Chapter 1: A Unique Girl From A Village
Cassandra had lived with her uncle in a small but well-developed village ever since she was a toddler. The villagers often said that her parents had died in a tragic car accident when she was very small. That was the only story she had ever known, and over the years she had accepted it without questioning it too deeply.
Her uncle, Mr. David, had raised her as his own daughter. Although he was a strict man, he cared for her deeply and ensured that she never lacked anything. Their modest house stood at the edge of the village, surrounded by flowering shrubs and tall trees that swayed gently in the evening breeze. It was a peaceful place where everyone knew one another, and life followed a quiet, predictable routine.
From an early age, Cassandra proved to be different from the other children.
She possessed remarkable abilities that often amazed those around her. She learned quickly, remembered everything she studied, and displayed a level of intelligence that far exceeded her age. Throughout her school years, she consistently secured the top position in her class. Her teachers admired her dedication, while many students looked up to her.
Not everyone, however, admired her success.
Some of her classmates grew jealous of her achievements. They whispered behind her back, mocked her whenever they got the opportunity, and occasionally tried to provoke her.
“Cassandra thinks she’s better than everyone else,” one girl muttered during lunch.
“She always comes first,” another replied bitterly. “It’s impossible for someone to be that perfect.”
Cassandra overheard their conversation but simply smiled and walked away.
One of her closest classmates noticed her silence.
“You heard them, didn’t you?” she asked.
“Yes,” Cassandra answered calmly.
“Doesn’t it bother you?”
She shook her head.
“People often judge others without knowing them. There’s no point in arguing.”
“You never get angry.”
“I do,” Cassandra replied with a gentle smile, “but I don’t think anger solves anything.”
Her patience and kindness earned her the respect of her teachers, even if some students remained envious of her.
Apart from her intelligence, Cassandra was also known for her extraordinary beauty.
She had a fair complexion that seemed to glow in the sunlight, striking blue eyes that reflected both innocence and determination, long golden hair that flowed gracefully over her shoulders, and a tall, elegant figure. Wherever she went, people couldn’t help but notice her.
Yet, despite all the admiration she received, Cassandra remained humble. She never considered herself superior to anyone else.
There was, however, one thing about her that had always remained a mystery.
On the back of her left hand was a birthmark shaped like a crescent moon.
Ever since she was a child, Mr. David had instructed her to keep it hidden.
“Never let anyone see it,” he would remind her.
“But why, Uncle?” she had asked countless times.
“It’s for your own safety.”
“What does it mean?”
“You’ll understand someday.”
“When?”
“When the time is right.”
No matter how many questions she asked, Mr. David always ended the conversation the same way. Sometimes he simply changed the subject, while at other times he walked away without answering.
As the years passed, Cassandra became increasingly curious.
One evening, while helping her uncle prepare dinner, she decided to ask again.
“Uncle...”
Mr. David looked up from the vegetables he was chopping.
“Yes?”
“Why am I not allowed to cross the northern boundary of the village?”
His hands froze for a brief moment.
“I’ve already told you.”
“No,” Cassandra replied quietly. “You’ve told me not to cross it, but you’ve never explained why.”
“It’s not safe.”
“What danger is there?”
He sighed.
“Please don’t ask.”
“But everyone else goes there.”
“You’re not everyone else.”
She frowned.
“What makes me different?”
Mr. David avoided her eyes and continued chopping the vegetables.
“Cassandra...”
“Yes?”
“Promise me you’ll never cross that area.”
She remained silent.
“Cassandra.”
“I promise,” she answered reluctantly.
Only then did he nod with relief.
As the months passed, Cassandra’s curiosity only grew stronger.
Why was she forbidden from going there?
Why did her uncle become uncomfortable whenever she mentioned it?
Most importantly, why did he insist that she keep the strange moon-shaped birthmark hidden?
None of it made sense.
Time continued to pass.
Eventually, Cassandra celebrated her eighteenth birthday.
The day was simple but joyful. A few neighbors visited to congratulate her, her classmates wished her well, and Mr. David prepared her favorite meal.
“You’ve grown up so quickly,” he said with a faint smile.
“It feels strange,” Cassandra replied. “I still feel like the same person.”
“You may feel that way,” he answered thoughtfully, “but some things change with time.”
She looked at him curiously.
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing.”
He smiled briefly before changing the subject once again.
Late that night, unable to sleep, Cassandra stepped outside into the quiet courtyard.
The village was unusually peaceful.
A cool breeze drifted through the trees, carrying the faint fragrance of wild flowers. Above her, the full moon illuminated the entire landscape with its pale silver light.
She stood silently, gazing at the night sky.
For reasons she couldn’t explain, she felt strangely restless.
As she lowered her eyes, something caught her attention.
A soft silver light was shining beneath the sleeve of her dress.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Slowly, she rolled up her sleeve.
The crescent moon mark on the back of her hand was glowing.
It wasn’t bright enough to illuminate the surroundings, but its gentle silver radiance was unmistakable.
“What...?”
She stared at it in disbelief.
The light pulsed softly, almost as though it were alive.
Her breathing became uneven.
“This can’t be happening.”
She turned her hand over repeatedly, hoping the glow would disappear.
Instead, it became slightly brighter under the full moonlight.
Fear and confusion overwhelmed her.
Without wasting another second, she hurried inside the house.
“Uncle!”
There was no response.
She knocked on his bedroom door.
“Uncle! Please open the door!”
Mr. David opened it immediately.
“Cassandra? What happened?”
She stretched out her hand.
“Look!”
The moment he saw the glowing mark, the color drained from his face.
For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
“You knew this would happen,” Cassandra whispered.
Mr. David slowly closed the bedroom door behind her.
“Sit down.”
“No.”
“Cassandra...”
“I’ve waited for eighteen years,” she said firmly. “I’m not sitting down until you tell me the truth.”
He remained silent.
“You promised that one day you’d explain everything.”
He looked at the glowing mark before meeting her eyes again.
“I know.”
“Then tell me.”
“What is this mark?”
“Why does it glow?”
“Why must I hide it?”
“And why am I forbidden from crossing that part of the village?”
Mr. David took a long, weary breath.
“Things are not as simple as they appear.”
“I knew it.”
“You’ve always believed you were an ordinary girl.”
“Aren’t I?”
He slowly shook his head.
“You are my niece, Cassandra. That will never change.”
“Then what is different about me?”
“There are certain qualities you possess that no one else in this village has.”
She stared at him in silence.
“What qualities?”
“I’m not ready to tell you.”
Her expression filled with disappointment.
“You said tonight would be different.”
“It is.”
“Then why are you still hiding the truth?”
“Because the time has not fully arrived.”
“When will it be?”
Mr. David looked toward the window, where the full moon continued to shine brightly across the village.
“When the right time comes,” he said quietly, “I will tell you everything.”
Cassandra lowered her glowing hand and looked at him with a mixture of frustration and uncertainty.
“I hope that day comes soon.”
Mr. David said nothing.
The silence between them spoke louder than words, while the mysterious crescent moon continued to glow beneath the light of the full moon.
