Inside the Imperial Palace's West Wing Hospital Ward,
A man in a lab coat hurriedly entered the luxurious waiting area. Bowing slightly, he addressed the imposing figure seated on the sofa. "Your Excellency, Empress Seraphina's labor went well. Congratulations, Your Majesty, you are blessed with twins—a daughter and a son."
"Lead the way," Emperor Lucius commanded, rising with regal grace. Together, they approached a grand door. As Lucius pushed it open, he was greeted by a sight that filled the room with quiet significance.
Empress Seraphina, her silvery-white hair flowing like moonlight, cradled two newborns in her arms. Despite her exhaustion, her eyes glowed with joy and pride. In her embrace, the twins rested—a baby girl with wide, curious eyes and a serene baby boy, his small features exuding calm strength. Their shared silvery-white hair shimmered against the room's warm light.
Lucius stepped closer, his gaze softening as he knelt beside Seraphina. "After all these years, they're finally here," he murmured, awe in his voice. "Have you chosen their names?"
Seraphina smiled, her voice steady and full of warmth. "For our daughter, I have chosen Regellia Aurelius Ebonhart, and for our son, Caelus Orion Ebonhart."
"A fitting legacy," Lucius said with a deep laugh, pride shining in his eyes.
As the first light of dawn bathed the room, the names—Regellia and Caelus—seemed to carry the weight of destiny, heralding a future of greatness for the House of Ebonhart.
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There years later
The first thing I remember clearly is his eyes—the same silvery hue as mine. He looked at me with a curious intensity, almost as if trying to understand me before he could even speak. My twin, Caelus. We were a perfect reflection of each other, or so everyone said. But even then, I felt it. Something between us was... different.
I may have appeared as a child, but I was far from it. Millennia of existence gave me insight and wisdom beyond my years, yet I had to mask it under the guise of youth. Learning this world's language and its nuances came easily, and by the time I was speaking fluently, I had already devoured most books within the Imperial Library.
The Imperial Library was a sanctuary, a treasure trove of knowledge that stretched endlessly. Ancient tomes filled with cultivation techniques, historical records, and even esoteric theories were at my disposal. I would sit for hours, immersing myself in the texts. Caelus, my constant shadow, followed me wherever I went. He seemed more like a silent bodyguard than a sibling, always watching, always near.
Despite his presence, something about him unsettled me. His gaze was distant, detached, as if he were observing me rather than existing with me. I pretended not to notice, keeping my thoughts to myself. I had seen enough of existence to understand that answers often revealed themselves in due time.
One day as I was reading while seated in the grand hall of the library, the scent of aged parchment filling the air. A particularly ancient book lay open before me, its faded ink describing the different typers of cultivation and about other sects . My fingers traced the intricate diagrams, absorbing the knowledge like a sponge.
"Fascinating, isn't it?" Caelus spoke from behind me, his tone as calm as ever.
Before I could respond, the air shifted. The faint rustling of pages and the distant hum of life outside ceased entirely. The flickering lanterns froze in place, their light suspended mid-dance. Time itself had stopped.
I blinked, glancing around. "Caelus?"
He didn't move. He stood there, his form as still as a statue, his expression blank. My heart should have raced, but instead, an eerie calm settled over me. I had seen anomalies before. This was merely another puzzle.
"Eve," I said evenly. "Explain."
[Temporal stasis has been initiated to facilitate this conversation] Eve replied. [It is time you know more about your twin]
I raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
[Your twin, Caelus, is not an independent being. He is a failsafe—an extension of your existence, designed to ensure your survival. Should your life be at risk, his purpose is to safeguard you, even at the cost of his own existence.]
I stared at the frozen figure of Caelus, my mind processing the revelation with detached curiosity. "So, he exists for my purpose," I said, my voice devoid of emotion. "That's good."
Eve continued, her tone unwavering. [He is bound to you. His existence is tied directly to yours. As you grow in power he will be there to protect you. But remember, he is not truly alive. He is a fragment of you, a failsafe and nothing more.]
A small smile curved my lips. "That simplifies things. Thank you, Eve."
[Further understanding will come in time,] Eve concluded. [Resume.]
The world stirred back to life. The lanterns resumed their flicker, and the faint hum of activity returned. Caelus blinked, his eyes sharpening as he looked at me.
"You okay?" he asked, his tone light, as though nothing had happened.
"Of course," I replied smoothly. "Just lost in thought."
And with that, I turned back to my book, my focus unbroken. Caelus's true nature didn't trouble me. If anything, it reaffirmed what I had always known: my path was mine to shape, and all who stood beside me, even my twin, existed for my purpose alone.