III

Over the years, Soren watched Selene grow up into a beautiful woman, with an even greater soul. He taught her of the werewolves beyond the border of the Cursed Lands, their home. Soren knew the perception of the world, that their home was dark, „made in hell" and would bestow death on everyone, but his heart could not fathom to tell this to Selene.

It was true, that these woods would bring havoc to whichever dared cross it, but that was because no good soul has ever wondered here. The border was indeed scary, and alluring at the same time, making you afraid you would loose all senses and your own mind. But, deep in it, it was like another world, surreal. The forest was a mirror image of the heavens, glowing everywhere with light. Even when the snows came, they were so white and translucent, you could almost see yourself in them. That is why, Selene could never know of the tales of her home. Her gentleness and naivity could never apprehend why someone would say hurtful things of her home.

After the incident of the rogue wolf, Selene understood Soren's actions and she forgave him. Even though she found every creature deserving of life, Selene saw the wolfs' eyes were dark, blackness surrounding them. It was like an infection, spreading everywhere around and she could not have that in her home. One doomed for eternity life was not worth the sacrifice of the good. Se understood that. But she still cried. She cried every time Soren would kill a so called rogue wolf.

At first, she checked their eyes every time, before handling them with care, to put them to a forever sleep within the ground, within nature, just so she could be sure Soren did no mistake, that the wolf was indeed poisoned with hate. Over time, she stopped checking. There weren't so many in the beginning, but over the years, more and more came. It was like a plague. They would enter the forest, the oaks would whisper to Selene, Soren would kill them quickly and Selene would bloom flowers out of their souls. Every time, the hurt was evident in Selene's eyes, she did not like what they were doing, but she knew it was a necessary evil. Otherwise, the wolves would taint her precious home.

At the age of 18, Selene moved with such a grace, it even left Soren wondering sometimes if she was not Artemis herself, blind of her goddess status in the mortal and heavenly worlds. He knew that at this age, his duty was complete. He watched and taught her all his wisdom and knowledge, so she could be safe even without him. His time with the child was over. Saying goodbye would be the hardest thing he has ever done because he knew Selene would not fully understand why he has to leave.

„Selene, my flower, our time together has come to an end."

„What do you mean?", she furrowed her eyebrows at him. "Are you going somewhere?"

He felt tears streaming down his face, not ready for the departure form Earth, from her. „I am sorry, flower, but I have to go back now."

„Go back where? Where are you going father? I don't understand."

„I am here, on Earth, because the Goddess Artemis placed her outmost trust in me and gave me my last task. This is the end of my journey and it has been a privilage to watch over your soul, Selene. I am forever in the Goddess's debt for choosing me for looking after you, as you are, my dear, not a star, but the moon, brightest and strongest. You are silver Selene and please remember, no one can ever take that from you."

Selene knew Soren was not her biological father, as she asked when she was a teenager why her raven hair and blue eyes were so different from Soren's gold curls and brown eyes. At first, she thought they were features past down from her mother, whom she has never met, but Soren admitted to her that night, he was not her father, but her protector. She saw the remorse in his eyes, probably because he did not tell her sooner or, she later thought, because he would now think she will resent him. But Selene hugged him and continued to call him „father", as all her life he only looked out for her and loved her with all his heart.

Now, as he was looking at her so deeply, with tears in his eyes, she could see he was indeed leaving her.

„But where are you going father?", she approached him. „Why can't you stay here, with me?"

In that moment, when he saw her wet eyes, Soren embraced her with everything he'd got.

„I love you, flower. Please don't cry. It is not the end, but the beginning. The start of your journey. But it must be on your own. Trust me, I will always watch over you and when you will look in the sky, at the stars, I will be the closest to the moon. I am sorry I have to leave and I know you don't understand now, but my duty here is done. You are 18 now and I no longer have anything to teach you. You will see, the world has great things in place for you."

She cried harder into his shoulder. He took some steps back, looked at her through teary eyes and faded into the night's sky. Selene watched the dust go up and disappear into the cold air.