"Allow me to tell you a story, the tale of a boy born in the heart of summer, during the brightest and sunniest day of the year, and that of a girl born in the midst of winter, during the most violent storm of the season... Our story."
Nuatra paused, taking a moment to catch her breath. Never before had she revealed such vulnerability to her enemies—enemies? No, they were not her enemies. Those who had saved Solis' life were friends.
"It all began with Polgur the Creator, the builder of the Empire of Redem, our ancestor. He was the first to receive the gift of Lightning, and according to the Ancients, he was born on a rainy and stormy day. All descendants of Polgur born on such days were considered worthy of the gift. Only his descendants could receive it. However, Polgur had an additional uniqueness: he was born with the gift of Light before the one of Lightning. He was one of the few to possess both gifts, making him one of the most powerful beings of his time..."
The Princess took a new breath, one she didn't realize she had been holding.
"If a descendant receives both gifts in turn, it is said that they are blessed by the spirits Kaya and Mo, and that they are the true sovereign of the Empire. Solis, however, was not born on a rainy day. Therefore, Father despised him from birth. He hadn't even been an hour, and he was already a disappointment in Father's eyes. He never had the chance to prove himself... Yet, Mother was proud. She believed he was destined for great things. She, she could see the signs."
Nuatra paused again, sliding her hand into that of her brother who was still lying at her side. She looked at him for a moment before turning her gaze to the others. All were attentive, waiting for the continuation of the story. It was easy to forget that they were just children. Solis, on the other hand, had his eyes open, his attention seeming to be elsewhere until she spoke again.
"Solis was born with eyes even bluer than Polgur's, as pure as the water spirits, Kaya and Mo, and Father noticed it the moment he took him in his arms. But he either ignored this sign or preferred to think that he surely wouldn't have the Gift."
"But Solis doesn't just have blue eyes," Shannt intervened.
"Well, yes," replied Skydda in a confused tone.
"No, it's subtle, but there's a golden circle around his iris."
"I'm impressed," said Solis as he sat up slowly.
The Princess helped her weakened brother to sit by her side, silently swearing that he should be more careful in the future. Her gaze was filled with concern, as was Solis' for her. They looked at each other for a second, a second that seemed to have been the scene of a deep conversation.
"Apart from the Ancients, Mother, and Father, few people noticed," he continued.
Shannt seemed to be thinking, and suddenly his eyes lit up.
"Did something happen before your birth?"
Nuatra and Solis exchanged a glance before turning their attention back to the 12-year-old boy.
"You're really smart," Nuatra commented.
"I was born a month early," Solis replied, taking a deep breath, "completely blue, I wasn't breathing. I was stillborn. And suddenly, I was alive. A miracle."
Shannt pondered; you could almost see the gears turning in his brain until he lifted his head, eyes wide like those of owls.
"You're a spirit-child!" he exclaimed.
"A child-what now?" said Vanlig, rolling his eyes.
"A spirit-child! They are children touched by spirits, extremely rare. And judging by your eyes, it's probably the great spirit Sol, the spirit of Light, who chose to bring you back to life."
"That's what Mother thought," the Princess said.
Night fell slowly over the camp, enveloping the children in a mystical atmosphere. Stars twinkled in the dark sky, silent witnesses to the unfolding story.
Nuatra observed the attentive faces of the young children, ready to dive deeper into the narrative.
"Solis is a spirit-child," Shannt murmured with a mix of admiration and wonder. "The spirits chose to bring him back to life. It's incredible."
"We received the Gift the same year," Nuatra continued, "I was three, he was five. Father was happy for me, but disappointed in Solis."
"But five years old is the normal age to receive a Gift!" Skydda exclaimed.
"Yes, but not for Father..."
"Solis wasn't good at the basics of the Gift, so Father made him learn the art of swords as well because, for him, a Prince is supposed to know how to fight 'even if it's with something as shameful as swords,' and, by the Spirits, he was good! so good that Father felt threatened."
"How can you feel threatened by a five-year-old boy?!" Vanlig exclaimed.
"Because Father knows how to fight against different Gifts, but not against weapons," Solis said, still looking down.
"Well, that's what we ended up understanding over the years," Nuatra added. "You must understand something, I'm a genius, but Solis... Solis is a prodigy."
"What's the difference?" Shannt asked.
Nuatra smiled in response to Shannt's question, appreciating the boy's curiosity.
"A genius is someone who excels in a particular field, learns quickly, and understands things rapidly. But a prodigy is even more. It's someone with an extraordinary, almost innate talent that exceeds usual expectations and standards."
The children's eyes shone with admiration, gradually grasping the exceptional extent of Solis' gifts.
"Solis not only has the Gift of Light and Lightning, but he also excels in the art of swords," Nuatra continued.
"Nuatra..." Solis interrupted, embarrassed.
A respectful silence enveloped the group as they absorbed the astonishing information.
"Okay, okay, let's get back to our story," Nuatra continued. "The discovery of Solis' exceptional talent created increasing tension between him and Father. The latter, fearing losing control, began treating Solis more and more harshly."
The children's eyes were fixed on Solis, feeling the injustice of his story.
"However, Mother was there to protect us as much as she could. She taught us wisdom and compassion, values that Father often neglected."
Solis, still looking down, recalled the difficult moments of his childhood.
"As I grew up, as my Gifts were revealed, the conflicts with Father became more intense. I tried to prove my worth to him many times, but he seemed insatiable in his desire for control."
The flames of the campfire danced, reflecting the golden glow in Solis' eyes.
"I was twelve when the situation reached a critical point. Father, in his anger, tried to hurt me, Mother intervened, but Mother, not having a Gift, was seriously injured by Father."
"Father cried treason and accused Solis. No one would believe a child over an Emperor. Solis was taken to the dungeons, screaming his innocence. Mother died that same evening..."
Nuatra's narrative weighed on the camp, creating a solemn silence. The stars seemed to have slowed their dance, captivated by the tragic story unfolding.
"It was a dark night," Nuatra whispered, her eyes lost in the distance of memories. "The Empire plunged into mourning, but the truth was hidden, stifled by Father's lies."
Solis' face expressed a mix of sadness and contained anger. The other children, captivated by the story, maintained silence, absorbing every detail.
"With the help of our uncle, Father's younger brother, I sneaked into the dungeons, stole the keys, and freed Solis. We said our goodbyes; I wanted to go into exile with him, but he made me promise to stay. Father didn't fear me; I would be safe within the Empire, but Solis wouldn't be there to protect me. It was a night when betrayal echoed through the palace corridors, and Solis' freedom meant a definitive break with the only world he had known."
"We parted that night," Solis murmured with an emotional voice. "Each of us taking a different path but destined to meet again. Since that day, I've traveled through unknown lands, seeking to become stronger, not just for myself, but to honor Mother's memory and reveal the truth about our family."
The silence enveloped the group, only broken by the crackling of the campfire.
"And I, I stayed within the Empire, protecting our secrets and sowing seeds of dissent among the people. I kept my promise by staying safe, but the distance never dulled the bond that unites us," Nuatra added. "Uncle helped me not to lose my way."
The children's eyes alternated between Nuatra and Solis, captivated by the story of their separation and the paths they had chosen.
"Solis is the true Heir of the Empire, Polgur's descendant, the People know it, Father knows it, but no one dares defy the Emperor. I have watched for Solis since his exile, monitoring information from other Kingdoms, hoping he hadn't perished before I found him..."
Nuatra paused for a moment, her gaze fixed on her brother's tense face. She sighed before continuing.
"We have all witnessed the injustices and lies that reign in the Empire," Nuatra continued. "But now, Solis and I are reunited, ready to act and restore justice to our Empire. Solis is the true Heir, and we will prove it."
The children listened attentively, absorbing every word with growing determination.
"I cannot ask for your help," Solis added firmly, "you are young, you have your whole lives ahead of you, but Nuatra and I will defy Father's authority and restore justice to our Empire. If you wish to fight by our side, you will be welcomed with open arms, but understand that the path we will take will be dangerous, even painful."
"We're not afraid of the Emperor," Shannt declared with determination, his comrades nodding vigorously.
Nuatra smiled gratefully at these young ones. A glimmer of hope shone in their eyes, ready to defy oppression for a just cause. Solis, though tired, felt a renewed energy seeing the determination of the children. The alliance between the Princess and the Prince, along with the young companions, was sealed by a common goal: to restore truth and justice to the Empire of Redem.
The stars, silent witnesses to their oath, illuminated the night with their brilliance, guiding these young heroes toward an adventure that would change the course of their lives and the entire Empire.
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