The Shattered Constellations Between Stars

Nyx stirred slightly, exhaustion weighing heavily on her senses as she tried to make sense of her surroundings. As soon as they crossed into the Tiger’s domain, she felt a distinct shift in the air—a subtle hum, like the stir of something powerful just out of reach.

Her sightless eyes blinked in confusion. She reached out with her aurora magic, letting shimmering tendrils of essence light up around her. The Tiger’s presence glowed faintly, sharp and calculated, but his form remained unclear. Echo vision let her trace his broad figure, but it was fuzzy and indistinct.

Her heart raced with worry. Was Drac alright?

The Tiger moved closer, his voice a deep, rumbling purr. “You should rest, girl. You’ve been through enough for today.”

Nyx tilted her head, her voice steady but anxious. “And what about Drac? What happened to him?”

The Tiger paused, his gaze fixed on her though she couldn’t see it. “He’s a dragon. He’ll survive.”

“That’s not an answer,” Nyx retorted softly, frustration creeping into her voice. Her worry for Drac gnawed at her.

“I’ve been watching you for some time,” the Tiger’s voice cut through her thoughts, calm but unsettling. Nyx stiffened, unsure how to respond. “Your strength, your resilience… It’s rare, especially considering your… limitations.”

His words hung in the air, and Nyx realized he was referring to her blindness. Her thoughts, however, were still on Drac. If he hadn’t intervened, she might not have made it out of the Snake’s clutches.

“You’ve been watching me?” Nyx finally asked, her voice wavering slightly. Was Drac hurt? Had he managed to defeat the Snake? The silence was unbearable.

“Yes,” the Tiger continued. “Especially your… interactions with Drac.” His tone shifted, hinting at something darker, something resentful. “I’ve seen the way he protects you, the way he fights for you.”

A chill ran down Nyx’s spine. The Tiger’s words set off alarm bells, but she couldn’t shake the thought of Drac. She wanted to ask, but fear held her back.

“You provoked the Snake,” Nyx realized, her voice sharp. “You distracted Drac… just to get to me?”

The Tiger’s silence was telling. “I needed his attention elsewhere,” he admitted finally, his voice steady but edged with danger. “I wanted to meet you, to understand why Drac would go to such lengths.”

Nyx’s heart sank. “You almost got me killed,” she said, anger simmering beneath her words. And Drac… She didn’t know if he was alright. The uncertainty was unbearable.

The Tiger stepped closer than Nyx expected. “But I saved you,” he said, his voice softer now. “I didn’t let it go that far.”

Nyx’s fists clenched at her sides. “You saved me? You put me in danger in the first place.” She took a shaky breath, trying to push down the rising panic. “And Drac… is he…”

Her voice trailed off, and for the first time, the Tiger seemed to sense her concern was more than just for herself. His gaze shifted, but he didn’t answer her unspoken question.

“He’ll be fine,” the Tiger said dismissively, though doubt tinged his voice. “The dragon can handle himself.”

Nyx wasn’t reassured. Her mind raced, trying to picture what might have happened back in the Snake’s domain. Every second felt like an eternity, and her blindness made it worse. She pressed her lips together, trying to keep the panic at bay.

“What do you want from me?” Nyx demanded, her voice cracking with desperation. “Why did you go through all this trouble?”

“I wanted your attention,” the Tiger said quietly, almost hesitant. “I’ve been in Drac’s shadow for too long. I needed to see you, to understand why you matter to him.”

Anger and fear surged within Nyx. “You manipulated me,” she said, her fists clenched. “I won’t be a part of this.”

The Tiger’s expression softened slightly. “I never meant to hurt you, Nyx. I just needed you to see me too.”

Nyx took a deep breath, her heart heavy. “I see you now. But I don’t like what I’m seeing.”

The Tiger’s silence was all the confirmation she needed.

“I can’t stay here,” Nyx whispered, her voice trembling. “I need to know if Drac is alright.”

The Tiger watched her, his expression unreadable. “He’ll be fine,” he repeated, but Nyx wasn’t convinced. In her mind, she pictured Drac fighting the Snake, his life on the line, and it terrified her.

As the silence stretched, Nyx couldn’t help but think of the Tiger’s past, though she couldn’t see it clearly. The Tiger had once been a revered god, but envy had consumed him. He had coveted the role of the Owl God of Knowledge, who guided the Genosians and shared the creator’s wisdom. Unable to obtain this role, the Tiger’s jealousy spiraled. In a fit of rage, he destroyed the sacred Book of Knowledge, vital for the Owl’s duties. Concealing his betrayal, the Tiger performed the Owl’s tasks, but suspicion grew. The other gods eventually uncovered his treachery, and he was swiftly banished for violating the creator’s rule: never interfere with another god’s role.

Now, driven by envy, his focus had shifted to Drac.

Nyx’s frustration bubbled over again. “I’ve had enough of your games,” she snapped, turning to leave. Her sole concern was finding Drac and making sure he was safe. But before she could move, the Tiger’s voice stopped her.

“I’ll get you back to Drac,” he offered, his tone smooth and persuasive. “But only if you agree to visit my territory every two days.”

Her jaw tightened with indignation. “After everything you’ve put me through, you’re going to make demands?” The audacity was infuriating. She shook her head, ready to refuse, but the Tiger wasn’t giving up.

“I’m not asking for much,” he continued, coaxing. “You wouldn’t be doing anything but keeping me company.”

Nyx’s resolve was firm. “I don’t care about your company,” she snapped. “I need to know if Drac is alright. That’s all that matters.”

The Tiger sensed her desperation and shifted his approach. “What if I offer you something in return?” he suggested. “I’ll teach you a skill, and in exchange, you come to keep me company while learning it.”

Nyx stopped, her heart conflicted. Her arms crossed tightly over her chest, she looked at him with frustration and reluctant curiosity. “What kind of skill?” she asked, her skepticism evident but the promise of learning something catching her interest.

“A skill that will teach you how to fight,” he replied, satisfaction flickering in his eyes.

Nyx’s expression softened slightly. Drac had promised to teach her how to fight but hadn’t followed through. She weighed the offer carefully, her heart still heavy with concern for Drac.

“So you’ll take me back to Drac, and in exchange, I have to visit you and learn this skill?” she clarified, her voice tinged with reluctant hope.

The Tiger nodded. “Yes.”

With a heavy sigh, Nyx begrudgingly agreed. The decision felt like a compromise she didn’t want to make, but she had little choice. The Tiger, pleased with her response, lowered himself to the ground, letting her climb onto his back.

Although she was secretly happy she was getting a new skill, the tiger doesn’t need to know that.

“You can come tomorrow,” he said, his tone softer. “And I’ll teach you the skill.”

Nyx nodded, though her heart was still burdened with worry for Drac. As they moved towards the Snake’s territory, her thoughts were consumed with the fear of what she might find.

Each step felt heavy with the weight of her concern, hoping desperately that Drac was safe and unharmed after the brutal confrontation.