The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting the world outside the Shiro in shades of violet and gold. Inside the great stone walls of the castle, the glow of lanterns flickered softly, casting long shadows across the polished wooden floors. The scent of pine and incense lingered in the air as Kaito made his way through the grand halls, his footsteps muffled by the tatami mats beneath him.
After his conversation with his father, his mind felt heavy, his heart racing with a mix of fear and uncertainty. What had Haruto meant when he said the demons would come for him? And why was he the only one among his siblings who inherited the power to control them?
Kaito reached the dining hall, where the family gathered for their evening meal. The large, low table was already set with dishes of fish, rice, and vegetables, each plate carefully arranged by the castle servants. The soft murmur of conversation filled the room as Kaito stepped in, feeling the weight of the gazes upon him.
Sitting at the table were his six siblings, each with their own unique presence. Kaito had always admired how each of them possessed a different strength, each remarkable in their own right. Yet today, the sight of them only seemed to deepen his sense of isolation.
Sora, the eldest at fifteen, sat at the head of the table, her posture straight and regal despite her age. Her dark hair was tied back in a neat bun, and her sharp gaze never strayed far from the conversation. She was the most physically powerful of the Takeda siblings, a master of combat who wielded her katana with the precision of a seasoned warrior. Her presence always commanded attention, and even though she never spoke much about it, Kaito knew that she was always ready to step into her father's shoes, should he falter.
Next to her was Raiko, thirteen, with wind-swept hair that seemed to move with a mind of its own. His blue eyes sparkled with a playful energy, and he was often the first to crack a joke or lighten the mood in any situation. His mastery over the wind made him one of the most versatile of the siblings—he could move swiftly and silently, his ability to control air currents making him a natural scout and messenger. But despite his casual attitude, Kaito knew that Raiko's power was not to be underestimated.
Keiko, twelve, sat next to Raiko. Her eyes, dark and distant, seemed to always be looking past the present moment, as if listening to voices only she could hear. Keiko had inherited the gift of communicating with spirits, a power that often made others uneasy. Her quiet nature made her seem ethereal, and Kaito sometimes felt that there was a hidden depth to her that he couldn't quite understand. The spirits she spoke to were not always friendly, but Keiko's calming presence ensured they never caused harm to the family.
Then there was Yuuto, eleven, his dark eyes alight with mischief and laughter. His short, messy hair framed a face that never seemed to stop smiling. Yuuto's affinity with water gave him a carefree nature—he could manipulate water with ease, making it dance and flow at his command. Whether it was using water to heal a wound or create elaborate ice sculptures for the younger children, Yuuto's abilities made him a beloved presence in the Shiro. Kaito couldn't help but admire how Yuuto always seemed to have everything under control, even when things were chaotic.
At the far end of the table sat Haruka and Mei, the ten-year-old twins. Haruka, with her earth powers, was as grounded as they came—both literally and figuratively. Her quiet strength and protectiveness over her family made her a comforting presence, even in the most challenging of times. Mei, on the other hand, was all fire—her powers gave her a fiery spirit, a sharp wit, and a fierce temper. The contrast between the two was as clear as night and day, yet they balanced each other perfectly. Haruka's calmness tempered Mei's impulsiveness, while Mei's passion fueled Haruka's determination.
Kaito stepped into the room, his eyes scanning the faces of his siblings. Each one was focused on their meal, but Kaito couldn't shake the feeling that they were all waiting for him to say something. His heart skipped a beat as he realized how silent everything had become since his entrance.
"You're late, Kaito," Sora said, her voice warm but with an edge of authority. "Father asked you to join us, didn't he?"
Kaito hesitated, glancing at his father's empty seat. Haruto had not joined them for dinner, a rare occurrence. He had retreated to his chambers after their conversation, his face drawn and weary. The absence of his father's commanding presence made the meal feel different, almost like a shift in the family's structure.
"Father… had something to tell me," Kaito said softly, his voice trailing off.
Sora's expression softened, though she still maintained her usual composure. "Is everything all right?"
Kaito didn't know how to answer. He had spent so much time staring at the stone floor, his thoughts too tangled to articulate. But just the idea of speaking the words aloud—I am going to be a demon trainer—made his chest tighten.
"It's fine," Kaito finally said. "I'm just… thinking."
Raiko raised an eyebrow. "Thinking? About what? You look like you just saw a ghost."
"Maybe not a ghost," Kaito muttered, his eyes flicking to Keiko, who was studying him with an intensity that made him uncomfortable. "Something more… real."
Keiko said nothing, but Kaito could feel the weight of her gaze, as though she was peering into his soul.
"Well, whatever it is," Raiko said, leaning back in his chair with a grin, "you're going to need all your wits about you when you start training. Not everyone gets the gift of controlling demons. Pretty impressive, don't you think?"
Kaito's eyes widened at his brother's casual tone. "I didn't ask for it," he replied, his voice low.
Yuuto, who had been quietly listening, leaned forward, his expression full of sympathy. "You don't have to do it alone, Kaito. We're all here to help, no matter what. If you need to talk, we can figure it out together."
"You should talk to Father," Haruka said, her voice soft but firm. "He's the one who knows best about this. The rest of us can't help you with demons."
Kaito's gaze shifted to the two youngest, Haruka and Mei, who were sitting together across from him. Mei was the first to speak, her sharp eyes narrowing in mischief.
"You're the one who's going to be a demon trainer, huh?" she said, her voice tinged with excitement. "Does that mean you get to ride on the back of one of those scary things?"
Kaito shook his head, unable to find any humor in her question. "I'm not sure I even want to control them."
Mei's expression faltered slightly, but only for a moment. "Don't worry, Kaito. You'll figure it out," she said, her tone far more serious than usual.
Haruka reached out and placed a hand on Kaito's arm, her touch light but reassuring. "You are not alone. We'll be here, no matter what happens."
Kaito nodded, though a knot still twisted in his stomach. The conversation shifted back to other matters, and Kaito quietly picked at his food, listening to the chatter of his siblings. But his thoughts kept returning to his father's words.
The Takeda family's legacy was built upon a rare and dangerous power—one that Kaito had never truly understood until today. His father, the mighty Takeda Haruto, had been a living legend for his ability to control demons. But Haruto's power was fading, and Kaito had now inherited the mantle. It was a terrifying thought, one that made Kaito wonder if he would be able to live up to the expectations that had been placed on him.
Once dinner had ended, Kaito excused himself from the table and made his way to the garden. The cool night air greeted him as he stepped outside, the sounds of crickets filling the silence. He gazed up at the stars, their pinpricks of light offering a sense of calm.
But even as he tried to calm his thoughts, something seemed to stir within him—a sense that the world was shifting, that the future was approaching far faster than he had anticipated.
The Takeda family was powerful, yes. But with that power came responsibility—responsibility that Kaito wasn't sure he was ready for. He thought of his father, how his once mighty strength seemed to be slipping. Kaito had been chosen, but the weight of that choice was heavier than he had ever imagined.
As he stood there, lost in thought, a faint rustling in the garden's shadows caught his attention. He turned, his eyes narrowing, but there was nothing there—only the breeze whispering through the trees. The garden felt peaceful, but Kaito knew that peace wouldn't last forever. His training was just the beginning.
And soon, the demons would come.