The Absolute and those who can rule it

Chapter 24 [War]

The morning sun filters through the ornate windows of the Yosuga family residence, casting long shadows across the polished wooden floors. Kaden's brow furrows as he runs a hand through his hair, his expression a mixture of concern and determination.

"I see," he mutters, the weight of our revelation evident in his voice. "This is more serious than I thought."

We're seated in the opulent guest room, the air heavy with tension despite the elegant surroundings. Kai and Rishia are absent, likely deep in discussion with Kai's father about the looming threat. Noarin, Spica, and I have taken it upon ourselves to brief Kaden on the situation.

Kaden leans forward, his eyes sharp. "So, what's our timeline here? When can we expect these Chaos Bringers to make their move?"

Noarin pulls out her tablet, her fingers dancing across the screen as she brings up a series of reports and analyses. "According to Rishia's calculations, there's typically a 4-7 day window between each attack on the city's border points." She turns the tablet towards Kaden, displaying an article about the most recent incident. "Their last strike was at the Kugasaki family's raw materials warehouse, just three days ago."

As if on cue, Ayako glides into the room, her movements fluid and graceful despite her youth. She sets down a tray of steaming tea, the delicate aroma momentarily cutting through the tension.

Kaden's jaw sets as he processes the information. "Alright, I'll ramp up surveillance around the perimeter. But if they do show up..." He hesitates, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. "We might need more firepower than what we've got on hand."

I lean forward, my hands wrapped around the warm teacup. "Kai and Rishia planned to stay here for a while. They're determined to protect the residents." I take a sip, the rich flavor grounding me. "And if things escalate, you call us. We'll be here in a heartbeat."

Noarin nods, her eyes meeting Kaden's with unwavering resolve. "We're counting on you, Head of Security. The Yosuga residence couldn't be in better hands."

Kaden's cheeks color slightly at the praise. "Oh, come on, enough with the flattery," he mumbles, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.

I can't help but grin. "Give yourself some credit, Kaden. The dedication you've shown to this job is seriously impressive."

Kaden's gaze drifts upward, a hint of melancholy in his voice. "They just see the potential of my ornament, that's all." He sighs softly. "The world is really changing, Isn't it?"

"Tell me about it," I nod, a flood of memories from the past year threatening to overwhelm me.

Suddenly, Kaden's eyes sparkle with mischief. "You know what's really impressive, though? Having a kid at your age. Talk about life-changing."

"Oh, shut it," I grumble, my eyes instinctively seeking out Spica. She's wandering the room, wide-eyed with wonder at the luxurious décor, seemingly oblivious to the weight of our conversation.

The door slides open, and Kai and Rishia enter, their expressions a mix of determination and concern.

"How'd it go?" I ask, straightening up.

Kai runs a hand through his hair. "Dad's on board. He's agreed to beef up security. And yeah, we'll be sticking around until this Chaos Bringer situation blows over."

"Alright then," Noarin stands, smoothing out her clothes. "We should head out, check on Lyra and Darius' investigation into those magical beasts."

After a round of farewells, we make our way to the park where the creature was sighted. The morning air is crisp, carrying the scent of dew-kissed grass and the promise of another sweltering summer day.