Chapter 8

Chapter 8: The Interview Unfolds

The room was bathed in a soft, golden glow as sunlight filtered through the intricate capiz shell windows, scattering patterns across the polished wooden floor. The hum of the cameras blended with the occasional creak of antique furniture, the sound barely audible over the weight of the moment. Team Watcher sat around a low, hand-carved table, their equipment meticulously arranged, yet their nerves fraying as they prepared to interview Luna.

Across from them sat the goddess herself. Luna leaned back in her chair, her movements effortless, like a breeze rustling through leaves. Her long, chestnut hair caught the light, shimmering faintly as if it carried secrets from centuries past. Her eyes, deep pools of warm brown, sparkled with a lively curiosity that seemed to pierce straight into the soul. Dressed in a simple yet elegant cream blouse paired with a flowing skirt, she looked as though she belonged to no particular era, straddling the line between timeless grace and modern charm.

Ryan cleared his throat, the sound unnaturally loud in the hushed room. He adjusted his microphone nervously, his fingers fumbling slightly. “Luna,” he began, his voice breaking slightly before he steadied it. “Your house… It’s not what we expected. It’s so… normal. I mean, for someone like you.”

Luna’s lips curved into a playful smile, and she gave a light, genuine laugh. “Well, what did you expect? A throne made of clouds?” She leaned forward, her tone teasing yet warm. “I like things simple, Ryan. I may be older than your grandpa’s vinyl collection, but I’m still living in the 21st century. Trust me, I’m not going to be wandering around in a toga with an ancient scroll anytime soon.”

Ryan blinked, a bit disarmed by her nonchalance. “So you’re saying, no enchanted castles?”

“Not unless it’s on Airbnb,” Luna quipped, her eyes twinkling. She gestured lightly around the room, her fingers sweeping over the mix of old and new. “I find beauty in balance. A bit of the old with a dash of the new. Keeps life interesting.”

Ryan glanced around the room, taking in the eclectic mix of decor. The centerpiece of the living area was an old Spanish colonial chair, its dark mahogany gleaming from years of care. Beside it stood a sleek, stainless-steel refrigerator, its reflective surface incongruously modern. The walls were adorned with handwoven tapestries, their intricate patterns seemingly alive under the shifting light. A vintage gramophone occupied a corner, while on the counter sat a gleaming espresso machine, its design straight out of a high-end café.

Steven leaned forward, his eyes darting between the appliances and the artifacts. “So… what’s with the coffee maker?” he asked, clearly intrigued. “You’ve got high-tech gadgets right next to, well… pottery that looks like it belongs in a museum. How does that fit into your, uh, lifestyle?”

Luna chuckled and reached for a Starbucks cup sitting casually beside her. She raised an eyebrow at Steven, giving him a mock-serious look. “You know, just because I’m ancient doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the little things,” she said, taking a slow sip from the iconic green-and-white cup, her voice amused. “Look, I’m not living in the past—coffee is still essential. Have you ever tried to deal with life before your first cup of caffeine?” She sighed dramatically. “Even I need a little boost sometimes, especially with the whole immortal thing.”

The team exchanged glances, trying to suppress their laughter. Shane, ever the skeptic, leaned back in his chair, a grin tugging at his lips. “Okay, I’ve got to know. Do you know anything about social media? TikTok, Instagram, anything like that? Are you secretly making viral dance videos?”

Luna’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she casually pulled out her smartphone from her skirt. With a few quick swipes, she held it up for them to see. “@LunaTheGoddess,” she announced, her tone both casual and amused. The screen displayed a profile filled with short clips—Luna dancing under the moonlight, cooking over an open flame, and laughing as a mischievous breeze scattered flower petals around her. One video showed her seated beneath the Ancient Tree, her eyes closed in serene contemplation, while another captured her playfully chasing a flock of pigeons in a sunlit plaza.

Ryan’s jaw dropped. “You’re on TikTok?” he asked, his voice incredulous.

“Why not?” Luna replied with a shrug, her tone full of genuine lightness. “It’s fun! I mean, I could spend my days just sitting around, thinking about ancient prophecies, or I could share a video of myself trying to make the perfect empanada. It’s nice to connect with people, you know? Plus,” she added, giving a cheeky smile, “it’s hilarious to see what people come up with in the comments.”

Steven muttered under his breath, eyes still on her profile, “You’ve got more followers than we do.”

The team burst into nervous laughter, the tension momentarily broken. But just as they began to relax, Luna’s hand twitched, and before anyone could blink, the Starbucks cup lifted into the air, hovering a few inches above the table as though suspended by an invisible string.

The room went completely still. Ryan froze mid-laugh, his eyes locked on the levitating cup. Anna gasped, her hand instinctively clutching the edge of the table.

Luna, still calm, flicked her fingers casually, making the cup spin slowly in the air before gently placing it back down on the table. “Oh, right,” she said with a shrug, her voice nonchalant. “I forget sometimes… little party tricks. It’s nothing special.”

Ryan finally found his voice, though it trembled slightly. “That… was incredible. What else can you do?”

Luna’s smile widened, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Oh, a lot more. But, you know… I’m not about to overwhelm you with all of it at once,” she said, her tone playful yet sincere. “A little mystery is what keeps things fun, don’t you think?”

Shane, still wide-eyed, leaned forward. “And Tala? What about her? Is she around?”

Luna’s expression softened, and her voice lowered a touch, the playful spark in her eyes dimming slightly. “Tala?” she repeated, her tone quieter now, more reflective. “She’s nearby. Closer than you might think.”

The air in the room thickened with anticipation. “Could you… take us to her?” Steven asked, his voice almost a whisper.

Luna’s lips curled into a sly smile. She rose gracefully from her seat, the movement so fluid it seemed almost unreal. “In time,” she said, her tone gentle but firm. “But first… more tea. You’ll need your energy for what’s coming next.”

As she stood to pour more tea, the team sat in stunned silence, their minds racing with the enormity of the moment. There they were, sitting across from Luna, one of the two goddesses from ancient Filipino folklore. A being who had lived for centuries, yet embraced the modern world with grace, humor, and a casual ease that made her feel more like a friend than a myth.

The cameras kept rolling, capturing every moment as the team slowly but surely, began to realize that they were part of something far greater than they had ever imagined.

Chapter End