Chapter 02 – The Birth of Light
Thirteen years ago...
The soft beeping of machines filled the sterile air of the hospital room. A hush had fallen over the room as the doctors surrounded a pale woman lying weakly on the bed—Ayame, one of the last remaining hopes of the Apollo Clan.
Her breaths were shallow, but her eyes were strong. Determined. Alive.
"Lady Ayame," said Fumiko, the head nurse, her voice trembling, "we need to perform an emergency C-section to save your child. But... we can't guarantee you'll survive it. The baby has drained a lot of your strength..."
Ayame didn't flinch. Instead, a smile formed on her lips—small, but full of warmth.
"That's fine," she whispered. "Just make sure my baby is born into this world. He'll change it—I can feel it. He has a wonderful father waiting on him."
Fumiko hesitated. "About that... Rin—he's engaged in battle with the clan leader, Illumi. He might not survive."
Ayame's eyes gleamed with silent faith. "He has to. He's strong. Stronger than anyone I've ever known. He'll protect us—our son. He's the Sun of this village."
Her words quieted the entire room. No one dared speak, but her strength lifted their resolve. With a nod, Fumiko began the procedure.
Five minutes later...
"The surgery was successful," Fumiko announced, her voice thick with emotion. "Ayame, look... he's beautiful."
Ayame, barely able to lift her arms, summoned her last strength. Her fingers trembled as they reached for the child cradled in Fumiko's arms.
Fumiko gently handed her the boy.
"...Look at you, my baby boy..." Ayame coughed, blood staining her lips. "...You have your father's eyes. I can see it... the fire. You'll change everything."
Suddenly, the door burst open.
A soldier, panting and wounded, rushed in. "Lady Ayame! Rin... Rin was killed in battle. His last act was a prayer—to send the child away, far from here. Illumi… he's coming! We have to get you out now!"
The room froze. But Ayame... she smiled, tears slipping quietly down her cheeks.
"Thank you… but I don't have long. I'm holding on with what little strength I have left. Rin… you really gave it your all, huh?" She coughed again, blood dripping down her chin.
"Fumiko... I have one last request."
"Anything, Lady Ayame."
"I've chosen his name. Dai. After my father. Please write it down on him—on his stomach—with the clan's magic marker. I want the world to know the name of the one who will become its light."
Fumiko nodded, tears welling in her eyes. "Is that all?"
"Yes... That's all. Now hurry. There's not much time."
Ayame hugged her son one final time. "Thank you all... You've served the Apollo Clan well. I know Rin would say it too, even if he wasn't good with words. You're the true heroes. Until we meet again... I love you, my son."
Her eyes fluttered shut as she released her last breath, smiling.
Fumiko held back a sob as she marked the baby's name across his stomach. Then, the baby shimmered with light—and vanished.
"He... he disappeared!"
Another voice screamed, "What is that energy?! That devilish aura!"
The lights flickered. Thunder crackled. A red aura cloaked in malevolence seeped into the hospital.
Illumi had arrived.
Red lightning cracked behind him as he stepped into the birthing room, sending waves of fear through everyone present.
"Where is he?" Illumi growled. His voice was low, distorted, monstrous. "His energy… it's gone."
"Everyone, prepare yourselves!" Fumiko shouted.
The last warriors of the Apollo Clan drew their weapons.
"For Rin… and for everyone you've taken from us!" one cried, tears streaming from his eyes.
"GOOOO!"
Their final stand erupted in a flash of courage—but Illumi didn't move. He merely blinked.
In an instant, they all fell.
Crimson light.
Silence.
The Apollo Clan… was no more.
Illumi stood among the bodies, unscathed. His crimson eyes gleamed in the darkness.
"Hmph. Pathetic," he muttered. "But my mission isn't over. I will find that child… even if it takes the rest of my life."
With that, he vanished into the night, heading toward the Forsaken Clan's hideout—ready to deliver the news that the legendary Sun User was no more.
But far away, in an unknown land, a baby's cry echoed under the moonlit sky.
Dai had survived.