The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the wide courtyard of Shiro Castle. The day had been long and warm, but as evening approached, a cool breeze whispered through the trees lining the training grounds. The familiar clink of wood on wood and the light sounds of laughter filled the air as Kaito and his siblings practiced their swordplay. They had been at it for hours, honing their skills in a way that made Kaito forget everything else around him.
With the weight of the wooden practice sword in his hands, Kaito felt the rhythm of the duel flow through him. He was facing Raiko, his older brother by three years, and though Kaito wasn't yet as tall or strong, his speed and quick reflexes often gave him an edge in their training. Raiko was a formidable opponent, but Kaito could always find a way to make him work for his victory.
Raiko swung his sword in a wide arc toward Kaito, but the younger Takeda easily sidestepped, ducking low to avoid the strike. He countered with a quick jab aimed at Raiko's side, but Raiko twisted just enough to avoid it, laughing.
"You're getting faster," Raiko said, his eyes sparkling with the thrill of the fight.
"I told you I would!" Kaito responded with a grin, raising his sword again. His breath came a little faster now, the exertion of their sparring getting to him, but the adrenaline only made him feel more alive. Training was always something he looked forward to, even when it left him aching afterward.
On the sidelines, Keiko and their aunt, Mai, were observing. Keiko, ever the silent observer, had finished her match with Sora earlier in the week and now stood, arms crossed, watching Kaito with a small smile. Keiko was younger than Sora but just as fierce, with her own fiery spirit and sharp mind. Though Keiko often appeared more reserved than her older siblings, Kaito could always sense the depth of her thoughts in her quiet moments.
Aunt Mai, on the other hand, stood with a much sterner expression. Her posture was rigid, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as she watched with an intensity that Kaito had always found a little intimidating. Aunt Mai was a woman of sharp intellect and often a guiding presence in the Takeda family, but unlike their parents, she wasn't always warm. There was something calculating in her gaze, something that always made Kaito wonder what was going through her mind.
"Let's call it for now," Raiko said, lowering his sword. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and tossed a glance at Keiko, who was already walking toward them. "I think I've worn you out enough for one day."
Kaito laughed, shaking his head. "You wish. I could keep going if I didn't have a better use for my energy than fighting you all day."
Raiko grinned, but just as Kaito was about to respond, a voice cut through the air.
"Kaito," Aunt Mai's voice was firm and commanding, unlike the teasing tone he was used to from his siblings. Her eyes were fixed on him now, and there was a sharpness to her expression that sent a shiver down his spine.
"Yes, Aunt Mai?" Kaito said, his heart picking up speed as he turned to face her.
"I need you to come with me," she said, her voice clipped, offering no room for argument. There was a quiet authority in her tone that Kaito couldn't ignore, even if he didn't fully understand why she was calling him. Without another word, she turned and began walking toward the castle, expecting him to follow.
Kaito exchanged a glance with Keiko, but his sister didn't say anything. She merely gave him a slight nod, as if to reassure him. Kaito wasn't sure if he felt reassured. Aunt Mai had always been someone who kept a lot to herself, and whenever she asked him to come with her, it usually meant something serious.
He followed her through the winding halls of the castle, past ornate tapestries and towering stone walls. The halls felt quieter now, the usual bustle of servants and guards muted by the weight of the looming conversation ahead. Kaito couldn't shake the feeling that something was different today. His pulse quickened, though he couldn't explain why. He hadn't done anything wrong, had he?
They stopped in a small, dimly lit room near the back of the castle. The air in here was cooler, and there was a small table in the center with an assortment of ancient-looking scrolls spread out across it. The room seemed to hold a sense of old knowledge, its stone walls thick and enclosing, making it feel as though it had witnessed many secrets over the years.
"Sit," Aunt Mai commanded, gesturing to a chair across from the table.
Kaito complied, his stomach twisting in knots. Aunt Mai stood across from him, her gaze sharp as ever. She folded her arms and studied him for a long moment before speaking again.
"Kaito," she began, her tone low and deliberate. "I've been observing you."
Kaito blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"
Aunt Mai's eyes never left him. "You've been showing signs. Your bloodline, your power—it's all there. I've seen it. But there's something you're not telling me."
Kaito's throat went dry. He wasn't sure what she was talking about, but a heavy weight settled in his chest. His father had always spoken about the Takeda family's power, the bloodline that was tied to demons. But Kaito had never truly felt anything beyond the occasional burst of strange energy when he was particularly upset or focused. It wasn't anything he could control, and he had certainly never been able to summon a demon.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Aunt Mai," Kaito said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm just… just a normal kid."
Aunt Mai's expression hardened. "Don't lie to me, Kaito. You've been hiding it, haven't you? You've had access to the power all along. You've been keeping it from me."
Kaito's mind spun in confusion. He wasn't hiding anything. He wasn't capable of summoning a demon, at least not that he knew of. His heart began to pound in his chest.
"I—I can't summon anything," Kaito stammered. "I don't even know how."
Aunt Mai's eyes narrowed, and her lips curled into a thin line. She took a step closer to him, her gaze now penetrating. "You don't get to lie to me. Your father told me that you have the potential. He's been waiting for you to unlock it."
Kaito shook his head, his chest tightening with anxiety. "I'm nine years old. I'm not ready. I haven't even felt anything like that… I don't have a demon. I swear."
Aunt Mai's face turned cold, and for a moment, Kaito thought he saw something flicker in her eyes. But it was gone just as quickly. Without warning, she reached forward and grabbed him by the arm, her grip uncomfortably tight.
"Stop lying," she hissed. "You think I don't know what you're capable of?"
"I'm not lying!" Kaito cried, his voice cracking with desperation. He tried to pull away from her grip, but she held him firm.
"Summon your demon, Kaito," she demanded, her voice rising with impatience. "Now."
Kaito shook his head frantically. "I can't! Please, Aunt Mai—"
The slap came suddenly, stinging across his cheek, and for a moment, the world seemed to go still. Kaito staggered back, a sharp, burning pain blooming where her hand had struck him. His eyes watered from the shock of the sudden violence, and he stood frozen, unable to find the words to say.
Aunt Mai's face was like stone. "Don't test me, Kaito. I will not tolerate lies or excuses. You will summon your demon, or you will regret it."
Kaito stood there, the sting of her slap burning into his skin, his heart pounding in his chest. The room seemed smaller, colder, and he felt more alone than ever.