[Gift] a nightmare

The sun had set beyond the horizon, the sky turning dark. The wind carried the salty scent of the ocean as Zelune stretched her wings, adjusting them before taking off from her lighthouse. Tonight, she wasn’t just stargazing—she was meeting Asteria again. It had been a few nights since their last meeting, and Zelune found herself looking forward to the company. In fact, she had been so excited that she had hardly slept, waking up multiple times during the day.

She carried a small satchel this time, but instead of chocolates, inside was a delicate music box she had found while reorganizing her bookshelf. It was pink, and decorated with intricate golden embellishments and a red ruby front and center. On the top of the lid was a golden stelciar with pink flames, graceful and peaceful. She had seen it as she had walked along Nebula Island, and had stopped to hear its song. It was melodic and calming, and she figured it'd be perfect for Asteria. Or... well, she hoped!

As she approached their meeting spot, she noticed the flickering glow of Asteria's deep blue fire ahead. Asteria was already there, perched on the edge of the cliff with her long, shadowy tendrils idly tracing patterns in the sand. She looked lost in thought, her usual soft glow dimmer than before.

“Asteria?” Zelune asks softly, voice carried by the wind over to the other.

The other Stelciar turned sharply, much like before, though this time, her expression wasn’t one of surprise—it was relief. “Zelune,” she greeted, her voice quieter than usual.

Zelune settled beside her, setting down the satchel between them. “You okay?”

Asteria hesitated, glancing back at the sea. The waves glistened under the moonlight, mirroring the stars above. Finally, she spoke. “I had a nightmare,” she admitted. “One of those that don’t feel like dreams at all.”

Zelune’s ears perked forward. “What was it about?”

Asteria’s ears twitched, and she wrapped her tail around herself. “The Void,” she whispered. “They kept hunting me. Whispering in languages I didn't understand. My corruption got worse. Consumed all of me.” The dark liquid began to drip out of her eyes as she continued. “I couldn't control myself. All I could feel was pain, rage, and sorrow.”

Zelune shivered. She had always feared the Void, like most Stelciar did, but something about Asteria’s words made it feel more real—more present. “And then?” she asked hesitantly.

Asteria’s tendrils curled inward. “Then, I hurt other Stelciar.”

Zelune’s breath caught in her throat.

“It was terrifying,” Asteria continued. “The Void creatures are so fast and strong. I ran, but the void itself pulled me back. Like it didn’t want to let me go.”

Zelune’s heart twisted. She wanted to say something comforting, but what words could undo that kind of fear? Instead, she reached into her satchel and pulled out the music box.

“I, uh… I brought something,” she said, hoping to shift the atmosphere. “I found this earlier, and I thought you might like it. It has a very calming melody... maybe it'd help you feel a bit better?” She feels foolish to offer such a simple and stupid response, but she wasn't sure what else to do.

Asteria blinked as Zelune wound up the box, and a soft, ethereal melody began to play. The notes were slow and wistful, drifting into the night and filling the silence. The tension in Asteria’s body seemed to ease slightly as she listened.

“It’s beautiful,” she murmured.

Zelune smiled, relieved. “I thought so too.”

The two of them sat in silence, letting the music and the rhythmic crashing of the waves fill the space between them. The nightmare still lingered at the edges of their thoughts, but for now, the melody wrapped around them like a protective veil, keeping the void at bay.

And for tonight, that was enough. Zelune still felt worried for her new companion, digging in her mind for ways to help. It bothered her somewhat that the only thing she could do was be here for Asteria. She wished she was stronger. Strong enough to fight the Void that hunted them. Strong enough to relieve Asteria of her corruption. A healer, perhaps. But she was nothing more than a recluse, a hermit that hid in an abandoned and decrepit lighthouse.