Kairo fell.

There was no ground beneath him.

No sky above.

No beginning.

No end.

Only darkness.

He tried to move.

Nothing happened.

He tried to scream.

No sound came out.

The Celestial Mask was still attached to his face.

Its cold surface covered his skin.

Then…

A light appeared.

Far away.

Small.

Almost invisible.

Kairo reached toward it.

The light grew.

And suddenly…

He was falling through the sky.

“AHHHHH!”

Kairo crashed into something soft.

He opened his eyes.

Grass.

Real grass.

He rolled onto his back.

Above him was a purple sky.

Three moons hung in the distance.

One silver.

One blue.

One red.

Kairo slowly sat up.

“What…”

He looked around.

Floating islands filled the sky.

Massive waterfalls fell from islands and disappeared into the clouds.

Golden birds flew between mountains.

Far away, an enormous city floated above the clouds.

Its towers were made of white crystal.

Kairo stared.

“This isn’t Earth.”

The Mask disappeared from his face.

Kairo stood.

His clothes were covered in dirt.

His head was spinning.

Then he remembered.

His father.

The Queen.

Veyra.

Mira.

His mother.

Kairo looked behind him.

The portal was gone.

“No.”

He ran toward the place where it had been.

“Open!”

Nothing.

“Open!”

He slammed his hand against the air.

Nothing happened.

Kairo fell to his knees.

“Mira.”

Silence.

He closed his eyes.

He could almost hear her voice.

Don’t go.

Kairo whispered:

“I’m sorry.”

Then he heard footsteps.

Kairo immediately stood.

A group of soldiers approached.

They wore silver armor.

Each soldier carried a glowing weapon.

One of them pointed a spear toward Kairo.

“Identify yourself.”

Kairo raised his hands.

“I’m Kairo Ren.”

The soldiers froze.

The leader stepped forward.

“Say that again.”

“Kairo Ren.”

The soldier’s eyes widened.

“Impossible.”

Kairo frowned.

“What?”

The soldier turned toward the others.

“The Starborn has arrived.”

Kairo’s heart raced.

“How do you know me?”

The soldier didn’t answer.

Instead, he lowered his weapon.

“Follow us.”

“Where?”

“To the palace.”

“Why?”

The soldier looked toward the floating city.

“The Queen has been waiting for you.”

Kairo stared.

“Who is she?”

The soldier smiled.

“You will find out soon enough.”

---

The journey to the palace took hours.

Kairo traveled through a forest where the trees glowed blue.

The leaves whispered when the wind passed through them.

He saw creatures unlike anything on Earth.

Huge silver wolves.

Small flying dragons.

Transparent insects that looked like pieces of glass.

Everything felt beautiful.

And dangerous.

Kairo kept his eyes open.

“Where is this place?”

The soldier walking beside him answered.

“The Kingdom of Aetheria.”

“Who rules it?”

“Our Queen.”

“What’s her name?”

The soldier looked at him.

“Queen Seraphine.”

Kairo stopped.

The name felt familiar.

He had heard it before.

In his father’s memories.

The woman standing behind him.

The Queen.

Kairo continued walking.

“How long has she ruled?”

“Three hundred years.”

Kairo stopped again.

“Three hundred?”

The soldier nodded.

“She cannot die.”

Kairo stared.

“Why?”

“Because she isn’t human.”

“Then what is she?”

The soldier’s face became serious.

“She is a Celestial.”

Kairo remembered the voice inside his head.

Come home, Starborn.

Kairo felt a chill.

“What’s a Celestial?”

The soldier didn’t answer.

Instead, he pointed toward the horizon.

“Look.”

Kairo turned.

The palace appeared.

It was enormous.

A white castle floating above the clouds.

Golden bridges connected its towers.

Massive statues stood outside.

Kairo recognized them.

Warriors.

Each holding a mask.

The same mask he carried.

“The Celestial Masks,” Kairo whispered.

The soldier nodded.

“There were seven.”

Kairo stared.

“Seven?”

“Yes.”

“Where are the others?”

“Destroyed.”

“By who?”

The soldier looked at him.

“Your father.”

Kairo froze.

“What?”

Before the soldier could answer…

A voice echoed across the palace.

“Bring him to me.”

The soldiers immediately bowed.

Kairo looked upward.

A woman stood on the palace balcony.

Silver hair.

Golden eyes.

A white dress covered in glowing symbols.

Queen Seraphine.

Kairo stared.

She looked exactly like the woman he had seen beside his father.

She smiled.

“Welcome home, Kairo.”

Kairo’s heart stopped.

“Home?”

Seraphine descended the stairs.

Kairo remained still.

“You know me.”

“Of course.”

“How?”

“Because I knew your father.”

“Who was he?”

Seraphine stopped.

Her expression changed.

“Your father was my greatest enemy.”

Kairo froze.

“What?”

She smiled.

“And my greatest love.”

Kairo stared.

Everything inside him became silent.

“You loved my father?”

Seraphine nodded.

“More than anyone.”

“Then why did he fight you?”

“Because he discovered the truth.”

“What truth?”

Seraphine looked toward the sky.

“The truth about your birth.”

Kairo stepped closer.

“What am I?”

She looked at him.

“The last bridge between two worlds.”

Kairo frowned.

“That doesn’t make sense.”

“It will.”

She touched his face.

Kairo immediately stepped away.

“Don’t touch me.”

Seraphine smiled.

“You have his eyes.”

“Whose?”

“Kael.”

“My father.”

“Yes.”

Kairo’s voice became harder.

“Where is he?”

Seraphine looked away.

“Alive.”

Kairo’s heart raced.

“Take me to him.”

“Not yet.”

“Why?”

“Because he is dangerous.”

“My father?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because he has forgotten who he was.”

Kairo stared.

“What happened to him?”

Seraphine’s eyes became sad.

“Veyra.”

Kairo froze.

“Veyra did this?”

“Yes.”

“Then why did Veyra say you were the reason my father is alive?”

Seraphine smiled.

“Because I am.”

Kairo didn’t understand.

“Explain.”

Seraphine turned.

“Follow me.”

---

The palace was enormous.

Kairo walked through halls covered with ancient paintings.

One painting showed a great war.

Another showed the opening of the Gate.

Then he stopped.

A painting showed his father.

Kael.

He was wearing the Celestial Mask.

Beside him stood Seraphine.

And on the other side…

A young woman.

Kairo’s mother.

Lyra.

Kairo stared.

“You were all together.”

Seraphine nodded.

“Once.”

“What happened?”

“Love.”

Kairo looked at her.

“Love?”

“Love made us weak.”

“That’s not true.”

Seraphine smiled sadly.

“That is what your mother believed.”

Kairo looked at the painting.

“What did she do?”

“She betrayed us.”

Kairo froze.

“My mother?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“She stole the Mask.”

“Which Mask?”

“The First Mask.”

Kairo touched the painting.

“Why?”

“To save you.”

Kairo turned.

“What does that mean?”

Seraphine didn’t answer.

Kairo’s voice became angry.

“You keep telling me half-truths.”

“Because the whole truth would destroy you.”

“I can handle it.”

“No.”

“Try me.”

Seraphine looked at him.

“Your mother was pregnant when she stole the Mask.”

Kairo froze.

“With me?”

“Yes.”

“Why did she need it?”

“Because you were dying.”

Kairo couldn’t breathe.

“What?”

“You were born without a soul.”

Silence.

Kairo stared.

“That’s impossible.”

“Is it?”

Seraphine walked toward him.

“You were born between worlds.”

“What does that mean?”

“Your body belonged to Earth.”

She touched his chest.

“But your soul belonged to Aetheria.”

Kairo stepped away.

“You’re lying.”

“No.”

“Then why am I alive?”

“Because your mother gave you her soul.”

Kairo froze.

“What?”

“She sacrificed half of her life to create yours.”

Kairo stared.

His mother’s face appeared in his mind.

Her smile.

Her voice.

The night she disappeared.

Kairo whispered:

“She gave me her soul.”

“Yes.”

“Then what happened to her?”

“She became incomplete.”

Kairo’s eyes filled with tears.

“That’s why she was taken.”

Seraphine nodded.

“The Guardians discovered what she had done.”

“Why didn’t they kill her?”

“Because she still had the other half.”

Kairo stared.

“The other half of her soul.”

“Yes.”

“Where is it?”

Seraphine looked at him.

“You have it.”

Kairo froze.

“Me?”

“The soul inside you.”

Kairo couldn’t speak.

Seraphine continued.

“Your mother is alive because half of her soul remains inside her.”

“And the other half?”

“Inside you.”

Kairo’s eyes filled with tears.

“Then if I die…”

“She dies.”

Kairo stepped backward.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Then Veyra wants my soul.”

Seraphine nodded.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because with your soul, he can become a Celestial.”

Kairo stared.

“What happens then?”

Seraphine’s voice became quiet.

“He will become immortal.”

Kairo looked toward the sky.

“And destroy Earth.”

“Yes.”

Kairo clenched his fists.

“Then I won’t let him.”

Seraphine smiled.

“You sound like your father.”

Kairo looked at her.

“Take me to him.”

Seraphine hesitated.

“Not yet.”

Kairo became angry.

“Why?”

“Because he doesn’t remember you.”

Kairo froze.

“What?”

“Veyra erased his memories.”

“All of them?”

“Almost.”

“Then what does he remember?”

Seraphine looked at him.

“Only one thing.”

“What?”

“That he must kill the Starborn.”

Kairo’s blood turned cold.

“You mean me.”

“Yes.”

---

On Earth…

Mira stood in the ruins of the Black Tower.

The underground city had been destroyed.

People were injured.

The Eclipse had disappeared.

Veyra was gone.

Kairo was gone.

And Lyra…

Was missing.

Mira stood beneath the broken tower.

She held the Celestial Mask in her hands.

Kairo’s Mask.

The moment he had disappeared…

It had fallen.

Mira had picked it up.

She stared at it.

“Kairo.”

A voice came from behind her.

Mira turned.

Lyra stood there.

Alive.

Mira immediately ran toward her.

“Where is he?”

Lyra shook her head.

“Beyond the Gate.”

“We have to bring him back.”

“No.”

Mira stared.

“What?”

Lyra looked terrified.

“You don’t understand.”

“Then explain.”

“The Gate cannot be opened again.”

“Why?”

“Because Kairo is trapped.”

“Then we’ll rescue him.”

“No.”

Lyra’s voice broke.

“He isn’t trapped.”

Mira froze.

“Then what?”

Lyra looked at the sky.

“He is being welcomed.”

“By who?”

“The Celestials.”

Mira’s heart sank.

“Then we go there.”

Lyra shook her head.

“Nobody returns from Aetheria.”

Mira drew her sword.

“I don’t care.”

Lyra grabbed her.

“Mira!”

Mira looked at her.

“I promised you.”

“Promised what?”

“That I would protect him.”

Lyra’s eyes filled with tears.

“You don’t know what you’re saying.”

“I know exactly what I’m saying.”

Mira looked toward the sky.

“I promised you the night they took you.”

Lyra froze.

“You remember?”

“I remember everything.”

Mira’s voice became quiet.

“You gave me Kairo.”

Lyra looked away.

“You were only six.”

“I was old enough to understand.”

“No.”

“You told me…”

Mira’s eyes filled with tears.

“…that if you didn’t return, I had to protect him.”

Lyra whispered:

“I thought I would.”

“But you didn’t.”

“I tried.”

“Then let me try.”

Lyra stared.

Mira turned toward the broken tower.

“I’ll find him.”

Lyra shook her head.

“Mira.”

Mira stopped.

“There’s something you need to know.”

“What?”

Lyra’s voice became quiet.

“The Gate isn’t the only way to Aetheria.”

Mira turned.

“Then how do we get there?”

Lyra pointed toward the ground.

“The Starfall Temple.”

Mira’s eyes widened.

“I thought it was destroyed.”

“It was hidden.”

“Where?”

Lyra looked toward the city.

“Under Astralis.”

Mira smiled.

“Then let’s go.”

Lyra grabbed her arm.

“Wait.”

“What?”

“There’s one more thing.”

Mira frowned.

“What?”

Lyra looked at the Celestial Mask.

“You can’t go alone.”

“Who should I take?”

Lyra looked toward the darkness.

A figure stepped forward.

Mira immediately drew her sword.

“Who are you?”

The stranger removed his hood.

Mira froze.

It was a boy.

Around Kairo’s age.

Dark hair.

Silver eyes.

A strange mark covered half his face.

He looked at Mira.

“I can take you to Aetheria.”

Mira pointed her sword at him.

“Who are you?”

The boy smiled.

“My name is Riven.”

Lyra’s face became pale.

“Riven Drax.”

Mira stared.

“The Shadow Knight?”

Riven laughed.

“You’ve heard of me.”

“Everyone has.”

“Then you know why I’m here.”

Mira’s grip tightened.

“You’re a killer.”

“Yes.”

“A mercenary.”

“Sometimes.”

“Then why do you want to help us?”

Riven looked at the sky.

“I don’t.”

Mira frowned.

“Then what do you want?”

Riven looked directly at her.

“I want Veyra dead.”

Silence.

Mira lowered her sword slightly.

“Why?”

Riven’s smile disappeared.

“Because he killed my family.”

Lyra stared.

Riven continued:

“He destroyed my village.”

“Why?”

“Because they protected a Starborn.”

Mira froze.

“Kairo?”

Riven nodded.

“Not Kairo.”

“Then who?”

Riven looked at Lyra.

“His father.”

Lyra’s face changed.

Riven stepped closer.

“Kael Ren didn’t die in Aetheria.”

Mira stared.

“Then where is he?”

Riven whispered:

“He’s coming back.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I saw him.”

Mira’s heart stopped.

“When?”

“Last night.”

“Where?”

Riven looked toward the northern sky.

“At the edge of the Gate.”

Mira stepped closer.

“What did he say?”

Riven looked at her.

“He said one thing.”

“What?”

Riven’s voice became quiet.

“Tell my son not to trust the Queen.”

Mira froze.

Lyra closed her eyes.

“No.”

Mira looked at her.

“You knew.”

Lyra whispered:

“Yes.”

“Who is the Queen?”

Lyra didn’t answer.

Mira grabbed her shoulder.

“Who is she?”

Lyra looked at her.

“The woman who destroyed our family.”

Mira’s eyes widened.

“Seraphine.”

Lyra nodded.

“Yes.”

---

Aetheria.

The Palace of Stars.

Kairo stood before a massive door.

Two guards opened it.

He entered.

The room was dark.

At the center stood a man.

His back was toward Kairo.

Silver hair.

Black armor.

A sword at his side.

Kairo stopped.

His heart began beating faster.

“Father?”

The man slowly turned.

Kairo’s breath disappeared.

It was him.

Kael Ren.

His father.

Alive.

Kairo stepped forward.

“Father.”

Kael stared.

His face was emotionless.

“Who are you?”

Kairo froze.

“It’s me.”

Kael raised his sword.

“Who?”

Kairo’s eyes filled with tears.

“Your son.”

Kael’s expression didn’t change.

“I have no son.”

Kairo shook his head.

“Yes, you do.”

“Leave.”

“I’m Kairo.”

Kael’s hand tightened around the sword.

“I said leave.”

“Don’t you remember?”

“No.”

Kairo stepped closer.

“You held me when I was born.”

Kael stared.

“You sang to me.”

Nothing.

“You called me Star.”

Kael’s expression changed.

Just for a second.

Kairo noticed.

“You remember.”

Kael suddenly attacked.

Kairo jumped backward.

The sword struck the ground.

Kairo stared.

“Father!”

Kael attacked again.

Kairo barely avoided the strike.

“Stop!”

Kael didn’t.

Kairo ran.

Kael followed.

Kairo’s heart broke.

“Why are you doing this?”

Kael didn’t answer.

Kairo reached the edge of the room.

There was nowhere to go.

Kael raised his sword.

Kairo closed his eyes.

“Please.”

The sword stopped.

Kairo opened his eyes.

Kael stood inches away.

His sword was against Kairo’s chest.

Kairo whispered:

“You’re my father.”

Kael’s hand began shaking.

Kairo continued:

“I don’t care if you remember me.”

A tear appeared in Kael’s eye.

Kairo froze.

“I remember you.”

Kael whispered:

“What?”

“You were there.”

Kairo stepped closer.

“When I was afraid.”

Kael’s eyes widened.

“You held my hand.”

Another tear fell.

“You told me…”

Kairo’s voice broke.

“…that no matter how dark the world became…”

He smiled.

“…you would always find me.”

Kael’s sword dropped.

Kairo stepped forward.

“Father.”

Kael looked at him.

For one second…

Kairo saw the man from his memories.

The man who loved him.

The man who had protected him.

Then…

Kael screamed.

Black energy exploded from his body.

Kairo was thrown backward.

Kael fell to his knees.

“Run!”

Kairo stared.

“Father?”

“RUN!”

The door opened.

Queen Seraphine entered.

She looked at Kael.

Then at Kairo.

Her expression became cold.

“You’re too late.”

Kairo stood.

“Too late for what?”

Seraphine smiled.

“Your father’s memories are returning.”

Kairo looked at Kael.

“That’s good.”

“No.”

Kairo froze.

Seraphine continued:

“Because when he remembers everything…”

Kael looked up.

His eyes were filled with fear.

Seraphine whispered:

“…he will remember why he killed your mother.”

Kairo’s heart stopped.

“What?”

Kael suddenly looked at Kairo.

His face was filled with terror.

“Kairo…”

“Father?”

Kael whispered:

“Your mother…”

He struggled to breathe.

“…I killed her.”

Kairo froze.

“No.”

Seraphine smiled.

“Now you know.”

Kairo looked at his father.

His entire world collapsed.

“No.”

Kael fell to his knees.

“I didn’t want to.”

“Father…”

“Veyra forced me.”

“Stop.”

“I opened the Gate.”

“Stop!”

“Your mother tried to stop me.”

Kairo covered his ears.

“Stop!”

Kael screamed:

“I killed her!”

Kairo’s power exploded.

The palace shook.

The Celestial Mask appeared.

Seraphine stepped backward.

Kairo’s eyes turned into galaxies.

His voice became something else.

“YOU LIED TO ME.”

The entire sky of Aetheria began to crack.

Seraphine stared.

“Impossible.”

Kairo lifted his hand.

The stars began falling.

Then a voice echoed from the darkness.

Not Kairo’s.

Not Kael’s.

Not Seraphine’s.

Veyra’s.

“Excellent.”

Kairo turned.

Veyra appeared behind him.

Kairo stared.

“You.”

Veyra smiled.

“Now you’re angry.”

Kairo’s power grew.

Veyra continued:

“Now you’re ready.”

Kairo raised his hand.

Veyra laughed.

“Kill me.”

Kairo stopped.

Veyra stepped closer.

“Go ahead.”

Kairo stared.

“Why?”

“Because I want you to.”

“You’re insane.”

“No.”

Veyra smiled.

“I’m your father.”

Silence.

Kairo’s eyes widened.

Kael stared.

Seraphine froze.

Veyra laughed.

“Kael was never your father.”

Kairo couldn’t breathe.

Veyra pointed toward him.

“I am.”

The Celestial Mask cracked.

Kairo’s entire world shattered.

And somewhere on Earth…

Mira opened the Starfall Temple.

A massive portal appeared.

But before she could step inside…

A voice came from behind her.

“You’re too late.”

Mira turned.

A black-armored warrior stood in the doorway.

His face was hidden.

His sword was covered in blood.

Mira raised her weapon.

“Who are you?”

The warrior removed his helmet.

Mira’s heart stopped.

It was Kairo.

But his eyes were completely black.

And in his hand…

He carried the Celestial Mask.

Mira whispered:

“Kairo?”

He smiled.

“No.”

The warrior stepped forward.

“I am what he became.”

And behind him…

The Gate opened.

TO BE CONTINUED…