To pass the time, I examined the room.

  Family members continued to arrive one after another, until the lobby was abuzz with activity. Core members from different houses had traveled from all over the world, clustering together in familiar groups. There must have been over two hundred people filling the expansive lobby. Some wore military uniforms adorned with different medals, others donned crisp officer attire, lab coats, or even elegant suits. Despite the variety, a sense of unity permeated the room—most outfits bore the distinctive Kurenai family crest on their chest. Even those who had journeyed from the furthest corners of the world seemed to fit right in. It was then I realized I was among the few who stood out.

  The edges of their uniforms displayed a color from the seven representing main houses, each symbolizing a different facet of the family’s vast operations. Our family was structured around said houses, each following its own path yet working together like a well-organized colony, each representing a pillar of our entire family.

  Most attendees were core members, and their crests bore the Crimson Red dot-the bloodline mark-centered in their crests, signifying their direct lineage and importance within the family. Few lacked this mark; these were regular members who held various ranks in militaries, governments, and organization worldwide. Their invitation today meant they had the potential to become core members or were trusted associates of significant value. Such inclusions were rare and not taken lightly.

  But I still felt their gazes upon me-a mixture of curiosity and scrutiny that didn’t become easier to bear with time. Whispers danced around me—mocking, though I couldn’t tell if they were real or just in my head, maybe echoes of my own insecurities?

  Our family had a reputation for producing top military officers. Many held high-ranking positions, often with unseen strings attached leading back to us. So, it had become time for me to take up the responsibility I’ve been avoiding my entire life. I could feel the strings attached to me long ago beginning to gain control of me again, like a puppet.

  A man from House Akatsuki approached and sat across from me. His crest shone with Lavender Purple—the color of his house. It was Turner, an old acquaintance not much older than me.

  “Hey Kasai, it has been a while. Last time I saw you was at the officer graduation after-party wasn’t it? Did you actually settle for the city life?” He asked with a friendly smile.

  “Turner,” I nodded, surprised to see him. We had graduated together, and he was one of the top candidate of our class, earning him a place in House Akatsuki as a regular member.

  “I’ve been trying to get in touch with you, it has been hard, but it looks like it was meant to be that way. Anyways, what are you doing here?” He said while looking over his shoulder. He could feel the atmosphere.

  “I’ve been trying to be off the grid for the past five years. What about you? Only core members were summoned today.” I glanced at his crest, noting his Lavender Purple crest without the Crimson Red Mark.

  “The Head of House Akatsuki called me in,” he said nervously, fidgeting with his hands. “I’m… in the process of marrying into the family.” I could hear the hopeless disdain in his voice, and I swear I could see a part of him fading away in his eyes—a fading spark.

  “No way!” I exclaimed, drawing a few glances from nearby clusters. I quickly gathered myself. “How did you do it? What happened? Who are you marrying? And why don’t you look happy?”

  I asked Turner one question after another, happy for him of course. Marrying into the family was a rare case. Every core member and their children were protected indiscriminately. Few were qualified to marry into the family, specially outsiders like Turner who had just joined the organization. He should be happy but he wasn’t—he looked like he had seen a ghost. This could only mean….

  With his right hand he scratched the back of his head, and with his other he covered his mouth, answering my question, almost whispering. “Kai Kurenai…daughter of The Head of Akatsuki House ”

  My face froze. “Hey…sorry can you repeat that?” I asked, searching his face for any hint of this being a joke. “I think I heard you wrong…”

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  “The daughter of the Akatsuki House Head, Reika Akatsuki Kurenai’s daughter… he repeated once more, whispering a bit louder for me to hear, and sounding even more defeated. “I will be marrying Aki Akatsuki Kurenai.”

  My expression turned serious. “Are you joking?” I asked, searching his face for any hint of levity. Aki? I hadn’t heard of her in such a long time. She was the youngest daughter of my aunt Reika. Turner wasn’t only marrying into the family, he was marrying into the house’s royalty!

  “Kasai, what should I do?” He sighed. “I just wanted to serve in the family’s Strategic Command, maybe retire someday with a clear conscience.” I could almost see a tear forming.

  “Hey hey, whats wrong? its not like they forced you to marry into the family—right?” I tried to console him, but it seemed to make it worse.

  “It’s complicated,” he muttered, but I saw in real time, a light bulb turn on in his head. “Kasai, you’re a core member—right? if you are here all by yourself then….there must be something you can do! Can’t you talk to someone? Help a brother out?”

  Turner looked around me for my crest, he was desperate, like this was really his only and last chance. This goof caught himself in the middle of something again, but this time, it was something big. Turner was given first row seat tickets to possibly the most elitist and politically influential powerhouse organization in the region. With today’s meeting, I can only feel sorry for him.

  “I’m sorry, Turner. I don’t think there is much I can do-”

  I glanced around, feeling the weight of the room pressing in when suddenly the chatter and whispers began to quiet down. My elder brother—Tsukuyo, descended the grand staircase, stopping midway to address the crowd, ready to make an announcement.

  The entire room became dead silent.

  “Everyone, we are to gather in the Grand Assembly Chamber in twenty minutes,” he announced, his voice commanding attention. “Today’s meeting is of utmost importance. After today I hope you all will come to realize, that the time has come for you to lead—not as shadows behind others, but as beacons guiding us forward.” His gaze settled directly on me.

  The air within the room was charged with a mix of excitement and apprehension, each voice adding to the collective hum of anticipation that permeated across its walls. I stood up, the weight of expectation heavy on my shoulders, and just like that, my brother walked away towards the grand hall.

  “Excuse me,” I said to Turner. “We’ll talk later, but maybe it’s not as bad as you think. Let’s discuss it after the meeting.” This was a clear lie, maybe I was trying to make myself feel better for what was to come.

  “Hey-“, Turner tried to say something else, but I weaved my way through the family members, and I overheard snippets of their conversations.

  For some reason the uneasiness came back after that announcement, I needed to hear what this meeting was about and with measured steps, I walked through the bustling crowd. My gaze fixed ahead as I silently listened to the murmurs and whispers swirling around me.

  “I wonder what this assembly is about,” murmured a young boy with a fancy suit, glancing nervously at his house companions, a fiery orange crest on his left shoulder’s patch, he was of the Ishi house. His crest did not have the Crimson Mark but he must be the son of a core member. The Royal mark would be given to him once he finished his training, but the outline was there, representing the future big shot.

  “Maybe—the rumors are true,” an older man replied, his crest bearing the Lavender Purple crest. “Perhaps we’re finally making our move.”

  Their household crests were sticking out from different parts in their bodies and clothes. Nearby to my left, a trio of siblings huddled together, their expressions a mix of excitement and apprehension.

  “Do you think the Patriarch will announce the next phase alongside our father?” one asked eagerly, fidgeting with the hem of her uniform, she had a Brilliant Gold crest marked in Crimson.

  “Hopefully. If predictions are accurate, it is about time. The need for manpower is starting to become a hindrance.” The elder brother of the three replied, eyes gleaming but his brow furrowed in thought, it was an off-putting complexion.

  I slowed my pace, listening intently.

  “I heard rumors of many greenlit operations near the Russo-Chinese border,” someone murmured. “That must be significant—no? Maybe that was the spark that ignited the fire? I am not savy of the details.”

  The older brother’s crest had two colors that was divided down the middle, it was an electric blue and brilliant gold, his crest also had the Crimson Mark, he must be the son of two core members from different houses. There were few that held such colors as marriages between direct blood members of houses was rare, but due to the abundant influx of outside members, background checks and laws held within our family, no taboos were broken.

  A grizzled veteran with an Electric Blue crest—House Hibana—chuckled as he passed by. “Whatever it is, it’s bound to be more interesting than drills and paperwork.”

  I continued toward the Grand Assembly Chamber, walking past them all. Each step now felt like gravity pulling me forward, a force of nature, an instinct. At the threshold, I paused, and looked down at my palm where my own crest—a Crimson Red with a center Crimson Red Mark—was subtly embedded. My hand shook, reflecting the pressure laid upon my shoulders.