The clinking of plates and low murmurs filled the main Ryuuga family dining hall. Lantern lamps hung low, reflecting a warm glow across the long wooden table.
Keito sat slightly at the edge, half hidden within the folds of his robe. In front of him were many dishes filled with food, hot mushroom soup, thin slices of toasted bread, and tea with a very fragrant aroma.
At the end of the table sat Raito Ryuuga, the head of the family. His body was firm and well-trained, his beard long, and wrinkles lined his face, signs of aging.
Beside Raito sat his wife, Sakura, who still looked very charming even though her face had begun to be decorated with wrinkles.
Very quiet, as usual.
Several branch family members sat close to the family head. Their gazes were very cynical when looking at Keito, yet full of affection when looking at Haruki.
'I always wish I could control this power so I could throw them all into a black hole...' Keito thought.
An elder, his back bent by age but his voice still sharp, opened the conversation as dinner was nearly over. "We must consider the future of the family," he said. "The kingdom does not tolerate anomalies. We need a clean lineage."
Several people around the table nodded in agreement. The discussion quickly flowed into the elder's advice.
One of Keito's aunts added, "We cannot keep this child inside the kingdom, let alone give him a position! Huft, I think it's better to send him to a temple or place him in the military!." The woman's voice sounded arrogant and slightly irritating because of her striking lips covered in thick red lipstick.
Keito listened, 'This discussion again.'
He understood the logic used by the elders: stability means safety, differences invite suspicion, and suspicion is dangerous in a small kingdom like this. He knew very well how such words could be arranged to sound like advice.
Raito interrupted the increasingly heated discussion with his heavy voice. "That consideration is indeed necessary, but do not forget blood ties." He glanced toward Keito for a moment, and their eyes met.
A brief smile crossed Raito's face, something rarely seen from someone as firm as him.
After the meal, the room began to disperse. Haruki walked over to Keito and casually patted his back. "You're joining training tomorrow, right?" he said lightly. A small joke lingered in his tone.
Keito nodded. "Yes, I'll come, brother."
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The night sky outside the palace looked clear; the moon hung low, casting a gentle light over the forest below.
In his small room, Keito opened the notebooks stored beneath the floorboards, books that had long been his escape. He took out a small pen, writing words that felt safer poured onto paper than spoken in his own home.
Date 7 of the lunar calendar. Once again those elders brought me up today, I wonder why they never get tired of doing that, they're already old but still cause so much trouble.
Tomorrow my brother invited me to train together, I'm really looking forward to it.
After finishing writing, Keito began thinking about studying more about the six moons, the six Moons mentioned in ancient stories, the moons that served as planets where people lived. He would go to the palace library tomorrow morning.
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The royal library was a vast hall kept neatly: tall wooden shelves filled with dusty manuscripts, scrolls, atlases, faded maps, and books written on leather. The smell of old paper and wax made the atmosphere feel like a temple.
Keito walked slowly. The scent of wood powder and ink filled his nose. At one of the tables, an elderly female librarian with thin glasses gave a brief nod, recognizing the boy.
"Which section contains books about the moons?"
The librarian gestured toward the shelves containing records about the moons using her right hand.
Keito drew a slow breath. He walked toward the indicated shelf and opened one of the books titled "Records of the Moons and Gods."
The pages contained schematic maps, legendary notes, and records about relationships between the planets known as Moons. He read carefully, marking points that made his blood race slightly faster.
According to the records, the universe they lived in consisted of six Moons, each with different characteristics. Each Moon had a Moon God who guarded its territory, along with lesser gods who colored the lives of its inhabitants. There was also a higher concept, the Star God who ruled across Moons, and above them all, the Celestials, primordial beings whose influence stretched across the universe.
Keito swallowed the information. Their names were recorded simply:
Moon-01: lands of trade and vast fields. Moon-02: the center of technology, where no god ruled, only a single king with power equal to a Moon God, Nemesis.
Moon-03: a region of varied climates, mountains, forests, and small kingdoms including the Fox Kingdom.
Moon-04 to Moon-06 were recorded differently, also referred to as the Abandoned Lands.
The records also mentioned the Celestials, but provided no useful explanation at all.
The librarian approached silently. "Are you looking for something specific, child?" her voice was hoarse but gentle.
Keito turned, gathering his composure. "Celestial."
The librarian frowned slightly, then closed another scroll. "There isn't much information ordinary beings like us can obtain about them... Things like that are only known by the gods!."
Keito processed those words. "Why?" he asked.
The librarian shrugged. "Everything is about power."
Keito slowly closed the scroll. Inside his chest rose a mix of emotions, sharp curiosity among them.
He stepped out of the library.
In the palace courtyard, the wind whispered from tree to tree. Haruki waited there, looking toward Keito with a half-smile. "You read that much? You even skipped training," he asked.
Keito nodded. "Sorry... I got too absorbed in reading," he answered softly.
Haruki sighed. "Haha, it's fine, next time," Haruki patted his younger brother's head.
Keito turned to look at his brother and gave him a cynical glare.
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Night crept back into the palace. In the upper halls, the elders seemed to be talking with the clan head. Keito knew their views would not easily change.
He knew Raito's love could not always fight against traditions that had taken root. At least his father had protected him many times.
As he lay down, he stared at the window illuminated by the light of the other five moons, then Keito closed his eyes.
Keito hoped that someday he would be given the chance to visit more places.
He wondered what might be growing beyond that sky. "Maybe out there there are many more unique races, I've always been curious about the dragon race, father said they exist on Moon-04..."
Keito lay with his back facing the door. "I'd better sleep."