When Stars Fall

Chapter 1

     Some say your fate lies in the stars, but when you are one of the stars, who or what is it that your fate lies with? Does it lie with the other stars that bring light to the darkness? Does it lie in your own hands as you journey beneath the endless skies? In a world of choices, a world in which fate does not exist and never existed to begin with, such a question may have no meaning at all. The only inevitability in such a world is death, and the stars have no need to follow any path lit by fate when they shine to light paths on their own. This was the view of the Astrals, the people created by Vanerva, Goddess of Time and Stars. They lived to fulfill their own destiny and chase after their own desires. They lived to grow as people and to discover themselves.

     When Vanerva created Eiledia in Reltena and asked them what they wanted to be, what path they wanted to follow, what it was they desired, Eiledia, nothing more than a small ball of glimmering light above the goddess's hands, was uncertain. They knew nothing of Himirend, the Land of Endless Skies, the land in which they would reside upon attaining a mortal form. They knew nothing of other Astrals, the other people like them. They knew nothing of Himirend's land, its nations, its people, or its creatures. All they knew of existence at all at the time was the goddess who created them, who had asked the question, and the dark, seemingly infinite void that was Reltena, the Land of Darkened Light, lit only by the sleeping Astrals in the forms of stars.

     When Vanerva asked that question, Eiledia told her just that. "I... I don't know what I want to be. I don't know what path I want to follow. I don't know much of anything yet at all... All I know is Reltena and you."

     "What do you think of it, young star? What do you think of myself and Reltena?" Her voice seemed to echo slightly despite there being nothing for her voice to echo off of, but it was soft and had a sort of caring feel to it. Care for her young creation, this little ball of light.

     Though Reltena... it didn't really carey that same, caring feel. Reltena was dark and endless, with an almost eerily empty feel to it aside from Vanerva and the sleeping Astrals. Yet, somehow, it felt safe. There was no danger here, nothing that could hurt them, only comforting darkness. Perhaps, however, that feeling of safety and comfort came from the goddess herself and not from Reltena. The goddess whose skin appeared to be painted with the galaxies, whose eyes shone like the brightest of stars, and whose hair flowed behind her like clouds or nebulas before seemingly fading out into Reltena's vast darkness. She wore a dress with the colors of the sky when the sun met the horizon. She held an otherworldly beauty but gentle warmth.

     "You... seem warm, gentle, and caring... Not at all unkind. Reltena is dark and empty, but it doesn't feel dangerous, really. It feels... safe."

     She gives them a gentle smile in response to their answer. "I am glad you feel that way, that I am kind and Reltena is safe. I would want you to feel safe here, as this is where you would come to sleep and rest."

     Eiledia didn't really have any words to respond to that, nor could they do something like nod or smile without a head or mouth, so instead, they simply continued to float there and hope that Vanerva somehow understood. It did not seem to matter either way, however, as the goddess moved to the next topic.

     "If you were to ask one thing from me, what would it be? The ability to explore, to create, to protect, to fight? Or do you simply wish for friendship, for found family, or for peace? Do you strive for greatness, to rise above others, or are you content living a simple life?" 

     This was yet another thing that Eiledia had to think about. It was something thet were not immediately sure of, and it was very similar to the question Vanerva had initially asked them. Only, this time, it was worded differently, and there were some more options directly presented to them. Having options made it easier, much easier, instead of it being an open topic with seemingly infinite possible answers. As for answering that question... What did they want with what little information they knew? They knew that Reltena was peaceful to them. There was nothing dangerous here, only Vanerva, who seemed at least to care for the Astrals and not wish harm to come to them. If this was peace, peace was what Eiledia wanted.