First Encounter After Five Years

My mother's golden hair and deep blue eyes, which also gave color to my little brother Jared... I always knew that I inherited all my genes from my father. But my personality traits attracted me to my mother. I was as rebellious as him. There would be no idea, thought or decision that my mother would not rebel against. In every war, he would oppose my father's ideas and cause difficulties for our soldiers. Even though I want to criticize him for this, I am like this too. Other people's decisions don't matter to me. This must be the reason why I can't control myself... I'm sure my mother will bring the subject here.

"Raise your head, Akihiro Solaris."

I forced Ronova's hand and pushed it away. My mother and I made eye contact. Her charming face had become more beautiful with the passing years. That's why he usually called her the "Golden Queen". He probably put this place under serious authority while I was away. This is probably why even my brother looks older than me, who works in the mines every day without a break.

"It was five years ago... When you were tried, when you made me that sadness... To your brothers, relatives, soldiers, people... You brought despair. You tried to put a "period" to the collapse of the Great Solaris. But I didn't allow it. I made that point a "comma". Since the day I took over Solaris, I've thought about one thing. If my second son were as innocent as the others and could properly harness the power of dawn... He could have a beautiful life and family..."

"Stop using words that you don't even feel the slightest bit of sadness in!"

I interrupted my mother and objected to her with such intensity that it echoed throughout the palace. The words he said were not wrong. But their feelings were wrong. An emotionless transfer of feeling is like a Solaris without a sword. Someone who is useless and excluded because he doesn't know how to fight...

My mother's condescending smile and sly squinting were terrifying. I was wondering what he would say, but even though I expected him to go crazy, he continued calmly.

"They cast a shadow under the throne. From the ashes of the fallen sun, the true ruler will be born."

"What do you mean? What do these words mean?"

It was obvious that he was implying something, but what was I supposed to make of what I said? I have no idea.

"You remember the Lunarians. They can see the future, they have a kind of clairvoyant skills. Not all of them, of course. It is a talent seen in some of them. They are believed to be followers of the Moon Gods and secret rulers of Aethra. They do not show themselves much and live in fogs. We know that even their kingdom is in the fogs, but we have never seen it. We classify it as our biggest enemy due to the wars in the past. Last year we captured an oracle. A very expert one..."

While explaining these, I noticed that my mother was a little nervous. He stood up from his throne, took a glass of wine from the table, and drank it all in one go instead of sipping it. The guards seemed to watch him in surprise, even though it was not visible through their helmets.

"This prophecy comes from the Lunaris we captured. It's hard to make sense of it, isn't it? But my conclusion is... that the one who cast a shadow on the Throne is the one I hold in my hand right now, what do you say?"

I remained silent for a few minutes, his words were meaningful. I couldn't say it was unfair. However, it was obvious that he thought my reason for waiting was regret. He had a frightening smile on his face that resembled a nightmare. His eyes were sparkling.

"Could it be a prophecy about the throne of the earth?"

"What?!"

I knew this would surprise him. I learned a lot in five years. Mom, unfortunately, even you are no match for me when it comes to talking.

"There is a throne on earth. The Verdans, who rule the garbage dump you surround, are now the owners of the throne. Perhaps a war will be fought for that throne. That place will no longer be a nightmare, the new king will be the Creator of their Dreams."

"Don't play games with me, Aki. We control the earth. It's the bottom of the hierarchy, there's no government there! Look into my eyes, can you deceive me with your lies? Even if it's not a lie, why would a Lunaris see the throne of the earth's garbage as a prophecy?! Doesn't this seem illogical to you, Akihiro Solaris?!"

"He's not coming, mom. I saw it, I saw it with my own eyes. Even if the earth is full of slaves and workers... They are more hopeful than you."

My mother looked at me for a few seconds and after pausing, burst out laughing. I watched him with cold eyes, not even taking his ridiculous actions seriously. When he forced himself to stop, he spoke again.

"Well, well! So be it, son. Then let's come to your duty."

"My duty? "Are you going to suddenly call me here and assign me a task at your own discretion?!"

"Ah, could there be anything more ordinary than me giving a mission to the Prince of my people? Akihiro Solaris, from now on you will be trained by the person I choose. Then you will be the guard and shield of your brother Jared Solaris. His potential is great. You will protect him."

It went as I expected. No, what I'm waiting for is not this shield duty. There is another reason behind this mission.

"So you're telling me to die as a shield so my brother can survive. And you'll get rid of me too."

"Exactly. I can't forget how crazy I was when I couldn't get you killed five years ago, Aki... Ahh, the old days."

"You can't kill me even if you want to while he's still here. Besides, you know what I am, right? I am a monster who can kill someone overflowing with the power of the gods. What if I lose control and hurt Jared? "You're not thinking about this at all, are you?"

"You won't get anywhere with these pathetic words. Commander Luneth, who is also Lord Barathon's master, will train you..."

"There is only one person who can train me. I'm going to him."

"You're not going anywhere, he's not the one who's going to train you! He's been taking care of Jared and Mizu for five years!"

I ignored him and turned around and walked quickly towards the door. Ronova immediately tried to grab me, but I released the power of the dawn for a moment and my legs were filled with Solar Flame. I stepped forward and stood in front of the door. My mother stood up and made a sign to the guards to stop. He was letting me out, but he was waiting for what I had to say. He must have been taken with the idea, since I could still use the power of dawn. I slowly turned my head where I was and looked over my shoulder at them and spoke.

"I am the Child Expelled from Heaven. The middle prince of Solaris... Akihiro Solaris! You guards, on the ground and in the sky, anywhere... One day you will be under my command. Not the witch behind you. I don't know what he made you experience and do after my father's death, but... That woman is the last person you should listen to, it would be in your best interest to know that."

I quickly set out to leave the palace. I didn't know who would look at me with what face and what they would think about me. So only one idea came to my mind. I went down to the warehouse at the bottom of the palace. My father would often bring me here and we would renew my weapons and armor. This was the storage room of the Great King Solarion Solaris... I opened the door and examined the items one by one. Sword, shield, battle axe, mace... More war equipment than words can describe was in front of me. I was looking around with my mouth open when... The last thing I saw reminded me of the old ones. It was mine, my spear.

"Incredible... This... Ah... Sentry! My spear! My father's gift, Sentry!"

There was neither dust nor rust on it. It was kept very clean in a glass. I didn't know how to open this. But its magnificently crafted details, its very comfortable, thick handle and pointed tip looked magnificent. I realized there was no legal way to get it. But since this thing is already mine...

I leaned my hands on the glass and shouted, like the old days...

"Sun Flame!"

Solar Flame is a Solarian spirit power with supernatural powers that continue to be passed down from the genes of Solarion Solaris' great-grandfather...

Other kingdoms have their own soul powers, but no soul power in the Solaris people could match the Sun Flame. I never mastered it. It was so hard to control, throwing it around without knowing what I was doing was the best thing I could do. Now was the time for exactly that. I shattered the glass. I took my spear and put it in the scabbard of my spear, which had not been used for a very long time. It was made specially for me, like a sword scabbard but in the shape of a spear. I never left it with me.

I immediately headed for the forest. This was the forest where I spent my childhood. I fought here hundreds and thousands of times. Usually my battles were with my brother. Our master was a partner. But I was the real student of our master. He was like a brother, uncle, father to me. The times I fought him in private were worth hundreds of serious battles with my brother. I've been wondering what he's been up to since he saved me from the death penalty five years ago. Now he was waiting for me here, I ran and ran... I passed through the last bush.

It was exactly five years ago in front of my eyes. Just a campfire, a log, a few fried fish, and my master Shu Prryhi, the tallest, strongest Hell Flame user with very long white hair, red eyes. There was nothing missing.

He looked at me and smiled.

"Welcome home, Aki."