~??? POV~
He made the Heavens, and from His breath came Angels — instruments of law.
He withheld truth, and the questions fell — becoming wings blackened by doubt.
He did not make the Devils — but He made the sin they followed.
And from His trembling hand, He shaped Man — a mirror too fragile to hold the light.
"Fujiwara, is Kumamoto too much for your old bones to handle? Want me to take it off your hands?"
Arrogance born from ignorance — one of everything's greatest weaknesses.
Evident when a boy barely in his sixties couldn't grasp why he wasn't an Elder governing Japan.
"Oh? I'm flattered that you're so worried about this old man, even when you've yet to secure an amicable relationship with The Shadowy One."
It amused him — watching prideful fools crave more and more, blinded by their hunger, forgetting their original purpose.
"Oh, who am I kidding? Someone so talented has surely made deals with that being, no?"
A hearty chuckle erupted behind him as the other Elder of Japan arrived.
"Fuck, I love the air in this place!"
He wasn't sure whether to admire Keiji Fujiwara or pity him — for having to deal with the other Elder.
"You're early."
Another laugh thundered behind him and a shadow loomed over.
"You look like shit, kid! Hah!"
Turning to the man, I bowed — a mix of duty and respect.
"I'm in good health, Elder Kōga. I'm glad you're in good health too."
Bracing myself as he slapped my back hard he strolled further into the gazebo and collapsed into one of the wooden chairs. As he looked around at the three gathered figures, I stifled a sigh.
'They're so driven by power, they no longer see what's in front of them.'
Straightening my shoulders, I cleared my throat.
"It seems you all are the ones attending to today's agenda."
Elder Kōga kicked his feet up onto the table and leaned back.
"What's this meeting about, kid?"
Receiving a nod from Elder Fujiwara, I continued.
"As already known, Enoki Daigo — a former Yakuza leader who ran Kumamoto was dethroned and by Elder Fujiwara then was placed under Branch Leader Enra Mizuki, after Elder Fujiwara took over the area he stretched his influence to Osaka. It was also confirmed that he was preparing to rebel and attempt a takeover of Kumamoto before expanding outward."
Elder Kōga let out a booming laugh that rattled the tea poured for him.
"Haha! That brat really was something, don't you think, Keiji?"
Our eyes turned to the man whose face belied his age.
"He's dead."
The crude, simple response slipped from Elder Fujiwara's lips as he stirred sugar into his tea.
"And by a child not even sixteen."
If not for decades of experience, I would've missed the subtle change in Elder Kōga's smile.
"Ehhh? Is that so? Kid, I'm sure you know the details. Spill!"
I nodded, doing as requested—not that I wouldn't have anyway.
"Sato Kazuya. Fourteen years old. His father was an investigator, his mother a doctor—both are now dead. His father got too close to one of the Council's secrets."
Elder Kōga groaned, waving his hand in a circle to signal me to get on with it.
"Enra Mizuki ordered Sato Kazuya to deal with Enoki Daigo. Two nights ago, an explosion was heard. When I arrived, I found that Sato had already killed half of Enoki's men."
The subtle shift in their expressions, flickers of genuine interest an amusing thing to see.
"After wiping out the rest, Enoki himself stepped in… and lost. Sato Kazuya ended him by plunging his hand into Enoki's eye."
Elder Kōga slammed his hand on the table, rattling the cups.
"Don't fuck with me, kid! I taught Touki to Enoki myself—"
I cut in, calm and clear.
"Enoki Daigo didn't use Touki against Sato Kazuya."
That brought him up short. He faltered for a moment before the younger Elder spoke.
"How soft hearted. Still… even if Daigo held back, I doubt a child could match the physical prowess required to attain Touki."
I nodded, acknowledging the logic.
Then Elder Fujiwara spoke, calmly, after sipping his tea.
"The boy will not be harmed."
He placed his cup down with a quiet clink, eyes locked on Elder Kōga.
"If the reports I received are accurate, then he's growing. Faster than any child of this generation. I want that."
Scoffing, the giant Elder leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.
"That's not the problem..."
I let out a soft sigh and bowed.
"Then, I shall take my leave. Please take care, Elders."
Dismissed with a wave, I left the room. Wandering the quiet halls, the corners of my mouth curled with amusement. My thoughts drifted to the black haired boy who radiated so brightly.
'Sato Kazuya.'
I wonder how delicious you'll become.
~??? POV~
Truth, a privilege.
Power, a necessity.
Control, the law.
These principles kept those who couldn't handle the weight of the world in check, absolutes that twisted into ideals for people to chase. And those ideals… were among the reasons she remained in this place where only blinded fools dared tread.
"Mother, you seem quieter than usual. Is everything okay?"
Pulled from her thoughts, she looked away from the clouds and down at her daughter.
'I wish she'd pour that curiosity into leaving this place… and not waste her life staying here with me.'
She offered a light smile and answered honestly.
"There are changes happening, my dear. Changes I'm not sure I want to be part of."
Curiosity lit up the girl's face, adorable and frustrating in equal measure.
"What kind of changes?"
Turning back to the sky, she recalled what she had seen.
"A dragon, red in color, who seeks to dominate. And a dragon, white in color, who seeks to prove himself superior to the red one."
She didn't need to look to know recognition had dawned on her daughter's face.
"Ddraig and Albion? I'm surprised those two old dragons aren't bored yet… But that's not it, right? That's not all you saw?"
She chuckled, so much for distracting her with thoughts of fiery chaos.
"No. I saw a tilt in the balance. One that might spark a second Great War."
Her daughter's magic stirred at that, rippling around her with subtle force. The reaction widened her smirk.
"Isn't that really bad, Mother?! Shouldn't you warn those old bags about it?!"
She chuckled again, then turned to face her child fully.
"Perhaps. But what doesn't kill you… makes you stronger, no?"
She let herself enjoy the expression on her daughter's face for a moment longer, then pushed aside the amusement.
"If a second Great War does break out, it may not resemble the last. I didn't see everything… but I did see that those responsible for this "future" do not want a war. They may go to extreme measures to prevent it."
The frown that marred her daughter's face was so cute she wanted to squish her cheeks but she resisted.
"If you're so worried." she said, "you can always meet the ones I saw. Judge for yourself whether they're worth casting judgment on."
Her daughter nodded, squaring her shoulders. An act that only made her look more adorable.
"I'll get ready n—"
She waved her off.
"Best to wait three to five years."
Though confused, the girl nodded and walked away. Watching her retreating back, the woman tilted her head slightly.
"I wonder… how far they'll go."