Aethelos: The Bastard of Light

In the city of Aethelos, Eli walked the streets with the weight of the previous night still on his shoulders. Without knowing exactly what he was looking for, he eventually followed the path home. · When the door opened, his mother appeared with a wide smile and open arms. · “Sonnnn! You’re here! How are things going over there? Is everything okay?” · Eli smiled despite everything. For a moment his chest warmed. · It feels so good to receive this kind of affection… · “Yes, Mommy. I missed you. I decided to come visit. · The academy has been… an adventure. Situations a person never expects.” · “You have to tell me everything,” she said, pulling him inside. · Eli sat down. The smile slowly faded. He became serious. · “Mommy… who is Zakrom?” · Áquila frowned, genuinely confused. · “Eli, I don’t know who Zakrom is. Is he some professor at Solaris?” · He looked her straight in the eyes. The phrase echoed in his head like a blow. · You have her eyes. · He stayed silent for a few seconds. Then he forced the words out. · “It’s nothing, Mom. · I just… thought you knew. Dad fought against him. I figured he might have told you something about it.” · Áquila noticed the sudden discouragement on her son’s face. She stepped closer and placed a hand on his shoulder. · “Oh, Eli… don’t hold on to that so tightly. If your father fought him, then I know he wasn’t a good person.” · Eli stood up abruptly. Confusion and frustration tightened his throat. Unable to answer, he turned and ran out. · “Eli?! Where are you going?!” · The door slammed hard behind him. · On the other side, in the Valley of the Wind, Brock, Yana and Lygar said goodbye to Violeta, Jared and Vincent. The journey back to Solaris was silent for most of the way. · When the academy gates were already visible in the distance, Brock looked at Lygar. · “Lygar. I didn’t like the way you looked at Jared.” · Lygar rolled his eyes. · “I didn’t do anything.” · Brock stopped walking. His voice came out lower and more serious. · “I stopped you because if I hadn’t, you would have killed your opponent. And it was a training match.” · Lygar let out a short, humorless laugh. · “Stopped me? · I stopped because I wanted to, Brock. You can’t stop anyone. · You’re dead weight on this team. I don’t even know why we need a tutor. Other people have tutors who teach how to attack, how to fight. What do you teach? Nothing!” · Brock stood still. Then he raised his voice for the first time, with controlled anger. · “I help you become stronger, yes. · And do you know what I teach, Lygar? Maybe your arrogance doesn’t let you see it.” · “Then say it. If it’s not nothing, it’s little.” · “I teach those who are strong to protect the ones who are weaker. · I teach that even when you go through hard situations, you come together as a team… and together you are stronger. · Sorry if I’m not in favor of creating fights with no purpose.” · Lygar swallowed his reply. His jaw was locked. Before he could speak again, Yana interrupted, her voice firm: · “Lygar… · You’ve done that for us before. · That’s how we met.” · The silence that followed was heavy. · Lygar didn’t answer. He kept walking toward the gates of Solaris, fists still clenched.