Betelgeuse (Alpha Orionis)'s Arc

Chapter 3 of 4

Betelgeuse lifted the wrapped star and stepped onto the kitchen floor. The march to Orion had begun. He carried the bold name-sign high in one hand, the net-wrapped globe in the other. His boots scuffed a clear trail across the boards. Behind him stood a tall mech, plates glinting, eyes burning yellow. It stomped in step, leaving heavy dents that traced his path. Shaula walked at his flank. "Stay in line," she said. Antares followed, steady and quiet. "You've earned this ground," he said. Betelgeuse only nodded. He planted the sign at the far edge of the floor. The letters caught the light. He set the star beneath it. The mech halted behind him like a sentinel. Betelgeuse had reached Orion's place and claimed it. But the other stars stayed dark and silent on the page. He had arrived. No one had looked up.