Chapter 1: The Ancient Book
1193words
Father and mother had left her several months ago forever. Leave the apartment as a legacy. This apartment had been occupied by someone before.
"Hah, damn! This is way too much dust!"
Her hand landed on an ancient book amidst the clutter that was used. The old book had a brown cover featuring an embossed pattern of creepers and roses.
"What book is this?" she mused, squinting at the foreign characters.
Cleaning the dust, adhering to the ancient book so that the shape of the roses and vines on the cover looked more prominent with a feather duster that made the dust fly and made her cough.
Slowly, I opened the book. Shows incomprehensible writing, images and symbols. Opening the next page also shows letters that are difficult to understand.
"Huh, what book is this? Very hard to read. Why would Mom and Dad have such an old book?" She wondered.
Moon sighed and placed the ancient book on the bedside table. She didn't need this puzzling script and odd drawings adding to her boredom. She resolved to throw away the cryptic tome as soon as she finished her work. Dusting off her jeans, she glanced at the antique wall clock. The table clock showed precisely three in the afternoon. She immediately got ready and left.
Moon closed the apartment door and locked the door. When meeting with apartment neighbours, Moon greets them.
"Hello, good afternoon! I am a new resident. I've just moved here. My name's Moon Rosela. Please help, thank you!".
Moon's old, good life changed when both of Moon's parents died in a single accident. For some reason, Moon was also forced to leave the big house full of memories. Moon was forced to leave the house. His father's family did not like Moon's presence and were considered to bring bad luck.
There was nothing left but the apartment. Now, life can only depend on hard work on oneself. No distant family would accept Moon as an adopted son. They all talk about Moon behind their backs and objects.
She would visit the nearest flower shop daily, filling her basket with the freshest roses. Examine every flower she wants to sell carefully so as not to lose. The shop owner was very kind to Moon and understood how difficult it was to sell large quantities of flowers daily.
She would visit the nearest flower shop daily, filling her basket with the freshest roses. She would then begin her daily trek through the city, visiting parks, bustling flea markets, and tourist spots, her arms heavy with the weight of vibrant blossoms.
"Roses!" she would call out, her voice dancing over the drone of the crowd.
"Fresh flowers for mothers, wives, and loved ones! Please buy and make someone's day special!" Moon Rosela had a charm as radiant as her name, pulling pedestrians and idle bystanders towards her like moths to a street lamp.
One day, during her usual routine, a man approached her hurriedly. His sparkling eyes showed a hint of desperation as he exclaimed, "Give me all the flowers. How much do I have to pay?" Shocked, Moon stuttered, "Eh! Five hundred."
Without any haggling, the man reached into his pocket, withdrawing crisp bills, handed them over to Moon, and whisked away her entire collection of flowers.
He left as hurriedly as he had come, making Moon curious. She decided to trail him surreptitiously, her curiosity channelling her fatigue into adrenaline.
The man went straight to a young woman sitting alone on a bench, a sulky frown adorning her beautiful face. "I'm sorry I forgot our anniversary," he began, extending the fragrant blossoms toward her. "I bought you all the flowers the girl had." As the ocean of blossoms drifted towards her, a radiant smile bloomed on the young woman's face, bright enough to wilt the roses.
Moon Rosela, now devoid of flowers, decided to call it a day, a joyous smile dancing on her lips. She had played a small, fleeting part in a couple's special moment. The realisation filled Moon with purpose, making her daily toil seem fulfilling.
By sunset, Moon returned to her apartment, her arms replaced with bags of groceries instead of flowers. She was weary but content. It is just another day in the life of Moon Rosela, the flower girl. The apartment door creaked as she pushed it with her back, the new set of keys jingling in her hand. Place the food ingredients you just bought in the kitchen on the table. Smiling, satisfied with what has happened today. Selling flowers quickly is a miracle. The mundanity of her life had been coloured with a touch of romance because, sometimes, happiness is just a bunch of flowers away.
Moon Rosela
The slow progression of time had turned into a haunting murky darkness, which overlooked Rosepion City, presenting a picture of melancholy elegance. Exhausted by the day's errands, I succumbed to the sweet lullaby of sleep, sinking into my feather-soft bed.
An anomaly occurred in the tired confines of my old, moss-covered room. A small, nebulous light flickered and blossomed from a forgotten artefact—an old book. With a binding adorned with roses and embossed vines, it bore a rustic allure. The book, which had been untouched for a prolonged time, was opened by itself, glowing with luminescent radiance, releasing cryptic, ancient letters that danced in the soft light.
The light and ancient letters flew over to my bed. The blinding brilliance stirred me from my slumber, nudging me out of my dreams. Blinking with confusion and rubbing sleep from my eyes, I stared at the unfolding spectacle.
"What's this? Is this some dream?" I whispered, pinching my skin and yelping at the sharp pain. "This is... real?"
Obeying the unspoken request of the ethereal light and the swirling letters, I shuffled towards the table housing the enchanted book. The light and the archaic letters—seemingly sentient—coaxed me towards them. A brand-new day was dawning within me, guiding me towards this ancient knowledge. Strangely, the unfamiliar, lost language begins to make sense. They were echoes from my past, tugging at a forgotten memory.
The old, mystical book was a guide to light magic. But with these spells of untamed energy came doubts. "Do I even have the mana...no, the strength to wield such magic?" I murmured, pondering over my abilities. Yet, the book was revealed in the morning light, coaxing me to continue.
"A beautiful moon always shines, radiating unlimited power. An ancient prophecy speaks of a goddess destined to restore peace in the War-torn, Under Moon world. Unmatched by any wizard, her power is not conventional magic but stems from within her own being ."
The words brought on a flurry of emotions, filling me with anticipation and dread. The guiding light urges me to turn the page and follow the narrative written in ancient ink. Obediently, I turned the next page, readying myself for this enigmatic book's numerous secrets.
