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Chapter 24: The Visit to Sun Apostle Ellior
Before stepping out of the shop, Valen fixed his jaw and asked the question they had come to find answers for. Speaking gently but firmly, he said,
"Where is the house of the City Lord?"
The cloaked figure behind the counter paused for a moment, then nodded as though understanding everything. He knew they weren't here for trivial information—they sought the location of Gustav Ellior, the Sun Apostle.
After scribbling a quick direction onto a parchment and handing it over, he simply said, "This will lead you to the City Lord's manor. Your answers lie there."
The trio—Valen, Marcus, and Alexander—thanked him and exited the small, dimly lit shop.
As the door closed behind them, the mysterious figure let out a soft sigh. With a fluid motion, he pulled back his cloak, revealing not a man—but a woman. Her pale skin gleamed under the fading sunlight, her crimson eyes glimmered with a menacing glow, and the air around her seemed to darken.
She was no ordinary spy.
A shadowed figure knelt beside her. "What is your command, Lord Shadow Empress?"
The woman smirked. "Inform the Emperor. His son now knows part of the truth. He will act soon. And... place an Eternal on them."
The subordinate raised his eyes in surprise. "An Eternal?"
"Yes," she said coldly. "The Crown Prince will make a move soon—one that will eliminate him from our path permanently. I want every step of theirs watched."
Without another word, the subordinate vanished into the shadows.
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On their way to the City Lord's manor, Alexander broke the heavy silence.
"My father is evil," he said, his voice calm but bitter. "And I know this isn't the only time he's committed genocide. To him, these massacres... they're just routine."
Valen and Marcus turned to him, stunned. "What do you mean?" Marcus asked, confused.
Alexander took a breath. "Do you know how I was born?"
Valen replied first, "Yes. You are the son of Empress Ellina Caelum, now known as Ellina August Veridian. You have two siblings from her as well."
Alexander shook his head. "That's what the world believes. But it's not the truth. Ellina August Veridian is not my real mother."
The two stared at him, unmoving, as he continued.
"My real mother... was an Alderwood. She worked in the palace. One night, my father assaulted her. She became pregnant. When he found out about her background, he had her executed the day I was born. I was meant to die with her. But when he saw I was both Veridian and Alderwood—he saw potential. I was to be a weapon. A symbol."
He clenched his fists.
"On the day I was born, I was blessed by the God of Oceans, Poseidon. My father gave me a trident and a tutor. But whenever a tutor lost to me in training, he executed them—not because they were weak, but to show me what would happen if I ever opposed him."
Despite the horror in his words, his voice remained steady.
"For years, he was the only parent I had. So I thought—maybe, if I earned the throne, he would die peacefully, and I could undo his crimes. I forgave him every time, despite everything... until now."
He looked up.
"Valen, you want to become Emperor. Marcus, you want to start a rebellion and destroy the royal family. I understand both sides. So... I will assist you both. Let's plan the future—together."
Without hesitation, Valen extended his hand. Marcus placed his atop his. Alexander followed. Three hands, one cause.
Unseen, a figure watched from a rooftop, his expression unreadable.
"So... the Emperor may face rebellion before he realizes it," the observer whispered. Then, like mist in the wind, he vanished into the night.
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After a night of rest and silent planning, the three young men made their way to the City Lord's manor—the residence of Gustav Ellior, the Sun Apostle.
The mansion was a radiant contrast to the city's dusty roads. Golden spires gleamed in the morning sun, and sacred glyphs pulsed faintly on the gates. Paladins in white and gold stood guard, their armor bearing the mark of Sol Invictus—the ancient sun deity.
One guard raised a hand. "State your name and purpose."
"We come bearing a request for the Sun Apostle," Valen said. "On behalf of the Veridian name."
At the mention of his family, the guards tensed. But one stepped inside. Minutes passed. Then the gates opened.
"You may enter. Apostle Ellior will receive you."
Inside, the trio were led through sunlit halls where glass murals painted scenes of holy battles. Finally, they were ushered into a circular chamber bathed in sunlight.
A tall man stood near the center—robes of pure white flowing around him, a halo of golden light behind his head. His presence was overwhelming, but his eyes were warm.
"I am Gustav Ellior, Sun Apostle of the Empire," he said, bowing slightly. "And you are... Valen Veridian, Marcus Alderwood's descendant, and Alexander. I've been expecting you."
"You... knew?" Marcus asked.
Ellior smiled softly. "The light shows me much. But I see more than just rebellion and war. I see potential."
Valen stepped forward. "We want to stop the Emperor. But we know we can't do it alone. We need your help."
Ellior grew solemn. "To oppose the Emperor is to challenge the divine order. I cannot take sides—unless the heavens command it. But... I can guide those worthy of judgment."
He gestured, and three radiant orbs floated before them. "These are Solas Orbs. They shall judge your intent. If your hearts carry righteousness, they will shine."
The room fell silent as each boy touched an orb. First Marcus. His orb pulsed with white and silver.
"Truth and resolve," Ellior murmured.
Next, Valen. His glowed crimson and gold.
"Power and pain," the apostle whispered.
Finally, Alexander. His orb flickered between blue and violet, then turned radiant gold.
"Sacrifice," Ellior said, voice deep with meaning.
He turned to them. "You each carry burdens the world cannot see. I will not fight for you. But I will reveal truths the Emperor has hidden. Come back in three days. Until then, stay hidden. The eyes of darkness follow you."
With that, the Sun Apostle turned away, his figure consumed by light.
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The three walked out in silence, each changed in subtle ways. They had taken their first step—not just toward war, but toward something far more dangerous: the truth.
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