The vast ocean of orange sand was made visible by the plethora of Bhaddo beetles. These beetles glowed a magnificent turquoise, and from a distance, one could mistake a stretch of sand for an untouched lake. For as long as the planet harbored life, the Bhaddo beetles would nestle their heads into the sand to soak up the nutrients that the planet offered. Their hindsides, the sides that would glow, stuck out of the sand. The horizon was also glowing tonight; shooting stars and spaceships traveled all across the sky. In the distance, too, the dimly lit lights of houses and apartments introduced a warm feeling of being home. Saros has always felt a coldness towards the outer lands of his home. He found comfort with his people and his neighborhood.

Still, tonight was different, for he felt he had deserved the coldness of the outer lands. The numbing feeling of loneliness was made more tremendous by the cold wind splashing onto Saros’ red face. His thoughts were chasing each other, but they always found Pandora. Visceral images of her beautiful raven dark hair sparkling in the night with purple highlights made Saros regret the time he took for granted. Tears streamed like rivers, and Saros didn’t even know why she had left him.

Manual riding was never something Saros found interest in, but tonight Saros felt less lonely by riding aimlessly in the Great Desert of Bhaddo. Saros remembered learning about the desert in his history classes he took decades ago. He recognized the hills and tufts of grass that he was forced to memorize for his geography classes. Saros did not, however, notice the small group of Dune Punks walking in front of where his bike was heading. Panicking, used all the force in his upper body to twist the front of his bike.

The hoverbike maintained its balance superbly, but Saros was sent flying meters away in the sand. The hot sand rushed into his clothes as Saros rolled across the sand. Finally, a larger hill of sand stopped Saros’ trajectory. Orange sand had gotten into his hair and shoes and everywhere in between. Groaning, Saros pushed himself up from his lying position. He saw the Dune Punks stroll across the desert as if nothing had happened. The glowing eyes that had protruded from their eye sockets were always the subject of Saros’ nightmares.

Realizing Saros had lost his hoverbike rod, he stood up and began searching. Using the light embedded in his Gadgy-Jacky (a jacket with multiple gadgets), Saros followed the path of his fall. “You dropped this,” a deep voice from the dark said.

Saros’ heart jumped, and he turned around to look at who talked. His light shone on a Desert Walker. These were a faction of people that lived in the desert. Their skin was as orange as the sand, and their clothing was as dirty as they liked. Desert Walkers wore more baggy clothing, but the cloth on their chests was usually strapped with pelt from some animal. Various embroideries decorated the pelts, but no one from the city really understood the traditions of the Desert Walkers. These people were apparently here before the city was founded.

The Desert Walker glared at Saros. He had bushy eyebrows, and his jaw was sharply defined. “You are crying. Why?” the Desert Walker calmly asked.

Saros snapped back into reality and grabbed the hoverbike rod from the man. “Thank you, sir. I- I don’t know.” The tears were relentless, even more now than ever.

A Bhaddo camel moaned behind the Desert Walker; this was Saros’ first time ever seeing one. Seeing one of the Desert People was a rare occurrence, but their camels were practically extinct. The animal was taller than Saros had thought, and it had a really long snout. Its eyes were emerald-colored, and there were three humps on its dorsal side.

“Sit with me,” demanded the Desert Walker.

Saros didn’t think he had a choice, so the two sat right where they were standing. The Desert Walker held a lead for the camel so that it wouldn’t stray. “What is your name?”

“My name is Saros,” his voice wavered like a flag.

“Before this desert housed the city in which you live, the great King Bhaddo ruled.”

“I learned about him in one of my classes,” Saros replied.

“No,” the Desert Walker said abruptly. “King Bhaddo was no ordinary king, however, for he had the ability to light the night with his powers. DING! Lost souls who wandered the desert would find their way using Bhaddo’s great glow. Celebrated, the king was made a legend for people all over this world. Using his great powers to unify and light the way, King Bhaddo forged his city. I cannot tell you much about how King Bhaddo claimed his powers, but before he disappeared forever, he bestowed upon the native beetles of the planet,” the Desert Walker made a gesture towards the entirety of the desert, his power. Thus, the beetles continue to light up the night in case a soul becomes lost.”

Saros couldn’t help but laugh at himself, have I become a lost soul? The pain became too immense, and Saros’ face began to swell from all the crying. Saros watched a small patch of Bhaddo beetles grow brightly while he pocketed his hoverbike rod. Normally, Saros would be afraid of touching one of the beetles, but tonight he felt nothing but emptiness.

Carefully, Saros placed his finger on the glowing end of the Bhaddo beetle. The insect realized it was being touched and burrowed itself deeper into the sand until it’s entire body disappeared. Saros continued touching the beetles until the glowing patch disappeared. Looking off from where he came from, he saw multiple patches of Bhaddo beetles come and go.

“This is the power of the great King Bhaddo; you see it, do you not?” the Desert Walker asked.

Not knowing what to say, Saros just nodded. Why would Pandora go into that cave alone? And why would she not want me to come with? What did she mean that she might not see me again?

The patch closest to Saros reappeared as the Bhaddo beetles in the sand regained their confidence. “Things come and go and justly so. Brave this desert and feel its vibrations. Deep within this planet’s layer, you call out for her. Thus, you must come, and you must go.”

The beetles that reappeared shone brighter now. Clutching the sand beneath him, Saros came to his senses. Saros was not going to let Pandora go so easily. He jumped up from where he was sitting and snatched his hoverbike rod out of his pocket. Before he tapped the rod’s side, he looked back at the Desert Walker who was now getting up. “Hey, I didn’t get your name. What is it?” Saros asked.

“Bhaddo,” the Desert Walked said as he mounted his camel.

Saros was stunned; had he met King Bhaddo? Before Saros could ask any more questions, Bhaddo was speeding away in his camel. Saros looked back towards Mount Past and ran into his hoverbike. He set coordinates for Mount Past. I’m coming for you, Pandora. Saros’ tears had stopped falling.

Once consumed, changes CANNOT be undone. Use it as necessary. Pandora read the words that lined the side of the box. The edges glowed a bright yellow. It was just like the one that Apollo had. Upon closer inspection of the box, Pandora was able to make out part of a scratched out sentence that wasn’t on Apollo’s box: Property of Vestron--.

Pandora’s eyes glowed as she tried to connect vestron with anything she knew, but she had never heard of that word before. Is it the company that created these stars? How would I even be able to find Vestron? Numerous thoughts ran through Pandora’s mind while she sat in awe of the glowing box.

Slipping her fingers under the lid flap, Pandora opened the box to look at the magnificent star. The glow was something she could never get over; it seemed too beautiful to be real. Reaching into the box to hold the star, Pandora was taken aback by how no warmth was emanating from the object. The star itself felt like glass only it was smoother. It felt fragile enough for Pandora not to want to drop it, but it also felt light like a feather.

So I just have to consume this, and I’ll grow older. Pandora thought to herself. If I do that, how am I getting out? Pandora glanced at the door she locked herself in with. She could hear the multiple creatures outside of the door waiting for her to open up. There was no hope for her.

Pandora returned her gaze to the star. While beautiful, Pandora hesitated to consume it. There was only one star, after all. How was she to escape? Fear set in as Pandora realized that she could be stuck in this room for eternity. Perhaps it was time for her to submit to the creatures. Now panicked, Pandora placed the star back into the box and began pacing around the room looking for something that could help her.

She studied the dusty holograms and pinned maps on the walls. Some of the computers were left on, but they were unusable because of how ancient they were. Pandora couldn’t identify most things in the room. Most computers blinked on and off, and some of them said

“artifact” when they blinked on. Confused, Pandora watched the computers for a while but gave up when nothing new happened. Realizing that she was doomed, Pandora’s blood dropped to her feet. She did not know what to do.

Suddenly, Pandora heard clashing from outside the door. It sounded like most of the creatures that were banging on the door were leaving. Pandora ran up to the door and pushed her ear up against it to get a better sense of what was going on. She heard the awful noises of the creatures dwindle. What she heard next was a relief: sounds of blasters emanated from outside the door. Running back to pick up the box with the star, Pandora finally opened the door.

Three creatures stood outside waiting for her. Pandora leaned back into her left foot and shot her blaster at all three creatures, turning them into a rainbow of particles immediately. Pandora immediately ran out into the main hall to see who was shooting the creatures. “Saros!” Pandora exclaimed.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t Ms. ‘I need to do this by myself!’” Saros taunted as he shot the final creature. “You’re lucky I have problems with letting go of things. I mean, I still have my dolls from when I was a Grower, and yes, I used to play with dolls.”

Pandora ran to Saros and embraced him as hard as she could. “I’m sorry, Saros. I don’t know what I was thinking.” She felt Saros hug her tightly, too.

“Hey… What’s this?” Saros pointed at the box with the star in it.

PSSSS. PSSSS. PSSSS.

Looking back to where Pandora came from, the couple noticed more creatures uncover themselves from their hiding spots. Pandora grabbed Saros’s hands and started to run for the exit. “No time! Gotta go!”

Groaning, Saros picked up his pace to match Pandora’s.

An occasional shot would miss Pandora and Saros as they ran towards the exit. In what was the most exhilarating moment of both of their lives, they managed to escape the caves. “Hold on tight!” Saros yelled at Pandora. He acquired his hoverbike rod, and both Pandora and Saros were on the bike soaring away from the cavern. Pandora closed her eyes and smiled as she squeezed Saros’ body. She felt his warmth, and she knew that she’d never let go of it ever again.