The Gathering of Five

Sovereign's Realm

Inside the room, the five sisters were preparing. Aihana adjusted the butterfly necklace she had received from Akihiro, its soft glow catching the light. Mizuki fussed with the folds of her gown, brushing stray locks of hair behind her ears. Kaori and Sora giggled as they struggled with ribbons and delicate accessories, while Hikari offered gentle guidance, smoothing fabrics and whispering encouragement. Laughter, soft teasing, and the subtle hum of their awakened magic filled the room, creating a cocoon of warmth, nervous excitement, and relief that everything had led to this day.

Hikari’s eyes glimmered as she spoke softly, almost to herself. “I’m so happy… that you’re my sisters.”

The others turned toward her, smiles spreading across their faces. Without hesitation, they pulled each other into a group hug. As their hearts beat in unison, a subtle warm energy began to radiate around them. Aihana’s wings, already familiar to her, shimmered gently. To the others’ astonishment, their own wings began to materialize—softly at first, then fully, luminous and radiant. Gasps and delighted laughter filled the room.

Sora flapped her wings experimentally, spinning around with excitement, while Kaori twirled beside her. Mizuki’s laughter rang out as she caught sight of the faint glimmer of her wings, and Hikari’s serene smile widened as her wings reflected the light drifting in from the glowing horizon of their celestial realm—high above Tama Hills, invisible to human eyes.

Sora nudged Kaori with a mischievous grin. “So, Mizuki… will tonight be interesting with Rei? Maybe a little kiss?”

Kaori chuckled, mock-serious. “Don’t disappoint us, Mizuki. We need the full story later!”

Mizuki flushed, letting out a small laugh. “You two are impossible. Focus—I have more important things on my mind than your gossip.”

The four sisters laughed, shaking their heads, before turning toward Aihana, who watched them fondly.

Sora smirked, teasing further. “And you, Aihana… Akihiro… think he’ll propose again tonight?”

Aihana blushed, a soft laugh escaping her lips. “Patience,” she said, eyes sparkling. “He has his own timing.”

The sisters exchanged a knowing look, then embraced once more. The energy around them surged, their wings shimmering in delight. For a moment, all nervousness vanished, leaving only joy, connection, and a sense of belonging. The five sisters stood together, radiant, powerful, and ready for whatever the day would bring.

Meanwhile Akihiro leaned against the marble wall of the palace corridor, green eyes scanning the golden sconces, the silk banners fluttering slightly in the breeze, and the polished floors reflecting light in streaks of brilliance. The angel-forged engagement ring rested safely in his pocket. The palace hummed with anticipation—the faint scent of roses drifting from open windows, harp strings tuning somewhere in the grand hall, and the soft rustle of silk as servants and attendants moved with perfect choreography.

A soft step in the corridor drew his attention. Rei appeared, his expression calm and knowing. “You look tense,” he said, tilting his head, voice quiet but firm. “Everything will be fine.”

Akihiro shifted slightly, leaning against the wall, his hand brushing the ring box hidden in his pocket. “Fine… if Hinako doesn’t decide to reset everything at the last moment,” he murmured, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

Rei arched an eyebrow. “Then we’ll just make sure she doesn’t.”

A shared chuckle passed between them, lightening the tension just enough. Akihiro adjusted his stance, green eyes softening. “Today,” he said, voice low, “everything changes.”

Rei nodded. “It will. But all of us will make it through.”

With a final glance toward the room where the sisters were finishing their preparations, Akihiro stepped into the corridor, chest steady, aura calm yet radiating authority. Today was not just a celebration—it was a revelation. Every step mattered. Every detail counted.

The grand hall gleamed in golden light, crystal chandeliers casting prismatic patterns across polished floors. Royal banners hung from balconies, embroidered with angelic sigils and family crests. Servants moved like shadows, arranging flowers, lighting candles, and ensuring each seat, table, and tapestry was flawless.

Aihana and her sisters entered the hall, each dressed in gowns that shimmered with both elegance and subtle magical resilience. Their laughter and whispers intertwined with the quiet murmur of guests arriving—angelic princes, angelic princesses, ambassadors, and celestial guardians from another realms, each aware that this day balanced celebration with extraordinary revelations.

Aihana’s parents followed, awe evident on their faces as they glimpsed faint pulses of angelic energy flowing through the hall, magical wards shimmering like heat waves above doorways.

The palace servants instinctively parted, guiding them toward the dais. At the top, Hinako waited, regal and commanding, her aura bathing the hall in warmth and authority. She spoke, voice carrying effortlessly, “Welcome. Today we honor not just our daughters’ birthdays, but the courage, strength, and love that define them. Let this celebration remind us all of the balance between duty and heart, tradition and destiny.”

“Daughters,” she said, voice resonant and firm, “turn and face the hall.”

The sisters exchanged a brief, excited glance, then obediently pivoted, standing side by side, their gowns shimmering, their newly revealed wings catching the golden light.

A subtle hum of energy pulsed through the air as the assembled crowd recognized their significance. Everyone instinctively knelt, bowed, or inclined themselves, honoring the five daughters of Hinako. Even Akihiro, standing slightly apart but vigilant, bowed low without once breaking his gaze from Aihana, and she, unable to look anywhere else, met his eyes in return.

Hinako’s gaze swept over them, pride and authority shining in her eyes. “Let all in this hall bear witness. These are my daughters, the Arc-princesses, born not only to uphold the balance, strength, and light of our realms, but also to protect the Earth below, guiding its safety and safeguarding its people. May their courage, unity, and vigilance inspire every soul present.”

The sisters straightened, a mix of awe, excitement, and responsibility flooding through them. Laughter, small gasps, and whispers of admiration passed through the hall, but above all, the reverence was palpable.

A gentle vibration rippled through the hall, subtle at first, then unmistakable. Aihana felt it in her fingertips, a familiar tug beneath her ribs. Sora glanced at her sisters, eyes wide. Kaori inhaled sharply. Mizuki’s wings fluttered once in recognition.

Hikari whispered, “It’s the veil…”

Almost without speaking, they reached for one another.

Five hands intertwined.

The air stilled.

Light bloomed around their joined palms, soft as candle flame, then brightened, weaving itself into a spiraling lattice of elemental colors. Water shimmered. Wind curled. Earth glowed. Fire whispered. And at the center, Aihana’s radiance pulsed like a heart, drawing the others into rhythm.

The lattice rose slowly, ascending through the hall’s vaulted ceiling, leaving no scorch, no crack, only a trail of shimmering threads. It passed into the open sky of Hinako’s realm—into the dimensional space—and flowed downward toward the Earth below.

On Earth—unseen by mortals—an invisible membrane thickened.

The veil shuddered… then solidified.

Cracks sealed.

Weak points healed.

The dimensional rift demons had been exploiting snapped shut like a locked gate.

Every angel in the hall felt it.

Hinako’s eyes widened, awe breaking through her eternal calm. “The veil… restored,” she murmured. “Together, they did it.”

The glow around the sisters dimmed, settling into their wings, their skin, their breath. They released each other’s hands slowly, almost reluctantly, as if part of them still felt the weight of the worlds they’d just stitched back together.

Then applause erupted.

And the celebration continued, as if nothing had changed—but everything had.

Guests murmured in awe as flower arrangements, golden tapestries, and delicate magical illuminations glimmered across the room. Servants moved gracefully, attending to every detail, while the five sisters exchanged excited glances, their elegant gowns shimmering under the chandeliers.

Aihana felt her chest tighten with anticipation. Every eye seemed drawn to her, yet she was surrounded by family—born, chosen, and found. The music and laughter filled the hall, signaling the start of the celebration proper, before the formal dances began.