The morning sun filtered through the towering windows of the university's grand hall, casting golden streaks across the polished floor. A faint murmur of voices echoed as students settled into their seats. At the front of the room stood Zac and Janus, side by side, their presentation prepared and ready.
Zac glanced briefly at Janus. The taller boy stood with calm confidence, clutching a folder of neatly arranged notes. Zac could still remember the late-night study sessions, the long hours spent piecing together their report, and the strange warmth he felt each time Janus laughed at one of his dumb astrology jokes.
He cleared his throat and began. "Good morning, everyone. Our topic is the intersection of Greek mythology and astrology—where the stars tell stories older than history itself."
Janus followed smoothly. "And through legends like those of Orion, Andromeda, and Cassiopeia, we discover how constellations have guided not just navigation, but belief systems, destinies, and dreams."
Their voices blended well. Zac's passionate tone, Janus's composed cadence. As they progressed, slides changed behind them—maps of stars, ancient illustrations, fragments of myths that carried centuries of wonder.
When they finished, their professor, Ms. Davidson, nodded approvingly. "Impressive work, Mr. Aaron and Mr. Janus. You captured both the depth of history and the clarity of research."
Zac allowed himself a small smile. He and Janus exchanged a look that spoke volumes—a shared sense of accomplishment.
---
Later that afternoon, the quiet sanctuary of the library welcomed them again. The scent of old paper and dust hung in the air as they took a seat near a window. Books were spread across the table: ancient astronomy, celestial charts, and mythology texts.
Janus rested his cheek against one hand, flipping through a textbook with the other. Zac scribbled notes in his journal, occasionally sneaking glances at his partner. But within minutes, the calm of the afternoon settled over them like a lullaby.
Zac looked up. Janus was no longer flipping pages. His eyes were closed, his expression relaxed—yet something about his posture was off.
His brows furrowed. His lips parted in a silent murmur. Then, his shoulders tensed.
Zac froze. Is he… dreaming?
Janus's breathing grew erratic, shallow. A faint tremble moved through his fingers as he gripped the edge of the table in his sleep.
"No… please… don't—"
Zac leaned forward, alarmed. "Janus?"
But Janus didn't hear him. He was lost—trapped somewhere deep within himself.
---
The wind howled through the palace corridors, cold and unforgiving.
Janus was small. Just a boy. Standing at the edge of the marble stairs.
Below, he saw her. Crisia. Her golden curls tangled, her hands reaching toward him—not for help, but in blame.
Her eyes were wide with fear.
"It's your fault!" she screamed, just before she slipped.
The image shattered. Blood. Screams. Guards rushing. And then silence.
Janus stood frozen, unable to scream, unable to move. He tried to run to her, but someone pulled him away. A shadow loomed—cold, cruel, and powerful.
Lord Ranvier.
"You'll never be enough," the man whispered. "Not for her. Not for this kingdom. And one day… you'll pay the price."
---
Janus jolted awake, gasping. His hand knocked over a stack of books, drawing a sharp noise that echoed through the library.
Zac stood instantly. "Hey! Hey, are you okay?"
Janus blinked, his eyes wide and disoriented. It took a few seconds before he realized where he was.
"Sorry," he muttered, sitting upright. He ran a hand through his hair, still trembling.
Zac knelt beside him. "You were having a nightmare."
Janus avoided his gaze. "Just a memory. It's nothing."
But Zac could tell it wasn't nothing. He saw the shadows in Janus's eyes, the weight of something unspoken. Something painful.
He wanted to ask. But he didn't push.
Instead, he offered a small smile. "Well… if you're going to pass out during study time, you might as well do it in style."
That earned a faint laugh from Janus—just enough to ease the tension.
They sat in silence for a few moments, the sound of pages turning and distant footsteps filling the space between them.
Zac looked out the window at the fading light of the day. Something told him that Janus carried more than he let on. A story buried deep beneath the stars.
And he wanted to know it.
All of it.