The sun had barely begun to set when the sound of hooves echoing against the stone driveway signaled the return of Kaito's parents. The familiar rhythm of horses and carriages made Kaito's heart skip a beat, knowing that this was not just a normal return. His father and mother, as well as Sora, had rushed back as soon as they had received word of Aunt Mai's actions. They had been gone on an important trip, but nothing seemed more important than their children's safety, especially after hearing about the incident.
Kaito was standing in the hallway, his mind still racing from the events of the day, when he heard the heavy doors of the castle open. He looked toward the entrance and saw his father, Takeda Haruto, stepping inside, followed by Lady Takeda and Sora. The suddenness of their return and the concern etched on their faces made Kaito feel a mixture of relief and dread. The tension that had built up in the days leading to this moment had been replaced by an urgency that could only come from something serious.
"Father! Mother!" Kaito cried, rushing to them.
Haruto's sharp gaze softened when he saw his children. "Kaito," he said, his voice steady but filled with worry. "We've heard what happened. Are you all right?"
Kaito nodded, though his heart was heavy with everything that had transpired. "I'm fine… but Aunt Mai…" He couldn't find the right words to explain the violent confrontation. Raiko appeared beside him, standing in solidarity with their younger brother.
"She—she tried to make Kaito summon a demon," Raiko said, his tone tense. "She slapped him. We don't know what got into her."
Lady Takeda's face went pale at the mention of the word "demon." "What do you mean by that? What happened?"
Kaito felt the weight of the situation settling in again, and his throat tightened as he recounted the events. "Aunt Mai… she kept asking me to summon a demon, but I couldn't. I don't even have any demons. I'm only nine. Then, this boy… a boy who I saw in the woods before… he came and defeated Aunt Mai. He called himself Nori. He saved us."
There was a pause as his words hung in the air, the weight of the situation sinking in. Sora and Raiko exchanged glances, unsure of how to process what Kaito had just said.
"A boy?" Haruto repeated, his voice steady but laced with disbelief. "You mean he just appeared, defeated your aunt, and then left?"
Kaito nodded. "Yes. He didn't stay long. He said, 'Just remember my name,' and then he left. I… I don't understand why he did it. He didn't explain anything."
A strange silence filled the room. Haruto's eyes narrowed, his brow furrowing as he considered what Kaito had said. Finally, he took a slow breath and motioned for Kaito to follow him.
"Kaito, come with me," Haruto said, his tone quiet but firm. "I need to speak with you privately."
Kaito hesitated for a moment, his siblings still watching closely, but he obeyed, walking down the corridor with his father. When they reached a quiet room, Haruto turned to face Kaito, his expression unreadable.
"Tell me, Kaito," Haruto said, his voice low, "have you encountered this boy before?"
Kaito's stomach churned at the question, his mind racing. "Yes… I saw him in the woods a few days ago. He… he was standing near a tree, and he called me over. He didn't seem like he was from around here. I don't think I've ever seen him before that."
Haruto's eyes darkened at the mention of the woods. "Nori… you say his name was?" His father's voice took on a cautious edge, as if testing the words in his mouth before speaking them aloud.
Kaito nodded. "Yes. Nori."
There was a long silence, and then Haruto took a deep breath. "Kaito, I need you to listen carefully. The boy you met… his name is one that is familiar to me. But not in a way that you would expect. You see, demons are heartless creatures. They don't act out of kindness or concern for others. They are chaotic, destructive, and powerful, and they can only be bound by their masters. What you've just described is… impossible. The Nori you met should not have helped you, especially not when he's a demon."
Kaito's eyes widened. "But he saved us! He defeated Aunt Mai easily. She was much stronger than I thought anyone could be, but he stopped her without even trying."
Haruto shook his head slowly. "Demons don't act like that. They are bound by their masters' wills, and their loyalty is only to those who control them. But there is something I have to tell you that I have never shared with you before—something that was passed down to me by my father."
Kaito listened intently, his heart pounding as his father's words took a more serious turn.
"There are legends," Haruto continued, his voice low, "that speak of a rare breed of demon—one that doesn't behave like the others. These demons are naturally bound to a human, and they protect them. They are called 'the Bound Ones.' According to the stories, they are so rare that many people believe they are just myths—old tales meant to warn people of the dangers of demons. But if what you say is true, Kaito, this Nori may be one of them."
Kaito stood frozen, trying to comprehend what his father had just said. He had never heard of demons being anything other than what he had read in history books—violent, uncontrollable forces. A demon that could be bound to a person and protect them? It seemed too far-fetched to believe.
"What do you mean?" Kaito asked, his voice filled with confusion. "If this Nori is one of these 'Bound Ones,' what does that mean for me?"
Haruto placed his hands on his son's shoulders, looking him directly in the eyes. "It means that Nori might be bound to you, Kaito. But what you need to understand is this: demons are not something to take lightly. Even a Bound One like Nori might not be so easy to control. And even if Nori is protecting you now, that doesn't mean all demons will be like him."
Kaito blinked, the weight of his father's words beginning to sink in. "But how do I… how do I control them? How do I summon them if they're not all like Nori?"
Haruto's gaze grew serious. "To summon a demon, Kaito, you don't need to do anything complicated. You simply have to call their name. Shout it out, and they will come. But that is only the first step. Once they appear, you will have to prove yourself worthy. You will have to fight them. You will have to show them that you are strong enough to bind them to your will. Some demons might obey, some might not. But none of them will come willingly, and none of them will stay unless you prove yourself."
Kaito swallowed hard. He had never expected his life to take such a drastic turn. To summon demons, to have the power to control them—yet knowing that it came with such danger, with the risk of a violent struggle against them—was terrifying.
"But Father, I don't want to fight them…" Kaito whispered. "I just want to be safe."
Haruto's expression softened, though his eyes remained filled with concern. "I understand, Kaito. But this is the reality we live in. The world outside these walls is full of dangers, and your power will be the key to protecting this family. But remember this: just because a demon is bound to you doesn't mean you can trust them. Be wary, Kaito. And don't get too comfortable."
Kaito nodded, though the fear in his heart only deepened. His mind was filled with so many questions. What had happened in the woods? What was the boy—Nori—really? And what would happen next?
"Do you understand, Kaito?" Haruto asked softly.
"I… I think so," Kaito replied, his voice quiet.
His father patted him gently on the shoulder before turning to leave the room. "Good. We'll talk more later. But for now, rest. We'll figure this out together."
As Haruto walked out, Kaito sat on the edge of the bed, his thoughts racing. He had always known that the Takeda family was tied to something greater, something far more dangerous than most people realized. But now, with demons on the horizon, Kaito's world felt more uncertain than ever before.
He just hoped that whatever came next, he would be ready.