March 4th, 1810
The day passed quickly, giving way to the next. Midnight had arrived, marking the hour when everyone was to regroup at the old playground near their school—the place they had spent countless lunch breaks and afternoons together. It was here that they would set their plan into motion: finding Xavier and saving him from whatever danger he was in.
Jack, Elowen, Aria, Sophie, and Emily had each said their goodbyes to their families, explaining their mission. Though their loved ones were anxious about their safety, they understood that nothing would sway their resolve. All they could do was hope for the best.
Meanwhile, across the Kingdom of America, Jupiter was finishing his preparations. He lived with his aunt and uncle, and his Aunt Liza Cavendish was helping him pack. As he stepped toward the front door, bag slung over his shoulder, Liza stopped him, concern evident in her expression.
"Are you sure you're okay going alone, Jupiter?" she asked, her voice laced with worry. "I can come with you, you know."
Jupiter gave her a reassuring smile. "Auntie Liza, you don't have to worry so much. I'll be just fine out there."
"But—"
Jupiter gently raised a hand, cutting her off. "Worrying too much will only make you sick, Auntie. I promise I'll come back with all my limbs attached, okay?" He flashed a playful grin.
Liza's face puffed up in frustration. "That's not funny!"
"I know, I know." He chuckled. "No need to get mad about it."
Just as he reached for the door handle, he felt a small tug on his leg. Looking down, he saw his little cousins, Maple and Charlie, both half-asleep, clinging to his pants.
"Are you leaving already, Big Brotha?" Maple mumbled, rubbing her eyes.
"Yeah," Jupiter answered softly.
"Why can't we come with you?" Charlie asked, his voice drowsy but determined. "We wanna save Big Brother Xavier too."
Jupiter sighed and knelt down to meet their sleepy gazes. "I know you do, but I have to go with my friends. Where we're going… it might be scary." He hesitated before adding, "I don't want you guys getting hurt."
Charlie pouted but nodded. "Oh… okay. Just be safe, Big Brother."
"Yeah!" Maple chimed in. "And bring back Big Brotha Xavier! We miss him!"
Jupiter ruffled their hair with a smile. "I promise. I'll bring him back safe and sound."
As he finally opened the door, he turned to his family one last time. "Bye, Auntie Liza, Maple, Charlie! Take care of yourselves while I'm gone!"
The three of them waved back, smiling. But Liza… her smile was bittersweet.
She had raised Jupiter ever since his mother—her sister—passed away. To her, he wasn't just a nephew. He was her son. Watching him leave now, venturing into unknown dangers, filled her with an overwhelming sense of dread. She wanted to stop him, to tell him to stay, but she knew better.
Jupiter had made up his mind.
All she could do was pray that he would return safely. Because no matter where he went, no matter what path he chose, she would always support him—even beyond the grave.
---------
Now, it was Jason's turn—the noble son of the Whitmore household—preparing to depart. Unlike Jupiter, he had everything packed for him by his maids. Still, before leaving, there was one last thing he needed to do.
Jason made his way to his father's office, knocking on the door before stepping inside. The room was dimly lit, the only source of light spilling in from the open window, where the full moon cast its glow upon the darkened interior.
Seated at his desk, Thomas Whitmore leaned back in his chair, a glass of liquor in hand. His gaze was distant, fixed upon the moonlit sky, as if lost in memories long past.
"Father…" Jason spoke softly, his voice carrying a hint of hesitation. "I'll be leaving soon."
Thomas stirred at his words, setting his glass down before standing. He approached Jason and knelt before him, resting a firm hand atop his son's head.
"Well then," he said, his voice warm despite its usual sternness. "Make sure to take care of yourself, alright?"
Jason's eyes flickered with resolve at his father's words. "I will, Father. So don't worry—I'll protect myself and my friends too."
Thomas studied his son for a moment before breaking into a proud smirk. "That's my boy." With a firm clap on Jason's back, his approval was sealed.
Just then, the door creaked open, and Charlotte entered, carrying Jason's travel bag. The moment their eyes met, she rushed forward, embracing him tightly. A small, shaky sigh escaped her lips.
"Mom," Jason murmured. "You don't have to worry so much. I'll be fine—just trust me, okay?"
Charlotte exhaled deeply, her embrace lingering. "Okay," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "But remember, no matter what happens, your father and I are always here for you. If you ever need anything, promise me you'll reach out."
Jason offered her a reassuring smile. "I promise, Mom. So stop worrying and take a breath, will you?"
Charlotte shut her eyes, holding him a little tighter. Then, in a voice filled with quiet hope, she whispered, "Bring Xavier back to us… We all miss him."
Jason pulled away just enough to meet her gaze. A smirk tugged at his lips. "I will."
Taking his bag, he turned toward the exit. As he stepped outside, a company of knights stood waiting, ready to accompany him on his journey. His parents remained at the doorway, watching him go with pride in their eyes.
Thomas, arms crossed, arched a brow. "Are you sure you don't want to stop him?"
Charlotte, her expression calm yet firm, shook her head. "As much as I'd love to keep him safe here… I can't hold onto him forever. He's growing up, Thomas." She sighed. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared. But as his mother, my job isn't just to shelter him from the world—it's to prepare him for it."
She smiled softly, watching their son disappear into the night. "All I can do now is support him… and trust that he'll show the world why I'm so proud to be his mother."
Thomas listened in silence, his gaze shifting toward the moon's glow once more. His eyes caught sight of an old photograph sitting at the edge of his desk. He reached for it, his fingers brushing against the frame as memories stirred within him.
The picture, now illuminated by the moonlight, depicted a younger version of himself and Jonathan—surrounded by their fellow soldiers, grinning as they posed for the camera.
Thomas let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.
Ah… I remember this day, he thought, nostalgia washing over him. Back when we were still in the army together… when we first met.
I was arrogant back then—just another noble's son who also happens to be a gifted. But you… you never treated me any differently. Even though you were ungifted and came from no noble background, you charged into battle without hesitation, putting your life on the line for your squad. That's why I admired you… That's why you were a true knight—a true man.
Instinctively, Thomas reached for his glass again, but the moment his fingers brushed against it, a wave of guilt struck him. He paused, then exhaled sharply before pushing the glass aside.
"What am I doing?" he muttered. "This is pathetic."
His grip tightened around the photo. "If you were here… you'd be scolding me right now, wouldn't you? After all that time you spent trying to pull me away from this damn bottle."
A chuckle rumbled from his throat—low, bitter, yet tinged with warmth. Memories of his squad, their battles, and most of all, the man he had come to call his brother, flooded his mind.
Thomas tilted his head back, letting his gaze rest upon the endless night sky.
"I miss you, brother…" he murmured, his voice barely carried by the night breeze as the moon shone down upon him.
---------
Lastly, there was only one more person left for this mission—none other than the Third Princess, Misaki Yamato, daughter of the Emperor of Japan.
At her home, the Shōryūden Palace—the main house of the Yamato clan—Misaki sat in her lavish room, focused on packing. Her quarters were grand, far more extravagant than Xavier's, but right now, none of that mattered. She had to move quickly.
Once she finished packing, she didn't bother using her room's grand doors. Instead, she slid open her window, stepping onto the palace's massive rooftop.
From her vantage point, the beauty of Tokyo stretched before her—the heart of the Empire of Japan. Though steam-powered vehicles were a new invention, many still preferred horses and carriages, giving the city an elegant blend of old and new. The skyline shimmered with lantern light, casting a golden glow over the streets below.
Misaki adjusted her bag over her shoulder and carefully made her way to the edge, preparing to jump.
I can't let anyone in my family know what I'm planning, she thought, her pulse quickening. If they find out, they'll try to stop me.
But just as she steadied herself, a chilling presence flickered behind her.
Before she could react, her bag vanished from her grip.
"Well, well, well," a voice murmured from behind her. "What do we have here? Where do you think you're going, little sister?"
Misaki's breath hitched. That voice.
Slowly, she turned, dread settling in her chest. And the moment her gaze met the figure before her, fear and despair coiled around her like an iron grip.
Her crimson rose eyes widened. Her body trembled.
"Big Sis…" Misaki whispered, barely able to find her voice. "What are you doing here?"
Standing before her, illuminated by the moonlight, was none other than Erika Yamato—the Emperor's eldest daughter. The Prodigy of the Yamato Clan. The Saintess of Storms. The Thunderous Valkyrie.
The future Empress of Japan.
The tension between them was suffocating. The wind howled across the rooftop, whipping Misaki's hair around her face as Erika studied her with an unreadable expression.
"Where do you think you're going at this hour, young lady?" Erika's tone was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge to it.
Misaki clenched her fists.
"Don't tell me…" Erika continued, tilting her head. "You're planning to help him—that Ivanovich boy, aren't you?"
Misaki's silence was all the confirmation Erika needed.
Her older sister's expression darkened, and for the first time in a long while, Misaki felt small.
Damn it… she cursed internally. Why did it have to be her?
With her head bowed, Misaki slowly raised a trembling hand toward her sister and pleaded in a shaky whisper.
"Please… please give me back my bag, Elder Sister."