Asterius sat in the dim glow of his room, the weight of Astral's past still heavy on his mind. The revelation of the god's betrayal and the subsequent fall had shaken him to his core. It was difficult to grasp the enormity of what Astral had endured—centuries of solitude, buried in the Void, waiting for someone to remember him.
But there was something more in the god's memories, something that lingered just beyond the edges of his consciousness. Asterius could sense it, a presence that was both comforting and distant, as though a fragment of Astral's past still remained hidden.
As if sensing his thoughts, Astral spoke within Asterius's mind. "You've seen the beginning of my story, but there's more you must understand. There is something—or someone—I've lost. A being of great power, my most trusted companion... the Lost Star."
"The Lost Star?" Asterius echoed aloud, the name unfamiliar yet resonant.
"Yes," Astral replied, his voice tinged with a rare emotion—sorrow. "She was more than just a companion. She was my guardian, my friend, my most loyal protector. In the ancient days, she was known as the Star Dragon, an immortal being born from the very essence of the cosmos."
Asterius listened intently, allowing Astral's memories to fill his mind once more.
Long before the betrayal, when Astral was still revered as the God of Knowledge, the Star Dragon had come into existence. Her birth was a cosmic event, the result of a rare convergence of astral energies that occurred once in a millennium. From the heart of a dying star, she emerged, a creature of pure light and unfathomable power. Her scales shimmered with the brilliance of a thousand suns, and her eyes reflected the endless depths of the universe.
Astral had been the first to sense her arrival, drawn to the energy that pulsed through the cosmos. He found her on the outskirts of a distant galaxy, where the remains of the star that had birthed her still lingered. She was a young dragon then, her power untested and her mind unformed. But even in her infancy, Astral saw the potential within her.
He named her Astra, the Lost Star, and took her under his wing. Over the centuries, he taught her the ways of the cosmos, guiding her as she grew into her power. Astra was a fast learner, her intelligence and loyalty unmatched. She became Astral's most trusted companion, following him across the universe as he spread knowledge and wisdom to the mortal races.
Astra was more than just a guardian—she was a symbol of hope and light in a universe often shrouded in darkness. Her presence brought peace to the worlds they visited, and her power protected Astral from those who sought to harm him. Together, they were an unstoppable force, a beacon of knowledge and power that shone brightly in the cosmos.
But as the other Primordials conspired against Astral, Astra became a target. They feared her power, knowing that as long as she stood by Astral's side, they could not defeat him. In the final battle, as the Primordials unleashed their fury upon Astral, Astra fought valiantly to protect her master. She unleashed the full force of her power, tearing through their ranks with the ferocity of a supernova.
Yet even she could not withstand the combined might of the Primordials. As Astral was cast into the Void, the Primordials turned their attention to Astra. They knew they could not destroy her—her immortality was tied to the very fabric of the universe. Instead, they sought to imprison her, to seal her away in a place where her power could be contained and forgotten.
With a final, desperate roar, Astra was banished to the furthest reaches of the cosmos, her existence erased from the memories of all but a few. She became the Lost Star, a legend whispered among the stars, her true name known only to those who had once served Astral.
For eons, she remained in her prison, a forgotten guardian waiting for the day when she would be reunited with her master.
The memory faded, and Asterius felt a deep sadness settle over him. "Astra... she's still out there, isn't she?"
"Yes," Astral replied, his voice heavy with regret. "She's out there, waiting for me. I can feel her presence, faint though it may be. She's calling out, searching for a way to return. But I'm still too weak to reach her. The bonds that hold her are strong, forged by the Primordials themselves."
Asterius clenched his fists, anger boiling within him. The thought of Astra, imprisoned and alone for so long, filled him with a burning resolve. "We'll find her," he said, determination lacing his words. "We'll break those bonds and bring her back."
Astral's presence in his mind seemed to brighten, a flicker of hope rekindled. "You are more than just a vessel, Asterius. You are my partner in this journey. Together, we will free Astra, and together, we will reclaim what was taken from us."
Asterius nodded, feeling the bond between them strengthen. The path ahead was clearer now, with a new goal in sight. The Lost Star was more than just a forgotten legend—she was a part of Astral's legacy, a key to restoring the balance that had been shattered so long ago.
As he lay down to rest, Asterius's mind drifted to the image of a dragon, her scales shimmering with the light of a thousand stars, waiting in the darkness for the moment when she would be free. The journey to find her would be long and perilous, but Asterius knew that with Astral's guidance, nothing was impossible.
The Lost Star would be found, and the universe would remember the name of Astral once more.