Ki's thoughts were racing. Why would the king hide the truth from them? Which kingdom actually mass-produces summons? Were they being summoned on purpose? By whom? King Richard? He wandered through the dark streets, trying to clear his mind, when the church caught his attention. A faint light shone through its windows.
He jumped over the tall fence and crouched in the bushes, moving slowly toward the glow. Voices drifted from inside, but the words were indistinct. Spotting an open window, Ki climbed in and landed softly on the floor. He froze as guards approached. His black hoodie blended with the shadows as he scanned for cover.
A tightly guarded door caught his eye... a perfect place for a meeting. A priest approached, holding a Bible, and the guards opened the door without noticing Ki. Seizing the opportunity, he slipped inside and found a crack in the ceiling to hide.
"This is madness. We have to act now before it's too late!" the priest shouted.
Ki peeked through the crack. The king sat across a long table, his face grim and serious.
"One must assess the situation carefully," a cloaked man said calmly.
"What is there to assess? Another war is approaching, and you're just sitting here!" the priest snapped.
A man in a black suit added, "I agree. Isn't it time to use them?"
Ki's mind raced. "Them? Who's them?"
The cloaked man continued, "If we act rashly, suspicion will rise. The other kingdoms could turn against us for breaking the peace."
Ki's heart sank. "Them… it's us. Me, Septh, Zephyr…"
"Why waste time? Giving them room to think only increases the risk of revolt. We can erase their memories and put them through rigorous training. It will accelerate our plans tenfold," the priest argued, standing.
Ki clenched his teeth in anger, memorizing the priest's face. "You dare touch my friends…" He prepared to leap from the ceiling, but a hand on his shoulder froze him. A masked stranger, hooded, pressed a finger to his lips, silencing him. Ki stayed still, continuing to listen.
The king raised his hand, and the room fell silent.
"Yes, it's true... those three are talented. Ki is agile and observant, perfect for gathering intel. Zephyr possesses leadership and charisma. Septh is a genius whose mind can guide strategies. But for now, we leave them untouched. It's been ten years since the last summons. Breaking them now would cause more harm than good."
The meeting ended. "Follow me," the stranger said. Ki followed cautiously, moving through narrow, dark streets.
"Who are you?" Ki demanded, stopping.
The man turned, removing his mask and hood. Kenji's face appeared.
"Just shut up and follow me," Kenji ordered.