Endymion ignored the thinly veiled aggressive looks Jupiter was shooting him as she escorted him through the dark hallways. He understood her feelings and couldn't deny them. She was breaking a lot of rules by helping smuggle him into the Moon Castle. If Queen Serenity or the King discovered this, Jupiter would be in a lot of trouble.

He'd never seen the Moon Castle this late at night. Usually, his visits were during the day when sunlight bathed the castle, its pearlescent walls glowing with vibrant brilliance. The hallways typically echoed with the sounds of bustling activity and the laughter of courtiers. Now they were completely silent.

At night, the castle transformed into a realm of serene stillness. The soft, silvery glow of the moon replaced the vibrant hues of the day, casting long shadows and creating an ethereal atmosphere. An occasional whisper of wind rolled through the open windows, rustling the heavy tapestries and making the vines dance.

As they moved deeper into the castle, the air grew cooler, the faint scent of night-blooming flowers wafting through the halls. Endymion's footsteps echoed softly on the polished marble floors, blending with the distant hum of nocturnal insects. The silence was almost tangible, a thick, heavy blanket that heightened his senses and made every sound seem amplified. The weight of the forbidden journey pressed on his shoulders, each step bringing him closer to the unknown.

Jupiter hissed at him to keep up, a bit of electricity arcing from her fingers. He quickened his pace, unwilling to anger her more. Serenity had asked her friend to help them meet, so she must have had a reason.

He had to see her.

Above, on the tallest tower, Serenity paced back and forth. Her heart was a storm of conflicting emotions, a war that rivaled even the most fearsome epic battles between gods and monsters. The decision she made weighed heavily on her, a burden she could scarcely bear. Attempting to soothe her troubles, the moon sent a cool breeze to cool her fevered flesh. It brushed against her skin, carrying the scent of moonflowers, their delicate fragrance doing little to calm her turmoil.

Needing to steady herself, she glanced at Earth. That radiant orb glittered like all her hopes and dreams, a beautiful and distant reminder of what she could never have. The soft, silvery glow of the moonlight cascaded over the tower, casting an ethereal sheen on the pearlescent walls. The long arching shadows cut through the vibrancy, mirroring her own inner conflict. Yet, the gentle glow of the moonlight bathed the tower in an ethereal light, casting long shadows that seemed to mirror her own inner conflict. The beautiful setting did little to steady the thumping of her heart, each beat echoing the painful truth of the choice she was about to make.

She had to see him.

Then she knew he was there. Slowly turning, Serenity saw Endymion emerge from the doorway. As always, he looked resplendent in his royal attire. Moonlight glinted off the silver embellishments, almost giggling with girlish giddiness as it flowed across him. At once, her heart stopped, knowing this was it. After this moment, everything would be different.

Endymion had to pause at the doorway. Serenity looked dazzling, the gold accents on her dress glimmering like the Golden Crystal itself. Moonlight framed her perfectly, worshiping her as the goddess she was. The sight made his heart skip, finally close to her after so long. After this moment, everything would be different.

"Endymion," she whispered, speaking his name like a sacred prayer.

"Serenity," he breathed, her name a reverent invocation.

Like two matching pieces, they came together perfectly. Now he felt the rough edges of his soul soothe, the jagged bits finally finding peace. He'd never known such a feeling existed. But now he did, all because of her. Serenity wanted to lose herself in the absolute bliss that his presence brought. Wanted to bask in the comfort and assurance that he had brought. She'd never known anyone could make her feel this way.

"I haven't seen you… since…" He didn't want to bring that day up. That horrible day that showed him what pure terror actually felt like.

A slight color touched the edges of her cheeks. "No, I couldn't. I shouldn't."

He reached out and grasped her hand, his thumb tracing the delicate edges of her knuckles. Her skin, cool to the touch, felt like a refreshing breeze in the middle of a scorching summer. She didn't pull away as he caressed her, resisting the urge to close her eyes and bask in the warmth his touch offered. This moment felt eternal, yet she knew it would be over too soon.

"I'm both glad you didn't and sad. I've missed you." Unable to resist, he reached up and touched the edge of her cheek.

"I missed you as well. I wanted to see you, I wanted to so badly."

She could sense the slight dimming of the moonbeams as they moved around her. Tonight it mourned for her, understanding the sacrifice she was about to make. The silvery beams wrapped around her like a sorrowful embrace, sharing in her grief and silently weeping for the love she'd chosen to forsake.

Endymion felt the shift inside of his soul, a sadness that struck down to his core. Despite his optimism, he now understood that this wasn't a happy meeting.

"Why have you asked me here?" he asked, hoping that his feelings were wrong.

Without words, she presented him with a locket. The star-shaped locket glimmered in Serenity's palm, its golden surface warm to the touch. It was a small, intricately carved star-shaped pendant with a delicate chain. In the center, a crystal dome encased a miniature moon set against a galaxy backdrop. As she clicked it open, the delicate melody filled the air, each note as clear as a whispered promise.

The tiny moon inside the locket cycled through its phases, a mesmerizing dance that seemed to hold the secrets of their love. Taking her hands in his, he watched as the moon moved and the stars twinkled.

As Endymion held the locket, its delicate chain slipped through his fingers like the sands of time. The cold metal felt heavy with the weight of something unspoken that would both shatter and heal. The soft ticking of the moon's phases within was a melancholic song that mirrored the rhythm of his heart as it beat for her.

"This is beautiful." It was almost as beautiful as she was.

Serenity inhaled, aware that if she failed to express these words, everything would be lost. "This is a symbol of the love we could have had."

Endymion didn't want to believe the words that she'd spoken. "What are you trying to say?"

"If we could love each other, then I'd present this locket to you as a symbol of our love. Because that's what it is. My love for you, Endymion."

With each word, the heavy weight inside his chest grew. He tried to keep his breathing steady, but sorrow fought to draw him under, threatening to drown him in loneliness and despair. He looked into her eyes, searching for any sign of hope, but found only mirrored pain.

"Serenity."

With each uttered syllable, the crushing pressure inside her chest expanded. She struggled to calm her breathing, to prevent the overwhelming sadness from conquering her, silencing her with heartache and anguish. She met his gaze, desperately hoping to see a glimmer of hope, but only found reflected pain.

The pain of her words seeped into his very soul. His hands started to tremble as he held the locket, the tangible representation of a love that could never be. The beautiful object now seemed a cruel reminder of what the gods forced him to relinquish. Each tick of the moon felt like a countdown to inevitable heartbreak, deepening the chasm of despair that threatened to swallow him whole.

The ache of his expression soaked into her very soul. She trembled as his hands clutched the locket, the tangible representation of the love she had for him. The beautiful object was now a symbol of what she was choosing to relinquish. Each shift of the moon struck her like a physical blow, a knife slicing her soul into shreds. But this had to be. It had to be this way. For so many reasons.

"I wish," she continued, her voice shaking. "I wish that we'd been born at different times, as different people. Because I'd love you, Endymion. I'd love you with my whole being and my entire heart. But we can't be together, as much as I desperately wish that wasn't the case."

Still clutching her hands, he knew the truth of those words. "If it were possible to change our fate, Serenity, I would, because I love you. I can't imagine the suffering you've been through, knowing that our love cannot be, yet feeling it so intensely. I'm sorry." He reached up and cradled her cheek. "I'm sorry to have caused you pain."

Meeting his gaze, she blinked away tears. "I'd rather have this, have you, even if only for a little while, then never have loved you. For a time, I wasn't sure which path to choose, but in the end, I cannot go against my mother, against the gods, against the silver crystal."

He understood, stars, he understood. Because he, too, faced the same dilemma. Choosing her would mean disobeying the gods that kept them safe, defying his fair-minded father, and even going against the Golden Crystal. He couldn't do any of those things. Just as she couldn't.

Taking the locket from her, he gazed at it one more time before tucking it securely into a pocket. The light of the moon seemed to cry with her. Somehow, it was a little less brilliant, a little less striking. It showed on the edges of her face, reflected on the shimmer of fabric. The moon was mourning with them.

"I accept this token," he said, taking her hands into his again. Even if this touch would be a painful memory later, he had to touch her once more. "While I accept it, I wish that we could have had love. But I don't begrudge your choice, Serenity. And I echo your sentiments. I'll find you when we're reborn. Then I'll spend an entire lifetime showing you the love you deserve, the love I'd have for you."

Tears threatened to fall, to flood the world with her misery. "Perhaps love isn't the greatest power in the universe. Maybe we're mistaken, because it seems the will of the gods is stronger. The queen is stronger. The Silver Crystal is stronger."

He brushed away a drop from her cheek. "I'm in awe of you, Serenity. This was a hard decision, but the right one. From what I know of the Silver Crystal, I doubt it would have followed you if you'd defied the gods. I know the Golden Crystal wouldn't have followed me, if…" He left those words unsaid. It was painful enough just knowing the truth.

"No," she said. "It wouldn't have, and that would have spelled disaster for the moon and Earth."

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. The moonlight bathed them in a soft, ethereal glow, highlighting the tears that glistened on their cheeks. Endymion could feel the warmth of her breath mingling with the cool night air, a contrast that mirrored the turmoil within his heart.

They could have been great together, a lifetime filled with the most powerful love and perfect companionship. It would have been something to rival the gods themselves, and perhaps that's why it was forbidden. Maybe the gods, in their jealousy, could not bear to witness such a love, so they decreed it unattainable.

Serenity's eyes, deep pools of shimmering blue, reflected the shared pain and unattainable love between them. He could feel the gentle tremor of her hands within his own, a delicate reminder of the strength she held despite her sorrow. Now the world mocked him with attempts at comfort. The soft moonflowers, the crisp night air, the vivid starts winking. All were lost in the mire of heartache.

In her gaze, she poured all her unfulfilled dreams, her love, and her promises for a future that would never come. He prayed that she'd know through his eyes all the truths that he wanted to offer. Then perhaps, one day, the gods would release them from this twisted fate.

"Do you think," he asked, unsure if he could really voice this question, "do you think we'll ever be together?"

Serenity broke her gaze and looked out into the cosmos. He knew where she was looking: the Galaxy Cauldron. The source of all star seeds, the place where life and death originated. If they were ever to be reborn, if they were ever to have a chance at a life together, that's what would be responsible.

Serenity's gaze drifted to the cosmos, her eyes seeking the Galaxy Cauldron. The constellation Sagittarius framed the celestial cradle of life and death, its distant glow a beacon of hope and despair. She could almost feel the pulse of creation emanating from it, a reminder of the eternal cycle of rebirth. The thought that they might be reborn and reunited brought a bittersweet solace to her troubled heart.

"Yes," she finally said. "I think we will be reborn and have a chance to be together. Even if it takes an eon, I don't believe the gods are that cruel."

"I agree," he said. "At another time and a different place, we'll find each other again. Then we'll share a love that will transform the universe into a place of harmony. One day, Serenity." He kissed her hand.

"What do you think it will be like?" Serenity asked.

"To be loved by you will rival even the brightest stars and most vibrant sunrises."

She turned away slightly, hiding her blush. Because she loved hearing that truth and hated that she had to wait so long to experience it. But deep inside of her soul, she knew that one day they'd be able to live that together. A hundred million sunrises. Countless moments. One day.

With a delicate touch, he tilted her chin to look at him. "If I offered you a gift, would you accept it?"

A radiant smile spread across her lips, an expression that he'd treasure forever. "I would."

Their eyes locked, and she wanted this moment to last forever. Then the moonlight bathed him in a soft glow, highlighting the tears that glistened on his cheeks. Trembling, she brushed a thumb across the traces of moisture and he leaned into her touch.

Endymion closed his eyes, memorizing every sensation as her fingers glided over his cheek. Because this was their goodbye. This was the last moment that they'd share. When he looked at her again, her eyes shimmered a more vibrant blue, the color amplified by the lingering tears.

The breeze stilled, giving them a chance at peace, as they stayed locked in this farewell. In that gaze, they poured all their unfulfilled dreams, their love, and their promises for a future that would never come. The world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them in a moment of pure, bittersweet connection.

Endymion leaned in, his eyes never leaving hers. Serenity's breath hitched, and everything exploded in anticipation.

She didn't pull away.

He didn't release her.

As their lips met, he hoped she could feel the love and longing that he couldn't express in words. When his lips gently touched hers, she prayed he knew the unspoken devotion that would always remain. She was his, eternally and always. He was hers, bound for all time.

This kiss was a silent vow, a promise that their love would endure beyond this lifetime. The taste of salt from their tears mixed with the sweetness of their union, creating a moment of perfect, heartbreaking beauty.

When they finally parted, there weren't any words that could have expressed the emotions inside her chest. And as he looked at her, he knew that there would be no way that he could ever tell her the truths in his soul.

Words were inadequate and would always be insufficient.

Endymion and Serenity stood together in silence, their hands intertwined as they bid each other goodbye in the only way they could. The soft glow of the moon enveloped them, a silent witness to their love and the sacrifice they were making. The weight of unspoken words hung in the air, their hearts heavy, knowing that this moment could be their last.

From the shadows, Jupiter emerged, sadness etched on her face. "It's time," she breathed, her voice tinged with sadness.

Endymion turned to Serenity, his gaze lingering on her face, memorizing every detail. "I will find you again," he whispered, his voice filled with unwavering conviction. "No matter how many lifetimes it takes."

Serenity's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she nodded. "And I will wait for you, Endymion. I'll always be yours."

Jupiter lingered for a moment, looking away to give them just another moment together. With a final, last look, he reluctantly released Serenity's hands. As he stepped back, the physical distance between them felt like an insurmountable chasm.

Neither of them could bring themselves to say goodbye; the word felt too final, too absolute. Instead, they held onto the hope that their souls would one day reunite.

As Jupiter led Endymion away, the soft rustle of movement echoed in the silence. Serenity watched as they vanished into the shadows, overwhelming anguish crashing through her chest.

Now alone on the tower, she collapsed and cried. Tears spilled freely for the choices she'd made and for the separation they'd endure. And between her sobs, the moon wept with her.