30 + Grimoire +

Gasping for air, Luna felt the desperate sensation of having just broken the surface after nearly drowning. She tried to sit up, but sharp nails dug into her neck, keeping her in place.

She looked up into the face of a woman with bronzed skin, hovering above her. The woman wore a glittering turban embedded with diamonds. Silver and gold hoops adorned her ears and neck. The golden feathers on her sari made her skin shimmer, reminiscent of the first rays of dawn.

Recognition struck Luna; it was the goddess Hecate. Somehow, she found herself in what seemed to be a coffin, her body submerged in a violet liquid. Pink lotus lilies floated nearby. Luna dared not move or breathe, fearful of her situation.

"Calm yourself, Priestess," Hecate said, her blood-red lips curling into an enigmatic smile. "I mean you no harm."

"Goddess Hecate," Luna whispered in reverence.

"You summoned me just in time," Hecate replied, her almond eyes deep and wise. "Before the malevolent spirit could fully claim you. Had I been even a moment too late, separating you from that entity would've been impossible. Your resilience and refusal to yield weakened it. You, of all people, should know the perils of demonic possession. As my High Priestess, ensconced in the seat of magical power, you must remember the danger lies not just in the possession, but in the loss of control over your own powers."

Without another word, Hecate extended her left hand toward Luna's face. Luna stared at it, unsure of its purpose. Catching Hecate's raised eyebrow, it seemed she anticipated Luna to shy away, or perhaps to swat the hand aside. But Luna remained still, waiting to understand.

Moments later, a brilliant white bolt sprang from her palm, striking Luna squarely in the eyes. Electric jolts coursed through her, from the brain down her spine. The sting was intense, yet paradoxically, it brought a sense of calm.

Hecate observed her with a hint of a smile. "Your resilience is commendable. To dabble in dark magic and not be swallowed by it demands a rigid moral compass. Boundaries between right and wrong can easily be distorted, especially if a High Priestess seeks to exploit them. And the danger magnifies when one is unknowingly possessed by a malevolent spirit."

"You possess a tenacity rare for an apprentice," Hecate continued, her gaze unwavering. "You are undoubtedly the prime candidate to be my next High Priestess."

As she spoke, a grimoire materialized in her hand, swiftly metamorphosing into a radiant blue sphere. "Energy cannot be destroyed," she intoned, fixing Luna with a penetrating stare, "only transformed."

She declared, "I name you the final High Priestess. Should you meet your end, the Vampire King, his curse, and his entire realm will fall with you. Their unrestrained cruelty has caused chaos across neighboring domains for centuries. I can no longer tolerate this, even if they revere me as their deity." Her voice was firm, resonating with conviction. "My patience with the Vampire Kings has waned, leading me to distance myself over recent centuries. Should harm befall you, they will bear consequences manifold."

Delicately, Hecate grasped Luna's chin, signaling for her to open her mouth. She then guided the shimmering blue orb towards Luna. Bracing herself for pain, Luna was surprised when none came. As she swallowed the energy, her skin took on a luminous blue hue, pulsing with newfound strength.

Hecate's lips curled into a knowing smile. "You've become a living relic."

Luna's eyes widened in amazement and gratitude. The realization washed over her—she now possessed Hecate's grimoire. The Goddess had recognized Luna's adeptness at mastering manifestation magic in such a short span, even without perusing the entire grimoire. All its knowledge was now seamlessly integrated into her mind.

With renewed resolve, Luna vowed to herself. She would free the Vampire King from the curse of the Blood Beast, and in doing so, she too would be liberated.

Unexpectedly, the Goddess of the Moon, Artemis, materialized, standing gracefully behind Hecate. She was an epitome of elegance in her snow-white dress, which bared her slender shoulders. Her skin glowed, pale and reminiscent of the moon itself. Luxurious dark hair cascaded down her back, crowned simply atop her head. As Luna met her gaze, Artemis greeted her with a gentle smile.

"My Goddess Artemis, you honour us with your presence," Luna murmured, transfixed by the deity's luminous eyes.

Hecate turned, nodding in acknowledgment. "Your timing is impeccable."

Artemis responded with equanimity, "The stars foretold this confluence." Her words resonated with Luna, sending a tingling warmth through her. "I foresaw these events long ago."

Luna's eyes widened. Could it be that Artemis had known of her destiny, even as she served innocuously in the moon goddess's temple? A frown creased Luna's brow, and she was about to voice her bewilderment when Artemis extended a beautifully crafted goblet towards her. "Drink. It's ambrosia."

Luna bowed slightly, a gesture of respect. "I'm honoured by your gift, Goddess." The role reversal—of a goddess offering to a mortal—was jarring. She took a tentative sip, letting the divine nectar play on her tastebuds. It tasted as if heaven itself had melted on her tongue. She reveled in the sweetness, fully aware that this was likely the last time she'd ever taste something so ethereal.

Looking up, she found Artemis and Hecate reaching out to her, their hands entwined, symbolizing their united intent.

"I release you from your oath as the Master Caretaker of the Sacred Valley," intoned Artemis. "From this moment, you are bound to Hecate."

From beyond the confines of the room, the deep rumble of thunder echoed, affirming her release from the oath.

"It is sealed," Hecate murmured. The two goddesses released Luna's hands, gently laying her down. "Artemis and I will oversee the purification rituals. We must cleanse you of the lingering malevolent energies."

Luna's gaze drifted, landing on a small, obsidian cauldron that crackled over a hearth. Hecate, with her back to Luna, began stirring its contents. This brief distraction gave Luna an opportunity to survey the room. The walls were cloaked in white, embossed with intricate gold patterns. A grand chandelier, encrusted with shimmering crystals, hung overhead, reminiscent of natural stalactites. Every available space on the shelves and counters was occupied by vials, jars, and pouches filled with an array of herbs and potions.

With a large oyster shell, Hecate ladled water from the cauldron into a bowl, wetted a cloth, and approached Luna. "This marks your rebirth." She delicately dabbed at Luna's wound, removing the grime. Luna winced as the heated water touched her skin, but the fragrant aroma of lotus in the water helped mitigate the burning sensation.

"It is time for your departure," said Artemis, offering a comforting squeeze of Luna's hand.

Hecate had told Luna of her newfound ability to traverse the layers of the Underworld at will. But trying it consciously was uncharted territory for Luna. Previously, she assumed such journeys were only possible in sleep. Could she truly open a portal while awake? Or would this experience merely dissolve, leaving her to regard it as a mere dream? Would she find herself within the Vampire Kingdom upon waking? Uncertainty gnawed at her; she couldn't even recall the whereabouts of her physical form. Was it ensnared in the caverns with Jon or, worse, captured by the Vampire King's fiends?

Perhaps her safest bet would be to let sleep serve as her bridge back. With that in mind, she focused on calming herself, and in no time, was enveloped by darkness. The time had come for her ascent.