Asteria City.
The city of lights.
Even at midnight, the streets remained alive as if sleep had never existed. Endless streams of traffic moved through the wide roads, their headlights creating rivers of white and red beneath the towering skyscrapers. Giant billboards flashed advertisements in every direction, painting the city in vibrant colors. Restaurants, cafés, and clubs were still crowded with people enjoying the beginning of the weekend.
The city never truly slept.
It simply slowed down.
Towering buildings stretched toward the heavens, their countless windows glowing like stars that had descended from the sky and settled upon the earth.
Near the heart of the city stood Royal Crest University, one of the most prestigious colleges in the country. The university was famous for producing brilliant graduates, influential leaders, and occasionally, students who knew exactly how to throw unforgettable parties.
Tonight was one of those nights.
Music blasted from the largest nightclub near the campus. The bass was so loud that it could be felt through the ground itself. Students flooded in and out of the building, laughing, chatting, and taking pictures to preserve memories they would probably never forget.
Among them was a group of sixteen close friends.
Liam Jackson and his girlfriend, Trisha Hunters, walked out together.
Liam had one arm wrapped around Trisha's shoulders while she leaned comfortably against him. The cool night breeze gently moved her dark hair, and a faint smile rested on her beautiful face.
Liam looked down at her and smiled.
"You had fun?"
Trisha looked up at him.
"I did."
"Even after Britney dragged you onto the dance floor?"
She laughed softly.
"Especially after that."
Liam chuckled.
Following behind them were their friends.
Vyonna Miller and Alpha Jones walked hand in hand. Every now and then, Alpha would glance at Vyonna with a smile that made it obvious he was completely smitten with her.
Britney Smith and Ethan were busy arguing.
"I clearly danced better than you," Britney declared.
Ethan looked offended.
"Excuse me? I carried the entire dance floor tonight."
Britney scoffed.
"You nearly tripped over your own feet."
"I was improvising."
"You were falling."
"I was expressing myself."
Britney burst into laughter.
Viara Wilson and Chadwick White walked side by side, with Chadwick carrying Viara's handbag because she had declared her feet were killing her.
Hamim Manzudar looked completely unbothered as he lazily drank from his can.
Hazel Yohan, Bukar Hadril, Gold O'Brien, Amazon McCain, Henry McGraw, Grey Garcia, Matlidah O'Brien, and Austyn McConnell followed after them.
The night had been fun.
Too fun.
Everyone looked exhausted.
Then—
"Guys..."
Matlidah suddenly stopped.
Everyone turned around.
She wasn't looking at them.
She was staring at the sky.
"Look at the moon."
The group looked up.
Silence.
A giant moon hung in the night sky.
Red.
Not orange.
Not pink.
Red.
It looked like a drop of blood suspended above the city.
"Whoa..." Britney blinked. "That's actually pretty."
"It looks amazing," Hazel agreed with a smile.
Bukar frowned.
"Why is it red?"
Gold crossed his arms.
"Yeah. Since when does the moon look like that?"
Viara rolled her eyes.
"You people worry too much. It's probably some rare moon event."
Vyonna tilted her head.
"Since when?"
Viara looked at her.
"Since you've stopped observing the moon lately."
"Oh."
Liam chuckled.
"It's unique, that's all. Nothing big about it."
"I agree." Amazon nodded. "It looks cool."
Hamim sighed dramatically.
"You people are ruining the mood."
He took another sip of his drink.
"Tonight was fun. Stop acting like the moon is about to eat us."
He began walking.
"I was born handsome~"
He sang loudly.
"I'll die handsome too~"
Everyone looked at him.
Then burst into laughter.
Vyonna shook her head.
"Don't tell me we're going to stand here and stare at it all night."
Henry stretched lazily.
"We should leave."
A grin suddenly spread across his face.
"I can't wait to smash Grey."
Grey choked.
"What?!"
Viara looked horrified.
"You're disgusting."
Henry simply grinned.
The group laughed again.
One by one, they headed toward their cars.
Soon, only one person remained.
Trisha.
She was still staring at the moon.
Something about it felt...
Strange.
Its crimson glow seemed almost alive.
As if it were watching her.
As if it were calling her.
"Trisha?"
She blinked.
Liam was standing beside the car.
He smiled softly.
"Babe."
She looked at him.
Then at the moon.
For some reason, she couldn't shake off the strange feeling in her chest.
But eventually, she smiled.
"I'm coming."
She turned around and walked toward him.
Neither of them noticed it.
The red moon seemed to glow brighter.
As if it had just found what it was looking for.
Meanwhile...
Inside Henry's apartment.
The living room was dimly lit.
Grey sat on the couch, looking both nervous and amused.
Henry stood before him.
His eyes held a dangerous kind of charm.
"What?" Grey asked.
Henry took a step forward.
"Nothing."
Another step.
"I was just thinking."
Grey swallowed.
"About what?"
Henry stopped directly in front of him.
"About you."
Grey's ears immediately turned red.
Henry smiled.
Then he slowly leaned down.
Their faces were inches apart.
"You blush too easily."
Grey looked away.
"No, I don't."
"You do."
"I don't."
Henry chuckled softly.
Then he gently lifted Grey's chin.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
The city lights outside reflected in Grey's eyes.
He looked beautiful.
Henry's expression softened.
Then he kissed him.
It started slowly.
Softly.
Grey froze for a second before kissing him back.
The kiss deepened.
Warm.
Comfortable.
Familiar.
When they finally separated, both were slightly breathless.
Henry rested his forehead against Grey's.
"I like you like this."
Grey blinked.
"Like what?"
Henry smiled.
"When you're only looking at me."
Grey's face turned red again.
He lightly punched Henry's chest.
"You're unbelievable."
Henry laughed.
Then he pulled him into a hug.
Outside the window, the crimson moon silently watched the sleeping city.
And somewhere within its bloody glow...
Something ancient was beginning to awaken.