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Happy ending? That knocked out the majority. Let’s see. Perhaps of Aden and his replacement? Perhaps of how the people mourned the second sun, and the new sun appeared in the wake of their sadness? Not Kasiin, and the pain he had, patiently watching Gaenil destroy itself. Perhaps… His heart turned a bit cold, remembering a story as he’d heard it told. About himself. A happy ending indeed, but, no no… not that one… Perhaps… yes. That was it. Though it made him uncomfortable as well. These weren’t old men and babes.

He glanced forward and back, shoulder dragging into a spike. Nithel flinched, teeth gritting, and a small grunt came from his throat. It had gone through his shirt’s fabric. Noy… that drew blood. He presses his lips together a moment, not saying anything. La hajatan lilshafqat eali. Lays hdha … sayafealuna. Well then, He swallows, clearing his throat in silence, then he breathed before speaking.

“There once was a star.” His voice echoed a bit, stronger than his normal speech, but still measured. It flowed more this way. “This star was bright and wise. His feet had danced on the knee of the handle his whole being. A breath that had lasted thousands of years.

Over a span of two months, he felt himself getting hotter. His body became brighter. His song to the Star Breather came out stronger than ever before. His ears could hear the praises of celestials he’d never known existed. His world knew no night. The star’s eyes could see to the ground of Gaenil, he could see the man, their faces.

And he knows why. He is about to go out.”

Nithel’s tongue was dry, but somehow he was able to keep his voice smooth. And then aching with pain, when the need in the story arose. “The star sings louder, feeling a painful cold rush through his chest. Like a dagger, this chill aches inside him. The star’s glowing body beginning to dissolve within him. He cries, for the pain of the frost cuts like a jagged blade along his soul. He weeps with his song.

He is dying, and knows it.

 

His mouth is charry, and he cries out to the One who made him. “Alhamd lilah aladhi yhibuna!”

His wrinkled chin lifts, his snow-white hair beginning to glow for the first time in a millennia.

Then he gives a prayer of thanks to his Creator.” Nithel licks his lips, and breathes. A terrible ache is in his chest, and he’s glad for the shadows hiding his expression.

 

“The chords struck the heart of Jacine, the first light and warmth of Gaenil. The agonizing, though beautiful, hopeful tones reach the ears of Vinia, the great high star of the upper galaxy; Young, and twinkling like a thousand of her predecessors in one.

But, most important, the song of praise reached the deepest being… of the Star Breather.

The Holy One quaked with sadness. He waited a day, then overcome, he went to his son. His hand the size of the galaxy did not startle the star as it caressed his head. It gave him peace.

The star sang out louder, stronger. Praises. His eyes burning like sapphires, and his tears were rivers of fire. A great roaring began inside him, feeling like fire. Ashes cascading and flying like storms within him.

 

The star burst into a great nova. Bright colors of snow, sun, violet, river, and emerald flew in all directions. A wave of life swept out across the great expanse, giving new breath to the choir of beings about. For new life comes from a star’s death.

But the Lord of creation cupped the sparks in His hands, a tear dropping down His cheek. The flames almost burning holes through His spotless palms as He carried His son to Gaenil.

There, among rustling grass, and a slight breeze, awoke the star. He say up, completely alone. But then he smiled.” Nithel presses his lips together in a sad smile, so grateful. Tears are in the man’s eyes, and wouldn’t find it hard to fall.

“The Star Breather had given him another life. Another chance to serve Him. To love the people of Gainel, as he had his whole being. Now, he got to meet those he had given himself for. He got to be loved, cursed, and rejected by them. But he was loved.” Nithel breathes, shoulder aching where it had been cut, and he rolls it, being careful not to tap it against another tiny blade. But it doesn’t help, his shoulder stiffening.

And the star was grateful. So very grateful. That he had been chosen for this grace. Nithel added in his mind. He lowered his head, silent, feet walking on.

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@skylarynn @this-is-not-an-alien