REBORN UNDER THE FULL MOON
Chapter 44: The Test of Illusion

LYRA'S POV

I was lost and confused as I continued to walk into the woods.

"How did I even get here? I was in the library few moments ago now I am here searching for God knows what," I said as I continued to venture into the woods.

I walked until I got to the middle of the woods then everything changed. It turned into a forest, there was a lot of magic flowing through the air and it was getting harder to walk.

I stopped and looked around and noticed that there was a cottage ahead, so I started to move towards it.

When I got to the cottage, I noticed that the lights were on so I knocked on the door but got no response.

I decided to try out the door knob and it opened just fine. I walked in and called out to see if there was anyone inside but no one responded.

"Hello, is there anyone here?" I asked. After getting no response I decided to walk into the cottage.

It was nice and warm. It also had this cozy feeling.

"Lyra dear, I have been waiting for you for centuries," A heard a weak voiced and turned back to see who it was and I jumped.

It was an old woman in a rocky chair. She wasn't there when I entered.

"Uhmm, hi. You were there when I entered," I said with shaky voice.

"Hahaha," She laughed.

"Who said so darling? I was here. I was napping," She smiled showing me her teeth that looked black.

She had a weird aura. Not to dark but it wasn't rosy or sunshine it. It was kind of in between.

"I think it's time for you to go back but you need to get your book before you do. I will put you to a test. If you choose to stay, you will never go back but if you decide to break your heart and abandon the lovely life you have the you will get the book and good back. It is like a fun little game," she smiled like a psycho.

"Are you ready to play?" She asked me looking overly excited.

I took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes, I am ready to play,"

....

"How dare you send her into that library when you know she is not fully equipped? You are trying to break her!" Aria accused.

"She is strong she won't break," Merida said nonchalantly as she continued with her work.

"Why didn't you ask me first. Merida! People have died in that thing. You literally never see them again!" Aria shouted.

"What are you scared of? That she would love her past so much she will decide to stay? She'll forget why she was reincarnated? She'll get killed in the library? Oh please, you know Lyra," Merida waved her hand.

"Yes! I know Lyra, but she hasn't been in the healthiest state of mind! You don't expect me to leave her with something so dangerous. I am sure the woman in the cottage senses her aura that sick old woman she would like to test her. she will give her the hardest test there is! You know what I am talking about. You remember what happened to Lucy. We lost her forever!"

"Aria, Lyra is not Lucy. She is stronger I can sense it. She is still alive and yes her test hasn't started but I am sure she will pass it." Merida assured Aria.

"That is not what I am scared of. You know what the test is like. It brainwashes you, it makes you want to stay then when you start seeing loopholes in the reality painted to you by the test it starts sucking the life out of you. I am going into the library. I need to get Lyra," Aria said as she walked towards the library.

Melissa held her hand. "You will do no such thing. You passed this test and Lyra will pass it too. She needs this book and you know it. Let her get it herself."

"I cannot let her...'

"Aria if you go in there you will die!" Merida shouts.

"What?" Aria asks.

"The old lady, she renegotiated terms for Lyra. She doesn't want anyone going in to save her," Merida said.

"That old bitch! She is trying to kill Lyra! Why will you accept such negotiation?! Why would you do it!" Aria lost it.

LYRA'S POV

"Your test begins now. Once you walk into this door whatever you see is your test do not forget that." the old lady said to me and as I was about to walk in, she pulled me back.

"The entire world and species in our world is counting on you. Do not get lost. Come back," she said gently and I nodded and walked in.

I opened my eyes and it was morning, I was in my room. I was back to my old life in moonlit pack.

"Lyra, come down for breakfast." I heard my mother's sweet voice and I could not believe it.

"This is not real, this is not real." I repeated to myself.

"Baby, did you have a nightmare? I saw my mother standing on the door post and I was dumbstruck for a while. I could not say anything. "Are you okay my dear child," she held by hands and I snapped back to life. It felt cold almost too cold to be human.

I remembered my mother's touch and it was nothing like this. it was warm, very warm.

"This is not real, this is not real," I repeated to myself and I can swear I saw a flash of hurt in the woman's glassy eyes.

"What is going on child? Why are you repeating those words?" She asked her smile now looking very stiff. "Who are you?" I asked.

She looked stunned for a moment then answered. "I am your mother,"

"No, you are not," I replied looking into her eyes and I saw something move there.