Chapter 4: A Path of Starlight

Amara followed Elian through the glowing forest. The trees whispered as they passed, their leaves shining like silver. The ground beneath her feet sparkled faintly, as if tiny stars were hidden in the soil. Every step felt like walking through a dream, but this dream had weight. It was real.

“You said this place is called Noctra,” Amara said. “Why does it feel like I’ve been here before?”

“Because you have,” Elian replied gently. “Long ago, when you were still very young, your soul wandered into Noctra. You stayed for a short time… but something pulled you back to the human world.”

“Why don’t I remember?”

“Because you had to forget to survive. You were too young. If the memories stayed, they would have hurt you.”

Amara’s chest tightened. “So I left this place behind?”

Elian stopped and turned to her. “Not by choice. You were taken from here. Hidden. But the veil is thinning now. That’s why the mirror woke up. That’s why I found you again.”

Amara looked up at the sky. Two moons hung overhead, slowly shifting. “And those shadows? The ones in the forest?”

“They are what broke this world before. Shadows born from fear and pain. They want to break through again—to spread into your world.”

“Then we have to stop them.”

Elian nodded. “Yes. But you won’t be alone.”

As they walked farther, the trees began to part. Before them stood a large field of glowing flowers, swaying gently even without wind. In the center, a tall tower of crystal reached toward the sky. It pulsed with a soft blue light.

“That’s the Tower of Echoes,” Elian said. “It remembers everything that has ever happened in Noctra. It holds the key to your past.”

Amara stared at it. “Will it show me the truth?”

“Yes. But only if you’re ready.”

She took a deep breath and stepped forward. As she approached the tower, a soft hum filled the air. Her fingertips tingled. The light from the crystal wrapped around her like mist. Then—suddenly—images filled her mind.

A younger version of herself, laughing among the silver trees.

Elian, watching her from the shadows, protecting her.

A woman with purple eyes, whispering a lullaby.

Then—darkness. Screams. The sound of something breaking. A hand pulling her away.

Amara stumbled back, breathing hard.

“I saw... something,” she whispered.

Elian was beside her in an instant. “What did you see?”

“My mother,” Amara said. “She was here. She looked like me. She was singing. And then—someone took me.”

Elian’s expression darkened. “Then the tower has shown you what it can. For now.”

Amara looked up at the tower again. “I need to know everything. I need to find out who I really am.”

“And you will,” Elian said. “But it will take time. And courage.”

She nodded, feeling a new strength grow inside her. “I’m ready.”