The morning of the Solar Empire was like a silent song.The sky shimmered in gold, and even the wind moved with peace.A bell echoed faintly in the distance — as if dawn itself awaited permission to rise.
For elves, time was not a luxury but a gift.Days didn't pass; they flowed.In the white marble halls of the palace, footsteps fell in rhythm with order itself.
King Luther Aurelien stood on his balcony, watching the sunrise.The sun reminded him of freedom, of prosperity.To elves, it was the very symbol of purity and continuity.But unlike the sun, the Empire never set.Not yet.
The door creaked open.Varin Keldor, The Sun's Vowkeeper, entered and bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty, news from the sea."
Luther turned his gaze from the light."Leif?"
"Yes, Majesty. The Child of the Waves has returned.He was seen at the harbor — said he brings news for you."
The calm on Luther's face faded into thought."Another voyage… The sea whispers a new secret to him each time."
"Shall I summon him to the palace?"
"No," Luther replied softly."If the sea has spoken, I want to hear it myself."
The King descended from the marble halls,crossing the lower courtyard toward the eastern road.The scent of salt filled the air, carried by the morning wind.
In the distance, a ship approached the docks,its sails still wet with mist.
At the prow stood Leif —the one they called The Child of the Waves.
To the people, he was a sailor.To Luther, a man stubborn enough to argue with the gods of the sea themselves.
Hearing the King's footsteps, Leif lifted his head.The sea's blue shimmered in his eyes,and a weary smile curved his lips.
"Tell me, Leif," Luther said,"aren't you tired of this?This will be your last voyage, won't it?"
Leif didn't look away from the waves."No, my King.This isn't the end — it's beyond the beginning."
"What do you mean?" Luther asked."What did you see out there?"
Leif tightened the rope in his hand."A continent, Majesty.A new world.Similar to ours — but not the same.
I think we were wrong, Majesty.The world… doesn't belong to us alone."
Luther frowned."Other beings? Like elves?"
"Maybe," Leif muttered."Maybe a dream, maybe exhaustion…but they looked like us.Only rougher. Shorter ears. Dirtier hands."
Luther stepped back slightly."If it wasn't an illusion,then change is coming."
"I don't know, Majesty," Leif said."But if we sail again…perhaps we'll begin a new age."
Luther turned toward Varin."Starting a new age has never served elves well," he said quietly."But I can't help wondering… how it ends."
The wind shifted.The sea whispered again.
Luther's expression softened."Leif, whether it's a dream or a prophecy —the sea is older than us all.If it shows us a new world… we must find it."
Leif's eyes widened."Majesty, you mean—"
"Yes," Luther said."You have my permission.All shipwrights will work under your command.Go wherever the wind leads."
Varin hesitated."Majesty, that's—"
"A madness," Luther finished,and smiled faintly."But every discovery begins with madness."
When the King returned to the palace,Queen Mirane and his son Nedved awaited him in the courtyard.Sunlight spilled down the marble steps, warm and pure.
"Majesty," Mirane said, her voice uneasy,"ill news from the northern villages.Some have begun… eating swine."
Nedved's tone was sharp."Father, that isn't disrespect — it's heresy!If the gods forbade it, then it defies their will.You must punish them."
Luther walked toward the throne hall in silence.His steps echoed between the pillars.
"The elves have lived in peace for centuries," he said."Our strength lies not in bans,but in freedom.
No one will be punished for what they eat."
Nedved bowed his head,but his lips trembled.
"Freedom," he murmured,"sometimes turns into disorder, Father."
Luther placed a hand on his son's shoulder."And disorder, my son,is often born of fear.
We do not rule through fear.We rule through light."
Outside the window,the sky was still golden —yet on the horizon,clouds began to gather.
After leaving Queen Mirane and Nedved,Luther did what he always did.
He went to the city square.
It wasn't just a habit.It was where he could feel the heart of his people.
After the silence of the palace,the sound of the streets reminded himthat the Empire still breathed.
"Majesty," Varin said, walking beside him,"it's crowded today. Shall I tighten security?"
Luther shook his head."If I need protection from my own people…then my kingdom is already lost."
The market was alive with scent and sound.Spices filled the air,and the warmth of the crowd wrapped around him.
He stopped at a small stall,where a baker, hands dusted in flour,quickly dropped to his knees.
"Majesty… you honor my humble shop."
"Rise," Luther said kindly."There is no crown here — only work."
The King sat at the table,shared bread,and spoke simply —of patience, honesty, and the sanctity of labor.
When he rose to leave,he placed a few coins on the tableand left a small pouch besides.
"Majesty, no payment—"
"A king's principle," Luther said, smiling,"is to never leave effort unrewarded."
The baker's whisper followed him as he walked away:"May the gods bless you, my King."
As dusk painted the city in crimson,Luther began his walk back to the palace.
The streets had grown quiet.Only Varin and two guards followed.
"Sometimes," Luther said softly,"even the sunset feels like a kingdom's prayer."
"You're tired, Majesty," Varin said.
"When the people are many,there's no room for weariness."
A figure emerged from a narrow alley —a young elf.
His clothes were torn,his skin sunburned.In his trembling hands,he held a bouquet of white flowers.
Varin raised a hand, signaling the guards.
Luther stopped him."Wait. He's just a boy."
The young elf stepped forward, voice shaking."Your Majesty…may the gods protect you."
"Thank you," Luther said gently."What is your name?"
"Elrien, Majesty.I came from the outer lands."
"That's a long road," Luther said."What brings you here?"
Elrien's fingers trembled."Only… to make you hear our voices."
From within the flowers,metal gleamed.
The dagger caught the sun's dying light.
"Majesty!" Varin shouted —too late.
The boy plunged the blade into the King's chest,tears spilling down his face.
For a heartbeat,the world froze.Then the wind stirred again.
Luther grasped the blade,meeting the boy's eyes.
There was no hatred there.Only despair.
"You never heard us…" Elrien whispered."The outer lands lived in shadow, Majesty."
Luther's breath grew shallow.His voice came as a broken whisper.
"And those in shadow…are always closest to the light."
He fell to his knees.Varin caught him, shouting for the healers.
Blood dripped onto the stones —a crimson mark beneath the setting sun.
Luther tasted iron.The scent of flowers lingered in the air.
For a moment, even time itself stopped.
"The sun…shouldn't have set today."
His head dropped forward.Silence followed.
A woman screamed.
And for the first time in the history of the Solar Empire,a King fell.
Varin's voice broke the stillness."Get the healers! Now!"
But the wind carried only the smell of blood.
That night, the elves returned to their homes in despair.And over the silent city,the sun seemed ashamed to rise again.