In folklore, Blood Moons are associated with many things. Spiritual activity, bad omens, and/or an attack on the moon. It varies depending on the culture, religion, or, in this case, cult.
For ███ ████████’s ███████, the Blood Moon symbolized an awakening, the opening of many doors. They viewed it as a period when spiritual gates, once locked, were flung open. Whether what resided behind those doors was spirits or something far more malevolent mattered little to them.
Pomona Belov, 13 years old at the time, had once again been tasked with infiltrating yet another cult. This time, however, her method for getting in was by ‘befriending’ one of the higher-ups’ daughters: Tomoe Iô.
Tomoe was around the same age as Pomona, yet the complete opposite of her. While Pomona was cold and distant, Tomoe was warm and welcoming. She exuded a type of security that drew others in, which was partially how the cult grew as quickly as it did.
After all, it was generally easier for a child to pull people in than an adult. Less suspicious.
Tomoe excitedly told Pomona that there would be a Blood Moon in three months.
“..What’s so special about it?”
“It’s when our God awakens!”
“It’s when our God awakens!”
Looking back on it now, Pomona only vaguely remembers part of that so-called “God’s” name. Ra… something. Perhaps it was good she’d erased that from her memory (or, maybe she merely buried it deep within the crevice).
Throughout her time within the cult, Belov managed to attract… unwanted attention to herself. Or, well, perhaps for her it was necessary. Her soul was already bare, one of the leaders surmised. She’d been told this before during her previous infiltration, but she wasn’t quite sure what it meant.
Unbeknownst to her, she would find out sooner than expected.
Once it hit the 3-month mark, ███ ████████’s ███████ began to prepare for their God’s arrival. Their rituals began small and harmless—late-night gatherings in front of an abandoned, run-down shrine, with chants uttered in Latin, and unusual effigies left near the Torii Gates as an offering… However, as the Blood Moon grew closer, these ritualistic behaviors only worsened.
Soon, word of pets disappearing from homes began to spread. In that same breath, screams were said to echo throughout the nearby forest in the dark of the night. They were always quickly silenced, though.
Nobody dared to investigate. No, they knew better… for once.
All the while, Belov observed from a distance. While she participated in most of these rituals, she managed to keep a distance so as not to appear suspicious. She carved symbols into stone figures and gates of faith, and repeated prayers that made her tongue sting.
Throughout it, little Tomoe smiled as though they were preparing for a mere lantern festival.
On the night of the Blood Moon, ███ ████████’s ███████ came together in front of that same old shrine. Everyone held hands in a circle as the three leaders formed a triangle in the centre. Songs dressed in Latin echoed throughout the air, bodies swaying to the rhythm they created. Their movements were smooth, a product of months of practice. It must be flawless.
The sky above appeared sickly, the moon’s crimson shadow illuminating the night; it was as if the heavens were bleeding.
The leader, Tomoe’s mother, stepped forward, arms stretched out towards the sky. “The gates have opened,” she proudly proclaimed. “The veil has grown thin, just as we’ve foreseen. Tonight marks the awakening of Ra-” Her words got caught in her throat, an abrupt pressure in the atmosphere choking her.
Pomona’s eye widened a bit, yet when she spared a glance at Tomoe, the girl wasn’t surprised or worried. Odd.
Then, the air changed.
It wasn’t just the atmosphere; it was a new addition to the group. A presence. It was heavy, oppressive… pressing against every chest and crawling across every inch of exposed skin. Belov’s instincts urged her just to kill the leaders right then and there to be done with it, but she knew it was a risky and foolish move. So, she remained in place, observing.
Observing that something had answered their calls—something had noticed.
Indeed, a door had been opened, and she was standing far too close to its threshold.
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