Aarav woke to silence that wasn't empty.
It was layered with distant bells, soft footsteps, and the low hum of magic moving through stone. For a moment, he forgot where he was—then the ceiling caught his eye.
It wasn't a hospital ceiling.
It was carved with constellations that slowly shifted, as if the stars themselves were alive.
"…Right," Aarav muttered.
"Other world."_______
He sat up.
The bed was absurdly comfortable. The sheets were woven from fabric that felt cooler than silk but warmer than cotton. His coat and boots were neatly placed at the foot of the bed, cleaned and repaired without him asking.
That part bothered him a little.
He swung his legs over the side—and nearly collided with a small figure bowing deeply.
"Good morning, honored Sage!"
Aarav jumped.
"—Who are you and why are you at knee level near my bed?"
The young servant looked up, startled. "I-I am Miri, beta-class palace attendant! I was instructed to assist you with bathing and dressing!"
Aarav stared at her. Then at the bath chamber visible through the archway, steam already rising.
"…You can leave," he said.
Her eyes widened in horror. "D-Did I offend you?! I will accept punishment—"
"No," Aarav said quickly.
"You didn't offend me. I just prefer not to have an audience while I exist half-asleep and half-naked."
Miri blinked. "…That is a very strange preference."
"On my world, it's called privacy."
She looked thoughtful. "Fascinating."
Aarav sighed. "You can come back after I'm dressed."
She bowed again and scurried out.
Culture shock: confirmed, Aarav thought.
After washing and dressing in clothes provided by the palace—dark tunic, fitted trousers, soft boots—Aarav stepped into the corridor. Guards stood at a respectful distance, pretending not to watch him too closely.
Kaelith appeared from the opposite end of the hall, dressed in lighter royal attire than the night before. Without the heavy mantle and crown, he looked… younger.
"Did you sleep?" Kaelith asked.
"Better than I expected," Aarav replied. "Your beds are unfair."
Kaelith's lips curved. "We pride ourselves on comfort. Come. You should see the city by daylight."
They walked together toward a wide balcony overlooking the capital.
Sunlight poured over the city, turning crystal bridges into ribbons of fire. Market stalls opened below, floating platforms carrying goods across canals of shimmering water. The air rang with distant laughter, music, and the call of winged beasts used as transport.
Aarav leaned against the railing, quiet.
"It's beautiful," he said finally.
Kaelith nodded. "It is. Which makes it harder to watch it decay."
Aarav glanced at him. "You don't talk about your fears much."
Kaelith's jaw tightened. "Princes are taught not to."
"That's a bad lesson," Aarav said. "Fear ignored becomes stupidity."
Kaelith snorted despite himself. "You speak to me as if I'm not royal."
"I speak to you as if you're a person," Aarav said. "Royalty is a job. Not a species."
Kaelith looked at him for a long moment.
"…No one has ever said that to me."
"Then your court is doing you a disservice."
Kaelith exhaled slowly. "You're dangerous, Sage."
"Good," Aarav said. "People who don't question power usually become its victims."
They stood in silence for a moment.
Then a group passed below them—an Alpha couple with a heavily pregnant Omega partner supported between them. The Omega laughed, leaning against one Alpha while scolding the other.
Aarav's brow furrowed. "That's… a family unit?"
"Yes," Kaelith said. "One of many forms."
"And you're telling me this is normal here."
"Yes."
Aarav hesitated. "On my world, men can't become pregnant."
Kaelith turned to him sharply. "Then you will find Elyndor… disorienting."
"That's one word for it," Aarav said. "Another is biologically impossible."
Kaelith studied him. "Does it disturb you?"
"No," Aarav said after a moment. "It surprises me. There's a difference."
Kaelith's shoulders loosened slightly.
They continued walking, passing courtyards where Omegas practiced healing magic, Betas trained in administrative sigils, and Alphas sparred in controlled rings.
Aarav watched with professional interest. "Your society organizes people by biology. That's efficient. And dangerous."
"Because of discrimination?" Kaelith asked.
"Because people confuse traits with destiny," Aarav replied. "Biology isn't a cage. It's a toolkit."
Kaelith absorbed that in silence.
They reached a quiet garden filled with silver-leafed trees and glowing flowers. The air here felt thicker with mana.
"This is the Moon Garden," Kaelith said. "Enigmas meditate here."
Aarav raised an eyebrow. "You meditate?"
"Yes."
"I would pay to see that," Aarav said.
Kaelith gave him a flat look. "I do not sit in strange poses humming."
"Shame. Ruins the image."
Kaelith's lips twitched despite himself.
They sat on a stone bench beneath a silver tree.
Aarav leaned back, gaze drifting upward. "You called me Sage because a prophecy said so. But you haven't asked what I want."
Kaelith was quiet for a moment. Then, softly, "What do you want, Aarav?"
Aarav didn't answer immediately.
For years, he had wanted nothing beyond the next surgery, the next life saved, the next distraction from emptiness.
Now, in a world that shouldn't exist, under a sky that wasn't his, sitting beside a prince who looked at him like he mattered—
"I don't know," Aarav admitted. "But I'm tired of living like my only purpose is to be useful."
Kaelith's hand rested on the stone between them, close but not touching.
"Then," the prince said quietly, "you may take the time to find something more."
Their gazes met.
The air between them thrummed faintly.
Something ancient stirred.
Neither of them noticed the runes beneath the garden stones beginning to glow.