[Scene: Lab Aetherion – midnight. Earth’s orbiting research station. The ceiling is glass. Stars twinkle above. Eirlys is alone.]
Eirlys
Why are these frequency spikes repeating... it’s like something’s responding…(muttering to herself)
A soft pulse of light ripples across the glass dome.
Eirlys
...Okay, that wasn’t static. (freezing)
A swirl of silver stardust spirals downward, condensing into a glowing, ethereal creature. A tiny dragon lands gently on her control panel. Its eyes shimmer like galaxies, and a glowing gem sits on its forehead.
Eirlys
Am I dreaming?
Eimi
(telepathic voice): You are not. I am Eimi... from the Etherverse
Eirlys
The... Etherverse? That’s just a theory..
Eimi
Not to me. I was sent by someone who once ruled it. The Lucent before Eirian. He was Luan’s father.
Eirlys
Luan...? Who’s that? (quietly)
Eimi
(lowering his wings): Luan… was the son of the former Lucent. He is dead now. Taken by a disease that should never have reached him.
Eirlys
What kind of disease? Are you saying it wasn’t natural?
Eimi
(voice darkening): It may have been Koen’s doing.
Eimi lifts his head again. The gem on his forehead pulses gently.
Eimi
This stone once kept Luan alive. But its twin was lost. I need your help to find it. Or his light will never return.
Eirlys
You want me to help you find a... cosmic gemstone? (hesitant)
Eimi
You’re not just a scientist. You are the only one who saw me. That means something.
Eirlys stares through the glass dome at the stars, her logical mind wrestling with something far bigger than science.
Eirlys
...Fine. I’ll help you. But if this turns out to be some alien prank, I’m filing a galactic complaint.
Comments