Inside & Out Ch 16: The Summons Of Crimson & Gold!

Lunch was supposed to be quiet.

I'd barely sat down, the smell of stew still steaming from the bowl, when the front door slammed open hard enough to rattle the walls. The spoon froze halfway to my mouth. My father jolted upright from his seat, his hand already braced against the table.

"What in the name of the goddess—" he started, but the words cut short as three red soldiers stormed in.

Their armor gleamed under the dim light of our house — crimson plates polished to a shine that made the blue paint of our walls look dull. The one in front, tall and broad-shouldered, scanned the room with that sharp, unblinking way reds always did when they thought they were standing above you.

"Every citizen of the goddess has been summoned by the Emperor," the lead soldier announced. His voice was clipped, practiced, completely void of warmth. "Attendance is mandatory."

For a second, no one said anything. Even the stew kept bubbling quietly like it didn't want to get involved.

My father finally found his voice. "Summoned? All of us?"

"All of you," the soldier confirmed, his tone making it clear he wasn't open to questions.

I looked at my mother. Her eyes flicked to mine, wide and uncertain. We'd heard about imperial summons before, sure, but they were the kind of thing that happened once every few generations — reserved for disasters, wars, or divine decrees. Not... this. Not for ordinary workers.

The reds stepped back, letting us pass, their hands still resting on the grips of their weapons like we might bolt at any second.

I grabbed my coat and slipped outside with my parents. The street was already full of movement — doors banging open, families stepping out under the watchful gaze of red soldiers. The air buzzed with confusion and fear.

Blues like me, workers, civilians — all being herded toward the main avenue. I could see the shimmer of banners in the distance, the gold sigil of the goddess catching the light.

"Damn it," I muttered under my breath, my stomach sinking.

If the Emperor himself was calling everyone, this wasn't just a summons. This was a hunt.

And if this had anything to do with the Munari... then I was walking straight into the lion's den.

The streets were alive with motion — boots scuffing against the stone, the low murmur of confusion weaving through the air like smoke. Reds barked orders from every corner, their presence cutting through the blue district like a scar. My parents walked ahead of me, staying close, their heads low. I kept my eyes forward, trying not to draw attention, though the pit in my stomach was already growing heavier.

That was when I felt it — a hand on my shoulder.

I flinched instantly, spinning around so fast my coat nearly came off my arm. My heart leapt into my throat before I even saw who it was.

"Easy, Kael," Breno said, holding up both hands, his usual crooked grin not quite reaching his eyes.

Of all people, he was the last one I wanted to see right now.

"What do you want?" I hissed, glancing around to make sure no one was watching us too closely.

Breno leaned in slightly, his voice low but urgent. "You know what this means, right? A gathering like this — the Emperor's furious. He's starting to suspect the blues."

My pulse skipped. I hadn't said it out loud, but I'd thought the same thing the moment those reds came knocking. "Yeah," I said quietly. "That's what it looks like."

He shifted uncomfortably, eyes darting to the reds marching ahead. "People are saying someone's been hiding something... power that doesn't belong to their class. The Emperor won't stop until he finds whoever it is."

I turned and met his gaze sharply. "Breno," I said under my breath, "you remember what you promised me, right?"

He swallowed, nodding quickly. "I know. I haven't told anyone." He hesitated, his voice softening just a little. "But maybe you should just come forward. If you're really the Munari—"

"Don't." My tone came out harsher than I intended, but I couldn't stop it. "Don't talk about that here. Don't even say the word."

He looked at me like he wanted to argue, to say something that might make me see sense — but there was no sense to be had. Not in this place. Not now.

"I don't want to talk about this anymore," I said, already stepping away.

"Kael—"

I didn't turn back. I just kept walking, weaving through the crowd until the noise swallowed his voice completely. My parents had already blended into the flow of people ahead, their blue coats moving like waves in the sea of others.

The crowd thickened as we reached the heart of the district — the main square. The buildings here rose higher, the lights brighter, but it all felt muted beneath the tension hanging in the air.

And then I saw them.

Beyond the crowd of blues, elevated on the marble steps, stood the Yellows. Their clothes shimmered faintly, woven with gold filaments that caught the sunlight. Each one surrounded by red guards, their spears planted firmly in the ground.

A hush started to fall over the crowd as more reds lined the perimeter, their armor reflecting flashes of crimson across the faces of the gathered workers.

I folded my arms and exhaled slowly.

"This should be good," I muttered, though there was no humor in it — just a knot of dread tightening in my chest.