Umbra Rising

The silence that followed his father's words was deafening. The crowd, once filled with whispers and murmurs, had frozen. It was as if the entire world had held its breath, waiting for what came next.

Drake swallowed hard. His throat felt tight, his heart hammering in his chest. His father's words rang in his ears—words he never thought he would hear.

No son of mine wields Dark magic.

It wasn't just rejection. It was an erasure of everything he had ever been. He had been born into a legacy of Light, raised to believe in the power of their family's magic. Now, that same legacy had cast him out without hesitation.

"This must be a mistake," Drake said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I—I've never shown signs of Dark magic before."

"The orb does not lie," the elder mage said, his face lined with sorrow. "The attunement is absolute."

Gasps and murmurs resumed, the nobles exchanging glances of horror and disbelief.

"A Solaris with Dark magic?"

"Cursed… just like the monsters."

"What will Lord Solaris do?"

Drake turned to his father, hoping for something—anything—to contradict what had just happened. But Lord Solaris didn't even look at him. His face was carved from stone, his golden eyes void of emotion.

Finally, after a long moment, his father turned to the gathered crowd. "The Solaris family has always stood as a beacon of Light," he said, his voice carrying across the courtyard. "This… aberration is not my son."

Drake felt his stomach drop, his breath catching in his throat. The words struck harder than a physical blow. His father wasn't just rejecting him—he was removing him, denouncing him before the entire court.

"No," Drake whispered, stepping forward. "Father, I—"

A sudden force struck his chest. Light magic. His father had raised a hand, and a pulse of golden energy sent Drake staggering back, cutting off his words.

He looked up, stunned, as his father lowered his hand. There was no anger on his face. No sadness. Just finality.

"You will leave this house," Lord Solaris said coldly. "You are no longer welcome in this family."

Drake's legs felt weak beneath him. The crowd parted, watching him as if he were a wild animal that had strayed too close. Some looked at him with pity, others with disgust. His sister—Celia—stood frozen in place, her hands trembling. But she said nothing.

Drake opened his mouth, but no words came.

His father turned away. "Take him outside."

The guards hesitated, as if even touching him was a sin. But orders were orders. Two of them stepped forward, gripping his arms roughly. He didn't resist. There was no point.