3/17/2026, 12:47 AM
It was just two gal pals going on an adventure… until it wasn’t.
Stardust noticed something was wrong far sooner than Kirain did. One moment they were wandering, the next the world itself seemed to be falling apart.
Literally.
Stumbling back as the fissure split open between them, the little dame took far too long to grasp the horror of what was happening. Before she could even react, Stardust was airborne, leaping across the divide with effortless grace.
The rune no longer mattered.
All Kirain could see was her friend.
A strangled scream tore from her throat as Stardust failed to make the leap, scrambling desperately at the crumbling edge. At last Kirain’s body jolted into motion. She lunged forward, teeth catching Stardust’s scruff as she hauled with every ounce of strength she possessed.
The ground continued to give way beneath them.
Stardust was shouting something, words lost to the roar of Kirain’s pulse in her ears. All she could see was her best friend.
Memories flooded her mind in a dizzying rush. Their unforgettable first meeting. Finding a home together at the Rise. Stardust being the best aunt her children could ever ask for.
So many moments.
So much life.
Tears streamed down her face as she held fast, refusing to release her grip.
If Stardust fell, then Kirain would fall with her. Her friend would not face that fate alone.
In the chaos, she had managed to kick the rune away, sending it skidding across the ground, far enough that someone else might find it if the two who had discovered it were suddenly no longer able.
Silver eyes flicked downward into the yawning abyss below, its eerie blue glow seeming almost to beckon them closer.
Forcing her eyes shut, she began screaming silent prayers to the spirits.
Please. Help them.
Do not let them die like this.
She would give them anything, her heart, her body, her very soul, if they would only spare Stardust.
Anything but Stardust.
The taste of iron flooded her tongue as she strained harder, dragging with every ounce of strength her small body could muster.
Stardust noticed something was wrong far sooner than Kirain did. One moment they were wandering, the next the world itself seemed to be falling apart.
Literally.
Stumbling back as the fissure split open between them, the little dame took far too long to grasp the horror of what was happening. Before she could even react, Stardust was airborne, leaping across the divide with effortless grace.
The rune no longer mattered.
All Kirain could see was her friend.
A strangled scream tore from her throat as Stardust failed to make the leap, scrambling desperately at the crumbling edge. At last Kirain’s body jolted into motion. She lunged forward, teeth catching Stardust’s scruff as she hauled with every ounce of strength she possessed.
The ground continued to give way beneath them.
Stardust was shouting something, words lost to the roar of Kirain’s pulse in her ears. All she could see was her best friend.
Memories flooded her mind in a dizzying rush. Their unforgettable first meeting. Finding a home together at the Rise. Stardust being the best aunt her children could ever ask for.
So many moments.
So much life.
Tears streamed down her face as she held fast, refusing to release her grip.
If Stardust fell, then Kirain would fall with her. Her friend would not face that fate alone.
In the chaos, she had managed to kick the rune away, sending it skidding across the ground, far enough that someone else might find it if the two who had discovered it were suddenly no longer able.
Silver eyes flicked downward into the yawning abyss below, its eerie blue glow seeming almost to beckon them closer.
Forcing her eyes shut, she began screaming silent prayers to the spirits.
Please. Help them.
Do not let them die like this.
She would give them anything, her heart, her body, her very soul, if they would only spare Stardust.
Anything but Stardust.
The taste of iron flooded her tongue as she strained harder, dragging with every ounce of strength her small body could muster.
