Aethelos: The Bastard of Light

The group arrived at Solaris and immediately felt that the atmosphere was different. The corridors were more agitated than usual. Students spoke in low voices, exchanged glances, and laughed in small groups. The rumor was clear: Professor Lito’s humiliation at the hands of the movement had spread throughout the entire academy. · Lygar joined a group of students and started laughing with them about the situation, without any discretion. Yana watched for a second and then turned to Brock. · “I’m going to rest. Will there be more missions?” · Brock shook his head. · “No. I’m going to write the report for today’s mission… and try to figure out how this information leaked like that.” · Brock headed to the director’s office. When he entered, he found Professor Lito visibly furious, pacing back and forth. Joseph, on the other hand, remained calm, as if the situation barely affected him. · “Lito, we’re going to try to find out who did it,” Brock said. · Lito stopped and pointed a finger at him. · “Brock, I’m almost certain it was one of your students. Especially Lygar.” · Joseph sighed, tired. · “Lito… why don’t you consider the possibility that the ones who leaked it were the organization itself? Or even Zakrom? · You always assume it’s someone else.” · Lito stuttered. · “W-well… yes, it’s a possibility. But I don’t think they would do that. They have no reason to.” · Brock crossed his arms. · “No reason? They want attention. Nothing works better than spreading the news that they assaulted a Solaris professor.” · Lito clenched the newspaper in his hands, his face red with anger and shame. · “I’m going to get some air in the city.” · The door slammed hard behind him. · Silence hung heavy for a few seconds. Brock looked at Joseph. · “My students spent the day with me. Only Eli wasn’t there… and he’s not that kind of student. · Regarding the mission: Violeta says the Valley of the Wind hasn’t been contacted by the rebels. · However… we need to keep an eye on Lygar. He has a very strong personality. Sometimes he acts without scruples.” · Joseph turned toward the window. His voice came out lower. · “Sometimes I wonder if we should have acted differently…” · Brock watched him in silence for a moment. · “You know we were only following orders. As soldiers. · There are no culprits in that.” · Joseph did not reply. · On the other side of the city, Eli walked without a clear destination, still trying to organize his thoughts after the conversation with his mother. The confusion about Zakrom and the phrase “you have her eyes” refused to leave him. · Then, as he turned a corner, he saw him. · Professor Lito. · Walking straight in, without any disguise, into the Vindicari Royal House. · Eli stopped mid-step. His heart accelerated. · It can’t be… the Royal House?