Chapter 6 Storm and Starlight
Lyra: POV
I woke earlier than usual, with the first rays of dawn barely breaking through my window. The memory of yesterday's encounter with Arden lingered, that electric sensation still tingling in my fingertips. I caught myself staring at the ceiling with a stupid smile plastered across my face.
"Someone's up early today," Stella teased in my mind. "Eager to see your Soulbound, are we?"
"Shut up," I whispered, but my smile only widened. "I just... couldn't sleep anymore."
"Sure, sure. I totally believe you. Aquilo is excited too. I could feel him calling to me last night, even across the distance."
I got up and walked to the window, watching Star Crystal Territory slowly awakening in the morning light. "Are you absolutely certain this is a Soulbound connection? Not some mistake?"
"Dragon souls never err in these matters, Lyra," Stella's tone turned serious. "The Soulbound bond is the oldest and most sacred connection. I can feel every ripple of Aquilo's energy, as if he's part of my soul."
A soft knock interrupted our conversation. Aria entered with a pot of hot tea and breakfast. Her eyebrows raised slightly when she saw me already awake.
"Your Grace, you're up early. Did you not sleep well?"
"No, just... eager to start the day," I said, trying to mask my excitement.
Aria's gaze lingered on my face, those perceptive eyes seeming to see right through me. "I see." A small smile played on her lips. "Would you like me to help select your attire for today?"
"Yes, thank you. Something simple though," I hesitated, "I'm just planning to visit the library today, nothing formal."
Aria's eyes twinkled as if she'd decoded my intentions, but she asked no questions. She selected a deep blue dress with subtle silver embroidery along the edges—elegant enough without drawing too much attention.
As she brushed my hair, I couldn't help asking, "Aria, do you believe in Soulbounds?"
Her fingers paused briefly before continuing. "I believe some connections transcend understanding, Your Grace," she answered softly. "But not all perfect-seeming matches are the end of destiny's path. Sometimes, the road fate lays for us is more winding than we imagine."
Her eyes flickered with something I couldn't read, but she quickly changed the subject. "A reminder that you have lunch with the Emberscale emissaries at noon, and Lady Selene expects you for tea in her conservatory this evening."
I nodded, though these appointments were just blurry background noise in my mind. My thoughts had already flown to my library meeting hours later. During breakfast, I barely tasted the food while Stella excitedly described her connection with Aquilo.
"Let's visit the royal gardens before the library," Stella suggested. "We both need to calm down a bit."
I agreed. Yes, I definitely needed to collect my thoughts before seeing Arden.
The royal gardens were especially peaceful in the early morning, dewdrops sparkling on petals like miniature stars. I chose a secluded path, hoping to avoid anyone who might recognize me.
As I approached the Star Pool deep in the garden, I noticed an unfamiliar figure sitting by its edge. She had rare silver hair and sat with her back to me, seemingly lost in contemplation. Just as I was about to quietly retreat, she turned, as if she'd known I was there all along.
"The Star-Chosen finally arrives," she said, her voice like wind through ancient chimes.
I stopped cautiously. "Excuse me? Do I know you?"
"I am Elena Silverwind," she smiled slightly, "and you are Princess Lyra, though you've chosen subtle attire today."
She stood, and I noticed her eyes were pure white, without pupils—extremely rare among dragonkind. More surprising was how her expression shifted from serene to shocked as she gazed at me.
"Ancient starlight, veiled but not hidden," she whispered. "It surrounds you, faint but unmistakable."
I stepped back, uncomfortable. "What are you talking about? I don't understand."
"Careful, Lyra," Stella warned, "but... she seems able to see me. That's unusual."
Elena moved closer, her gaze intensifying. "Yesterday, you met your Soulbound, didn't you? Your dragon soul resonated with his. I can sense the lingering energy waves."
I stared at her, shocked. I hadn't told anyone about Arden except Aria, who would never betray my trust.
"How do you know that?" I asked warily.
"Seers sense destiny's ripples," Elena explained, "just as I sense your dragon soul's unrest. It knows more than you allow yourself to remember."
Suddenly, Elena's eyes began glowing with starlight, and her voice deepened as if multiple voices spoke through her:
"The Star-Chosen will stand at destiny's crossroads. The emerging starlight is merely the calm before the storm. Ancient purification powers will awaken in crisis."
A chill ran down my spine as Elena continued, her voice becoming more ethereal:
"A destined heart sometimes splits in two, only becoming whole when facing true destiny. Only the fusion of storm and starlight can seal eternal darkness."
Then, like receding tide, the starlight faded from her eyes, and she swayed slightly. I instinctively stepped forward to steady her.
Elena blinked, seeming confused about what had just happened. She looked at me bewildered, then shook her head. "Forgive me, sometimes the prophetic power comes unbidden."
She steadied herself and looked at me gravely: "When destiny's hand guides you, deeper truths often hide beneath appearances. Remember this, Star-Chosen."
Then she hurried away, leaving me standing by the Star Pool, confused and unsettled.
"That was a real prophecy!" Stella practically screamed in my mind. "About your sealed abilities! Lyra, this must relate to the dragon markings on your back."
"But what did she mean by 'a destined heart split in two'?" I murmured.
"Not sure, but I have a strange feeling..." Stella's voice held uncharacteristic hesitation, "like something important is about to happen."
Leaving the garden, I suddenly felt an unusual warmth in my chest, like something burning, not painfully but like a warm power awakening.
"Lyra, stop," Stella suddenly alerted, "I sense abnormal energy fluctuations nearby. Look to your right."
I turned in the direction she indicated and spotted a small squirrel on a secluded path, trembling strangely. Its behavior was abnormal, as if struggling in pain, and—I squinted—its fur seemed covered with a faint purplish glow.
"Void contamination," Stella confirmed, her voice tense but excited, "very weak, but definitely void energy. This is a chance to test your ability."
"Test what ability?" I whispered, slowly approaching the squirrel.
"Purification power. The mark of the Star-Chosen," Stella instructed. "Get closer, focus, and feel the starlight energy within you."
I carefully crouched down and reached toward the squirrel. It looked at me fearfully but seemed too weak to run away.
"Close your eyes, feel the warmth in your chest, let it flow to your palm," Stella guided me. "Imagine that light enveloping the squirrel, dispelling darkness."
I followed her instructions, feeling a warm current start from my core and flow down my arm to my fingertips. When my palm gently touched the squirrel, I felt a slight tingling, then saw a faint silver-blue light flow from my palm, enveloping the small animal like water.
The purplish glow around the squirrel began to fade, like a stain being washed away. Seconds later, its eyes cleared, and its behavior returned to normal. It looked at me curiously, nuzzled my hand affectionately, then hopped away, disappearing into the bushes.
As the purification completed, a wave of intense dizziness hit me. I felt weak throughout my body and had to lean against a tree trunk to remain standing.
"You did it!" Stella cheered. "This is the initial awakening of the Star-Chosen's purification ability."
"Why do I... feel so exhausted?" I asked, breathless.
"It's your sealed power breaking through its limitations," Stella explained. "Using it now consumes a lot of energy. You'll need time to fully master it, but you'll grow stronger."
I closed my eyes, reflecting on the purification process. Most strange was that during that brief contact, I seemed to see the void energy inside the squirrel forming a faint trail, pointing toward some direction in the city.
"You saw the source of the void contamination," Stella said, surprised. "That's more powerful than I expected. Your gift is truly special, Lyra."
I tried to stand straight, feeling my strength slowly returning. "What does this mean, Stella? Why do I have this ability?"
"It means Elena's prophecy was right," Stella answered seriously. "You truly are the Star-Chosen, and your power is awakening. We must be careful not to let the wrong people discover this."
Despite my fatigue, my heart filled with determination. I checked the time—my library meeting would start soon. Even with my body weakened, I didn't want to miss the chance to see Arden.
