Kai's eyes roamed in every direction, but it was the same everywhere: light consuming darkness. He couldn't even see his hands. He sighed, 'Not again.' He said to himself.
One eye appeared in the darkness, glowing red. And a deep voice echoed, "When it cries the tears of blood, ascend to heaven."
Kai never got to know whose eyes and voice it was and who the voice was mentioning as 'it'. In a blink the whole surrounding changed; it was like a bedroom now. Kai raised his head and yawned. 'Man, same dream every day.'
His mood was boring but immediately lit up when he saw one hawk sitting on the lower frame of the window near his bed. He got up from the bed and took the hawk in. The hawk had a bright red letter on its beak. Kai offered a bowl of grains to the hawk and took the letter. Kai kept the letter on his desk and quickly freshened up. He then dashed out through the door with the red letter in hand and a toast in mouth.
"Hey Kagutsuchi!" Kai called, waving his hand towards a boy.
"I've told you many times, Kai, that you can call me by my name – Reien." Said the boy, looking a little weary.
"You know it. Commoners like me can't call you by your name. You're the second son of the 'Kagutsuchi family' – one of the big four families of blessed humans."
"Whatever." Sighed Kagutsuchi Reien. "Hey, what's that red letter in your hand? Don't tell me it's that." A hint of excitement could be seen in his voice.
"Yes! It's that letter." 'Grinned Kai,' he had more excitement in his voice.
"Let's open it fast."
"Let's go to the lake first."
They were running through the marketplace of the town, jumping over the boxes and barrels in the middle.
"Want an apple, Kai?" Said a middle-aged man from outside of a shop, tossing the apple towards Kai.
"Thanks!" He catches the apple and continues running.
After a while they reached a lake, shining blue as the sunlight reflected itself in the lake. The lake was a little far from the town. Kai tore the red envelope and opened the letter. Inside the envelope was a bright red card, thicker than paper and smoother than silk. With bright and sparkling eyes, they saw the letter when their eyes became wide and pupils dilated in a funny way.
"Kai...did someone play a prank on you?"
"But a hawk delivered it..." Kai was confused.
The red paper was completely empty. They thought it was a joke? Kai flipped the paper, and their eyes widened a little. A symbol was at the middle: one hawk with wings spread inside a burning fire. Below the symbol was written 'Tenshikai Academy'in golden letters.
"It really is, the invitation to Tenshikai Academy." Said Reien with a surprised grin, "One of the three great academies for blessed beings." He was sweating a little.
On the other hand, Kai was just staring at the paper with wide eyes, like he could not believe he got this invitation.
"But-- it's just the name and symbol of the academy." Kai said doubtfully, "Kagutsuchi, your father might know more about this. He's the current head of Kagutsuchi House."
"But Kai, what more do you want to know? The invitation, the real invitation, is in your hands."
"Kagutsuchi, this paper just has the name and symbol...it's nowhere mentioned that I'm being invited to join."
Reien wanted to say something to comfort but stopped seeing the doubtful eyes of Kai staring at the paper.
◇
Kagutsuchi House was a goten-style traditional castle, not very far from the village. The current head of the house, Kagutsuchi Ren, was Kagutsuchi Reien's father.
Kagutsuchi Ren had a serious and strict face – sharp eyes, a little wrinkled face, and well-maintained black hair with a little white near the ears. He was wearing a casual haori nagagi hakama, different from in marriage. He was sitting on the Chrysanthemum Throne. A large light red banner behind him showing his family crest – a blazing sun. Kai was feeling like his sharp eyes were piercing through him.
"Dad, do you know anything about this?" Reien very formally handed the red paper to Ren.
Ren saw the paper. "Your name is Takashi Kai, I suppose."
"Ye-yes…" Kai was nervous.
"So Takashi, can you place your finger on the school symbol?
Kai slowly walked near Ren; he very politely placed his one finger on the symbol on the paper. The symbol and the academy's name disappeared, and other things started to appear, forming information. Reien also excitedly, but politely, came near to see what was new written now.
Name: Takashi Kai
Age:[readers are requested to imagine mythical or ancient language]
Race:[readers are requested to imagine mythical or ancient languages]
Parents:[readers arw requested to imagine mythical or ancient languages]
Address: Hinokage Town, Izu Islands, Japan
Qualified for:Tenshikai Academy, Mt Kumotori, Japan
"Cool!" Exclaimed Reien.
"What are those...weird letters?" Asked Kai.
Ren's sharply maintained eyes widened a little, hardly visible to anyone. 'Is...he the boy . Finally born on earth?' Thought he.
"Takashi, this is a permit to enter the Tenshikai."
"But what about these unknown letters?..."
'This is definitely the work of that more-than-needed clever man. What might he be plotting?' Thought Ren. "Don't think too much about these letters. Just take the permit." Said Ren and handed the permit to Kai. "And Reien, stay here. I have something to talk to you about."
Kai didn't try to ask any more things; he didn't have that courage.
It looked like Reien wanted to celebrate with Kai, but he can't go against his father's words.
Kai waved Reien bye before exiting the Kagutsuchi Household