(UNDER HEAVY EDITING!!) Stellar Serenade: Cosmic Connections

Chapter 24: The Library

Luminara and Umbra ventured through the dimly lit chamber, their footsteps echoing in the silence as they gathered the necessary supplies for their journey. The air was heavy with a mixture of uncertainty and determination.

"We should inform Xyn and the Weather Dancers about our plans. They might have insights or resources that could help," Luminara suggested, her eyes scanning the scattered belongings in the chamber.

"Really? They hate me!" Umbra cried. "You killed over a thousand people, I think almost everybody hates you" Luminara said. "So, best choice is to go talk to them" 

Umbra nodded in agreement, wincing slightly as he flexed his hand, still dripping stardust. "I'll do my best to keep it contained. We don't need the shadows causing more trouble."

As they approached the exit of the chamber, a sudden gust of heavy wind greeted them. Xyn and the Weather Dancers were waiting just outside, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Luminara, umm... you, is everything alright?" Xyn inquired, her eyes narrowing as she noticed Umbra's bleeding hand. It seemed as if she was so scarred by Umbra's past actions at this point she couldn't even say his name.

"We have a situation," Luminara began, and it seemed that the weather dancers could smell a story, as they all sat down and HeatWave brought popcorn. Luminara began explaining the events that transpired in the theater, and the curse that now marked Umbra.

Xyn listened attentively, her fingers drumming on Snow's head. "A cursed Eye of Horus... Damnn! Your almost doomed-" Xyn coughed "Um- I mean th- that's a formidable enchantment. We'll need to find a way to lift it. In the meantime, I'll provide you with MAGIC HEALING SUPER DUPER salves to help with the bleeding," she offered, her voice didn't really mimic the serious vibes she was going for.

Umbra gratefully accepted the salves, applying them to his injured hand. The stardust bleeding subsided, and the Eye of Horus remained, glowing through the salves, a constant reminder of the challenges ahead.

"Now, about your journey to the ruins," Xyn continued, her gaze focused on the duo. "There's an ancient celestial library within the veil that might contain information about curses and their remedies. It's a risky path, but the knowledge it holds could be invaluable."

Luminara and Umbra exchanged glances, recognizing the gravity of their quest. "We'll go to the library first, gather information, and then head to the ruins. But we need to move quickly," Luminara asserted.

With the salves applied and their resolve renewed, Luminara and Umbra felt at ease, now with their priorities straight. "So, let's set out toward the library within the veil"Luminara announced. "The journey through the astral realms was filled with celestial wonders and celestial dangers alike" The shadows seemed to whisper, an eerie voice accompanying them, and Umbra seemed to talk to them in some other language that conspired entirely of hushing and hissing in different tones.

"This is what I have to go through everyday, these shadow beings" Umbra groaned, Luminara laughed at the thought of every day something whispering stuff in your ear. "So like- when your eating breakfast the shadows can just come on over and be like 'That cereal is sh-' "

"Ookay, that's enough weird shadow talk- you guys need to get going whilst the lower ranked employees fix this place up, the library seemed to be the only place unaffected by SOMEBODIES SHADOWS. So, best be going" Xyn said. "Why me- why" Umbra cried. 

"They're your shadows bud, your responsibility" Xyn chuckled. "It isn't a responsibility! It's another damn curse!" Umbra grumbled. "Well then, they're still your shadows buddy bro, your curse, so like- use your weird shadow whisper magic and like, control them" Xyn sing sang the last two words. Umbra groaned. 

"Anyways!" HeatWave sang.

"You've got a small walk to do" Rain said enthusiastically. 

"Small but perilous walk" Mist said. 

"You can do it!" Thunder said.

"Or not-" Cloud mumbled.

"Here's the thing though, the bridges know where you're trying to get to, and The Sanctuary will literally bend to that location, so here's what you've gotta go through" Xyn explained.

"You've gotta go through the RoseBuds," Snow whispered.

"Through the Valley," Hail said.

"Under the bridges" Wind continued.

"Wait- under?" Umbra said.

"Don't interrupt murderer" Xyn said rashly.

"And enter the code" Rain concluded.

"Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!" The Weather Dancers and Xyn said in unison.

"My sanity is doomed with these people" Umbra grumbled. Luminara elbowed him. "Hey! What was that for?!" Umbra cried.