Chapter 79
Seventy-nine
Ascreen emerges, floating and spinning through the air to display real-time coverage of the Astral arriving at the constellation.
She’s nothing but a burning comet herself, quickly flashing between the ten points as she infuses the stars with renewed starlight.
Captivated, the arena watches as one as the constellation shines stronger, brighter.
After the last star is renewed, the Astral shoots directly in front of the constellation, bracing the scepter in front of her.
The staff draws raw power from the constellation, glowing brilliantly in shades of silver and gold as the crystalline sphere fills.
The crowd gasps dramatically, in awe of the magic surrounding them.
I nervously bite the inside of my cheek, eyes bouncing from the scepter and the Kosmos.
All twelve sit patiently, waiting to be filled with energy that doesn’t belong to them.
Energy that belongs to the humans and the planets, since none of the order will use their power to improve their lives.
Did the planets ever require the energy, or was that all part of the elaborate ruse as well?
The staff finally dims, signaling that the conduit is filled.
My stomach twists as the Astral turns from the constellation, so far above us in orbit.
The Astral faces the Kosmos, aligning her position directly with Pluto’s.
She was prepped and given her true instructions then.
She knows exactly what she is doing—giving the power to them instead of the planets.
The Astral chants, the words inaudible from this distance.
The scepter illuminates, and something in my bones screams that the time is now.
Simultaneously, orb lights flicker to life in a wave around the stadium.
First one, then ten, then endless lights forming eight-pointed stars.
I circle, seeing the stars surrounding me.
It’s them; it has to be. The Children of the Constellation are here.
Not just a few—but in droves. The symbol of hope stirs the viper within me, reigniting my raging determination.
The vicious venom pulses through me, urging me to act, strike, kill.
For Lenny. For my friends. For me. For our future.
Slowly, I slip the dagger from my pocket, the feel of the snake winding across the handle comforting my racing thoughts. As I take my first step towards Pluto’s throne, movement draws my attention, causing me to freeze.
Fear like I’ve never known showers over me as I watch Orion star-shoot from the side of the dais out to the Astral.
Now I know why he said all those things to me.
He was saying goodbye.
This was a suicide mission.
Even if he survives this, the Kosmos will never let him live.
Eyes locked on the brightest star of all, my golden best friend, I watch in equal parts awe and horror as Orion arrives.
Swiftly, he knocks into the Astral, sending her sprawling.
Stars above, chaos below. It all happens so fast. Gripping the scepter with two hands, just as a beam of light emits from the sphere, Orion turns the staff away from its intended path.
Like a jolt of lightning, the beam shoots outwards.
Instead of hitting Pluto, the power hits me.
A searing tingle ignites within me. It burns hotter and brighter until I can’t breathe.
My chest tightens as blinding white light floods my vision, even behind closed eyelids.
I gasp, frantically attempting to draw air.
The pain is continuous. I tremble, surrendering to the burn as it overtakes me.
The world halts. Pressure swells, drowning out sound, sight, sensation—a beat of absolute silence; the briefest reprieve.
Then, I erupt.