Aethelos: The Bastard of Light

The first light of morning cut through the trees of the training forest. The golden glow contrasted with the traces of the previous night — overturned earth, residual aura marks, and a silence that still felt heavy. · Brock looked at the group and spoke calmly: · “The mission is over, Eli.” · Yana was the first to approach him. · “Are you okay? Are you hurt?” · Lygar crossed his arms, using his usual tone. · “So… how badly did that creepy guy humiliate you?” · Before Eli could answer, Ninjespeed raised his voice, clearly offended: · “And me? Nobody asks how I am? Tchiiiiii!” · Yana turned to him and smiled sincerely. · “It’s so good to have you here.” · Ninjespeed froze for a second. Inside, his heart did an unnecessary jump. · Damn… she really loves meeeee. · The conversation was interrupted when Professor Lito stood up with difficulty, adjusting his torn uniform. · “You, student—” he pointed at Ninjespeed “—shouldn’t even be in this forest. This belongs to Solaris! And you, my students, should be more concerned about me. I am your teacher!” · Lygar faced him directly, anger barely contained. · “And you, my teacher, should be thanking me for saving your highness. Remember who saved you… and who gave you that beating.” · “Lygar.” Brock’s voice cut through the air, firm. “Watch your tongue. More respect.” · Then he turned to Ninjespeed, expression completely neutral. · “And you, kid from the other academy. Leave. Before we open a formal complaint for attempted espionage.” · Ninjespeed smiled sideways. · “Maybe I really am a spy.” · Brock didn’t blink. · “Right. Now go.” · The young man gave a small theatrical bow and walked off between the trees, still throwing one last glance at Yana. · Brock turned back to Eli. · “Eli. You’re going to have to speak with the director about everything you saw.” · Lito, still brushing dirt from his uniform, quickly intervened: · “If you want, I can help you with the report. I can speak directly to the director.” · Brock stopped in the middle of the path and looked at him. · “No, Lito. Eli will give a verbal report to the director alone. He’ll tell him everything we didn’t see.” · Eli was distracted. Zakrom’s words were still echoing in his head. · You have her eyes. · You should never have existed. I warned them. · He only reacted when he felt Brock’s hand on his shoulder. · “Hey. Everything’s going to be fine. Focus on the present now. Think carefully about what you’re going to tell the director. And what you saw… don’t share it with anyone else. Okay?” · Eli blinked, coming back to reality. · “Yes, Brock. Sorry. I was distracted.” · He then looked at Lygar and Yana and added naturally: · “Did you see that Ninjespeed made a stone shield to protect us?” · Yana smiled in understanding. · “Aaaah… so it was him!” · Lygar nodded, as if a piece had clicked into place. · “I figured he wasn’t that weak.” · Brock said nothing. He simply watched Eli for another second and then started walking toward the exit of the forest. · The group followed him. · The night was over. · But the consequences were only just beginning.