She walked barefoot with her long cream colored dress flowing gently as the wind kissed her. A soft aura seemed to grasp her as she strolled through the willowed woods. Every where she placed her feet,fireflies arose from the winter green grass. She was like a flame that had escaped its lantern. The aura glowed all around the Willows with such beauty,it was… majestic! She truly made the night, Golden

Walking in the forest is how I spend my time. It doesn’t even cost a dime. I saw a rose that reminded me of you. Suddenly, everything I knew disappeared. All I saw, thought, felt, even smelt was you. The feeling of looking into your eyes. Your hand on my thighs.

It all meant nothing, you see. Love doesn’t mean a thing. Love doesn’t exist anymore. It has all been twisted. Real love is all I needed. You used me. You abused me.

I’m glad you’re gone. Then suddenly, a rage of fear kicked in. I remembered where I was. I was in the forest. It was a golden night. That was a fright.

Ten Minutes<

My lungs burn as I continue to push myself, cursing both my tardiness and my lax attitude toward cardio. Three years of research, pouring over dusty tomes, missing out on countless social calls, and I’m going to miss it because I couldn’t bother to leave my house on time.

An unseen root catches my foot and I find myself falling, covering my face as I brace for impact. Pain courses through my body as I hit the ground hard, the leaves and debris of the forest floor offering little in the way of breaking my fall. With a groan, I pull myself to my feet, quickly checking for anything broken. I take note of a cut on my arm, hoping it isn’t too deep despite the already surprising amount of blood. I check my watch.

Five Minutes<

I resume my desperate dash, pushing away the pain and the warm feeling of blood running down my arm. My injuries are a problem for tomorrow. Right now, all that matters is not missing this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Now slightly more aware of my surroundings, I balance looking at the ground for more hazards with glancing at the stars to ensure I’m not drifting from my course. The twin moons drift ever closer, taunting me for my poor time management.

Two Minutes<

The surrounding trees shift from great evergreens to thinner, white-barked birches, signaling my approach to my destination. The increased density of the trunks slows my advance as I frustratedly weave between the ivory towers. In the distance, some small creature scurries away, spooked as I nosily hustle through this last series of obstacles.

One Minute<

In the distance, I see the telltale break in the tree line, signaling my approach to my destination. I force my way past the last few trees as I step into the clearing.

Thirty Seconds<

The silence of the forest is broken by my heavy panting as I try and recover from my exertion. I look up at the small body of water in the middle of the clearing, my heart pounding in my ears.

Fifteen Seconds<

Just like my research told me, rising from the pond is a single stone plinth, worn and moss covered but still proudly standing tall, almost reaching the height of the trees bordering the clearing.

Five Seconds<

I lean back against a tree for support, my legs suddenly jelly as the efforts of my rush catch up to me.

Zero Seconds<

Far above, the twin moons cross paths as they are both plunged into darkness by a dual lunar eclipse. The forest goes dark, save for the now softly glowing monolith in the center of the clearing. Unseen runes etched onto its ancient surface spring to life in a gentle, golden hue. The lights reflect off the still waters of the pond, lighting up the clearing with dancing lights.

I gingerly approach the pond, my recent frustrations and exhaustion forgotten amidst the dancing auras filling the air around me. As I draw near, a faint thrumming sound pierces the silence, a wave of calm washing over me. I pull my journal from my bag, flipping through my notes, until I find the page I am looking for. It is covered in lines of text, transcribed from ancient tomes in a nearly unreadable language. Beneath each word, in my own hand, is a phonetic guide.

I start to recite the incantation, slowly at first as my mouth struggles with the unfamiliar sounds. At the sound of my voice, the monolith begins to glow brighter. Emboldened by the response, I continue the recitation, picking up speed as I find the foreign words more familiar on my tongue.

The lights and sounds continue to intensify, the clearing coming alive with the golden hue of the monolith. The runes continue to grow brighter, almost becoming too intense to look directly at. I continue the ritual, the words escaping my mouth faster than I can read them as the magic laced in the words takes over. As the incantation reaches its crescendo, the clearing is filled with a blinding flash of light, signifying its successful completion.

It takes a moment for my eyes to readjust back to the soft glow of the clearing. Small motes of light hang in the air, casting dancing shadows in the trees beyond. I look up to the monolith in the center, and I am met with the subject of my research. A long snake, seeming made of light, is wrapped around the length of the plinth. It looks down at me, its golden eyes soft but unreadable. Then, in a voice that seems to originate from the surrounding air, it speaks.

“It has been a long time since someone has completed the ritual... I had almost forgotten what it was like to have a body.” It’s great coils shift along the length of the monolith, as if trying to find a comfortable spot. “Thank you.”

I gaze upon its form, my mind blank as I am overwhelmed with its beauty. After a moment, I recover my thoughts as I recite the words I have practiced so many times. “Oh Great Serpent. The Shining One. Bringer of Fate and Fortune. Protector of the Land. This humble servant requests anointment. To become an instrument of your will.”

The serpent looks at me, with what could only be described as a small smile on its reptilian face. “Very well. Receive my blessing, and go forth as my chosen one”. For a brief moment, everything is still, the serpent and I gazing at each other. Then, with a swiftness uncharacteristic of a creature of its size, it slithers down the monolith and across the surface of the pond toward me. I brace myself, knowing what comes next. The serpent lunges at me, its great fangs bared. Then, the world goes dark.

I wake up some time later, still in the clearing. The glowing lights are gone, replaced by the soft light of the twin moons, now on separate paths across the sky once again. I look down at my arms, and across the bruises and cuts I earned on my hurried traversal earlier is a pattern of snake scales, drawn in shimmering, golden lines. I stand to my feet, and slowly make my way back through the forest to begin my new life.

One Hundred and Twenty-Five Years, Three Hours and Fifteen Minutes<

In the golden night anything is possible. In the golden night your hopes and dreams are possible. In the golden night everything is better Everything is kinder. In the golden night the moon dances with the stars. In the golden night you can be who you want

“Reach for the stars on the golden nights, Because in the golden light anything is possible.” In the golden night.

Rylan burst through the underbrush and skidded to a halt at the edge of the clearing, his heart pounding in his ears. The sight that met him made a chill run down his spine. There, at the base of a rocky crevice, a small white wolf—Celeste’s wolf form—had backed herself into a corner, her body tense and trembling as two vampire guards loomed over her, weapons drawn and glinting menacingly in the moonlight.

“Let her go!” Rylan shouted, desperation clawing at his throat as he took a step forward, but his voice caught in the quiet of the night.

One of the guards stooped, grasping Celeste by the scruff of her neck as she whined softly, curling into herself, making Rylan’s heart ache with fear for his sister. “Get off her, you monsters!” he yelled, his voice cracking under the weight of panic.

Just then, Rylan’s father charged into the fray, a roar of defiance ringing through the clearing as he lunged at the nearest guard. The clash of steel echoed as their weapons collided, and Rylan felt the surge of his father’s protectiveness wash over them like an unbreakable bond. But the battle quickly grew chaotic, and Rylan’s heart sank as—before he could comprehend—one of the vampires slashed at his father, leaving a deep cut across his eye. Blood flowed down his father’s face, but he didn’t waver, fighting fiercely to protect Celeste.

“Father!” Rylan yelled, fear escalating within him. He knew he couldn’t stand by; he had to do something. But deep down, he felt the suffocating realization that he couldn’t take on a vampire—at least, not alone.

Then, just as he felt a wave of despair wash over him, another figure entered the clearing. A weathered wolf, battle-scarred with a missing ear, charged into the fray—an ally in the form of Rylan’s old friend, a loyal Wolfbane warrior named Thorne. He had always been a formidable presence, his strength rivaling that of the finest wolves in their pack.

“Get to Celeste!” Thorne barked, snapping his jaws at one of the vampires and drawing his attention. The two vampires seemed momentarily distracted by the sudden change in combat, letting Rylan’s father get the upper hand for a moment.

Fueled by a surge of adrenaline, Rylan took a deep breath and sprang into action, hoping to reach his sister before the vampires could react. He transformed fully into his Wolfbane form, a rush of power igniting within him, his wolf ears perked up, senses sharpened. He darted toward Celeste as the vampire holding her was now preoccupied with the duel against Thorne.

“Don’t worry, Celeste, I’m coming!” Rylan called out, urgency propelling him forward.

Just as he was about to reach her, one of the vampires regained focus and turned towards him, a wicked grin spreading across his face. “Look what we have here—a little pup thinking he can play with the big dogs,” he sneered.

Rylan felt the weight of fear claw at him again, but he refused to falter. His father and Thorne continued their struggle against the second vampire, and with a burst of courage, Rylan rushed past the guard towards Celeste.

“Celeste!” he urged, reaching the rock crevice where she stood. He nudged her with his muzzle, urging her to break free. The small white wolf hesitated, but Rylan nudged her again, more insistent this time. “You have to shift back! Trust me!”

With wide, panicked eyes, Celeste shifted back to her human form, appearing small and vulnerable in the face of danger. “Rylan!” she cried, scrambling out of the crevice and hugging him tightly, trembling against him.

Without wasting another second, he turned to assess the situation. Thorne was holding strong, his teeth bared and his growls rumbling as he warded off one vampire. Rylan's father was trading blows with the other, but it was clear the injuries he’d already sustained were weighing on him.

“Stay close to me, Celeste, I’ll protect you!” Rylan vowed, feeling the fierce instincts of his Wolfbane lineage kick in.

Rylan felt the presence of Lucian’s absence, a nagging worry echoing in the back of his mind. Where was he? This was the moment he needed him most, yet the darkness of the woods seemed to swallow him whole.

“No!” Rylan’s father roared, losing ground as the vampire struck with surprising speed. Rylan felt his stomach drop. They were losing.

With a sudden rush of determination, Rylan moved toward the fray, ready to join the fight. “We won’t let them take you, Celeste!” he shouted, channeling every ounce of his strength and spirit into one single thought: they would protect each other. And as he steadied himself beside his father and Thorne, the fire of loyalty ignited in his heart, ready to take on anything that threatened their pack.

“Let’s end this!” Rylan growled, rallying his forces and charging into battle, united by blood, by love, and by a fierce determination to keep their family safe. The chaos heightened around them, but Rylan had resolved to keep his sister and his father safe, no matter the cost. In that moment, with the moon as their witness, they would stand strong against the darkness of the night.

As the moon climbed higher in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the festival grounds, the guards stood alert, their watchfulness intensifying. Rylan could feel the tension in the air like an electric current, and when one of the guards approached Lucian, his heart raced. The guard’s eyes narrowed as he regarded Lucian, and Rylan instinctively held his breath, aware of the danger lurking in the conversation.

“Who are you, and what brings you to our village?” the guard asked, his voice low and commanding.

Lucian remained composed, his voice steady as he wove half-truths into his responses. “I’m a traveler, passing through this beautiful land. I’ve heard stories of your festival and sought to experience it for myself,” he replied, his crimson eyes giving nothing away, even as uncertainty flickered in Rylan’s chest.

Rylan stepped in, hoping to divert the guard’s attention. “We’re just enjoying the festivities. Isn’t it a great night?” he chimed, forcing a grin that felt more like a mask than genuine cheer.

The guard’s gaze lingered on Lucian, suspicion woven into his furrowed brow. But after a moment, he seemed to relent. “Just keep to the festivities, stranger,” he said, backing off slightly.

As soon as the guard turned away, Rylan grabbed Lucian’s hand, urgency propelling them into the tree line. They dashed into the woods, skirting the last remnants of the festival’s light behind them. They ran until they reached their secret spot—a secluded clearing hidden deep within the trees, where a twisted willow hung low, its branches swaying gently in the night breeze.

Once they were safely inside the sanctuary created by the willow's embrace, Lucian finally lifted his mask, revealing his pale features illuminated by moonlight. Rylan’s heart skipped a beat, his friend looking more vulnerable yet fierce under the stars.

Noticing the bulge in Lucian’s pockets, Rylan raised an eyebrow, curiosity overtaking him. “What do you have in there?”

With a sly smile, Lucian pulled out the moonflower pastries, their whimsical designs reflecting the light. “I thought these might be better shared in a quieter place,” he said, offering one to Rylan.

They settled under the willow tree, the pastries sweet and light, melting in their mouths as they munched in companionable silence. “This is the best food I’ve ever tasted,” Lucian remarked, a genuine smile brightening his face. “Vampire food can be quite dull in comparison.”

Rylan chuckled, enjoying the moment. “Well, I’m glad you like it. It’s a favorite in our village. Since the last harvest, my mom’s been experimenting with new recipes. This is just the tip of the iceberg.”

As they ate, they looked up at the clearing in the branches above, gazing at the tapestry of stars scattered across the velvet night. Rylan felt a pang of longing in his chest. “I don’t want you to leave, you know,” he admitted quietly.

Lucian turned, his crimson eyes softening. “I promise, I’ll be back soon. I won’t let a little distance come between us,” he said earnestly. It was as if their connection, forged in secret, was more than just friendship; it was a bond echoing through their very souls.

Before they could delve deeper into their thoughts, a crack echoed through the silence—a branch snapping underfoot. They both jolted, senses heightened, instinctively alert. Lucian’s hand flew to the hilt of his sword, his body tense and watchful.

“Stay behind me,” he murmured, his posture shifting into something protective.

Suddenly, a figure stepped into the light spilling from the clearing. Rylan’s heart sank as he recognized the silhouette of his sister, Celeste. Eyes wide with fear and curiosity, she took in the scene before her, gaze landing on Lucian, the vampire who stood beside her brother in the shadows.

“Rylan! What—who is he?” she gasped, stepping back as the reality sank in, recognition dawning in her gaze.

“Celeste, wait!” Rylan attempted to calm her, but panic made her movements erratic, and before he could reach out, she turned and bolted back into the woods.

“Rylan,” Lucian whispered, his tone urgent, “We need to find her before anyone else does.”

Panic surged through Rylan. “She’s most likely going to tell Father!” he exclaimed, already pushing past the branches toward the way Celeste had fled.

They sprinted after her, hearts pounding with worry. Just as they neared the edge of the clearing, a large brown wolf emerged from the shadows, its battle-scarred form moving with practiced agility. The wolf shifted, bones cracking and reforming as it transformed into Rylan’s father, standing tall and fierce.

“Have you seen Celeste?” his father demanded, eyes blazing with concern.

“No, we didn’t know we were followed,” Rylan replied hurriedly, glancing at Lucian, who had pulled his mask back on, hiding his expressions from view once more.

Just then, a piercing scream echoed through the woods, slicing through the tension and sending chills down Rylan’s spine. The sound of fear reverberated in the air, and without thinking, Rylan felt a deep instinct to protect—his own Wolfbane form igniting within him as his ears and tails emerged.

With urgency igniting their sense of purpose, they sprinted toward the source of the scream, the looming shadows of the woods no longer a sanctuary but a threat. They had to find Celeste, and fast. The night had shifted, and danger was spiraling closer.

The night air was alive with the sweet scent of wild wind flowers, their delicate petals glowing like lanterns in the fading light. The forest, once a place of mystery and danger, now felt like a sanctuary, a place where Rylan and Lucian could share secrets and dreams. They sat together on a moss-covered rock, their legs touching, their hands brushing against each other as they gazed into each other's eyes.

"I'm glad we're here," Rylan said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Lucian smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Me too," he replied, his voice low and husky. "I won't be able to come back here, Rylan. I'm moving back to Raven's Reach, the capital of our territory."

Rylan's face fell, and Lucian's heart ached at the sight of his pain. "I'm sorry," he said, reaching out to brush a strand of hair out of Rylan's face. "But it's for my own good. I need to be among my own kind, to learn more about my powers and my place in the world."

Rylan looked at him, his eyes searching. "I want to come with you," he said, his voice filled with longing.

Lucian's heart skipped a beat at the thought of having Rylan by his side. But he knew it wouldn't be safe. "It won't be for long," he said, trying to reassure him. "Just until I get settled and figure things out."

Rylan looked crestfallen, and Lucian's heart broke at the sight of his sadness. He reached out and took Rylan's hand, his fingers intertwining with Rylan's.

"I lied to you back at your house," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't think of you just as a friend."

Rylan's eyes widened in surprise, and Lucian's heart skipped a beat as he saw the spark of hope in his eyes.

With that, Lucian leaned in and took off his mask, revealing his true face. He placed the mask over Rylan's face, covering his eyes and nose, and then he carefully brushed his lips against the mask, mindful of his vampire fangs, making sure not to let them accidentally prick Rylan's skin as he kissed the mask. The gentle kiss lingered, sending a wave of warmth through both of them. Rylan felt a rush of excitement and desire surge through him at the intimate gesture.

Rylan's voice was barely above a whisper as he spoke, his words filled with emotion. "I... would you want to go to the moonlight festival?"

Lucian smiled, his heart full of joy at the thought of being with Rylan. "I'm a vampire," he said, his voice husky with desire. "Walking into Wolfbane camp will most likely lead to trouble."

Rylan's eyes sparkled with mischief, and Lucian's heart skipped a beat as he saw the thought in his eyes.

"We could hide you," Rylan said, his voice filled with determination. "You fooled my father today with this disguise - "

Lucian chuckled, his heart full of laughter. "That's because it wasn't a full moon," he said. "Your festival is always on a full moon. Ever wonder why?"

Rylan shook his head, and Lucian smiled. "Wolfbanes have higher sensitivity and scent on full moons," he said. "They become more powerful - "

Rylan's eyes widened in understanding. "The great hunt was in place to try to slay the vampires from these woods," he said.

Lucian nodded, his heart full of sadness at the thought of the danger that lurked in the woods.

"How do you know so much about our culture?" Rylan asked, his eyes filled with curiosity.

Lucian smiled, his heart full of love for Rylan. "My friend is a wolf," he said. "So naturally, I'm going to look into it."

Rylan laughed, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "The book you were reading was it?" he asked.

Lucian nodded, his heart full of joy at the thought of sharing secrets with Rylan. "Yes, wolfbanes and mythologies."

Lucian thought for a moment, knowing that he was going to be gone for a long time.

But with Rylan by his side, he felt a sense of hope and determination.

"Okay," he said finally, smiling at Rylan. "But only if there's a firm backup plan."

Rylan grinned, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

The forest glowed around them at night, the wild wind flowers radiating a soft blue light that seemed to pulse with magic.

And in this moment, Lucian knew that he was exactly where he was meant to be—with Rylan, in this enchanted forest, surrounded by the magic of the night.

As they sat together on the rock, their arms wrapped around each other, Lucian leaned in and kissed Rylan softly on the lips, being careful as he did so, ensuring that his fangs didn't graze Rylan's skin.

The fireflies danced around them lazily, their lights flickering like tiny stars in the darkness.

And in that moment, Lucian knew that he would never let go of this feeling—this sense of love and connection that he felt with Rylan.

In the Golden Night

The trees dance

The owls fly

The bats crawl

The wind howls

The fireflies glow

The ground grows

The sky turns cold

I turn the 'OPEN' sign over. Another day in the DMV. I get in earlier than Tholm, which is unusual. He comes in, panting. Claims something crazy just happened.

Eh. I don't really care anymore. It's only a year or two until I can get into art college, where I might have a bit more imagination. But here? Eh.

"No, really, it really happened!" says Tholm, "Eveything, was, like, glowing!" he says. "Just your imagination. Or maybe a Christmas tree." "I'm not joking!" "Fine, I'll check it. You keep an eye on my stall," I say.

So, I look outside, and I trip. When I get up, it's darker than before. Trippy. Somebody spilled something below me. I fall in this, too. That's strange. How deep does it go? I take a stick, and start to prod it. It's really deep, and looks like gold. Then, it starts rapidly increasing. I run back, startled. I try to let go of the stick, but I can't. Then, all of a sudden, it pulls me in. Everything is gold. But then, the puddle shuts. Everything goes black.

In amidst the darkness, a single candle glows. This turns into a crowd of gold, cheering into the above and then pops.This happens again. And again. Soon, the whole sky is full with flying, golden tears. It is honestly beautiful. Trees of gold are erupting below my feet, and I take it all in. Another wormhole opens, and then it's gone.

I run back to tell Tholm he wasn't lying, and it gets lighter outside as I walk. I pause. This could be my own special secret! The day continues, regular as ever.

The next morning, I wake up to a letter on my front porch. It's from an art college!

"Dear Ebenezer Davies, We have accepted your paragraph. Please enter our art show, which could grant you a place at our school."

Oh my God! Finally! I must think of something to draw, though. How about... the wormhole? That's an amazing idea! So I get to work, using every colour, shape and texture I can, shaping the world I visited yesterday. This looks perfect!

On my way to post it in the mail, the same thing, same wormhole, exact same place, comes again. I'm a lot less hesitant this time. I fasten my bag and jump in, but before I get inside, I hear a voice in my head.

"You have revealed our secrets."

Our secrets? I didn't even know this place existed! And how?

"This world is not your world. If anybody outside of our world tell others about the world, it will disappear."

What about Tholm? He told me!

"He did not actually enter. You had the courage to go inside, and so we have told you our secrets. But, only people with courage can know."

Or what?

"Or..." and then the voice fades out. I return to the outside world.

I take this with a grain of salt, and go on to mail my painting. At the post office, I mail the painting to the art college and walk back. The wormhole comes back. It gets bigger. And bigger. Soon it takes up the whole street.

"You told."

It's that stupid voice again.

"You will not tell again."

How are you gonna make me?

And then, I fall in the wormhole. This time, there is no exit. I will live in this world, for I told their secrets.

Gold is more than a precious metal It’s a feeling, the one when the dust settles And the victory is yours

It’s relief that you’ve won, and the battle is done It’s an emotion of wonder That comes when you discover A treasure, physical or other

Gold is a color Unlike any other One of prestige and of merit to behold The best of the best Is what it represents In any form, hot liquid or hard and cold

But more than both of these, Gold is a time Gold is time in itself The sun as it shines The stars in the night The golden of something well kept

And Gold is a soul Of pureness and light A light that can shine in the darkest of nights A brightness that transcends the black and white Yes Gold is a color that can represent life

The life of the trees as the sap leaks out The life that the sun brings as it shines down The life that lights up the eyes of a newborn’s parents The light in the hearts of two life long lovers

Gold is a thing, yes this is true And gold is a color, but more than a hue It’s a feeling, a light A soul, a view

So ask yourself this Who brings gold to you But more than that Who do you bring gold to?