—You mean... THE THIRD GUARDIAN!?—several shadows were talking in what appeared to be a temple. It was a very enclosed and dark space, with only a few torches illuminating the place.
—Yes... They say he has perished. Some may see it as impossible, but as his former right-hand man and... best friend, I believe that was his inevitable fate. He had already been ruling for an entire cycle, even before... Well, you know what. —he admitted, snorting.
—Damn! And what do we do now?! None of the council can replace him! Not even you! We are merely subordinates of the Second Creator! You being far beneath me! For the First, what are we going to do now?!
—Relax, can you!? —he shouted, losing his temper. He sighed and took a deep breath. —Look, I'm telling you this before the other Beliefs, just because you're the only one who has the solution in your hands. —The subject approached the wall, where there was a curtain, and moved it aside, letting the light in. Now their silhouettes could be seen.
The subject who had pulled back the curtain was, surprisingly, very beautiful, young, with golden eyes with blue highlights, and hair of the same color, very long, cascading down from his shoulders to his knees. His face was... perfect. Like that of a saint, and even more. He wore a white tunic with golden embroidery, with some decorations consisting of several olive branches.
—Apollo... —said the other figure, approaching him. He had long hair, with a gradient from very dark blue to purple, like a galaxy, showing white sparkles and all. He had white eyes, which at that moment were filled with rage, with slightly tanned skin. He was dressed only in white leather fur, covering his entire body. He grabbed him by the collar of his tunic. —Did you let yourself be exiled just for that?! To get close to me and give me the news?! And the solution?!
—You're mistaken, Nyarla. It wasn't because of that... They warned me in advance, actually. That something bad would happen to me. But I ignored it. —Apollo let go of the grip and looked outside, at the sky. Well, not exactly the sky. They were more than above. —Now, let's not get off topic. My time here is limited, isn't it?
—... Idiot. Get to the point, what damn solution have you come up with?
—Use the Tower. Like this... —he didn't finish because Nyarla slapped him.
—That tower is from the previous cycle. They told us not to use it under any circumstances. Don't you dare even mention it.
—Even you know it's the only solution. Chronos told me. The sisters told me. —this left Nyarla in check, who was touching his forehead with his hand. He knew they couldn't be left without guardians, especially not in a situation like the one they were in now.
—And will you deal with the consequences? If the other Beliefs find out, don't you dare mention me.
—Alright. If they ask you, tell them I threatened to end the Sun if you didn't do it.
— Seriously, you don't care about your reputation at all, do you, Apollo? Even if you are going to disappear, and your memories fade from the memories of mortals, you will remain in the memory of those who do not. I didn't remember you like this...
—Since what happened, nothing matters to me anymore. So? Will you do it?
—...— Nyarla remained thoughtful for a few seconds. It wasn't hard for him, but... He was scared. Quite a bit of fear. Very strange, considering it was literally a Belief, holding a fairly high position on the power scale. —I accept.
Apollo stretched out his hand, so that Nyarla would stretch hims out too, and they would hold hands, intertwining them. From them, a great silver aura emerged, surrounding the room. The torches went out, igniting fuchsia flames. Apollo began to fade, with fragments of himself peeling away from his body. But of course, they didn't know it wouldn't be the last time they would speak.
The aura began to grow stronger, the flames of the torches more intense. In the end, Apollo said goodbye to his friend with a faint smile. They didn't say anything to each other, but of all the Beliefs, Nyarla was the most sensitive, so he couldn't help shedding a small tear, cursing the fate imposed on him by the goddesses. The aura and the flames also disappeared, leaving only Nyarla hunched over in the middle of that room.
—Why... Damn it...
----
—Whyyyyy?!— Ava was pulling her long hair out, desperate, while sitting at her desk. Her light brown hair, with the tips dyed red, became more disheveled with each tug. Her black eyes reflected pure stress. It was almost summer, so she was wearing a pink tank top and denim shorts. And why was she like that?
Exams. The worst nightmare of any student. There was only a month left until finishing high school, but the excitement of being close to the end was overshadowed by the terror of the ten exams she would have the following week.
—Ugh, do I really have to do this? —she grumbled, dropping the pencil in frustration—. I would prefer it if we went to have ice cream at Molly's with you, Noah.
The boy next to her sighed, used to her dramatics.
—Ava, there are only a few days left until vacation. Remember that if you fail this exam, you will have to repeat the course —he said calmly.
Noah had light blonde hair, slightly long, with strands falling over his face. His blue eyes with purple tones and his pale skin contrasted with the warmth of the environment. He wore a short-sleeved shirt and black shorts, although the sweat on his forehead betrayed how stifling the room was. It was mid-June, after all. He got up to turn on the fan while Ava, defeated, dropped her head onto her books.
—Yeah, yeah, I know you have an IQ of 300 or something, but this is hard for me. —she murmured without looking up.
—One, I don't have an IQ of 300, just 197. Two, why do you think I'm helping you? And three, stop calling me "Nini." It sounds childish. —Ava remained silent for a few seconds, processing his response.
—Y-you're probably right... But I won't stop calling you Nini! —she crossed her arms and looked away with a slight blush. Noah sighed. He seemed like someone with infinite patience.
And he had it, at least with her. Because he loved her. He had known Ava since he was three years old. They were neighbors, schoolmates, and, for the past three years, a couple. And they were like two sides of a coin.
Ava was extroverted, impatient, and charismatic. Her greatest talent was connecting with people and making them laugh. But studies... that was another story. If she got a 50, it was a miracle. Even so, she managed to pass thanks to the endless study sessions Noah organized for her. Although, despite her efforts, math remained her worst enemy. In two days, she had a final exam. And if she failed it, she would say goodbye to advancing to the next grade.
Noah, on the other hand, was calm and reserved. Cold with almost everyone, except with Ava and Cain, his best friend. He didn't care about others' opinions, and although many saw him as distant, his academic performance was impeccable. He simply didn't care about anything... except her.
—Nini, can I ask you something? — Ava turned in the chair and fell back onto the bed.
—Sure, what's up?
—How can you be so smart? —she sat up a bit, looking at him with curiosity—. We have spent almost our entire lives together, and I have rarely seen you study. You only read those rare and ancient books... or train.
At first glance, Noah didn't seem like an athletic person, but he had a well-defined body.
—Hmm? Reading books doesn't count as studying?
—Reading Shakespeare and Agatha Christie doesn't make you smarter... or does it? —she crossed her arms, suspicious.
—Would you like to give it a try? For someone like you, Romeo and Juliet would be a good start... although, if you don't like romance, you could start with The Mousetrap... —he murmured to himself, thinking of options.
—Damn, what rat traps and Juliets are you talking about now? Just tell me if they make you smarter or not.
—It depends.
—What do you mean it depends?! — Ava grabbed her hair again, frustrated, before letting herself fall onto the bed once more. Noah lay down beside her, watching her.
—To be honest, I don't care if you're smart or not. I like you just the way you are. You are sweet in every way. And beautiful. —He stroked her head, brushing a few strands of hair from her face. Ava felt her heart race.
—So cute and smart… —she whispered, taking his hand in hers—. What more could I ask for?
—A caramel sauce' ice cream from Molly's. —Ava frowned, puzzled.
—Huh?
—Wasn't it your favorite? When you eat it, the facial muscles in your face contract and express happiness. Even, sometimes, excitement —he said with complete seriousness—. Moreover, when I invite you to eat, your brain processes information 10% faster and your eyes open 26% wider.
Ava looked at him, astonished. And in less than a second, her expression went from confusion to anger. —Idiot! You ruined the moment! How can you win me over in one minute and make me regret it the next!? Oh, God...! — She slapped her forehead with the palm of her hand.
—Huh? Did I say something I should not have? — Noah tilted his head, genuinely confused.
—... You know what? Forget it. Besides, did not you want me to do math…? —She did not finish the sentence. Noah kissed her. It was not a long kiss, just three seconds. As they parted, Ava looked at him with wide eyes and gasped slightly.
—W-w-what…?
—I'm sorry if I bothered you with what I said earlier. —he apologized. Ava felt her face burning. In her head, all of this looked much more romantic than it really was. And Noah, for some reason, seemed even more attractive.
—That blonde hair... those purple eyes... whoa... —she babbled, completely in the clouds. Noah waved his hand in front of her face, but she did not react. He panicked. He went to the kitchen and came back with a glass of icy water. Without hesitation, he threw it at her. —AH! Why did you do that!?
—You were showing signs of disconnection from reality, so I thought it was the best option. Ava turned red. Out of fury, this time.
—GET OUT OF HERE! —She grabbed him by the shoulders, dragged him to the front door, and shoved him out of his house. Noah stood in the street while some passersby looked at him strangely. A lady walking her dog even stopped to watch.
—Don't worry, this is a misunderstanding —said Noah, impassive. He rang the bell. Nothing. He knocked on it several times until Ava suddenly opened it.
—What?
—I left the keys inside. Ava sighed, went to get them, and placed them in his hand. When she turned to leave, Noah gently took her arm. —Good luck on the exam. And sorry about the water.
Just those words were enough to make her forget her anger... and to make her blush again. Ava stammered, wanting to respond, but Noah had already turned around and was starting to walk away.
It was a weekend. People were strolling peacefully through the streets, enjoying the nice weather. And Noah also felt strangely good. He took his old headphones out of his pocket and put them in his ears. The smooth rhythm of jazz filled his mind as he walked. No one knew he liked that genre, except Ava.
He thought of her. Should he have waited for her to calm down before leaving? Technically, she was the one who kicked him out. Sometimes, he didn't understand her behavior. Or rather... he never fully understood her. But it didn't bother him. Without realizing it, he arrived home.
His building was older and more modest than Ava's. Nothing luxurious. The ceiling seemed about to collapse. It's not that it mattered too much to him; he didn't have much money, and he had gotten used to living on the edge.
He turned his gaze to the garden. A mound of sand stood out among the neglected grass. An unwanted memory surfaced in his mind. His expression changed for an instant. He shook his head. It wasn't the time to think about that.
He put his hand in his pocket and took out the keys. But, when he tried to open the door, he realized it was ajar. He frowned. Noah was not the type to forget to close. The jazz was still playing in his headphones when, without hesitation, he pushed the door and entered.
—Finally, out of the bride's house! Did you have fun, handsome?!— Noah heard the voice as soon as he crossed the door. He was not surprised. He sighed and headed to the kitchen, passing through the living room. There was Cain, sitting at the table, pointing at him with a mocking smile. He made him feel uncomfortable on purpose. He had a talent for that.
Since he was little, he had dyed his hair olive green, matching his eyes. He was tall and thin, and despite the heat, he wore long sleeves and long shorts. As always, he was wearing his homemade necklace, made from an old belt, and his glasses.
—Cain… How did you get in? —Noah asked as he took off his headphones and opened the fridge. He frowned. It was full, but with things he did not remember to buy—. Did you fill the pantry for me? It was not necessary.
—Don't talk nonsense. Have you seen your house? — Cain stood up and spread his arms, pointing to the place. If the exterior was already a disaster, the interior would have been no better. The walls, aged and untouched since the 1950s, made the kitchen look more like an abandoned museum than a home. Now it was 1999, but the house did not reflect it at all —I bet you a limb that the tax people have already come begging you to sell it.
—You still have not answered me... but I am sure you came in through the window. — Noah sighed, while Cain burst into laughter.
—You already guessed it, huh?
—Anyway... thank you. It was not necessary.
—Nothing, nothing! But still, you owe me a favor.
Cain took the can of cola that Noah handed him from the fridge. —Hey, Ava has her exam tomorrow, right?
Noah took a big sip before responding —Yeah... and I'm worried. —Cain nodded. He was also Ava's best friend, so he knew the situation well.
—It is normal... She is not stupid, but she struggles. And you know it better than anyone. Especially with dyslexia. —Noah scratched the back of his neck.
—Besides, I made her a little angry earlier... she kicked me out of her house and everything.
—Heh... deserved. —Cain put an arm around his shoulders, raising his can with the other hand—. Anyway, I am leaving before my mother kills me. Are you coming?
Noah shook his head. —No, thank you. —Cain shrugged and left with the same ease with which he had entered. Noah stood in silence for a moment, observing the full fridge. Maybe Cain was right.
Noah closed the fridge and leaned against the countertop, contemplating the can of cola between his fingers. The house was in complete silence now that Cain had left, only interrupted by the faint hum of the refrigerator. He sighed. He knew Ava would forgive him. She always did. But her exam was another matter.
—What else can I do to help her? —He ran a hand through his blonde hair and left the kitchen. He walked through the living room, dodging a couple of books strewn on the floor, and let himself fall onto the old sofa, sinking into the worn fabric, but not before closing the door that Cain had left open by mistake.
The sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating part of the room in an orange hue, as the crystal of the window was that colour. He closed his eyes. Just for a moment. When he opened them, his clock read two in the morning. He sat up abruptly. He did not remember falling asleep. The can of cola was still half-drunk on the bedside table, but now it was warm.
He stretched and ran a hand over his face before noticing something strange. The front door was still open. Noah frowned. He was sure he had closed it before. He stood up cautiously and walked towards the entrance. He opened the door fully and looked outside. Everything was calm. No one could be seen on the street, except for a flickering streetlamp at the end of the block.
His stomach tightened with a strange feeling. He went back inside and locked the door this time. He turned to head to his room, but then something on the hallway floor caught his attention. He bent down. It was an envelope. Someone had slipped it under the door. It had no sender, nor recipient. Just a red wax seal on the flap. Noah felt a shiver run down his spine. He held it for a few seconds, as if it were going to explode at any moment.
Then, with a sigh, he broke the seal and took out the contents. There was only a sheet of paper inside. Just one sentence, written in black ink and with neat handwriting.
"Stop searching. You have no idea what you're about to discover."