Victoria drove herself, not allowing any driver to accompany her. She parked at a discreet location and continued on foot into the woods.
After about ten minutes of walking, she arrived at the hidden cave of the three witches from the ancient world.
Upon reaching the entrance, she stamped her feet on the ground three times and spoke inaudible words. Immediately, a stone door formed from the rock shifted open.
She stepped into the coven of the ancient witches and dropped to her knees, bowing her face to the ground.
"What bringeth you to the great coven of the witches that resides in the past and still sees the future?" the three witches asked in unison, their voices echoing through the cave.
"First, I came to show appreciation for the safe return of my husband and son. I say a big thank you to the witches who see the sun even at midnight," Luna Victoria said, her head still bowed.
"What substance have you brought to show appreciation to the witches who fly everywhere without leaving their coven?" they asked, leaning their heads toward her.
"I have brought the garment of the reincarnated werewolf, who was defeated by my son. Here it is before you, O great ones," she said, laying the garment before them.
The garment instantly vanished and reappeared in the hands of the witches.
"Oh, very nice. This garment possesses the currency of the other world. It will serve us well when we journey beyond!" they exclaimed together, clearly pleased.
"So what brings you here, O daughter of Vanessa?" the witches inquired.
"Last time I was here, you spoke of a coming calamity and told me to find out who or what it was. That’s why I’ve returned," Victoria explained.
"Have you discovered who the calamity is?" they asked.
"No, I have not. I do not possess the great gift you do—to know all things as you wish."
"What you seek is highly confidential among the spirits. We have been ordered not to reveal it," the witches replied, sounding slightly irritated.
Victoria looked disappointed and reached into her bag.
"Here is the gold request coin given to me by my mother, Vanessa. She said to offer it to you if ever I could not get an answer—she said you would help me," she explained, holding out the coin.
The coin vanished from her hand and appeared with the witches, who inspected it by sniffing and even tasting it.
"You have brought a coin so powerful that even the highest spirits dare not refuse it. Ask what you wish, child, and let it reach the ears of the witches!" they said, laughing eerily. "I wish to know where all these problems began, how the calamity was born, and how it has grown to threaten my family and kind," Victoria pleaded.
The witches went silent for a moment, then pointed to a large pot of boiling blood.
"Go to your right. Wash your face with the blood from the stream of pain and destruction. What you are about to see is beyond normal eyes and minds," they instructed.
Though afraid, Victoria’s curiosity was stronger than her fear. She stepped toward the pot, filled a container, and prepared to wash her face.
She expected it to burn, but the blood was cold as ice. She poured it over her face until the container was empty.
"Now let the eyes of the spirits be yours and let the minds of the ancients be upon you. Let what belongs to the spirits be shown to you!" the witches chanted, raising their arms.
From the ground, dark smoke rose with a powerful voice.
"Let me take you to the past. What you will encounter can only be understood by spirits!" the smoke declared, circling Luna Victoria before they both vanished.
"Let the voices of the darkest spirits lead and speak to you as you walk the path of the past!" the three witches called out, laughing mischievously.
***
In The Past... "It was a day when all the werewolves of your pack gathered in anticipation—something they had waited centuries for," the smoke narrated.
"There were five pregnant women in the pack that day. One of them gave birth to the calamity now threatening your kind. Look around—see the peace and joy they once shared."
The smoke disappeared, leaving Victoria alone to observe.
She saw herself, her husband, Alpha Jackson, and his wife Catherine—who was heavily pregnant with Maria at the time. Bernard was just a baby, sitting in a chair, barely a year old.
They all looked so happy, discussing the upcoming Blue Moon, foretold by prophecy. Victoria left their table and walked around, seeking the other pregnant women.
She was sure this was the day before Luna Catherine gave birth to Maria, after the Blue Moon.
Eventually, she reached the table of the Simons family.
The Simons had once vied for the Alpha title, which had ultimately gone to Jackson, much to their dismay.
Elijah Simons and his wife were present, though unhappy. His wife was also heavily pregnant.
After the Blue Moon, which tragically claimed many lives, they announced the birth of their son—Victor.
At the table, they wore sour expressions, simply attending the event out of obligation.
They clearly believed the Alpha seat should have been theirs.
Elijah leaned toward his wife, whispered something, and the two of them walked away from the gathering, visibly angry...