The World Is Different Now

"Isn't it! My dear friends are super helpful. However, I am unsure what the names are for the next cities. Can you help me, brother?"

Squatting down, he looked closer at the undefined map. Rubbing his chin, he had to admit his sister's animal did a great job showing distance within a small rectangle. The next city from Sprincall would take his sister a few days to reach, since it would be over the mountains.

His dear sister squatted down as well and leaned against him with her big purple eyes staring at him. Smiling, he patted her head and sighed.

"Sister, why did you not ask for a map?"

"Cause I forgot," she pouted with furrowed brows, "Do you not like my map?"

"That is not what I said… Eh? Stop crying. You are not a baby anymore," the Sun God pinched her cheek. He lifted his hand up in the air and the squawk of a golden bird flew toward them. It glowed into the forest and landed on her brother's arm.

Like her, the Sun God also had his own creatures who assisted him.

"Grab me a map of the land, my friend."

Her brother spoke gently to the bird, before it flew back into the sky.

"Brother, you don't like my map," she huffed crossing her arms, "We worked hard on it too."

"Sister," Sun God sighed, "Time is of the essence, is it not? This way you could see how long you must prepare. Your bare feet will tire, unless you gain a horse. You cannot ride your wolf or be carried by your bear to the other side. The people are not as kind anymore. You have seen what they will do to your creatures?"

Her sister frown and nodded.

"The world is different now, sister. I know you wish for all to be happy again. I worry it may not happen."

The Sun God had seen much and he was so tired, but his sister needed him. He will sleep much longer once the new moon begins. He worried for his sister and her duties to protect people who no longer loves her. He looked over to see his dear sister, white hair and purple eyes, staring at the nameless cities of the map she made.

The Sun God cupped his sister's face and stared at her naivete, her innocence, and her worry. He smiled, happy she slept well and was refreshed. Soon, he would sleep for a long time and he wished to leave his sister with less worry.

His bird returned, flapping its wings as it settled on his shoulder. Thanking his friend, he took the rolled-up map and handed it to his sister. The Moon Goddess unrolled the map and could see where each city were located and even had images of the mountains, hills, lakes and rivers.

Whoever made this map, she would like to meet and thank them.

"Sister, do you best."

"I will! Thank you, brother."

She smiled brightly and hugged him. Sighing happily, she was ready to find her chosen Alpha.

==

The next day, the Moon Goddess returned to Springcall and knocked on Sir Bruin's home. Turning the knob, she entered and looked for the warrior, but the man was not around. Sighing, she patted her cheeks. She should have returned last night so Bruin could bring her to the other devotee. Well, she knew it was a house with a red roof, so she left the home and walked down the path to the residency home.

Eyes were on her and she turned to them, smiling and waving. Whatever it was that made them stare, she didn't know. She looked around and found 3 houses with red roofs. Folding her arms, she tilted her head thinking to herself for a moment.

"Excuse me, miss," a man walked to her with a sword at his hip, "You are the female with Sir Bruin, right?"

"Yes," she nodded smiling behind her face covering, "He said he would show me the devotee of the Moon Goddess, but I assume he is busy."

"Yes," the man stared at her for a moment, "Why was he bringing you to a lover of the Moon Goddess? They are all crazy."

Her cheek twitched and she clenched her fingers into her dress. Forcing out a smile that he couldn't see, she bowed to him.

"I just wanted to see. He said one with the red roof."

"Ah, that one," the man shook his head, "Good thing that man lives far from the others. Wouldn't want more crazy worshipers."

She didn't like this man. She listened to him talking on and on and she slowly backed away.

"Sir, I must leave. Thank you for your time," she bowed and headed down to the farthest house with a red roof. She could hear the man wanting to join her, but she quickly rushed down the street and hid behind the wooden barrels on the side.

She peeked her head up to see the man was looking around for her before giving up. Thank goodness! She didn't want this guy to be following her and venting about why the world was better off without her! Sticking out her tongue, she stood up glaring at where the man took off to. Continuing down the road, she finally came to the house with the red roof.

Knocking on the door, Moon waited to hear footsteps walking around. She knocked again and waited. Finally, the door opened an a man opened it with a child clinging to his leg. They were skinny and she felt her heart hurting from how sickly they looked.

"Miss," the man greeted, "How may I help you?"

"I… I was told you are a devotee of the Moon Goddess. Is this true?"

She saw their eyes widened, before the boy hid behind the man and the man's eyes narrowed at her. The door was shut in front of her face and she stood there blinking with wide purple eyes. Did he… Huh?!

Frowning, she thought about what she could do and her eyes brightened up. She rushed back to Sir Bruin's home and grabbed the bread on his counter. Returning back to the home of her devotee, she knocked on the door again.

"Sir, I will do you no harm. I brought bread for you and your son. I only wish to talk."

She waited and waited.