Upon A Star: A Novel
Prologue
Once upon a time, stars reigned over the heavens. They lived for millions of years, traversing the vast cosmos as they pleased. There were no other beings like them who were half so wise or able to wield magic.
But one day, the stars came across a planet inhabited by strange beings called humans. Humans looked like them, with the same features and intelligence as themselves. Yet humans were short-lived creatures, made of flesh and bone rather than stardust. And they had no magic.
Excited and curious, the stars came down to greet the humans. The humans were obviously frightened at first, but they soon realized that the stars meant no harm. The two sides mingled, feasting and celebrating as they learned about one another. The stars even began to show the humans their magic, and for some, they granted their hearts' greatest desires. The Queen was the most gracious of all, seeing humans as equals despite their limitations.
However, not every human was pleased by the visitors. Seeing the magic some possessed, a growing number of humans grew jealous, believing the stars were greedy by keeping it to themselves. So one night, a small band snuck into the Star Queen's quarters as she slept and killed her, taking her magic for themselves.
The stars were enraged, and war was declared. The two sides battled for decades, and for a time the stars assumed they would win. But over time more and more humans gained magic and proved to be formidable foes. Eventually the stars had to retreat. They threatened never to return, but they were a kind and generous people. Seeing the devastation left behind, the stars promised to return only for souls who sought them with pure intention.
But over time, this promise faded into legend. Humans used their magic and wisdom to grow and expand, going from simple wooden hovels to mighty castles and cities. The war with the stars was all but forgotten, merely a myth told around the fire. But the stars are still out there, watching and waiting for someone pure of heart to call upon them.
The illustration almost seemed alive to Asha. The queen's flowing hair and dress, serene expression, all perfectly captured in charcoal. Asha braced herself on the wooden table, staring down at the illustration. It was one of the most beautiful drawings she had ever seen. And after years of wandering around the palace with her father, she'd seen a lot of beautiful drawings.
"All those stars..." Asha said, looking out the castle window at the dappled night sky. "Do you think they're really listening?"
Her father followed her gaze, his armor softly clanking as he shifted in his seat. Asha thought it was odd that he needed to wear his armor just to meet with King Manuel, but the king insisted it was a formality. He'd also insisted on meeting past sunset, because he would be too busy any other time that day. Asha thought that was odd to, but didn't ask questions.
"Perhaps. If they are, they've been silent for a long time," her father said with a shrug.
"Has anyone tried to wish on them?"
"No one I know of."
"Well how do we know if no one's ever tried?" Asha asked. She climbed down from her chair and rushed over to the window, craning to look out. Beyond the castle, the kingdom of Luminaria lay dormant, only a few lights flickering in the windows. But her eyes remained fixated on the sky.
Her father chuckled and closed the book they'd been reading from. "You've got me there. What would you wish for, since you're so curious about it?"
Asha's head whipped around. "Well, it won't come true if I tell you! Besides, I don't need a star to grant my wish. I just need to wait until King Manuel takes it and grants it." Everyone had their wish taken when they were eighteen, for protection as Manuel said, and eventually he would grant that wish if it was for the good of the kingdom. Asha was only six, but she already dreamed of the day her wish would be granted. What child of Luminaria didn't?
Asha couldn't help but notice the way her father winced a little before he smiled again. "Right. I suppose you don't." He looked at the door that led towards the king's private study. Usually matters like this were addressed in the king's throne room, but Asha's father had requested a more private meeting, which Manuel had accepted.
Manuel had a soft spot for her father, Asha knew. They'd been friends longer than she'd been alive, and when Manuel had travelled to the island they now called home, her father had been one of the first to go with him. Her father was Manuel's most loyal protector, there was no doubt about it.
Still, something had felt off between them as of late. Asha had sensed it and tried to ask her father what was wrong, but he always smiled and told her not to worry. Yet even now, he looked anxious.
"Are you worried that the king won't give you the medicine for Ma?" she asked quietly.
"No, of course not. I don't see why he wouldn't. Manuel's a good man, he'll give it to us. Besides, I'm his general. He'll have to listen to me," her father said. He glanced around the room, though there were no guards present, and patted the chair beside him. "Come here."
Asha scrambled back into her chair, facing her father. He rested a hand on her shoulder, his gaze gentle but firm. His voice was low when he spoke. "Don't wait for Manuel to grant your wish. You have to make it happen yourself."
Asha blinked. "Why? Wouldn't the king make it easier?"
"He would. But the easy way isn't always the right way. If I had just been granted my wish to be the best knight in all the lands, I wouldn't have experienced half the things I have in my life. It's not just about the wish Asha, it's-"
The door opened, and her father stiffened, whirling around. A page stood in the doorway, holding a stack of papers. "Sir Tomas, King Manuel will see you now."
"About time," Asha's father muttered. He stood, ruffling Asha's hair. "This won't take long, I promise. Don't wander off." Asha watched her father walk away and disappear behind the door.
Asha waited a while, reading from the book or doodling on a scar of paper she'd found. But there was only so long she could stay occupied, especially with no in the castle wall to watch her. She looked to the window again, up at those stars. Some were bright and prominent, others merely pinpricks of light. Silently as she could, she made her way over to the window, her eyes fixing on a tiny star in particular. She clasped her hands in front of her and shut her eyes, making a silent wish.
"Please. Please, please, please," Asha whispered. she opened her eyes. At first nothing happened. But just as Asha's heart began to sink, she saw a star streak across the sky. No, not across the sky, more so downward. Asha watched with fascination as the ball of light grew closer....and closer...and closer still.
Asha gasped as she finally realized the light was heading straight towards the window, and ducked. But the light didn't fly into the castle. Instead it stopped just short, jerked upward, then plunged down, into the gardens below.
Asha peered down at the garden, then looked around. She expected guards to appear at any moment, or even Manuel himself to burst through the door to demand what happened. But no one appeared. With another glance out the window Asha raced out of the hallway, down one flight of stairs, then another, until she finally reached the castle gardens.
The gardens were filled with beautiful flowers and trees, but also many strange plants Queen Amaya used for her potions. Bushes and flowers grew tall, vines snaking over the castle walls. And in the middle stood a great willow tree, leaves gently rustling in the breeze. Asha walked carefully along the stone path, looking around for anything unusual. She was beginning to regret making her wish.
"Hello?" Asha called softly. "Is anyone there? I thought I saw you fall from the sky. I didn't mean any harm, I promise." Her heart began to beat faster. Had she really called down a star? What if it wasn't friendly? For all she knew, the stars could still be angry over thee war, even if it had been centuries ago. Centuries were like seconds in a star's life.
She jumped as rustling came from a nearby rosebush. Her pulse jolted as she saw golden light emanating from the bush, shifting and pulsing. Swallowing her fear, Asha crouched and gently pulled back the leaves.
The star- Asha was certain that's what it was now- didn't look anything like she'd expected. It was small, nearly the size of a kitten, and looked like one to. At least it's body. It's face was more like an owl's, with wide eyes and tufts to match There were blue wings like a moth's draped across it's back, attached to it's arms like bat wings. It's while body was golden and glowing, with some strange mist swirling around it.
Asha and the star stared at each other for a long moment, equally fearful yet fascinated by the other. Slowly, Asha reached out to the star, but it recoiled and hissed like a cat.
"There there," Asha said gently. "I'm not going to hurt you." She held her hand out and the star slowly walked towards her, tilting its head from one side to the other. It settled in front of her, staring with curiousity.
Asha smiled, then frowned. "I'm sorry if I scared you. I didn't think a star would actually come down, at least not one like...you." Those wide eyes narrowed on her. "Not that that's a bad thing, you're a very lovely star, just different from what I expected."
The star clicked its beak twice. It crawled onto her lap, reaching up with a paw and tapping her nose. Asha giggled and patted the star's head in return. It seemed fine with that.
"You don't seem so bad for a star. I'm Asha. What's your name? Can you even talk?" The star emitted an odd noise, almost like a bird's chip. Asha's brows furrowed. "I'm sorry, I don't speak...bird. I'm a human girl, can't you see that?"
The star stiffened, it's eyes going even wider as it jumped back, bristling. Asha held up her hands. "I'm not going to take your magic, I promise! I just wanted to see if the stories were true. I thought maybe a star could help me, since no one else seems to be able to..." she trailed off, and looked away. The star relaxed, and slowly came back up to her. Asha didn't even realize she was crying until tears dripped into the dirt.
"My mother's really sick, and no one's been able to find a cure. I don't even know if the king or queen will be able to find a potion to help her. I don't know what else to do. Please, please tell me you can help me," Asha begged, sniffling.
The star hesitated. It stared at Asha, then looked down at it's paws. Asha shook her head. What was she doing? The star couldn't respond, let alone understand her. How could it help her? Asha felt so foolish for wishing upon it. She wiped away tears with her sleeve and scooped up the star, hugging it tight. It squirmed in her grip, squawking, but eventually it relaxed and even nestled into her. They stayed like that for a moment, letting the silence envelop them.
"Asha! Asha, where are you?" Asha jolted as she heard her father calling. She looked at the star, her heart seizing. If her father saw the star he'd surely tell Manuel, and who knew what he would do with it.
She shoved the star away. "You need to leave, or hide or- something! At least stop glowing!" she whisper-shouted. The star bristled but seemed to understand, diving into a rose bush. A few moments later, its glow faded.
A few moments later, Asha's father turned a corner, walking over to her with a dark yet relieved expression. "There you are! Asha, what have I told you about running off like that? You nearly gave me a heart attack, and-" he frowned. "Have you been crying?"
"No," Asha lied, scrubbing her face. "I just...I just needed a little fresh air, that's all."
Her father didn't press. Instead he helped her up and took her hand in his. "Come on. We're going home." Slowly they made their way back towards the castle, the silence feeling more oppressive.
As they reached the doorway, Asha finally mustered up the courage to speak. "Did we get the medicine?"
Her father paused in the doorway for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "No," he said quietly. This time, Asha didn't press despite the way her heart sank. As they walked away from the castle that night, she stared up at the sky, counting the stars. Every one of them seemed to be in their place. Even the one that had fallen.
Author Notes
Okay listen. I tried to create a nice, structured story like I wanted with a neat little magic system set in New York. But it just wasn't working. Every time I've tried to outline this goddamn story and give it a neat little twist to make it unique I've just gotten disinterested or procrastinated. It doesn't help that I've been focused so much on editing and rewriting The Last Rider. So you know what? Screw it. I'm just going to sit down and write this thing.
There is no plan. There is no outline. Only medieval vibes fueled by ASOIAF and soundtracks. I have no idea what I'm doing, and for once I'm just going to have fun with this. It'll probably be sloppy. And inconsistent. And weird. And full of angst. And self-indulgent. And it may stray so far from the source material it barely looks like a wish rewrite. At this point I don't care, I just want to get it out to the masses.
In other words:
FUCK IT WE BALL!
If you want to read something a little more refined, then The Last Rider might be for you. I've been posting chapters weekly while I'm editing for feedback, so engagement would be appreciated.
@rascalentertainments @tumblingdownthefoxden @your-ne1ghbor @thesafireartist @spectator-zee @flicklikesstuff @jojo-ker06 @ishadow246 @a-storytellers-wish @cielos-pintados @starss-artss
