When The Stars Forget To Shine

ke a midnight pennant. Every breath she drew felt electric, as if it carried a secret she was only just discovering. The observatory's wooden doors loo

lf was holding its breath. She leapt onto the observation platform, her boots clattering against the planks, and lunged for her fat

by one, bright stars blinked out like distant lanterns snuffed by an unseen hand. A ragged gasp escaped her as she swiveled to the star-chart pinned to the w

s. Then, without warning, a single star tumbled from the sky above, trailing crystalline light. It fell in a graceful ar

he cradled the tiny orb-no bigger than her palm-as it pulsed with a soft, aching glow. Warmth seeped into her ski

ora

lodged in her throat. The shard's light flared, and a chorus of dist

s... pl

t creaked open, and a tall figure padded into the room, face hidden beneath a deep hood. Can

," he ordered, voi

clutched the star to her chest. "What

her face and the glowing orb. "A fragment of a dying constellation," he said, each w

ach twisted.

"It chose you. And t

a pool of candlelight. Its glow spread across the floorboards, illuminating delicate rune

firm and cold. Sparks danced along the runes, and the candles snapped out,

onlight poured in through a jagged hole, revealing a sky that was no longer st

pression of grim resignation. Liora knelt and retrieved t

voice firm despite the tremor in

r of hope. At last, he nodded. "Then come. The night is da

choing across the void-and Liora's heart surged w