38-Talking with the stars.

The massive sperm whale swam ferociously after an enormous squid. No matter how desperately the prey struggled, it could not outrun Zhaelor’s speed. In a final act of desperation, it fought back, latching onto the whale’s thick skin with its tentacles and scratching furiously. But it quickly realized the futility of its efforts. There was no turning back now. If it tried to escape, it would be caught with ease. Gathering the last of its strength, it attempted to pierce the whale’s flesh with its sharp beak—only to fail.

Zhaelor relished his easily claimed prey. Once he was satisfied, he tossed the remains—tentacle fragments, beak, and cartilage—back into the ocean and rose to the surface for a breath of fresh air. He expelled the water from his lungs and closed his eyes, feeling the sea breeze against his face.

— I’ve cleared the dangers… now it’s time to inform the old relic that I’ve found the new lineage.

With careful movement, he picked up a piece of moray algae. But this was no ordinary fragment—it was part of Krahs’s enchanted spear, broken during their previous battle.

— Perhaps I should thank the shark… it’s not every day I get an enchanted item directly from the daughter of the stars.

Zhaelor held the piece of the spear in both hands and, in an act of reverence, whispered:

— Descendant of the stars, this loyal servant humbly requests a chance to speak with the great light of the oceans, the incomparable beauty… the true guardian of this world.

A melodic laugh echoed in his mind. The elder’s voice, warm and gentle, resounded like a tranquil tide.

— You’ve flustered her so much that she doesn’t want to speak with you, young Zhaelor.

— As always, the little star still gets bothered by formalities — Zhaelor replied, holding back a chuckle out of respect.

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The elder let out a soft laugh, his voice filled with patience.

— Young one, was your mission successful?

— If it weren’t, I wouldn’t have called for this conversation. I wouldn’t waste our lovely descendant’s time without reason.

— She’s asking you to stop before you make her puff up like a pufferfish.

The elder laughed, while Zhaelor merely smiled, maintaining his composure.

— I have found the new lineage — the whale confirmed. — From what I’ve observed, he has my old master’s wisdom… but he is naïve.

The elder sighed.

— That is common among the stars. They do not see evil as easily. My lady, please don’t hit me—I’m only speaking the truth…

Zhaelor chuckled at the elder’s flustered tone but soon returned to seriousness.

— But, Elder, as much as I am pleased to be watching over a new lineage, I find it strange… very strange. He appeared so suddenly.

The elder paused before responding, his tone growing grave.

— I feel the same, young one… But there is one thing we do know: he is here, and we must protect him. His origins are beyond what our minds can even fathom. He is a miracle. It has been centuries—since the first stars fell—since something like this has happened in our world.

— And if he asks about it? What should I tell him?

The elder let out a paternal laugh.

— Oh, foolish youth… He was born knowing things we cannot even begin to imagine. That is why he is a star. Just like the little descendant… There are things they will never tell us, and there are things they will never need to ask. If he acts strangely, do not be alarmed. It is simply the way of the stars.

Suddenly, the elder fell silent. A muffled, trembling sound came through their connection. Zhaelor froze, recognizing it—a delicate, subtle sob, almost like the sound of waves breaking upon the shore.

— My lady… I am not calling you strange, please don’t cry. You are a miracle.

The elder cleared his throat a few times before continuing, his voice carrying the affectionate tone of a grandfather trying to comfort his granddaughter.

— It is time for you to return to your master, Zhaelor. And time for my lady to rest. I take my leave here… and wish you good fortune.

The vast ocean rippled gently with the morning breeze as Zhaelor dove once more, leaving behind the elder’s final words. The conversation still echoed in his mind, and the sound of the little star descendant’s quiet tears lingered in his heart. It was rare to hear her express emotions so openly, reinforcing just how important the new lineage was to them all.

As he swam back to the village, his thoughts deepened. Nexha… a newborn star with unclear memories, carrying knowledge even the oldest among them could not fully grasp. His presence was both a mystery and a miracle.

— A small miracle that happens once in centuries… — he murmured to himself, gliding through the currents.