"He's falling!" Lily exclaimed in panic as soon as she caught sight of Art, who was plummeting defenselessly. "Angus, please help him!" she cried out immediately.
Angus nodded and caught Art before he could hit the ground. He gently placed him on the earth, revealing his miserable state.
"He's the dragon prince from the dragon tribe, isn't it rumored that he will never have a mate? He actually went to the sky to get a star for her!"
"I don't quite understand what's going on here; the dragon prince was the one who sold his life for a female!"
Murmurs broke out, and everyone wore a look of disbelief on their faces.
Lily wasn't affected by the murmurs; her gaze remained fixed and unblinking on Art. She couldn't comprehend her feelings at that moment, but seeing the different types of massive bloody wounds made her breath catch in her throat.
"An... angel!" Art slowly opened his eyes and focused on Lily. "I... I brought the star," he murmured, his voice weak and barely audible. He opened his clenched fist, revealing a large, beautiful, shining silver star. "Will you please forgive me?" he asked weakly.
Lily glanced at the star, and two drops of tears escaped her eyes. "I stopped Liam when he insisted on getting me a star, but why can't I do the same for him, huh? He's now about to lose his life just to seek my forgiveness," she thought, tears streaming down her face.
"You are really stupid," she shouted. "You have completely lost it! Really!" She didn't even know how to react.
"I'm sorry, Angel. I only want to see you smile at me before I die, not your tears. I have hurt you yet again; I'm... I'm really terrible," blood rushed out of his mouth.
"Art!" Lily was startled and immediately ran to his side. As soon as she reached him, the star glowed brightly like a sun, blinding the sight of every living being around.
It lifted with slow motion at first but suddenly shot like an arrow straight into Lily's forehead at the fastest speed.
Lily's mind went blank immediately, and she merely murmured, "You are not allowed to die, Art," before losing consciousness.
Art was stunned.
"Beauty!"
"Angel!"
Angus, Liam, and Malik shouted in unison, and in the blink of an eye, they were beside Lily.
"Angel!"
"Beauty!"
They all called in unison, their voices filled with panic.
Without wasting any time, Liam immediately scooped Lily up and ran into the distance with all his might.
...
Lily slowly opened her eyes, feeling a slight ache in her head. "What happened? Where am I?" she murmured.
"Congratulations on successfully waking up! I almost believe that you are dead" a thin voice, belonging to an unknown entity, suddenly sounded.
Startled, Lily looked around but found no one. "Who is it?" she shouted, her voice tinged with slight panic.
"Aiya, stop looking around; I'm here, okay! It's not like you are blind!" The voice spoke again, laced with annoyance.
Lily looked down and saw a very tiny figure. With its appearance and attire, it looked more like a female. Her long hair glowed and was silver in color, with little stars woven into every strand. She looked like a doll and was adorable even with the annoyed expression on her face. Dressed in a tube top and shorts, her peerless, snow-white body was exceptionally fair. Her beauty was a notch above Lily's. Her feet were adorned with tiny, shining heels that fit perfectly on her little feet. She was almost perfect, if not for her peculiar eyes—entirely white without any traces of iris.
Lily was stunned and took another glance at the little creature.
"Stop looking at me, okay! I'm not a grim reaper!" the little being exclaimed angrily.
Lily's mouth dropped wider. "What are you?" she questioned.
"What am I or who am I? Seems like what you studied in school has expired," the creature retorted.
Lily's eyes widened in shock. "You!" She pointed at her, immediately on guard.
The little figure flew up and slapped Lily's finger away. "Don't point at me!" she hissed. "Let me officially introduce myself: I am your star. From today onward, until my time ends, I will always guide you," she said, a hint of annoyance lacing her voice.
Lily was still stunned. "Am I... am I dreaming?" she thought, pinching her cheek but groaning in pain. "I'm not dreaming!" she exclaimed.
"Really? You are so dumb. What was I thinking to have chosen you, huh?" she slapped her little forehead and shook her head.
"What on earth is going on here?" Lily wondered, her brows furrowed.
The little creature cast Lily a glance. "Aren't you wishing to leave this place? This world that never belongs to you?" She smiled cunningly.
Lily's eyes widened.
"Worry not; I also know that you are trapped here under the circumstances, but it's fine. You should know that you will still return to your world; it will just take a little time."
"Re...really?" Excitement replaced Lily's fear immediately.
"I can assure you. Also, keep the ring safe; it will be of great help when it's time to return to your world."
Lily nodded. "Finally, there's hope," she smiled happily.
"Don't be so happy too early; you have to accept that dragon to be your mate."
The smile on Lily's face slowly vanished. "Why?" she questioned.
"Girl, your task is to gather seven strongest mates. Three of your mates, including Art, are all qualified, but that fox is still lacking. However, it's still manageable; the future is quite long anyway. You have to find three more powerful mates."
Lily's mouth dropped open. "Are you kidding? What am I supposed to do with so many of them?" She exclaimed.
The little creature smirked. "Seven isn't much, sis. There are many females with twenty or more males as their partners. As for what you are supposed to do with them, just keep having sex and keep giving birth," she started.
Lily's face paled instantly. "This little thing is a confirmed pervert, really," she thought.
"Listen, your partners must be up to seven, and they must all be strong; it's for your own benefit. But... it doesn't matter if you accept more after the seven. I think you are quite capable."
"You!" Lily gritted her teeth together and took a deep breath to calm down. "I heard you. What's your name?" she questioned.
The smile on the little creature slowly faded. "Are you asleep when I introduced myself just earlier?" Her anger flared up.
"Sorry, your voice is a little hard to hear," Lily replied mockingly.
"Lily!" The little girl's face turned red immediately out of anger. "You dare to insult this princess's voice!" she exclaimed.
Calling yourself a princess is too luxurious for you; I think 'doll' fits you better," Lily chuckled.
The little creature was about to explode. "I am older than your great-grandmother, you should know that!"
Lily seized the little creature with her gaze before laughing. "I heard you," she replied.
"You... I've heard enough of you," she spat angrily and vanished into Lily's ring.
Lily sighed. "This little thing's anger is really a problem," she mused.
"Beauty!" Liam's voice suddenly sounded, driving her back to reality.
Lily opened her eyes and looked at Liam, who was staring at her with a worried expression. Before she could speak, he suddenly embraced her.
"Beauty... you have been asleep for fourteen days. I was very worried," his choked voice echoed.