Chapter 46: Wishing Upon a Star

Abel made his way through the dimly lit corridors of the Stone Tower, his steps heavy with fatigue. His mind was restless, still haunted by the unsettling hunger gnawing at him since his escape from the ruins. His thoughts kept drifting back to the strange dreams, the unnerving memories of the Star Eater, and the hollow feeling in his stomach that food couldn't satisfy.

He reached the entrance to the library, its tall doors looming before him, and pushed them open. The familiar scent of ancient parchment and leather greeted him, mixed with the warmth of candlelight. Marcella was at her usual place behind the desk, her sharp eyes immediately catching Abel’s troubled expression as he approached.

"Marcella," he began, his voice low and uncertain, "I’ve been feeling... strange ever since I came back from the ruins."

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she regarded him. "Strange how, Abel? Elaborate."

He hesitated, searching for the right words. "I’ve been having strange dreams...I've been getting cold sweats. And I’ve been feeling this... hunger. It’s not normal. No matter what I eat, it doesn’t go away. It’s like I’m starving, but not for food."

Marcella’s expression grew stern. She leaned forward, her hands clasped on the desk. "Were you part of the group that discovered the ruins?"

Abel nodded, feeling a wave of guilt wash over him.

"You’ve been careless, Abel," Marcella said, her voice laced with both concern and disappointment. "Those ruins are dangerous for a reason. There are things in this world far older and more powerful than any of us can comprehend, and you walked right into their domain. You came out alive this time, but you might not be so lucky next time."

"I understand," Abel replied, his voice barely a whisper. "I didn’t know how dangerous it was until it was too late. I’m sorry."

Marcella’s expression softened. She sighed and shook her head. "I’m not here to scold you, Abel. But you need to be more cautious. The Tower is unforgiving to those who act without understanding the consequences. Take a few days off to rest and regain your strength. Use that time to reflect on what’s happening to you."

Abel felt a weight lift off his shoulders as her words sank in. He nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Marcella. I’ll do that."

With a brief nod, she gestured for him to leave. Abel left the library, his mind buzzing with a mixture of relief and confusion. He decided to head straight to the cafeteria, hoping that a good meal might at least calm the gnawing hunger that continued to plague him.

The cafeteria was mostly empty, with only a few recruits scattered at the various tables. Abel ordered a plate of steak and vegetables and sat down in a corner, away from the others. He devoured the meal quickly, hoping the rich flavors would fill the void inside him. But when the plate was empty, the hunger persisted, clawing at him from the inside, as if demanding something else—something he couldn’t provide.

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Frustrated and confused, Abel stood up and left the cafeteria, his mind churning. The hunger wasn’t physical. It was something deeper, something tied to the Star Eater. He needed answers, and the only place he could hope to find them was in the book he had taken from the ruins.

Back in his room, Abel pulled out the book—a collection of notes from Fiendfinger, the deranged apostle who had once sought power from the horrors that dwelled in the ancient world. He flipped through the pages, his fingers tracing the strange symbols and sketches that littered the margins. Eventually, he found the section he was looking for—the Star Eater.

Fiendfinger’s notes described the Star Eaters as elusive, ancient horrors that would stare at a star for centuries before devouring it entirely. They fed not just on the physical matter of the stars but on their very essence—their light, their energy. According to Fiendfinger, they had long been extinct, their power too dangerous and destructive even for the darkest of magicians to wield. The notes mentioned that Fiendfinger had been lucky to find the remains of one, a rare discovery that had allowed him to study the creature’s essence.

Abel stared at the words, trying to make sense of them. The Star Eater had consumed stars, their light, their energy... Was that what he was feeling? Was the hunger he was experiencing tied to the same insatiable craving that drove the Star Eaters?

But the notes didn’t offer any solutions. There was nothing about how to deal with the lingering effects of a Star Eater’s essence, nothing that could help him understand the strange hunger he felt.

As he sat in frustration, there was a knock on the door. Abel looked up to see Nando entering, his face a mixture of concern and curiosity.

"Are you alright?" Nando asked, closing the door behind him. "You’ve seemed... off lately."

Abel hesitated before answering. "More or less," he said, not wanting to reveal too much about the hunger gnawing at him. "I’ve just been thinking a lot."

Nando eyed him closely, his usual friendly demeanor shifting slightly. "You know," he said, his tone changing abruptly, "I did save you in the ruins. Don’t you think I deserve those research papers you found there?"

Abel blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in Nando’s attitude. His posture had changed too, more aggressive, more demanding. Abel frowned but nodded slowly. "Yeah, I guess you’re right. The papers don’t align with my path anyway."

He handed over the research papers, though he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that had settled in the room.

Nando took the papers, his expression softening again. He seemed to realize how he had come off, and quickly apologized. "Sorry about that," he said, scratching the back of his head. "It happens sometimes. Mood swings. Comes with the artifacts, I guess."

Abel nodded, still slightly wary but understanding. "It’s alright."

Before leaving, Nando paused by the door, his usual friendly smile returning. "You know," he said, "my family always used to say, ‘If you ever feel stuck, wish upon the stars.’ It’s kind of a silly tale, but maybe it’ll bring you some comfort, at least for tonight."

Abel smiled, appreciating the gesture. "Thanks, Nando."

Once Nando had left, Abel sat on the edge of his bed, his thoughts racing. He stood and walked to the window, gazing out at the night sky. The stars twinkled above, distant and cold, yet somehow comforting. For a brief moment, Abel allowed himself to believe in Nando’s tale.

With a deep breath, he whispered a silent wish to the stars, hoping they might offer some guidance.