As she left the throne room, Umbra did not slow her pace. It was strange to see her walking with such urgency, as if time had suddenly begun to move differently without warning her. Her mind was far too occupied to notice the looks from the servants or the silent bows of the guards as she passed.
A brother. A twin.
Sunny…
A strange smile, uncomfortable and difficult to identify, found its way onto her face. She had a family.
Her brother was alive… but he was in danger. A Sleeper from the Outskirts without training, with barely a month to prepare for the Winter Solstice.
She did not like the idea at all, but there was something else that kept turning in her mind.
He believed she was dead.
Umbra frowned slightly as she turned into one of the corridors leading toward the Dream Gate.
The most direct approach would simply be to appear in front of him and tell him the truth. Tell him who she was. Tell him she had not died. There would be no need for detours or unnecessary games. It was the fastest option… and considering the time they had, also the most efficient.
But precisely because of that… It was risky.
For Sunny, she had died years ago. Seeing her suddenly appear, without any prior explanation, could seem like a cruel joke. Or worse… manipulation. Someone from the Outskirts would not easily trust such an absurd coincidence. He could think that someone was trying to play with his past.
He could even react with hostility before listening to her.
Although… there was one detail that worked in her favor.
No one knew that Sunny had a sister.
That was not public information. It was not something that could be found in common records, because no records existed in the Outskirts. For the government, they were not even citizens. If someone claimed to be his sister… it would be difficult to explain how that information had been obtained in the first place.
That increased the chances that he would believe her.
But there was also the possibility that she would simply scare him… and starting that way could ruin any attempt at approaching him afterward.
Umbra maintained her steady pace while her mind analyzed the second option.
A more indirect approach.
Getting closer little by little. Casual interactions. Coincidences that did not seem too forced. Creating a familiar presence before revealing the truth. Allowing him to grow used to seeing her before confronting him with something that challenged all logic.
It was a safer strategy… in theory. But it had an obvious problem.
Time.
There was only one month left before the Winter Solstice.
One month was not enough to build trust from zero with someone who had grown up in the Outskirts. Sunny was probably distrustful by nature. Someone accustomed to surviving did not ignore strange patterns easily.
If he noticed that she appeared too frequently… he might become suspicious and if he did… he would probably begin to avoid her.
That would only delay everything even more.
Umbra narrowed her eyes slightly as she continued advancing toward the Dream Gate.
Losing time was not an option. She had to create a relationship… and then offer to train him. One month was not enough.
The third alternative was a middle ground.
Not revealing the truth immediately… but not pretending to be completely irrelevant either. A relatively direct approach, but controlled. Showing interest without pressuring him too much. Allowing some interaction to exist before revealing who she truly was.
It had many advantages.
It reduced the initial impact… but did not eliminate the risk that he would not believe her.
It allowed time to be saved… but not as much as the direct option.
It avoided seeming suspicious… but did not guarantee that he would not notice her intentions.
It was the most balanced option… but it also inherited the problems of the other two.
Umbra exhaled slowly.
There was no perfect option. Every path depended too much on how Sunny would react and he… was someone she did not know.
She did not remember anything about him. Not his voice. Not his face. Not the way he thought.
She only knew that he had left the orphanage in order to try to help her… and that, in theory, he should look just like her.
Although that could also be a problem.
Living in the Outskirts… he probably had not had proper nutrition for years. That could have affected his physical development.
An unexpected thought crossed her mind: 'What if I am taller than him…?'
A small laugh threatened to escape, but she held it back immediately. This was not the time for that kind of thought.
'No… focus.'
Another doubt tried to surface. Her mother believed that he had left the orphanage to help her… But… what if that had not been the case? What if he had simply decided to leave?
Umbra frowned slightly.
'No. Do not start with that.'
Even with the storm of thoughts, her steps did not stop as the Dream Gate drew closer and closer.
She took a deep breath.
One month. Only one month. There was no time for doubts… but she also could not allow herself to make a mistake that would ruin everything from the very beginning.
Umbra slightly shifted her gaze, thoughtful. Perhaps there was no correct way to do this. Perhaps… she would have to choose one and adapt along the way. After all… if her brother had managed to survive in the Outskirts on his own… then she could also find a way to reach him.
They were twins, at the end of the day.
Turning another corner of the corridor, Umbra found one of her sisters exiting a room. It was Seraphine, a young woman of the same height as her, with blonde hair that fell in soft waves over her shoulders and green eyes of an intensity difficult to ignore. At first glance, the two should have been close, as sisters of the great Clan Song… but the reality was very different.
They did not get along well.
Their personalities were too different, too incompatible. While Umbra tended toward silence and observation, Seraphine enjoyed provoking reactions from others. Even so, the respect expected between the daughters of the Queen was enough to keep those differences hidden beneath an appearance of cordiality.
Seraphine tilted her head slightly upon seeing her approach with an unusual urgency, "Where are you going in such a hurry, dear sister?"
Umbra stopped in front of her, maintaining her straight posture and calm expression,
"To the Dream Gate, if you will excuse me."
She attempted to continue on her way, but Seraphine's voice stopped her once again, "Oh, I see… the one protected by our mother has the freedom to do whatever she wants." The condescending tone was not particularly subtle.
Umbra stopped beside her, turning her face slightly toward her, "It is not my fault that you lack talent, dear sister."
Without adding anything more, she attempted to move forward again. But before she could take a step, Seraphine extended her hand, trying to grab her arm. Acting purely on reflex, Umbra pulled her arm away before the contact could occur, her movement fast and precise.
"Do not dare touch me."
Seraphine blinked for a moment, then smiled with obvious amusement,
"Oh… I had forgotten that was your Flaw. Silly me." The mocking tone lingered between them as they held each other's gaze in silence, neither willing to yield first.
It was then that both of them felt it. The air itself seemed to grow heavier, and a chill ran down their spines almost at the same time. Without needing to say anything, both directed their gaze toward the end of the corridor, in the direction of the Dream Gate.
There stood a delicate and beautiful woman, with a slender figure and a soft face, almost charming. Her white hair fell like pale silk, and her eyes seemed to shine with the faint glow of moonlight.
Moonveil.
One of their sisters who had reached the rank of Saint.
She observed them in silence, with a serious expression that contrasted with the natural gentleness of her features. However, after spending so much time by her side, Umbra could easily recognize that almost imperceptible sign.
Moonveil was upset.
In the blink of an eye, the distance between them disappeared and she now stood in front of both of them, "Do you think this is a good moment to start an argument?"
Both swallowed almost at the same time and slightly shook their heads.
Moonveil did not look away.
"Seraphine, you are not needed here. Go to the training hall immediately." There was a brief pause, but filled with intent, "The next time you try to take advantage of someone's Flaw… I will personally handle your training. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Moonveil. My apologies." Seraphine replied, slightly tense.
She turned to leave, but before she could move away, Moonveil's voice stopped her once more.
"Do you not think you also owe an apology?"
Seraphine stopped. She turned on her heels and, in the same movement, performed a stiff bow, "Apologize, Umbra."
The words came out through clenched teeth. Without waiting for a response, she straightened and left with quick steps, clearly uncomfortable with the situation.
Moonveil watched her leave until she disappeared around the corner. Then, finally, she directed her attention toward Umbra. Her expression lost its previous hardness, softening slightly, although her eyes still retained a trace of seriousness.
Raising her finger accusingly, Moonveil pointed directly at her.
"And do not think you are getting away either!"
Umbra tensed slightly at the gesture, but at the same time her lips curved faintly upward. It was an almost imperceptible reaction, but it was there, "You know it was not my intention to start an argument with her."
Moonveil maintained her gaze fixed on her eyes for a few seconds, "Do not give me that story. You know perfectly well what she is like." Then she lowered her finger and turned around naturally, as if the matter had already been decided. "You are lucky that I have something important to discuss with you."
Her tone changed slightly, becoming closer to an order than a suggestion, "Follow me."
"And what about the Academy? I do not want to lose more time." Umbra frowned slightly.
Moonveil continued walking without stopping.
"What I have to tell you is related… besides, I can personally take you there if you wish."
Umbra did not hesitate long before accepting and began to follow her.
During the walk they did not exchange words. The silence between them was not uncomfortable, Moonveil and she had managed to form a good friendship –apart from their bond as sisters. Both possessed Aspects with details in common and because of this, there was a deeper connection between them.
Umbra used that moment to organize her thoughts, especially after what had happened just minutes earlier.
Although Seraphine had said it with the intention of bothering her… there was actually some truth in her words.
Since returning from her First Nightmare, she had been treated differently from the rest of her sisters who were also Sleepers. Of course, they did not know the true reason.
The Queen and her sisters who were Saints did know.
The rank of her Aspect was not common… nor something that could be ignored. However, without access to that information, the rest of her sisters only saw the final result: a difference in treatment.
To them, Umbra was simply being favored and although that misunderstanding was annoying… it still did not justify that Seraphine had tried to take advantage of her Flaw to cause her pain.
Her Flaw was not a secret within the group of sisters.
Precisely because of the nature of that weakness, it had been decided to make it public among them, in order to avoid dangerous situations during training.
Flaw: [Silent Scar]
Flaw Description: [Your body rejects closeness it does not choose, reacting painfully to touch even when your mind does not understand why.]
At first, Umbra had not understood why the spell had granted her a Flaw of that type.
It felt arbitrary… almost disconnected from any aspect of her identity. But now that she knew more about her past… she began to consider another possibility.
Perhaps it was related to the accident that had caused her to lose her memory.
If that was true… then there was a possibility that her brother knew something more. After all… he had been there.
Moonveil finally stopped in front of a door and entered with the same serenity that characterized her. Umbra followed her in silence and closed the door behind her.
As soon as the sound of the door closing resonated softly in the room, Moonveil activated a Memory. A faint vibration moved through the air, isolating the space from any outside sound.
Then she sat in one of the chairs, crossing her legs elegantly, and gestured for her to do the same. Umbra obeyed without asking questions, taking a seat in front of her. A bad premonition began to slowly run through her body.
Both remained silent for a few moments. Umbra ended up tilting her head slightly, a silent question forming on her delicate face.
Moonveil sighed softly, "I know what you are thinking… relax." Her voice softened slightly, "Although this is related to the Academy… it is not about your brother."
Umbra nodded, although now the confusion was becoming more evident in her gaze.
Moonveil continued:
"We were discussing with our mother and the rest of our sisters whether we should tell you this or not." She made a brief pause before adding: "But in the end, we decided that it could be useful for you to know."
Umbra frowned slightly.
Now nothing made sense. Something about the Academy… but not about her brother. Then about whom?
Moonveil spoke again, "You see… in the Academy there is also someone who has history with our mother." Then she asked naturally: "Do you remember the participants of her cohort?"
Umbra nodded, "Yes." And she listed without difficulty: "Broken Sword, Smile of Heaven, Anvil… and mother."
Moonveil nodded slowly. "Good… what I am about to tell you is not known by many people. In fact… within the clan only mother, Seishan and the sisters who reached the rank of Saint know." Her tone became more serious as she adopted a more comfortable posture in the chair.
"The truth… is that Broken Sword and Smile of Heaven had a daughter."
Umbra's posture changed slightly, reflecting an obvious question. Why should that matter to her?
Moonveil immediately understood the reaction, "I know… in theory it should not matter to you." Then she added: "But the daughter of those two figures… is also in the Academy."
Umbra remained silent for a few seconds before speaking,
"And what do I gain from that information?"
Moonveil smiled faintly, "I am curious… what would you do with only that information?"
Umbra shrugged slightly,
"I do not know… you said she is the daughter of former members of mother's cohort… perhaps I would try to become friends with her? Although obviously my priority is still my brother."
Moonveil slowly shook her head. "No, Ummy… under no circumstances try to become friends with her."
"Why?" Umbra tilted her head slightly.
"Because you would be putting yourself in danger."
Umbra's expression changed immediately, showing clear confusion. She was about to speak, but Moonveil continued before she could do so.
"There are several reasons… it does not make sense to explain all of them now. But I can tell you the most important one." Her voice became firmer, "When she finds out that you belong to our clan… she will assume that you are an assassin sent with the mission to kill her."
That finally broke the calm Umbra had maintained until that moment, "What? Why?"
Moonveil sighed softly, "Look… mother is not particularly proud of it… but it was something necessary at the time." She made a small pause before continuing: "The girl's name is Nephis." Her gaze became completely serious.
"I want you to stay as far away from her as possible."
Then she asked, emphasizing each word: "Do you understand me?"
Umbra swallowed,
"Yes… sister."
Moonveil held her gaze for a few more seconds, as if trying to confirm that she had truly understood the gravity of the matter. Finally, she nodded, "Good, –She stood up from the chair– remember it when you see her."
She approached her with an expression that, although calm, revealed a slight implicit question and Umbra understood the signal. She stood up from her seat and placed her hand on her sister's shoulder. In the next instant, Moonveil pulled on her tether.
They appeared directly in the Waking World complex.
Now there was no turning back. The next time Umbra could return to Ravenheart and see her sisters… it would be after the Winter Solstice, as an Awakened.
She removed her hand from Moonveil's shoulder and both walked toward the exit, where a PTV was already waiting to take her.
As they approached, the driver bowed his head respectfully, "Princess Moonveil. Princess Umbra."
Both returned the greeting with a slight nod before the man entered the driver's cabin.
Umbra turned toward her sister and, after a brief hesitation, hugged her lightly –an unusual gesture for her– Moonveil returned the embrace gently before stepping back.
Umbra entered the PTV.
Before the door closed, Moonveil spoke one last time, "Remember what we talked about. No recklessness… and focus on returning. Alright?" Her tone was soft… almost warm.
Umbra nodded, "Do not worry, Moon… when I return, I will not be alone."
A faint smile appeared on her face before the door closed. The PTV's engine started, and the vehicle began its route toward the Academy.
Umbra leaned her back against the seat, feeling how tension and anticipation mixed within her chest. She could not wait any longer.