Chapter 7: The Lunar Chamber

The masquerade continued in full splendor as Luna and Ethan navigated through the sea of masked guests. The ballroom was a dream of golden light and whispered secrets, but Luna's mind was focused on only one thing—the Lunar Chamber.

Lord Castian's invitation had been subtle, but it was clear: Ethan was expected. Luna, however, was an unknown variable. And that was both a risk and an advantage.

Ethan leaned toward her as they approached a pair of grand double doors at the far end of the hall. "Stay close," he murmured. "They don't just let anyone into the Lunar Chamber. Whatever happens, follow my lead."

Luna gave a small nod, her heart pounding in her chest.

The doors were guarded by two figures in sleek, black suits—unmasked, their faces unreadable. One of them stepped forward, holding out a hand.

"Invitation," the guard said flatly.

Ethan reached into his coat and produced a small silver token, etched with an intricate constellation. The guard examined it for only a moment before nodding and stepping aside.

Luna tensed. They were only letting Ethan in.

Before the guard could stop her, Luna stepped forward, her mask tilted slightly downward as she raised a gloved hand toward the sky. In a calm, measured voice, she spoke:

"The stars do not need an invitation. They simply exist."

For a moment, there was silence. The guards exchanged a glance.

Then—without a word—they stepped aside.

Luna exhaled slowly as Ethan smirked, murmuring just low enough for her to hear: "That was either brilliant or incredibly foolish."

"Lucky guess," Luna muttered.

Together, they stepped inside.

The Secrets Beneath the Moonlight

The Lunar Chamber was unlike anything Luna had imagined.

It was an intimate, circular room, its domed ceiling made of glass, revealing the night sky above. A massive, intricate astrological chart was carved into the marble floor, glowing faintly in the dim candlelight. The room was filled with a dozen or so figures—high-ranking members of the Celestial Order, each wearing a mask more elaborate than the last.

At the head of the room stood Lord Castian, his golden crescent moon mask gleaming under the celestial light. His gaze landed on Ethan first, then flickered to Luna with quiet amusement.

"I must say, I was not expecting a guest," he mused. "You carry yourself with the knowledge of the heavens, Lady Selene."

Luna met his gaze with steady calm. "The stars have always guided me."

Lord Castian's lips curled slightly. "Then let us see if they guide you well tonight."

A woman in a sapphire-blue gown stepped forward, her mask shaped like a constellation. Her voice was low, controlled. "Shall we begin?"

Luna exchanged a glance with Ethan. Whatever this gathering was, it was important.

Lord Castian motioned toward the glowing star map on the floor. "Tonight, we align our paths with the heavens. The prophecy nears its awakening, and we must be ready."

The figures in the room shifted, watching as Castian moved to the center of the chart. His fingers traced a glowing constellation.

"The Forgotten Star has appeared," he said, his voice a whisper of reverence. "And with it, the one who was foretold."

Luna's breath hitched. She felt Ethan stiffen beside her.

Lord Castian's golden gaze lifted, settling directly on Luna.

"It would seem," he said smoothly, "that our guest is not here by accident."

Luna forced herself to remain still. Every instinct screamed at her to run, to deny everything. But something told her that hesitation would only make things worse.

"I go where the stars lead me," she said carefully. "And lately, they have been leading me here."

Lord Castian studied her for a long moment. Then, he smiled.

"The stars have whispered of a change," he said, pacing slowly around the glowing astrological chart. "For centuries, we have watched. Waited. Guided fate where it must go. And yet, there is always a moment—an intersection of destiny—where paths are rewritten."

Luna's pulse raced.

Lord Castian gestured toward the constellation at his feet. "This star. The Forgotten Star. It has appeared only a handful of times throughout history. And each time, it heralded one thing."

Silence fell over the room.

"The rise of a Starborn."

Luna felt the world tilt slightly. The term was unfamiliar, yet something deep within her stirred at the sound of it.

Ethan's voice was carefully neutral. "You believe the prophecy is real."

Lord Castian inclined his head. "Belief is irrelevant. The stars have made their decree."

Luna swallowed hard. "And what does this prophecy say?"

Lord Castian's golden eyes burned like twin suns. "It speaks of one who will reshape fate itself."

A chill ran down Luna's spine.

"This individual," Lord Castian continued, "will have the ability to alter the course of history. To shift destinies. To rewrite the stars."

The weight of his words pressed down on her.

"And you think it's me," she whispered.

Lord Castian's smile deepened. "Do you doubt it?"

Luna didn't answer.

Because the truth was, she wasn't sure.

The Weight of Fate

The meeting continued, but Luna barely heard the discussions. The Celestial Order spoke of upcoming celestial alignments, of planetary movements, of rituals designed to "ensure fate unfolded as it should."

But all Luna could think about was what it meant to be Starborn.

What if she really did have the power to shift fate? To rewrite the future? Was that why the stars spoke to her? Was that why her parents had vanished?

Ethan nudged her arm slightly, a silent check-in.

"I'm fine," she murmured.

But she wasn't.

Because for the first time, Luna realized that maybe she wasn't just looking for answers.

Maybe she was the answer.