Early morning, June 10th, 2040 - 88 days until the five-star conjunction
Golden light enveloped Emily completely. She felt as if she were being cradled by warm liquid, traveling through a tunnel filled with starlight. The amulet pulsed gently against her chest like a beating heart, creating some mysterious resonance with her own heartbeat.
Time seemed to lose all meaning. She felt as though only an instant had passed, yet also as if she'd journeyed through a century. The flowing lights wove complex patterns around her—sometimes like the spiral arms of galaxies, sometimes like the double helix of DNA. Her consciousness drifted among these lights and shadows, occasionally catching distant, mysterious harmonies that seemed both ancient and beyond time itself.
When the radiance gradually faded, Emily found herself standing in a breathtaking space. This was an enormous observation hall with a perfectly domed ceiling constructed of some transparent yet sturdy material. Through this vast skylight, she gazed upon an alien sky unlike anything she'd ever seen.
Three moons of different sizes hung in the purple-red firmament. The largest displayed a pale emerald hue with complex surface textures resembling some massive biological cell. The medium-sized moon emanated silver-blue light, its surface bearing what appeared to be regular geometric patterns. The smallest moon glowed warm golden yellow, its gentle radiance casting the entire sky in a dreamlike aureole.
Emily gasped, her legs trembling slightly. She had never imagined witnessing such a surreal vista. The moons' luminescence cast intricate shadows through the transparent dome, creating an ever-shifting tapestry of light. The air carried a faint floral fragrance she'd never encountered before—fresh yet tinged with a mysterious sweetness.
Before she could examine this strange environment more closely, she heard a voice behind her that nearly stopped her heart:
"Emily... my child."
The voice was deep and warm, bearing the magnetism of accumulated years and a barely concealed tremor. It was the voice she had longed for through twenty years, the call that had echoed through her dreams during countless sleepless nights.
Emily's body froze; she dared not even breathe. As she slowly turned, her vision blurred—whether from excitement or fear, she couldn't tell. She was terrified this might be another cruel dream.
When she finally turned around, she saw a tall, middle-aged man standing about ten meters away. Though his face was much more aged than in her memories, those warm, deep brown eyes remained unchanged, still radiating the familiar love and wisdom. Her father's hair had turned completely silver, the lines on his forehead deeper, but his posture remained erect, that scholarly elegance utterly undiminished.
He wore a deep blue robe that seemed part silk, part metal, shimmering subtly under the three moons' light. What struck Emily most profoundly was the expression in her father's eyes—deep longing, guilt, pain, and irrepressible joy at seeing his daughter.
"Dad..." Emily's voice cracked completely, like a five-year-old calling for her father. Her voice trembled violently as tears instantly blurred her vision.
Her father's eyes immediately reddened, his lips quivering as if he had a thousand words to say but didn't know where to begin. He stepped forward, then stopped, seemingly seeking his daughter's permission.
Emily could no longer control herself. Her legs suddenly found strength as she ran toward her father. All those years of accumulated longing, anger, confusion, and pain transformed in that moment into pure yearning—she simply wanted to return to her father's embrace.
James Blake opened his arms to receive his daughter, lost to him for twenty years. When Emily threw herself into his arms, he held her tightly, as if trying to compensate for all those years of separation. Emily could feel her father's chest trembling—he was crying silently.
"I'm sorry, Emily, I'm so sorry..." Her father's voice was so choked with emotion it was barely audible. "I've made you suffer all these years, made you bear so much alone. I've been watching you always, proud of every achievement, heartbroken by every pain you've endured."
Emily buried her face in her father's chest, breathing in that familiar scent that broke her heart—like wool warmed by sunlight, mixed with faint coffee aromas and an indescribable warmth. It was the safest smell in her memory, the vessel of all her childhood's beautiful recollections.
She began sobbing like a little girl, twenty years of strength completely crumbling in that moment. All those nights facing difficulties alone, all that loneliness when questioned by others, all those moments when she wanted to share achievements but had no one to tell—everything found its outlet in her father's embrace.
"I missed you so much... I really missed you so much..." Emily's words became fragmented through her tears. "I thought... I thought you didn't want me anymore, I thought I'd done something wrong..."
"Never, never," her father stroked her hair with the same gentleness as when she was sick as a child. "You are the most precious gift of my life, my entire motivation to continue. Nothing is more important than you, nothing ever will be."
They embraced for a long time—long enough for Emily's sobs to gradually subside, long enough for her to sense their surroundings again. Her father's hand continued stroking her back in that familiar motion that reminded her of childhood nightmares when he would comfort her just this way.
"You've grown up," her father said softly, his voice mixing relief and heartache. "More beautiful and stronger than I ever imagined. Your eyes are still as green as your mother's, but they hold a determination I've never seen before."
Emily lifted her head, studying her father's face carefully. Time had etched deep marks upon his features, the silver at his temples gleaming under the alien light. But what struck her most was the profundity in his eyes—a wisdom that transcended the mundane, as if he had witnessed the universe's mysteries.
"Dad, where is this place?" she asked softly, her voice still hoarse from crying. "Where have you been all these years? Why... why did you leave me?"
Her father gently wiped the tears from her face, his movements careful as if she were fragile treasure. "Child, I know you have many questions, and I have much to tell you. But first..." he smiled, that expression reminding Emily of countless weekend mornings, "would you like some coffee? Just like when you were little—we'd always have coffee together on the balcony, watching the stars. Remember?"
Emily smiled through her tears, the expression blooming like a flower. "I remember. You always made me the sweetest mocha and drew little animals in the foam."
"Yes, you loved the rabbit pattern latte art most." Her father's eyes sparkled with warm memories. "You always said drinking the little rabbit would make you smarter."
"And I really did get smarter," Emily winked playfully, instantly becoming that innocent little girl again. "I inherited your work and found the secret of your disappearance."
Her father looked at her with pride. "I knew you would. You are James Blake's daughter, always and forever."
He took her hand, that warm touch completely calming Emily's heart. Her father's hands remained as she remembered—broad and strong, fingertips bearing the slight roughness left by years of handling ancient artifacts.
They walked toward a seating area in one corner of the observation hall. As they approached, Emily was amazed to see elegant furniture materialize from thin air—a comfortable leather sofa, a coffee table carved with constellation patterns, even a floor lamp casting warm light. The furniture's style was familiar, reminding her of their home study.
"This is incredible," Emily marveled. "How did this furniture appear?"
"Everything here is composed of highly advanced energy fields," her father explained, his voice carrying scholarly excitement. "It can change form according to thought and emotion. I deliberately arranged it to match our home on Earth, hoping you'd find it more comforting."
On the coffee table, two steaming cups of coffee awaited them. When Emily saw the cup before her, she couldn't help covering her mouth—it was her beloved mocha, the foam topped with an exquisite little rabbit pattern, exactly as it had been twenty years ago.
"You remember... you remember everything..." her voice choked again.
"Of course I remember," her father sat beside her, gently drawing her close. "You've always loved sweet things. The first time I let you taste coffee, you wrinkled your little nose and said it was too bitter, insisting I add lots of sugar and milk before you'd drink it. You were only fourteen then, still sitting on my lap, holding the cup in your small hands with such serious concentration as you tasted it."
Emily lifted the coffee cup, its familiar weight and warmth instantly transporting her heart back to childhood. She carefully took a sip—the taste was exactly as she remembered: rich and mellow, sweet with coffee's characteristic slight bitterness perfectly balanced by milk and sugar.
"Is this... real coffee?" she asked curiously.
"Molecularly identical to Earth coffee," her father smiled, "but created through energy conversion. This planet's technological level... well, it far exceeds our imagination."
Emily leaned against her father, feeling that recovered sense of security. The three moons' light streamed through the dome, creating a dreamlike atmosphere around them. She quietly savored her coffee, tears occasionally sliding down her cheeks, but this time her face wore a happy smile.
"You know what?" After a long while, Emily broke the warm silence, her voice soft as a feather. "All these years, I would always dream about you. In my dreams, we were still on our home balcony drinking coffee, and you'd tell me those stories about the stars. You always said every star had its own name, its own story. Every time I woke up, I'd be sad for so long, because dreams always have to end."
Her father's hand trembled slightly on his coffee cup, creating a soft clink against the saucer. Pain flashed through his eyes, his voice becoming more hoarse. "I'm so sorry, Emily. Leaving you was the most difficult decision of my life. Every day, I missed you, regretted not finding a better way. But then, I truly had no choice."
"Why?" Emily turned to face him, grasping his hands in both of hers. "I need to know the truth, Dad. I'm no longer that little girl who needed protection. I just want to know why you left me, why you disappeared without a word."
Her father gazed deeply into his daughter's eyes, those emerald pupils reflecting his face. He saw the strength there, and the deeply buried pain.
"That night," her father began slowly, his voice heavy, "I discovered an astonishing secret beneath the pyramid. It wasn't merely an archaeological find, but a secret concerning the fate of all human civilization. I found evidence that Earth's ancient civilizations were far more advanced than we imagined, and... they had deep connections with civilizations from other planets."
He paused, seeming to organize his thoughts. "But certain forces didn't want this truth revealed. They sent people to warn me, demanding I destroy all research materials. When I refused, they began threatening your safety."
Emily's heartbeat accelerated. "Threatening me?"
"Yes. They said if I didn't stop my research, they would come after you." Her father's voice carried painful memories. "That night, I was in the laboratory organizing materials when the amulet suddenly began glowing. Then a light portal appeared, just like what you experienced. That's when I realized the amulet wasn't an ordinary Egyptian artifact, but some kind of interstellar communication device."
"Interstellar?" Emily stared at the amulet at her chest in shock.
"Yes. Through that light portal, I met emissaries from Orion Beta. They told me Earth's ancient civilizations had left important legacies that would be activated at a specific moment." Her father's gaze became profound. "They invited me to come here to study this ancient knowledge, but the condition was that I had to temporarily leave Earth and sever all contact."
Emily felt her mind reeling. "So you chose those ancient secrets over staying with me?"
"No, Emily," her father urgently grasped her hands, pain evident in his voice. "I chose to come here precisely to protect you. Before leaving that night, I wanted to see you one more time, but..." his voice became choked, "when I arrived home, I received terrible news."
Emily's heart suddenly constricted. "What news?"
"Your mother had been in a car accident." Tears welled in her father's eyes. "That rainy night, she was driving to pick you up from school when an out-of-control truck struck her car. By the time I reached the hospital, she was already..."
Emily felt the world spinning as deliberately forgotten painful memories surged back. She remembered that terrible night, her father holding her in the hospital corridor, her mother's final pale face.
"I lost your mother and couldn't lose you too." Her father's voice trembled. "Those people threatening me made it clear—if I didn't stop my research, you would be next. I couldn't let you end up like your mother..."
"So you left," Emily's voice became very small, "leaving me to face everything alone."
"It was the most painful decision of my life." Her father gripped her hands tightly. "But I had to learn how to protect you. The knowledge here, these ancient powers—they could give you the ability to protect yourself."
"Then why couldn't you take me with you?" Emily's voice carried hurt. "Why couldn't you tell me the truth?"
Her father gently caressed her cheek. "Because you were too young then, having just lost your mother, unable to bear more trauma. And the amulet hadn't yet established complete connection with you—you couldn't safely come here."
"The amulet..." Emily unconsciously touched the ancient ornament at her chest. "Dad, you never told me this amulet's true origin. I always thought it was just an ordinary keepsake from Mom."
Her father's gaze became profound, filled with memories. "This amulet has a special history, Emily. Over twenty years ago, when you had just graduated from Cambridge and were preparing to inherit my archaeological career, I conducted a secret excavation deep within the pyramid. In a stone chamber that had never been discovered, I found it."
He paused, seeming to recall that important moment. "It was sealed beside an ancient sarcophagus, surrounded by runes I'd never seen before. Strangely, when I touched it, the amulet suddenly emitted a faint glow, and those runes began flickering. I knew this wasn't an ordinary Egyptian artifact."
"What happened then?" Emily asked curiously.
"Something even more miraculous occurred. When I brought the amulet home for study, it began reacting to you." Her father smiled, remembering. "Whenever you came near it, it would emit a gentle glow. I tried having other people touch it, including your mother, but there was no reaction. Only you—it recognized you."
Emily recalled that period. "I remember! You were always mysteriously studying something in your study and wouldn't let me in. Then one day, you suddenly gave me this amulet, saying it was a special Egyptian artifact that would keep me safe."
"I didn't fully understand its significance then," her father admitted. "I just felt it had chosen you, so it should belong to you. Only months later, when I began receiving mysterious signals from space, did I understand the amulet's true purpose."
"So you always knew it wasn't ordinary?"
"I suspected, but wasn't certain." Her father said. "What truly convinced me was the day your mother died. When you cried holding the amulet in the hospital, it emitted an unprecedented intense glow filled with comforting and protective power. From that moment, I knew it wasn't just protecting you—it was preparing for a special moment."
"What special moment?"
"Now," her father looked at her seriously. "When you came of age, when you became strong enough, when the world needed you. The amulet has been waiting for this moment, waiting for you to shoulder its true mission."
Emily felt the amulet's warmth, that sensation as safe as parental embrace. "So it's been protecting me all along, guiding me to today."
"Not just protecting," her father said. "It's been teaching you. All these years, your interest in ancient civilizations, your talent for archaeology, your ability to decipher ancient scripts—all cultivated subtly by the amulet. It's been preparing for today."
"So all these years, you've been waiting?"
"I've been studying, preparing." Her father's eyes sparkled with wisdom. "The civilization here taught me many things—about universal truths, Earth's ancient history, about the ancient powers about to awaken. And now, the time has finally come. The amulet chose you, just as it once chose me."
Emily looked toward the alien sky outside. Those three moons no longer seemed so strange. "What is this place?"
"This is Orion Beta, a world tens of thousands of years more advanced than Earth's civilization." Her father rose and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, the three moons casting mysterious shadows upon him. "The inhabitants here began exploring universal mysteries tens of thousands of years ago. They possess ancient civilizations' knowledge and know how to use those forgotten powers."
"And Earth has such powers?"
"Yes, many of them." Her father turned, his expression becoming serious. "The five-star conjunction three months from now isn't coincidental celestial alignment, but the key moment for ancient devices' activation. When that time comes, all ancient sites on Earth will awaken simultaneously, releasing enormous energy. If humanity doesn't know how to control these forces, the consequences will be unthinkable."
Emily felt dizzy—the information was overwhelming. "What kind of consequences?"
"Energy running out of control," her father spoke a possibility that chilled Emily. "If used improperly, Earth's gateway to the stars will be sealed forever."
Outside, the sky began changing colors—from purple-red to deep blue, then golden yellow. The stars' brilliance also shifted, some growing brighter, others gradually disappearing, forming a dynamic celestial canvas.
"Do you remember those constellation stories I used to tell you?" her father asked softly, his voice tinged with nostalgia.
Emily nodded, a slight smile touching her lips. "I remember. Especially Orion's story—that was my favorite. You said Orion was the universe's guardian, forever protecting good civilizations. I never imagined we'd actually be on a planet in Orion."
"Fate can be wonderfully strange," her father returned to sit beside her. "You know, on my first day here, I asked the wise ones when I might see my daughter again. They told me when Orion's light resonated with Earth's ancient devices, my daughter would come find me."
"They knew I would come?"
"They knew the amulet's power and your inner strength." Her father looked at her with pride. "Emily, you're even more excellent than I imagined. These years, you've not only inherited my academic research but shown courage and wisdom that surpass mine."
"I just wanted to find you," Emily said softly. "To know where you went, whether you were still alive, to know... whether you still loved me."
Tears welled again in her father's eyes. "My love for you has never changed, not for a second. You are the most precious treasure of my life, my entire motivation to continue. Losing your mother was already my greatest pain—I absolutely could not lose you too."
Emily nestled in her father's arms, feeling that recovered sense of security. "What about now? Can we go home now? Can we be together again?"
Her father gently stroked her hair, his movements tender as if handling the most precious silk, but pain flashed in his eyes. "Emily, you must return alone."
"What?" Emily jerked up her head, eyes full of disbelief. "Why? I finally found you—why must we separate again?"
"Because my body has adapted to this environment," her father explained painfully. "Time flows differently here—the twenty years I've spent here equal only twenty days on Earth. My cellular structure has changed. If I forcibly returned to Earth, I might... I might not survive more than a few days."
Emily felt her heart being torn apart. "No, there must be a way! Your technology is so advanced—there must be a way for you to return!"
"Child," her father gently grasped her hands, "some changes are irreversible. But this doesn't mean we must be separated forever. When the five-star conjunction completes, when Earth's ancient devices are properly activated, the connection between our two worlds will stabilize. Then I'll be able to see you regularly."
"But what about now? Do I still have to return alone to face everything?" Despair tinged Emily's voice.
"You're not alone," her father said firmly. "This time, you'll return with real power. The amulet has fully awakened—it will protect and guide you. Moreover, you have those friends, those people willing to help you."
"I don't want to be separated again," Emily's voice was small, filled with deep reluctance.
"Neither do I," her father's voice was equally choked. "But sometimes, true love means learning to let go. You have your own mission, Emily. You must return to Earth to help humanity prepare for coming changes. This is a task only you can complete."
"Who am I?" Emily looked up in confusion.
Her father smiled, his eyes sparkling with loving light. "You are James Blake's daughter, the most beautiful gift your mother left this world, and also the one chosen by ancient prophecy. Emily, your destiny is far more important than you imagine."
"Chosen for what?"
"To become the bridge between Earth and other universal civilizations," her father said seriously. "The amulet's choice of you wasn't coincidental. Special bloodlines flow through you, capable of resonating with ancient devices. This ability is rare in the world—perhaps appearing only once in a millennium."
Emily felt thousands of questions arise in her heart. "Then what specifically must I do? How can I complete this mission?"
Her father's expression became complex, pain flashing in his eyes. "Emily, this is another cruel truth I must tell you. Some knowledge I cannot directly impart to you."
"Why?" Emily asked uncomprehendingly.
"Because this is how the ancient defense system was designed." Her father stood and walked to the window. "Those builders were very clever—they knew if this knowledge fell into wrong hands, the consequences would be unthinkable. So they established multiple protective mechanisms."
He turned, looking deeply at his daughter. "The complete truth can only be obtained by true bloodline inheritors through trials. And the location of this trial is in the Prophecy Chamber on Earth."
"Prophecy Chamber?" Emily frowned. "But Dad, you already know those secrets—why can't you tell me?"
Her father smiled bitterly, shaking his head. "What I know is only the tip of the iceberg. I was brought here by accidentally triggering the amulet. But my bloodline isn't pure, so I could only learn basic knowledge. The true core secrets can only be obtained by pure-blood guardians like you."
"What's in the Prophecy Chamber?"
"Complete prophecies about coming changes," her father's voice became grave. "More importantly, the Prophecy Chamber preserves original ancient texts—prophecies recorded in the most ancient script." Her father's expression became more serious. "Emily, you must understand—if you want to convince the entire world of coming changes, mere verbal accounts won't suffice. People need to see concrete evidence, need to touch stone tablets and writing that have existed for thousands of years."
"Only when you bring these unforgeable ancient texts will the archaeological and scientific communities believe this isn't fiction. These texts will become key evidence to awaken humanity, making them understand they must go to the Giza pyramids to await salvation."
Emily felt dizzy again. "So I must return to Earth and face all this alone?"
"Not alone," her father gently grasped her hand, "I'll provide support through this device."
He withdrew an exquisite device from his robes, appearing to be a perfect fusion of crystal and metal. "This is an interdimensional communicator. Whenever you activate it, I can provide guidance. But remember, true answers can only be found by you."
"Why must the system be designed so complexly?" Emily accepted the device, feeling the warm energy within.
"Because this isn't merely knowledge transmission, but ability awakening," her father explained. "Guardian powers must be truly activated through trials. The Prophecy Chamber isn't just an information repository—it's also an energy calibration device. But Emily," her father paused, his gaze becoming more profound, "though the amulet is the key, the Prophecy Chamber requires dual verification for safe activation. The ancient guardians designed complex security mechanisms—you need to find someone whose bloodline can resonate with yours, a companion bearing ancient guardian lineage."
Emily thought of the amulet's various anomalies over the years. "So all these years the amulet has been... preparing me?"
"Yes, it's been subtly awakening dormant genes within you." Her father nodded. "And now, you're ready to face the real challenge. Moreover, the system will not only recognize you but seek another key presence. Only when two bloodlines—Opener and Guardian—converge will the system fully trust and reveal complete prophecy content. Remember, some missions are destined not to be completed alone. But Emily..." his voice became serious, "you must beware of the Karov Organization. They're also seeking the Prophecy Chamber, but their purpose differs completely from ours."
"What do they want?"
"Power," her father said simply. "They believe ancient technology can let them control dimensional gates. But they don't understand—these technologies are for protection, not conquest. If used improperly..."
He didn't finish, but Emily saw deep concern in his expression.
"More importantly, they don't know the Prophecy Chamber requires specific bloodline combinations. Even if they found the chamber, without correct guardian bloodlines cooperating, they'd only trigger defense mechanisms. But this also means if they discover someone with guardian bloodlines..." Her father didn't complete the thought, but his worry was obvious.
"How much time remains?" she asked.
"Three months," her father said. "During the five-star conjunction, all energy nodes will reach maximum power. Then, whether guardians or invaders, all will gain unprecedented power. This will be the crucial moment determining Earth's fate."
Outside, the three moons' light converged, casting a perfect triangular shadow on the transparent dome. That shadow slowly moved, finally settling on Emily's amulet. Instantly, the amulet burst with brilliant light, but this time the radiance was gentler, as if responding to her father's words.
"Look," her father said softly, "it agrees with our plan. Now, before you return to Earth, I want you to truly understand this civilization, understand the challenges you'll face."
Emily wiped tears from her eyes, trying to calm herself. "How long must I study?"
"Three days," her father said. "Time flows differently here—three days will suffice for you to master basic guardian knowledge. Then you must return, because Karov's actions have already begun."
He stood and extended his hand to his daughter. "Come, let me show you this world. Everything here will help you understand your mission."
Emily grasped her father's hand, feeling that long-missed sense of security. Though knowing separation was imminent, at least now she was no longer alone.
"Then," she took a deep breath, trying to make her voice sound determined, "let the education begin."
Her father smiled, his eyes sparkling with pride. "I knew you'd say that. You truly are my most wonderful daughter."
The observation hall's light gradually softened, as if preparing for the learning journey about to begin. Emily took one last look at those three beautiful moons, her heart holding both fear of the unknown and hunger for truth.
In three days, she would return to Earth with new knowledge and power, seek the Prophecy Chamber, face Karov's threat, and complete her mission as a guardian.
But now, she only wanted to treasure every moment with her father.