Selene kicked her feet in the air while she sat in the tree outside her house. She knew she was dreaming, but she loved her dreams; they gave her a chance to remember what her home felt like, smelt like, looked like. For Selene, this was a beautiful dream.

The wind was chilly; at least she hoped she was remembering the sensation of being cold. Goosebumps covered her arms, sending little hairs on her arms and next standing. Was this how it felt to be cold, she wondered. Selene hadn’t felt the sensation for so many centuries.

“Careful, Selene!” cried her mother’s voice from the house, “you might break the branch!” Selene closed her eyes and smiled. Her mother’s voice was just as she remembered it, warm and tender, as always.

“Come up here, Selene.” Selene turned her head up and looked at her brother. He was sitting on the roof as always. His black hair glistened in the dim moonlight while his jade green eyes glowed sadly. However, his stupid smile was as arrogant and charming as ever. Oh bother, so like him. Except for the sadness, that was not how he used to be.

“Are you going to help me up, brother dear?”

“Always little witchling.” Holding his hand down to her, tightening his own grasp on the roof. Selene grasped his hand and climbed up and onto the roof with inhuman agility. Eris laughed at her while she stared, unsure at her feet. It lifted her spirits, making her roll her eyes at him and purse her lips together in an attempt to hide her smile.

Selene looked up into the sky. The barrier glistened in the moonlight. This was her home, how she remembered it forever preserved.

“It’s beautiful, Selene.”

“What is?”

Eris nodded at the sky. “This night, it’s beautiful.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Yes. It’s peaceful and calm. Simple. I like simple.”

This time, Selene laughed aloud. “Since when have you liked simple?”

Eris shrugged, his skin growing dull and pale while a red ringlet appeared around his jade green eyes. “I’ve loved simple for some time, actually.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m tired, Selene.”

“Of what?”

“Living.”

“You had a choice; you still do.”

Eris shook his head. “No, not anymore.”

“Why not?”

“Because of the lives I’ve taken and the things I’ve done. There is no more redemption for me, only a great falling.”

“Why a falling?”

“Because Selene, you did not choose, so she chose for you, and should I fall, Darkness will rise.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that, brother.”

“I would.” He looked far off into the sky. “Darkness is rising. War is coming; the Goddesses are no longer sharing sisterly love.”

“That’s understandable.”

“Maybe, but when I think of the outcome, my heart aches.”

“Eris?”

“You’ll have to face and fight this war on your own.”

“What are you talking about?”

Eris looked down at her sadly. “It’s all my fault, Selene, I’m so sorry.” He kissed her forehead before he shoved her off the roof.

***

Selene jerked awake, her heart racing. Everything felt wrong, seemed so very wrong. She stared around herself, unaware of her surroundings. The dark stone walls made the room darker, and it took her a moment to remember where she was.

Her breathing slowed, and she remembered reality. She was not human; she was not home, and her mother was dead.

A sigh was released in the darkness, jerking her attention to the left. Jason turned in his sleep, his back to her. Selene had almost forgotten that he was there, that he was alive.

Lying back down, Selene nestled to his side, wrapping her arm around him, nuzzling her head into his back. He stirred again, turning to her this time. His arm wrapped around her, sensing her worry, and opening his eyes slightly.

“What’s wrong?” he asked her groggily, his voice low and husky.

“Don’t worry, I just had a nightmare.”

“About what?” Jason’s voice remained low, his breathing calm.

“I was home and then Eris…he pushed me off the roof of our home.”

“Sounds like something he would do, actually,” he yawned.

“Hmm, I suppose.” She nestled herself closer to his bare chest. His chest rose and fell, lulling her senses, calming her down. Still, the feeling of unease did not dissipate. This was the second dream where she was back home with her brother, where they were both human. Each time darkness converged. Her thoughts were reeling. Did this all connect back to the day when She of the Dark came to her and told her to make a choice? Did she still need to make a choice? Selene shut her eyes tightly, taking in the thick sandalwood scent of Jason.

***

Shira just stood there, clad in black with her very long black hair wrapped up in an elegant bun. She wore a black pencil shirt with a black blouse and very high stiletto heels. It felt more appropriate to dress like this than wear her usual tight leather clothing. She could almost pass as human. Standing there, Shira stared at the white gate in front of her, fully aware of the severe consequences of her actions.

Distantly, she could hear the voice of Her Dark Majesty berating her, mocking her. On top of that, there were whispers of death, and those tore at her. If she took a step past the small white pointy gate and entered her home, she would be spitting into her mother’s face. Was that truly the cost of her actions? To be condemned to death? The punishment could be worse.

Shira took a step, pushing open the gate, landing her heel onto the stone path. She cringed as her mother’s voice sent a shrill through her head.

Swallowing, Shira pushed forward, and the voice attacked her stronger, screaming in her head, bouncing off the walls of her skull. Still, Shira kept going, and with each step, the voice began to diminish. By the time her hand wrapped around the silver knob, her mother’s voice was gone. This was her last chance to turn back and grovel for her mother’s forgiveness. Except she couldn’t and, more importantly, would not. Turning the knob, she stepped in and shut the door behind her.

Along the wall, candles burned, lighting up the brilliant little chapel. All the pews were neatly situated, and every piece of art was highlighted beautifully. Humming filled the air, a song only she could hear as a Shadowling, but it didn’t torture her. Instead, it was beautiful.

“Hello?” began Shira, tentatively walking forward. “I know you’re here; I’m sorry if I’m intruding.”

“Never.” Shira spun around and stared at the seated figure of She of the Light. Her silver-white hair glowed and her white dress glittered in the candlelight. A gentle smile caressed her face.

“Hello.”

She of the Light cocked her head to the side and studied her. “I’m surprised to see you here.”

“Are you?”

“Yes. You’ve always seemed so devoted to my sister.”

Shira looked down at her feet. “I’ve had a change of heart.”

“Have you?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm, my sister will not look kindly upon this.”

“She’s already upset with me…aunt.”

She of the Light tapped her dainty fingers on her small, delicate chin. “That is unnerving. Still, your fate was predetermined by my darling sister when she chose for Selene.” She paused. “Can I ask why you came?”

“I had a change of heart.”

“A true change. It’s beautiful, but why?”

“I–well, because I love him. What we have now, it’s not real love; it’s not love at all. I don’t know what we have, but it’s not the beautiful thing I’ve always wanted from him.”

“You still haven’t told me why you’re here, Shira.”

Sighing, Shira looked at her, meeting her steady gaze. “I’m here to try and save Selene from my fate. It’s the least I can do for Eris.”

“Even if it means your death?”