Chapter 1: The Sovereign's Duty
The clock had long passed midnight. The chill on the rooftops of the Commerce Province was sharp, but the gathered figures of the Umbra Crown paid it no mind. They moved like shadows poured over stone.
Lord Umbra stood at the edge, his silhouette stark against the city lights.
"Slythe, is this the Crimson Eye cult?"
Slythe consulted a small, crystal-embedded terminal in her armored wrist guard. Her voice was precise and unwavering. "No, Sovereign. It's a new one, but clearly a sister cult. The name is outdated—no manuscripts can help me translate it—but I'll have the full name in two hours, max."
"You better," Renaria murmured, her naginata sheath clutched tight. Her tone carried a deep, loyal impatience.
A moment later, Fenrix dropped onto the rooftop from a higher perch, landing without a sound. "Cult gathering up ahead!"
Nyari's Kunais were already in her hands. "Well, that was fast."
Ashelin drew her whipsword, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Yep. Now let's see if this unnamed cult is worth the energy."
They moved as one to the location, finding Kaelin and Veyla already standing guard over a derelict warehouse entrance.
"Ah, Sovereign, sorry for the miscommunication," Kaelin said, her usual gang-boss bravado muted. "Couldn't lock in the coordinates."
"It's alright, Kae. What are we looking at?"
Kaelin's serious expression was answer enough. She led the group around the corner to a sight that instantly silenced their banter: dozens of corpses. They were not just dead; they were meticulously arranged. Veyla's feral, crimson and violet eyes flared wide.
Nyari inhaled sharply. "She smells… lust."
Slythe analyzed a nearby dead cultist. "They bled themselves dry to perform a summoning ritual. The lust Nyari detects may have been the required energy source for the Fallen God."
Renaria snapped into command mode. "Support! Intelligence!"
Twenty figures from the Shadow Support and fifteen from Shadow Intelligence emerged from the darkness. They all wore practical, Taisho-inspired white shirts and slacks—no cumbersome dresses here.
"Investigate immediately and clear the bodies," Slythe ordered. The operatives nodded and got to work.
Ashelin sidled up to Kai. "So, Master-chan, will you be busy tomorrow?"
"Mmm, let me see. Maybe, we never know."
"So, if you're not busy, can we spar together?"
"Sure." Ashelin leaped with a silent burst of joy and went to pet Veyla, who sat rigid on guard.
One of the Intelligence operatives handed Slythe an analysis chart. Slythe's face tightened. "Well, our conclusion is… not good. They succeeded in their summoning ritual."
Lord Umbra sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Of course they did. Okay, now we must—"
"Master," Veyla's voice was a soft, urgent warning. "The moon is about to rest."
"Got it, Vey. Girls, Fenrix, you take care of the rest."
Renaria immediately moved forward. "You have our word."
Fenrix sharpened his claws on the rooftop's edge. "We won't let you down."
Lord Umbra gave them a faint, genuine smile. "Have you ever?" He turned and walked into the shadows of the nearby forest.
Renaria: His faith in us is… exemplary.
Ashelin: And dreamy.
Nyari: And hot! (Everyone looked at her.) "Sorry."
A Few Hours Later.
The first weak rays of dawn were just beginning to stain the high windows of the Akatsuki family wing. Kai was already pacing his massive room.
Kai (ID): If a fallen god has entered the mortal world, then we must be on high alert. The Lumina Academy journey will have to be a quick one.
A gentle knock on the door broke his focus. "Enter."
Lady Ayame entered, holding a tray with biscuits and moonlit tea. "Hey, love."
"Mom," Kai said, the genuine joy in his voice a stark contrast to his Lord Umbra tone. "What brings you at this hour?"
"Oh, you know, the daily life of being a mother—your instincts just activate," she chuckled nervously.
Kai (ID): She wants to request something from me but is afraid of my reaction. Honestly, it's sad how the woman who carried me for nine months fears my emotions.
"Kaa-ma?"
"Yes, dear?"
Kai held her hands gently. "What do you request?"
Lady Ayame exhaled sharply. "Well, your father wants you to go to… the Lumina Academy. But he sent me to tell you since he'll be all strict and all and—"
"Mom. You are a mother, my general, and my confidant. Whatever you ask, I shall respond and perform, no matter the task." Kai took a sip of the tea. "Besides, reading in the Akatsuki library alone is boring these days. I think it'll be good for me to go."
Lady Ayame beamed. "Oh, thank you!"
"It's okay. So, how are your meetings going with Auntie Renka and Shuren?"
"Good, good. They think they have found a good replacement for Aurelia's assistant."
Kai raised an eyebrow as he drank his tea. "That must be good for her. But aren't you supporting this new assistant?"
Lady Ayame tensed. "No. For some reason, I don't like her. I bet no one does."
"Well, let's give her a shot?"
"Last time I gave an assistant a 'shot,' I impaled them."
Kai slightly tilted his head. "I see. Then I'll ensure I have good intentions when I visit the Academy's infirmary."
Lady Ayame ate the last biscuit. "Now then, time for me to sleep. Oh, can you also sleep with Rei today? She's been feeling off due to her pregnancy issue."
"Sure. Bring her here."
Rei, the pregnant white lioness with black paws, trotted in. Her violet eyes locked onto Kai, and she instantly leaped onto him with a rumble of joy, licking his face. After a few minutes of petting, Rei finally settled.
Lady Ayame rose. "Okay, love, better go to bed. Tomorrow is a long journey. The Lumina Academy is situated in the Veloria Province this year, so get ready."
"Okay, Kaa-ma. Night."
Lady Ayame left, and Kai rested on his futon, staring at the ceiling. His eyes shimmered a faint crimson before he finally went to rest.
The next morning, Kai finished dressing in a crisp, traditional yukata and walked toward the grand doors of the Akatsuki family palace, where his luggage waited.
"Lumina Academy, huh? Well, the best way to make friends is to socialize, I guess."
"And it lessens any suspicions of Lord Umbra, yes?"
Kai turned to see Renaria standing behind him, already changed and composed. "Renaria, you're back."
"Yes, I am. And sadly, we still haven't gained any more information regarding last night's events."
"Is that so? Tell Veyla and Kaelin to survey the area, as Nyari and Slythe investigate other cults."
"I shall. So, is my Sovereign ready for school?"
"Heck yeah. Staying at home is fun, but," Kai gestured at the large, empty hall around them, "it's kinda lonely."
"I guess it is. Well, at least you have me."
Kai's face was utterly deadpan. "We still don't make up half of the room, and you have the audacity to mention you?"
Renaria looked down. "My apologies."
"It's okay. Now then, what are we waiting for—"
A travel bag was slammed straight into his face by a furious blur of motion.
Renaria (ID): I love the universe and its laws (karma).
Elara helped Kai up. "Otō-kun! I'm coming with you!"
"Wait, what!? Mom! I thought Lyra and Elara finished school!"
Daimyō Varian walked toward them, his expression cold and severe. "She did, Kai, but she needs to go back and perform some final lessons. That's all."
Kai smiled tightly. "Oh, okay."
Elara adjusted her clothes, brimming with excitement. "Don't worry, Otō-kun. If anyone harms you, I will be there to show them who's boss!"
"Thanks, but now I'm afraid of all the people you would just beat because your 'sister instincts' kicked in."
Lyra walked in, calm and composed, the true heir. "Don't worry, brother. She's going to be calm… aren't you, sister?"
Elara whimpered. "Yes, ma'am."
"I'm… not even going to ask, but that's good to know," Kai said.
A maid appeared. "Lord Kai, Lady Ayame requests your presence by her garden."
"Yes."
Elara clapped her hands. "We leave in five minutes! Be quick!"
"Okay!" Kai walked off.
Varian turned to Elara, his voice a low, gravelly command. "Watch his progress. I refuse an Akatsuki to be… weak."
Elara looked down, her excitement dissolving into tension. "Yes, Father. But—"
"No contradictions, Elara. You are to do as told."
"Yes, Father."
Kai walked into the garden. It was a scene of profound tranquility. An unpainted wooden gate marked the boundary, forcing his pace to slow along the path of stepping stones. A gnarled black pine stood sentinel, its branches meticulously trained. The gentle stream trickled over river stones, its soothing sound masking the distant city noise.
Lady Ayame was tending to the branches, but by her side lay her Tachi. Two Neko bells were tied onto the Kashira of the sword. The words "心静如水" (Mind/Heart is still like water) engraved on the blade caught Kai's attention.
"You're going somewhere new, somewhere where you will have to adapt and be calm," Lady Ayame said softly, not looking up. "Today, I now hand to you my Amayadori." She gestured to the ancient Tachi. "Value it and protect it."
Tears welled in Kai's eyes, the pure emotion of the gift overwhelming him. "I promise I will."
"Good. Now go, and show them who you are."
Kai kissed her cheek and rushed off to meet Elara.
Elara's eyes went wide when she saw the Tachi. "Hey, cool! You know, Lyra and I have never even touched Amayadori. You are one lucky child… cherish it. Amayadori has been on the Mizuhana lineage for centuries, and to this day, it is one of the strongest weapons a user can have."
"Don't worry. I will."
Elara cracked her knuckles, a spark of genuine excitement returning. "Now then, let us begin our new journey!"
Kai locked eyes with her, gripping the Tachi's handle. "Yeah. Let's."
As Kai and Elara entered the carriage, they waved Lyra and Daimyō Varian off. Lady Ayame smiled and hummed a certain song. Inside the carriage, Kai held the Amayadori with a sacred reverence. He watched as the steel seemed to hum with faint crimson and violet energy—a light only he could see.
The two Neko bells on the hilt jingled as the carriage rolled away.