Prologue- The Origin of the Stars

The northern ridge of Star World provided a panoramic view of the heavens, as they were in their purest form, unobstructed by any atmospheric haze. To be sure, one could see the heavens anywhere on Star World, but when one stood on the very edge of that northern ridge… there was a sight to be seen. When land disappeared behind you and all you could see was space, it was not hard to imagine that you were blissfully adrift that infinite sea.

Space. That name alone implied emptiness. Of course, space, as the inhabitants of Plit knew it, was the harshest poison in the entire Universe. Assaulting all five senses until death arrived, it was a hazard that mortal things would do well to avoid. But to the immortal Star Spirit, space was an infinitely beautiful work of art laid out at the beginning of time for all to behold in wonder and awe. From that northern ridge, one could see that there was nothing empty about it. Swirls of milky white, formed by billions of stars, stretched across the cosmos. Quasars and supernovas created colorful spatters that, in their unfathomable size, were still visible, though many light-years away. In front of that backdrop, individual stars were scattered, each with enough sparkle to forever dazzle the eye. Planets, meteors, comets, and asteroids were seen also, and what these lacked in brilliance, they made up for in uniqueness. And then, bathing all in its light, was the nearest star, Sol. The sun.

It was an image the mortals on Plit have only ever had a glimpse of. The pure view granted to Star World would be too bright to be seen by mortal eyes. Of course, that was no problem to the Star Spirits. Star World in itself was so bright that the dimmest shadow would outshine a torch. In fact, that trait was what gave Star World its name. It was not a star at all; such close proximity would vaporize every living thing on Plit. Star World was made of a solid substance, but this material, and everything on it, was so bright that the entire thing looked like a star in the night sky.

Standing on the northern ridge, a Star Spirit was enjoying this extraordinary view. It was a dark time for every one of these heavenly sprites, and though the brilliance of their bodies had not dimmed a bit, the cloud of uncertainty hovered over all. This Star Spirit, wishing to calm his mind, spent his few free minutes there on that beloved ridge.

The sound of approaching feet sounded on the grass. The Star Spirit bowed his head. He was no longer alone. His time here was over.

"Geno, come quickly," his companion said. "The time has come. Eldstar calls for all to gather at the Haven. We must make haste."

The clear call of a silver trumpet sounded from across the mountain that separated the northern ridge from the Star Haven. Both Geno and his companion turned their heads and looked.

"Ah, see!" cried the other. "Come, Geno! We mustn't delay!"

"Yes, Skoltar. I know."

Geno turned and followed after Skoltar. The two glided across the pale-blue meadows and sparkling rivers, eventually coming to the mountain, which they passed over by the quickest path.

Geno paused, only once, to observe the Star Haven far below. It was an open-air palace composed of sculptures, pillars, and pedestals, all built from crystal, forming ten hexagonal layers. At the center of all this, shining like a beacon, was the purpose of the Star Spirits themselves: the Star Rod. Guarding the southern border of this palace were hundreds of Star Spirits, appearing like candles from the mountaintop. Geno looked up, seeing if he could spot the Enemy. He was relieved that he could not. If the Enemy was visible, then Geno was too late.

They arrived at the Haven moments later. Eldstar, the king of Star World, turned and frowned at Geno from behind his furry eyebrows and bushy moustache.

"I apologize, sire," Geno began. "I was only…"

"This is no time for excuses," Eldstar said quietly. "You know the urgency of the situation. You were there when we saw the Star Rod's prophecy of the coming Enemy. This is the time to make the final preparations. I will berate you later, if it is necessary. And if it is possible."

With a bow, Geno departed to the Great Battle Chest to retrieve what he would need for war. He noticed other Star Spirits already wearing those items. Adamantium armor was snapped into place; a golden shield was strapped to the forearm; a gilded helmet was pushed onto the head; a diamond broadsword was placed in the hand. The glory and honor of battle radiated from the Star Spirits' bodies like the light of two-dozen stars. It was into these ranks of heavenly warriors that Geno stepped.

The Enemy was visible now. It appeared to be a shadowy form, but looks were deceiving. As it came closer, it was revealed to be a partially human form, fused to a mass of jagged crystal. Its body was bulky, and its skin was heavily tattooed. This monstrous apparition flew into the Star World; and an army of crystals followed with it.

"The great Culex," Eldstar boomed. "We know why you have come. You seek to expand your power beyond your own Universe. I, Eldstar of the Star Spirits, am standing before you now to tell you that your journey ends here. We cannot allow you to enter Plit. We shall not allow you to enter Plit. Leave now, and save yourself the inevitable bloodshed."

Culex laughed at this. "Bloodshed?" he shouted. "Bloodshed? Eldstar, Bloodshed is a mortal concept. And if you are mortal, then you stand no chance against me. Look at my army. I do not bring soldiers here. I bring the elements, and they fight with me."

Culex lifted a hand. The nearest crystal, a red one, fell like a dead weight and struck the ground with a deep rumble. The Star Spirits were staring at their shattered reflections in the geometric surface, when the crystal split along a fault, reshaping its broken pieces until it stood as a new shape, with limbs and dual weapons. The crystal swung its massive swords threateningly, before assuming a fighting stance to hold while awaiting orders. Culex watched its creation come to life. Then he threw his head back and laughed.

"My crystals!" he bellowed. "My army! Attack!"

One by one, the rainbow of crystals fell. All across Star World, heavy thumps shook the ground. For a moment, the field in front of the Star Haven looked like a jewler's dream. The next, it was a mercenary's nightmare. Thousands of crystal soldiers, each with the strength to split trees and each with the endurance to survive explosions, marched toward the army of Star Spirits, eagerly swinging their mighty weapons.

Eldstar screamed, "Go!" and the Star Spirits were off, a flock of sunbeams chasing the darkness. They let out a battle cry that returned to their ears as a beautiful song as they lifted their weapons in anticipation. The shining Star Rod stood behind them as a sign of hope and determination. The crystals made no response to this. They made no battle cry, unless the dull thumps made by their march could be considered such a thing.

Suddenly the armies collided. Metal clanged against crystal. Glittering swords were ground against one another. Heavy bodies fell crashing to the ground. Attacks were made fiercely on both sides, cracking armor, shattering crystal. Bold spirits ran headlong into the crystal masses, attacking enemies on all sides.

Geno found himself in the core of the fray. He felt the air burn around him from the fire created by clashing weapons as he struck and parried weapons left and right. When his enemy was open, Geno jabbed forward with such force that his sword was driven completely through the crystal's body. He threw the body against the ground, shattering it into tiny pieces. He paused there, hearing a crack deep within the ground before necessity brought him back to reality. He lifted his sword in time to block a crystal's crossed swords. His arm began to buckle under the weight of those solid blocks; bits of crystal and diamond were sprinkled on his face. The crossed swords were coming dangerously close to his face; thinking at the last moment, he struck the crystal with the broad side of his shield. When the crystal fell, Geno fell on top of it and thrust his sword into the heart of its body, splitting it. This time, he certainly heard a crack deep underground.

Geno turned away from the fight and caught a glimpse of an atrocity. It was the monstrous Culex, gliding over the Star Haven, raising his arms to draw black energy from the cosmos. He was summoning his powers in preparation for an attack on the Star Rod!

Geno turned away and looked out across the battlefield. He saw Eldstar far off, smashing crystals left and right with a mace in each hand.

"Eldstar!" Geno cried. He stepped forward, knocking an advancing enemy down with his elbow. "Eldstar!"

When the king Star Spirit looked, Geno pointed at the Star Rod. Eldstar saw and understood, and with a nod, the two leapt forward to attack. Their weapons, Eldstar's maces and Geno's broadsword, caught Culex in the side, knocking him out of the air. Culex tumbled through two pillars and a statue, destroying all three. When he got up, there was a fire in his eyes.

"You have attempted to sneak out of the battle to pursue an act of sabotage," Eldstar said. "It is not only dishonorable. It is foolish."

"Very well, then," Culex growled. He reached down to the crystalline portion of his body, broke off two pieces, and held these up as dual weapons. "I'll bring the battle here."

There, the two Star Spirits fought, each parrying a single weapon and jabbing where Culex was open. His power was almost overwhelming, as Geno was nearly knocked off his feet each time the monster's attack connected. Yet, gradually, the two were wearing him down. Behind them, Culex could see bursts of colorful glitter explode into the sky, a sign that his crystals were being destroyed.

The battle was decided in a final bold move. Attempting to catch Eldstar off guard, Culex turned and brought both weapons down on the old Star Spirit's head. Eldstar blocked the attack, but just barely. It was enough for Geno to take advantage of his enemy's exposed position, leaping forward and burying his broadsword in Culex's side. Lightning flowed out of the wound like blood. Geno pulled back his sword, which shone brighter than ever. Culex dropped his weapons and reared back, roaring at the unbearable pain.

"You cannot win this battle," Eldstar said calmly. "I suggest you retreat to whatever place you came from before you die on foreign soil."

"This isn't over," Culex growled, clutching his wounded side. "I will return. You'll see. Someday, I will return."

His final warning thus declared, Culex beckoned toward the heavens and swooped away, followed closely by his crystal army, which had shrunk by nearly half.

After wiping his broadsword clean, Geno sheathed his weapon and came to Eldstar's side. "Are you all right, sire?" he asked.

"Yes, yes," Eldstar breathed. "I thank you, Geno. Perhaps I will not berate you after all." He allowed himself a brief chuckle before returning to the seriousness of the matter. "We have won the battle, but all is not well. Star World has been damaged, and what's worse, the Haven has been contaminated. We must begin repair, and quickly."

Geno nodded. He said, "Yes. I heard cracks in the ground. It would appear that the damage is extensive."

Eldstar nodded. He turned away to face the army of Star Spirits, which was still hovering above the battlefield, not sure how to take to the victory. "Search Star World top and bottom for all visible damage! We will begin repairing the damage once all reports are in!"

Each giving a twinkle as a sign of affirmation, the army dispersed, dropping its armor and weaponry on the field so to explore the beloved Star World as they were meant to, as free Star Spirits. The battlefield itself was unlike any seen on Plit. Places of combat were marked by pieces of gold, shards of crystal, and grains of diamond.

After returning his items to the battle chest, Geno drifted high above Star World before swooping down to the underside. Not only was Star World as bright as a star, but also it was shaped as one. This was especially apparent from the underside. The place's bedrock, an unnatural metal the color of gold, stretched across the length and breadth of Star World. It was this metallic bedrock that had been cracked. Hundreds of fine cracks ran jaggedly from end to end. Geno frowned, for this would be difficult to repair. Difficult, but necessary.

As he came closer to inspect the cracks, Geno noticed something curious out of the corner of his eye. He looked, and saw what appeared to be hundreds of Star Spirits drifting down toward Plit. But upon closer inspection, he realized that they were actually pieces of Star World, which had fallen out of the cracks. After a moment of bewilderment, Geno returned to Eldstar and reported what he had seen.

Eldstar frowned up at the stars, as if in deep thought. "This is interesting indeed," he said. "Of course, we cannot retrieve them. Once something like that leaves the protection of Star World, it loses its purity. We cannot reattach them to their proper places."

"Then," said Geno. "Then, they are of no concern?"

"Goodness, no!" cried Eldstar. "They may have lost their purity, but on Plit, they will no doubt have incredible influence! No, you must organize a party to see that these star fragments find their way to safe places around the world. It is difficult to foresee what impact they will have in the future. We must therefore keep watch over them at all times."

Geno bowed, and then flew off to seek aid from the Star Spirits clustered around the cracks in the bedrock. Having gathered sufficient aid, he and his party journeyed down into Plit's atmosphere to execute the king's orders.

Many days later, Geno returned to Star World to report to Eldstar. When Star World came into sight, he could see progress being made on the damaged bedrock, as the cracks were being healed from the tips to the roots. When he came topside, he saw that the battlefield was now clean, and the replacement pillars at the Haven were actively being carved. He touched down near the king, who was watching the reconstruction from a pavilion.

"Geno, my boy, you have returned," Eldstar said proudly.

"We finished hiding the star fragments, sire," Geno began. "We took great care to space them out evenly across the globe. Thanks to the power of the star fragments, they will act as seeing stones, allowing us to monitor their conditions in the future."

"How many star fragments were there?" Eldstar asked.

Geno shook his head. "We did not make a conclusive count," he said, "But we estimated at least one hundred and fifty."

Eldstar nodded. It was not a huge amount. Nevertheless, he did not deny what he said earlier.

The star fragments would certainly influence the course of Plit's future.