When Stars Fall (NaNoWriMo22)

Chapter 34

Did you pull Alcyone into that dark plane of existence, Atlas? Or was it Alcyone herself?

Did anyone see what happened in the previous town that they were in? Did anyone truly see them leave?

Electra, Maia. Enough with the questions.

I'll stop when you actually answer them, Atlas! You have yet to answer the questions I have asked you before.

I did pull her into that plane, Electra. She had to see what was happening with the Dark sisters. She is near to her destination, and her previous one has just gone up in flames. Her life is hanging on by a thread that can easily be cut at any point. Our interference is needed more and more as the days pass.

Is what Maia saying true? Have you been withholding knowledge from us?

Nothing that won't be rectified with time, Taygete. There are secrets that are not my own to tell. There are things that I cannot share to honor those who have perished. It has been my sworn duty to keep certain information in the dark to protect someone we all love so dearly. There's a reason why we do not remember the early days of First Brother.

What are you saying, brother?

I'm saying, Pleione, that...what we know to be true of First Brother's fall may be false. In those days, we were all so young. In those times, I was not the brother that led you. It was First Brother. And he made decisions that even I cannot change. The only reason we were able to break our oaths when we did was because of the events that are currently transpiring in Realm Beyond. The sole reason we have stories is because of the actions of Alcyone. Whatever is happening to us, I do not have the answers. Maybe I once did, but I do not have them anymore. That is why I cannot answer, Maia or Electra. Because those answered have been buried deep.

So, we are missing pieces of our memories? We are all at the mercy of...who? Who has them? Whose power did this to us? Who would dare do such a thing?

I don't know, Electra. I believed First Brother himself, but he was anchored in the mortal realm. But then...

But then?

But then, I began to suspect something that Maia theorized a few days ago. Whether Pleiveia is still alive or not.

This isn't like you, Brother Atlas. This doubt that you have is scaring me. Why do you believe Pleiveia to be alive? We all felt her death. We grieved the loss of another sister. She's dead, I know it!

I know this may be hard to hear, Pleione. She was your other half. But that woman that approached Alcyone at that port looked so similar to her. Now that we know that our memories can deceive us, we must expect that our memories of that night might've been dealt with. If she is alive, then a fellow Star has deceived us for hundreds of years. If, and only if, Pleiveia is still alive then she has stolen what is rightfully ours.

This is all speculation! Sister Pleiveia is dead. What we saw was a mirror image of her. We have seen it before. It happens all the time when a Star's heart is consumed. The vessel carries a part of that Star for years until a child is born with that image.

That is true, but that is also speculation. We do not know why that happens.

It does not matter! You cannot tell me that my sister is alive. It is too cruel. Even for you, Atlas. I could not bear it if Pleiveia was stuck down there with no hope of protection. You cannot do that!

I'm sorry. You are right. We shall not jump to conclusion unless we have solid proof. We will all keep a watch out for this look-a-like. Agreed?

Agreed, Brother Atlas.

When our sister gets to that wall, we will all disperse and begin our own search for answers. We will find out what happened those dark days. We will also tell Alcyone everything and she will do what we cannot. We are the inhabitants of the Great Beyond, Family from the Sister Suns, Watchers of mortals, and protectors of stories. One day, everyone will know what happens when stars fall. We will never have to fear for ourselves ever again. That is my new oath.

We accept this to be our new way, brother. Whatever secrets hide in Realm Beyond, we will find. If not for us, then for the future fallen.

And for the past fallen. For those who were never able to uncover their truth.