Glittering Stars

[Diana]

All I could see was white, nothing else. It lasted for quite some time until my vision adjusted at such a crawling pace.

I groaned in discomfort, vision still adjusting to my surroundings.

"W-Where are we?" I asked.

"If I'm not mistaken," Devia paused, "We are currently on the outer edges of Lumin Niyaveschk's solar system."

"Lumin what?" I asked in discomfort.

"Don't worry about it," Sam answered, "We're just making a stop to refuel and some have minor repairs."

"Alright…" I said.

Once my vision cleared, I looked out the window and we were cruising in the vast emptiness of space. In the corner of my eye, a bright light continually pulsed and glinted. I turned my attention toward it and was greeted by the blinding light of the solar system's star. It shined with a yellow tint and illuminated the darkness surrounding the vessel.

"How did we get here?" I asked.

"Gabrosch had to use the warp drive installed on the cruiser. It's very dangerous so we only use it in the direst of situations," Sam replied.

"So… what does that mean?" I asked again.

"It means… Well, to put it simply, we 'skipped' a few stops and made it here," Sam answered.

"I've never heard of that technology before," I responded.

"Well, it's supposedly classified information… But not anymore," She replied.

"I see…"

I continued peering through the window and noticed we were heading closer to the star's vicinity.

"Why are we getting closer to the star?" I was concerned.

"That's because we need to stop on Lumin Niyaveschk," Thomas replied.

"Oh…" I replied quietly.

Deep down, I was anxious but also excited. It was my first time being here in this area of Levelia. I'd only visited the Southern Reach and that was mostly it. This time was different, completely different. I was now in the heart of Levelian territory, where some of the most ancient worlds reside. The fact that we were making a stop on Lumin Niyaveschk made me even more excited. The planet, called "The Second Sister, " is regarded as the third holiest planet in Levelia's religion, the Creyaltver. The planet is similar to Cragholven, it's just one big city-planet.

As we passed different celestial bodies, I noticed an increase in the vessels traveling next to us. Soon enough, larger vessels increased in number.

"We're getting close," Sam announced.

"Traffic around the planet has increased by ten percent as of now," Devia paused, "It's most likely due to today being the Feast of the Crystal."

"What's that?" I asked.

"It's a local holiday on Lumin Niyavesck. It commemorates the birth of the Ten Celestials," Devia replied.

"Isn't it supposed to be called the Feast of the Crystals then?" I asked.

"Well… Yes, but no… It's complicated," She replied.

"Alright, I won't badger you about it then," I replied.

As I continued staring out of the window I saw numerous stations and ships docking and undocking from them. We then passed a massive station, more like a fortress than a port. Massive vessels were anchored there. They were warships, stationed here to defend the planet and the solar system.

"Woah…" I was mesmerized by the size and scale of the fleet.

"That's the Royal Niyaveschkan Fleet, one of the largest fleets in Levelia," Sam responded.

As we flew past it, massive cannons and orbital stations, fitted with terrifying weaponry, grew at the corner of my vision.

"There are a lot of defense platforms…" I noted.

"It's necessary," Thomas answered, "Lumin Niyaveschk is considered the second-most important world in Levelia. The loss of the planet will cripple Levelia, especially as we're technically one solar jump away from Luminaris Prime."

"I see… So I'm assuming there are more defensive placements scattered around the system," I responded.

"Yes, but there are more on the planet below," His fingers were pointing to something.

I looked in that direction and saw it. Lumin Niyaveschk, a glittering jewel in the darkness of space. We were approaching the daylight side of the planet but I caught a glimpse of the night side and the glittering lights of the planet's artificial surface.

We slowly approached an orbital station and soon landed on a platform. Gabrosch stepped out of the cockpit and grabbed Devia by the arm.

"Alright, you guys can stay here or look around. Devia and I will talk to a mechanic I know to check up on the cruiser," He said.

"I'd like to look around the station if that's okay?" I asked.

"I'll go with her," Thomas volunteered.

"No, I'll go with her," Sam got up from her chair and grabbed me by the arm.

"Come on, I need to stretch my legs too you know," Thomas argued.

"You had your time with her on Cragholven. Now, it's my turn," Sam replied.

She held out her arm to me and said, "Come on, I'll show you around."

I hooked my arm to hers and she immediately pulled me away from the vessel and onto the platform we landed on. We then rushed into a busy street lined with vendors and their wares. We continued our journey through broad avenues and winding alleys. I was amazed by how massive this station was.

"Samina! P-Please stop… For a second!" I exclaimed as I gasped for air.

We halted our marathon in the middle of an empty plaza. A lone statue stood at its center, with a weathered plaque that once told passers-by who this person was.

"Catch your breath, we just need a few more streets to pass by and we'll see it," She said.

"See what?" I blurted, "I've literally seen the entire station thanks to this race you've dragged me into!"

"Don't worry, this view will be worth it. Just trust me," She said with a wide grin.

She pulled me by the arm again and we rushed out of the plaza turning from street to street. After a couple more twists and turns we finally made it. The place Sam wanted to show me was overlooking a dockyard, which was underwhelming.

"Was this what you wanted to show me?" I asked in disappointment.

"Look in front of you, silly," She teased.

I followed her directions and was taken aback by what I saw. Before me was the planet of Lumin NIyaveschk, so close but so far. The planet's artificial surface gleamed from the light of its star. From this distance, you could faintly see the atmospheric scrubbers which provided the planet's residents the vital gases needed in order to survive, while reusing the toxic gases it scrubs as fuel.

"Remind me to never doubt you again," I said, awestruck by the view.

After some quiet time together, we headed back to the cruiser. Soon enough, we'll be on Luminaris Prime