THE STARLIT PROMISE

CHAPTER 7 : THE PATH OF PROPHECIES

The fire crackled quietly as Alina sat beside it, her thoughts drifting like the sparks into the night sky. The stars above gleamed, their faint light casting an ethereal glow on the clearing where she and Kael had made camp. Though exhaustion tugged at her bones, sleep felt impossible. Her mind was consumed with thoughts of Kael’s revelation, her destiny, and the weight of the prophecy that seemed to hang over her like a sword waiting to fall.

The prophecy. It had been mentioned only in whispers until now, but with every step forward, it loomed larger, a shadowy force shaping their path. Alina couldn’t shake the feeling that they were walking blindly into something they didn’t fully understand.

Leora, her mother, had told her only fragments of what the Starborn were destined to face, and now that she was gone, the full truth remained elusive.

Kael, sitting across from her, was sharpening his sword, his movements methodical and calm. His earlier confession still hung in the air between them, unspoken but ever-present. They hadn’t talked much since then, both retreating into their own thoughts. The firelight flickered in his blue eyes, but he said nothing, his gaze focused on the blade in his hands.

Alina broke the silence. “What do you know about the prophecy?”

Kael paused, lifting his gaze to meet hers. He hesitated, as if considering how much to share. “The prophecy of the Starborn is ancient. It’s been passed down through generations, often in pieces. Different interpretations, different warnings. But one thing remains constant—it speaks of a Starborn who will either save the world or doom it.”

Alina’s stomach churned at the words. “And that’s supposed to be me.”

Kael nodded grimly. “It is. You’re the last of the Starborn, Alina. Whatever this prophecy means, it’s tied to you.”

She stared into the flames, the weight of the prophecy pressing down on her like a mountain. “But what if I can’t stop it? What if I fail?”

Kael leaned forward, his voice steady and firm. “You won’t fail. I’ve seen what you’re capable of. The power you hold is unlike anything I’ve ever known. You’ve already done things others couldn’t dream of. You can stop the Darkness.”

Alina wanted to believe him, but doubt gnawed at her. She had power, yes, but power alone wouldn’t be enough to defeat the Darkness. The prophecy didn’t just speak of strength—it spoke of sacrifice, choices, and consequences. And she had no idea what that would mean for her, or for Kael.

“There’s more to it, isn’t there?” she asked quietly. “Something you’re not telling me.”

Kael’s expression darkened. He didn’t answer right away, but Alina saw the conflict in his eyes. When he finally spoke, his voice was low. “The prophecy doesn’t just predict a battle between the Starborn and the Darkness. It… it speaks of a choice. A choice that could determine everything.”

“A choice?” Alina repeated, her heart skipping a beat. “What kind of choice?”

Kael shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t know all the details. But from what I’ve learned, the Starborn will be faced with a decision—one that could tip the balance either toward salvation or destruction. The wrong choice could doom us all.”

Alina felt a cold chill crawl up her spine. A decision that could doom the world? And it was supposed to be hers to make?

She shook her head, trying to wrap her mind around the enormity of it. “How am I supposed to make a choice like that? I don’t even understand what’s happening half the time.”

Kael’s gaze softened, and for a moment, he wasn’t the hardened warrior she had come to rely on, but someone who understood the burden she carried. “You don’t have to do it alone,” he said softly. “I’m here with you. Whatever the prophecy demands, we’ll face it together.”

Alina’s heart swelled at his words, the warmth of his promise easing some of the fear gnawing at her. Kael had always been there, standing beside her, guiding her when she felt lost. She knew that no matter how difficult the path ahead became, he would stay by her side.

But still, the uncertainty of the prophecy loomed. What if the choice it demanded was something neither of them could foresee?

Alina looked up at the stars, feeling a deep connection to them, as if they were watching her, waiting for her to fulfill the destiny she hadn’t asked for. The thought brought both comfort and fear. The stars had guided her people for generations, but now, their light seemed distant, offering no clear answers.

She sighed, her voice barely a whisper. “Do you think we’ll find the answers in time?”

Kael’s hand rested gently on her shoulder, his touch reassuring. “We have to. The Darkness is closing in. If we don’t understand the prophecy soon, it might be too late.”

Alina nodded, knowing he was right. They couldn’t afford to waste any more time. If the prophecy was real—if her fate was truly tied to the world’s survival—then they needed to find out what the next step was.

The crackling of the fire filled the silence between them until Kael spoke again. “There’s one place we can go for answers.”

Alina turned to him, her interest piqued. “Where?”

“There’s a temple, hidden deep in the northern mountains,” Kael explained. “It’s said to be a place of the old Starborn—where the prophecy was first spoken. The temple’s keepers might have knowledge we need, something that could help us understand what you’re meant to do.”

Alina’s heart quickened at the mention of the temple. A place of the Starborn, where the prophecy had originated. Could it hold the answers she desperately needed?

“I’ve heard of the temple,” Alina said, nodding slowly. “My mother mentioned it once, but she said it was dangerous. That few who ventured there ever returned.”

Kael gave a grim smile. “It won’t be easy. The path is treacherous, and the temple itself is guarded by more than just the natural elements. But if we want answers, it’s the best lead we have.”

Alina knew that the journey to the temple would be perilous, but they had no other choice. If the prophecy was tied to her fate, then the temple might hold the key to understanding what that fate truly meant—and how she could change it.

“We’ll leave at dawn,” she said, her voice steady despite the fear bubbling beneath the surface. “We’ll find this temple, and whatever secrets it holds.”

Kael nodded, his gaze resolute. “I’ll prepare our supplies.”

As Kael moved to gather their gear, Alina sat for a moment longer, staring up at the stars. The path ahead was uncertain, and the weight of the prophecy felt heavier than ever. But she wasn’t alone. Kael was with her, and together, they would face whatever lay ahead.

The temple might hold the answers they sought, but Alina knew that understanding the prophecy wouldn’t be the end of their struggle. The Darkness was growing stronger, and time was running out.

But for the first time, Alina felt a glimmer of hope. Whatever the prophecy demanded of her, she would meet it head-on. And with Kael by her side, she believed they could find a way to change their fate—no matter how impossible it seemed.

As the fire burned low and the stars shimmered overhead, Alina made a silent vow to herself.

No matter what the prophecy asked of her, she would not let the Darkness win.