Tsula, Maikoh's sister had specially prepared me for tonight.

She had told me her ancestors were the ones that found the star first when it landed. They nurtured the star and protected it. This duty was past down from generation to generation. From fathers' to their sons'. Mothers' to their daughters'. And now something is finally happening.

Tsula braided my hair. She dipped her thumb into a small bowl of white paint. She raises it and gently drags her thumb down my forehead.

She smiles and bows her head, "You are ready. You have washed and bathed yourself. Now you have been properly prepared for what is to come."

She left the tent, leaving me on my own. I didn't know what was going to happen when we get to the lake, all I know is, it could be the resting place of the flower. Hopefully Maikoh knows exactly where it is.

I took deep breathes and laid down. My mind drifted off to Zeus. I wonder what he was doing right now. I wonder if he has already noticed I'm gone?

I rolled my eyes to myself. What a stupid question. He probably knew straight away that I left. He is Zeus of the Hellhound, of course he would notice when his mate is absent.

I sighed I will have to deal with him later. If tonight works out well, I'll tell Zeus everything. I just really want to go back home to him. I froze...home?

I never really used to see it as home, but now...I do...because Zeus is there. Zeus is my home. My heart yearned to be near him. I felt at a loss without him with me. I gulped and took another deep breath. I can't think like this right now. I can't get all emotional. I have to focus on the task at hand. Once the hard part is over...then I can let myself think of him.

Tsula pops her head in, "Maikoh requests your presence. You must come now." I crawled out of the tent and stood. Night had fallen upon us. The stars were twinkling and the moon was shinning it's silver light.

Maikoh stood there, my sister was standing slightly to the side, leaning on a tree with her arms crossed over.

"The moon will reach it's highest point very soon, " He turns around and began to walk, "Come we must make our way there now."

Some of the elders and I'm assuming other important people of the tribe were following also. Maikoh's turns to my little sister. He walks towards her slowly. He leans his head down and whispers something. Soon after he was holding my sisters hand, insuring that she is following closely to him. So they must be mates.

I was actually quite happy with it. Maikoh was strong. He was also powerful which means he can keep her safe. He is a good man. He would treat her well. I'm just not sure she will do the same thing. My sister never liked the thought of mates, but then again, I didn't like Zeus at first at all. I hated him and now look at me. I feel like I'm mourning his death just because I'm away from him.

I laughed quietly to myself, my little sister is about to know what it feels like to have a mate. Even in her mind she might not want a mate, her heart and body will definitely have different feelings. Hopefully she doesn't make the same mistakes I did. The whole mate thing was overwhelming, especially with moving to a different freaking realm! She will come to realise that she can't live without him.

I saw the moon shining through the trees. The sound of water up ahead got my heart beating faster.

Maikoh stops and turns around, "Lily, it is time." He nods for me to come to him. I slowly approach. Maikoh turns to Gen and whispers to her, she nods her head and steps away. She quickly turns to me and pulls me into a hug, "Please be careful. I don't want to lose my big sister."

I smile and hug her back, "Don't worry about me."

She steps back and holds my hand, "You've grown so much Lil. You have become strong. A leader. I feel honoured to be your little sister."

My heart melted as I received my sister's kind words. I pull her into another hug, "I will see you soon, Gen."

Maikoh motions for me to follow him and I do.

"Where are we going? Isn't the lake more to the east?" I asked.

Without turning around or stopping, Maikoh answers, "The resting place of the star is submerged in water. It is too deep to get to."

I frowned, "So how are we gonna get there?"

"The Dakota Tribe Chiefs has known of the secret tunnels for thousands of years. Only we know where it is. I will show you the entrance, but only one person can go in. The great spirits only allow the person that is destined to enter."

I rub my sweating hands on my pants. I take deep breathes to calm my heart and clear my head.

"So what are these tunnels?" I asked, I wanted to know as much as possible to understand what I am exactly getting into.

"They lead to the caves that sits directly under the lake. There you will find what you seek."

I gulped. We came to a stop as we stood before a giant opening into the dark tunnels.

"What if I get lost?" I said breathlessly.

"The spirit of the lake will not lead you astray. You must have faith in order to find what you want from the lake." Maikoh said without any hint of empathy.

I turn to him and bow my head respectfully, "Thank you for everything you have done for my sister and I. Your brother would be proud of you."

Maikoh clinched his jaw. He did not say anything. He just turned and left. As I stood before the entrance, my hands were shaking, my palms were sweaty and I felt like I was the completely wrong person for this quest. I am a weak person. I get scared easily, I'm immature and I'm emotional. Those are not the signs of a born leader.

"Lily."

I turned around and saw where Maikoh stood. His chest rose and fell from a deep breath, "You're brave," He said, "I may not particularly like you, but I respect you."

I shook my head, "I'm not brave...I'm scared as hell."

He nods towards the cave, "And yet look at where you are standing. Look at how far you have come. We all have fears Lily, what makes us brave is when we choose to face them and overcome. You are strong that is why the Moon Goddess chose you." Maikoh then turns around and quietly leaves.

Even though I don't know him and he doesn't like me...his words gave me encouragement. If he could see it, a chief of the Dakota Tribe, maybe I am what he says I am.

I turned to the tunnel and took a deep breath, "You can do this Lily. This mission is more important than being scared."

I cleared my mind of any negative thoughts and I took my first step within the tunnel.

It was pitch black as I entered. I kept looking back at the entrance until it became so dark, I couldn't even see the light of the moon anymore. I was completely on my own.

I held my hand on the wall of the tunnel, making myself feel more secure. I tried to make out something any kind of shape, but it was so dark, I couldn't. I had to rely on my senses.

I kept walking steadily down the tunnel. The air felt so close in here. So compacted. I kept taking deep breathes, hoping it would prevent the feeling of the walls getting closer and closer toward me, trapping my in this darkness forever. Okay, that is a bit dramatic, but you know what I mean.

The hairs on my arms raised and stood up straight in alert. My heart beat quickened as I stopped walking. Something was echoing in the tunnel.

It sounded like someone speaking quietly. Who else could be in these tunnels? I tried to look at my right. A man stood there with glowing red eyes whispering words I couldn't understand! I screamed and stumbled backwards, resulting me in tumbling on the ground. I looked back up to see he was gone.

"You have finally come," The dark voice echoed out. My eyes were searching the place frantically for any sign of him but there were none.

I stood there shaking. I didn't want to speak out. I feared I had lost my voice.

I stumbled over a rock. As I stood up he was there again, except right in front of my face, so close that our noses were almost touching.

"Why did you leave me?" He said.

I screamed again, "Leave me alone!" But again he had disappeared into the darkness, leaving his red eyes burned in my memory.

"The Moon Goddess sent me, "I said out loud, "She wants me to find Esme's flower."

I stood there, waiting for some kind of voice to answer back. No voice did. It felt like I was alone again.

I didn't know what to do exactly. Was the guy a spirit? Did the spirits not want me to be here? Did I disturb something?

I gulped and closed my eyes. I need to be brave, "Be brave, Lily. Be brave, you can do this. You're strong."

I opened my eyes and took a deep breath. I need to be strong. If I am mated to Zeus of the Hellhounds, then there has to be some strength in me.

I closed my eyes and focused. Maikoh said to have faith. I need to trust. Trust in the spirit guide. I opened my palms as a sign of release, "I release my fears to you," I said to the spirit, "Lead me."

An overwhelming sense of a calmness and peace flooded my system. I felt like a burden had lifted from my shoulders, My heart had calmed down.

I opened my eyes and I stood there in shock as I saw the bizarre sight. All over the cave walls were white flowers. Each flower glowing one after the other, revealing a guided path.

I felt my heart sore in hope. Maybe I'm getting the hang of all this supernatural stuff. I followed the glowing lights of the flowers for what felt like hours. I had no clock with me so I actually don't know.

I noticed the walls were getting bigger and bigger the deeper I delved into the tunnel. I saw it opening up a head. My heart was beating fast again. This was it.

My walking became a little more slower. I didn't know what to expect. I just hoped this would somehow help me get closer to solving this damn thing.

I stepped out into the opening where flowers were glowing absolutely everywhere in the giant cave opening. It was beautiful. That wasn't the only eye catching decor in the cave. There were, giant...and I mean giant forms of crystals forming all over the cave walls, reflecting the light of the glowing flowers, making the cave look that much more enchanting. However, my eyes were instantly attracted to the very centre of the cave. My eyes widened and my breath was caught in my lungs.

"Oh my goodness."