Chapter 00
Starry flipped through the book’s faded pages, her fingers brushing illustrations of towering mountains, endless oceans, and vibrant fields. Each landscape pulsed with the touch of the gods, or so the legends said. She paused at an illustration of nine human figures encircled by elemental sigils, their expressions serene yet powerful.
The text below describes a time of harmony shattered by betrayal. Starry traced the sketch of the shadow god—a jagged figure cloaked in black. “Enraged by humanity’s strength, the shadow god unleashed creatures of nightmare,” she read aloud, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her gaze lingered on another passage: “Though the shadow god was banished, his followers spread dark magic, eroding faith in the divine. And through their forbidden rituals, they opened a portal to the Fallen World…”
She frowned, closing the book with a thud. Were these just stories meant to keep children in line, or was there truth to the gods’ transformation and the Unknowns?
She let out a wistful sigh. Perched on the edge of the rooftop garden, her long purple hair caught the glow of the streetlights below, dancing in the night breeze. With her finger, she traced the embossed sigil on the book’s cover, its faded gold lines warm against her skin.
She shouldn’t have taken it. If Umberto found out, his quiet yet intimidating glare would haunt her for weeks. The thought made her stomach tighten. He was always an enigma, with his piercing orange eyes that seemed to read her every move. Sometimes, she wondered if his origins were as extraordinary as the myths he dismissed so easily.
But curiosity gnawed at her, stronger than caution. What if Celestia wasn’t just a legend, she thought, her crystal blue eyes scanning the rooftops beyond. What if the world of gods really did exist?
Starry stood up and walked towards the metal railing, clutching the book tightly to her chest. A cool breeze carried the scent of rooftop gardens and fast food through Ancaster’s winding streets.
From there, she could see most of the city, its winding streets and towering buildings illuminated by the moon’s soft glow. The wind picked up momentarily, causing her hair, grey cape, and dark blue dress to flutter like a wild banner. Starry was reminded of the time as the clock tower chimed in the distance. She knew the other guild members would question her whereabouts if she stayed out too long.
Starry leaned against the metal railing, her eyes tracing the streak of a shooting star across the inky sky. It burned brightly for a fleeting moment before vanishing into the night. A familiar ache bloomed in her chest. Make a wish, she thought, but no words came.
The wind tugged at her hair and cape, snapping her back to the rooftop. Suddenly, a flash—brilliant and overwhelming—seared through her vision. Starry gasped, the book slipping from her hands, its pages fluttering shut as it hit the ground.
A young woman emerged from the blinding light. Her golden hair gleamed like fire, and her eyes burned with defiance as she faced a towering shadow. Starry’s heart pounded as the scene unfolded: buildings crumbling, the air thick with smoke, and the woman’s voice cutting through it all—a cry of rage and desperation. The shadow loomed closer, tendrils of darkness coiling around her.
Starry staggered back, clutching the railing for support. Tears blurred her vision, but she couldn’t stop the images. They clung to her like a warning, heavy and unrelenting. Who was she? The question lodged in her throat. And why did she feel so…familiar?
The wind carried her words away, offering no answers.
A hand appeared on her shoulder, causing her to spin around in panic. Standing behind her was a tall man with a stern expression. His red, mid-length, straight hair fell neatly around his face. His orange eyes were mysterious and intimidating, as always.
Starry stared at him with frightened eyes; she had been caught.
“What matters do you have out here at this hour? You have school tomorrow,” the man said.
“Sorry, Umberto, I couldn’t sleep, and I thought some fresh air would help,” Starry replied, avoiding eye contact. Umberto’s orange eyes were too intimidating to look at.
He narrowed his eyes as he noticed that Starry had tears running down her cheeks. “Did you have another vision?” he asked.
Starry froze upon hearing his words.
“I felt traces of magic here; that’s how I found you. We can discuss it tomorrow.”
Starry picked up the book quickly and slipped past Umberto before entering the building.
