CHAPTER 1

The morning after the late-night video call came too quickly for Noah’s liking. He was still half-asleep when Nelysha started honking outside his house. Repeatedly like the world was ending.

“NOAHHHH! WE’RE GOING TO BE LATE!”

Noah lazily grabbed his phone, put whatever he saw in front of him into the bag and of course he didn't forget to take his headphone too (just to wear it whenever Nelysha started yapping at him). Then, he dragged himself out with messy hair, half-zipped hoodie, and a face that clearly said 'I regret every decision leading to this moment'.

Inside the car, Nelysha was in a completely different universe. The engine purred smoothly as she drove through Kuala Lumpur’s morning traffic, sunlight spilling across the windshield in soft gold streaks. Her fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel, humming a tune that sounded way too cheerful for someone operating a vehicle at 9 AM.

Noah sat in the passenger seat, slumped against the window.

“Why are you like this,” he muttered.

“Like what?,” she asked innocently.

He groans. “Alive.”

She laughed. “You should be grateful I’m taking you out during semester break.”

“I was planning to rot in my room.” Noah mumbles quietly.

Nelysha let out a dramatic sigh. “That’s unhealthy, y'know.”

“It’s peaceful.” Noah yawns, feeling a bit sleepy.

She turned slightly at a red light. “We’re going to the art museum first,” she said. “Then maybe grab lunch, then I want to check out that new café near the river.”

Noah blinked.

“…You planned the whole day?”

“Of course I did!” She said, feeling proud of herself.

“Without asking me.” He sighs, almost regretting living.

“I did asked you.” She told him.

Noah glanced at her, feeling sceptical about it. “When?”

“Last night.” Nelysha smiles.

Noah deadpans. “That was emotional blackmail.”

“That was teamwork.”

Noah sighed deeply and turned his head toward the window.

The city passed by in familiar motion, high-rise buildings, roadside stalls setting up for the day, motorbikes weaving through lanes like it was an art form of its own. Despite everything, it felt normal.

Safe. Ordinary.

Just traffic and sunlight.

“You know,” Nelysha said after a while, “this exhibition is supposed to be really rare.”

Noah didn’t respond to her.

She continued anyway.

“It’s about old kingdoms. Legends. Forgotten war heroes. Stuff like that.”

Noah hummed absentmindedly. “Sounds like history class but with extra hallucinations.”

“It’s not hallucinations,” she said, slightly offended. “It’s cultural heritage.”

Noah shrugs before leaning back into his seat. “It’s stories people made up before Netflix existed.”

She glanced at him. “You’re so boring sometimes.”

“I prefer ‘mentally stable.’” Noah corrected her.

Eventually, the city opened up into a quieter district. Modern glass buildings slowly gave way to older architecture—colonial influences mixed with contemporary design. Trees lined the streets more heavily here, casting soft shade over pedestrian walkways.

A large sign came into view:

ART EXHIBITION: LEGENDS OF THE ARCHIPELAGO

Nelysha immediately brightened.

“WE’RE HERE!”

Noah leaned forward slightly. “That looks expensive...”

“It is.”

“How did you afford this?” Noah stared suspiciously at her.

She smiled. “Student discount.”

Noah snorts.

“You didn’t even show your student ID.”

She ignored him.

_____________________________________

She parked quickly, too quickly and unbuckled her seatbelt before the car fully stopped. Noah barely had time to react.

“Wait—hey—!”

But she was already out. And then—His door opened.

“Come on!”

Before he could protest, she grabbed his wrist.

“Oi—Nelysha—!”

And dragged him, straight into the crowd.

The entrance of the museum was grand. Tall glass doors framed by stone pillars engraved with abstract motifs. Inside, soft lighting illuminated marble floors and floating banners describing the exhibition’s theme.

Visitors moved slowly, quietly, as if stepping into a sacred space.

Noah immediately felt out of place. “Why is everyone whispering?"

“Because it’s an art museum,” Nelysha said, still pulling him forward.

Noah stared at the other visitors, slightly judging everyone. “I don’t whisper in museums.”

“That’s why you’re the problem.” Nelysha almost got hit by her twin brother as she said that.

They passed the ticket counter. Then, the main hall and the first exhibit. Paintings lined the walls—massive, detailed works depicting ancient battles, mythical figures, and royal courts that looked strangely alive under the lighting.

Nelysha’s grip tightened with excitement.

“Oh my god, look at this one!”

She pointed at a painting of a crowned prince standing alone in the rain, holding a broken sword beneath a blood-red sky.

Noah glanced at it. “It looks…depressing.”

“It’s beautiful!” Nelysha said.

“It’s wet sadness on canvas.” He exclaim.

She rolled her eyes and dragged him deeper.

“Noah, appreciate culture.”

Noah only sighs.

“I am appreciating it. I appreciate how uncomfortable this chair would be if I sat there for long periods.” He said as he stared at another prince potret.

Nelysha snorts at him. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re strong for dragging me against my will.” Noah shot back at her.

They moved deeper into the exhibition.The atmosphere subtly changed as the lighting dimmed slightly.The air somehow felt quieter.

Heavier.

The paintings became older in style, less polished, more raw. Some looked almost too detailed, as if the artists had seen things they shouldn’t have been able to see.

Noah slowed slightly.

“Why does this one feel weird.”

Nelysha leaned in closer.

“It says here it’s about ‘Indera Mayang Sari.’”

Noah frowned. “…Indera what?”

She read the plaque.

“An ancient kingdom from forgotten Malay legends. Some scholars think it’s mythological.”

Noah shrugged. “So basically fake history.”

“Or lost history,” she corrected.

He scoffed.

“Same thing.”

Nelysha suddenly tightened her grip on his hand again.

“Come on, there’s a special section at the end.”

“No—wait—can I sit—” Noah tried to escape her tighten grips on him.

“Too late.” She dragged him forward again.

Noah sighed loudly as they passed the final corridor. “If this turns into a haunted museum situation, I’m leaving you here.”

“Stop being dramatic.” She rolls her eyes at her dramatic twin.

“I am being realistic.” Noah said back.

But as they stepped into the final gallery, Noah’s words faded.

The room was colder than the others. Strangely so.

In the center hung a series of paintings—older than the rest, visibly different in texture and style.

One showed a masked noble in black robes.

Another showed a vast palace surrounded by storm clouds.

Another showed a hedgehog-like creature standing beside a cloaked figure.

Noah blinked. “Why is there a hedgehog in historical art?"

Nelysha gasped.

“Wait—that’s so cute!”

Noah stared at it longer.

“…Why does it feel like it’s staring at me.”

A faint unease crawled up his spine. But before he could say anything, Nelysha squeezed his hand excitedly.

“This is exactly why I wanted to bring you!”

Noah sighed. “I regret everything.”

And as they stood there, surrounded by paintings of a world that should have been nothing more than fiction—neither of them noticed how the air in the room had begun to shift ever so slightly.

Like something in the exhibit was quietly responding to their presence...

TBC...

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