Setting: A quaint mountain village surrounded by dense forests and an unbroken view of the night sky. Legends tell of stars that fall to Earth, taking human form for a brief time before returning to the heavens.
Characters:
- Luka Everett: A reclusive artist who has lived his entire life in the mountain village. His paintings capture the beauty of the night sky, but he hides a lonely heart, yearning for inspiration beyond the stars.
- Aster: A celestial being, one of the fallen stars, who takes human form after crashing into the forest. He is radiant and otherworldly, with a curious and childlike wonder about the human world.
Chapter 1: A Light in the Forest
Luka’s nights were often spent on his balcony, gazing at the stars for hours on end. One evening, as he painted the constellations, a brilliant flash lit up the sky. A streak of light descended, disappearing into the forest with a resounding crash.
Drawn by an irresistible pull, Luka grabbed a lantern and ventured into the woods. He found a crater, its edges glowing faintly, and at its center was a figure—a man with golden hair that shimmered like starlight and eyes that seemed to hold the cosmos.
The man looked up, dazed but unhurt. “Where am I?” he asked, his voice soft and melodic.
Luka stared, awe-struck. “You fell from the sky…”
Chapter 2: A New World
Luka brought Aster back to his cottage, where the celestial being marveled at everything—the texture of fabric, the warmth of fire, the taste of food.
“Is everything here so… alive?” Aster asked, running his fingers over a wooden table as if it were the most fascinating thing he had ever encountered.
Luka smiled despite himself. “You’ve never seen a table before?”
Aster shook his head. “Where I come from, there is light and vastness, but nothing as solid or warm as this.”
As the days passed, Luka showed Aster the village and its surroundings. Aster, in turn, spoke of his celestial home, where stars danced and sang in harmony. But his presence didn’t go unnoticed; villagers whispered about the strange, beautiful man staying with Luka.
Chapter 3: An Unlikely Bond
Aster became Luka’s muse. He posed for countless paintings, his ethereal beauty captured in every stroke. But it wasn’t just his appearance that inspired Luka; it was the way Aster saw the world, with wonder and gratitude.
One evening, as they watched the stars from Luka’s balcony, Aster turned to him.
“Why do you paint the stars so often?” he asked.
Luka hesitated. “Because they’re constant. Even when everything else changes, they’re always there.”
Aster’s gaze softened. “You’re like that too. Steady and kind.”
Before Luka could respond, Aster leaned in, their faces inches apart. The moment lingered, and when their lips finally met, it was like the entire universe had fallen silent.
Chapter 4: A Countdown to Farewell
Their happiness was short-lived. Aster’s body began to weaken, his glow dimming. He confessed the truth: his time on Earth was limited.
“A star cannot stay in one place for too long,” he explained. “Soon, I’ll have to return to the sky.”
Luka’s heart shattered. “Then I’ll come with you. There must be a way.”
Aster shook his head, tears glistening in his eyes. “Your place is here, Luka. But know that no matter where I am, I’ll always look down and find you.”
Chapter 5: The Star’s Legacy
On the night of his departure, Aster and Luka stood on the mountain peak, the stars blazing brighter than ever. Aster’s form began to dissolve into light, and he reached out, placing something in Luka’s hand.
It was a small, glowing fragment—a piece of his celestial essence.
“This will keep me close to you,” Aster said, his voice fading. “Goodbye, Luka.”
With a final kiss, Aster ascended, becoming a streak of light that rejoined the heavens. Luka watched until the glow disappeared, tears streaming down his face.
Epilogue: The Artist and the Star
Luka’s paintings became famous, each one capturing the essence of Aster. He kept the glowing fragment on his desk, its light never dimming. The villagers spoke of his works as if they held the magic of the stars themselves.
And every night, Luka looked to the sky, finding solace in the brightest star that twinkled above, knowing that Aster was watching over him. Their love, brief but eternal, had left a mark on the world—and on Luka’s heart—that no amount of time could erase.
Leave a Reply