★★★★★

The sun cast harsh rays into my eyes as I strode quickly along the burning wet sand. Shelled remains of the moon crabs and shrimps I had for dinner, as well as the charred fire stokes, lay scattered across my path serving as a reminder of the grueling attack.

Spotting my flip-flops, I sighed in relief and ran the short distance forward to slip my burning feet into them while seeking out a good location to sit.

The setting of the island was different again. Today, it had a vast space of trees directly overlooking the water bed with three large caves–excluding the one I slept in– opposite it.

From where I stood, the caves were covered in, and surrounded by red moss leaves which created a curtain for their entrances.

Overhead, a substantial amount of blue mockingbirds circled the sky occasionally perching on the abandoned boat to chirp and call out to each other.

I decided to sit near the water so I shrugged off my jacket and spread it on the sand, rubbing my arms with my hands as goosebumps begin to spread along them. Drawing in a soft breath, I swung my head forward and dropped my arms as the long tendrils of my frost-covered auburn hair enveloped them in warmth.

I brought out my calendar and marked a new day, the seventh one in the eighth month of Flira. The day of good fortunes and luck, depending on how much good a person did throughout the previous year.

Though I had no recollection of my actions within that timeframe, I closed my eyes and whispered a prayer to the goddess for safe return.

"Oh most loving goddess, once again you've given me life and with it, a renewed hope for survival and love. Oh sweet mother, hear my cries and grant one favour to your dedicated daughter. The return of my beloved."

A tear escaped from my left eye, running slowly along my cheek as I opened my eyes and stared at the silent, still mass of liquid pooled ahead of me.

If it stayed still that day, he wouldn't have volunteered to enter. Instead it moved continously, dishing out waves and ripples demanding for immediate attention.

Supposedly a sign of good tidings. I glared at it, running a hand through the pearl necklace around my neck. My engagement gift, and the only piece of jewelry I owned.

Quickly amassing a small collection of stones scattered on the sand, I began to throw them into the water remembering the last words he'd said to me before diving underwater to search for the missing queen.

"Allira, my love, do not worry. I'll only be gone for two days and when I come back, we'll get married," he promised, giving me a soft lingering kiss on my forehead before diving deep into the sea.

Three months and seventeen days had gone by without a sight of even his hairstrand, while his team came back up five days after they left–shaking their heads in sorrow when I asked about him.

They held a celebratory dinner for the Queen's safe return, giving my love only a five minute honorary salute.

"Lerden, why won't you come back to me?" I asked, watching as ripples formed around the spot I threw the stone into.

"My heart can still feel yours, so where are you hiding? They say I'm stupid to wait for you, and that I should prepare to bury you. Show up and prove them wrong, my love," I continued, listening to the fading noise of the birds as I threw two stones in at a time.

"Do you know my parents have arranged someone else for me? They plan to marry me off in one week. Come and tell them I'm yours, Lerden," I whispered, my eyes quickly filling with tears.

I stood up and moved nearer to the water, staring at my swaying reflection. My once rosy cheeks appeared sunken, and eye pouches circled my eyes reminding me of how many times I cried in the night.

"Please take me with you, my white moon. Don't leave me here, alone. I won't survive it, Lerden. I will not!," I exclaimed, widening my eyes in alarm as little bubbles began to rise up from the water, slowly forming an odd shape in the air.

I retreated back, quickly picking up more stones and a piece of wood in defence. In front of me, the shape of a female with a gold crown adorning her silvery copper hair and an intricately designed tail of gold formed.

The goddess. In her most human form.

Instantly, I fell to my knees and closed my eyes as I shook with fear. The sound of gushing water filtered into my ears, along with the rushing wind that enveloped the trees causing them to thrash around. Sand blew into my ears and scratched my skin, but I dare not move. Her power was too much for the island, let alone me.

When everything ceased, and everything became still and silent again, I was still kneeling, with my hands clasped together as my teeth chattered.

Her voice rang out, soft like the morning breeze yet strong like the harsh wind of winter.

"Stand up, my daughter. I've heard your prayers."

I nodded and stood up, still keeping my head bent and eyes tightly shut. No one had ever been worthy enough to see the goddess, that meant total purity and devotion to her call.

"My ever protecting mother, I'm not worthy to witness your presence. My words are only that of a helpless maiden, my revered goddess. I do not think–"

"Allira, my child, open your eyes and look at me," she commanded and I obeyed, seeing a soft smile on her face as she held out a hand to me.

Hesitantly, I slowly walked towards her and stopped just a few feet away from her, putting my still shaking palm into hers.

"I'm aware of what you've done in my name, and also what you're going through. Know that I listen to all and see all, including the whereabouts of your beloved," the goddess responded, clasping my hand tightly when it began to tingle.

I shook my head in confusion, a fresh wave of tears rolling down my cheeks. Beyond the past nine months, I had no recollection of my deeds nor what I had done in the goddess's name.

How would I know if my bad deeds caused the disappearance of Lerden?

I fell to my knees and began to beg, wincing slightly when they scrapped one of the hidden shells in the wet sand.

"Most forgiving mother, I ask for mercy. Let not my impure words or actions affect his life. Punish me instead."

Mother always drummed it into my ears to ask for forgiveness and mercy first, before knowing if I did wrong or right. I never heeded that advice though, instead waiting for criticism or praise, but not today.

Not with the all-powerful goddess.

"You've done nothing wrong, so stand up," she sighed, pulling me up again. She touched my cheeks and raised my head, smiling again when I looked at her.

Her braided hair was decorated with stones and jewels the colour of gold, arranged to form a crown-like base on her head. A blue tunic covered the top part of her body, exposing her arms adorned with metallic bands from top to bottom.

She seemed to be floating above the water, her tail swishing back and forth across the surface of the water.

"I've heard you cry here everyday for three months, away from the judging eyes of everyone else. You have stayed for days at a time, feeding on wildlife and water from the sea. Up till this moment, you still believe he's alive. Your dedication and love is commendable, child," she said, nodding her head at me.

"Your beloved is alive, but not well," she said simply, and released my hand.

I let out a scream and clutched my chest, feeling my heart rate increase as I fell to the sand. I did a roll in the sand and burst into laughter, kicking my legs excitedly as the sand rubbed and burned through my skin. Thoughts wildly flew around in my head, filling me with happiness, anticipation, and dread.

Lerden wasn't gone. I could still reach him, hold him, and talk to him. I would not need to be the second wife to that cruel man. He would come back to me. Where was he? Why wasn't he well?

I sat up, and looked up at the goddess who was watching me in anticipation. Quickly standing up, I dusted off the sand from my clothes and frowned.

"What is wrong with Lerden? Is he in trouble?" I asked.

"He's no longer in our world, Allira. He's now with humans," she explained, shaking her head sadly.

"Humans?" I repeated, the fear in my body reaching greater heights. They had no care for anything or anyone that didn't look like them, or wasn't beneficial to them.

Lerden was neither of the two. He had totally white hair, a birthmark on the side of his face, ears a bit large for his head, a small one hundred and thirty centimeter frame, and a tail which showed whenever he became wet.

He would be cast away or experimented on, leaving him a shadow of his former self. I needed to rescue him, and instinctively, I realized why the goddess had come for me.

"What do I do?" I inquired, already slinging my travel-ready cross bag across my shoulders.

"You need to bring him back to Meissa before the year ends, or he may be stuck there forever," the goddess warned, "But you'll need help, so come with me."

"Come with you? Into the water?" I covered my mouth, and cast my eyes downward when she turned to frown at me.

"Yes, of course. There's no time, child," she replied, her form already dissolving into bubbles again.

"Wait," I called out, "Forgive me for asking, but why are you helping us? Lerden and I?"

The goddess sighed, "You both deserve a happy ending. Besides, it's the day of good fortunes." She smiled at me, and held out a hand.

Again, I accepted it and gulped in a breath as she drew me under.

★★★★★