Lineage

Rex felt an everlasting warmth. One so comfortable there was only one emotion it could be described as, pure bliss. The wounds he felt disappeared in a flash, all of the fatigue he had was gone. The soldiers had disappeared too. He was encased in an everlasting light, and then he slumbered. 

Rex hadn’t known how long he’d been passed out for, but when his eyes opened up he was in somewhere he couldn't describe. It wasn't like the place he had originally seen, he was only encompassed by a single dim star flickering above him. There were other stars too, 11 of them to be exact. Ten hovered in silence, distant and still, while the one above him pulsed faintly, flickering with a fragile glow. He didn’t know why, but it felt like they were waiting for something. For him.

He wasn't exactly able to understand it now so he let his thoughts waver elsewhere. And in that moment the voice called out to him again. It was still as gentle and warm as before, yet it was fragmented as if it could barely let out a whisper. 

Encasing him with a motherly warmth she said, “Welcome, son of the stars and moon…” the voice echoed in the abyss. 

Although the voice was warm, Rex staggered back, his head subtly shaking. He wasn't even exactly sure what the source of this voice was, yet he somehow always found himself finding comfort in it. Rex felt as if the voice didn't come from one place, instead it was all around encompassing him in blissful whispers.

“Who or what even are you? Why did you save me?” Rex said, trying to hide the timidness in his voice 

“No need to fret, child I am not here to hurt you. Even the brightest stars forget that they were once dust”

Rex was thrown into turmoil unsure of what he was even witnessing. As his emotions caved and doubt of what he even decided to accept into his body came in, the lightly dimming star shook becoming dimmer.

The voice then spoke again, more fragmented than it was before. “Child place your trust in me, you seem to think that you have been alone your whole life, yet I was there. A forgotten star dimming on a shattered moon.”

The warmth surrounding him grew faint, fragile as if it too feared being abandoned.

“You were always meant to find me,” she said, “just as I was always waiting to be found.”

Rex stared at the star above, and for the first time in years, he didn’t feel alone. The dimming star grew brighter and Astrael’s voice grew increasingly deeper. The domain he was in started to shake as if crumbling, it was coming apart.

“It seems as if our time is up here. The first star grants you control over your perception of time, and gives you minor authority over it. Do not doubt in yourself, for the tide you will bring upon the world will be one for the ages.”

“Astrael!” he screamed out in doubt of his worthiness“I still have so much more to ask you, why me, why was I the moon you decided to shine on. Astrael!”

“It is because you were the moon destined to be cradled by the stars. You are no longer the broken boy they abandoned. You are Icarus, the moon who will soar. May liberation be with you my child.”

The name Icarus resounded in his head for some reason, as if he had been waiting to be called by it. 

Before he could gather his thoughts though he was pulled far away from the crumbling domain in an instant, the warmth he had felt disappearing in a distant embrace. He had found himself surrounded by puddles of blood and sweating all over. Rex had woken up.