Ryzen
Bright lights speckled the abyss as he swam through the fabric of space and time.
He didn’t know how long he had been here or why—just that he was. Nothing else mattered to him.
He was finally safe.
Surrounded by the comfort of the Stars, he didn’t have to worry about surviving when he could live here.
Though he no longer knew who he was or how he had come here, one thing prevented him from letting go completely: the bright, golden star that had always followed him, no matter how far he had drifted. The gleaming sphere had refused to leave him alone, which angered him. Finally, he’d had enough and decided to confront it. If he could capture the orb, he would have a companion to go on this journey with him. Something tangible to hold in the darkness that surrounded him.
Yet, every time he had tried to reach for that golden star, it remained out of his reach. Anger and frustration coursed through him when he failed yet again to grab the teasing, glowing sphere.
Why had it followed him if it didn’t want to interact with him? Was this a Star guiding him on his path? Or a test of some sort?
Just as he was about to give up, the teasing orb seemed to move closer. He blinked, suspecting a trick of the mind. When he moved to turn his back on the golden star, it suddenly morphed into the shape of a female.
Her ethereal body sparkled like the distant stars and galaxies that surrounded them—absolutely stunning. Her long hair flowed like liquid gold and she smiled, flooring him.
It had been so long since he had needed to think or attempt to formulate a sentence that even the simplest of words seemed out of his reach.
“Who are you?”he asked, cringing at the sound of his voice. This was the first time he had spoken in this spiritual plane.
“Who I am doesn’t matter. I’m here to save you.”
“Save me?”He spun around, unable to find any danger.“What do I need to be saved from?”
“Fading.”She frowned.“Do you truly not know who you are?”
“I am one with the Stars. There is no need to think—only exist.”
“You won’t be existing any longer if you remain in this spiritual realm. Your tattoos are beginning to dim. Soon, you will dull, unable to access your abilities. If you still stay, you will cease to exist. Your emerald soul will fade until you are no more. Do you really want to give up living?”
Her words stunned him. He tried to think back to before he had arrived here. Fragments of memories flashed by as if he were witnessing his life in a vidfeed presented to him for the first time.
He was a brother and a leader who was leaving behind many who depended on him.
Why was he here instead of there? Nothing made any sense.
“I… want to live.”
The golden female’s smile seemed to light their surroundings with its brilliance. Was she an embodiment of the Fates and the Stars? Were they trying to lead him back to where he truly belonged?
“Then take my hand,”she directed, offering it to him. “You don’t have to be alone anymore.”
Without hesitation, he grabbed her hand and pulled her into his embrace, capturing his star for once and for all as a bright, golden light blinded him.
