Chapter 78
Seventy-eight
“Pluto tried to stop me,” I mutter as I stare down at my boots—Orion’s hand stills for a moment before he resumes wiping.
“When?”
“In the observatory. Before,” I swallow roughly, “before Leo.”
“Did he hurt you?” Orion’s tone is stern, punishing. I shook my head in response. “What did he say?”
“The power isn’t for the planets, Orion. It’s for them.”
Orion rings out the wet cloth before softly telling me, “We’ve figured that out, too. Everything is going to be okay.”
My face scrunches in confusion. “We’ve?”
A knock at the door disrupts our conversation. An official pops his head in, alerting us, “The ceremonies are about to begin.”
Orion stands, drying his hands on his trousers. He throws me a self-assured wink before extending his hand to me. “Don’t worry, Zizi.”
Why does that sentiment only make me more concerned?
Ever fond of their platforms announcing their superiority, a new dais has emerged in the center of the arena.
Sparkling white steps lead up to a flattened marble surface with elongated columns on each end.
Thrones of interwoven gold and silver metal and plush black velvet seats line the dais.
Twelve, to be exact. I suppose I’ll be expected to stand.
A lone podium is erected at the front of the platform, with a square box resting on top of it.
Orb lights hover throughout the arena, dancing up towards the top of the dome like stars twinkling in orbit.
In the distance, I can make out the Gemini constellation with its star clusters faded but present.
The same official who summoned us greets me, directing me to stand on the side of the dais. “Orion—” I turn, trying to grab his arm, to cling to him as my world is once more going to be flipped upside down.
“Remember what I told you—until the moons fail to rise and the stars burn out. It will be okay. I’m right here.” He ushers me up the steps as he comes to stand off to the side, his body angled to keep me in his line of vision.
Soft music plays, rising in tempo and volume as smoke unfurls around the dais.
The Order climbs the steps and takes their seats, one by one, as the arena cheers and applauds them.
Once seated, ten officials in matching white tunics and pants emerge, each holding a moonstone shard.
Each official rises to the podium, depositing their fragments at the box.
The gems slide down through a slot carved to fit the pieces, each disappearing one by one.
As the tenth piece is placed, Pluto nods his thanks to the officials as he stands, approaching the podium.
I shift my weight, toying with the end of my bandana as I nervously await what’s coming.
“Citizens of Astralis, our divinity demands that we, as an order, ensure the safety of our home and the lives of those on the surrounding planets. Every life in this universe is worthy of basking in the light provided by our generous constellations. It is our job to keep the constellations powered and producing energy. The Gemini Games, the selection of contestants, and the challenges designed are all efforts produced by the galactic order to provide the energy required for our survival, ultimately. This is a task that is considered of critical importance, and we do not take our responsibility to the constellation, and you all, lightly.”
Everything that comes out of his mouth is complete and total bullshit, of course.
The Kosmos hand-selected pawns to get the required energy to maintain and further improve their power and immortality while they sat back, entertained by a spectacle of their design.
Polite clapping follows his speech. They have us all fooled.
Well, not all of us, not anymore. Eyes trained on the back of Pluto’s head, my hand clenches as I fight the urge to grab my dagger and lodge it into the back of his fucking neck.
“I now ask you all to join me in a quiet moment as the moonstones are converted to starlight. Magic, while beautiful, requires respect.”
Pluto raises his hands slowly to the side of the box as a blanket of silence covers the coliseum. Awkwardly, I cross my arms, unsure why I have to stand on the sidelines of the melodramatics. He touches the podium, light bursting from the box as the gems convert.
He stands at his full height, addressing the audience.
“It is done. Now, an official selected by the Kosmos will transport the starlight directly to the constellation to regenerate the fading stars.” On cue, a young Astral steps onto the dais, holding a scepter adorned with a rounded crystalline sphere.
“Once this is completed, a beam of pure power will be produced, finalizing the ceremony.”
Pluto turns to the Astral, pressing his hands together with a slight bow. “May the stars guide you. The constellations are the only constant.”
The woman returns the gesture before tucking the box of light under her free arm and star-shooting out to the constellation.
Sweat trickles down the back of my neck, and my hands are clammy. We are speeding towards the finale and a future I cannot allow to happen. The question is: how do I stop it?