The morning was still quiet when I woke up. Light filtered partially through the curtains, drawing soft lines across the wooden floor. For a few seconds, I remained lying down, simply staring at the ceiling, feeling the subtle weight of a day that had not yet begun, but somehow felt different from the others. It wasn't exhaustion, nor restlessness... it was something deeper, like a distant warning that I still couldn't fully understand.
Beside me, I felt the warmth of the girls. Rai'kanna was closest, her arm resting across my chest, breathing peacefully. Liriel slept serenely, while Elara was turned the other way but still close. Scarlett, Lyannis, and Vespera were there as well, spread across the bed, sharing a rare peace that never seemed to last very long.
I spent a few moments simply watching them. It was strange how, even after everything we had been through, moments like this still existed.
Simple moments.
But they never lasted.
A firm knock on the door broke the silence.
I opened my eyes fully and, without moving much so as not to wake them immediately, answered in a low voice.
"Come in."
One of the servants opened the door carefully, bowing his head slightly.
"Lord Takumi... an urgent message has arrived from the castle. The king requests your immediate presence."
At that moment, the atmosphere changed.
I had already expected something like this... but hearing it directly made it more real.
I took a deep breath and carefully got up, slowly moving Rai'kanna's arm aside. Even so, she opened her eyes almost immediately.
"Did something happen?" she asked, her voice still quiet but already fully alert.
"A summons from the king. Urgent."
That was enough to wake everyone. Scarlett sat up first, running a hand through her hair.
"So it's started..." she murmured.
Liriel frowned slightly.
"You think it's about the demons?"
"There's no way it could be anything else," I replied as I stood up completely.
The mood in the room shifted subtly but noticeably. There was no panic, no fear... only attention. They all knew what it meant.
Elara crossed her arms thoughtfully.
"They've been moving for months... it was only a matter of time."
Lyannis looked directly at me.
"Are you going alone?"
I shook my head.
"No. You're coming with me."
Vespera gave a faint smile, almost imperceptible.
"As always."
We began preparing without rushing, but without wasting time either. This wasn't a situation for hesitation. As I put on my clothes and adjusted the sword at my waist, my mind was already trying to assemble possible scenarios.
Constant enemy movement... slow advance... absence of direct attacks.
That was never simple.
We descended to the mansion entrance a few minutes later. The carriage was already prepared, and the air outside felt heavier than usual. It wasn't something visible, but it could be felt.
We entered the carriage and departed toward Vailor Castle.
During the journey, no one spoke much at first. The sound of the wheels against the road and the gentle rocking of the carriage created a steady, almost hypnotic rhythm. It was Rai'kanna who finally broke the silence.
"My father must know something more concrete... he wouldn't summon everyone like this without a reason."
I nodded.
"And it's not just him. If it's what I'm thinking, other kingdoms will be involved too."
Scarlett rested her arm on the window, looking outside.
"Then it's not just movement anymore... it's war."
The word lingered in the air.
War.
It wasn't something new, but now it was different. This time, it wasn't just a distant threat.
It was something approaching directly.
Liriel spoke next, her voice calm but firm.
"If it's war... then you'll be on the front line."
I looked at her for a moment.
"Yes."
She held my gaze without looking away.
"Then we will be too."
There was no doubt in her words. Nor in the words of any of them.
Elara let out a small sigh.
"I hope these kings have a better plan than simply reacting."
"We'll find out," I replied.
The carriage began to slow down, and soon the castle gates appeared ahead. Guards were already positioned there, and as soon as they saw us, they opened the way immediately.
We stepped out of the carriage and headed straight inside.
The castle interior was busier than usual. Soldiers, messengers, and officials moved about with greater urgency, speaking in hushed tones. It was obvious that something major was happening.
One of the guards approached quickly.
"Lord Takumi, the king is waiting in the main council chamber. Everyone has already gathered."
"Everyone?" I asked.
He nodded.
"Yes. Representatives from other nations as well."
So that was it.
I glanced at the girls briefly.
They were all ready.
We followed the corridors until we reached the large doors of the council chamber. Two guards opened the way without saying a word.
The moment I stepped inside, I felt the weight of the atmosphere.
The King of Vailor sat at the front in the central position. Around him were other kings and leaders, along with guild masters and important figures from different regions.
All of them were serious.
All of them were waiting.
I took a few steps forward, feeling their eyes turn toward me.
The king was the first to speak.
"Takumi... you've arrived. We've been waiting."
I nodded slightly.
"I received the summons. I assume this is about the demons."
He stared at me for a moment, then replied.
"Yes. And this time... it's no longer just a threat."
Silence filled the room.
And at that moment, I understood.
This was no longer preparation.
It was the beginning of something much greater.
I took a deep breath and stepped forward once more, keeping my gaze steady.
"Then tell me... what is the situation?"
And so, the true beginning of the war began.