𝑻𝒐 𝒂 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓

-𝐵𝑦 𝐿𝑢𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑎 𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎 𝐷𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑠𝑜𝑛

"Thou brightly-glittering star of even,

Thou gem upon the brow of Heaven

Oh! were this fluttering spirit free,

How quick 't would spread its wings to thee."

It was a cold and windswept night. You had just completed your latest assignment for Illumina—executing the target as instructed. As you emerged from the narrow, grimy alleyway, leaving the lifeless body behind, you wiped your blade with a white cloth. By now, however, the cloth was stained a deep crimson, its original purity long lost.

The metallic clink of your boots echoed along the cobblestone path with each deliberate step. The streets were eerily silent, the hour having driven all but the most unfortunate indoors.

As you departed the town's central district, you approached a sparse clearing adorned with a handful of trees. The frigid wind brushed against your skin, stirring within you a strange sensation of liberation—an ephemeral peace borne of solitude.

It was then you noticed a lone figure, a man who sat calmly against the trunk of a tree, a book resting in his hands, a lantern glowing faintly at his side. The soft firelight cast a gentle illumination across his face, revealing features serene and kind. You found yourself quietly pondering why anyone would choose to be out at such an hour—let alone reading.

Before your musings could continue, the man lifted his gaze, having clearly noticed your silhouette lingering in the shadows. Your glowing white eyes met his, cold and unreadable. Yet, he smiled—unshaken, unafraid. It was not a provocation. It was a greeting.