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Caius & Flavius

Caius & Flavius: The Reluctant Gatekeepers

Caius and Favlius

In Dark Matter, Caius and Flavius are not the protagonists, but their presence looms large over the story’s atmosphere. They are guards tasked with an extraordinary duty: to guard the ancient and mysterious prisoner locked behind the iron door deep beneath the Vatican. Through their conversations, fears, and unspoken doubts, the audience is given glimpses of the weight of their responsibility and the dangers tied to the prisoner they protect.

Caius and Flavius represent two sides of the same coin—one hardened by years of duty, the other grappling with growing doubts. Together, they form the human element in a tale of cosmic proportions, grounded by their shared fear of the unknown and their unrelenting duty to the Order of the Hidden Cross.

Let’s take a closer look at their roles, personalities, and their significance in the story.

Flavius: The Doubter

Flavius is the younger, more inexperienced of the pair. His character is marked by a persistent unease and curiosity about the prisoner they guard. Unlike Caius, who has seemingly numbed himself to the horrors of their task, Flavius cannot stop asking questions—questions that are both dangerous and necessary.

From his first appearance, Flavius’ apprehension is palpable. He mutters to himself about the oppressive atmosphere of the chamber, noting how the shadows stretch unnaturally and how the air feels alive with a faint hum. His fears are not baseless—his instincts seem to detect that something is stirring within the iron cell. However, his nervous inquiries are met with disdain or outright warnings from Caius, who tells him repeatedly to keep quiet.

Flavius’ defining trait is his curiosity, which sets him apart in a setting where silence and obedience are the rules. He dares to ask what no one else will:

  • “Don’t you wonder why they keep him locked away? All these years, and no one speaks of him.”
  • “What if he’s not dangerous? What if he’s something else entirely?”

Despite his fear, Flavius is the one who openly wonders whether the prisoner is truly a threat or something greater—possibly salvation. This curiosity, however, is dangerous. The Order of the Hidden Cross operates on secrecy, and Flavius’ questions threaten to bring attention to himself. Caius warns him multiple times that such inquiries could lead to consequences worse than death. Flavius’ growing doubts create tension not only between him and Caius but also within himself, as he struggles to reconcile his duty with his instincts.

Caius: The Hardened Veteran

Caius, on the other hand, is the pragmatic and hardened counterpart to Flavius’ nervous curiosity. He has spent years guarding the prisoner and has developed a cold, almost cynical approach to his role. Caius follows orders without question and expects the same from his fellow guards. His mantra is simple: obey the Order, don’t ask questions, and survive.

Caius is quick to dismiss Flavius’ concerns, often mocking him for his inexperience. When Flavius remarks on the unnatural atmosphere, Caius scoffs, saying:

  • “Maybe you’re not cut out for this, Flavius.”
  • “The silence does things to you, makes you think strange thoughts.”

However, Caius’ hardened exterior begins to crack as the story progresses. Despite his dismissive tone, subtle moments reveal that Caius is not as indifferent as he pretends to be. His hand often hovers near his blade, his jaw tightens when the door rattles, and his eyes betray flickers of fear when Flavius mentions whispers or strange movements.

Caius’ fear becomes most evident when the prisoner’s presence begins to stir in earnest. The door rattles, faint scratching sounds emerge, and a voice—a plea for help—echoes from the cell. At this moment, Caius grabs Flavius and growls, “You didn’t hear anything. Do you understand me? You say nothing.” His panic reveals that he is just as afraid as Flavius, but his coping mechanism is denial. For Caius, questioning their duty is unthinkable, and acknowledging the prisoner’s growing power would shatter the fragile control he has over his fear.

Contrasting Personalities: The Tension Between Them

The dynamic between Caius and Flavius is central to their characterization. Their conversations, though sparse, are loaded with tension. Flavius’ curiosity and fear clash with Caius’ stoic pragmatism, creating a push-and-pull relationship that mirrors the larger conflict between doubt and duty.

  • Flavius represents the human need to question and seek understanding. His fear drives him to probe deeper into the mystery of the prisoner, even at the risk of his own safety.
  • Caius, by contrast, represents the survivalist instinct to suppress doubt and follow orders. He is a man shaped by years of oppressive duty, resigned to the idea that their role is necessary, even if he doesn’t fully understand why.

This tension comes to a head when the prisoner begins to stir. Flavius’ instinct is to investigate, to uncover the truth behind the iron door. Caius, however, clings to the rules of the Order, insisting that they must remain silent and obedient. Their conflicting perspectives create an undercurrent of unease, as both men realize—though neither will admit it—that the situation is spiraling out of their control.

The Iron Door and What Lies Beyond

While Caius and Flavius themselves are compelling, their most significant interactions revolve around the iron door they guard. The door, ancient and covered in jagged marks, is as much a character as the men themselves. It hums faintly, scratches echo from within, and the very air around it seems alive. For Flavius, the door is a source of fascination and fear—he cannot help but wonder what lies beyond it. For Caius, it is a barrier both literal and psychological, a reminder of his duty to guard but not to know.

As the prisoner stirs, the door becomes a focal point for their growing unease. When the voice—a desperate plea for help—emanates from behind it, both men are pushed to their limits. The door rattles, the ground trembles, and the shadows ripple with unnatural energy. In these moments, their fear is no longer abstract—it is immediate and overwhelming.

The door symbolizes the weight of their duty and the secrets they are tasked with keeping. For Flavius, it represents the possibility of truth—both terrifying and liberating. For Caius, it is a reminder of the power they are meant to fear and the rules they cannot break.

Significance to the Story

Caius and Flavius may seem like minor characters at first glance, but their presence adds layers of tension and atmosphere to Dark Matter. They are the human faces of the Church’s secrecy, embodying the cost of blind obedience and the danger of curiosity. Through their interactions, the audience gains a deeper understanding of the stakes: the prisoner behind the iron door is not just a threat—it is a truth the Church is desperate to suppress.

Their contrasting personalities also highlight the central themes of the story. Flavius’ curiosity reflects the human desire for knowledge, even in the face of fear, while Caius’ pragmatism shows the lengths to which people will go to survive within oppressive systems. Together, they create a microcosm of the larger conflict between truth and control that defines Dark Matter.

Why they Matter

Caius and Flavius are not heroes or villains—they are ordinary men caught in extraordinary circumstances. Their duty to guard the prisoner places them at the heart of Dark Matter’s central mystery, and their fear and tension provide a human lens through which the audience can experience the story’s oppressive atmosphere.

Through Caius’ stoic denial and Flavius’ growing doubts, the narrative explores the cost of obedience, the danger of curiosity, and the weight of secrets too great to comprehend. As the iron door rattles and the prisoner stirs, Caius and Flavius remind us that sometimes the greatest battles are not fought with swords, but with the fear and uncertainty that come from standing guard over the unknown.