The Once-Stars

By Kayla E. Green

Many years ago, Caligo looked upon the Moon’s soft, silvery light with contempt. “You are nothing. You simply reflect the light of the Sun. Do you think you can protect the world from my darkness? The Sons of Night will destroy every last human until there is no one left.”

Transforming into a jaguar, Caligo slinked down to Earth, devouring any person who strayed in the dark. The Moon heard their cries, but from her place in the sky all she could do was weep.

“Mother Moon,” called Aurora the Star. “How can we defeat Caligo and save the people of Earth? What if we shine brighter?”

The Moon sniffed, a single tear falling down her round face. “My daughter, I fear my brightest is not enough.”

Aurora closed her eyes and concentrated. She tried with all her might to grow brighter, but to no avail.

“Sweet Aurora do not strain yourself. You are giving your all.” The Moon let out a heavy sigh. “Sometimes, one’s best just isn’t good enough.”

Aurora said, “Mother Moon, send me out of the sky. Send me to Earth to light the way for the humans and fend off Caligo and his jaguar army, his Sons of Night.”

The Moon was at a loss for words and stared for some time at the little star made up of white light. “Very well,” she said at last. “But you will need wings.” The Moon closed her eyes and hummed a soft lullaby. When she sang the last and highest note, iridescent wings unfurled on either side of Aurora’s body.

Her light green wings grew and spread. They covered her white body. Her light had dimmed but only slightly.

“Sweet daughter…” The Moon paused. “For the sake of the people of Earth, be careful.” The Moon blew a kiss to Aurora, which she caught tenderly with one wing.

Then Aurora flew down to the darkened world below.

She soared in the air, searching for any sign of either the humans or the jaguar army.

“Jensen, get back here!”

Aurora stopped midair and looked toward the unknown voice in the forest. A small human boy walked toward her, his wide eyes reflected her body and wings so brightly that they seemed to glow on their own. So much like the Moon, Aurora thought.

“Jensen,” came the same voice from the darkness behind the boy. “Stop! They will see you!”

“Lilia, the Sons of Night fear the light. This moth shines brighter than the moon in the sky. Don’t you see?” He outstretched his hand toward Aurora, not in fear, but in awe—if she read his expression right.

Her light illuminated his face and pooled on the forest floor around them. Soon, a girl a bit taller than Jensen joined them.

“I’m Aurora, and Mother Moon sent me to help light the way for you. Are you lost in the darkness?”

Lilia placed her hands on Jensen’s shoulders and studied Aurora for a few moments as if trying to determine whether or not to trust her. “We got separated from our group while playing. Before we knew it, it was sunset. I tried to start a fire but couldn’t. Our village is north, but we fear the darkness.”

“All right, I will take you there. Stay close.”

“How do I know we can trust you?” asked Lilia, her hand pulling back Jensen as he stepped toward Aurora. “How do I know you’re not going to lead us straight to Caligo?”

Growling in the distance made Lilia jump. Jensen grabbed her hand. “Sister, we must have faith in the light.”

The girl sighed but nodded in agreement. The trio began to walk through the forest. Before long, they could see flames from a fire in the distance.

“There! There’s our village,” declared Jensen.

Shadows moved around the perimeter of Aurora’s light.

“What do we have here?” growled Caligo, still in the form of a jaguar with his teeth bared.

Jensen and Lilia held each other tight.

Caligo slid into Aurora’s light and transformed into a man in a black cloak. All she could see were green glowing eyes underneath the hood. “I’ve never seen a moth with your disagreeable glow… or your ambitious stature. What are you?”

“I am a star given the gift of flight by Mother Moon.”

Caligo laughed. “The Moon thinks she can save these lost souls, does she?” He clicked his tongue. “Well, I’m afraid you can’t protect them all.” In a breath, he morphed into a jaguar and bounded toward the village.

“Come on!” cried Aurora.

The children ran hand-in-hand as Aurora flew in broad, powerful wing strokes. Before they reached the village, a dark shroud settled over it. Jaguars growled. People screamed.

“Dear Mother Moon,” wailed Aurora. “Please, send me help!”

Within minutes, stars dropped from the heavens like a meteor shower, their flaming wings outstretched.

“Oh, brothers and sisters!” Aurora exclaimed to her hundreds of comrades. “We must hurry and drive the Sons of Night away from the village!”

The small army of once-stars spread out and illuminated the entire area. They drove out the shadows as if the sun had suddenly risen. As they approached the village, the jaguars hissed and snarled and retreated back into the shadows.

“This isn’t over, little moth,” snapped Caligo from the forest’s edge outside the village.

“Yes it is, Caligo. Yes it is.”

From then on, Aurora and the other stars patrolled the Earth every night, keeping Caligo and his jaguars at bay. As years passed, the people discovered how to produce their own light. No longer needed, the light of the luna moth faded.

But it wasn’t lost. When they’re needed once again, Aurora and the once-stars will return to drive the darkness away.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kayla E. Green is a writer and poet in eastern North Carolina. Her favorite genre to read and write is fantasy. In addition to being an avid reader and writer, Kayla is a book blogger, bookstagrammer, and amateur photographer. She enjoys arts and crafts, singing loudly and off-key to KLove Radio, and taking naps. Kayla’s first collection of poetry, Metamorphosis, is now available on Amazon.

---

More Stories | Author Website | Facebook | Instagram