Aethelos: The Bastard of Light

Eli woke up with a heavy chest. · Sunlight was already coming through the window, but he stayed in bed, staring at the ceiling. The regret from the argument with Yana still burned. Every word he had said kept echoing in his mind. Even so, he took a deep breath, sat up, and muttered to himself: · “Enough running.” · He got up, washed his face, and went downstairs. His mother was in the kitchen. When she saw him wearing the Solaris uniform, she raised her eyebrows. · “You’re going?” · Eli nodded, his voice firm despite the exhaustion. · “I’m going to Solaris today. Without fail. Enough of running away.” · She looked at him for a second, then gave a slight smile, almost with relief. · “I expected nothing less from you.” · Eli left the house. Outside, the sound of drums and synchronized footsteps made him stop. A Vindicari march was crossing the avenue. White and gold flags waved in the air. Large portraits were being carried by soldiers in formation. · Eli frowned. That kind of march only happened when brave warriors died. · When the portraits passed close to him, his blood ran cold. · They were the two Vindicari brothers from the forest. The same ones who had attacked Yana. The same ones Lygar had faced. The decapitated one was there, his face serious and proud on the poster. · Eli swallowed hard. Nervousness tightened his stomach, but he didn’t stop. He kept walking, heart pounding. · At Solaris Academy, the courtyard was already full. · Eli spotted Lygar and Yana leaning against a wall, talking quietly. He hesitated for only a moment before approaching them. · “Good morning…” · Both turned their heads at the same time. Lygar rolled his eyes. Yana looked away and took a step back. Without saying a word, they turned and walked off. · Eli stood still in the middle of the courtyard, the feeling of isolation tightening his throat. Before he could react, the alarm echoed loudly through the speakers. · “All first-year students, form lines in the central courtyard. Immediately.” · The crowd moved as one. Eli joined one of the lines, still feeling the weight of Yana and Lygar’s silence. · A respectful hush fell over the courtyard when Joseph Ville Light stepped onto the platform. The director of Solaris, the living legend of the Light, looked at the students with a calm and imposing expression. · “Good morning. Today is the day for the selection of tutors and the formation of groups for practical classes. Pay attention. The decisions you make now will define a large part of your first year.” · Eli looked around. In the middle of the crowd, he could see Yana’s profile and Lygar’s dark hair a few rows ahead. Neither of them looked back. · He clenched his fists inside the sleeves of his uniform. · Today he would not run. · Even if he was alone.