13 Shadows

Daryn was still absorbing the shock. She had fifty seven children in total. What the....

C'mon he knew he has had to many past lives. A millennium of them. So the goddess had to have had relationships. Its not like she pledged chastity.

"Why was this guy special to be your last?"

"I loved him. Is that enough Daryn?"

Daryn made a face.

"Mmm i guess"

"Stop being nosy. If you want to know them, i can make that happen"

"Uh maybe another time"

"I would like to visit the moon palace again"

"You have your memories and the blessings i gave you in your past life never left you. If you want to you are free dear"

"Good to know"

"Your hostess...why haven't you told her yet?"

"How long has it been since i arrived here. To her i have barely made a month. So if i tell her I'm goddess Selene son....she will definitely think me crazy"

Selene tilted her head.

"I doubt that. She is a devotee afterall."

"She will need proof mother"

Selene smiled. Liking her title he had already given her.

"If she would want proof i can give her"

"Please don't intervene yet. I will introduce it subtly."

"Then the choice is yours son"

"I'll be coming this evening"

Selene nodded then faded.

Daryn carried the tomatoes inside the shed.

He saw Darla next to the fire place. She was preparing her steel pots for their evening dinner.

He gave her the basket of tomatoes and a few carrots.

"Thank you"

"It was no problem Darla. You are welcome"

They began preparing the meal.

¤¤¤¤

That evening,

Daryn waited till Darla was fast asleep. When he noticed he breathing had taken another rhythm, and her body still. Relaxed. He knew she had fallen asleep.

He got up from the bed making sure not to make any creek noise.

Then he used his right hand to make a fast cut in the air. The air before him rippled then a dim blue light. Like the colour of midnight shone dimly in the room.

Daryn put his hand in the glowing slice mark and then walked through.

The next moment he was in Selene's moon palace.

He walked around the empty entrance hall surprised he did not see his mother.

"Mother!"

"Outside" came the reply

He walked towards the slow flowing river beside the house.

She sat at the river bank admiring the see through water. She smiled at it as if she saw something amusing in it.

Daryn came by her side and sat beside her. "Whats so funny?"

"Oh nothing" Selene replied raising her eyes from the water to look at him.

"You said the tournament is seven full moon away".

Selene waited for him to continue.

"I still don't have a qualified trainer. If you want me to win this time, i need to have a trainer grounding me in areas i am lacking. I can't be your champion without that mother"

"The trainning from your pasts are not enough?"

"The memories are good but in the areas i lack i am weak. I need those areas managed....properly".

"Hmm. What you need is to socialize with more warriors. To lerarn those areas you lack".

"You will have to leave Azra's jungle for that Daryn".

"I thought as much". He said. His tone a little sad.

Selene smiled at his lowered head.

"Don't you want to leave the jungle Daryn".

"Of course i don't want to leave and you already knew that mother" he replied flatly.

"I don't want to leave her".

"Hmm.....and she can't be forced either".

"Daryn. My child you have a responsibility now. You need to leave soon. Time's short. If shes meant to follow you, she will without hesitation but you need to have left the jungle by next full moon. Which is sixteen days from now."

"If you haven't told her then and expressed your feelings for her, then only hope to meet her single after the tournament".

"I know mother". Daryn said solemnly.

"Now go sleep. You need your energy at tops at all times now."

Daryn stood up and prepared to tear through space again.

"And Daryn, she is too good to still be single after the tournament"

Daryn's brows creased as he made a decision.

"I can't loose her"

He tore the space before him and walked in it with resolve.

His mother smiled behind him.

¤¤¤¤¤

As the torn space began to mend. Selene faced the river again smiling fondly at it. The forest beside her palace rustled.

Dark shadows swirled as they appeared to come from the forest. The thick shadows swirled at an entrance in the forest as the cause of the shadows stepped out from the dense forest where it hid walking towards Selene's direction.

Then a large paw appeared outside the swirling shadows pushing past the shadows. Then another paw.

The two paws walked the grass carrying the shadows behind them. More shadows dispersed. Giving more clarity to the being inside the swirling disconcerting shadows.

Thick black furs pushed forward from the shadows then the entire mane.

A growl puttered in its throat and the shadows around it dispersed revealing its head. A huge wolf head with thick fur coat like mane. The entire body came to view as its full shape walked out the shadows revealing its full size.

Towering at fifteen feet and massively strong. The wolf exuded pride and dominance in every step. It shook it furs as if to shake the shadows away then opened its eyes.

Big fiery red hot coals placed in dark abyss. The hot coals glowed as though they were on fire. Which they were.

They stared at Selene.