STARLIGHT UNBOUND by Deus Ex Machina - HTML preview

Chapter 12

The alarm had long since stopped.

Lucien opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling. The remnants of a dream hovered just beyond reach—faded, elusive. He couldn't remember the details, but the feeling lingered... a quiet unease, like a forgotten memory stirring in the dark.

He turned his head, eyes landing on the wrist device glowing faintly on the bedside table.

9:12 AM.

I’m late.

The thought registered, but it didn ’t spark the usual urgency. He sat up abruptly, the motion sharp and disorienting. He should have felt panic—this was the first time he’d been late in years—but instead, there was... nothing. No anxiety. No sense of failure.

Just emptiness.

What’s happening to me? Who am I becoming?

Lucien stretched, his muscles stiff, his body settling against the edge of the bed. His reflection in the black mirror of the screen caught his eye. He stared at it, brow furrowing as if he didn’t quite recognize the man looking back.

I used to know who I was. Now I’m not so sure.

His fingers dragged down his face, as if trying to rub away the thoughts at the edges of his mind. “You’ve been asleep, Lucien. But now... you’re waking up. ”

Lyra ’s voice echoed in his thoughts, unwelcome and persistent. Waking up.

95