The first light of dawn stretched across the horizon, painting the city in soft gold. Sol stood on the balcony of the royal palace, the breeze tugging gently at his silver hair. The warmth of the sun caressed his face, but beneath it, a lingering tension remained, as if the echoes of a distant battle still hummed through his veins.
He tightened his grip around the hilt of the Heaven Splitting Dragon Blade, concealed beneath his cloak. The sword was real, solid, and pulsing with a quiet energy. Yet the battle he remembered—the clash with the dragon, the torrents of divine fire, the sensation of ultimate power—had taken place entirely within his mind. 'Was it a test? Or a memory from another life?' he thought, gazing at the rising sun. 'Either way… it feels like I've carried a lifetime of strength inside me, and now it's mine to wield.'
Sol's reflection caught his eye in the polished marble balcony railing. His golden eyes stared back at him, framed by silver hair that fell past his shoulders. He flexed his fingers around the sword's hilt, feeling the weight, the energy, the potential. 'I must remember to keep him… the old me. But I can't ignore what I've become,' he thought. 'This body, this power—they're tools. I control them, not the other way around.'
A voice behind him broke the silence. "Sol, you've been quiet this morning. Are you feeling well?" It was his older sister, Princess Aralyn. Her amber eyes held a mix of concern and curiosity, framed by braids that caught the sunlight. She moved with the grace of royalty, every step measured, every gesture precise.
"I'm fine," Sol replied smoothly, keeping the tone casual. "Just… thinking." He shifted slightly, letting the cloak fall naturally over the sword, hiding it from view. 'They don't need to know yet,' he reminded himself. 'Not until I understand what this blade truly is.'
Aralyn's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer. "You've grown quieter since your… awakening," she said softly. "Father says you should spend more time with the council and less in solitude. Even a prince must consider the kingdom."
Sol nodded, watching as the city stretched out below him. The palace grounds were immaculate, the gardens filled with flowering trees and carefully trimmed hedges. Beyond the walls, the capital sprawled like a living mosaic: market districts bustling with merchants and townsfolk, temples rising like spires toward the sky, and the great river winding its silver ribbon through the heart of the city. 'This city is alive in a way I never appreciated before,' he thought. 'It's orderly, structured… yet the currents of power are here, flowing just beneath the surface. I can feel them.'
"And what of your studies?" Aralyn asked, tilting her head slightly. "The council expects you to attend the morning sessions on governance and strategy. You know how Father values diligence."
"I know," Sol said, though his mind was already analyzing the palace layout, the guard rotations, and the nearby training grounds. 'Every detail matters. Even small things can tip the balance of power.' He forced a smile. "I'll go soon. Just… needed a moment to watch the sunrise."
Aralyn nodded, though suspicion still lingered in her eyes. "Very well. But remember, the family is watching. Your position is not just yours to claim—it represents all of us."
Sol inclined his head, the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. 'I know,' he thought. 'But I'll balance it carefully. Father's expectations, Aralyn's watchful eyes… they won't distract me. Not if I want to become who I need to be.'
The balcony doors opened again, this time revealing his younger brother, Prince Cael. Where Aralyn moved with calculated grace, Cael's steps were light and effortless, almost boyish, though his sharp green eyes betrayed his keen intelligence. He grinned as he approached.
"Good morning, Sol," Cael said casually. "You were out here before anyone else. Trying to get a head start on… thinking about ruling the world?"
Sol smirked. "Something like that." He studied Cael's expression carefully. 'Naïve, but perceptive. Could be useful… or dangerous.' "You've been in the council chambers all morning, haven't you?"
Cael shrugged. "Father wants me trained in diplomacy, war strategy, and court etiquette. Apparently, I'm going to be useful someday." His grin widened. "But I'd rather spar. Or hunt. Or do anything that doesn't involve a thousand papers and lectures."
Sol laughed softly, the first sound of amusement since his awakening. "You'll have time for that," he said, letting his eyes drift to the city again. 'I need to be careful. I can't let them see too much of the new me yet. Not until I know what this sword means… and how far this power can take me.'
Cael's grin faltered slightly as he noticed Sol's distant look. "Something's on your mind. The sword, isn't it?"
Sol's fingers tightened subtly beneath his cloak. 'Not yet,' he thought. 'I can't reveal it—not even to him.' "It's nothing," he said, voice steady. "Just… reflecting on the responsibilities ahead."
Aralyn's eyes narrowed. "You're good at hiding your thoughts, Sol. But don't forget, secrets have a way of surfacing when least expected."
Sol nodded again, more seriously this time. 'True,' he admitted silently. 'But timing is everything. I'll reveal the sword… only when it becomes necessary. Until then, it remains mine alone.'
The city below was waking in earnest now. Merchants opened stalls, children ran through the streets, guards patrolled with measured steps, and priests lit incense in the temple courtyards. Sol observed it all with new eyes, seeing patterns he never noticed before: the flow of people, the small acts that maintained order, and the subtle hierarchies that governed the city's life. 'This world is alive,' he thought. 'Not just the land or the sword, but the people, their routines, their interactions. Strength without understanding is meaningless.'
A distant horn sounded, signaling the start of morning exercises in the palace training grounds. Sol's gaze shifted to the open field below, where recruits and guards practiced in disciplined formations. 'That will be my first real test,' he thought. 'I need to gauge my control, my reflexes, my instincts… and see how the sword responds outside of my mind.'
Aralyn straightened, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "We should join the council soon," she said. "Father expects all heirs present. You can observe and listen. Learning to move in these circles is as important as any blade."
Sol inhaled deeply, letting the warmth of the sun fill him. 'Yes,' he thought. 'A blade is nothing without strategy, without awareness of the world around it. The sword is my power, but knowledge… knowledge will make me unstoppable.'
"Very well," he said aloud. "Let's not keep Father waiting."
As he followed his siblings into the palace, Sol kept the sword hidden beneath his cloak, humming faintly against his body as if aware of the new day's purpose. The city continued to stretch endlessly before him, golden light reflecting off spires and rooftops, the rivers glinting like threads of silver. He could feel the currents of power flowing in the land and in the people, and he understood one truth clearly: his journey had only begun.
The sun climbed higher, bathing the world in light. And Sol Di Ventifuris, heir of the Ventifuris line and wielder of the Heaven Splitting Dragon Blade, stepped forward to meet his destiny.