Chapter 15: Feelings Grow

Dr. Kane's laugh echoed through the cave as the Void monsters swarmed behind her. Eli grabbed Kael's hand and pulled him toward the glowing cave wall.

"The ship piece is our only hope!" Eli yelled.

As Kane stepped forward, Marcus threw their last flashlight at her. The delay worked – for just a second, but it was enough. Kael pressed his hand against the glowing wall, and suddenly, the rock cracked open.

Bright silver light poured out, filling the cave. The Void creatures shrieked and backed away, their dark forms smoking where the light touched them. Kane covered her eyes, screaming in rage.

"Go!" Marcus yelled, pushing Eli and Kael through the hole in the wall.

They tumbled through into another chamber, a secret part of the cave. Behind them, the wall sealed shut, cutting off Kane's angry cries. The silver glow filled this new room, coming from a small, star-shaped object floating in the center.

"The third ship piece," Eli whispered.

Kael walked toward it, his eyes wide with wonder. The star-shaped piece spun softly, pulsing with energy. As Kael reached for it, the piece floated into his hands. The moment he touched it, the red blinking light on his mask went dark.

"The tracker!" Eli cried. "It's off!"

Yes, Kael said. And more.

The three pieces they had gathered began to glow in unison - the two in Kael's mask and the star-shaped one in his hands. They rose into the air, spinning around each other before merging into a single, beautiful crystal.

The crystal floated back down, landing gently in Kael's palm. It glowed with a soft, soothing light.

This will keep us safe, Kael said. For now.

Marcus found a small tunnel at the back of the room. "I think this leads out. We should go before Kane finds another way in."

They squeezed through the tight passage, crawling on hands and knees until they emerged into the forest on the other side of the mountain. Night had fallen, and stars filled the sky above.

"We need to find shelter," Marcus said, looking around uncomfortably. "Somewhere Kane won't think to look."

They hiked through the forest for hours, the crystal in Kael's hand lighting their way. Finally, they found an old hunter's house, abandoned and half-hidden by overgrown trees.

"This should work," Eli said as they pushed open the creaky door.

The house was small but had a fireplace and a single room with bunk beds. Marcus got a fire going while Eli checked their supplies.

"We're low on food," Eli reported. "Maybe three days worth at most."

Marcus nodded grimly. "I'll go into town tomorrow. We need to know what's happening with Kane anyway."

As night darkened, Marcus took the top bunk and soon fell asleep, exhausted from their escape. Eli and Kael sat by the fire, watching the flames dance.

"That was too close," Eli whispered. "I thought we were going to lose you."

Kael touched his mask, which now contained the combined crystal. I'm not that easy to lose.

Something in Kael's voice made Eli's heart beat faster. In the firelight, Kael's silver skin shimmered, and his violet eyes seemed to hold galaxies.

"I was so scared," Eli revealed. "Not of Kane or the Void creatures, but of losing you."

Kael looked at him curiously. Why?

Eli struggled to find the words. "Because... because I care about you. More than I've ever cared about anyone."

A long silence followed. Eli stared at the floor, afraid he'd said too much. Then he felt Kael's hand on his.

On my world, we have a word for this feeling, Kael said softly. Stel'avari.

"What does it mean?" Eli asked.

The best translation would be 'starlight of my heart.' It's what we call someone who makes our soul shine.

Eli looked up, meeting Kael's eyes. "How do you say 'I care for you'?"

Mi stela vos, Kael answered. It means 'you are my star.'

"Mi stela vos," Eli repeated carefully.

Kael's eyes widened. You pronounced it right.

They sat in comfortable silence, hands still touching. Outside, the real stars twinkled through the cabin's small window.

"What's it like?" Eli asked suddenly. "Your home, I mean."

Kael's eyes grew distant with remembering. Beautiful. Our sky has two suns and three moons. The oceans glow at night, and the towns are built into mountain crystals that reach toward the stars.

"It sounds amazing," Eli said.

I wish I could show you, Kael said. You would love the floating gardens and the crystal woods.

"Maybe someday you can," Eli offered. "When this is all over."

Kael looked at him with surprise. You would leave Earth?

"To see the stars with you? In a heartbeat."

Something changed in Kael's face. He leaned closer, the light from his mask reflecting in Eli's eyes.

There's something I haven't told you, Kael said. About the crystal, about us.

"What is it?" Eli asked.

Before Kael could answer, the crystal in his mask pulsed brightly. Kael gasped, his eyes glowing.

"What's wrong?" Eli asked, frightened.

A message, Kael whispered. From my people. They've found me.

"They're coming for you?" Eli felt a strange mix of happiness and sadness.

Kael nodded. Yes. But there's more. He took Eli's hand and put it on the crystal in his mask. Feel.

As Eli's fingers touched the warm surface, images flooded his thoughts. Stars, planets, vast ships traveling through space. And something else - a link, a pull between him and Kael that felt like gravity.

"What was that?" Eli asked, panting.

The crystal shows truth, Kael stated. And the truth is, you're not fully human, Eli. Part of you comes from my world.

Eli stared at him in shock. "What are you saying?"

Your dreams of the stars, your link to our technology, your ability to hear my thoughts - these are not accidents. You have Lumari blood.

"That's impossible," Eli whispered. "I was born here, on Earth."

Someone from my world must have come here long ago, Kael said. Perhaps they fell in love with a person, as I...

He stopped suddenly, looking away.

"As you what?" Eli asked, his heart racing.

Kael met his eyes again. As I have fallen in love with you.

Time seemed to stop. The fire crackled, Marcus snored softly from the bunk bed, but all Eli could see was Kael.

"I love you too," Eli said, the words feeling both strange and completely right.

Kael reached up and, for the first time, removed his mask just long enough to press his face against Eli's - a Lumari kiss. The touch sent warmth through Eli's entire body.

As Kael replaced his mask, the crystal glowed brighter than ever.

My people will be here in three days, Kael said. They'll take us home - both of us, if you wish to come.

"Yes," Eli said without doubt. "There's nothing for me here but labs and loneliness. I want to see your world."

They stayed up late, whispering about the future, about stars and faraway planets and all they would see together.

When morning came, Marcus left for town as planned. Eli and Kael used the time alone to work with the crystal, learning its powers. Kael taught Eli more words in his language - words for love, for friendship, for home.

As the sun started to set, Eli grew worried.

"Marcus should have been back by now," he said, looking out the window.

Just then, they heard footsteps on the porch. Eli rushed to the door, relieved.

"Finally! We were getting worried—"

But it wasn't Marcus standing there. It was Dr. Kane, her skin now fully red, her eyes black holes. Behind her stood Marcus, his face bruised, a gun put to his head by one of Kane's guards.

"Found you," Kane said with a smile that wasn't human anymore. "And guess what? I know your little secret now, Eli Carter. Or should I call you by your real name? Prince Elian of Lumari."