And somewhere beyond the stars...
Xorodor was waiting the thought lingered in my mind long after our conversation ended.
For the first time since arriving in Celestra Dominan, the beauty surrounding me wasn't enough to distract me from reality.
A war was happening
Kingdoms were dying and somehow, I had become part of it the necklace around my neck felt heavier than before not physically but Emotionally and very time someone called me "Princess Aurora," I felt like they were talking about someone else.
Someone brave, someone important uhmm not me
I was still trying to process the fact that my father was the ruler of entire constellations and also saving galaxies wasn't exactly on my list of birthday plans.
We continued walking through the crystal streets of Celestra Dominan the city was even more breathtaking up close.
Massive towers made of silver crystal rose into the sky like frozen stars like floating lanterns drifted above the streets
Bridges of pure starlight connected buildings suspended among the clouds and everywhere I looked, there was something impossible.
Something beautiful
Something magical
Galaxy People filled the streets around us some carried glowing staffs others rode floating creatures that looked like giant crystal wolves.
Children chased tiny stars through the air while merchants sold fruits that literally glowed with golden light.
I stared at everything "This place is insane." Lyra laughed
"In a good way?" i smiled "In the best way." Solen smirked
"Wait until you see the capital." i look at him with confusion
"This isn't the capital?" The three guardians exchanged amused glances "No," Caelum said like damn that man is cold like for real "This is only the outer district." I nearly stopped walking
"ONLY?" ain't no way (Lyra nodded) "The capital floats above the Celestial Sea." i almost lost my senses when she said that "The what?"
"You'll see." That answer somehow made me even more curious Eventually we arrived at a massive circular plaza in the center of the city but the moment we stepped inside, I froze.
A giant crystal structure towered before us like it was easily the largest thing I had ever seen Its surface shimmered with countless colors.
Golden light pulsed from deep within its center the air around it felt warm.
Alive
Powerful
I immediately recognized it
"The Star Heart." Caelum nodded
"Yes." For several moments, none of us spoke i couldn't stop staring at it.
Something inside me reacted strangely the necklace around my neck began glowing softly.
The Star Heart responded golden light spread through its crystal surface people throughout the plaza immediately noticed.
Whispers erupted everywhere...
"The heir..."
"Princess Aurora..."
"She awakened it..."
My stomach dropped.
Oh great!
Now everyone was staring again i looked at Caelum. "Please tell me that isn't a big deal."
"It is a very big deal." of course it was before I could say anything else, a loud voice echoed through the plaza.
"MAKE WAY!" The crowd immediately parted several armored guards approached us their armor looked incredible.
Silver metal covered in glowing constellation symbols long capes flowed behind them and at their center walked an older woman.
Her silver hair was braided elegantly behind her head
Golden markings glowed faintly across her skin
She stopped directly in front of us
Then—to my complete horror—She bowed every guard bowed with her the entire plaza followed thousands of people lowered their heads i panicked immediately. "Oh no." Lyra looked confused "What?" she asked "I hate this." she laughed again softly "What?" "The bowing!" Solen laughed like actually laughed "It has begun." I glared at him, the older woman finally straightened.
Her bright silver eyes studied me carefully for a moment, she looked emotional and then she smiled "You have your father's eyes." My heart skipped a beat but it somehow hurt and comforted me at the same time the woman placed a hand over her chest.
"I am Lady Seraphine. Guardian of the Star Heart." i nodded awkwardly "Hi." The silence afterward was painful Caelum covered his mouth, Lyra looked away and again Solen immediately burst out laughing.
Even Lady Seraphine seemed surprised.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"No," Lyra said quickly "She's just... different than most royals."
"Clearly." I rolled my eyes "Sorry for not knowing royal etiquette. Yesterday I was doing math homework." That somehow made Seraphine smile wider "I think your father would like you."
The comment caught me completely off guard but before I could respond, her expression became serious "We do not have much time." The atmosphere immediately shifted and everyone became silent even Solen stopped joking.
Seraphine turned toward the Star Heart golden light reflected across her face "The corruption is spreading!" My stomach tightened "Corruption?" she nodded "Xorodor's influence."
The beautiful crystal suddenly looked different less perfect now I noticed dark cracks hidden beneath the golden glow
Thin black veins spread through parts of the crystal.
Like a disease
Like poison
Fear crawled into my chest "It's already happening here?"
"Yes." The answer came quietly Seraphine looked genuinely worried. "If the corruption reaches the core, Celestra Dominion will fall."
The words hit harder than I expected this wasn't some distant threat It was happening here
Right now.
Caelum folded his arms "How long?"
"Months." The answer shocked everyone "Only months?" Lyra whispered Seraphine nodded "Perhaps less." Silence followed the reality of the situation settled heavily around us.
The kingdom was dying and it wasn't the only one I looked at the Star Heart again dark cracks continued spreading beneath its surface.
Slowly
Patiently
Like they knew time was on their side
"What do we do?" I asked and everyone looked at me that was becoming a very uncomfortable trend Seraphine stepped closer "The Star Heart has chosen you."
"What does that mean?" i asked "It means the restoration ritual can begin.". The necklace around my neck suddenly glowed bright, Warm, Alive.
Golden energy spread across my skin i jumped.
"Okay, that is still weird." Solen smirked "You'll get used to it."
"I don't think I will."
"You will "
"I really won't "
"You definitely will "
I pointed at him "You are unbelievably annoying." Lyra laughed again for the first time since leaving Earth, I felt something unexpected.
Comfort.
Despite everything happening around us...the danger the responsibility the impossible mission i wasn't alone that realization helped more than I expected.
Seraphine led us toward a massive crystal staircase as we climbed higher into the city, the view became even more incredible.
Entire floating districts drifted among the clouds massive starships sailed through the sky holden rivers wound through crystal valleys below and above it all... Galaxies rotated slowly overhead.
Beautiful
Endless
Ancient
I stopped briefly to admire the view then noticed something strange like something a star far away flickering unlike the others Its light looked darker somehow.
Unstable i frowned "What's wrong with that star?" the moment I asked, every guardian looked toward it their expressions changed immediately,,, Fear like Real fear you can see it on their faces.
Caelum's face hardened the dark star pulsed again Once, twice, then suddenly—it cracked a jagged line of darkness tore across the heavens.
People throughout the city screamed the ground trembled violently alarms echoed through the kingdom.
My heart nearly stopped "What just happened?!"
Solen drew a glowing silver blade and Lyra's hands immediately filled with blue starlight.
Caelum stepped protectively in front of me
And for the first time since arriving... I realized something terrifying our adventure wasn't starting tomorrow or next week It was starting now... Because somewhere beyond the cracked sky... Something was coming.
And judging by everyone's expressions...
It wasn't friendly.