eyes in the sky

Chapter 2: The Starmage's Warning

The warmth of the morning sun spilled over the peaks of Azran, but Rayan felt no comfort in its light. His eyes still burned faintly from the events of the previous night, and the memory of the rogue Starlord's destruction lingered in his mind. He crouched by a small stream, splashing cold water onto his face, hoping to chase away the dull ache behind his eyes.

"Something's changed," he muttered to himself, staring at his reflection. For a fleeting moment, his irises glimmered with faint constellations before returning to their usual stormy gray. "What is this power?"

Azura chirped softly behind him, her golden feathers catching the morning light. The gryphon nudged him with her beak, her intelligent eyes filled with concern. "I'm fine, girl," Rayan said, though the uncertainty in his voice betrayed him. "I just need answers."

His chance came sooner than expected.

As they prepared to descend into the valley below, a figure emerged from the treeline—a man cloaked in deep blue robes, his silver hair catching the light like moonbeams. He carried a staff etched with celestial runes, and his piercing eyes seemed to see straight through Rayan. Azura bristled, letting out a low growl, but the man raised a hand, radiating an aura of calm.

"Easy, Skyhunter," the man said in a voice as smooth as polished stone. "I mean no harm."

Rayan's grip tightened on Skyfang, his instincts screaming to be cautious. "Who are you, and how do you know me?"

The man inclined his head in a slight bow. "I am Kael, a starmage and seeker of celestial truths. Your battle with the rogue Starlord did not go unnoticed." His gaze shifted to Rayan's eyes. "Nor did the power you unleashed."

Rayan stiffened. "What do you know about that?"

Kael stepped closer, planting his staff into the ground. "Enough to know you are no ordinary hunter. Tell me, Rayan, have you ever felt… different? As though the stars themselves whisper to you?"

Rayan hesitated. Memories of his childhood surfaced—nights spent staring at the sky, feeling an inexplicable pull toward the constellations. He'd always dismissed it as a quirk, a fascination born of long nights alone. But now…

"I don't know what you're talking about," Rayan lied, his tone defensive.

Kael smiled faintly. "Denial will not shield you from the truth. You are Starbound, Rayan—a rare individual chosen by the heavens themselves. Your power is connected to the Sky Mirror, an ancient artifact that governs the balance between the celestial and the mortal realms."

"The Sky Mirror?" Rayan frowned. "That's a myth. A bedtime story."

Kael's expression darkened. "It is no myth. The Sky Mirror once held the constellations in harmony, but it was shattered long ago. Its fragments are scattered across the realms, and now, the Shadow Sovereign seeks to reforge it."

Rayan's blood ran cold at the name. The Shadow Sovereign—a figure of nightmares, a celestial entity said to bring chaos and destruction wherever it went. "Why would it want the Sky Mirror?"

"To enslave the stars," Kael replied grimly. "And to control the mortal world. If the Sovereign succeeds, it will mean the end of everything."

Rayan shook his head, his mind racing. "Why are you telling me this? I'm just a hunter."

"You are much more than that," Kael said, his tone firm. "The power you used last night proves it. Whether you believe it or not, you are a key player in this war. And if we are to stop the Shadow Sovereign, we must find the shards of the Sky Mirror before it does."

Rayan opened his mouth to protest, but a sharp cry from Azura cut him off. The gryphon spread her wings, her gaze fixed on the treeline. Moments later, a group of shadowy figures emerged, armed and moving with deadly purpose.

"They've found us," Kael said, his voice urgent. "We need to leave. Now."

Rayan didn't need to be told twice. He mounted Azura, pulling Kael up behind him. As the gryphon took to the skies, arrows whistled past them, and the trees below erupted into chaos.

As they soared higher, Rayan glanced back at Kael. "You better be right about this, Starmage."

Kael met his gaze, his expression resolute. "Trust me, Skyhunter. This is only the beginning."

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