Rei stood in the clearing, staring at the empty patch of grass where Kae’s ship had been. The vibrant morning light of Ilvaris did little to lift the heavy weight settling over his chest. He clenched his fists, trying to fight the surge of emotions threatening to overwhelm him.
“Kae…” Rei whispered, his voice barely audible.
The words from the message replayed in his mind: If you feel the same, come to my ship. It’ll be my last day here. But he had been too late.
Rei couldn’t just leave it at this. He had to know for sure. Maybe Kae hadn’t left yet. Maybe there was still time.
He turned and sprinted back toward the village, the wind whipping past him as he weaved through the lush trees.
---
Desperate Questions
When Rei arrived in the village, it was bustling with activity. Locals smiled and greeted him warmly, but Rei’s focus was singular. He scanned the crowd, searching for any sign of Kae.
He stopped near a group of villagers who had been particularly friendly. “Excuse me,” Rei said, his voice urgent. “Have you seen Kae? The tall man who was with me the past few days?”
The villagers exchanged glances, then one of them spoke. “Oh, the traveler? He left early this morning.”
Rei’s heart sank. “He left? Did he say where he was going?”
The villager shook their head. “No, he didn’t mention it. He seemed in a hurry.”
Another local chimed in, “We saw his ship take off just after sunrise. I’m sorry, Rei.”
Rei nodded numbly, muttering his thanks before stepping away. He walked aimlessly through the village, his mind racing.
---
Searching for Signs
Rei checked all the places they had visited together. The clearing near the waterfall where they had shared quiet conversations. The small meadow where Kae had pointed out the unusual flora unique to Ilvaris. Even the bustling market where they’d laughed over the strange fruit they had tried.
But Kae was nowhere to be found.
Rei asked anyone he came across, but the answers were all the same—Kae had left, and no one knew where he had gone.
By the time Rei returned to his starship, the sun had climbed high in the sky, and his heart felt like it had been hollowed out.
---
A Broken Heart
Rei slumped into the pilot’s chair, staring blankly at the controls. Miko’s soft hum broke the silence.
“Rei, you have been unusually quiet. Would you like me to assist you in any way?”
Rei shook his head, barely finding his voice. “No, Miko. I just… I need a moment.”
He leaned back, rubbing his temples. The thought of Kae leaving without a proper goodbye stung more than he expected. He had been so unsure about how Kae felt, and now he might never know.
“Why didn’t I see the message earlier?” Rei murmured, the weight of regret pressing down on him.
Miko’s voice was gentle. “The power failure delayed the delivery. I deeply regret the inconvenience this has caused.”
“It’s not your fault,” Rei said with a sigh. “I just… I thought we had more time.”
He closed his eyes, replaying every moment he had spent with Kae. The warmth of his laughter, the quiet strength in his presence, the fleeting glances that Rei had convinced himself were just friendly.
Now, with Kae gone, all those moments felt like unfinished stories.
---
Nightfall
As the day faded into evening, Rei remained in his starship, staring out at the horizon. The vibrant colors of the Ilvaris sunset painted the sky, but Rei barely noticed.
He had come to this planet seeking adventure, hoping to explore its beauty and secrets. But now, all he felt was the ache of what could have been.
Rei whispered to the empty cabin, “Where are you, Kae?”
The only answer was the soft hum of the ship, a quiet reminder of the life that had just slipped through his fingers.
YOU ARE READING
Chasing Starlight
Fiksi IlmiahRei, a young planet explorer, arrives on the stunning world of Ilvaris, eager to immerse himself in its beauty and uncover its wonders. As he journeys through lush forests and vibrant communities, he begins to sense that something meaningful is unfo...
