### **Chapter 17.5: Astra, Light in the Darkness**
The battlefield had fallen silent, save for the distant sounds of the war still raging. The echoes of the clash, the roars of beasts, and the cries of warriors faded into the background as Riven stood still, the weight of Kieran's death pressing down on him. His heart felt like it was being crushed under the enormity of the loss, and yet, no matter how much he tried to move forward, a part of him was still stuck in that moment of loss, unable to shake the memory of his friend's final breath.
The death of Kieran was not just a loss of a friend—it was the loss of the one person who had always believed in him, the one person who had fought by his side through every battle, every trial. And now, Kieran was gone. The guilt weighed heavily on Riven's chest, suffocating him. He couldn't help but feel responsible. If only he had been stronger, if only he had been faster—maybe, just maybe, he could have saved him.
His hand instinctively went to his side, to the space where the familiar weight of his sword normally rested. But it wasn't there. In its place was the heavy feeling of emptiness. The war raged around him, but in this moment, he was alone.
"Astra," Riven whispered, his voice barely audible above the wind. The name came out of him like a prayer, a plea for some kind of solace. "Where are you?"
In the distance, Astra's massive form loomed, her gravitational aura pulling everything in her vicinity toward her, as if the very air bent to her will. But it wasn't just the power that made Astra so imposing—it was the bond they shared. She had always been his anchor, his companion in the darkest of times, and yet, now, she felt like a distant star, just out of reach.
With slow, measured steps, Riven made his way toward her. His heart ached with each step, but something inside him pushed him forward. He had to reach her. He couldn't fight the growing void inside of him without her.
Astra, sensing his approach, turned her massive, dark form toward him. Her bright, ethereal eyes glowed with a soft light, a comforting beacon in the darkness that threatened to swallow him whole. Her gravitational pull softened as she lowered herself to the ground, the swirling energy around her dissipating as she knelt.
Riven stood in front of her, his breath coming in uneven gasps. For a moment, neither of them spoke. There was no need for words—Riven could feel the weight of Astra's presence, her empathy, her understanding. She was a creature of immense power, but there was something more to her. Something that defied the traditional concept of what a beast should be.
"Astra," Riven said again, this time his voice trembling, "I… I don't know what to do. I lost him. I couldn't protect him."
The silence between them stretched, but this time it didn't feel heavy. It felt like a quiet understanding. Astra's glowing eyes watched him closely, her form radiating a warmth that seemed to seep into his bones. She wasn't just a weapon. She wasn't just a tool in the fight. Astra was something deeper, something more personal, and it was in this moment that Riven realized just how much she had come to mean to him. She was more than just a beast—she was family.
In the depths of the silence, Riven felt something stir within him. It wasn't the overwhelming rush of fury that had consumed him before, but a quiet, persistent pull—like the calm before the storm. He closed his eyes, focusing on the feeling, and in that instant, he felt the connection between them grow stronger. Astra was there, not just beside him, but within him. Her power, her essence, intertwined with his, forming a bond that was as much emotional as it was physical.
"Riven," Astra's voice echoed in his mind, soft but clear. It was more than just a telepathic communication—it was an understanding, a connection that went beyond words. "I feel your pain. I know what you're going through. But you cannot carry this burden alone. You are not alone."
The words resonated deeply with Riven, their meaning cutting through the fog of grief that clouded his mind. He had always known Astra was more than a beast, but now, in this moment, it became painfully clear. She understood him. She felt his pain, his loss, and, in turn, shared in the weight of it. The bond between them had always been strong, but now, it was almost as if she was an extension of his very soul.
The realization hit him like a wave.
"I'm sorry, Astra," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I've been pushing you away. I've been so consumed with my own guilt that I forgot what we share. I forgot that I'm not alone in this."
Astra's presence seemed to swell in response to his words, and for the briefest of moments, Riven felt a flicker of something within him—hope. A spark. It was small, fragile, but it was there. Astra had always been the one constant in his life, the one thing he could rely on when everything else seemed to fall apart. And now, even in the face of Kieran's death, Astra was still there, standing by his side, her loyalty unwavering.
"I know you've suffered," Astra continued, her voice both soothing and strong, "but you must not let this grief consume you. There is still a fight to be fought. Kieran would want you to move forward. He would want you to keep going."
Riven felt a lump form in his throat at the mention of Kieran. His friend, his brother-in-arms, was gone. But Astra's words rang true. Kieran wouldn't want him to drown in grief. He would want Riven to keep fighting, to honor his memory by continuing the battle. There was still so much left to do.
"I… I can't do this without you," Riven said, his voice barely a whisper. He could feel the weight of Astra's gaze on him, the depth of her empathy and understanding. It was as if she was telling him, without saying a word, that she would never abandon him. She was with him, no matter what.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Riven allowed himself to feel something other than pain. A quiet determination began to rise within him. He had lost Kieran, yes, but he still had Astra. He still had his allies. And most importantly, he still had a reason to fight.
Astra, sensing the shift in his emotions, slowly rose to her full height, her powerful form towering above him. The gravitational pull around her strengthened, but this time it wasn't oppressive. It was supportive, like a steady hand guiding him forward.
"I'm ready," Riven said, his voice steady now, the darkness within him slowly being pushed back by the light Astra had shown him. "Let's finish this."
With Astra's presence beside him, Riven felt stronger. He felt like he could take on the world, not just for himself, but for everyone he had lost and everyone he still had left to protect. His bond with Astra, their shared pain, their shared resolve—it was more than just a weapon. It was a source of power, of strength, of hope.
The battle was far from over, but for the first time in days, Riven felt like he could face it head-on. He wasn't alone. Not anymore.
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**End of Chapter 17.5**