Bound By The Stars

UNVEILING THE UNKNOWN

Lydia felt herself being lifted, strong arms cradling her and laying her gently on a soft bed. The warm rays of sunlight kissed her face, coaxing her from the depths of unconsciousness. As she blinked away the remnants of her disorientation, a familiar face swam into view—Eryx, looking both relieved and concerned.

“It’s you… Eryx, it’s really you,” she whispered, her heart racing as she sat up.

His eyes locked onto hers, a mix of concern and urgency reflected in their depths. “Lydia, what happened back there? The moment I was about to step in the cave entrance was blocked!! ”

Her gaze drifted to the window, sunlight streaming in, and then back to Eryx. The memories of the cave flooded back, and she felt an uneasy knot in her stomach. “He… he said he’s your brother!” she exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief. “You truly look alike, Ryx, but…” Her voice trailed off, uncertainty creeping in.

Eryx's expression shifted, his calm demeanor masking a tempest of emotions as he clenched his fists tightly. “Yes, he’s my brother. What else can you remember?”

“Uh… he said he needs me… for… the pairing, something about powers collide !” Lydia felt her cheeks flush as she spoke, annoyance mingling with the embarrassment of the situation. “Why did he say that, Ryx? Why is he after me?”

Eryx’s jaw tightened as he took a deep breath, his voice steady yet urgent. “Lydia, if Xander is coming after you, it means he knows what you truly are. You’re a cosmos girl.”

Lydia's heart raced at his words. “A cosmos girl? What does that mean?”

Eryx’s expression grew serious. “Long ago, the cosmos clan was believed to be a myth. They were said to possess incredible powers—immortality among them. Whoever pairs with a cosmos girl gains the key to that immortality, but it’s not something you can control. You don’t have to choose; it’s whoever reaches you first that binds to your power.”

Lydia felt a chill run down her spine. “Me? But I don’t even know what my abilities are! I’ve always felt different, but I never knew… How do you know all of this?”

“I heard stories, legends passed down through generations. Everyone thought they were just that—legends,” Eryx explained, his gaze intense. “But if Xander knows about you, then you must possess this power. You hold something extraordinary within you, something that makes you a target.”

Confusion and fear swirled in her heart. “But why would Xander want to use me for his own ends? What does he gain from it?”

Eryx leaned closer, urgency filling the air. “He believes that by binding with you, he can unlock eternal life for himself. If he succeeds, he’ll gain unimaginable power, and you’ll be at the center of it. We need to figure out how to protect you before he comes back for you.”

Lydia took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. “Then we need to find a way to keep him away. I won’t let him take control of my life.”

Eryx’s expression softened, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. “You’re stronger than you know, Lydia. But this is a dangerous game. Together, we’ll uncover your true potential and keep you safe.”

Lydia sat on the edge of the bed, her heart racing as memories of her encounter with Xander flooded her mind. Eryx stood nearby, his presence both comforting and intimidating. The weight of their conversation pressed down on her, and she knew she had to act before it was too late.

“Eryx,” she began, her voice trembling slightly, “I need to ask you something important.”

He turned to her, concern etched across his features. “What is it? You can tell me anything.”

Lydia’s pulse quickened. “I want us to join our powers.”

Eryx’s brows furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean? Why would you want that?”

“Because I don’t know when Xander will show up again, or if someone else will try to take me,” she replied, urgency creeping into her voice. “If I don’t join forces with someone, I might lose control of my powers. I can’t let them manipulate me. I need to choose who I trust in this.”

Eryx’s expression shifted as he processed her words. “But this isn’t just about powers, Lydia. Joining our strengths could change everything between us. Even I don’t know how the joining will manifest.”

“I know it is,” she insisted, determination shining in her eyes. “But I’d rather take that risk with you than be at the mercy of Xander or any other villain who might want to use me. If I lose control, it could mean disaster, not just for me, but for everyone around us.”

He hesitated, searching her eyes for a long moment. “You really want this? You understand the dangers?”

Lydia nodded, her heart pounding. “I want to face whatever is coming together, not as separate individuals.”

Eryx ran a hand through his hair, clearly torn. “Joining forces could create a bond that magnifies our powers, or it could backfire and destroy everything. I can’t bear the thought of losing you to this.”

“I’m willing to face that,” she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her chest. “You’ve already proven that you care about my safety. Together, we stand a better chance.”

As she spoke, a surge of emotion washed over her, a mix of fear, vulnerability, and an unexpected thrill at the thought of being united in this fight.

“Alright,” Eryx said slowly, his resolve beginning to match hers. “If this is what you truly want, I’ll help you. But we need to be cautious. Xander will definitely take notice if we make this move.”

“I understand,” Lydia said, relief flooding her. “We need to do this quickly before he tries to claim me for himself.”

Just then, a chilling wind swept through the room, causing the candles to flicker ominously. They both turned toward the window, sensing an unsettling presence looming outside.

“Looks like we need to act fast,” Eryx said, determination setting in. “We can’t wait for Xander to make his move.”

Lydia nodded, her resolve hardening. “Then let’s prepare ourselves. I don’t want to face this alone anymore.”

As they began to strategize, the tension in the air thickened, and Lydia felt a mix of fear and excitement. With Eryx by her side, she felt ready to confront whatever dangers lay ahead, and the idea of uniting their strengths now felt more like a promise of hope than a threat.