Double Eclipse

That night Star stared at the ceiling. She didn’t think but allowed herself to feel the strange emotions going through her. Why do I trust this Swift? What is this inexplicable feeling of familiarity I have toward him? But If I don’t go with him, then I can’t get back home. But what if I can’t get back! Maybe staying with Kyro... No! I can’t allow myself to think like that! Think positive, Star! Oh! I don’t know what to do? A touch of warmth flowed from the charm upon her chest like a pleasant breeze. Immediately, she drowsed into a comfortable sleep. There were no answers, but there was peace.

The next morning Kyro had already told his mother of Star’s sudden departure. His mother pleaded with Star in a strong, motherly way, hoping that she will stay. Mxyno took Star’s hand and began to silently cry.

"Oh, Mxyno. I’m sorry but I can’t stay. I have my own family to go to. If I don’t go, they’ll get worried. If you left your mother, won’t she get worried, too?" Finally, Kyro came and handed Star a package.

"This will help you. Inside is some food and clothing. And some money in case."

"I don’t know how to thank you... I just think that I can’t thank you enough. Oh my! Just look at me! I’m crying my eyes out!" Star laughed. Kyro handed her a napkin.

"We best leave them alone now." Kyro’s mother hurried the reluctant Mxyno back into the house.

They stood there staring at each other without a word. Star looked toward the hill behind the house and noticed Swift waiting patiently. Breaking the silence, "I have to go now."

"I have something for you."

"Something?"

"Yes, something you asked me once about. Something you lost." Star’s eyes widened. Kyro opened his left palm. It was a sparkling brightly in the sunlight.

Star picked it up and cradled her hands around it. "You found it."

"Yes, it washed up on shore, about two days ago."

"You mean you kept it from me..."

"Yes."

"But... But why?"

"I want to ask you again. Will you stay with me?"

"No! I mean, don’t ask me again..." Star felt confused, as if something was trying to invade her. Something foreign and frightening. "I can’t answer you!"

"Why must you go? We can be your family!"

"No, Kyro! Don’t forced me!" Then suddenly the feeling left her. No more struggling nor constrain. She felt empty, but herself again.

"I’m sorry. I took the earrings because I wanted something to remember you by. I thought that by keeping it, I could keep you... It’s strange that it didn’t work did it?"

Unsure of what he meant, she decided on a more comfortable approach. "Kyro, you shouldn’t hold onto the past." She fastening the momento onto her bracelet, she whispered into his ears, "I forgive you." She then kissed his cheek and said smiling, "Save this for the scrapbooks instead."

"I’ll see you again."

"Maybe?" Carrying her package, she didn’t look back as Kyro stood there and watched her leave. She knew something was strange about Kyro today, but she shrugged it off and hurried to Swift.

"There you are! Why were you taking so long? Achoo!" sneezed the shivering fox.

"Swift what’s wrong? You don’t look so good."

"Achoo! Sniff... Sniff... It was that little brat, Mxyno! Chasing me around her room… Achoo! I had to run outside to get away from her! And last night was so cold!"

"Why didn’t you go to my room?"

"Well... Sniff... Sniff... I thought you needed your privacy."

Star smiled and took a piece of cloth from her bag. She wrapped it around Swift unexpectingly. She then rubbed his head and called him a foolish Furball. "My name is not Furball!"

"Anyway, how do we get to where we are going without transportation? A walk along the main road doesn’t seem safe!"

"That’s easy. Use the Sun."

"The Sun? How do I use the Sun?"

"It’s the amulet that I gave you. Concentrate on it and it will understand you and assist you. It contains Puritora; therefore the spirit inside it will help you."

"Do you mean I should talk to it?"

"Yes..."

"Really talk to it?"

"Yes! Would you just try it!"

"Oookay..." In a small voice, "Hello Sun. How are you? Um... Can you zap us to the next city?"

"Through your mind! Through your mind!" How am I going to put up with her?

"Well, you weren’t specific!"

Closing her eyes, Sun... Sun... .............. Darn how am I to do this? I need transportation! How about an airplane! Like yeah right Star! You think this is some kind of wishing stone or something? Suddenly, an eerie glow of energy seeped into her body. Star’s breath shortened with agony. She falls to her knees and held onto herself as if something was trying to force itself out of her. The feeling was like wild fire spreading throughout every nerve on her skin. Then it began to center itself onto her spine and on her back.

"What is happening!?" exclaims Star in an weak voice.

"Just calm down... You need to calm down."

A shot of pain ripped out her back, tearing through her clothes; thus emitting a radiant luminescence of crystal-clear wings. Star was kneeling and heavily breathing. Swift came over and covered her with the cloth that Star gave him.

"Are you okay?" The worried fox asked.

"Yes... Furball! Couldn’t you warn me how painful it was! I feel like my whole body was burning up!"

"It’s the way the Sun’s Puritora works. It is very powerful hence it takes out a lot from the user."

"Then how am I going to use it in the future, or if I ever will use it."

"You’re right! You won’t need to use it."

"Why not? I mean, you didn’t come all the way to my world to bring me back here for nothing! After all, if that’s your plan than I demand to go back home immediately!"

"Don’t you want to know about your bloodline? I mean that is why you are coming with me in the first place right?"

"Are you trying to blackmail me?!"

"In the matter of fact, yes!"

"Oh! You horrible Furball! You know what, I should stay with Kyro! At least he’s nicer!"

"Oh, let’s just stop arguing and start leaving for Sruilong."

"And why should I listen to you? You don’t even like me! You might as well lead me to my death!" Star sat down and folded her arms. Her wings closed up like a rolling wave.

Fox looked at her resentfully and finally with a sigh, he patted on her leg. "Star, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to not warn you about using the Sun and I didn’t mean to blackmail you. To tell you the truth, I’m not even sure what I’m doing here either, but all I know is that I need you to help, after all, the Sun did choose you over me." Star refused to say anything.

"I am very sincere with my apology. Please forgive me."

Star look at Swift. I guess he didn’t mean it. Maybe over stressed out? I know I was! "Fine, I accept your apology, but we must be clear of one thing."

"And what may it be?"

"That when we get to wherever this place you want to go to, you will tell me all about my so called bloodline and that you will help me get back to Earth!"

"As you wish. Shall we go?"

That seemed too easy! But there is no other I can trust, and he is the only one who knows where my home world is. "Sure hop on! But you must hold the luggage!"

"Okay..." he moaned.

By a skip, run and jump like a sparrow, Star catches a current of wind that lifts her upward, toward the sky. At first she tumbled clumsily in the air, almost falling. But Star’s fear and determination kept her in the air.

"I can really fly! You know what? I had dreams like this."

"Yes, dreams..." Fox looked back at the ground and stared straight at the old hut and at Kyro. As Star and Swift disappeared into the horizon, the hut disappeared too. No mother, no daughter. There was only an empty patch and shifting sand. But Kyro stood alone. Slowly he began to walk toward Star’s direction.