The Tales of the Nightingale: The Story Behind The Stars

NOTE: THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION

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I wonder why stars only shine at night so I asked my parents about it. Well, they don't want me to give a wrong answer so they said, "We have the same mystery, dear." My theory was - maybe the sun's light is too bright that the stars lit less and unseen. It was just a theory but I know it is wrong.

One night, I had trouble sleeping. I was staring at the dark sky and unique stars shine second to the moon. I wasn't in my room. I sneaked out to the gardens to catch some fresh air.

A bird landed in front of me. It was a nightingale.

"You want to hear a story?" it asked.

I thought I was imagining it but I'm not half asleep nor sleepy. The bird really talked. But who cares if it does? They're cool in that way. I nodded.

"This is why stars only shine at night."

Lyra is a very beautiful demigod and she has the talent to charm people by her music that even stones are helpless to it. She is famous in her town. Men were tripping over themselves to win her praise but she rejected them all for her father wants a demigod or a royal blood for his daughter.

Hercules, on the other hand, is a mortal hero in their village. He saved a baby that was thrown into the nest of vipers and saved his people from wolves. His people honored him for his bravery.

When Hercules went hunting at night, he heard a relaxing music from afar. The strings were plucked smoothly with fixed tempo and clear dynamics. It was soothing to the ears. Hercules then followed the music, not minding where the music will take him. He stopped at an acacia and found a girl under it, playing her lyre.

"Nice music," he said and the girl stopped playing. Hercules was amazed for she wasn't startled seeing a stranger in the woods.

"Thanks," the girl said, beaming.

That night, the two of them became friends and learned each other's names. Every night, Hercules awaited for Lyra's soothing music and follow it. She was playing on the same spot. They did it every night. They became close to each other and tell stories and jokes. Hercules never got tired in listening Lyra's music. He sometimes fell asleep while listening.

Lyra and Hercules soon became lovers after their long friendship. Lyra kept it a secret to her father, Orne because she knows he will disagree and cut her relationship with Hercules. At night, Lyra succeeded again in escaping their household. However, Orne was watching her running to the woods. I knew it. Orne thought and clenched his fist.

Lyra arrived after Hercules. He gave her a rose. A very beautiful red rose. "Tomorrow's your birthday, I'll give it in advance." Hercules said, hugging her. They danced until midnight even though there is no music. The lovers returned home with smiles on their faces. They can't wait for another night to meet again. As Lyra opened the door, she was stunned from head to toe from what she saw.

It was Orne.

"Let me ask you before you come inside," said Orne. "How many times are you sneaking out at night?"

Lyra's mouth refused to open.

"Why are you sneaking at night?" Orne asked. He noticed Lyra was holding a rose. "A mortal lover eh?"

That was the last time when Hercules saw Lyra. Lyra told everything to Orne. By morning, their servants were preparing for Lyra's birthday. Orne ordered one of his servants to look after Lyra 24/7. At night, when the celebration starts, Lyra was requested to play. She played with talent but not with the same emotion. Her music was gray and full of sadness. The people were moved and started to cry. Orne's wrath grew more with her gloomy music. He knew her music was meant for Hercules. After the celebration, Orne imprisoned her in her room and beat her almost to death. He broke her lyre and threw the rose that Hercules gave her. He starved his own daughter. Her mother was helpless about it and kept apologizing to her daughter when she's asleep.

Hercules was worried for Lyra. He hadn't seen her for 2 weeks. He decided to visit in her mansion. When he arrived at the gates, two big men blocked his path. He managed to beat the two of them. He climbed to Lyra's room carefully that Orne and his servants didn't noticed him. Hercules went inside Lyra's room by the window. What he saw froze him in fear.

Lyra was lying down, hugging her knees. She was very pale, skinny and bruises are covering her body. Next to her is her broken lyre. Hercules went near to her and hugged her. Lyra whispered to his ear, "Stars". Hercules noticed Lyra wasn't breathing anymore. He put down the sleeping Lyra, kissed her for the last time and went out by the window.

Even though Lyra died, Hercules was still waiting for her every night at their spot. He looked at the sky. He noticed a star shining so bright. He heard the smooth plucking of strings with a fixed tempo and clean dynamics. He remembered his Lyra. Hercules grew old without a family to raise. There was no one by his side when he was bedridden. He closed his eyes and the curtains closed.

He heard someone calling his name. It was a sweet familiar voice. He opened his eyes and he saw Lyra, playing with her lyre for him. He shed a tear and hugged her. They turned into stars. Orne died carrying his wrath to his daughter. He turned into one of the hottest stars, the sun.

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"Stars shine at their brightest for Hercules and Lyra meet every night. When the sun's awake, they are unseen because of the bright light that kept them from seeing each other."

The nightingale flew away. I watched it flying. I went to my room and slept.

Special credits to: @belindabering for the idea and @mitsui for helping me fix the plot.