The mining colony of Darvos had always been a world of contrasts. Beneath its dusty surface lay veins of starlight ore, a rare mineral coveted across the galaxy. But above ground, the sun hung heavy in a crimson sky, casting long shadows over endless fields of machinery and sweat-stained workers. Liora Veylan had spent most of her 17 years beneath that sun, dreaming of the stars she had never seen.
The air was thick with the hum of mining drills as Liora tightened the last bolt on the repair unit. "That should hold," she muttered, wiping a streak of grease off her cheek. Around her, the other workers moved like clockwork, their faces grim and exhausted. The Empire's quotas left no room for failure.
"Liora!" a sharp voice called out. She turned to see Old Jorrik, her supervisor, hobbling toward her with his usual scowl. "The freighter's docking in an hour. If we don't have that ore transport operational, you'll be answering to the overseer."
"Got it," she replied, suppressing a groan. Jorrik wasn't a bad man, just another cog in the Empire's relentless machine. She grabbed her tools and headed toward the towering transport vehicle, its frame looming like a skeletal giant.
As she worked, a low rumble vibrated through the ground. At first, she thought it was another tremor—Darvos was prone to them—but this one was different. The air seemed to pulse, resonating with a strange energy that made her skin tingle. She paused, glancing around. No one else seemed to notice.
Then, a streak of light tore through the sky, brighter than any sunbeam. It was an asteroid, but unlike any Liora had seen before. Its core shimmered with a silvery glow, trailing sparks like falling stars. It was beautiful—and it was heading straight for the colony.
"Get down!" someone shouted, but the words barely registered as the asteroid struck the far ridge. The impact was deafening, shaking the ground and sending a shockwave that knocked Liora off her feet. She hit the dirt hard, the air rushing from her lungs.
When the dust began to settle, chaos erupted. Workers scrambled to assess the damage, but Liora's attention was fixed on the ridge. The asteroid's glow hadn't faded. If anything, it was brighter now, casting an ethereal light over the shattered landscape.
She felt an inexplicable pull, as if the asteroid was calling to her. Without thinking, she started toward the ridge.
"Liora, where are you going?" a voice called after her, but she didn't stop. Her heart pounded as she climbed over the jagged rocks, the strange energy growing stronger with every step. By the time she reached the crater, her hands were trembling.
At the center of the impact site lay a fragment of the asteroid, pulsating with light. As she approached, the glow intensified, and she felt a warmth spreading through her chest. It was as if the fragment recognized her.
Her hand moved on its own, reaching out to touch it. The moment her fingers brushed the surface, a surge of energy shot through her, and her vision went white. She saw stars—endless, shimmering stars—and heard a voice, ancient and powerful, echoing in her mind.
"You are Starborn."
Liora gasped, stumbling back. The glow faded, leaving the fragment dull and lifeless, but the warmth in her chest remained. She looked down at her hand, now marked with a faint, glowing symbol that pulsed in time with her heartbeat.
She didn't know what had just happened, but one thing was clear: her life on Darvos was over. The stars were calling, and she had no choice but to answer.