The Chika Palace grounds had been transformed into a spectacular autumnal wonderland for the Fall Festival. Vibrant red and gold lanterns hung from the trees, their soft glow complementing the natural hues of the falling leaves. Elaborate pavilions dotted the landscape, each adorned with the emblems of the four great clans.
Kaito and Yasushi stood tall in regal blue attire, their outfits a perfect match to Airi's kimono. Kaito's ensemble featured intricate water motifs embroidered in silver thread, while Yasushi's smaller version bore similar, yet simpler designs. Both outfits reflected the Chika clan's mastery over water.
As the festival began, royalty and prominent clan members of the living realm arrived in a procession of color and grandeur. Kaito, Airi, and Yasushi stood side by side at the palace gates, greeting their esteemed guests.
"Welcome, Comrades! Long time no see," Kaito roared, his arms spread wide as King Mari, King Izimaru, and King Masahiko approached with their families.
King Mari's modern Italian formal attire spoke of his clan's connection to the earth, with subtle brown and green accents in his impeccably tailored suit. King Izimaru's bright and bold African-inspired tribal attire, modernized yet unmistakably regal, reflected his clan's mastery over fire. King Masahiko's Greco-Roman royal attire, with flowing fabrics reminiscent of wind-swept clouds, represented his clan's command of air.
"BRUHHAAA!!" cried out Izimaru, hopping into Kaito's arms. "It's been far too long."
"Aren't you a little too old to be carrying a grown man, Kaito?" Airi teased, greeting Mari with a kiss to his cheek. Izimaru quickly removed himself from Kaito's arms and began caressing Airi's hands.
"After all these years, the heavens continue to endow you with beauty, Queen Airi. Why, there are only a few wrinkles in sight." Airi laughed loathly, clenching Izimaru's hands with great strength.
"Still acting so childish, I see. When will you ever learn not to comment on a woman's appearance," Masahiko interrupted, distracting Airi from her bloodlust and releasing Izimaru's hand.
Izimaru painfully rubbed his hands, quietly whimpering. "It was a compliment!"
Sora, Mari's wife, interjected with a sharp tone, "Beauty fades just as the leaves change colors, my love. Airi is no exception to such a natural law of the world. Yet, that seems to be the only thing going for her... what a pity..."
Airi turned her glare towards Sora, the tension in the air palpably increasing.
Fukiko, Izimaru's wife, retorted, gently tapping Sora on the shoulder with her sensu, "Sora, where are your manners? It is not her fault that the heavens punished her with a barren womb. After all, even a fool has one talent."
Airi's glare shifted to Fukiko, intensifying, but she remained silent. Sora and Fukiko glared back, preparing themselves for Airi's potential reaction. Yasushi moved closer to his mother, positioning himself to defend her flank.
Kaito and Mari, sensing the escalating threat, looked at each other and nodded, preparing to intervene. However, before they could act, King Izimaru pulled Fukiko back by her gown, creating space for Taichi, Koba, Megumi, and Sachiko to pass.
The young royals approached Yasushi, their presence momentarily diffusing the tense atmosphere. Taichi, King Mari's youngest son, wore earth-toned formal wear that complemented his father's attire. Koba, King Izimaru's oldest son, was dressed in vibrant, fire-inspired clothing. Megumi, Taichi's cousin, wore a subtle, elegant dress in earthy hues. Sachiko, the oldest son of King Masahiko, was adorned in flowing, air-inspired robes.
As the tension among the adults simmered, the arrival of the children brought a welcome change to the atmosphere.
"Yasushi!" Megumi howled as she zoomed over, enveloping him in a tight hug.
"Ugh, Uh... Hey Megumi!" Yasushi choked out, struggling under Megumi's enthusiastic embrace.
Koba, ever the peacemaker, intervened. "Oi, Yasushi, what's up!" he called out, gently pushing Megumi off to allow Yasushi to breathe.
Taichi trudged over, his face a picture of reluctance. "I really don't wanna be here," he complained, though a hint of a smile tugged at his lips.
"I'm so happy to see everyone!" Sachiko wept dramatically, throwing his arms around the group in an all-encompassing hug.
The children's commotion broke Airi's concentration on Sora and Fukiko. Kaito seized the opportunity to grab hold of Airi's hand, offering silent comfort. Mari shot Sora a look of aggravation, prompting her to look away with a huff.
Seeking to dispel the lingering tension, Kaito awkwardly asked, "So... where is your wife, Masahiko? Will she be arriving later?"
"She has a fever and couldn't make it. She sends her regards, though," Masahiko replied with a small shrug.
Izimaru, the crowned life of the party, saw his chance. "Good," he responded with a grin. "Now, let's stop this foolishness and drink. I did not come here to start trouble... right, Fukiko?" he added, scowling at his wife.
Without an opportunity for anyone to object, Izimaru threw his arms in the air. "YES!!! LET'S PARTY!" he cheered, striding into the palace with infectious enthusiasm.
The children, caught up in the sudden shift, exchanged gleeful looks. Yasushi, finally free from Megumi's grasp, couldn't help but laugh. Even Taichi's reluctant expression melted into a grin.
The group began to move into the palace, following Izimaru's lead, the earlier tensions seemed to dissipate.
As the adults retreated into the palace, Kaito turned to the children with a warm smile. "Kids, why don't you go and enjoy the festival? Many have gone to the plantation outside of the palace to partake in games and contests. I'm sure you guys will have fun!"
Mari fixed his son with a stern look. "Taichi, try not to get into any trouble," he ordered.
Izimaru simply turned to look at Koba and nodded, a wordless exchange of understanding passing between father and son. Masahiko continued his progression into the palace, ignoring any concerns for this son.
"Megumi, dear! Have fuuunnnnn," Sora called out, winking at her daughter.
Obeying Kaito's instructions, Yasushi, Taichi, Megumi, Koba, and Sachiko made their way around the palace, through the vast garden with its autumnal splendor. They arrived at the palace's outer plantation, which had been transformed into a vibrant festival ground.
The plantation was alive with color and sound. Lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, casting a warm glow over the festivities. The air was filled with the mingling scents of various foods and the excited chatter of attendees.
From Kingyo Sukui (goldfish scooping) to Wanage (ring toss) to Senbonbiki (thousand-line pull), the children participated in the festival's activities, indulging in all it had to offer. They sampled yakitori, savored takoyaki, and delighted in sweet Crepes along the way.
As the hours passed, however, the initial excitement began to wane. The swelling crowd and long lines started to grate on their nerves.
"Damn it!" Yasushi yelled, frustration evident in his voice. "I hate crowds."
They decided to retreat from the bustling festival grounds, finding a quiet spot in the palace gardens. Taichi flopped onto a bench, shoveling takoyaki and cotton candy into his mouth. "The festival is nothing special," he grumbled between bites. "Why did our parents even bring us here?"
The garden's serenity was broken by the sudden tension in Yasushi's voice. The autumn leaves seemed to rustle more urgently, as if sensing the shift in the atmosphere.
Sachiko quickly inserted himself, motioning closer to Taichi. "It's not meant to be a festival, ya know. It's a get-together amongst the royal family and high-ranking members of our clans to foster goodwill."
Koba's gaze wandered to the blooming roses, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the seriousness of his words. "The truth is, besides King Kaito and King Izimaru, none of our families truly like each other. They just tolerate one another and abide by the pact made generations ago." As he spoke, he couldn't help but notice Megumi inching closer to Yasushi, while Sachiko stared hungrily at Taichi, who continued to munch on his leftover takoyaki.
"Makes sense," Yasushi nodded, his earlier frustration giving way to understanding. "If we didn't have that pact, we would just end up killing each other fighting for control."
Koba placed his hands behind his head, his posture casual but his words weighted. "I don't see the problem with fighting for control. If you're weak, you die. Fragile leaders only create suffering for their people."
The air grew thick with tension as Yasushi's eyes narrowed. "And which clan are you implying is fragile, Koba?" His hand unconsciously clenched into a fist. His words hung in the air, heavy with implications.
Koba beamed at Yasushi with daring eyes and chuckled. "Look, each clan has its own inherent weaknesses, since we have limits in our capabilities of mastering all the elements." As he spoke, a gentle breeze stirred the nearby flowers, as if nature itself was listening. "Actually, it's impossible, and such skills haven't been seen for millenniums. We royalty of the Takeshimego clan is blessed with the birth element to master fire. Unlike the other clans, we don't care about one's birth element, we only accept the most fierce warriors..."
Yasushi's eyebrows raised slightly at Koba's words, his earlier confrontational stance softening into curiosity. "...while the Chika clan royals are masters of water, ...Kokoro royals, masters of earth, and the Nami royals being masters of air."
Koba's words painted a picture of the delicate balance between the clans, each with their own strengths and vulnerabilities.
Stretching his arms in the air, Koba concluded, "That's why we mix and mingle with other clans. Even clans from other realms, just to create offspring with a better chance of honing multiple elements outside of their birth one, or even better...possessing a noryoku."
"Wait... Wahht!!" Sachiko blurted out, bits of Takoyaki he had stolen from Taichi spraying from his mouth. Taichi looked on in horror, suddenly realizing his food was gone.
Megumi rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with disdain. "It's a common practice, you Idiot. Even peasants have relationships with others outside their birth element."
The tension in the air dissipated slightly as Yasushi cackled, "Koba, I'm surprised someone like you knows so much."
Koba's eyes widened at Yasushi's snark remark, the earlier camaraderie evaporating. "Someone like me!?! What's that supposed to mean?"
Everyone stayed silent in anticipation of Yasushi's response. "You should be surprised about that, Yasushi. " Taichi interjected, his words cutting through the earlier tension. "Everyone here is a first-born... except Koba and I." The garden seemed to grow quieter as his voice carried a hint of something deeper.
"Huh?" Sachiko muttered, confusion evident on his face.
Taichi's eyes avoid Koba's, remaining fixed on a distant point, "Oh? Don't you know? Koba is the second born of twins conceived to King Izimaru."
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