Viridian had made a complete breakdown of every full moon from October to March and why she feared that they'd be undesirable.

Witch's Moon: Will happen on the week of my birthday. She's like a mini-Umbrum and doesn't seem super interested in romance. Very powerful, too, likely the most powerful. DO NOT ANGER HER!

Deer Moon: A deer woman. Very connected to nature but also very arrogant. I doubt you'll get along.

Winter Moon: Another fairy, but not as nice as me. You're going to see a lot of snow if you hang with her.

Wolf Moon: Very intense and commanding. Expect to be bitten at least once.

Lover's Moon: Kind of obsessive and very clingy.

Trapper's Moon: Fairy. Prefers her own company and is very irritable.

There's also Egg Moon, but you'll like her.

There's Blue Moon, but she's cool. But Blood Moon...watch out for her...

Dia pasted the letter into her journal, between a sketch of her and Halucina and a pressed flower that was easily over 2 years old. She knew that worrying about it wasn't helping, but Noctave was nothing if not boring.

A raven came to her windowsill. A sign from Umbrum, most likely. 

Dia went to the raven, stroking his feathers. "Have a message for me?"

The raven guided her to the great hall, where Cumulus was arguing with a Deep One. The door had been absentmindedly left ajar. They were squid people, made by Aquarieum, who were very active worshippers of Umbrum even during his long exile.

This Deep One was a sapphire color, slim, and looked like a priest of some sort from their attire. From the silver ornaments, likely one of Umbrum's.

"I don't think you realize how terrible of an idea that is, Cumulus. I thought you didn't want to go to war with Noctaria."

Cumulus looked surprised. "War? I don't want to have a revolution with the growing number of Umbrum worshippers in Illuminana!"

"That's because there's more Deep Ones coming up to the surface, Cumulus."

"Stop calling me Cumulus!"

The raven cried to get Cumulus' attention, and Dia ran away before Cumulus could see her.

Does he not understand the trouble he'll cause when he bans Umbrum worship? And what was he talking about, the growing number of Umbrum worshippers.

I'll ask at my temple.

Dia showed up to accept offerings and answer prayers every week. After the business had been taken care of, she talked to her high priestess. She dressed in white with gold trim.

"You're likely aware of my relationship with Noctave."

"Oh, absolutely. The rumor mill is having a field day! Or at least it was until someone said that Verdant and Umbrum were secretly together."

Great, more dramatics that I'll have to adress.

She rubbed her temples, starting to get impatient.

"Well, to make matters worse, Cumulus is thinking about banning the worship of Umbrum, saying that there's too many people in Illuminana doing it."

"I know, is he trying to start a war?"

Dia was horrified by the possibility. "I hope not. Should I tell Noctave?"

"If it worries you that much, you should. If not..."

Dia nodded. "Thanks, High Priestess Soleil."

At home, Iris came to talk to her.

"Cumulus has been considering introducing a bill to ban the worship of Umbrum. Even ignoring your romantic entanglements with Noctave, I advised that it'd risk war. You both know he'd declare war if the roles were reversed."

"I know, mom. It's just that I didn't think romantic relationships could cause this much conflict."

"Well, like Philiana says, love is a powerful thing. I'm sure Umbrum and Cumulus will back off soon now that you and Noctave are so close"

Dia smiled slightly. "I've only known Noctave for about two moon cycles, though."

"From what I've heard, that's more than most. Though most of them were mortals, so..."

That evening, while writing a letter to Noctave, she saw the raven again.

"Are you here to show me something, friend?"

The raven led her to the bustling city that surrounded Dayspring Castle. Even after dark, there was still business to be done, mostly illegal.

In the central part of town, she found a hidden temple to Umbrum. By day, it was a warehouse, but it was a temple by night. 2 enchanted wolf statues guarded the entrance, their teal eyes looked at Dia with suspicion.

I see why now why my father considers the worshipper base of Umbrum to be a threat. If it was on the outskirts, he'd pay it no mind; But the central square, this close to the castle? Yeah, I see his point.

Dia wasn't one to barge into the middle of a service, so she took a quick peek through the window. Most of the participants were Deep Ones with scattered humans, and she recognized one of the priests from earlier that day.

Not wanting to loiter long, she headed back to Dayspring Castle. The raven cried, expecting some sort of payment.

"You're right. How about I get you some jerky?"

The raven flew onto her shoulder, accompanying her to a stall close by.

Sitting on the edge of the fountain, they shared some spicy beef jerky. The raven eyed the gold coins on the bottom, but Dia scolded him.

"Don't! If you do that, the wishes will be undone!"

The raven turned away, clearly annoyed.

"I should've asked you this earlier, but do you have a name?"

The raven answered, in a heavy Noctarian accent, "Uther."