Chapter 1: The Mystery of Madag Forest (Part 2)

[Leena Ayesha McCleen]

Luna disappeared again? She really likes to wander a lot. Tsk. When I went to the library, I didn’t even see her. Maybe she had already gone home again without me. I rolled my eyes. Tsk. I know she's glued to a book again.

“Leena!” Jasmine called, and I turned to her. 

“Oh, Jas, why?”

“We are going to Thumbelina City tomorrow, are you coming?” she said while smiling widely, and I nodded.

“Cool!” I uttered. 

“All right! We’ll just meet at our previous meeting place.” I nodded and waved her goodbye.

When I arrived at the Palace, I ran to my room and checked to see if Luna had returned home. I smiled when I saw her reading a book. I jumped up on my bed beside her and faced her. 

“What are you reading, Luna?” I asked. She did not even take her attention away from the book she was reading. “Just nothing,” she answered shortly, and I just shrugged my shoulders.

I got up and walked towards the wardrobe cabinet to change clothes. Afterward, I strutted out of the room and went downstairs. I smiled when I saw mama and papa.

“Mama! Papa!”

“Oh hi, princess! Is Luna there?” papa asked, and I shook my head. “No. She’s in our room and reading.” I replied. 

“Oh, she quite read a lot of books.” papa said while shaking his head in amusement. “Call your sister and we’ll have dinner.” Papa continued, and I nodded.

I was about to go up the stairs when I saw Luna coming down. “Luna! There you are. Come and let’s eat.” she just nodded. I frowned. Luna looked saddened. What happened? Never mind, I’ll just ask her later.

When we arrived at the dining room, the servers had already served the food, so we sat down.

“Good appetite.” Papa and mama said.

“Good appetite.” Luna and I said in unison, even though they couldn't hear her. I pity my twin because of her condition.

“By the way, mama, papa. My friends and I are going to the City of Thumbelina tomorrow. Is it ok? Please?” I said with a puppy look. And I smiled because it was effective.

“Okay, go ahead. Bring Luna with you.” mama said, so I looked at Luna. “You want to come along, Luna?” I asked, and she shook her head no.

“No. You can go, I’m staying here,” she said, and I frown, “But... don’t you want to go there?” I asked in astonishment. “I’m just not in the mood to go out, Leena,” she said, and when she was like that, I could not force her. She still seems affected by her condition. Because our 16th birthday is coming and nothing has changed in her condition yet.

It is still a puzzle to us why Luna was born different from me. We have almost the same power, but she is different because others cannot see her. I felt Luna’s sadness. So, I will talk to her about it later.

After dinner, I went to the music room and played the piano. I got used to playing the piano after dinner.

I miss Luna. When we were kids, she used to play the piano with me and sometimes play the guitar. I miss the old Luna. When we grew up, she seemed to have changed. And I know that’s because of her condition. Every day I tell her she will be normal one day.

I turned around when the door opened and Luna came in, so I smiled. She approached me and sat beside me on the piano.

"Do you miss me?" she asked. I nodded. 

"Yes, I miss you, Luna. You aren't the bubbly Luna anymore. What's wrong?" I asked in a worried tone.

I can see the sadness on her face. I was even more worried when I saw her crying. Because we are twins, I am also affected. I hugged her for comfort.

"I'm tired, Leena. Am I going to stay like this forever? I'm tired of this." I stroked her back to make her feel better. She was always silent about her feelings, so I didn't know she felt this way. 

"Shh, stop crying, okay? Everything will be alright." I said while caressing her hair. 

"But I'm tired of waiting, Leena. I'm losing hope. Maybe I'll just be like this for the rest of my life. I don't want to, Leena. I'm alive, but I feel like I'm dead. Mama and Papa couldn't even see and hear me. I'm so useless!" Luna suddenly pulled out of my hug, and then she just disappeared from my sight.

"Luna!" I gasped. She teleported. My chest weighed heavily. My tears still didn't stop flowing down my face. She is in so much pain. 

A few days passed by, but Luna still didn't return home. We are so worried about her well-being. Mama always cries out of worry and nervousness. The heavyweight on my chest is still here. This is because of Luna.

Where are you, Luna?

~~~~

[Luna Syesha]

I walked around the Madag Forest for days. According to the book I read, the Madag Forest is a home of dangerous creatures.

What the book says is true because I have seen a lot of disgusting creatures. I am lucky because they can't see me or feel my presence. Being invisible is an advantage. I have been here in the forest for a few days. At night, I sleep in the cave with those creatures.

When I felt tired, I entered the cave. It surprised me when something lit up at the very end of the cave, so I went there out of curiosity. When I got to the end, an exquisite woman appeared. Her back was facing me, so I approached her slowly. By the looks of it, she looks like a goddess.

"Who are you? And how did you get into my cave?" It surprised me when she spoke. She turned around to face me.

"Ah, my name is Luna. I read about this forest in a book, and while I was walking around, I saw this cave. I'm sorry if I disturbed you..." I said, even though she can't hear me. She gasped and stared at me.

"Luna..." she whispered, and I nodded.

"You are not an ordinary being. I can feel the blood of a goddess on you. How are you related to the Goddess of the Moon, Luna, or Artemis?" she said and I gasped, then my face lit up. 

"Do you know my grandmother?" I asked. Wait! Shocks! She could hear me and see me? Woah!

"You are Luna's granddaughter. And your name is also Luna. My name is Amanda Madag. I’m the guardian of this forest, and I am glad to meet you." She said and smiled.

My eyes widened and said in delight, "Wait! You can hear me and see me? I thought only my twin could see me! I'm glad that two people can see and hear me now!"

Her gaze fixated on me. "You are… invisible? That's why the creatures didn't attack you. How did that happen?" she said in astonishment.

"Even my family doesn't know why I became invisible. I was born this way." I said. 

"Is this the consequences of Luna's sin?" she whispered, but I heard it.

Does this mean that I was the consequence of the love affair of grandma Luna and grandpa Lucas?

"Do you know anything about the consequences? Is there a way for me to go back to normal?" I asked in a hopeful tone. 

"The gods and goddesses said nothing about the consequences of Goddess Luna. And you are the first one to experience these consequences. I'm sorry, but I don't know if you can go back to normal. The councils of the gods and goddesses are powerful, so there is no solution for this." she said, and I couldn't help but feel saddened. 

"However, Goddess Luna is also powerful. And you have her blood. You are her first grandchild, so I know you also got her ability. Just believe in yourself and don't lose hope. I am sure your grandmother is also looking for a solution to your situation. As a grandma, she will do everything for you and guide you." She continued, and I felt at ease. "Believe in yourself, Luna." I smiled and nodded. 

"Yes. I will also do everything to find answers to my condition. I wanted my parents to see me, hear me, and touch me because I longed to hug them so much."

"Don't worry, I'll help you," she said, which was a relief.

"Thank you," I said with a smile.