Sol did not take the passing of his mother well, to think any fifteen-year-old would take it differently, would seem strange at least. Though he had seen it coming, in his heart he had known that the Queen had not long left to live and any day could have been her last. More so he had felt as if someone had told him years ago that she would pass. It should have been no surprise but losing your mother is nothing anyone could ever prepare you for, not your father telling you that you will be alright, not the doctors who do not seem to know what Illness had befallen her or how to properly tend to her, and not the Priests by her side, praying for her recovery.

Sol felt like he fell into a hole the moment the news reached him. That morning, instead of the Maid, his father had come into his chambers telling him, as calmly as a grieving king could, that Sol's mother had passed away that night. The prince did not cry, he had pictured how he might react, how devastated he would be, yet he did not shed a single tear, instead of being filled with anguish, he felt nothing, a gaping hole inside him. Life for him just went on.

The funeral shall be held the day after the next. He was told to prepare himself for it. How in the name of the Gods does one prepare for this? Sol thought about these words all day, prepare for it...

The castle was silent as if a veil of tension had covered the estate. Even the maids seemed nervous to approach the Prince. How were they to act around him? Could they just continue their duties? Just how wary would they have to act around him? 

Sol continued his day as he used to. The morning routine, the study sessions, lunch, more lessons, afternoon tea, and sword practice. But with each passing minute, his frustration grew. He was frustrated with his mother for leaving him, and with his father for not being by his side that day to comfort him, with the stupid staff to treat him the way they did. He wanted his mother to not have left him, for his father to embrace and comfort him, and for the staff to treat him just the way they always do. Everything was wrong! Everyone is supposed to prepare for his big day! This should be about him, this should be a joyous time! 

As the day had come to an end Sol felt exhausted, perhaps more than he had ever been before. All these feelings piled up and as he sunk into his Bed, the tears started streaming down his face. He cried and cried until the sun rose again. One more day until the funeral.

✩✩✩

Sol felt terrible when the maid came in to get him ready for the day as usual. he tried to avoid letting her know the state he was in as if it mattered either way. The servants treated him as if he was made of glass currently, any wrong move and he might shatter and just maybe they weren't too wrong about this. Sol considered requesting time off, but he didn't know what he would possibly do past the time so keeping up with his duties might be the best thing to do. So the day went on just as before. 

In his afternoon lessons, the teacher noticed that the Prince was not paying attention in the least and so he decided to end today's class early. Leaving the young one to his own devices for the rest of the day. Sol, still not knowing what else to do, started wandering around the castle, perhaps his father could spend some time with him after all. However, before Sol even reached the king's office rooms he turned on his heel. How stupid of him to think the king of all people would have time this day. Better he returned to his chambers, surely he could find something to occupy his mind.

Sol watched as the sun slowly set over the Kingdom, not even recalling what he had done the past few hours, as a group of people caught his eye. Walking past his window must be the ones who came to help from the church. One of them piqued his interest the most, a teen, most likely around his age, with long black hair, when all at once the two of them made eye contact. For some reason, it felt oh so familiar, but Sol could not place it, he did not know that person at all, he couldn't even tell if the one looking at him with so clear silver eyes was a boy or a girl. Who was this kid and why did it feel like they knew each other, no, more like they had some kind of bond, as if their fates were bound together somehow.

And just like that, the day of the Funeral had come. 'Prepare yourself', that's what they said. Sol doubted he could prepared in any way but braced himself for what he was about to face, yet the encounter he had yesterday still lingered in the back of his mind. Soon enough there would also be another topic the prince would have to concern himself with. As it turns out, the Maids had started whispering, a most fascinating topic that is. As it turns out word is that Queen had twins that night and apparently she had tried to kill the other twin that night so they were hidden away. 

Sol could not believe his ears, could the maids be telling the truth? Could he in fact have a twin he never knew about? He must get to the bottom of this, he just had to find out what happened to this lost sibling of his, were they still alive, perhaps they even looked alike? Even though this was a wonderful possible distraction, now was hardly the right time to investigate a case like this! 

The funeral was exhausting, once again many people attended who probably thought of themselves as way more important than they most likely were, many of them whom Sol didn't even recognize and all of them deemed it appropriate to very much dramatically offer their condolences with fake smiles and even faker empathy, most likely to gain sympathy points with the prince. Sol of all people couldn't care less. None of them truly meant a word they said. Greedy aristocrats who only care about themselves and their standing. Sol was much more interested in listening to the gossiping maids, as far as he could find out his twin was taken away, and the secret was one his mother planned on taking to the Grave with her, now she was lying there alone, Ice cold and that secret went traveling hotter than ever. 

Throughout the day, Sol developed a plan. Since his twin must be his exact age, it was only more than likely that they would also attend the blessings ceremony. The timing could not be any more perfect, three months should be more than enough time to find out as much information as he could about this mysterious twin of his. And when the day came he would approach them, although what he would do then he hadn't figured out yet. 

The next three months passed rather quickly, Sol followed his typical schedule and gathered more information whenever he could. Though he could not find a lot. A lot of information seemed very unreliable and made up by some of the servants. After all the whole castle was talking about it and as it so happened people loved to make out things to be way more dramatic than they were. Either way, Sol collected everything, some things probably had to be true and the ceremony was already tomorrow, his birthday, yet more than a blessing he wanted to meet his sibling. 

Today was the day. Sol was already awake way before sunrise, he could barely contain his excitement. He was sixteen now! This was a big day, yet he was prepared that it was indeed going to be exhausting. Just about 500 boys and girls would attend, hoping for a blessing and pledging their loyalty to him and his family. But the chances of getting his blessing and possibly being reunited with a lost brother or sister might just make all this worth it. 

"Prince Sol, Happy Birthday!", two of the maids entered his room. One of them pushing a small cart with a beautiful cake on it and the other one carrying the outfit he would wear today. A beautiful white suit with golden details, paired with a deep blue cape perfectly matched his eyes. 

Sol jumped out his bed, quickly reminded himself of his manners, thanked and dismissed his maids to get himself started for the big day. Shortly after he joined his father in the great hall to have breakfast together as they had done every year. 

The moment he stepped inside he was overcome with a little sadness as he realized that this was the first year his birthday would happen without his mother. he tried to shake off these feelings just as quickly as they came, he didn't wanna be sad on his birthday after all.

He hadn't seen his father much in the last days either, must have been because of the event planning. For Sol, this made this breakfast together even more special. His father greeted him with a smile, although he seemed not his usual self, his eyes were dull, his cheeks fallen in and his posture weak. It was obvious he didn't wanna show it but the death of his wife made him lose his sense of self, he had not taken care of himself these past months. But seeing his son genuinely brought him joy. 

"Happy Birthday my dear son. Are you ready for today?" he asked. 

"Yes, thank you, Father. I am very much thrilled about the Ceremony."

The Blessings Ceremony would start in just about two hours, enough for everyone involved to get ready and for the guards to inspect the eligible kids at the castle gates. Since they expected so many guests the Security had to be upheld rather strictly.

After he finished his Meal Sol rushed to a window from where he would be able to see the Gates. So many his age had already arrived, perhaps his Twin was already under them. This was so exciting! Sol went to get himself checked by the maids a last time before heading on down to the Throne room where the ceremony would soon begin.

His father had already taken his place on his throne, behind him the Statue of the twin Gods, the sun and moon lifting a golden Ball, which represented the Earth. Sun and Moon, one could not exist without the other and without them both, earth couldn't either.

Sol bowed before his father before taking his seat next to him, yet another event his mother was missing from, as she was meant to sit on the King's other side. Sol shook these feelings off again, just as his thoughts were to drift off, the gigantic door to the Throne room promptly opened and the hordes of attendees entered the room. Though visibly nervous and excited the Teens all entered in order, double file, bowing before the King and his son and then leaving to either side of the room.

It felt like forever to get the room filled in this manner, yet Sol observed all of them closely, a few of them could be the rumored one, similar, or just almost the same eyes. Then right away, the Kid from yesterday with the Long Black hair and Silver eyes. Perhaps, no probably not, the two of them had no similarities at all, but at the same time, he had one of the Maids talk about 'The Child of the Night'. 

Since the Room was full now, Sol looked at his father, who just nodded at him in approval. His time had come. The young prince made his way down to the foot of the Throne and got on his knees.

His Majesty proceeded. "Prince Sol of Solaris, do you hereby swear to devote yourself to the Kingdom, the Royal family, and the Gods that have graced our Lands?"

"Yes, I do", Sol declared loudly. 

Before the Prince even Finished his Words, the Golden Ball of the Statue started glowing, eventually emitting a beam of warm light upon him. As the light faded again, unrest started up in the crowd around him. 

Sol looked up at the Ball. A Message. 

*Sol of Solaris, you have been blessed by the God of the Sun, may you always act righteous and move in the way of the light.*

Sol's Face lit up, he did it. He was chosen! And by the God of the Sun of all! He tried not to get too excited making his way back up to his seat. But he could barely hide his smile. His dad must be so proud. Sol was seeking eye contact with his father, who just nodded in approval before returning to the Ceremony.

Sol quietly observed the ongoing Ceremony, his father reading out each name, asking the same question he had asked him. Only a few others got a blessing, minor gods like the Lady of Flowers or the Lord of Iron, the same gods that chose their avatars each generation. But Sol mentally took note of the names of each person who could potentially be the one he was looking for. 

Then there was that kid again. So Luo was their name. Sol was intrigued by this kid. King Lucian asked the same question again.

"Luo of the Church of Solaris, do you hereby swear to devote yourself to the Kingdom, the Royal family, and the Gods that have graced our Lands?"

"Yes I do", they answered as well, just like each of them before. But this time something happened no one would have anticipated. The Ball emitted a cold light, again a beam, just as cold, then the message.

*Luo of Solaris, you have been blessed by the God of the Moon, yet it seems you are not aware of who you are. As the sun and moon are twins, so are our Avatars. And you shall take your rightful Place*