Stars Above Epilogue

Instructions

Ten years have passed since the world changed—since Laelynn rose from the ashes of her old life, since Yang’s return, since hope found its way back to Vildora. A whole decade, and still, the memory of those days lingers in every breath I take. Laelynn is sixteen now, though there are moments when I still see the little girl she once was. She trains in the courtyard beneath the afternoon sun, golden hair spilling into her eyes as she delivers one determined blow after another to the battered practice dummy. Each movement is sharper, more confident than the last—a testament to both her resilience and the years she’s spent learning what it means to be both goddess and girl. At the edge of the stones, Varýtita stands watch, her posture proud, a rare softness brightening her features as she studies her pupil. I can’t help but smile at the sight. “Goldy!” I call out, my voice bright with affection, echoing across the courtyard and drawing her gaze Laelynn barely paused before racing across the courtyard and throwing her arms around me in a whirlwind hug. “Ying! How’d training the new soldiers go? Is the veil fixed? Did the council finally agree on the border laws? Is—” Her questions tumbled out in a rush, her words tripping over each other as she looked up at me with bright, eager eyes. I laughed, steadying her and brushing a stray lock of golden hair from her cheek. Despite the years, the battles, and her new divine strength, she was still unmistakably Laelynn—fierce, curious, and irrepressible. Over her shoulder, I caught sight of Varýtita making her way toward us, her white dress fluttering in the breeze, her gaze soft and warm. She reached us and, without hesitation, looped her arm around my waist, anchoring me with her steady presence. “Laelynn, give Ying a moment to breathe,” Varýtita teased, her voice gentle but teasing, her lips quirking in a fond smile. Then she turned to me, brushing her knuckles lightly along my jaw before pressing a slow, affectionate kiss to my lips. “Welcome home, my love. I missed you out there.” I leaned into her touch, letting her warmth chase away the last remnants of the day’s worries. “You always know how to make an entrance,” I replied softly, giving her hand an affectionate squeeze. Laelynn rolled her eyes with a grin, bouncing on her toes. “You two are impossible.” Varýtita chuckled, pulling me closer. “Only for each other,” she said, her eyes meeting mine with a look that said everything—gratitude, pride, and a love that felt as elemental as gravity itself. For a moment, the world faded away. There was only the strength of Varýtita’s arm around me, Laelynn’s laughter ringing through the courtyard, and the golden light of a future none of us could have imagined. Suddenly, Yang burst into the courtyard, breathless, his eyes wild with alarm. Two guards trailed behind, but he barely noticed them, his gaze fixed on me and Laelynn. “Sister! Laelynn!” he called, urgency crackling in his voice. The warmth of the moment disappeared, replaced by a cold knot of dread. I stepped forward, concern tightening my chest. “Yang? What is it?” Yang stopped, chest heaving. He glanced at Varýtita, then shook his head, focusing only on Laelynn and me. “You two—come with me. Now. There’s no time to explain.” Laelynn and I exchanged a worried glance, then hurried to his side. Yang dropped his voice, eyes darting around as if afraid of being overheard. “We found something—behind the waterfall at Ebony Waterfall. Deep in the bedrock. Not something… someone. Trapped in stone, alive—or at least, not quite dead.” As the three of us rushed from the courtyard, a storm gathered on the horizon. I could not shake the feeling that whatever waited beneath the waterfall would change everything—again. And this time, there might be no going back.