Galaxy On Fire Chapter 11: 11. A starry ultimatum

The outpost had served its purpose, but Kai knew they couldn’t linger any longer. Maya’s condition was worsening—her green-tinted skin now shimmering faintly under the faint light of the alien moon. Every breath she took seemed heavier, more labored. Kai carried her gently as they navigated the narrow pathways leading out of the tunnels.

Their destination was an old astrologer, a recluse living at the edge of the alien lands. Kai remembered the man as a keeper of ancient knowledge and remedies, someone who had advised his family in the past. If anyone could save Maya, it was him.

“Maya,” Kai murmured as they walked, his voice a soothing balm. “Just hold on. We’re almost there.”

Maya stirred weakly in his arms, her greenish eyelids fluttering open. “Where… where are we going?” she asked, her voice barely audible.

“To someone who can help,” Kai said firmly. “Someone who knows more than anyone else about alien transformations.”

She blinked, her gaze unfocused. “Kai… what if there’s no way to fix this?”

He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to keep walking. “There is. I’ll make sure of it.”

They arrived at the astrologer’s humble dwelling just before dawn. The structure was ancient, made of crumbling stone and decorated with swirling star charts carved into the walls. The air buzzed faintly with an otherworldly energy, and Kai felt a familiar tension settle in his chest as he approached.

He knocked on the heavy wooden door, his fist echoing through the quiet morning.

“Who dares disturb me at this hour?” a raspy voice called from within.

“It’s me, Kai,” he replied. “I need your help.”

The door creaked open, revealing the astrologer—a frail yet imposing figure draped in robes adorned with constellations. His piercing silver eyes scanned Kai before shifting to Maya, unconscious in his arms.

“You bring a human here?” the astrologer said, his tone both curious and scornful. “You must have a death wish, young prince.”

Kai stepped inside, his expression unwavering. “She’s turning into one of us. The Council started the transformation, and I need you to stop it.”

The astrologer’s brows furrowed as he studied Maya more closely. He motioned for Kai to lay her on a low cot in the corner.

“The transformation is incomplete,” the astrologer said, running his bony fingers over her arm. “But it has progressed far enough that her body is rejecting its human nature. If this continues…”

Kai’s chest tightened. “If this continues, what?”

“She will die,” the astrologer said simply, standing upright.

Kai took a sharp breath, his fists clenching at his sides. “Then tell me how to save her.”

The astrologer stroked his long beard thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing. “There is one way,” he said slowly. “But it is not a simple remedy.”

“Just tell me,” Kai snapped, his voice laced with desperation.

The astrologer turned to face him fully, his expression grave. “To stabilize her condition, she must complete the transformation. That means she must bind herself to this world, to our people.”

Kai frowned. “What does that mean?”

“She must marry one of our kind,” the astrologer said, his tone heavy with finality. “And she must carry an alien child. Only then will her body fully adapt to the transformation without killing her.”

Kai felt as though the ground had been ripped out from under him. He stared at the astrologer, his mind racing.

“You’re saying the only way to save her is to… force her into this life completely?” he asked, his voice quiet but sharp.

The astrologer nodded. “There is no other way. Her humanity is slipping away. To survive, she must embrace what she is becoming.”

Kai looked at Maya, her face pale and vulnerable, her breaths shallow. The thought of tying her to his world in such a way felt wrong—like a betrayal of the life she’d been ripped from.

But what choice did he have?

“And if she doesn’t do this?” Kai asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

The astrologer’s eyes softened, though his tone remained firm. “Then she will perish. Slowly, painfully.”

Kai closed his eyes, his mind spinning. He thought of Maya’s strength, her resilience, and the fire in her spirit that had drawn him to her in the first place. She didn’t deserve this fate. But would she even agree to such a plan?

The astrologer’s voice broke through his thoughts. “You care for her,” he said, his tone more observant than questioning.

Kai opened his eyes, his gaze hard. “She’s not just another human to me,” he said. “She’s…” He trailed off, unsure how to put his feelings into words.

The astrologer nodded knowingly. “Then you must make her understand. This is her only chance.”

Maya stirred on the cot, a soft groan escaping her lips. Kai was at her side in an instant, his hand gently brushing her hair back.

“Maya,” he said softly.

Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at him, confusion clouding her features. “What’s happening?” she murmured.

Kai hesitated, glancing at the astrologer before looking back at her. “I… I found a way to save you,” he said carefully.

She frowned, struggling to sit up. “Save me? From what?”

“From the transformation,” Kai said. “But it’s not an easy solution.”

Maya’s gaze flickered to the astrologer, then back to Kai. “What do you mean?”

Kai took a deep breath, his heart pounding. “You’re becoming one of us,” he said gently. “The only way to stabilize your body is to… complete the process.”

Her eyes widened in alarm. “Complete it? How?”

He hesitated, his throat tightening. “You’d have to… marry one of our kind. And carry an alien child.”

The room fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in. Maya stared at him, her expression a mix of shock and disbelief.

“You can’t be serious,” she said finally, her voice trembling.

Kai reached for her hand, his grip firm but comforting. “Maya, I know it sounds insane. And I wouldn’t ask this of you if there was any other way. But it’s the only way to save your life.”

Her eyes searched his, her breathing quickening. “You’re asking me to give up everything I am. To become… something I don’t even recognize.”

“I’m not asking you to give up who you are,” Kai said earnestly. “You’ll still be you. This doesn’t change your mind, your heart. But it will save your body.”

Maya pulled her hand away, her gaze dropping to her lap. “And if I say no?” she whispered.

Kai’s jaw tightened. “Then you’ll die,” he said quietly.

Tears welled in her eyes, and she wiped them away angrily. “This isn’t fair,” she said, her voice breaking.

“I know,” Kai said, his own voice thick with emotion. “But I swear, Maya, I’ll be with you every step of the way. You’re not alone in this.”

She looked up at him, her expression conflicted. “And if I agree… who am I supposed to marry?”

Kai hesitated, his chest tightening. “Me,” he said finally.

Her breath caught, her eyes widening in shock. “You?”

“Yes,” he said firmly. “Because I won’t let anyone else have you. And I won’t let you face this alone.”

Maya stared at him, her emotions a storm of fear, anger, and something else—something she couldn’t quite name.

“I… I need time to think,” she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kai nodded, his heart aching. “Take all the time you need,” he said. “But remember—we don’t have much.”

As the room fell into silence, the weight of the astrologer’s words loomed over them like a dark cloud, a ticking clock counting down to an uncertain fate.