~The Winter Moon Falls~
Maellyra Adraesien, High Priestess of the Winter Moon, woke to screams and found them to be her own. Opening her eyes, she found her hands to be covered with sticky, near-dry blood, and screamed again. The blood soaked her clothes, layered her skin, stiffened her hair; too much blood, and she knew that it was not hers.
“Must you make that infernal racket?”
“You – you did this!”
“It was your choice. You called out to the Gods for the power to avenge your fallen clan, I merely gave you what they would not. I do not see it to be a very bad deal; you trade mortality for everlasting life and the short-lived day for eternal night. You should not miss the sun; your clan is that of the Winter Moon.”
The once-elf reached into herself, seeking, “Why can I not use my Divine power?”
“Those who are reborn must begin again.”
“What good is this . . . condition if I no longer have my power? How am I to avenge my clan without it?”
“I will help you with your quest and guide you to learn your new powers as you regain your old ones. I will keep watch over your enemies so that none are forgotten when the time for vengeance comes. Trust in me, and you will lay the souls of your clan to peaceful rest.”