Chapter 1: The Light Behind the Music
Four years had passed since the rescue.
The galaxy of the star system unknown to most had learned the truth: that the music of their favourite band known as the Crescendolls on Earth had been stolen, corrupted, and nearly lost by an evil human who wished to use their money and fame for himself until he could get rid of them. Now free thanks to his defeat and the interference of someone devoted to them, the blue-skinned band from the Secret Star System had become something more than stars—they were icons of resilience, unity, and love across worlds.
But for Stella, the lead synth-player, fame could not outshine memory. No interview, no encore, could quiet the ache of what had been left behind.
After concerts, while Octave, Baryl, and Arpegius mingled and laughed backstage, she would often slip away to a quiet hilltop or balcony, gazing at the stars. There was always one star she looked for—one that flickered differently than the rest.
It was there, at the heart of their homeworld, that a statue had been built. Shep, carved from crystal-metal and lightstone, stood tall in the central plaza—a quiet guardian forever watching. One evening, as she usually would do at times, Stella stood alone at the base of the monument,
“I wonder if you hear me, Shep…” she whispered. “I never got to say thank you. Or tell you what you meant to me.” The wind stirred softly, brushing her cheek like a memory. Then came a voice, gentle and warm.
“I always heard you, Stella. I will always be with you” She spun. There he stood—Shep—bathed in radiant light, his figure shimmering like stardust and galaxies, present yet intangible. “Shep…” Her breath caught. “You came” He smiled. “I’ve always been here,” he said, smiling gently. “You’re the one who like Baryl, Octave and of course Arpegius kept the music going.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I miss you.” “As do I” he said softly as he seated himself on a bench. “But I never really left. I’ve watched you—grow stronger, brighter since I chose to depart.” She looked down as she also seated herself where he did. “But why? Why did you sacrifice yourself for me? For us?” He hesitated, glancing at the stars before he glanced up at his own larger-than-life statue. “Because I loved you.” Her heart skipped.
“I loved you from the moment I saw you on stage for the first time. But I didn’t know how to tell you. You were and still are a star and I was just a pilot watching from the crowd.” I didn’t know how to tell you and I didn’t think I deserved to.” “You always did,” she said, edging closer. “You were more than that. You are more than that.”
“I hesitated when I came to save (all of) you even if it wouldn’t have stopped me from doing so,” Shep admitted. “Love blinded me for a moment. Earl knew. He tried to use that against me by getting in my way. But real love—that’s what helped me break through to rescue you. Even if it meant being mortally wounded and losing everything in my physicality.”
She nodded, her voice trembling. “I guess felt you then. Even under his control. I felt your eyes.” “And from where I am now, thanks to the defeat of Earl, I know much better that there is a man who you are far more worthy of than I am”. I knew he loved you, too. Maybe he always had. Arpegius”
Stella’s gaze softened as she heard Shep’s words. “He’s kind. Gentle just like you.” “You grew up together,” Shep said. “You know each other deeply—just as you knew me. But it was only fair… that you two be together.”
She lowered her eyes. “We’re getting married next week. I wish you still could have come to the wedding, perhaps be best man for one of us. “I know,” he said. “but I’ll still be there.” “You will?” “Whenever your music plays. Whenever your heart swells musically and positively. I’ll be there—in harmony, in silence.”
She wanted to reach for him, but she knew (that) her hand/s would pass through air. “Will I see you again?” she asked. “I’m just on the other side of the music. In the silence between notes. Every time you need me—just listen or bring me to mind.”
Chapter 2: The Wedding Day
The sun rose over the glimmering Celestial Lake, casting gold and silver ripples across its tranquil surface. Crystalline flora shimmered in bloom along the shore, and hovering orbs of soft light—wedding lanterns—drifted lazily above the gathering. Stella stood at the garden’s edge, her gown cascading like a nebula spun from starlight and silver thread. Musical tones from distant bells chimed in the breeze, each note light and warm.
The ceremony was quiet, intimate. Just friends, family, and the galaxy watching. Best of all, Daft Punk, the famous French band from Earth were among the guests of honour at the wedding for they had been allowed access and entry into this system which for the most part was unknown.
As the crowd took their seats, Stella made her way toward the aisle guided by Octave—but not before pausing at Shep’s statue, which stood respectfully near the water’s edge, not overshadowing the moment, yet guarding it. She pulled a single blue crystal flower from her bouquet and knelt, placing it gently at the statue’s base.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “You brought me home.” The wind stirred, brushing her hair back softly. She rose, turned— And there he was. Shep, just beyond the light, standing in the glow of the lake. His form shimmered faintly with star-dust, his eyes radiant with quiet joy. He looked not like a ghost—but like a memory in full bloom. Stella’s breath caught in her throat as she smiled.
Then something remarkable happened. Arpegius, already waiting at the altar, turned his head—his eyes widening slightly. He saw him too. For just a heartbeat in time, both Stella and Arpegius stood still, staring out toward the water.
Shep gave a small nod, smiling with peace with an expression that blessed the happy couple. Arpegius, emotion welling in his chest, gave a gentle, solemn nod in return. No words were spoken for none were needed. The three of them—connected by memory, by music, by love—shared that fleeting moment. And then Shep faded, dissolving like morning mist.
The ceremony began. Stella walked the aisle slowly, the lake beside her sparkling with light. Her steps were steady, her gaze gentle and full of hope. When she reached Arpegius, their hands met—not just in union, but in understanding. Whatever love had once remained unspoken was now honoured, acknowledged, and at peace.
As the officiant began the vows, birds of plasma-light soared overhead, leaving trails that shimmered like meteor dust. The crowd stood in quiet awe. When the words were spoken, and the vows exchanged, Arpegius lifted her hands to his lips. “You’ll never walk alone,” he whispered.
Stella smiled through tears. “And you’ll never sing alone.” Tears welled in both their eyes, but with quiet smiles, they tenderly wiped them away from each other. And to the excitement and joy of everyone present, they kissed beneath a sky of stars and memory.
And from the distant trees, a single breeze passed through—warm and familiar.
Chapter 3: Echo of You
That evening, under the glow of twin moons and a stardust sky, the band performed again for the first time since the wedding.
Since it was an exception, in performance the venue was smaller than their stadium tours—an amphitheatre surrounded by nature, where the lake met the stars. It wasn’t about fame now. It was about memory.
As the crowd settled, Octave stepped to the mic—uncharacteristically solemn. “This one’s for someone who didn’t make it home, when he came for us” he said. “But he made sure we did. A man whose love saved us all.” He looked toward Stella who he had told to sing instead of him for most of the time Octave was the only one singing.
Stella stepped forward into the soft light, her eyes glistening.
“This song,” she said, “is called ‘Echo of You.’” “For you Shep wherever you are.”
The music began. A soft synth, almost like a heartbeat. Then her voice—fragile, celestial, strong.
“You found me in the silence,
A whisper through the dark.
I never saw the moment
You gave away your heart.Now every note I’m playing,
Every rhythm true—
There’s a melody that lingers…
An echo of you.”
As the final chords swelled into the night, a shimmer of light flickered in the sky above them and their fans.
Shep’s presence. He had become part of the harmony.
Stella closed her eyes as did Arpegius.
Both husband and wife felt their saviour’s presence again
Because some moments don’t need to be saved but felt. Real love doesn’t end. Instead it transforms into a star, be it a real one or a memory in the mind that never ceases to shine
And most stars never stop shining let alone fade away
They just shine from farther away without us knowing it
Guiding us, empowering us and inspiring us forever
THE END