Chapter 37: The Unnamed Twin

They landed hard.

Stone cracked beneath their backs, though no stone should exist in dreams.

Selene coughed as blood filled her mouth. Beside her, Alina gasped, holding her chest where a bruise bloomed from impact.

They were not in the temple anymore.

They were not even in the Dreamreach.

They were in a place made of the boy's grief.

The air was thick with memories not their own. Buildings rose and crumbled in seconds. Voices cried, sang, fell silent.

A tower bled from the middle, leaking stars.

Alina gritted her teeth. "This is his mind."

Selene nodded. "No… it's his name."

The boy appeared above them, barefoot and furious.

"You took everything," he said to the child, though she wasn't visible anymore.

"You left me."

He raised a hand, and the tower of stars imploded. Shards of light tore toward Selene and Alina.

Selene stood. "ENOUGH!"

Magic flared from her, raw and sovereign.

The boy faltered.

And for a moment, a flicker of fear crossed his face.

"I didn't want this," he whispered.

"Then stop," Alina said.

He dropped to his knees, trembling.

"I don't have a name. Not really. They only made her."

Selene approached. "Then let's make one now."

The boy looked up. "You'd let me live?"

Selene extended her hand. "If you want to."

He hesitated—then reached.

Their fingers touched.

The sky above them split not in fire… but in rain.

And from it, the child descended again, smiling.

"I knew you'd find each other."