Aethelos: The Bastard of Light

Eli stayed hidden only long enough to confirm it. Professor Lito was still inside the Vindicari Royal House. His heart was pounding. · I can’t stay much longer. If the guards notice anything… I have to tell the director. · He pulled away carefully and returned to Solaris. · The moment he passed through the gates, he felt the atmosphere. Students were laughing in the corridors, exchanging low comments and mocking glances. Professor Lito’s name appeared in almost every conversation. · He was clearly upset… this must be the reason. · Without wasting time, he headed to the director’s office. He knocked and entered. · “Director. I did what you asked. And I have something else to add.” · Joseph raised his eyes, calm. · “If everything goes as expected, the plan will work.” · “Yes… but, Director—” Eli took a deep breath “—Professor Lito went to the Vindicari Royal House.” · Joseph remained still for a second. Surprise appeared clearly on his face. · “That’s not possible. The Vindicari Royal House would never have contact with the rebels.” · “It’s what I saw. It was really him. · Could it be that… the government itself is the movement?” · Joseph fell silent. His fingers lightly tapped the desk. · “Currently the academies are independent from the government. After the war we lost most of our contact, but—” · BOOOOM. · The explosion shook the building. The sound came from inside the academy itself. Windows rattled. Screams echoed through the corridors. Students started running in panic. Teachers came out of classrooms trying to understand what had happened. · Joseph stood up immediately. So did Eli. · The two of them reached the affected area shortly after. Smoke, debris, and confusion. No one yet knew who the perpetrator was. · Joseph placed a hand on Eli’s shoulder. · “Try to rest. Thank you for the information. · Tomorrow I will make an announcement to all the students.” · At that moment he saw Brock approaching through the crowd. · “Brock. Come with me. I need to speak with you.” · In the corridors, away from the students, Joseph spoke low and fast. · “Brock… Lito is an infiltrator.” · Brock nodded, unsurprised. · “I already suspected he was part of the movement.” · “And he has direct ties to the government.” · Brock frowned. · “But… Joseph, after the war the government distanced itself from the academies. It was one of the agreements.” · “I know. · But there’s also the possibility that the government is the rebels. Or that it has more seeds like Lito in other academies.” · The two of them stopped. Smoke was still rising in the distance. · “Tomorrow I’ll speak in the auditorium,” Joseph concluded. “To all the students.”