Chapter Text
"time": the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole.
Something, that had been assigned to them since the beginning, which was... god knows how long ago. Since he knew himself as a being, really.
He was so tired of it. This void, this darkness, this nothingness. A dream. It was like a place of nowhere. A place to not exist in, yet to serve as a home in the universe. Inside, there were memories of the past and soon-to-be visions of the future, which they have been watching over for the longest time. The future was unpredictable and the past was undeniable as ever. Something he'd never check.
Their home. It has been their home for forever now. Literally forever. He wouldn't say it's cozy, it's kind of cold, empty and dark, but it could technically be considered a home. A place to just reside in.
Time didn't pass here like on planets from the outside world. They didn't have a sun or moon, nor stars or black holes, it was just a void of space, hidden from everything. Was time even flowing in here? Was it just outside? Sometimes, he would think it's on the edge of the universe, that's why nothing could ever seemed to notice them. It would kind of make sense, in his opinion, although, it was never that serious.
He had tried many times to figure out the exact location of it, to find out a little more about it, but instead he always discovers something new about it, which isn't really helping the progress. Not like he had the free time for it anyway. He was in a constant stance of focusing, always in control of something. That's how the universe needed to be formed.
He found it unfair, though. He wanted to go, leave, and have fun like all the others would. He wanted to find out what it feels like to...feel. To touch. To breathe. Like the beings, that they would look out for from above. Those actual living beings, residents of plantes all across the universe. They called them visitors. Sometimes, they would actually come to the void, but only when that specific person or being was dreaming. And they needed to be hand selected too, which sucked. His dear sibling was very picky. The twins could interact with said souls, tell them things they would want to know, but only that, and for a short time.
Lune really liked the visitors. He was amazed by them. Every planet's residents were different. Some of them wouldn't even be conscious enough to speak to, although they could still be seen by them. Give them a sense of presence and recognition. Some of them didn't even dream. The shock on their faces was the best part, in his opinion. There really was a purpose of staying here after all, right?
Their existence was the unfortunate moving soul of the entire galaxy. They are the reason the planets are moving, that stars die and form, and so on. It controlled the universe and it's natural cycle. Apparently, if any one of them was to fail, time and the overall quality of life could have a chance to stop working overall. He could feel it. He knew there would be a disaster if that happened. And yet, something told him to listen otherwise.
He believed him every time. He was always the one to keep quiet, and never to request.
He still found it very boring. He wanted to experience living. He really did. He wanted to be able to walk like the visitors do, not just float about all the time. He was jealous of the outside. The same world he was in control over. It had never seemed fair, even if they were technically considered a literal god. He didn't want to exist in a life this useless. At least, in his eyes, it was useless;He, himself, could see the past and decide what to do with it. Break it, reserve it, or make it happen again. The other the exact opposite way around. Although he found it quite fun and interesting, he could barely do it properly anymore. This nullity was driving him insane. Esther would always scold him for it.
He could bare it for the longest time being, but that, as they would say, also has to come to an end once. So, he began thinking once again, savoring the last bit of his sanity.
꧁꧂
"How long is it until the next visitor?", he'd ask more frequently.
There was a pause.
"I can not tell for sure.", said the other ghostly being, while focusing out into the distance.
There was silence for a long time after that, neither of them knows how long exactly. The furry being scoffed and spoke up after his patience seemingly ran out;
"Tell me, brother. Aren't you tired?", he asked in a serious tone. He awaited an honest answer from his counterpart.
"Being tired is just a concept, which we do not posess. Could you elaborate?" Great. He was acting smart again. He hated it.
"Must I really? You should know what I mean. Tired of this. This nothingness!", he exclaimed, throwing his hands up.
"I get that feeling sometimes. There's nothing we can do about it, though, and you know it. It is our responsibility. The universe tells me so."
Yep, there he goes on with his rambling again. Always about the "universe this", "universe that".
"Yes, but, haven't you thought about it? Like, what if we just...leave?", he felt his brother look at him harshly, slowly turning his head.
"Are you insane? To leave? Even if that would be possible, it would not be for good. Just what in the world are you thinking, Lune?", his echoey tone rang loud in his feline ears. There was a scarce break in his tone, which was obviously meant to threaten the other, even if just a little.
"I know, but like, can't we just, maybe give it a try? There surely is a different way to-"
"I will not argue on about this with you. This is our purpose and you can't change that. And no, there is no "giving it a try".", he said back in a serious tone, this time almost yelling.
Lune, clearly taken aback, but not really surprised, took a "step" back and stayed silent. He hung his head and thought once again; he had to find a way to convince him. Even if Esther was right, and he didn't want to admit to it. They were assigned a life-long purpose to fulfill, if that was even possible. Breaking this promise to the universe would cause some, or just one would be enough, 'horrendously awful disaster', as stated by Esther. Even though the two ghosts are almost one and the same, having been existing in there for the same amount of time, Lune would notice, that Esther likes to say things like that, like he knew better. It may have been, because he wanted to protect the purple one, or to just have all the attention to himself. He couldn't decide most of the time.
Lune appreciated Esther and his dedication, but sometimes, it was just too much. The ever growing impatience inside him was generally very hard to keep at bay, even if he didn't really have the rights to have them. He didn't understand, if what he was felt was real or just his imagination, or if it was just the mere need of breaking free. Either way, he was left to think to himself, lost in his void-filled mind, that was the definition of desperation.
꧁꧂
The next few moments, or days, as one would rather prefer, were spent thinking the situation out (somewhat) deeply and figuring out a plan. Lune had to see, whether dangerous or not, if this time his own dream could come true. It won't be easy, though, and he was one hundred and one percent unsure if it would work out. As far as his mind knew, he was always the selfish one, so it was worth giving it a try.
The cycle continued on like that for an amazing while. Lune didn't argue anymore, but instead kept silent in every situation possible. His mind was too occupied with the thought of the outside world to pay attention to what his brother even said full on seconds ago. He tried his best, he really did try to focus on not breaking in front of the other. Keeping his mouth shut was the only reason he saw capable of containing his circus.
"Are you even listening?"
He knew it wouldn't be long until his other half started bothering him. He paid no mind, knowing, that soon, he'd be in a better place.
"Yes.", he said, almost inaudible.
"Mhm..."
He didn't believe him. He never did. It was all a game in his head.
That was it for that day. The only conversation they will hold in the next good while. Lune was fed up and Esther didn't care. They both kept up their head, completed their work and kept their distances. It felt wrong, so wrong, they both felt and knew it, but the simple pleasure of not hearing each other's complaining was like music to their ears. No contact meant no arguments and no arguments meant peace. Even if Lune would never be able to drop it interily.
"Oh, Esther, you were always the worrisome one. I could never convince you enough, could I?"
That night, he had made up his mind. He was sorry for what he was going to commit to. He knew, that he'd once regret it. He knew he could never catch Esther off guard completely, and that a distraction would be needed. Something to keep it's mind off the void.
Their powers, something they have never used to their fullest yet, was perfect to employ for this occasion. Esther heard the boom, the shatter, but it was already too late. It hit him like a meteor. A flash wave. Lune's trick had worked and had successfully distracted the golden being enough to focus on the made-up jingle of his voice. Not on the break, not on the hurry, but the fictitious cries for his help, that were never actually there. A sole diversion of his vocals, which had worked against his will with ease. The beast gave up it's only purpose to save the other, regardless of fake or not. Lune could only watch and never feel enough of it.
He felt sorry. So, so sorry. The amount of times he had debated this working out was uncountable. He knew, that he'd suffer once he got out. If the price wasn't worth it, he wouldn't have let him leave. The rules were set, and he excused himself without saying any goodbyes. Nobody cared, nobody asked about it, and nobody was there to bother him anymore.
He fell out into the darkness, nothing like he'd seen or experienced before. Leaving behind an endless amount of memories, a home and most importantly, half of his own, he set himself a new purpose without any wariness in the world. Consequences weren't something he'd consider for a long time after that. Not even when the voices came to haunt him, not even when the visions flooded his mind, not even when his brother called out back to him.
Come back and see what he'd done. Half a mind, half a body has been broken, and he didn't care. Escaped, like a daily task, only to be thrown away and never to be done again properly. The void was shattered, housing only a desperate, betrayed soul he once called his sibling, causing the end of time to begin.
We'll see you again someday, Lune.