The Last Broken Star
The Boy Who Collected Broken Stars · July 22, 2026
The portal closed behind them.
Aren and Liora stood on a narrow stone bridge suspended above a bottomless sea of clouds.
For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
Aren was still thinking about what he had heard.
Only three remain.
He looked at Liora.
“Tell me again.”
Liora frowned.
“About what?”
“The stars.”
“There are seven Broken Stars.”
“Yes.”
“Two are inside you.”
“Yes.”
“Five are missing.”
Aren shook his head.
“That’s not what I saw.”
Liora became serious.
“What did you see?”
“Three.”
“Three what?”
“Three stars.”
Aren looked toward the horizon.
“I saw three stars waiting for us.”
Liora stared at him.
“Then where are the other two?”
Aren’s voice became quiet.
“Someone else has them.”
Liora’s face changed.
“Who?”
“I don’t know.”
Aren touched his chest.
“But I think they’re connected to my memories.”
Liora looked away.
Aren noticed.
“Liora.”
She didn’t answer.
“You know something.”
“No.”
“You always say that when you’re lying.”
“I don’t always lie.”
“You lied about destroying my star.”
“That was different.”
“You lied about being a princess.”
“I didn’t lie.”
“You didn’t tell me.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
Aren stared.
“That’s exactly the same thing.”
Liora sighed.
“Fine.”
She looked at him.
“I know where the other two stars are.”
Aren froze.
“You do?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
Liora pointed toward the horizon.
“One is in the Kingdom of Ashes.”
“And the other?”
“Inside the Black Moon.”
Aren stared.
“The moon?”
Liora nodded.
“Yes.”
Aren thought for a moment.
“Can we get the one on the moon first?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because the moon is trying to kill us.”
Aren looked at her.
“Okay.”
He pointed toward the horizon.
“Kingdom of Ashes?”
“Also trying to kill us.”
Aren sighed.
“Wonderful.”
Liora smiled.
“At least you’re consistent.”
They traveled for three days.
During those three days, they crossed mountains.
They passed through ancient ruins.
They fought three Star Eaters.
And once…
Aren accidentally walked into a village wedding.
Nobody knew how he got there.
Nobody knew who he was.
But somehow, he ended up carrying the bride’s wedding cake.
Liora watched from the side.
Aren whispered:
“Help me.”
“No.”
“Please.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re holding a cake.”
“Exactly.”
“You wanted to learn how to carry things.”
“Not a wedding cake!”
The bride suddenly shouted:
“THIEF!”
Aren froze.
Liora immediately ran.
Aren stared.
“LIORA!”
She shouted back:
“GOOD LUCK!”
Aren ran after her.
“YOU’RE THE WORST!”
They escaped the village with the entire wedding party chasing them.
For the next hour…
They ran through the forest.
Finally, they stopped.
Aren was breathing heavily.
Liora was laughing.
“You should have seen your face.”
Aren pointed at her.
“I almost died!”
“From a wedding cake?”
“They had swords!”
“Because you stole their cake.”
“I didn’t steal it!”
“You ran away with it.”
“I was confused!”
Liora laughed harder.
Aren stared at her.
Then…
He started laughing too.
For the first time since his journey began…
He felt happy.
Not because of the stars.
Not because of his destiny.
Just because he was with her.
Aren looked at Liora.
She was still laughing.
And he realized something.
Maybe his destiny had never been about the stars.
Maybe it was about finding the person who made the darkness feel less frightening.
He smiled.
“Sometimes, the person who saves your life isn’t the one who fights your battles. It’s the one who gives you a reason to survive them.”
Liora looked at him.
“Was that supposed to be romantic?”
Aren blinked.
“Yes.”
“Almost.”
“Almost?”
“Needs work.”
Aren groaned.
“You’re impossible.”
“And yet…”
She stepped closer.
“…you still love me.”
Aren smiled.
“Unfortunately.”
Liora laughed.
But then…
A cold wind passed through the forest.
Her smile disappeared.
Aren noticed.
“What?”
Liora looked ahead.
“We’re close.”
“To the Kingdom of Ashes?”
“Yes.”
The forest ended.
Beyond it…
Was a dead kingdom.
Black mountains surrounded it.
The sky was red.
Ash fell like snow.
And in the distance…
A massive castle stood on a mountain.
Aren stared.
“That’s where the third Broken Star is?”
Liora nodded.
“Yes.”
“Who lives there?”
“The Ash King.”
“Is he dangerous?”
Liora looked at him.
“Very.”
“How dangerous?”
“He killed an entire army with one spell.”
Aren swallowed.
“Okay.”
Liora continued.
“And he doesn’t like visitors.”
“Great.”
“And he hates Star Guardians.”
Aren looked at her.
“You’re a Star Guardian.”
“Yes.”
“Does he know you’re coming?”
Liora nodded.
“Yes.”
Aren sighed.
“Wonderful.”
They entered the kingdom at sunset.
No one stopped them.
That was the first thing that worried Aren.
There were no guards.
No soldiers.
No people.
Just empty streets.
Aren whispered:
“Where is everyone?”
Liora shook her head.
“I don’t know.”
Aren stepped forward.
Then he saw them.
People.
Hundreds.
Standing in the streets.
Completely still.
Aren approached one.
“Hello?”
The person didn’t move.
Aren waved his hand.
Nothing.
Liora whispered:
“They’re frozen.”
“Why?”
“Time magic.”
Aren looked around.
“Then where is the Ash King?”
A voice answered from behind them.
“Right here.”
Aren turned.
A man stood in the middle of the street.
He wore a black crown.
His long red coat moved in the wind.
A dark star floated above his head.
Aren recognized the energy.
The third Broken Star.
The Ash King smiled.
“Welcome.”
Aren held his sword.
“We came for the star.”
The Ash King laughed.
“Of course you did.”
Liora stepped forward.
“Release these people.”
“Why?”
“Because they have done nothing wrong.”
The Ash King looked at her.
“You’re the Star Guardian.”
Liora’s hand moved toward her weapon.
“And you’re the Ash King.”
“Yes.”
“Then you know why we’re here.”
“Yes.”
The Ash King looked at Aren.
“The Starless Boy.”
Aren frowned.
“Can everyone stop calling me that?”
The Ash King laughed.
“You’re funny.”
“Thank you.”
“I wasn’t complimenting you.”
“Still counts.”
The Ash King smiled.
Then…
He raised his hand.
The entire street changed.
Aren suddenly found himself standing alone.
Liora was gone.
The frozen people were gone.
The Ash King was gone.
Aren looked around.
“Liora?”
No answer.
“Liora!”
Silence.
Aren felt panic rising.
Then a voice whispered:
“You wanted the truth.”
Aren turned.
His father stood behind him.
Aren froze.
“You.”
His father smiled.
“You’ve grown.”
“Where is Liora?”
“Who?”
Aren’s eyes narrowed.
“You know who.”
His father stepped closer.
“The girl who destroyed your destiny?”
“Don’t talk about her like that.”
“Why?”
“Because I love her.”
His father stopped.
For the first time…
He looked surprised.
Then he laughed.
“You love her?”
“Yes.”
“After what she did?”
“Yes.”
“She destroyed your star.”
“To save me.”
“She lied to you.”
“So did you.”
His father’s smile disappeared.
Aren stepped forward.
“Where is my mother?”
Silence.
“Answer me!”
His father looked at him.
“Your mother is dead.”
Aren froze.
“You’re lying.”
“She died because of you.”
Aren’s heart stopped.
“What?”
“Your Eclipse Star awakened.”
“No.”
“You destroyed her.”
“No.”
“You were five years old.”
Aren stepped backward.
“No…”
“Your power consumed everything around you.”
“Stop.”
“Your mother tried to save you.”
“Stop!”
“She died because you couldn’t control yourself.”
Aren fell to his knees.
The world became silent.
His father continued.
“You killed your own mother.”
Aren covered his ears.
“Stop!”
Then…
Someone grabbed his hand.
Aren opened his eyes.
Liora.
She was standing beside him.
Her eyes were filled with tears.
“Don’t listen to him.”
Aren stared.
“My father said I killed my mother.”
“He lied.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I was there.”
Aren froze.
“What?”
Liora held his face.
“Your mother didn’t die.”
Aren stared.
“She’s alive.”
Everything stopped.
“She’s alive?”
Liora nodded.
Aren’s heart began beating faster.
“Where?”
“Somewhere beyond the Black Moon.”
Aren stared.
“The moon?”
“Yes.”
“Why is she there?”
“Because she’s protecting the final two stars.”
Aren suddenly understood.
His father had lied.
His mother wasn’t dead.
She was waiting.
Aren stood.
“Then we’re going.”
Liora smiled.
“Not yet.”
“Why?”
The Ash King appeared behind them.
“Because you still need my star.”
Aren turned.
The Ash King raised his hand.
Aren attacked.
Their weapons collided.
BOOM!
Aren flew backward.
Liora attacked.
The Ash King blocked her.
He was incredibly powerful.
Aren stood.
“Together.”
Liora nodded.
They attacked at the same time.
Aren moved left.
Liora moved right.
The Ash King blocked Aren.
Liora struck.
The Ash King blocked again.
Aren jumped.
The Ash King grabbed him.
Aren smiled.
“Got you.”
He touched the Broken Star.
A massive light exploded.
The Ash King screamed.
The third star flew from his body.
Aren caught it.
The star entered his chest.
Three stars.
Three pieces of the Eclipse Star.
Aren’s power exploded.
The sky turned silver.
The Ash King fell to his knees.
“Why?”
Aren looked at him.
“Why what?”
“Why didn’t you kill me?”
Aren lowered his sword.
“Because I don’t need to.”
The Ash King stared.
Aren continued:
“Power isn’t about destroying everyone who stands in your way.”
He looked at Liora.
“Sometimes it’s about knowing who deserves to be saved.”
The Ash King smiled.
Then he disappeared.
The frozen people began moving again.
The kingdom came back to life.
Aren looked at Liora.
“Three.”
She nodded.
“Three stars.”
“Two more.”
Liora became quiet.
“No.”
Aren frowned.
“What?”
She looked toward the sky.
“Only one.”
Aren’s eyes widened.
“The last star?”
Liora shook her head.
“The final Broken Star.”
Aren felt something strange.
“Where is the fifth?”
“Already taken.”
“By who?”
Liora looked at him.
“Your father.”
Aren froze.
“So he has one.”
“Yes.”
“And who has the fourth?”
Liora looked away.
Aren understood.
“Your twin.”
Liora’s eyes widened.
“How did you know?”
Aren stared at her.
“The woman in my vision.”
Liora nodded slowly.
“Her name is Lyra.”
“Your twin sister?”
“Yes.”
“Where is she?”
Liora looked toward the sky.
“With your father.”
Aren’s face became serious.
“Then we go to the Black Moon.”
Liora shook her head.
“No.”
Aren stared.
“Why?”
“Because that’s where everything ends.”
“Then that’s where we’re going.”
Liora grabbed his arm.
“You don’t understand.”
“Then explain.”
“If you collect the final three stars…”
“Four.”
“Three.”
Aren frowned.
“Why three?”
Liora pointed toward his chest.
“Three are inside you.”
She pointed toward the sky.
“One is with your father.”
“And one is with Lyra.”
Aren looked confused.
“That’s five.”
Liora nodded.
“Yes.”
“Then there are five.”
“Three.”
“Wait.”
Aren counted.
“One, two, three…”
He stopped.
“You’re hiding something again.”
Liora looked away.
Aren stepped closer.
“Liora.”
She whispered:
“The first Broken Star wasn’t supposed to be collected.”
Aren froze.
“What?”
“It was supposed to remain inside the forest.”
“Why?”
“Because it wasn’t part of the Eclipse Star.”
Aren stared.
“Then what was it?”
Liora looked into his eyes.
“Your mother’s star.”
Aren’s heart stopped.
The first star…
The one he thought belonged to him…
Was actually his mother’s.
Aren suddenly understood.
The seven Broken Stars weren’t all his.
His father had stolen some.
His mother had hidden one.
And the Eclipse Star…
Was still incomplete.
Aren looked at Liora.
“How many pieces are there?”
“Five.”
Aren’s eyes widened.
“Then why did everyone say seven?”
“Because the final two aren’t stars.”
Aren stared.
“Then what are they?”
Liora whispered:
“Two souls.”
Aren felt cold.
“Whose souls?”
Liora didn’t answer.
Aren’s voice became quiet.
“Tell me.”
Liora closed her eyes.
“Yours.”
Aren froze.
“And?”
Liora opened her eyes.
“Mine.”
Silence.
Aren couldn’t breathe.
“What?”
“The Eclipse Star wasn’t created from seven pieces.”
“It was created from two souls.”
“Yours and mine.”
Aren stepped backward.
“That’s impossible.”
Liora shook her head.
“No.”
“That’s why you destroyed my star?”
“Yes.”
“Because if our souls joined…”
“The Eclipse Star would awaken.”
Aren stared at her.
“And what happens if it awakens?”
Liora’s eyes filled with tears.
“The world ends.”
Aren looked at her.
Then at his chest.
Then back at her.
“Then why are you still with me?”
Liora smiled sadly.
“Because I’d rather die with you…”
She stepped closer.
“…than live in a world without you.”
Aren’s eyes filled with tears.
“Liora.”
She touched his face.
“Don’t ask me to leave you.”
“I won’t.”
“Even if I’m the reason you might destroy the world?”
Aren held her hand.
“Then we’ll find another way.”
“There may not be one.”
“Then we’ll make one.”
Liora smiled.
And for the first time…
She leaned forward.
Their foreheads touched.
Aren whispered:
“If the whole world stands against you, I’ll stand beside you. And if destiny itself tells me to let you go, I’ll fight destiny too.”
Liora closed her eyes.
“I love you.”
Aren smiled.
“I know.”
She opened her eyes.
“That’s all you have to say?”
Aren laughed.
“No.”
He pulled her closer.
“I love you too.”
And then…
They kissed.
It was soft.
Quiet.
Almost fragile.
But somewhere far away…
A black star exploded.
Aren suddenly opened his eyes.
He saw a vision.
His father.
Lyra.
His mother.
And a massive black moon.
A voice whispered:
“Come home, Aren.”
Aren pulled away.
Liora looked worried.
“What happened?”
Aren looked toward the sky.
“My father.”
Then the clouds opened.
A massive black castle appeared above them.
Aren recognized it.
“The Black Moon.”
Liora stared.
“No.”
Aren held out his hand.
“We have to go.”
Liora looked at him.
“Are you ready?”
Aren smiled.
“No.”
Then he held her hand.
“But I’m going anyway.”
They stepped toward the portal.
Behind them…
The Kingdom of Ashes disappeared.
Ahead…
The Black Moon waited.
And inside the castle…
A woman with silver hair stood beside a throne.
She was holding a glowing star.
The Fourth Broken Star.
Beside her stood Aren’s father.
And between them…
Was a woman lying inside a crystal.
Aren’s mother.
Alive.
But unconscious.
Aren didn’t know it yet.
The woman holding the star wasn’t Lyra.
It was someone else.
Someone who looked exactly like Liora.
And when Aren finally reached the Black Moon…
He would learn the greatest secret of all.
The girl he loved…
Had never been one person.
She had been two.
And one of them…
Wanted him dead.