plummet into the abyss of Hell. The last sound that reached her ears was their mournful lamentation as the chasm at the cliff's base sealed shut, imprisoning the tormented spirits within.

Hesitantly, Luna cast one last wary gaze into the abyss. Half-expecting the specters to return and drag her to eternal damnation, she felt a wave of relief when nothing of the sort occurred. As the last thread of doubt dissolved, Luna knew, at last, the ordeal had ended.

She channeled the last vestiges of her strength into her arms, pulling herself up from the precipice to stand on shaky legs. Thankfully, the rocky ledge proved resilient, supporting her weight, and sparing her a fatal plunge.

Drawing a deep, relieved breath, Luna began her descent from the mountain, seeking refuge. It was only then that she realized she was no longer in the familiar confines of the caves. Where had she been transported?

A sudden, intense shiver coursed through her, as though an unseen bolt of lightning had struck her. Tears blurred her vision as she was overwhelmed by exhaustion and pain. Was this all some surreal dream? The world around her had grown eerily silent—no sounds, no murmurs, not even the whisper of the wind.

She wasn't in the caves beside Jon. She wasn't hemorrhaging from a self-inflicted wound. She had been unconscious, yes, but was this some prison of the mind? She didn't feel the chilling grasp of a demon within. Confusion swirled: Who was she? Where was she?

The distant rustle of wings interrupted her spiraling thoughts. She glanced around, realizing she was surrounded by a dense forest. But how? Moments ago, she'd hauled herself from a cliff's edge, fleeing phantoms. What was reality anymore?

Luna's grasp on her sanity wavered perilously, and a surge of nausea hit her, as though purging her confusion might grant clarity. A chilling squawk made her jerk her head upwards, and she spotted a beast descending upon her. At first, it seemed like an enormous crow, but as it neared, its grotesque features became unmistakably alien.

The monstrosity bore a long, skeletal beak lined with jagged miniature teeth. Where one would expect the graceful bend of a bird's wing, there were leathery, clawed hands. Its tail, serpentine and twitching, sliced through the air, and instead of feathers, coarse fur blanketed its form.

Luna bolted just as the creature lunged at her. She instinctively shielded her head with her arms, but it came close enough for its claws to graze her shoulders and back. As it raked her clothes and flesh, the ghastly flap of its wings slapped her face. In sheer terror, Luna let out a piercing scream, momentarily startling the beast into releasing her.

Now grounded, the creature loomed even larger. It folded its wings and crouched, readying itself. Its snake-like tongue darted in and out, and its beady eyes locked onto Luna with predatory intent. She could only wonder: was she to be wounded or devoured?

She barely had time to ponder her fate when the creature lunged. Adrenaline coursing, Luna yanked her feet away just in the nick of time. With resolve, she summoned her scythe, aiming to decapitate the beast. But as the blade neared its target, a flurry of similar creatures swooped down, deflecting her strike and defending their kin.

A cry of despair escaped her lips. Overwhelmed, she found herself surrounded. "Where did these horrors spring from?" Panic drove her thoughts as she swung her scythe in wild arcs, desperate to fend off the relentless assault.

Desperation clung to Luna. Considering escape, she took a step back, unintentionally providing an opening for the monstrous birds. They lunged, raking their claws and beaks across her arms and neck. Gritting her teeth against the pain, Luna brandished her scythe, aiming to incapacitate them by severing their wings.

"Be gone with you!" A voice reverberated from the forest's depths, accompanied by an unusual crackling. Startled, the creatures hesitated, hissing in frustration. They circled Luna warily, seemingly wary of the azure sparks suddenly manifesting from nowhere. Some, emboldened, lingered a moment longer. However, the sparks flashed again, striking a pair directly in the eyes. They plummeted, their hybrid bodies quaking upon impact. In the blue glow's eerie illumination, the remaining monsters retreated, tails thrashing in anger.

Whirling around, Luna sought her rescuer. Initially, only a shadowed brown cloak was visible. As she focused, a slender arm appeared, clutching a distinctive staff. Recognition dawned; it was the Staff of Delphi. Though this one seemed more worn and knotted compared to the elegant staff she remembered from the High Priestess Ceremony.

"You may rest now, Priestess. Your suffering has been immense," intoned a calm voice Luna recognized as Hecate's. "Remarkably, your spirit has reached the Underworld in a mere span of moments."

Gratitude washed over Luna, and her defenses finally lowered. She was in safe hands.

Hecate whispered with a touch of pride, "You've triumphed over my test."

As Luna's strength waned, gentle hands reached for her, lifting her into the rosy embrace of a new dawn.