City of Stars

Rewriting the prophecy as of late July 2023, original one will still be on my userpage

 **Completed on** | N/A

## Part 1: Introduction

An old man in an alleyway calls out to you, startling you as you walk by. How does he know your name? You wonder as you enter. Upon seeing he has your attention, his face breaks out in a grin, and he starts talking.

Well, hello there. It's nice to meet you. I assume that you're here for the story of the City of Stars? Oh, don't bother with your excuses. That's all anyone comes to bother me for anyways. Before you continue listening to this old man talk, I'd better tell you this. **This is a true story.** This also isn't my story. Someone told it to me while I was traveling. Oh? You haven't sat down yet? Well, sit down then! What are you waiting for? It's a long story, so make yourself comfortable. Now where was I? Ah, yes, the story. I met an old woman in an alleyway who told it to me, you know. She called out to me from the side of the road, just like how I called to you.

And so I go over to her, and I sit down and listen to her tale. Wow, you're still here? I thought I must've bored you, going on and on like that. Well, if you're still here, how about you be the next bearer of the tale? Here's how it goes.

## Part 2: The Old Man's Story

Once upon a time, there was a city of stars and moonlight, sculpted by the sun. However, despite the inherent beauty of the city, the inhabitants, if there were any, were never seen. The people living in the nearby village were confused on how such a thing could happen. The city was beautiful and wonderous, yet it seemed abandoned.

One day, a curious member of the village wandered into the city, distracted by its beauty. His friends, who had tried to stop him, reported that he had seemed like he was in a trance, and wouldn’t show any response to their pleads for him to turn back, away from the city.
That night, the village mourned, and that night, a new star appeared.
It took the village, now a city, over a hundred years to figure it out. But when they did, they realized that for every decade, one of them would be called into the city, now old and faded of its glory, but no less majestic, and the called would become a star. And so, the stars were revered. Now these days, people fear the stars. They fear their power, the strength accumulated through years of worship. But still the people pray, they worship the stars in fear. Fear that a loved one will be next. Fear that they *themselves* will be next.

## Interlude: Prophecy of Stars

*To end the sorrow of lost generations, a star shall break away;*

*A tale of broken sorrow, a stranger of stolen time*

*Each from their own lands, each by another's hand*

*Comes a story of hope and spellbound souls*

*A traveler is first; chased by fates unknown*

## Part 3: In the City of Stars

A bustling town, filled with life. People walk the streets, haggling over the price of goods sold in the street stalls. At first glance, it's just another city. A lively one, at that. However, looking closer, one can observe the townspeople and *see* them. The fear in their eyes, the occasional look over their shoulder. Looking around, there is fear hanging over the city, filling every household, every alleyway. After seeing all that, one has to stop and wonder, *What is it that makes these people so afraid? Why are they so **small**?*

Upon staying in the town further, a few locals have deigned themselves to share with you their tales, of foolery and mischief, but also of loss and despair. They tell you of the City of Stars, and the Prophecy.

All of a sudden, you black out, and wake up again in an alley. The streets outside are bustling with life, and from the light and chill, you can tell it is early morning. Peeking out, you gather the courage to step forwards, only to have a woman bump in to you. She's in a rush, and dropped some papers, but doesn't seem to notice.