The Destiny We Chose
The Boy Who Collected Broken Stars · July 22, 2026
The Black Moon hung above the world like a giant wound in the sky.
It was not a real moon.
It was a kingdom.
A dark floating world surrounded by black clouds and silver lightning.
At its center stood a massive castle.
Aren and Liora stepped through the portal.
The moment they arrived…
The portal disappeared.
Aren looked behind him.
“That’s not good.”
Liora nodded.
“No.”
Aren looked around.
“Can you make another one?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re inside the Black Moon.”
“That doesn’t explain anything.”
“It doesn’t allow magic portals.”
Aren sighed.
“Of course it doesn’t.”
Liora looked at him.
“Are you scared?”
Aren smiled.
“Terrified.”
“Good.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re usually more dangerous when you’re not scared.”
Aren laughed.
Then…
A voice echoed through the darkness.
“Welcome home, Aren.”
Aren’s smile disappeared.
He knew that voice.
His father.
Aren looked toward the castle.
“Where is he?”
Liora grabbed his hand.
“Inside.”
“Then let’s go.”
They walked toward the castle.
The massive doors opened by themselves.
Inside was a long hallway.
Paintings covered the walls.
Aren stopped.
One painting showed a woman with silver hair.
Beside her stood a young girl.
And a small boy.
Aren.
His heart stopped.
“My mother.”
Liora looked at the painting.
“And my mother.”
Aren stared.
The two women looked almost identical.
“Your mother and mine were sisters.”
Liora nodded.
Aren looked at the two children.
“Then why don’t I remember you?”
“Because your memories were erased.”
“By my father?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Liora looked away.
“Because he wanted you to forget me.”
Aren frowned.
“Why?”
“Because he knew…”
She hesitated.
“…that if you remembered me, you would never become the person he wanted you to be.”
Aren stared at her.
“What person did he want me to become?”
Liora looked toward the end of the hallway.
“The ruler of the Eclipse.”
They reached a massive door.
Aren pushed it open.
The room beyond was enormous.
At the center stood a black throne.
A man was sitting on it.
Aren’s father.
Beside him stood another girl.
Aren froze.
She looked exactly like Liora.
Same silver hair.
Same violet eyes.
Same face.
Aren looked between them.
“Liora…”
The girl smiled.
“Hello, Aren.”
Liora stepped forward.
“Stay away from him.”
The girl laughed.
“You still haven’t changed.”
Aren looked at the girl.
“Who are you?”
She smiled.
“My name is Lyra.”
Liora’s twin sister.
Aren stared.
Lyra looked at him.
“You’ve grown.”
Aren frowned.
“Do I know you?”
“Not anymore.”
“Why?”
“Because she took your memories.”
Lyra pointed at Liora.
Liora immediately shook her head.
“That’s not true.”
Lyra smiled.
“Isn’t it?”
Aren looked at Liora.
“Liora?”
She looked terrified.
“Aren, don’t listen to her.”
Lyra stepped closer.
“She has been lying to you since the day you met her.”
Aren clenched his fists.
“Then tell me the truth.”
Lyra smiled.
“Gladly.”
She pointed toward the far end of the room.
Aren looked.
A giant crystal stood there.
Inside…
A woman was sleeping.
Aren’s breath stopped.
His mother.
He ran toward her.
“Mom!”
He touched the crystal.
Nothing happened.
“Wake up!”
Liora followed him.
“Aren…”
He turned.
“She’s alive.”
“Yes.”
“Why is she here?”
Lyra answered.
“Because your father imprisoned her.”
Aren turned toward the throne.
His father stood.
“That’s not the whole story.”
Aren’s voice became cold.
“Then tell me.”
His father walked toward him.
“Your mother was the Queen of the Star Guardians.”
“I know.”
“She loved your father.”
Aren froze.
“You’re my father.”
The man nodded.
“I am.”
“Then why did you do this?”
His father looked at the crystal.
“Because she betrayed me.”
“How?”
“She chose you.”
Aren stared.
His father continued.
“Your mother discovered the Eclipse Star.”
“She learned that you were its true heir.”
“She was afraid of what would happen.”
“So she tried to destroy it.”
Aren looked at Liora.
“Liora.”
She looked down.
“Your mother asked me to help.”
Aren’s eyes widened.
“Why?”
“Because I was the only person who could break the star without killing you.”
“Then why didn’t she wake up?”
His father smiled.
“Because the spell required a sacrifice.”
Aren’s heart stopped.
“Whose?”
His father pointed at Liora.
“Her soul.”
Aren turned toward Liora.
“What?”
Liora’s eyes filled with tears.
“I didn’t tell you because…”
She couldn’t finish.
Aren walked toward her.
“You sacrificed your soul?”
“Yes.”
“To save me?”
“Yes.”
“And that’s why you don’t remember everything?”
Liora nodded.
“Part of my soul was sealed inside the Eclipse Star.”
Aren stared.
“That’s impossible.”
Lyra laughed.
“That’s why the prophecy exists.”
Aren turned.
“What prophecy?”
Lyra stepped forward.
“The Eclipse Star cannot be completed without two souls.”
Aren’s heart began beating faster.
“Mine and Liora’s.”
“Yes.”
“The final two pieces.”
“Yes.”
Aren looked at Liora.
“Then why do I have three stars?”
“Because your mother’s star is inside you.”
Aren froze.
“Your father has one.”
Lyra pointed toward herself.
“I have one.”
Aren stared.
“And the last?”
Lyra smiled.
“Inside Liora.”
Aren looked at her.
Liora’s hand moved toward her chest.
A small silver light appeared.
The final Broken Star.
Aren’s heart stopped.
His father smiled.
“Now you understand.”
Aren’s voice became quiet.
“What do you want?”
His father looked at him.
“Your destiny.”
“What does that mean?”
“Become the Eclipse King.”
Aren laughed.
“No.”
His father frowned.
“You don’t understand.”
“I understand perfectly.”
Aren stepped forward.
“I don’t want your throne.”
“Then the world will suffer.”
“Maybe.”
His father raised his hand.
The entire castle shook.
“Your power will destroy this world if you don’t control it.”
Aren’s eyes glowed silver.
“Then I’ll learn to control it.”
“You cannot.”
“Watch me.”
The battle began.
His father attacked.
A massive black wave crashed toward Aren.
Liora created a shield.
BOOM!
The shield shattered.
Aren grabbed Liora.
They flew backward.
“Aren!”
“I’m okay.”
His father attacked again.
Aren raised his hand.
The three stars inside him awakened.
Silver light exploded.
The attack stopped.
His father stared.
“Impossible.”
Aren stood.
“I told you.”
He looked at Liora.
“I’m choosing my own destiny.”
His father attacked again.
Aren fought back.
The castle shook.
The sky cracked.
Stars began falling.
Lyra watched.
Then…
She smiled.
Aren suddenly stopped.
“Why are you smiling?”
Lyra looked at him.
“Because it’s finally happening.”
“What?”
“Your memories.”
Aren froze.
The world disappeared.
Aren was five years old.
He was standing in a garden.
Liora was beside him.
They were children.
They were laughing.
Aren was holding an apple.
“Half for you.”
Liora smiled.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
The memory changed.
Aren and Liora were older.
They were standing beneath a giant tree.
Aren held her hand.
“I’ll always protect you.”
Liora smiled.
“Even when we’re enemies?”
“Even then.”
The memory changed.
Aren’s father appeared.
He grabbed Aren.
“You’re coming with me.”
Liora screamed.
“No!”
Aren tried to fight.
His father placed a hand against Aren’s head.
A dark spell appeared.
Aren screamed.
His memories disappeared.
Then…
Aren saw the truth.
His father had never wanted to kill him.
He wanted to control him.
The Eclipse Star had chosen Aren.
But the star couldn’t awaken without Liora.
So his father had created a plan.
Separate them.
Erase Aren’s memories.
Make Liora believe she had destroyed his star.
Then…
Bring them together again.
Because love would make the Eclipse Star stronger.
Aren opened his eyes.
He understood.
His father hadn’t been trying to prevent the prophecy.
He had been creating it.
Aren looked at Liora.
“He wanted us to fall in love.”
Liora stared.
“What?”
“That’s how he planned to awaken the Eclipse Star.”
Lyra smiled.
“Exactly.”
Aren looked at his father.
“You used us.”
His father laughed.
“Yes.”
Aren’s eyes became cold.
“But you made one mistake.”
His father frowned.
“What?”
Aren took Liora’s hand.
“You thought love would make me your weapon.”
The three stars inside Aren began glowing.
Liora’s star appeared.
Four stars.
Then Lyra’s star.
Five.
Aren’s father’s star.
Six.
And then…
A seventh star appeared.
The star of Aren’s mother.
Aren’s eyes widened.
His mother was still inside the crystal.
Her star had awakened.
Seven stars.
Complete.
The Eclipse Star was finally whole.
The entire universe went silent.
Aren and Liora floated above the castle.
A massive silver star appeared behind them.
His father smiled.
“Finally.”
Aren looked at him.
“No.”
His father froze.
“This isn’t what you wanted.”
Aren raised his hand.
The Eclipse Star transformed.
It became brighter.
Pure silver.
His father screamed.
“What are you doing?”
Aren looked at Liora.
“I’m choosing.”
Liora understood.
She held his hand.
Together…
They controlled the Eclipse Star.
Not destruction.
Not domination.
Creation.
A wave of silver light spread across the world.
The black clouds disappeared.
The Star Eaters vanished.
The stolen shadows returned.
The broken Destiny Stars were restored.
The Black Moon shattered.
And the stars…
Returned to the sky.
Aren’s father fell to the ground.
His power was gone.
Lyra stood beside him.
Aren looked at her.
“Why did you help him?”
Lyra looked down.
“Because I thought you had forgotten me.”
Aren frowned.
“What?”
She smiled sadly.
“I thought you chose her.”
Aren looked at Liora.
Then back at Lyra.
“I didn’t choose between you.”
He stepped closer.
“You’re my family.”
Lyra began crying.
Aren hugged her.
For the first time…
The two sisters stood together.
Liora smiled.
Then Aren heard something.
A faint heartbeat.
He turned.
The crystal containing his mother…
Was cracking.
Aren ran toward it.
“Mom?”
The crystal shattered.
A woman fell forward.
Aren caught her.
Her eyes opened.
She looked at him.
“Aren?”
He froze.
“Mom.”
She touched his face.
“My little star.”
Aren began crying.
He hugged her.
His mother held him tightly.
“I thought I lost you.”
Aren laughed through his tears.
“I’m hard to get rid of.”
His mother smiled.
Then she looked at Liora.
Her eyes widened.
“Liora.”
Liora stepped closer.
“Aunt.”
The woman hugged her.
“You survived.”
Liora began crying.
“Because he saved me.”
She looked at Aren.
Aren smiled.
His mother understood.
She smiled too.
Weeks later…
The world had changed.
The Destiny Stars were restored.
The Star Eaters were gone.
The Black Moon had disappeared.
Aren’s father was imprisoned.
Lyra had returned to the Star Guardians.
And Aren…
He had finally discovered his destiny.
But he didn’t become king.
He didn’t become a warrior.
He chose something else.
He became the first Star Keeper.
His job was simple.
Whenever a Destiny Star broke…
He would find it.
He would repair it.
And he would return it to the person who had lost it.
Aren and Liora traveled together.
One day…
They returned to the village where everything had started.
Mira was waiting for them.
She stared at Liora.
Then at Aren.
Then back at Liora.
“So…”
Aren frowned.
“What?”
Mira crossed her arms.
“This is the mysterious girl you disappeared with?”
Aren nodded.
“Yes.”
Mira looked at Liora.
“Is she your girlfriend?”
Aren’s face turned red.
Liora’s face turned red too.
“No.”
“Yes.”
They spoke at the same time.
They looked at each other.
Mira burst out laughing.
“I knew it!”
Aren covered his face.
“Please stop.”
Liora smiled.
Mira hugged her.
“Welcome to the family.”
Liora smiled.
“Thank you.”
Aren stared.
“Wait.”
“What?”
“Family?”
Mira smiled.
“You two are getting married, right?”
Aren nearly fell over.
“WHAT?”
Liora laughed.
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?”
Mira looked at Aren.
“You better marry her.”
Aren looked at Liora.
She was smiling.
Her silver hair moved softly in the wind.
The girl who had once been his enemy.
The girl who had destroyed his destiny.
The girl who had saved his life.
The girl who had become his home.
Aren walked toward her.
“Would you?”
Liora looked at him.
“Would I what?”
“Marry me.”
She froze.
Mira screamed.
Aren immediately became nervous.
“Wait.”
Liora stared at him.
“I didn’t prepare anything.”
“You’re proposing without preparing?”
“I didn’t know I’d do it today.”
“That’s terrible.”
“I know.”
Liora laughed.
Then she stepped closer.
“Ask me again.”
Aren smiled.
“Liora…”
He took her hand.
“I spent my entire life believing I was born without a destiny.”
He looked into her eyes.
“Then I found out my destiny was powerful enough to destroy the world.”
He paused.
“But I don’t want that destiny.”
He touched her face.
“I want the one I choose.”
Liora’s eyes filled with tears.
“And what did you choose?”
Aren smiled.
“You.”
Liora cried.
“That’s a very unfair proposal.”
“Why?”
“Because I can’t say no.”
Aren laughed.
“Then don’t.”
Liora hugged him.
“Yes.”
Aren held her tightly.
“Yes?”
“Yes.”
Mira screamed from behind them.
“FINALLY!”
Aren laughed.
Liora hid her face against his chest.
And above them…
A single star began shining.
Not a Destiny Star.
Not a Broken Star.
Something new.
Something neither magic nor prophecy could control.
A star created by choice.
A star created by love.
Aren looked at it.
“What’s that?”
His mother smiled.
“Your new destiny.”
Aren looked at Liora.
She smiled.
“No.”
Aren frowned.
“No?”
Liora held his hand.
“It’s not destiny.”
“Then what is it?”
She looked at him.
“It’s a choice.”
Aren smiled.
And for the first time in his life…
He no longer looked at the stars and wondered why they had never chosen him.
Because now he understood.
The stars had never been meant to choose his future.
They had only been waiting for him to choose it himself.
And so…
The boy who had once been called Starless…
Became the boy who collected broken stars.
Not to control destiny.
Not to become a king.
Not to save the world alone.
But to prove one simple truth:
Even a broken star can shine again.
And sometimes…
The person you were destined to hate…
Becomes the person you choose to love forever.