Hello again! Here is the next chapter of Moonlight: As Night Falls! I really hope you guys are enjoy this story so far! Please let me know what you think! Your reviews really make my day!

Disclaimer: I don't own DND but this story, the characters, and the plot are completely mine.

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Chapter 1

30 Years Ago - 3rd Pov

Liena Tierra has always hoped that the monsters she has been taught to fear were nothing but fiction, stories used to scare the kids into behaving. However, one night will change everything she has been taught to believe. She looks around gingerly, the village that she lives in is small, maybe a hundred people in all but none of them snoop into the lives of anyone else. That is how it has always been, at least since the accident. Back when the village was first founded, the people of the village got in each other's business. When a couple lost their child to drowning in the lake, one of their neighbors made a snide comment about watching their children better. Well, let's just say that they are no longer with us, thrown into the forest as punishment. Ever since then, everyone minds their own business as to not let something like that happen again.

Liena walks slowly through the town square as she observes all the decorations going on in preparation for the ceremony. The one day out of the whole year that she has been dreading even though it should be the happiest for her. The ceremony is the one thing that can overwrite any happiness that she may have felt about today being her birthday. She slowly follows the path through the main area of the village where all the trading shops are located and the statue of their goddess, Libera, stands. The goddess, Libera, is the goddess of fertility and childbirth and is said to be the one to bless happy couples with a child. The village believes that if her statue stands in the middle of the town square, then she will give her blessing to every family. This, however, remains a mystery as not every couple in the village has been gifted with a child.

"Liena!" The bright voice of her friend brings her out of her thoughts as she turns toward it, a slightly younger girl running up to her with a huge smile. The girl jumps into the older girl's arms and embraces her in a tight hug. "How are you? I have missed you so much and it has been a while since we have had the chance to talk." A smile graces Liena's lips as she hugs the younger female back. Jenna is slightly shorter than Liena, her fiery red hair half pulled back from her face as her bright green eyes shine through her mascara. The younger girl pulls a strand back from her face as she looks up at Liena, the forest tank she is wearing, complimenting her pale skin along with the black leggings that fit her petite frame perfectly. Liena smiles brightly back at her friend, her plain chocolate brown hair pulled to one side as her hazel eyes shine with her happiness of seeing her friend. She looks over Jenna's outfit briefly and unconsciously tugs on the hem of the plain gray t-shirt she is wearing and the black jogging pants fit around her hourglass waist snugly with the legs flowing loosely.

"It has been a while, hasn't it? I have been fine, just dreading this afternoon for reasons that you already know." The young girl nods in understanding, she did know why her friend hates today so much. Today marks the end of their freedom and while a lot of girls get lucky and are paired with a lover or at least someone they like, Liena is not. Liena is paired with her other best friend and the young girl knows that Liena's feelings for him go no further than a friend. However, it was either stay with tradition or be forced to endure the night out in the forest. A shudder runs through the girl, facing the night all alone in the forest is the worst fate considering most who do are found with their bodies torn apart the next morning.

"Jenna, have you been listening?" The younger one shakes the thoughts from her head as they clear, giving Liena a slight smile; she zoned out again and Liena is looking at her with a raised eyebrow and a slight smirk to her lips.

"I am sorry Liena, what did you say?" The latter just shakes her head with a laugh.

"I guess I am not the only one that seems to be dreading the ceremony. I do not know why you are even getting dragged into this. You are not even of age yet so why was your name in the box?" Liena gives her younger friend a slight accusatory glare about her being dragged into the ceremony.

Jenna sighs disheartedly before finally speaking up, knowing as soon as the words leave her mouth, her friend is going to be extremely mad at her.

"I volunteered my name extra times for food for my family. I had enough entries in the box for me to be considered old enough. The way they see it, since I am old enough to take care of my family then I am old enough to take care of a family of my own. However, I got lucky and got paired with my crush and he does not seem to hate me either." Liena smiles sadly, at least Jenna is getting the better side of things. While she does feel happy for her friend to be with her crush, who is only a couple of years older than Jenna, Liena can not help but feel despair in the twist her life is taking. Being paired with her best friend as the one she is supposed to be with has Liena feeling slightly disheartened even though she understands why he did it in the first place. He loves her and she doesn't love him the way he is hoping.

Slowly the two friends decide to talk about any and everything as they slowly make their way around the village square. There is always so much to see on this night, the villagers are usually all out, using this night to try to sell some of their old household items they no longer need or old clothes that no longer fit. The brightly colored streamers shine in the burning sunlight as it slowly fades into a beautiful auburn in the sunset.

No matter how many times this night comes around, Liena will never get used to it. The lights, the decorations, the way everyone seems to be in a cheerful mood. Even though, for a few, this night will be one of the saddest. She knows that she doesn't love him. How could she? Yes, he is her best friend but that doesn't mean that she loves anymore than that. However, this decision will hurt her family and Liena knows this better than anyone. She knows what happens when you get thrown into the forest, the screams on those nights don't leave much to the imagination. However, this is a decision that Liena has to make no matter the feeling of those around her. She just can't live this life knowing that she would be tied to him for the rest of her life.

The two girls make their way towards the church right as Mrs. Tierna steps out of the double doors. The older woman spots the two girls and motions for them to come closer to her. They quickly walk over to her and she smiles brightly as them as she leans in to hug the two of them. Pulling back, Mrs. Tierna leaves her hands on the two girl's shoulders.

"It's time for you two ladies to start getting ready for the Ceremony tonight, I put your dresses in the first room on the right and everything you need is in there as well. There is only an hour and a half left, so scoot along and start getting ready." The two girls exchange sad looks before turning back to smile gently at the elderly woman who has been a surgate mother to the two. After a few moments more of peace, the two girls give Mrs. Tierna one more longing hug and then slowly make their way through the double doors and into the grab lobby of the church.

Okay, Liena, breath. The older girl thinks as her and Jenna make their way to the designated room for them to get changed. Everyone will forgive you over time, but this is your decision, so let's stay strong and make it through this.

Liena takes a deep breath and then plasters a small smile on her face, determined to enjoy the last night she has with her best friend.

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There you have it! The second chapter of this story. I hope you guys enjoyed! Please let me know what you think! As the story progresses, if you guys have questions or think you know what is going to happen, then please let me know! I may not tell you if you are right or wrong as to not spoil the story but I love to hear them all the same! Until next time!

HL