Soleil had never felt more comfortable than ever before in his entire life. He was sure that he was lying down on something soft. He slowly opened his eyes to see a ceiling in front of him. "I am not dead! I am still alive!" he couldn't help but exclaim mentally. He sat up on the bed. He looked around his surroundings. The room was very cosy. It was a big room lined with walnut shelves and cabinets. It was filled with all kinds of books and equipment. In the centre was a fireplace with a fire roaring away. There was furniture and all sorts of trinkets scattered around giving the room character and personality. This made him feel that he was back home.
He truly couldn't help but awe internally at the titles of the books stacked in the shelf. He would right now be reading them if he was not injured. He pouted. A soft chuckled suddenly echoed in the room.
Stunned at the sound, Soleil began to look everywhere around him. He then turned to his right and then promptly screeched. On the bed next to him, was a man that looked exactly him. He couldn't believe it. The person had the same eyes, nose and features that he had. He just stared at him in shock when " I know that it is very weird to see another you like this but we need to talk". Soleil snapped back and noticed that other him was confined to the bed and was in a terrible state. Bandages wrapped every inch of his skin. It made Soleil feel sad and protective of him. "Are you going to be okay ?" he asked.
The man began to laugh bitterly. Soleil knew then that he was some one who suffered bitterly and led a painful life. He got up and and sat next to the man, stunning him. Soleil took his hand carefully and cradled it between his palms. The warmth made the other him tear up. "Don't cry. Whoever did this to you most certainly does not deserve you. They are scum and morons as well as bastards.". Soleil couldn't help but swear mentally doing the same to my so called family.
The man began to laugh. It was like tinkling bells. It made Soleil smile at the beautiful voice. The man stopped laughing and began to look at Soleil with a serious look. That was when he knew that the conversation that is going to take place is something that will most likely change his life for good. " Soleil Song-Royale, my name is Soleil Ouranios. I am the Crown Prince of the Ilios Empire despite being a third born. I was separated from my birth family by forces who thought that I was not suitable for the throne. They kidnapped me and sealed my powers. They threw me to the Skia Kingdom where I was taken in by the Marquis Asteri who treated me like family until I was forcibly wedded off by my adopted brother, Heir Apparent Leon Asteri to Count Gerald Keyes who abused and tortured me."
Soleil was horrified by what other him had gone through. He saw that the wounds were definitely caused by extreme force. "Gerald Keyes found himself another man to marry. The man is his long time lover and Gerald hated our marriage from the beginning since it was forced upon him. He divorced me and then threw me into the Ampelos Forest to die. Marquis Asteri is unaware of the truth. Leon ensured that no one will ever find out the truth. I died shortly. I hereby ask of you to fulfil my last regrets and wishes". He was very earnest about this Soleil thought. He could feel the pain and hurt, the emotions and the desperation he went through. As his brain began to process the information in he knew that there are going to be changes and those changes are going to hold consequences that he might end up suffering from.
However, those paled when he felt the burning need to do this as well as seeing that his other self was in no shape. He could feel the soul slowly deteriorating. It was also a form of closure for himself. "Name your last wishes". Soleil asked. Hearing the steel and determination in Song-Royale's voice, the Prince began to list his wishes. " Firstly, I want you to get revenge on Leon Asteri for hurting me when I cherished him a lot. Second, I want Keyes dead. Third, I want you to live your life in my body however you want". That surprised Soleil. The man smiled and continued further. "The reason why I said that is because we are very similar to each other. I want you to live your life to the fullest along with my family as you deserve a place to belong to. You and I, we are the same. I don't mind sharing my family with you." Those words made modern Soleil tear up. All he ever wanted was a place to belong to. The prince softly wiped the tears away and smiled understandingly. " Fourth, I wish to go back to Ilios and assume my rightful place as the Crown Prince with my dads and brothers. Make the people who separated me from my family pay. Finally, my last request is to protect all that is important to us." Soleil tearfully nodded.
"I will fulfill your requests but what will happen to you ?" modern Soleil couldn't help but ask. He did not want him to be alone. He knew how painful it was to be alone and lonely in a place with no one to care.
Prince Soleil smiled fondly at him. "I will become one with you. We will be tied together forever". They couldn't help but smile at each other. They knew that as one they would be able to accomplish so much more. They began the process. The prince told them the other to collect the things they needed. They managed to set up everything around the Prince's bed and sat in front of each other.
They put their foreheads together and interlocked hands. A magic circle beneath them appeared began to glow a pure gold. "God of Time and Reincarnation - Chrónos, hear our prayer. Merge us as one and give us the strength to fight for our destiny & fate. May us be blessed & free from pain and hurt. We will pray for success. So mote it be ". Prince Soleil chanted
Light engulfed them like a halo. It warmed them up. A voice suddenly boomed out. " The prayer has been received. I, Chronos, hereby merge both your souls as one and pave the way to fight for your rightful place. " Soleil Song-Royale felt the original Soleil before him turn to dust and surround his hands in rings of lights before it entered his body, illuminating area briefly. Soleil looked to see a symbol on his chest – an eight point golden star showing him that he is a child favoured by the Gods.
Once the light died down, a few figures stood before the newly merged soul. Soleil couldn't believe his eyes. There stood 4 ethereal looking men, decked to the nines with an aura of majestic awe.
"Welcome home, Our True Child. It's time to go back where you belong ". They said
He knew in that moment he wouldn't regret the path he was given to live for good in this world he was going to.