Inner turmoil

Back at the villa, I've changed into fresh clothes and now lounge outside by the hot spring. The night is calm, the air filled with the soft hum of conversation, a stark contrast to the events that unfolded earlier.

Nearby, Tama is yawning while carefully drying the bones that Tenebris, Raijin, and Hima had regurgitated. He uses a low heat to ensure they dry properly for Lani's powder. His movements are methodical, almost therapeutic, as he focuses on his task.

Everyone seems to have slipped back into a semblance of normalcy. Lani and Damien are quietly chatting, their voices blending with the sounds of the night. Elizabeth and Selene are giggling over some shared joke, their laughter a soothing balm in the otherwise tense atmosphere. I sit by the water's edge, occasionally glancing over at the rest of us, trying to let the calmness seep into my bones.

Everyone is okay —everyone except Gregory. He sits apart from the group, staring blankly into the distance. His eyes, usually full of warmth and mirth, are now hollow and unfocused. The weight of his earlier actions hangs heavy on his broad shoulders.

We've all silently agreed to give him space, recognizing that he needs time to process what he's been through.

I focus shadow aura into my eyes, observing the grotesque forms of everyone's shadows. Each one remains unchanged, a testament to the darkness that clings to us. What evil bastards, I think with a snicker. But Gregory's shadow stands out—slowly twisting, then snapping back to normal, only to twist again. It's a reflection of his internal turmoil, a visual representation of the conflict within him. How sad.

I should feel guilty for forcing him into such drastic decisions, for pushing him to the brink. But he wanted to. I gave him a chance to escape, a way out, and he chose to stay. The thought doesn't absolve me of responsibility, but it tempers the weight of my non existent guilt.

The one thing that truly intrigues me is the presence of the three moon phases tattoo on everyone, eerily similar to the one on Selene's back. I can only assume the ritual worked. These tattoos have appeared on different parts of their bodies. What's with this world and marking your body? We're starting to resemble a motorcycle club, I think with a snicker. A motorcycle club of teenagers. The thought makes me snicker even more.

But honestly, these tattoos pose a significant problem. We have to devise a way to hide them. If the Church of the Sun Goddess gets wind of these marks, they'll hunt us down for being worshippers of the so-called evil Goddess.

The implications are serious, and the danger is real. I lean back and look around at the group, feeling the weight of our shared secret.

I sigh, the responsibility pressing down on me. We need to stay vigilant and clever if we're to survive. The future holds many uncertainties, but one thing is clear: we're in this together, marked and bound by the choices we've made and the risks we've taken.

I don't care if I'm worshipping a deity of the night, especially an evil one. She brought us to this world, so she can't be all bad. That whole "everything comes with a price" deal? Minimal at most. We'd have to sacrifice a few innocent souls, but that's a small price to pay. Unlike the Sun Goddess, she doesn't need constant prayers and strict order, which was my initial worry. She just wants blood and acknowledgment, and I can deal with that.

Thanks to this blessing, according to Selene, if we ever really need to, we might be four times stronger in the moonlight if we call upon her. Insane. It's such a beautiful trump card. In this dangerous world, it's nice to know my safety is a little more guaranteed.

But how does Selene know all this? Is she communicating with the deity? The thought lingers, a mixture of curiosity and concern. It is probably nothing.

I catch Selene's gaze across the pool, her green eyes sparkling with interest. She moves toward me, and I can't resist pulling her by the waist and nuzzling her neck. There's something irresistibly attractive about the curve of her neck, and for a moment, I wonder if I was a vampire in a previous life. The thought makes me chuckle.

"What are you? A vampire?" Selene asks, her voice teasing yet curious. At that, I laugh a little more, the sound echoing softly in the night air.

"Maybe I was," I say, grinning at the absurdity of the idea. I kiss the soft skin of her neck, feeling her shiver slightly in my arms.

Selene's laughter joins mine, a melodious sound that blends with the gentle ripple of the water around us. Her fingers trace idle patterns on my back, and I can feel the tension of the past days melting away in her presence.

"I think I prefer you as you are," Selene murmurs, her voice low and intimate.

I tighten my hold on her, feeling a deep contentment settle in my chest. "Good, because I'm not going anywhere," I reply, my voice equally soft.