STARLIGHT UNBOUND by Deus Ex Machina - HTML preview

STARLIGHT UNBOUND

wouldn’t be here, risking my life with you. I could’ve walked away. I didn’t.”

Corin ’s lip curled. “Or maybe you needed to get in deeper before they pulled the trigger.”

Lucien took another step forward, “You don’t have to trust me. But if we don ’t do this now, people will keep disappearing. And if you’d rather sit here pointing fingers instead of doing something about it, then go ahead. But I’m not backing out.”

Corin finally looked away, muttering under his breath.

Lyra ’s voice was calmer now. “Enough. We don’t have time for this.”

Lucien nodded, turning away before he could say something he’d regret.

He stepped out the door onto the street, staring out at the city beyond. The lights of the Spire loomed in the distance, their cold, sterile glow slicing through the haze of the skyline.

I used to look at it and feel safe. Like it was untouchable. Now it feels... different. Like it’s watching me.

Doubt gnawed at the edges of his thoughts. What am I even doing here? I don ’t belong in this world. I’m not like them.

But then the images from the night before surfaced in his mind —charts wiped clean, memos detailing the erasure of lives, families torn apart by the very system he once trusted.

This time, it wasn ’t fear that filled him. It was anger.

If I walk away now, I’m no better than them.

Lyra ’s voice pulled him back to the present. She ascended the staircase to the street, glancing over her shoulder. “Alright. It’s time.”

Lucien took a deep breath, his fingers tugging at the edge of his jacket as he stepped forward.

Corin ’s voice followed him, low and sharp. “Let’s hope we don’t regret this. ”

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