Swallwed Star Novels & Stories

**Kelly Thompson's POV** The emerald star isn't a star-it's a *cage*. Its light doesn't illuminate; it *dissolves*. The wasteland's obsidian spires crumble under its gaze, reduced to ash that swirls in toxic, glowing clouds. The survivors call it "the Verdant," a name that feels too gentle for something that peels flesh from bone. But the real horror isn't the star-it's what crawls out of the fissures it opens.

​The Snap ​The connection reached its zenith. A pillar of white fire erupted from the Weaver’s peak, punching straight through the center of the Swarm and into the deep black of space. ​Kael was thrown backward, his mind snapping back into his body with the force of a physical blow. He hit the metal catwalk and lay still, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. ​The engine room went silent. The star-drive dimmed to a soft, pulsing amber. The heat vanished, replaced by a sudden, chilling frost.

The churning whitecaps and masses of floating debris from the smashed up ship made it hard to see anything. “She must have fallen overboard somehow,” he said. “I’m going in after her.” He waved two nearby Seals over to him. The Seals were by far the best swimmers on the ship. Just as they reached his side, one of the huge mainmasts cracked in half and came crashing down, splintering one of the wooden lifeboats and smashing into the side of the ship less than twenty feet from where they all stood. Water streamed in through the wide crack that resulted. It was becoming clear that whether the kraken resumed its attack or not, the Star of India was doomed. Ignoring the damage for a moment, the c

CRASH! The massive frigate hit the submerged granite reef at full speed! The sickening sound of three-inch oak timbers splintering and ripping apart echoed over the water! The warship's bow lifted violently out of the ocean, leaning heavily to one side as its massive mainmast snapped like a dry twig under the sudden impact! Water poured into the frigate's shattered hull as military officers screamed orders in complete chaos, firing wild distress flares into the sky! A loud shout of victory erupted from the crew of The Northern Star! Owen threw his cap into the air, laughing wildly as Callan slapped him on the back!

The bird was larger than that of a common swallow, yet it was no bigger than Orion's hand. “Salutations, Your Grace.” The swallow bowed low with its wings spread wide. “I come bearing news and a warning from Astra, the Goddess of the Stars, Mother of all Constellations.“ Orion was taken aback by the bird's words. Silas quickly took control as Orion's one eye glowed green. “Speak, little swallow. I pray the news you bear is good,” he urged. The bird rose and replied, “Her Grace wishes to apologise for reaching out only now. She has been observing you and your mate for the past four months. During that time, Sileotus, the Silent Messenger, was devoured by the Rogue Deity.“

, She let the sound climb higher, more guttural, more unhinged. The second slam came harder. Then the lock rattled. The door swung open. Two wardens stepped in, one of them was Sara, tall with cropped hair and an expression like she’d swallowed acid, and her partner, a thick-set man with a permanent scowl. Sara’s eyes narrowed. “I told you to shut it!” Before Tania could speak, or choose not to, Sara charged. The first blow landed across the side of Tania’s head. The wooden staff cracked against bone with a sickening thud, and pain bloomed hot and immediate across her temple.

If it turned off before we were sucked in, we'd be dead. “Directing all power to the remaining thrusters,” Kael whispered as he flicked some switches at the top. The light in the deck dimmed and the humming vending machine behind me went silent. The ship shook as what was left of thrusters came alive. We surged forward and the Odyssey slammed right through the unstable bubble as the worm hole swallowed whole. We were immediately met with a roaring darkness just as the gate collapsed behind us. The world was silent. Even my breathing ceased, eaten by the thick quiet that clothes the ship.

Thomas said with a small smile handing her a sword. She smiled big back at him taking the sword. She cradled her injured arm and held the sword with the other. They were very outnumbered. Gavin glanced back at his men as Travis's crew enclosed them. Gavin shoved Travis hard with his sword breaking the stand off. Gavin looked to the Morning Star and whistled. Within a second grappling hooks were being thrown across the way and Gavin's crew began boarding the Evening Star. It quickly became an all out war zone.

An obsidian stone is inside my seal, and the guards fall over themselves to let us inside once they know who I am. The wall is ridiculously tall, made of thick, reinforced steel. I crane my neck back, move my hair back to see it all. The portly guard pulls a lever, and a portion of it lowers. Clunky and groaning, the ice flys out, the gate forcing its way open. The gate lowers completely, warm water slowly trickles out, and the inside of Estate Eclipse is steaming. I grab onto Dante and he helps me past the blocks of ice until we cross the other side of the gate.

What was wrong? "Earth to Theo? Hello?" I waved before him as he looked spaced out for a moment or two. "Uh..yeah. I am here, sorry I totally spaced out." He shuttered shyly. I can see that. "That's alright!" I smiled and continued eating the garlic and cumin rice with some healthy salad in the side which just came, Thank God for that. I was about to faint cause of starvation. "Hey, Here is a crazy idea. Maybe you should move in." He said in a rush not thinking clearly.