Aren couldn’t move.

The words echoed inside his head.

“She is the one who destroyed your star.”

He looked at Liora.

The girl who had fallen from the sky.

The girl who had told him that he could save the world.

The girl who had held his hand while they ran from a monster.

The girl who had smiled at him.

The girl who had lied to him.

Aren felt something break inside his chest.

“Is it true?”

Liora’s lips trembled.

“Aren…”

“Answer me.”

She looked down.

“Yes.”

Aren took a step backward.

The floating kingdom beneath his feet suddenly felt colder.

“You destroyed my star?”

Liora closed her eyes.

“I didn’t have a choice.”

“Everyone has a choice.”

“You don’t understand.”

“Then explain it!”

Liora looked at him.

“I was seventeen years old.”

Aren froze.

“Seventeen?”

“Yes.”

“How old are you now?”

Liora didn’t answer.

Lord Vael laughed.

“She doesn’t age like humans.”

Aren turned toward him.

“Shut up.”

Lord Vael raised an eyebrow.

Aren was surprised by his own anger.

He had never spoken to anyone like that.

Lord Vael smiled.

“Interesting.”

Aren looked back at Liora.

“Tell me everything.”

Liora remained silent.

“Please.”

That one word changed her expression.

She slowly walked toward him.

“I was born in the Kingdom Above the Clouds.”

Aren looked around.

The enormous floating castle was surrounded by endless clouds.

“This kingdom?”

“Yes.”

“Who are you?”

Liora took a deep breath.

“I am the last princess of Elarion’s ancient royal bloodline.”

Aren stared.

“You’re a princess?”

“Technically.”

“Technically?”

“I ran away.”

“Why?”

“Because I didn’t want to be a princess.”

Aren almost laughed.

“You destroyed my star because you didn’t want to be a princess?”

“No.”

Liora looked hurt.

“That’s not what happened.”

“Then what happened?”

Before she could answer…

A loud bell rang.

BOOOOOONG!

The entire castle shook.

Aren looked around.

“What was that?”

Lord Vael’s smile disappeared.

“They’ve arrived.”

“Who?”

Liora suddenly grabbed Aren’s hand.

“We have to go.”

Aren pulled his hand away.

“Why should I trust you?”

Liora stared at him.

“Because if you stay here, you’ll die.”

“Maybe I don’t care.”

“Well, I do.”

Aren froze.

Liora’s eyes filled with tears.

“I care about you.”

For one second…

The entire world seemed silent.

Aren looked away.

His heart was confused.

He wanted to be angry.

He wanted to hate her.

But when she said those words…

His heart refused to cooperate.

Lord Vael interrupted.

“How touching.”

Aren glared at him.

“You really know how to ruin a moment.”

Lord Vael smiled.

“Thank you.”

Another explosion shook the castle.

This time…

Aren saw something through the window.

An army.

Hundreds of dark creatures were flying through the clouds.

Each creature had black wings.

Their eyes glowed red.

Liora’s face became pale.

“The Star Eaters.”

Aren stared.

“What?”

“They hunt Destiny Stars.”

“Why?”

“They feed on them.”

Aren looked at his hands.

“Can they eat mine?”

Liora shook her head.

“You don’t have one.”

Aren smiled bitterly.

“Finally, something good about being useless.”

Liora looked at him.

“You’re not useless.”

“That’s what everyone says when they feel sorry for me.”

“I don’t feel sorry for you.”

“Then what do you feel?”

Liora opened her mouth.

But before she could answer…

The window exploded.

A giant black creature flew inside.

Aren screamed.

Liora pushed him aside.

The creature attacked.

Liora raised her hand.

A powerful silver shield appeared.

BOOM!

The creature crashed into it.

Aren stared.

“Okay.”

Liora looked at him.

“What?”

“You can do that?”

“Yes.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?”

“You never asked.”

“That’s because I didn’t know you could create magical shields!”

“Now you know.”

“Wonderful.”

The creature attacked again.

Liora’s shield cracked.

Aren looked around.

“How do we stop it?”

“We need to destroy its core.”

“Where is the core?”

“In its chest.”

Aren looked at the creature.

“Great.”

He grabbed a sword from the wall.

Liora stared.

“What are you doing?”

“Going for the chest.”

“You don’t know how to fight!”

“I’ll learn.”

“Aren!”

He ran.

The creature turned toward him.

Aren jumped.

The creature swung its claw.

Aren ducked.

The claw missed him by inches.

He rolled across the floor.

“That was close!”

The creature roared.

Aren stood.

“Okay.”

He held the sword.

“Let’s try that again.”

The creature attacked.

Aren ran.

He jumped onto a table.

Then onto a chair.

Then onto the creature’s back.

“HEY!”

The creature screamed.

Aren grabbed its wing.

“Sorry!”

The creature flew upward.

Aren screamed.

“NOT THAT HIGH!”

Liora laughed.

“Aren!”

“HELP!”

The creature spun.

Aren lost his grip.

He fell.

Liora caught him.

They landed together.

Aren was lying on top of her.

Their faces were inches apart.

Silence.

Aren stared into her violet eyes.

Liora stared back.

For a moment…

Neither moved.

Aren’s heart started beating faster.

Liora whispered:

“You’re heavy.”

Aren immediately moved.

“Sorry.”

She smiled.

“You’re blushing.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

“It’s hot.”

“We’re above the clouds.”

“Exactly.”

Liora laughed.

Aren looked away.

Then the creature roared again.

Aren stood.

“Right.”

“Let’s kill that thing.”

Liora smiled.

“That’s better.”

They attacked together.

Liora created a magical shield.

Aren used it as a platform.

He jumped from the shield.

Then launched himself toward the creature.

His sword struck its chest.

CRACK!

A black crystal appeared.

The creature screamed.

Aren pulled the sword out.

The crystal shattered.

The creature exploded into black smoke.

Aren landed.

Silence.

Liora stared.

“You did it.”

Aren looked at the sword.

“I did?”

“Yes.”

Aren smiled.

“Maybe I’m not completely useless.”

Liora walked toward him.

“I never thought you were.”

Aren looked at her.

Their eyes met.

Then Liora suddenly hugged him.

Aren froze.

His entire brain stopped functioning.

She whispered:

“Thank you.”

Aren slowly raised his arms.

Then hugged her back.

For a few seconds…

Everything felt right.

Until someone cleared his throat.

They separated.

Lord Vael stood nearby.

Aren frowned.

“Do you ever leave?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“I enjoy watching people suffer.”

Liora glared.

“Ignore him.”

Aren nodded.

“Gladly.”

Lord Vael smiled.

“You’re starting to become interesting.”

---

Later that night…

Aren and Liora sat on the balcony.

Below them, clouds moved like an endless ocean.

Aren stared at the stars.

“Tell me about my star.”

Liora became quiet.

“You really want to know?”

“Yes.”

She nodded.

“Every person has a Destiny Star.”

“I know.”

“But your star was different.”

“How?”

“It was called the Eclipse Star.”

Aren looked at her.

“What’s that?”

“A star that doesn’t show your destiny.”

“Then what does it do?”

Liora looked at the sky.

“It changes destiny.”

Aren frowned.

“I don’t understand.”

“Your star was powerful enough to change the future of the entire world.”

“So someone destroyed it.”

“Yes.”

“Who?”

Liora hesitated.

“Lord Vael.”

Aren froze.

“Then why did you say you destroyed it?”

“Because I did.”

“But he was the one who wanted it destroyed.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Liora looked down.

“Because your star was going to destroy the world.”

Aren became silent.

“What?”

“According to the prophecy, the Eclipse Star would awaken and consume every other Destiny Star.”

Aren stared at her.

“So I was dangerous?”

“Yes.”

“Then why am I still alive?”

“Because I stopped it.”

“How?”

Liora’s eyes filled with tears.

“I broke your star.”

Aren looked away.

“That explains everything.”

“No.”

Liora grabbed his hand.

“It doesn’t.”

“Let go.”

“Aren.”

“You destroyed the only thing that made me special.”

“I know.”

“Everyone called me useless.”

“I know.”

“I spent my entire life wondering why I was different.”

“I know.”

Aren looked at her.

“And you knew.”

Liora began crying.

“I was trying to protect you.”

“From what?”

“Your own power.”

Aren’s anger slowly disappeared.

“Why?”

“Because I loved you.”

Aren froze.

Liora immediately looked away.

“I mean…”

She became nervous.

“I cared about you.”

Aren stared.

“That’s not what you said.”

“I know.”

“You said you loved me.”

“I was emotional.”

“Can you repeat it?”

“No.”

“Please?”

“Absolutely not.”

Aren smiled for the first time.

“Fine.”

Liora looked at him.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re annoying.”

“So I’ve been told.”

She laughed.

For a moment…

They forgot about the prophecy.

The broken stars.

The Star Eaters.

The danger.

Then a voice came from behind them.

“Enjoy your happiness.”

Aren turned.

Lord Vael stood in the doorway.

“Because it won’t last.”

Liora immediately stood.

“What do you want?”

Lord Vael looked at Aren.

“Your first star.”

Aren frowned.

“I don’t have one.”

“Yes, you do.”

“What?”

Lord Vael pointed toward Aren’s chest.

“Your star wasn’t destroyed.”

Aren’s heart stopped.

“Then where is it?”

Lord Vael smiled.

“Inside you.”

Silence.

Liora looked horrified.

“No.”

Lord Vael nodded.

“Your star broke into seven pieces.”

Aren stared.

“Seven pieces?”

“Seven Broken Stars.”

Liora stepped forward.

“That’s impossible.”

Lord Vael laughed.

“Is it?”

Aren remembered the crystal in the forest.

The voice.

Find the others.

His heart began beating faster.

“That’s why I can touch them.”

“Yes.”

“That’s why I can see their memories.”

“Yes.”

“Then why do I need to collect them?”

Lord Vael’s smile disappeared.

“Because when you collect all seven…”

He paused.

“…your Eclipse Star will return.”

Aren stared.

“And what happens then?”

Lord Vael looked at Liora.

“That depends on what he chooses.”

Aren frowned.

“What choice?”

Lord Vael turned toward the door.

“You’ll find out.”

Then he disappeared.

Aren looked at Liora.

“What does he mean?”

She didn’t answer.

“Liora.”

She looked at him.

“I don’t know.”

“You’re lying.”

“I swear I’m not.”

“Then tell me everything.”

Liora took a deep breath.

“The Eclipse Star has two powers.”

“What are they?”

“Creation.”

“And?”

“Destruction.”

Aren looked toward the sky.

“Which one will I get?”

Liora whispered:

“Both.”

Aren became silent.

Suddenly…

A bright light appeared in the distance.

A star was falling.

Liora looked at it.

“The next Broken Star.”

Aren stood.

“Where?”

Liora pointed.

“The Forest of Forgotten Memories.”

Aren smiled.

“Then let’s go.”

Liora stared.

“You’re not afraid?”

“I am.”

“Then why are you smiling?”

Aren looked at her.

“Because this time…”

He held out his hand.

“…you’re coming with me.”

Liora stared at his hand.

Then smiled.

She took it.

“Always.”

Their fingers intertwined.

And for the first time…

Aren felt something inside his chest.

A tiny heartbeat.

Then a light.

Silver.

Beautiful.

Dangerous.

Aren looked down.

A glowing crack appeared across his chest.

Liora’s eyes widened.

“Aren…”

“What?”

“Your star.”

The light grew brighter.

Aren looked at her.

“Is that bad?”

Liora stared at the glowing mark.

Then whispered:

“Your first Broken Star has awakened.”

Far away…

Inside the Forest of Forgotten Memories…

A young girl opened her eyes.

She was trapped inside a crystal.

She looked exactly like Liora.

Aren didn’t know it yet…

But the girl inside the crystal was the real Liora.

And the girl holding his hand…

Was someone else.

Something was waiting for him in the forest.

Something that knew his name.

Something that had been waiting for seventeen years.

And as Aren and Liora stepped through the portal…

A voice whispered from the darkness:

“Welcome home, Starless Boy.”

TO BE CONTINUED…