My shovel stopped digging at the soil when the first drop of rain fell on my hand. The place where it fell stung. I looked up to see the once clear blue sky was now lined with shades of grey. Big black clouds crackled in the distance. The sisters around me looked joyful. More rain meant more crops. This year we already had a good produce. Anna, my roommate and also one of the priestesses in training at the Moon temple, clasped her hands together offering a quick prayer to the Moon God.

Her bright orange hair blew in the cool air as our eyes met. "Look Reina, the Moon God has finally decided to shower us with her gifts from heaven," she said with glee in her voice. But her enthusiasm did little to suppress the feeling of danger that had started to bubble inside me. The sky looked ominous. It was turning grey to black.

The temple was located far away from the royal kingdom. There was nothing but rocks and greenery around. With the approaching rain and no moonlight, our temple would be shrouded in darkness. If in such a case, someone or something attacked.

I bit my lower lip harshly. Anna must have noticed something was wrong. She knew me better than I even knew myself. "What's wrong?" she asked, looking concerned. I looked at her helplessly, contemplating whether to answer her or not. Should I tell her? But what if it's nothing!

When her question was met with silence, she placed a hand on my shoulders. "You know you can tell me everything? You know that right?"

"I think we need to meet the head priestess," I blurted without thinking. If there was one person who could help us feel safe, then it was the guardian of the Moon temple. Under ordinary circumstances no one was allowed to meet her, not even her own blood.

Anna's eyes grew wide. "Oh no! Not again. You do remember the last time, right?" I nodded in consent and looked at the flesh on my hand that was still red and raw from the last beating. I panicked like this that time too. It was the Moon festival and I had seen shadows on the walls, shadows which I thought didn't belong to humans. It was a mistake on my part and for spreading false alarm during such a sacred occasion, under the name of Moon, I was whipped at the altar.

The humiliation and the curse words rang in my ears. I was a princess in exile, a disgrace to the nation. The temple had no qualms about my protection. Yet one person was kind enough to love me, put food on my table and give a shelter above my head. I called her mother and she called me daughter. She loved me even more than her own daughter. Her only wish was to protect the place she called home. And I had a duty to protect her only daughter and the sisters at the temple.

"We must go," I decided, refusing to overthink anymore. Something in me told me that the alarm was real and that I shouldn't take it lightly. Call it a mere instinct or just some superstition, the way the sky was roaring just didn't feel right.

Gripping the lower part of my dress, I stood up. My dirt covered feet carried me quickly towards the main temple with a worried Anna following me anxiously. "You know they won't let it go this time. They will kill you, don't you get it!" she wasn't only worried now, she was terrified.

When we reached the gates, I paused for a moment. "You wait here," I said, pushing her away to the side so that she wasn't in clear view. Only people of importance were allowed there and Anna was indeed one of them.

"No, I am going with you," she gripped my hand firmly, leaving no room for argument. Even though afraid, her eyes were clear. A part of me really wanted her to stay put, to keep away from danger. I think she knew better than me what this would do to her connection with the main temple. If I went alone, I would at the most get flogged for my bold gesture but it meant another level of suffering for her if something went wrong inside.

Nonetheless, I smiled as I entwined my fingers around hers and we both ran up the white marble stairs. Upon reaching the top, I inhaled a deep breath. Here goes nothing.

We both pushed the double doors together. The smell of incense and smoke instantly hit us. Flower petals were scattered everywhere. Our feet left spots of dirt on the once clean floor as we made our way inside. I could already envision what our punishments would look like. We weren't only here on the basis of pure suspicion but also soiled the entire place.

As if on cue, we heard a loud voice. "Who dares to open the doors to the temple without permission!" Both of us immediately dropped to our knees, not daring to meet the face of the guardian of the temple. It was custom inside the temple not to look into the eye of your elder unless asked to.

"Grandmother, please listen to us," Anna hurried before I could even open my mouth, "Danger is upon us. We must hurry."

"What makes you say that?" she asked, not even sparing us a breath.

"It's a feeling. The rain is a bad omen," Anna said. From the corner of my eye, I saw her shaking. Regret washed over me as I watched Anna silently. I should have never told her.

"And when did you start speaking like your friend?" the High priestess directed her gaze at me, "Was the last time not enough for you? You just had to pull my granddaughter in one of you little antics again!" the priestess threw the nearest water pot, aimed directly at me.

I let out a small cry as it collided with my knee. "Grandma, what are you doing? It's not her fault," Anna cried. She was about to get up when I motioned her to remain in her place.

"Yes, it is. It's in her blood," the high priestess spat, not even hiding the hate she felt for me.

"Grandma, just spare us a moment and listen to us," Anna begged, "There is something out there, something not good for us. I beg you to put the place under protection before the demons attack."

"Demons? What demons? They are nothing but a folk tale."

Everyone knew that no one believed in demons anymore. They were myths now. Some believed that something lurked in the dark while others believed it was pure imagination. Demons were beasts from a forgotten tale, one that had engulfed my entire family. I, for one, knew very well what they could do if given the power.

"Grandma!" Anna cried.

"Silence!" The High priestess voice echoed in the empty space. This silenced Anna for real. She broke down into a sob as her body shook violently.

This is not going anywhere.

"High priestess, you can put the blame on me later if the alarm is false. For now, please take precautions. Darkness is approaching. We should protect ourselves while we can," I said, bowing my head in submission. I went as far as to put my head on the floor where the cold marble touched my nose. Normally people begged for their lives in this pose. This was the highest form of humiliation for a princess of noble blood.

The high priestess must have liked what she saw as I heard a chuckle followed by laughter. "Very well, cursed child. I shall heed your words and will send a message to the nearest royal guards."

I thought I misheard for a moment. "Thank you for putting your faith in me," I said quickly, still doubting my hearing.

"I am not putting my faith in you. I believe in Anna,"

My shoulders drooped in relief. Anna was already at my side, looking at my knee and helping me up. As we both bowed one last time and turned towards the double door, the High priestess spoke again.

"But know this princess, if what you say turns out to be a hoax the coming morning, you shall be ready to serve for what is yet to come," she warned. I didn't need to turn around to know the threat was real. Poor Anna shuddered in my arms.

We both exited in silence, not speaking to each other. That was too easy, I thought as we made our way to our sleeping quarters. Normally it would take endless begging on my part for the High Priestess to listen to me willingly. Something was amiss but I didn't know what, not until Anna pointed to a line of guards. They were dressed in heavy armor ready for combat. We watched as some horses passed by us followed by more men.

"What's going on?" Anna asked, mirroring my expression.

Men weren't allowed inside the temple. This was a sacred place for training for the daughters of the Moon. Since the girls were all untouched, they were kept away from the vile imaginations of men. Anna looked at them curiously as if they were some animals from faraway land.

I would have looked at them curiously too if not for the fact I was never born at the Moon temple. I was an outsider just like those soldiers who came from a place borne of war and death. I noticed one of them carrying a long sword. The emblem of the Sun kingdom shined brightly as he passed by us.

"Well, well, well, what are a bunch of Moon brats doing here outside? Isn't it past your bedtime?"

We turned towards the source of voice only to be met by a burly, fat man with two missing teeth. He was dressed the same as the rest. Only difference was he had the wrong proportions in all the right departments. He gave us both a once over, his gaze trailing on Anna for far too long for my liking.

I coughed loudly to turn his attention back to me. "Who are you? And what are you doing in this sacred place?" my voice must have come off accusing but then again who cared. No one looks at my Anna like that!

"Ah! Where are my manners? I am Commander Crosby from the Kingdom of Sun," he said, making gestures with his hand, "And you are?"

"We are sisters from the Moon temple," I said, not giving up our names. He didn't seem too bothered by it as he bowed and placed a hand out to Anna. Anna wasn't royalty, so she looked awkwardly at his hand in the air. The thought of him placing a kiss on Anna's hand felt wrong, so I joined Anna in her awkward stare at the Commander.

"Never mind," he said after a moment when it was clear Anna wasn't going to place her hand anytime soon, "We are here as protectors of the Moon temple. We mean no harm. We are just here to do our job."

"On whose order are you here?" I questioned.

"Whose orders?" Crosby laughed as if I had asked the most dumb question, "Who afterall? There is only one person who can ask for assistance from the royal family." He gestured with his eyes towards the only temple that glowed light blue even in the darkness. The Main temple!

"She knew," Anna whispered as her body started to shake again, "She knew from the very beginning yet she played us like that."

I engulfed her in a hug. No wonder it felt too easy!

Before I could ask further what was going to happen, a gong was heard in the distance. Within minutes, the second one went off as well. They are approaching.

"Go now. Run and hide yourselves," Crosby shouted, a look of alarm on his face.

I didn't even need him to tell me that. I was already on my heels with Anna in tow. I looked up to the sky and prayed. Help us!