Rising

Chapter 7

The dense and grayish clouds were dissolving in Siyah's turbulent sky, ready to make way for the clear and luminous night. The same sky in Lys must have been a gradient of colors as the impatient sun returned to its abode, allowing its beloved to rise. The days following my trip to the library had been spent showing Crystal my techniques of sun invocation and my combat style, which was both elegant and rudimentary. Our fights were intense and fun, almost always ending evenly, with the two of us lying on the grass, dirty and sweaty, laughing at each other. I had carefully avoided crossing paths with Lucifer; every time I saw him, the feeling of wanting to know more about him, or rather about us, anchored itself to my heart like an anchor on the seabed.

To make that moment come true, I was trying to understand how to move through time, how to call forth the right moment among millions. The small book I had found in the palace's extensive library had been further consumed since I had read and reread it that week, blinded by curiosity. That afternoon, I was walking in the garden, wrapped in a large white coat that Crystal had lent me. I often felt like I blended in with the pristine and snowy ground. I was engrossed in observing my pale and red hands, seeing the blood pulsating in my frozen purplish veins. Suddenly, a beam of orange light enveloped me, and the amber stone on my ring lit up. A rush of adrenaline hit me, and at the same time, shivers of fear shook me: he needed me. I found myself in the middle of Hinode, the capital of Lys, surrounded by tall and distinctive modern buildings that had glass domes instead of roofs. They were all mostly black, white, and transparent, reflecting the sunlight and making the city even brighter. The large mega-screen on the facade of a building was broadcasting the news, and the traffic was bustling with many floating cars lined up at a traffic light. 

Where was Deimos, and more importantly, what was he doing there? As usual, he hadn't listened to what I had told him before leaving; he had gone ahead from the residence without me! I scanned every corner of the crowded street, then suddenly froze at the sight of his abandoned and open car. The driver was missing, and even worse, Deimos was with him. I tried to spot them, but the alleys and crowds were so overwhelming that it seemed impossible to do so. I was losing control."Show me the way, please!" I pleaded with the sun, placing a hand over my heart. After a few seconds, a white light with orange hues rose from my chest, and all the passersby stared at me, shocked—whether it was because of who I was or what I was doing, I couldn't tell. I shed the bulky white coat, which had become unnecessary in the daylight. My usual black armor gleamed in the sun like it hadn't for days. I ran after the little light, and after traversing a narrow and deserted alley, I arrived at an abandoned building. 

The air in Hinode was decidedly different from that in the governor's palace, where tradition and rigor reigned. We seemed centuries behind the highly technological city.The sun was by my side; I didn't have to fear, even though anxiety hadn't left me for a second. I tightened the shield and sword that materialized in my hands. I cautiously opened the door to the small warehouse, guided by the light. I could smell mold and dust. I found the place repugnant; everything appeared calm until a voice echoed in the emptiness—the same voice. I flinched."It was much easier than I thought," said the man who had attacked Deimos at the party, sneering. "You're not much without her, are you? In any case, the Governor will be pleased!"I hid behind the wall separating the two dirty and dark rooms, slightly leaning to see what was happening. Deimos was tied up, sitting on an unsteady chair without a backrest. The man I had heard speaking slapped him with such force that his nose began to bleed. The scene filled me with anger. I was trying to remain clear-headed, unable to imagine the consequences of a misstep in such a delicate situation.