The Burden of Destiny | Sequel to The Aura Within

28 | Lost Connections

Soleil had been approached by Blake later that evening. He had informed her that Elliot wanted to have a word with her. When he didn't follow up with the content, the sorceress knew what was coming. After all, only a handful of people in the entire region knew who she really was. On the night of the siege, she had no choice but to reveal her secret in order to save Elliot and Haku. She could still recall seeing the look of discontent on his face once the enemies had been taken care of.

It was hard to tell what kind of thoughts were running through his head when Soleil took sanctuary in the estate along with her comrades. She was half expecting him to throw her out in the beginning, but that was not the case. In fact, she soon realized that Elliot hadn't told anyone of her powers. Haku also knew, yet he still treated her the same regardless. Soleil couldn't help but be suspicious as to why Elliot hadn't exposed her and she would soon find out why.

Soleil mumbled a thank you after Blake escorted her to Elliot's office. Once he left, she knocked on the door three times until she heard a muffled confirmation from the other side. Soleil allowed herself in and closed the door behind her. Elliot sat behind his desk and motioned for her to take a seat in front of him. She silently abided while trying to keep a calm demeanor.

"I must admit," Elliot began. "Calling you here to my office was rather... daunting. It was never my intention to ignore you and I apologize if I came across as cold toward you."

"Apology accepted, I suppose," she replied, still unsure if the apology was necessary at all. "Duke Belray, I believe we should get straight to the point. You wish to know who I am, correct?"

Elliot couldn't help but grin a little. "Are all of Kalos royalty as straightforward as you?"

"Only when they wish to waste as little time as possible," Soleil replied to humor him. "Did Her Highness never mention my, uh, situation to you?"

"She failed to mention your presence alone. However, with everything going on, I suppose it was for the better that very few people knew." Elliot sighed as he leaned back against his chair. "You are rather far from home. Tell me, what brings you here? Does your father know that you are here?"

Soleil lowered her gaze. "My story is quite a long one, sir."

"We have time," Elliot assured her. "Please, enlighten me."

This day was bound to come sooner or later. There were days where Soleil would rehearse what she would say when she had no choice but to reveal herself. Even with preparations, she still couldn't find a way to calm her nerves, but all she could hope for was that Elliot would trust her.

It all started over a year ago.

Soleil had a strange dream one night. She recalled how the sky was the color of blood and the earth was ravaged by scorching brilliant flames. Through the foggy ash, people and Pokémon alike were engaging in deadly battles. Piles of corpses, both fresh and old, were scattered everywhere. As lightning crackled through the crimson sky, a bolt flashed near a cave made from blue gleaming stones of various sizes. However, in a snap, they suddenly changed into a bright orange color. The stones melted until they molded together to form a monstrous mass of energy that would stop at nothing until it devoured every living thing in existence.

Once she woke up, Soleil immediately reported her strange dream to the archbishop. Kalos was the birthplace and home of the Aura Society, a religion dedicated to the aura trio-- Xerneas, Yveltal, and Zygarde. They represented the embodiment of humanity: life, destruction, and order. The archbishop led the Aura Society, the royalty of Kalos being among its followers.

Soleil, however, was a unique case. Despite being the youngest of three, she still held a higher status within the family. The Lyon lineage was the descendant of mages that were said to harness the power of Xerneas. As time went on, that practice was believed to be abandoned to the point of extinction. Centuries of what had been considered lost magic manifested within the young princess at such an early age. Because of that, Soleil spent the majority of her life with the archbishop in order to control her magic.