The Duke of Valoria stood at the head of the grand dining table, his presence commanding as the flickering candlelight cast shadows across the richly decorated hall. Tapestries adorned the walls, telling tales of valor and honor, but tonight the atmosphere was thick with tension. I could feel it in the air, a weight pressing down on us like an impending storm.
After our harrowing escape from the Gray Zone and the encounter with the lycanthropes, we had returned to the Valorian household for what should have been a moment of reprieve. Instead, we were met with unsettling news that gnawed at my mind.
The Duke cleared his throat, and silence fell over the room. Satsuki and Haruto, seated beside me, exchanged worried glances. My heart raced, a sense of foreboding prickling at my skin.
"Ryuji," the Duke began, his voice steady yet filled with an undercurrent of emotion. "As you know, our family has a long-standing tradition—a rite of passage for those who show promise and bravery." He stepped forward, producing a beautifully crafted pocket watch from within his coat. The metal gleamed under the warm light, engraved with intricate designs that seemed to shift and change with every angle.
My breath caught in my throat as he approached me, the weight of his gaze heavy upon me. "This watch has been passed down through generations of Valorias. It symbolizes not just time, but the legacy of our family and the responsibilities that come with it."
I accepted the watch, my fingers brushing against its cool surface. "Thank you, Your Grace. I—"
He raised a hand to silence me, his expression stern. "This watch is not just a gift; it is a reminder. The enemy we face is relentless, and they draw closer by the day. Fortress Milohai has fallen, and our enemies are emboldened by this victory."
I nodded, the gravity of his words settling in my chest. Fortress Milohai had been a stronghold, a bastion of safety for many. Its destruction sent ripples of fear through the kingdom, and I could feel that fear resonating within me.
Just then, the door swung open, and Headmaster Merlin entered, his presence commanding immediate attention. Behind him trailed Kaede, her eyes wide with concern. The air shifted as he stepped forward, his robes flowing behind him like shadows.
"Duke Valoria," Merlin said, his voice deep and resonant, "I have come to discuss the implications of Fortress Milohai's destruction. We are facing a crisis, and we must act swiftly."
"Headmaster," the Duke replied, his demeanor grave, "you arrive at a critical moment. Ryuji and his companions have just returned from the Gray Zone, where they faced the lycanthropes. The threat is real, and it grows by the hour."
Merlin turned his attention to me, his sharp gaze penetrating. "Ryuji, I hope you understand the weight of what lies ahead. The Black Knight spoke of an approaching enemy, and I fear we have underestimated their resolve."
Kaede stepped forward, her voice shaky yet determined. "We need to prepare. If the Black Knight is correct, then we cannot afford to be caught off guard. We must rally our forces and fortify our defenses."
The Duke nodded, a flicker of pride crossing his features as he looked at Kaede. "You speak wisely, Kaede. It is time we convene our allies and strategize our next steps. We cannot allow the destruction of Fortress Milohai to shatter our resolve."
I felt the weight of the pocket watch in my hand, a constant reminder of the legacy I was now a part of. "What can I do to help?" I asked, determination surging within me.
Merlin studied me for a moment before nodding slowly. "Your strength and determination will be crucial, Ryuji. We will need you at the forefront of this battle, ready to face whatever comes our way."
As the conversation continued, plans were laid out, strategies discussed, and alliances formed. I could sense the urgency in the room—the fear of the unknown mingled with the resolve to protect our home.
I looked around the table, at the faces of those who had become my allies, my family. The road ahead was fraught with peril, but I knew one thing for certain: I would fight alongside them, no matter the cost.
I entered my room after that, placing the watch by my desk I laid in bed, there was something wrong and I could sense it.
Tragedy was coming, an unforeseen and unchangeable tragedy to befall unto me.