Sitting upon the mountain's peak, which eclipsed the clouds, I looked towards the stars drifting through the night skies and couldn't help but scoff. The stars have always held importance to my family, but to me, they signified so much more; they represented my failure.
I, Samuel Solis, the Great prince of House Solis, lacked the genetic markers to harness the powers that made our House so renowned throughout the galaxy.
As the colossal infernal sun peaked over the horizon, its glow painted the skies in hues of red and gold. The warmth of the sun along my skin woke me from my internal contemplation.
"My mom's going to kill me," I thought, anxiety coursing through me. I knew she wouldn't be pleased about me sneaking out of my room in the dead of night just to sneak atop the mountain peak. She always emphasized that she hated me sneaking out at night, and here I was, disappointing her again.
The journey down the mountain always seemed to stretch out endlessly, each step feeling heavier than the last.
But at last, I reached home, a place known as Liminara.
The citadel of Liminara lies at the heart of Albuth, perched atop the towering pinnacle of the continent's highest-reaching mountain.
The citadel stands as a majestic bastion of strength. Carved out of the very heart of the mountain, it exudes an aura of ancient grandeur and timeless strength. Fortified shimmering metals and intricate runic patterns stand out in contrast to stone white as bone that makes up most of the visible exterior.
Sneaking my way back into my room, which could only be described as luxurious. Soft drapes hung from the windows, billowing gently in the morning breeze. A soft sigh escaped my mouth as I looked at the clouds below that started reflecting the beautiful hues of the sun.
Plush carpets cushioned my steps as I walked across the room, past the king-sized bed, and towards the bathroom.
After quickly cleaning myself, I walk toward the vanity to gaze upon my reflection. I felt a sense of shame as I looked at the figure staring back at me. The mirror reflected an image of me, a boy no older than fifteen. I'm taller than most people my age, standing at a solid six feet; my long black hair flows down my back, as dark as the void. I have a face that portrays perfect symmetry. My eyes constantly seem to be shifting between a light grey and a shimmering silver hue, almost sparking like distant stars within the sky.
My skin is marble-like, glowing softly under the light, while my lithe, athletic body strikes a perfect balance between strength and elegance. The shame i'm feeling originates from my distinct lack of features which represent my house. All nobility within the Great House of Solis have warm, radiant skin tones ranging from sun-kissed bronze to luminous ivory and eyes commonly in shades of green, blue or amber, often reflecting a spark of life and vitality.
According to the Gene Crafters, I underwent some unforeseen genetic mutation during my incubation period.
As I drifted into contemplation, a strange sensation washed over me, and my vision began to blur. Everything around me split into a dizzying double image, as if two worlds were overlapping. I saw a second, blurred version of myself, mirroring my form but slightly out of sync, hovering just above my own skin. It was as though some other version of me, hidden within, was trying to claw its way out, to peel itself free from my body. The feeling was both unnerving and magnetic, pulling at my senses and leaving me unsure which self was real.
'For Aurea's sake,' I muttered, squeezing my eyes shut against the unsettling vision. Reaching blindly around the vanity, my fingers brushed over a soft veil, its delicate fabric a small comfort in my trembling grasp. I quickly wrapped the thin, white cloth around my eyes, the faint pressure soothing the chaos in my mind. Hidden behind its gentle barrier, the world around me faded, leaving only the darkness and the steady rhythm of my own breath."
I continued to hold my eyes shut for another minute until I was sure the symptoms had wholly receded. "Young Lord," a soft but stern voice drifts into the bathroom. " What is it, Frederick?" I say in a voice that conveys my displeasure.
Moments later, I make my way down a hall toward the upper part of our residence. Soon reaching a massive door that hasn't lost its grandeur since its creation, I can't help but stare up at the symbol of a radiant sun encircled by tendrils of veins.
My gaze shifts downward immediately as I hear the faint shuffling of feet. Two pairs of royal guards approach, their features indistinguishable beneath the uniformity of their attire. Each is clad in sleek, golden armour that gleams under the light, reflecting their status and the power they protect. Over the armour drape rich, crimson cloaks that ripple slightly with their movements, lending them an air of regality and authority. Their faces are hidden behind featureless masks, as smooth and expressionless as a polished mirror, giving them an almost inhuman appearance, as if they are more symbol than man.
The Solis Throne Room is a grand and imposing chamber designed to reflect the power and authority of the ruling family. It is vast, with high vaulted ceilings supported by golden pillars engraved with intricate symbols of light and life. The walls are lined with shimmering mosaics depicting the history of the Great House, bathed in warm sunlight that filters through tall, arched windows.
The Solis Throne dominates the space at the far end of the room. Elevated on a dais and set further back from the others, it sits higher than the six other thrones, symbolizing the absolute authority of the ruling monarch. The throne itself is crafted from pure, radiant gold and embedded with glowing gems that seem to pulse with an inner light, their brilliance a testament to the House of Life and Light. This is where my mother sits, her regal presence unmistakable, radiating an aura of power and wisdom.
In front of her, arranged in a semi-circle, are the Six Subservient Thrones which belong to the dukes and duchesses. These are slightly lower and less ornate, each crafted from gold and silver but lacking the radiant embellishments of the central throne. The heads of the six subservient families sit here, their posture one of deference, their gazes fixed toward the central figure of your mother.
One of their heirs is poised and attentive to the right of each throne. The children wear attire that reflects their family's station, their garments tailored with the finest materials and accented with the colours of their house. Their expressions are a mix of pride and restraint. They stand in quiet reverence as they observe the proceedings, aware of the weight of responsibility that one day will fall on their shoulders.
A soft golden light permeates the room, seemingly coming from the walls, enhancing the atmosphere of divine authority and eternal lineage. The silence in the room is palpable, broken only by the quiet steps of myself and the royal guards dispersed throughout the room.
As I situate myself to the right of the uppermost throne, I look towards my mother. Seated upon the grand, elevated throne, she exudes an almost celestial presence. Her skin has a golden hue, radiant and flawless as if kissed by perpetual sunlight.
Her long, flowing hair shimmers in shades of gold and light brown, cascading over her shoulders like a river of light. Her eyes, a deep, piercing amber, seem to hold the wisdom of eons, glowing softly as if reflecting the very light that defines her House. Her gown is a stunning mix of white and gold, embroidered with intricate patterns, symbols of her power and status. A crown of radiant gems rests on her head, each glowing faintly with an inner light, marking her as the supreme authority in the room.
"You're late, darling," she says softly but firmly. I can tell she's worried about the situation as she looks up towards the veil of white nanofiber wrapping around my eyes. "I'm fine. Just the usual anyway," I say in a soft but gentle tone, making sure the others within the hall don't hear me.
Within the next couple of minutes, the behemoth gates open again as several figures enter, covered from head to toe in religious attire. The luminaries are high priests who worship the solar Mother, also more commonly known as Aurea. They believe that light is the source of all life, and by mastering light and life, they fulfill the Solar Mother's will—to bring enlightenment and harmony to the universe.
"Radiant Angel, The Divine Lightbringer, you grace us with your presence," the luminaries said in unison, bowing at nearly ninety degrees to demonstrate their servitude. "Begin the religious preparations for my son and for the sons and daughters of the dukes and duchesses. I want them ready for departure tomorrow," my mother stated in a low voice, not leaving room for negotiations.
Later that night, I found myself in a large dining room, seated across from my mother. As dinner neared its end, I couldn't help but ask, "Mom, what should I expect when I enter the Aetheris Institute of Enlightenment?"
I knew I shouldn't have asked this question, as the four main religions regulate the information, keeping it secret to ensure fairness among all the students in the galaxy.
"Samuel, the institute is a place that will test your will and push you to your limits. It's a place where only the strong survive. Your lineage has no effect within the confines of its walls. I can't help you, no matter what happens. Many students at the institute will want to see you fail, specifically because you are the prince of the Solis Empire. Not only will you face challenges from outside forces, but you will also encounter difficulties from your cousins, who want to prove that you're not suited to be the prince of the Solis Empire."
She said all this, but I could tell she was still holding something back.
"I'm also going to be discriminated against because of my genetic mutations," I replied, unable to hide the shame in my voice.
"Yes, you are Samuel. I know you have always felt tremendous shame about your genetic mutations, but you haven't yet explored what they truly mean. What powers will you be able to control once you undergo your genetic resonance? You should know that I will always been proud of you, regardless of your outcomes within the school. Just survive."
The birds of Luminara called out as the morning sun eclipsed the horizon, signalling a new day—and the day I would depart for the Aetheris Institute of Enlightenment.
As I exited our family estate, following closely behind my mother, I was momentarily stunned by the sight of a reddish-gold shuttle with a sharp, angular design resembling the silhouette of a bird in mid-flight. The body was more triangular, with a pointed nose at the front that flared out into a wider, flat base toward the rear.
The shuttle hovered just above the grass, and at the rear, a small ramp was guarded by two royal guards. After saying my goodbyes to my mother, I entered the shuttle and made my way to a seat in the main compartment.
To my left was a door that led to the pilot's cabin.
As the shuttle pulled itself free from the planet's gravitational pull, I stood and moved towards the door on my left, leading to the pilot's cabin. As I reached the door, it slid open with a soft mechanical click. The pilot glanced towards me, and I caught a flicker of surprise in his eyes when he realized it wasn't the royal guards entering but the prince himself.
He was about to apologize for his lapse in protocol, but I waved my hand dismissively. "It's alright," I said. "I just wanted to see the planet one last time before it leaves our field of view."
In truth, I was nervous, unsure if this would be the last time I'd see Selricous, the capital planet of the Solis Empire.
"We are about to enter stellar drift, Your Highness until we reach the Lunar Wind," the pilot informed me. "I recommend you sit before we accelerate to speeds just below sublight."
I sat just behind the pilot, the view still allowing me to see Selricous as the planet slowly disappeared into the vast void of space.
It took us fifteen minutes to exit Solis Prime's solar system, which consisted of four planets and seven moons, before we reached the Lunar Wind. The Lunar Wind is a colossal ship spanning ten kilometres long, shaped like a sword with a long, narrow design. Its sleek metallic surface gleamed under the distant starlight, and sharp angles and ridges gave it an imposing, almost predatory appearance as it sliced through the vastness of space.
The ship's pointed bow, resembling the tip of a blade, housed powerful energy shields, while the rear contained an array of colossal quantum leap thrusters that propelled the massive vessel forward with an eerie, silent grace. It was a marvel of engineering, built to carry passengers and cargo across the galaxy while protecting them from the dangers of the void. The Lunar Wind was not only a vessel—it was a fortress, heavily fortified and bristling with defensive systems that could ward off even the most dangerous threats.
As we approached the docking bay, the scale of the ship became even more apparent. It was hard to comprehend something so massive being so agile. I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe mixed with the growing anticipation of what awaited me beyond this journey.