Starlight

Chapter 3: What the Future Holds

They found the village easily, and were given some information on where the staff was. Apparently,

there was a cave near the village where they could obtain the staff. The villagers explained that the

staff had been taken from their ancestors for many centuries, but they had failed to get it back

because their enemies had hidden it somewhere in the cave. Before Lucy and Loke left, a young

boy from the village stepped forward to speak with them.

“Excuse me,” he said in a soft voice. “I’ll be your guide to the cave.”

“Alright, please lead the way,” Lucy responded while giving him a smile.

They followed the boy through the wilderness. Lucy looked at Loke to her right. He seemed to be

looking up at the sky again, as if he was in deep thought. Sensing her staring at him, he turned his

face to her.

“Is there something on my face?” he questioned with a smirk.

“No! Nothing at all… It just seemed like you were lost in thought.”

“I was just thinking of the future. That’s all.”

“The future?” Lucy gave him a confused look.It didn’t seem like he was lying to her, but she

wondered why he was so concerned about the future at this time.

“Well you never really know what’s going to happen. As a celestial spirit, we live for centuries in

order to aid our masters. Before you became my master, I thought I didn’t have a future to hold on

too. I always thought that I would eventually fade away, but then you gave me the strength to move

forward. I said that I would protect you, but there will be a time when you won’t be here for me to

protect you anymore.”

She didn’t know what to say. She didn’t think that Loke had all of this on his mind. As she tried to

find the words to tell him, she was interrupted by their guide.

“We’re here,” the boy interrupted.

The cave seemed very dark, but luckily the boy had given them torches to light their way.

“Please be careful. The cave is a dangerous place,” he warned them, and headed back to the

village.

“Lucy let’s go,” Loke said to get her attention.

“Right!”

His expression became serious. He was now focused on the mission. He extended his hand for

her own.

She knew that she had to focus as well, so she took his hand and they entered the cave together.