Astrals

Chapter 1: The task

Nova was floating, or at least it felt like she was. Each footstep made her body feel more weightless than the last. It had been a while since she had visited this realm; she had forgotten how magical it was. Luminescent bell flowers lit the stone-paved ground, and the clouds above showcased different hues of lilac. As she stepped on the cracks between the stones, she could hear a faint tune playing, as if the very core of this place were welcoming her back. Why had she decided to stay away for so long?

A faint breeze blew in from the distant hills. She could see sparkling firebugs all over them, as if someone had hung tiny lights on each tree. It reminded her of the stories Grandma used to tell, of a world where people would hang such lights on trees and houses to mark a joyous occasion and celebrate with their loved ones. She could travel to such a world at any moment, but she had decided against it, knowing it would bring nothing but longing to see a family celebrating when she had none of her own.

She continued forward. As beautiful as this place was, she had work to do. She had been walking for what felt like hours, but she could finally see it: the magnificence of architecture. In the infinite realms out there, countless palaces and buildings existed, built with precision and an eye for aesthetics. Nova loved touring such places, reading about their history, and gushing over the visionaries who thought to construct such buildings and engrave them with intricate designs.

Her favorite, however, was the small structure that finally appeared in her line of sight. It was a simple hut— a refreshment zone, where travelers and merchants stopped by to stock up on food before continuing their journey. Its limestone exterior was adorned with crystals of varying shapes, sizes, and colors. Nova knew each crystal was a thank-you gift from patrons who decided to stick them on the walls— a form of protest because the owner, an old lady with striking blue hair, never accepted any payment.

Nova finally reached the door. As she raised her fist to knock, the wooden entrance opened on its own with a creaking sound. Lowering her hand, she stepped inside and was greeted by the sickly sweet smell of melting caramel.

"Hello?" she called out.

"Over here, girl!" came the reply.

She followed the voice and found the old lady crouched in front of her cauldron. Nova knelt and peered inside the black pot. Sure enough, she could see melted caramel and various other ingredients of whatever the old lady was concocting.

"What are you making this time, Miss Bubble?" she asked.

"It's none of your business, girl. And don't call me that!"

"Why not? I think it suits you- a cute old lady with bright blue hair making what seems like candy of all things in her witch's cauldron."

"It's not candy. What is it that you want?"

"You're so rude! Aren't you going to ask me where I've been?"

Miss Bubble finally raised her head and met Nova's gaze. "I know better than to ask Astral walkers where they've been."

Nova shrugged. "Alright. I was wondering if you've got some of those portable bell flowers. I find myself in need of some light now and then, and it's inconvenient to travel with anything else."

Miss Bubble got up, scurried over to a shelf in a corner of the hut, and began searching for the flower. "You know you could easily get those at the Emporium. You don't have to come all the way here."

"I know that. I just thought it had been a while since I visited. You know how much I love this place."

"Found it! Come here, girl, and pick the one you like."

Nova got up and walked over to Miss Bubble. Turns out, the old lady had a magnificent stash of portable bell flowers tucked safely in a silver chest. A quick look, and she pointed at the pearlescent one with beads hanging from the stem.