James had always imagined that beyond the clouds there would be a normal, blue sky. In that blue sky there must hang a warm sun, shedding its light and heat for those below to enjoy. But the sky James peered into now was anything but normal, and the source of the Temple’s light was anything but warm.
Through the widening crack in the clouds, James saw into the heavens – and the heavens were black. Like the sky on Earth on a moonless night, the ceiling of the temple was perfect darkness. James could see forever into that endless void, but there was nothing to see. Because, unlike the sky on Earth on a moonless night, the sky in the Temple of Venus held no stars.
No stars, but one.
The singular point of radiance illuminated the vast halls of the Temple, but not the dark, distant sky. The star’s cold, lonely light pierced through infinity to reach Lilith and James, and all it brought was a deep sense of foreboding.
“L-Lilith…” James stammered, unable to take his eyes off the ebony expanse of sky and the bright jewel that hung alone in it. “Lilith, talk to me. What’s happening?”
A beautiful and sonorous voice, like a choir of angels, rang out softly and echoed through the Temple. The voice came from above – from the star. And though it sounded harmonious and lovely, the words it sang were laced with poisonous malice and cold anger.
“Go on, Lilith. Tell him what’s happening,” it said.
At that moment, an eerie wind began to blow. It swept away the perfume-scented haze and chilled James to his core. Lilith turned slowly back to James, tears streaming down her face. Agonizing fear and sorrow shone in her eyes, and she choked out two quiet words that chilled James more than any frigid wind ever could.
“She’s back.”
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