I walk alone through the silent forest. My footfalls make almost no sound on the thick carpet of leaves and pine needles. The moon is full tonight, and its pale light casts a beautiful glow over the trees. There is no sound whatsoever, and as I make my way towards the familiar clearing, it feels as though even the bushes are holding their breath. I can catch glimpses of the massive oak tree through the brush. Its power never ceases to amaze me. I creep up to the bushes surrounding the clearing, and plant my weapon in the earth with a muted *thunk!* I then push aside the underbrush and make my way towards the oak. As I approach, the symbols carved into its trunk begin to glow with eerie light. I look at my hands; they are glowing with the moons power.

I reach up to the crescent symbol on the trunk. There is a small circle carved within the crescent, and I place my two index fingers inside it. Then, I spread the rest of my fingers out as wide as I can. And I begin to sing. The haunting melody has no words, only a longing passion to be released I can feel myself being lifted up by the moons light and energy, and I let my hands fall to my sides. But I continue to sing. As my song draws to a close, I can feel the energy ramping up. I know what happens next.

There is a blinding flash and loud *CRACK!* I shut my eyes tight and draw myself in. I am still being held aloft by the light. I can't open my eyes yet, for fear of being blinded, but I can hear a dull roar around me, not unlike a rushing river. It is the sound of the huge oak tree, turning all its leaves to the sky. I see the light beginning to recede behind my eyelids, and my heart begins to beat faster. They are coming. I open my eyes to see a magnificent sight which still takes my breath away. A massive column of light is racing up towards to sky. As I watch, it collides with the moon, sending out a thick, white wave of light. It pushes off of the moon in a band, than begins to curl down. It is now coming back towards the earth. Then the ends draw together and split off into two strips. They fly down through the sky in a beautiful embrace, twisting around and crossing through each other. Then, abruptly, they slow down. Now hovering above the ground by about 4 feet, they begin to solidify. I am set down gently, back on my feet. But my legs are shaky, and my heart feels like an overflowing dam.

The lights recede back into the sky, and two figures are left in their place. At first, they only look like twin clouds of white smoke, hovering side by side. Then, the blobs take shape. They begin to create human forms. One takes the shape of a big, well-defined man. His gray hair is held back in a short, practical ponytail. There is a rough, salt and pepper shadow across his jaw. He has broad, powerful shoulders, and is well above 6 feet tall. The other form, a woman, is slight. She has long, brown hair which falls almost to her waist. She is not as tall, reaching only to the mans chest. Her frame is slim, with long, slender legs and acute angles. Her face is foxy, her eyes are aware of everything. They are the moon elders.

"Hello, Diana." The man spoke in a low, smooth voice that sounded like chocolate milk. I felt my heart flutter, and I bowed low to the ground.

"Hello." I responded. When I rose again, I could see the pair holding back smiles. I was holding the urge as well. "We have much to discuss."

"Indeed we do," responded the woman, her voice faltering. We look at each other for a moment. Then I drop all pretense of formality and run toward them. They welcome me with open arms and envelope me in a warm, loving hug.

"Oh, how I have missed you two," I manage to get out in to muffling bodies.

"We have missed you as well, child." They respond in unison.

I step back, but keep my arms on their shoulders, grinning uncontrollably. These two have been me and my mother's soul voices of reason through the past years. A pang of despair strikes my heart at the thought of my mother, quickly followed by hatred. The pair across from me must have sensed my anger, for they frown and hold me closer.

"What is troubling you, Diana?" Asks the woman, Leona.

"Have you not heard the… news?" I ask her, my voice quivering. It has been over a year since I contacted them last, and information travels slower when you live on the moon. "My mother, sh- she was murdered." I say the last word with my face cast down, my voice low.

The pair is silent. Leona looks stunned, and Dane simply stares. His jaw is hanging open, his arms slung limp at his side.

"H-h-… how?" Dane chokes out.

"The Solari… Her own people! How could they?" I wail. Then my knees go weak, and I collapse. The last thing I see before the tears block out my vision is Dane and Leona reaching down to hold me.

I don't know how long I lie here, but by the time I have sobbed myself dry, the dawn is reaching up o scorch the corners of the sky. I look up through Leona and Danes cradling embrace to see the bright orange tendrils stretch out. I know they must leave soon, before the sun rends them from the earth. They are entities of the moon, and the sun looks upon them with great disdain.

"Do not fret any longer, Diana," Leona whispers to me. "There is a storm coming, but you can survive it. Then you will see your mother again. But we must leave you. The sun is rising. Goodbye, Diana."

Leona gently picks me up and sets me on my feet. I look into her icy, gray eyes and feel a sense of warmth. Dane touches my shoulder.

"Diana, you have a great odyssey ahead of you. But you must be strong. There will be peace when you are done. And no matter how tough things get for you, always remember the moon. It will guide you through times of stress and trouble. And always keep your mother alive, inside your heart."

With one parting embrace, the pair looks to the oak. They walk toward it without looking back and each place their right hands on the trunk. They turn to gray smoke and float into the tree. Then there is a blinding flash and they are gone. I look down to see a flattened patch of grass where we lay. I step over it and walk back toward the edge of the clearing. I feel completely worn out, as if I had just run for miles. But I also feel complete. The belief that I will again see my mother has but me into an almost euphoric state, the best I have felt in weeks. I knew it was the right choice to see the moon elders.