When Stars Fall (NaNoWriMo22)

Chapter 23

It saddens me to think that Alcyone believes that we wouldn't do everything in our power to help her.

Shall we blame her for thinking as such, Maia? We held our oaths like steel against wood.

Our sister doesn't believe she deserves to be saved, Atlas. I'm worried.

You did your best. She heard your warning!

Alcyone had always hated humans. We all knew it. She was the only one of us that didn't care much for what she saw. She only watched because she truly believed it was her purpose to. First Brother loved humans. And we care enough for them that we watch. Alcyone had always been different. She watched differently. I remember the times she would look longingly at the love that they held for each other. She has that love for each of us. She had that love for Maraynia. She has that love for Averett.

You think as she does? That all this...this "coincidence" is a force that's incredibly handled by the Great, Great Beyond?

Don't you? Out of us Stars, Alcyone is the one that was chosen by the Old King's jewel. Out of all the times, she was chosen at the time of great change. Out of all the possibilities, she survived! After centuries of massacre, now the Witches have lost their unity. And the book! First Brothers writings have been missing since his death. What would you call this, Atlas? We are evolving. Something's shifting. There's more to this than meets the eye.

Maia, please. I understand your fear. I, better than most, can understand. I feel as if a part of myself in down there. A place I cannot touch. Whether she knows it or not, we are with her. We shall continue to test the limitations of our abilities. We shall try to send her the same message.

My fears extend more than just for Alcyone's safety. The boy, Averett. Do you remember what the Dark sisters said about him? They could not see him... Do you not wonder why? Alcyone willingly gave her heart to this boy. Is it not a curious case?

If we are to speak of the boy, should we not also speak of that stranger?

The one that spoke to her of the book? The one who wished to touch it.

Yes. She is also of a mystery. How did she recognize First Brother's book? No one from the new age could've possibly been able to see it's worth. Nor see the secrets it could hold.

Did you also notice how she looks incredibly like Pleiveia? Will you not say anything?

It is not possible for it to be her. We heard her screams. We felt her loss. She is gone.

We might've felt it, but what if she didn't die? What if she came back? We've seen it happen many times with humans. They die and come back.

Pleiveia is gone. Her light was cut out. That is not Pleiveia. We may never know who she is or what she knows. In the end, Pleiveia was the best of us. She was our brightest Star in the Great Beyond, but she's gone. She wouldn't have had peace of mind if she kept herself away from us. She wouldn't have done that to us.

'Us'? As in you and Alcyone?

Silence! We vowed to keep silent about what Pleiveia did.

As you wish! But, pray tell, what will we converse then? Because it seems to me that you have kept more than just one secret, but several! Trust, I've watched you for a long time, brother. I know when you refuse to speak on a topic. I also know when you try to hide something. Why have you refused to watch the Dark Sisters? Why have you not spoken about what they observed on the mortal boy? Why does it seem like it's all connected, Brother Atlas? Why, oh, why do I feel like I'm right about it all?

You are more vigilant than I give you credit for, Maia. It seems Alcyone was right all along about your capabilities. Except, she was wrong about who you deem to watch.

So, I am right about my assumptions?

We shall see soon enough, sister. We shall see.