STARLIGHT UNBOUND by Deus Ex Machina - HTML preview

STARLIGHT UNBOUND

Leona circled the sculpture, her fingers brushing lightly against the roughened edge. “Resilience, huh?” She smirked, crossing her arms. “Looks more like stubbornness to me.”

Carter tapped his chin thoughtfully. “Is there really a difference?”

Lucien watched the fractured surface, the cracks spreading outward like veins. Resilience. Or survival disguised as strength?

***

As they exited the House of Resilience, Lucien noticed Leona perusing a small gift shop nestled in the corner of the gallery. Shelves lined with AstroSYS-themed trinkets gleamed under the soft lighting —ornate pins, miniature sculptures, and sleek data chips, each meticulously branded with the emblem of its corresponding House. Perfect little symbols of harmony and purpose.

Leona’s fingers hovered over the display before plucking a pin that stood out from the rest. Its jagged lines and vivid colors clashed with the smooth, symmetrical designs around it. The sharp edges seemed almost defiant, as though it didn ’t quite belong.

She turned it over in her hand, smirking. “Looks like someone snuck this in. ”

Darius wandered over, peering at it with mild interest. “Pretty sure that’s the House of Transformation.” He gestured at the emblem’s chaotic swirls. “See? Flames, rebirth, all that. ”

“Still.” Leona studied it, her thumb tracing the rough edges. “I kind of like it. Feels... honest.”

Lucien ’s gaze fixed on the pin, the erratic pattern pulling at something deep within him. “It looks like a starburst,” he murmured, the words slipping out without thought.

The memory surfaced—the graffiti scrawled across Sector 8, those jagged lines, the phrase curling in his mind.

Do you feel it yet?

A hand clapped his shoulder, jolting him from his thoughts. “Alright, alright, ” Darius grinned, steering him forward. “Don’t get lost in your head. We ’ve still got a few more Houses to go.”

***

Darius took the lead as they approached the next section, his usual enthusiasm

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