I could do nothing but stare in shock. I may not know exactly why this seemed wrong to me, but I knew that the image I saw burned into the moon wasn't suppose to be there. Looking at it, I saw it appeared more slender than the faces from my dream. Along with that train of thought-

WHY IS THERE AN IMAGE OF A HORSE IN THE MOON?!

I had to calm down. I forced my eyes closed and began breathing deeply until I felt in control of myself. Opening an eye, I saw that the image remained right where it had been. I continued to stare at it, finding that my body had auto piloted itself outside of the ruins to get a better look. Gazing at the sky, I saw that not only was there a horse on the moon but that the stars all around it seemed to dance with life. The sky as a whole seemed to be breathing with life, beckoning me to watch. I looked further, beginning to see constellations I didn't know the name of. My head pulsed, and I saw I was sitting in a field looking up at the night sky naming constellations. A woman was congratulating me. Another flash, and I was singing a song under the full moon about a tale from a far off land called "The Mare in the Moon". We sang it in hopes of releasing the mare from her prison. The pulsing stopped, and I saw I was back by the ruins looking into the night sky.

The Mare in the Moon...

I looked at the image again, and saw that it was the same one I had sung about in the memory. Recalling a part of the tune, I began to sing.

The field are wide welcome open arms

The night responds dearly with love in her heart

An unspoken friendship, blind to all faults

Lost to the world who was bitter as salt

The Mare in the Moon shall shine brightly tonight

For one of her beauty is not one to hide

She'll watch over all who would join her this night

And show them all love in the time that they bide

I watched as four stars around the moon began to grow brighter before disappearing behind it. As did the stars, the image faded from the moon as well. My eyes could barely believe what had just happened. To see what was once a wish in a memory come true. It was breathtaking, it was marvelous, it was-

"Beautiful"

The word left my lips before I could stop it. I said it in barely a whisper, yet it seemed to echo throughout the world around me. I was transfix on the moon from what I had witnessed and was curious to see what else would come.

"It is good to see someone appreciates my work."

I did not scream like a bitch.

Spinning around to the source of the voice, I soon wished I had not moved. Standing before me, easily a head higher than I was, was the Mare in the Moon herself. She wore armor similar to what I had seen in my dream, but unlike the soldiers that wore grey bland uniforms, her armor was midnight blue. Her fur was onyx black, while her eyes were slits like a cat. She had long sharp fangs and her mane and tail appeared to be ripped straight from the sky itself.

"Hahahahaha! Did I startle you? I wouldn't be surprised, even the bravest warriors tremble in my wake." She stated, her voice filled with pride.

She began to walk towards me, eyeing me up like her next meal. I desperately tried to swallow the lump in my throat but I could not bring myself to move an inch. She placed a finger on my face, tilting me too and fro continuously examining me.

"But you are no warrior are you. Tell me, were you the one who sang that tune?"

She forced my head to look at her's, her eyes boring into mine. I found what little strength I had to use my voice.

"yes" was all I could say.

The Mare continued to stare at me, as if judging whether or not I was worth her time. I was amazed when she lowered her hand as her eyes softened slightly.

"Where did you learn it?" She asked, the force behind her voice all but gone.

I release my breath, glad to see I wasn't dead yet. I quickly decided it was better to appease her than piss her off. It was a fight that I stood no chance winning.

"I... I don't know. I can't remember." I replied.

That seemed to catch her attention. "What do you mean you don't remember?" She asked, interest clearly visible on her face.

"I mean I can't remember anything. Only bits and pieces. I believe I have amnesia." I said, trying my best to calm my voice.

This seemed to almost shock her. She gave me a look I didn't quite understand before saying, "So you've finally come..."

I was about to ask her what she meant when I was blown back by the force of... wind? I looked up to see she had two wings keeping her airborne that I had failed to notice.

"Know this boy, above all else you must stay alive. Do whatever you must. I've taken care of the hard part."

After she said this, with a powerful flap of her wings she was gone. I tried to see where she went, but the blow back from her wings blew dust to my eyes forcing me to cover them. By the time I recovered, she was gone. I went back into the ruins and grabbed my makeshift blanket. Laying down, I chose to worry about it later.

Author's Note

At this time, I am looking for editors.