Starlight Court

2- Fallen Stars

Darkness swirls around me, purples and blues and blacks dance between my eyelids, a realm between reality and dreams. There's a hot, searing pain somewhere, somewhere I cannot seem to place. Perhaps it is not my own pain, perhaps the distant screaming is not mine.

"Lyra!" Orion's panicked voice echoes somewhere but I am too busy floating, light as the comets that soar in our skies, light as the feathers of the Knights' wings. My heartbeat pounds in my ears, blood and chest as if still fighting the adrenaline from whatever brought me here. A groan slips from my lips as I attempt to peel my eyes open and push myself awake. The effort is met with my muscles protesting, my lungs are on fire, my eyes stinging. The air is thick with the acrid smell of smoke and the tang of blood; I struggle to draw in a breath that doesn't taste of ash.

Slowly, agonizingly slow, the memories of what occurred flood my mind — the explosions, the violet flames, the screaming, Orion's scream. Oh god, Orion. My family. I gasp awake, my body shooting up despite the burns that mar my side and cheek. The world swims into focus revealing the aftermath of the devastation that occurred mere minutes ago— scorched earth, shattered debris, and the limp forms of festival goers strewn about. Limbs stuck at awkward angles, blood-stained earth, and fire, so much fire, consuming anything in its path.

Heart pounding, I make my way to my feet, every movement sending waves of pain ripping through my battered body. I cast a frantic look around the chaos, despite to see those familiar curls, those brown eyes that stare for just too long. I spot a silhouette emerging from the swirling ash.

"Orion!" I gasp but my words are swallowed by silence. "Orion, where are you?"

Just as the haunting feeling that something terrible has happened begins to set in, a hand grasps mine, strong and steady. My heart leaps with relief as I take in the brown-eyed boy in front of me. His strong jaw is clenched, blood sliding from his hairline down his cheek and onto his chest. His expression is worried as he takes in my own injuries. 

"Lyra," he breathes, his voice urgent. "God, I thought- I thought," his breath catches, afraid to say what he thought had happened to me. 

"What happened?" I ask, my voice quiet as I survey the damage. The violent, purple flames have quelled but the damage is already done. The entire court of the Royal Palace is singed beyond recognition and dust and ash seem to be the only things left behind. "My family, are they-"

I glance back at Orion. His gaze darkens, he reaches out and pulls me close. 

"They're okay," he says softly. "The Knights were able to communicate over the emergency Psychic channel. The royal family is safe, but the people- there was a lot of damage done. A good amount of people was able to get away in time." My knees almost buckle at the relief of knowing that they are safe. Of course, they are. But Gods, he's right. The damage to not only the land but the people. I swallow hard. 

"What could have caused such a catastrophe?" My left side is now a full-blown throb, pain blackens the edge of my vision as I grit my teeth through it. I need to see an astral healer for this damage. Luckily, the Stellarite of my armor can withstand extreme temperatures but for damage like this to still have been caused. Something, this was no ordinary attack.

Orion pulls back, he holds my face in his hands. His thumb sweeps down my bloodied cheek, I wince, to my jaw and he inhales sharply. "Something did happen though, it's Vega."

My brows knit in confusion. "What? What are you talking about?"

He's silent for a beat too long. "It's fallen from the sky."

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