She had been pregnant for many years, her child being a stubborn one, not wanting to come until the right time. Luyten had told her that the one inside of her would determine the future of their family. When a star is born, another star must give it energy, must give it life—this was a sacrifice Arcturus would gladly make. And when the child was born, with her last breath, she named him Antares, the saviour of them all. Future King.

When Arcturus died, her light split across the universe, reaching each of her siblings with a whisper of her sacrifice. Only Luyten saw her soul drift into the dark, carrying the memory of her love for them all. Fomalhaut wept, Sirius raged, and Spica’s eyes grew distant and grey. But they could not interfere with Antares’ future. It was already written and was not their place. They knew, then, that Antares would not be a savior—he would be something else entirely.