The barrier trembled under the Starbeast's relentless strikes. Each blow was like a falling star, shaking my bones until sparks danced in my vision.
I couldn't hold much longer.
The chains around my legs glowed hotter, feeding on my struggling energy. It wasn't just a trap it was designed to drain me. And Calen knew it.
From the shadows of the trees, his laughter cut through the chaos.
"Pathetic. You were born useless, and you'll die useless."
My teeth ground together. Rage burned in my chest but beneath it, a flicker of something else pulsed, steady and patient.
The stars.
I closed my eyes for a heartbeat, letting the roar of the beast fade. Somewhere above, beyond the shifting canopy, I felt the pull of distant constellations.
And they answered.
A silver glow bled from my skin, spreading across the chains. Cracks spiderwebbed along the bindings. The beast lunged again, claws of starlight tearing through the barrier
"Break!"
The chains shattered, light exploding outward. For the first time, I stood free.
Gasps echoed across the forest clearing. Even Calen's smirk faltered.
The beast howled, but instead of terror, I felt a strange calm. My body moved before my mind caught up my hand rose, silver radiance surging from my core, shaping itself into a blade of light.
With a single swing, I deflected the Starbeast's claw. Sparks scattered like meteors.
For a moment, silence reigned.
Then the whispers began.
"Impossible…"
"He shouldn't be able to…"
"What is that power?"
Above us, Aster leaned forward ever so slightly. His silver eyes reflected the glow of my blade.
Interesting, they seemed to say.
The Starbeast growled again, lowering its stance for another strike. My breath came hard and ragged, but my grip tightened.
This wasn't over.
But I was no longer helpless.