CHASING STARDUST

CHASING STARDUST - PART ONE

# Chasing Stardust

## Chapter One: The Weight of Dreams

Lyra Gale's heart raced as she darted through the crumbling alleys of the lower districts. The dim light of the flickering streetlamps cast eerie shadows against the weathered bricks. Here, the air was thick with the scent of despair and stolen hopes, a constant reminder of the chokehold the Dream Weavers had on the city of Aether.

“Stay hidden,” her mother's voice echoed in her head. “They can’t find out what you can do.”

Lyra pressed her back against the cold wall of an abandoned building, feeling the pulse of the city around her. She was a dreamer—quite literally. In a world where dreams were harvested, packaged, and sold like commodities, her ability to weave her own dreams into elaborate tapestries of wonder was both a gift and a curse. It was forbidden. And if the Dream Weavers discovered her power, she would be one of their prized possessions—or worse, another broken spirit lost to the darkness.

With a deep breath, she pushed herself off the wall and continued her journey home, determined to blend in with the crowds of ordinary citizens. Every step she took echoed with the weight of her secret. She was not like them; she had the power to create worlds, to conjure fantasies that could beguile anyone who dared to enter her mind.

But she couldn’t think about that now. With the sun setting, she had no time to waste. A moment of weakness could lead to disaster.

## Chapter Two: A Spark in the Darkness

As she neared her small, worn apartment, her heart stopped. In front of her stood a group of Dream Weavers, their silver cloaks shimmering under the capture lights. Their presence sent a shiver down her spine. They were more than a mere organization; they were the embodiment of her worst fears.

“Lyra Gale!” one of them called, his voice echoing like thunder. “We’ve been looking for you.”

Her instincts kicked in. She turned and fled, adrenaline pumping through her veins as she dashed down another alley, desperate for escape. She could hear the Weavers’ footsteps closing in, their powers buzzing in the air like electricity.

She rounded a corner and collided with someone solid. Heart racing, she looked up, and her breath caught in her throat. It was him—Orion, the notorious dream-hacker. His raven-black hair fell carelessly over one eye, and a mischievous grin danced on his lips.

“Need a hand?” he quipped, pulling her behind an old cart.

Before she could respond, the Dream Weavers rushed past, still searching for her.

“Are you always this lucky?” he asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Or do you just have a knack for trouble?”

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she stammered, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

“You, my friend, are about to make a fantastic decision,” he said, leaning closer. “How would you like to help us take down the Dream Weavers?”

## Chapter Three: Into the Fray

Lyra’s heart pounded, torn between the thrill of adventure and the fear of betrayal. Could she trust him? The world outside was harsh, but with Orion, it felt alive. She thought of all the dreams that had been stolen, the cries of the citizens silenced under the Weavers’ rule. Maybe joining him was the key to finding her place in this broken world.

“I’m in,” she finally said.

The look in Orion’s eyes made her want to believe there was hope for a brighter tomorrow.