Silence.
Not peaceful silence.
The silence before reality remembers to breathe again.
When Elara's eyes opened, she wasn't in the tower anymore.
She hovered in a place that wasn't a place—an endless expanse of shadow and shimmering light suspended like drifting galaxies. Beneath her feet, there was no floor, yet she stood. Above, there was no ceiling, yet the universe loomed heavy with existence.
She clutched her chest, gasping as the last remnants of burning light faded into her soul.
Then she realised she wasn't alone.
A figure stood several paces ahead.
He wasn't created for mortal eyes.
He was tall, cloaked in a mantle woven from twilight and starfire. Light pulsed beneath translucent skin as though constellations lived under his surface. His hair fell in loose shadow-silver strands, drifting slightly despite stillness.
But it was his eyes…
They were galaxies.
Alive. Ancient. Quiet.
They looked at her with an intensity too heavy to be ordinary.
When he spoke, his voice wasn't merely sound—it resonated through her bones.
"Do not fear," he said gently. "You are safe. For now."
She swallowed.
"For now?"
His lips twitched upward—the smallest, saddest almost-smile.
"You are Elara of Aeralith," he said.
It wasn't a question.
She found her voice. Barely. "Yes."
He bowed his head.
"I am Kael. Celestial Guardian of the Starbound. I have been summoned to your side. Your life is now connected to mine. Your breath, your existence, your fate… all tied to the stars through me."
She blinked.
"…What?"
Kael watched her—not coldly, not cruelly, but with soft patience, like sunlight refusing to blind even when it could.
"You," he said softly, "have been chosen by the Starfall. You are the bearer of the celestial covenant. You are the hope of this kingdom."
"I'm a scribe."
"Yes."
"I write labels for spell archives."
"Yes."
"I faint when mildly stressed."
His eyebrow raised slightly. "I am aware."
"So there's been a terrible mistake."
Finally… he smiled fully.
And the stars seemed to warm.
"There is never a mistake," he said quietly. "Only a purpose not yet understood."
She shook her head violently.
"No. Return it. Undo it. Could you send it to literally anyone else? Send it to the prince. Or a warrior. Or someone who enjoys being stabbed for glory. I like books. And quiet. And staying alive."
His expression softened further.
"If destiny respected preference," Kael murmured, "the world would be very different."
Before she could argue further, the void trembled.
The strange space shattered like glass—
—and she woke back in the tower, collapsing onto the cold stone floor, gasping like she'd drowned in starlight.
Academy mages burst in. Priests fell to their knees. Trumpets blared across the kingdom.
"The Star has chosen!"
"The savior is born!"
"The Starbound has awakened!"
Hands reached for her. Voices prayed. The world celebrated.
Elara lay trembling.
The only one who remained still stood beside her quietly, unseen by everyone but her.
Kael.
Watching.
Bound.
And somehow…
Infinitely, achingly gentle.
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