The reality of it twisted inside Star's heart, but something within him had shifted — the old Star might've been consumed by grief and fear, but this new Star, surrounded by the friends who now stood by him, refused to crumble.
He clenched his jaw, swallowing the lump in his throat.
"You used me," Star said, his voice steady despite the storm within him.
"You made me believe... I was gathering friends, but you were just... feeding your sick obsession with power."
The master chuckled darkly. "And yet, you still obeyed, didn't you?" He sneered. "You were nothing but a tool, a mindless puppet. And now... you think these so-called friends of yours will stand by you forever?"
Star's light didn't flicker — it only burned brighter.
But the master wasn't finished. His voice grew harsher, more desperate as he stared into the blinding glow.
"You're a fool, Star or should I say Staralor." His words were laced with bitterness.
Star froze.
Aliana and others were confused
Star trembled. "Wh-Who is... Staralor?"
Master grinned coldly. "The one asking..."
Jake commented. "Now that sounds like a royal name."
The others nodded.
Aliana whispered to Star in sympathy. "So, you were even ripped off your real name?"
Master responded arrogantly being able to hear her. "I am the Master here, this is the name I opted to call my servant."
Nia was almost charging towards the Master in rage when her hand was grabbed from behind.
It was surprisingly Eric, the most silent member of the group.
He stopped her. "Don't be reckless. You can get yourself killed."
Nia somehow couldn't deny the seriousness in his eyes so she backed off.
The others were surprised by of his action.
The Master was unbothered by them and continued speaking as though there existence was insignificant.
"I've lived longer than you. I've seen the truth about people — about 'friends.' They betray. They lie. They leave."
His eyes finally darted to the circle of friends standing firmly behind Star. "It's only a matter of time before they turn on you too."
The friends stiffened, but none of them moved — they stood their ground, even as the master spat his venom.
"Humans betray by nature," the master continued, his voice growing louder. "I trusted people once too — friends, allies and they stabbed me in the back, every last one of them!"
_ _ _
"That's why I created slaves with no emotions— they can't betray me because they don't think. They only obey."
The master's smile darkened. "One day, you'll see it for yourself. They'll abandon you, just like I was abandoned. And when that day comes — when you finally taste the same betrayal — you'll remember my words."
His voice dropped to a sinister whisper.
"You'll inherit my legacy."
Silence fell like a heavy blanket.
For a moment, the master's words threatened to crawl into Star's mind — that gnawing voice of doubt, the one the master had planted in him since he was a child.
But then...
Aliana's grip on Star's hand tightened.
Kade, Lila, Nia, Jake, Luna, Gem, Henry, May, and Eric all stood firmly, their unwavering expressions pushing back against the master's poisonous words.
And in that moment, Star realized something profound:
The master wasn't just trying to manipulate him — he was projecting his own pain.
The master had lost his faith in people long ago. His heart was rotted by betrayal and fear, and he wanted Star to fall into the same pit of loneliness he had.
_ _ _
With a calm yet fierce gaze, Star stared directly into the master's fading magic and said:
"I'm not you."
The master's eyes widened.
"I don't need control or fear," Star continued, his voice growing stronger. "I have something you never did... trust. Real trust."
He looked at his friends, and they all gave him small nods, silent affirmations that they were with him.
"I won't inherit your legacy," Star said softly but firmly. "I'll create my own."
The master's fury ignited once more, and with a final, desperate scream, he unleashed a last wave of dark magic.
But Star, glowing with the combined strength of his bonds, raised his hand and pushed forward, the light surging like an unstoppable tide.
The two forces collided — but this time, the darkness didn't stand a chance.
The master's magic shattered like glass, his screams echoing through the air as the light engulfed him.
And then...
Silence.
When the glow finally dimmed, the master was lying unmoving, his black aura was gone.
The curse mark on Star's neck was completely gone.
The once-dominating presence of the master had vanished.
And standing there, in the aftermath, was Star, no longer a puppet, no longer bound by fear but free.
His friends ran to him.
Aliana who was nearest to him reached him first, wrapping him in a tight hug.
"It's over," she whispered. "You did it, Star."
Star, for the first time, allowed a small, genuine smile to form on his lips.
"No," he replied softly. "We did it."
As he said that, all his friends collided with him wrapping there arms over each other.
It was a group hug which made Star choke.
Gem remarked. "Documetary Gold. A legendary hug contest. Oomf. I got squished."
Luna between the hug commented. "It is somehow comforting."
Aliana looking at Star's expression asked. "Are you okay?"
Star choked. "Um, Is... friendship meant to be painful?"
Aliana whispered. "It could be painful but it's one of the ways to show affection."
Star responded. "...I am not.. against this pain. "
"They are... not going...to abandon me, right?"
"No they won't because they found a family and you are a part of them. This pain is tough love which shows we are a real family now." Aliana smiled.
Star gave a slight smile for the first time.
The master's reign was finally over.
_ _ _
After an hour...
Star, with his newfound determination and support from his friends after the chaotic hug sought to find the place where his master used to perform the dark sacrifices.
Though he didn't know the exact location, his resolve was clear there could be lingering threats tied to Lord Dray, and he wouldn't allow any more lives to be lost.
His friends gathered around him, ready to follow his lead. Aliana, still keeping close to him, reminded him that they were in this together — he wasn't alone anymore. Star looked at each of them, realizing once again that these people weren't just allies — they were his chosen family.
With the master's shadow behind him, Star took a deep breath and stepped forward. "We'll find that place," he said with more confidence. "And we'll end whatever darkness is left."
_ _ _
It took hours of searching through the forest until Gem, sharp-eyed and curious noticed something strange — a hidden path veiled by thick vines, leading into a dark cave. The air grew heavier as they stepped inside, the walls damp and lined with ancient carvings of twisted symbols.
The deeper they ventured, the more sinister the atmosphere became. It wasn't just a cave — it felt like a labyrinth, a forgotten underworld. As they descended, the walls became eerily similar to catacombs, lined with old, crumbling skeletons.
Bloodstains smeared the floors and walls, long dried but still holding the scent of death.
The silence was suffocating, broken only by the sound of dripping water and the occasional crunch of bone underfoot.
When they finally reached the heart of the chamber, they were met with a haunting sight — the Dray Worship Place. At the center of the room lay a massive, bloodstained pentagon, carved into the stone floor.
Around it, grotesque markings spoke of dark rituals and sacrifices made to Lord Dray.
But the most chilling sight of all was the inscription scrawled near the pentagon — "6662 sacrifices" — a sickening record left behind by the master.
Star's heart pounded. His master had been only four sacrifices away from summoning Lord Dray and achieving his twisted goal of immortality.
The others were horrified. Nia clung to Lila, her voice a shaky whisper. "This... this is what he was planning all along?"
Aliana's hand found Star's, her grip firm. "We have to stop this. Right here, right now."
Star stepped forward, his mind clearer than ever. His curse mark was gone, his master defeated — but this place was a lingering wound, a reminder of the evil that had controlled his life.
The pentagon pulsed with a faint, ominous glow, still carrying the remnants of dark magic.
Without hesitation, Star summoned his newfound light magic — a radiant, golden energy fueled by the bonds he had formed, the warmth and trust he had received from his friends. The magic surged from his fingertips, a beacon of hope against the darkness.
The pentagon's glow dimmed as Star's light magic enveloped it. Cracks formed across the ancient symbol, the magic within it shrieking as if resisting its destruction. Star poured every ounce of his will into the spell, his heart echoing a single thought — No more sacrifices. No more fear.
Finally, with a blinding flash, the pentagon sealed permanently. The dark aura evaporated, and the air became lighter, as though a great curse had been lifted from the chamber.
Silence followed — but this time, it wasn't the sinister quiet of death. It was peace.
Star turned to his friends, his breathing steady. "It's over," he said softly. "Its all... finally over."
They stood together, the ruins of a dark legacy behind them, and the path to a brighter future ahead.
The journey back to Star's house was quiet, but the silence felt different now not the heavy, oppressive silence of fear, but a calm, reflective one.
The forest that once seemed so dark and ominous now felt... neutral, even peaceful in some ways.
Perhaps it was because Star was no longer carrying the chains of his master's magic, or maybe because his friends were walking beside him, their presence a constant reminder that he was no longer alone.
When they reached the house, the first thing Star's eyes fell upon was his master's lifeless body.
For a long moment, he simply stared, his expression unreadable. The man who had stolen him from his childhood, twisted his life with dark magic, and sought to use him for his own sinister goals... now just a motionless figure, devoid of all the power and fear he once held.
Despite everything, Star couldn't ignore the truth — the master had raised him. It was a harsh, cruel upbringing, but it was the only life Star had known for years.
With a steady voice, Star told his friends, "I need to purify him... and give him a proper burial."
The others exchanged hesitant glances — after all, this was the man who tortured Star for years but none of them questioned his decision. They could see it wasn't about forgiveness. It was about closure.
Star summoned his light magic once more, channeling the radiant energy over his master's body.
The dark remnants of magic that still clung to the corpse hissed and evaporated under the glow, leaving only the human shell behind.
No more dark magic.
No more curse marks.
Just a man — flawed, broken, and gone.
They dug a grave behind the house, and as Star carefully laid the body to rest, the friends gathered around him.
One by one, they offered quiet prayers not for the master, but for Star, for his future, for the final severing of the chains that bound him.
Once the burial was done, Star stood over the grave for a while, letting the moment settle in.
Then, with a deep breath, he spoke:
"I'm going to stay here... This house, it's been a prison, but maybe now... it can be a home."
The group smiled softly, and Aliana was the first to speak. "And you won't be lonely anymore. Your friends will be in town. You can visit them anytime — they'll be waiting."
Star nodded. "I want to go to the town often. There's so much about life I don't understand yet... but I want to."
The friends were glad to hear that — not only because Star was finally breaking free from his past, but because they could see he was living for the first time.
Henry muttered to Star. "So, Staralor..."
Star stopped him midsentence. "Don't...don't... Its..um..weird..to be called by such a name after getting called as...Star.."
Henry explained while sketching the scenery. "But, it's your real name. You should be proud of it."
May muttered cheerfully. "Oh, you don't have so logical about everything. Name doesn't matter."
Star hesitated.
Aliana suddenly interrupted. "You can probably call him Star if he is comfortable with it. Plus, it's easier to call him by his short name."
Jake nodded with a thumbs up. "Agreed."
The group nodded in agreement.
Gem immediately captured a pic of them talking to himself proudly. "Can't believe! I captured a cinematic moment."
Lila lazily nodded. "Yeah, totally agreed. Or else, It will be pretty hectic to call him Staralor all the time."
Then, suddenly, Aliana's phone rang. She answered it, and her expression shifted — a mix of sadness and obligation.
When she hung up, she turned to Star. "I have to go... My family wants me back home. I live in a city far from here."
Star's face fell ever so slightly. "So... you won't stay?"
Aliana smiled softly, her eyes reflecting the same bittersweet feeling. "I can't... but listen to me, Star."
She placed a hand on his shoulder. "You have nine friends here now — Kade, Lila, Nia, Jake, Luna, Gem, Henry, May, and Eric. They're not just going to disappear. If you need anything, they're here for you. And I know... you're strong enough to stand on your own now."
Star clenched his fists, fighting the familiar pang of loneliness trying to creep back — but this time, it wasn't as sharp. "Will you ever come back?"
Aliana chuckled softly. "Someday... I promise."
With that, she gave a final wave to the group. "Take care of him," she told the others, and they nodded firmly.
Henry instructed. "Hey, atleast let us escort you. We are responsible to do it as friends."
Aliana not able to protest said. "Fine, Do as you like."
_ _ _
The sun was beginning to set as Star and his friends walked Aliana to the town's small bus stop. The air was calm, but there was an undeniable heaviness in Star's chest with every step they took.
He wasn't sure why — after all, it wasn't like Aliana was disappearing forever — but the thought of her leaving still felt... wrong. Like something inside him was being pulled away.
The bus stop was a simple one: a faded bench under a rusted shelter, with an old sign creaking slightly in the evening breeze. The schedule said the bus would arrive in 15 minutes.
As they waited, the group gathered around Aliana, the conversation light but carrying an undertone of sadness.
"You sure you have to go?" Jake asked, crossing his arms.
Aliana gave a small smile. "Yeah... I wish I could stay longer, but my parents are waiting for me."
Nia, always the quiet one, spoke softly. "Will you come back to visit?"
Aliana nodded. "Of course I will. I promised already."
Then, she turned to the group and took a more serious tone. "Listen... I know we haven't known each other for long, but I need you all to promise me something."
The friends exchanged glances before Luna asked, "What is it?"
Aliana's gaze shifted to Star, who stood silently beside her, his hands clenched into small fists. "Look after him," she said. "Star... he's been through more than any of us can imagine. He's finally free from his Master, but there's still so much he doesn't know — about life, about people... about himself."
Star's heart ached at those words not because of pain but because she truly understood him — more than anyone had in years.
Kade placed a reassuring hand on Star's shoulder. "Don't worry, Aliana. He's our brother now. We've got his back."
The others nodded firmly — Lila, Nia, Jake, Luna, Gem, Henry, May, and Eric — all standing by Star's side.
Aliana smiled, but her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. She then faced Star directly. "And you..."
"You have real friends, right now." she said softly.
Before Star could respond, the bus finally arrived, its brakes hissing as it came to a slow stop in front of them.
Aliana took one last look at the group, then stepped onto the bus. She stood by the open doors for a moment, her eyes landing on Star one final time.
Tears — real, warm tears began to roll down Star's cheeks. He didn't even realize it at first, too overwhelmed by the unfamiliar sensation. His voice cracked as he finally spoke, the words feeling heavier than anything he'd ever said:
"...Goodbye, Aliana."
She smiled through her own tears. "Not goodbye... just see you later."
The doors shut. The bus slowly pulled away from the stop, and Aliana waved through the window, her figure growing smaller and smaller until she was out of sight.
For the first time in his life, Star felt the sting of missing someone.
His shoulders shook, and the pain of separation settled deep into his chest — but before the loneliness could take root again, he felt a hand on his back.
It was Jake, followed by Kade, Lila, and the others, forming a comforting circle around him.
"You have us now," Luna said softly.
Nia added, "We're not going anywhere."
Star wiped his tears, his heart aching but warm at the same time. Aliana may have left — but she wasn't gone. And standing beside him were eight true friends who reminded him he wasn't alone.
Not anymore.
The walk back to Star's house was quieter than usual, but this time it wasn't the silence of fear or loneliness — it was a peaceful silence, broken only by the soft rustling of leaves and the occasional chirping of birds.
The sun had fully set by the time they arrived at the small, isolated house in the woods, the faint moonlight casting gentle shadows across the worn walls.
But this time... the house didn't feel as dark as it used to.
Star pushed the door open, stepping inside, and for the first time, it didn't feel like stepping into a cage. His friends followed — Kade, Lila, Nia, Jake, Luna, Gem, Henry, May, and Eric — the "newer" group of people in his life.
The atmosphere was different now.