Arriving at Camp Ayane
I packed my belongings in the satchel I'd entered these lands in. I could not take any of the gifts Kou had given me. Not when he detests me as much as does.
And so I walk past these stone walls and wooden beams, taking a last sight of the skies from the fortress' perch. With every step I take, a part of my soul chips off, begging to stay. A part of it comes from my family's helm, to which I've decided must be returned to its proper owners. The other part comes from my newfound affections in these lands.
Surely I could have belonged here—amongst the king' guard, between the ladies of court, and right beside Kousuke himself—embracing nature's love and power for my peace. If only I did not take such drastic precautions.
As I venture down the steps and trudge through the bare citadel, I find myself with a new resolve. I've secured my kingdom's rescue and my title against the current monarch and his daughters. Now all that is left is to repay Kousuke's kindness.
In all frankness, the only thing I deem worthy enough to repay is my own life. As if the mighty dragon king would only take my measly, magicless, life.
The wind blows into my face, sending shivers down my spine and gooseflesh erupts along my arms. It is peculiar that I feel such a chill in the genesis of summer.
I glance up at the walls and the towers framing above the large gates open to the town. There were less soldiers protecting the castle it seems. A poor choice if the enemy decided to attack right this moment towards the heart of their country.
I shook my head, looking toward the lanterns twinkling across the canopies of markets and homes—all remnants of the dragon festival days ago. They dance in the summer breeze, the bells tinkling on the thread that held them together, and filling the silence of the barren streets. After all, who'd venture to town in the dead of night.
The marketplace ends where the dragon fountain made of brass and gold stands. The dragon coils around Kou's form and its head is above him with a crinkled snout and a snarl. Kou's expression remains a stagnant frown as I have seen it so many times when he was still learning to trust me.
All of that trust evaporated when he learned my truth from the call of war.
A man in a cloak comes to stand next to me, tossing a coin into the fountain and whispering something under his breath. I glance to my left, noticing the crest embedded on the clasp holding the cloak together.
It is my father's crest from ten winters ago.
"Who are you?" I demand under my breath, not moving in an obvious way so the sparse townsfolk near the pub won't notice.
He does not indulge my query. Instead, he turns to face me, his visor a bright blue I recognize. "Tobio?" I exhale shakily. "How are you-"
"Not her, milady," He whispers, glancing to the pub and then meeting my gaze. "Follow me, discreetly yet with quick feet. We do not have time."
I nod once, turning away from him and observing the yodeling drunk man thrown out of the pub.
Then I glance back to where Tobio had retreated—into the colorful drapes hung low in an alley—and follow.
He is quick to weave between the thick cloth, flourishing the canvas as he passes each one.
Just as I thought I'd lost him, a hand grabs my arm and pulls me through a door into an abandoned workshop. The lock is clicked shut.
Tobio—Sir Iida in my lands—tips his hood back just enough so I can see his likeness. "What is it, Tobio? How did you find me here?" I ask in a rush, "How are you here?"
"The king has wrongfully allied with the New Emperor of Godai. And he's sent his band of assassins to kill both you and Okununishi's king."
"The New Emperor of Godai? Has King Enjiro passed?"
"Murdered in his sleep by his own son, your bethrothed, the former Crown Prince Todokoro." "He sent his assassins? The Dark Horsemen?"
"In his empire, they are given the title of The Supreme Knights."
"They are notoriously known for their skill in poison." He nods grimly. I know we are thinking the same. Anyone who is hit with their arrows is practically sentenced to death, for not a soul has found a cure against their lethal blend of poisons. Not a soul.
"I barely beat them to the castle. The orders were given to strike the night of the full moon." I swear my heart halts as I hear the words spoken from Tobio's lips.
Because tonight is the night of the full moon.
"Head back to the kingdom so no one can suspect your disappearance-" I rummage through my satchel and find the icy blue ribbon I was gifted with last autumn. "Meet with the youngest prince Todokoro and give him this. He will understand its meaning." I hand the ribbon to Tobio, who tucks it within his belt securely.
"Are you not heading with me?" he asks, eyeing my hand digging for the dagger from within my satchel.
"I must save Kou- Okununishi's king." I say, clasping the dagger's sleeve on my belt and pulling out the potion of strength and stamina.
He must recognize the vial with how his eyes widen and apparent shock appears on his expression. "You musn't!" He exclaims. It is too late. I already have the flask to my lips and the potion burns down my throat. "Your life is in greater danger than his."
I grimace at the bitter burn and wrinkle my nose. Then I face Tobio, exhibiting the most ferocious expression I can muster. "My life would do no good if Okuninushi falls. He is the only king that can rival that dastard Touka."
Tobio blinks quickly and his mouth parts suddenly, the back teeth are visible. "You've grown bold, milady. I'd never thought I'd hear such words from you."
I smile despite myself. It is true. My language has changed greatly while amongst Kousuke and his people. It has become more free. More honest. More true.
"I learned such words are worth giving to those deserving. Now go. And if King Kousuke Bakugan ever approaches you, remember, he is my ally."
He nods once, hurrying to leave while tipping his hood over his visor once again. However, he suddenly stops at the door and peers over his shoulder.
"Milady," he says, "When I next see you, I shall be by Prince Shoyo Todokoro's side."
I nod in agreement, hiding the truth in my chest. I did not have the heart to tell him that this may be the last time either of us will ever meet again.
All due to the decision I made: that I'd save Kou's life. Even if it came at the cost of my own.
~~~
Ayumi
I sink into the boiling hot spring water, ignoring the quips of my peers on whose chest is bigger. It's a contest I'm not a fan of participating in. Not because I'm insecure. I just am not in the head space to compete on such things.
So I lower myself, exhaling through my mouth into the water to release childish bubbles like gold fishes searching the water's surface for food.
And while the scalding yet calming water unwinds the tight knots in my muscles, I can't help but think of all that happened today.
Especially because I never expected the first day of camp would become this eventful.
Starting with the bus ride and being forced to sit next to Bakago, thanks to our seating number, was certainly not what I considered fun. But it was surprisingly peaceful.
I sat at the window, staring outside and watching at how all the greens muddled into one large stroke of green. He stayed awake the entire time, crossing his arms and leaning back into his seat. He didn't say a word the entire ride, but I could feel his gaze—more like glare—on my head from time to time.
Despite the harsh words he shared, I knew deep down that he cared. In his own twisted and convoluted way.
After the agonizingly silent bus ride, the monster forest trial was no joke.
Working in teams was one thing. Competing against Bakago when he's pissed is another. Let's just say it was filled with smoke, fire, metal, and was unnecessarily brutal.
(Not once did I see his eyes. Not once did I have a flash of our past lives as we fought side by side. It makes me sad to think that we never fought like this in our past life.)
The best part of today, besides the hot springs right at this moment, was definitely the food. I never knew I'd eat so much so fast. But all that exercise really got to me.
Thankfully, the heated water, even if it is flushing my skin a light pink from the heat, is helping the soreness disappear in just minutes.
But even this momentary peace is disrupted by the boys on the other side.
I don't know what happened, except for the fact that the grape-kid got his body smacked to the floor and that Kouta followed right after. Considering the glimpse of green lightning I saw, I can assume it's Midoriya-kun who came to the rescue.
Soon it is time to leave the hot springs and head to our beds. The girls flurry with giggles and towels wrapped around their heads in makeshift turbans. I drape a towel over my shoulders, detouring to see whether Kouta is okay. Despite his repulsion to heroes, I'm curious to know his reasons.
I go towards the bend of the hallway, following the hushed voices of Midoriya-kun and Mandalay-san. I can barely hear what they are saying.
"Oi."
I freeze before I take the turn. The last person I thought I'd be talking to was Bakago.
But here we are.
So I turn around, trying to mask my surprise by forcing my brows to pinch together and mimic my mouth to curve in the scowl he's so practiced with.
I can tell that he sees right through. I can tell with how he clenches his jaw and crosses his arms across his bare chest.
(If I wasn't so mad at him, I'd probably stare at how ethereal he looks without a shirt on. It's unfair with just how perfect he is.)
"What?" I snap.
He narrows his eyes, those red irises cutting right through my heart.
I wish he wasn't being so stupid. I wish he didn't blur the lines like he suggested we don't. So much for following your own advice huh, Bakago.
"What's with you?" he sneers, stomping his way toward me.
I can't help the small yelp. He's getting closer. And he only has a towel skimpily draped around his waist. (How can he be so nonchalant when he's practically naked?!!)
"I don't know what you mean," I hate how small my voice sounds.
"The mall," he bites, towering over me, his shoulders squaring as if ready to fight. My back meets a wall. I am royally screwed.
"What about it?"
The feigned ignorance isn't a route I usually choose. But seeing just how it's twisting his rage to new heights, I can't help but egg him on.
He groans, his brows slanting even deeper. And then all traces of his anger disappear. Like smoke in a wind,. Just poof.
And unlike his usual tantrums, his voice lowers, his eyes open and calm.
"The villain, Yumi. What did they do?" He exhales sharply, his arms relaxing on his sides. "You can tell me."
I search his expression. The sincerity is obvious. The sudden care isn't a shock either. Not when I've seen this side of his plenty of times.
It's just so out of the blue that I have to take two seconds to actually hear what he said.
And when it finally reaches my ears and processes in my slow brain, my heart can't help but skip a beat.
Of course he cares. Even after our fight. Even when he said that all of his affection was just an extension of Kousuke's. Of course he cares.
He's just terrible at showing it at times. Just terrified of how much it affects him at times. I know because I feel the same way. Because Kousuke felt the same too.
And I want to make up. I want to, desperately, hug him and tell him, I'm fine. There is nothing to worry about.
But I can't.
Not with the threat my uncle declared so proudly in the mall.
If everyone thinks I hate Katsuki, and Katsuki hates me, then Katsuki is safe from my uncle. His life matters more than having him by my side anyways. I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to 'Tsuki because of me.
So I glare into his ruby red eyes and now I'm the one crossing my arms.
"I don't need your fake sympathy," I grit through clenched teeth, "Especially when I know anything you felt for me was just influenced by a stuck up king in the past."
His eyes widened. Maybe he didn't expect me to be so harsh. Maybe he was just astonished that I struck a chord.
It doesn't matter. I am not allowed to care.
I can feel his heat disappear—something I once associated with comfort—and he moves aside, out of my way.
The gesture is silent, the slant in his eyebrows is loud. He's telling me to leave before he blows a gasket. So I do. I stomp back down the hallway and head towards the girl's room.
All while leaving my tattered heart with him.
Anger
Kousuke
The air is tight as my esteemed generals file into the war room.
My anger is apparent—electric like General Kami's magic. Even he stands in silence, forgoing his usual snark with his bright sunflower yellow hair and mirthful gold irises. He stands on my left while Kirigaya stands on my right, both subtly gesturing to the rest to keep their peace.
They are true in their concern. For my wrath that I may incur could prove to be disastrous.
Anyone would be as distraught and internally mangled after such a betrayal I have faced. To think I trusted my heart to such a fickle woman.
When the last general stands on their designated spot, I crackle my palms and light the chandelier above our heads. It is the signal of war oncoming—a warning that many of us may greet death in the few days forward.
"The North has declared war on us," I bite, my fists clenched with my knuckles stretched white, and my power surging under my skin. "We've waited ten winters for such a chance of revenge. We shall not let such an opportunity escape us."
They all nod with a single jerk of their heads. Our rage is unanimous. It is obvious from the glow of all our mystics merging into a colorful spectacle—as though the auroras from Okami Kingdom's skies at night. It would have been a stunning sight if not for the anger that fuels it.
"What is our objective?" Kirigaya asks.
"We shall first establish an alliance with Daikokotsu." "Are they not a neutral power?" Kami ponders.
"They are," Zuko says, entering the meeting from his hidden quarters. He looks ever-menacing emerging from the shadows in his darkened garb. It is ever peculiar. "However, Daikokotsu will not stay neutral any longer. Not with the threat Godai Empire would pose."
"Since when was Godai established an Empire?" General Kiyoko asks, her dark purple hair glowing red from the influx of my power lighting the room.
The announcement has not been made in my kingdom yet. The development only happened four gems ago.
Zuko meets my eye, and he nods in understanding. For all the trouble I gave him in our youth, he truly is a godsend for speaking hard truths with poise.
"Since the courtship of Crown Prince Todokoro and Crown Princess Yamasaki was announced alongside the declaration of war," he says.
The generals all gasp, their mystics flickering like candle flames in the rain.
"From where shall we attack first?" General Seto asks, his bulky frame bulging out of his white armor, the amulet of sugars glowing with a silver hue in the center of his chest.
I place three of our flags on the map, all circling a mountain just between Enkei River and the Neutral Woodlands.
"We shall set our camps on these lands. Resources are most abundant here outside Haniyasu's Kingdom."
Kiyoko hums, "Is that not too risky of a place to establish a stronghold? We are greatly exposed?"
Kirigaya smirks and I cannot help the grin that pulls at my lips.
"They shall be used as decoys for our stronghold within the mountain. In our recent hunt we discovered a tunnel system within the range."
"A tunnel system?"
"I suspect it was formerly used to reach the mines in the olden days," Zuko says "Still, I cannot be sure until I see it for myself."
"It is imperative we gain Daikokotsu's alliance then," Seto surmises.
With our resources in the mystics and with Daikokotsu's resources in the magical elements, our stronghold would not only be impenetrable in the cover of the mountains. It would prove to be devastating for Haniyasu's survival.
I glance towards Zuko, who has been shaking out of excitement from such a revelation. He has always dreamt of traveling to other lands in simple curiosity of differing ways of life.
"Zuko shall leave at dawn to make negotiations with-"
A desperate, painful, roar echoes through the walls, leaving them to tremble.
My heart sinks, and Kirigaya releases a mournful weep.
He turns to me, his eyes glowing, his horns growing larger, his wings starting to peak from his back. "Sire," his voice quivers—in rage or grief, no one could know. "Manami-"
The doors are ripped open. And Sir Moneto stands between them in a deplorable state—his distasteful purple spherical hair disheveled into unruly curls. I do not realize until he raises his head from heaving breaths that blood stains his armor.
"We are under attack!"
The moment he finishes those words, an arrow pierces his throat.
My eyes widen, and Kirigaya pulls me by my cape closer to him. I sometimes forget of just how true his strength is.
Another arrow pierces the wood of the war table, the bright turquoise feathers reminding me of The Death Chasm's flames.
And then arrows rain.
"Go," I say to Kirigaya, the man who has formed into a semi-dragon vestige.
His muscles ripple under the armor of scales that grow on the expanse of his skin.
"After you are safe," he says, deflecting an arrow with his scaled arm. "Manami would never forgive me otherwise."
I know this to be true. But it is the roar she belowed that has me more concerned. For she roared a name in dragonspeak.
And no matter how anger envelopes my being, how it consumes me—no matter how betrayal pains my heart—I cannot help the sinking of my heart when I finally realize whose name she called.
She called her name. Ayane.
I woke up in a cold sweat.
~~~
Katsuki
There was nothing particularly nightmarish about my shitty dream. It was just political jargon and the underlying feeling of rage.
That was until the very end of the shitty dream. Effin' Ayane.
I hate just how much Kou's shitty, twisted, feelings settle into my chest. Those aren't my feelings. We aren't the same person.
He's a stuck up king of a magical kingdom filled with loyal subjects.
I am a striving hero, the future number one hero in all of Japan.
The only similarity we do have is our looks. And our shitty feelings for a ginger-haired girl.
It doesn't mean it isn't annoying to feel like my heart is being ripped out of my chest from worry in the shitty morning.
And to take away that shitty feeling, I tried shifting the pain into working out my quirk.
I groaned as I shoved my hands in steaming hot water. And then I raised my hands to the sky. I inhaled deeply, feeling the sticky warmth of the forest wind, and released the largest explosion I could at the shitty sky. As I expelled all the heat from my palms, I added a holler for death.
It helped take away the pain for a little bit.
"I think you should step back, Bakugo," Emo Bird suggests as we stare at the destroyed stove in front of us.
Clearly not enough.
I glare at the smoking bits, shove my hands in my pockets and stomp away from the crowd. Practicing the growth of my quirk made me less precise in my attacks; I need to fix that.
Just as excessive my quirk has become, hers has become equally more precise. Tangerine (Yumi) is in charge of entire corner: a knife chops away at vegetables, a spoon stirs the pot, and she observes both
simultaneously. If I didn't see the strain in her muscles, I would've assumed she did some wand magic shit.
Suddenly all her concentration disappears as she jumps when shitty Deku comes from behind her.
He apologizes with that stupid wobbly smile and she makes a gesture as if to say everything is okay.
It pisses me off.
As if everything is okay.
It clearly hasn't been.
Not since she'd met that familiar face.
What pisses me off more than her pretending that it hadn't affected her is the lies. The lie that she doesn't need anyone, that she is doing fine, that she had no clue who she bumped into—the lie that she is okay.
It doesn't take a genius to figure out she is not okay. She's far from it. Miles away from it. But I can't say shit about it. Not when she gives me that empty smile and that hefty glare. I just have to get stronger. Strong enough to help her when she needs it desperately.
(And if you are wondering where my anger went when it came to her keeping Ayane's past a secret, it is long gone. It left the moment I felt fear for her in danger.)
The Dark Horsemen Ayane
The chill I felt when leaving the fortress was no fluke. I realize that when I see the glint of ice in the distance: the power that resides within the Todokoro bloodline.
Chaos riddles outside the castle walls. Fire blazes atop the straw roofs. Children cry for their mothers and mothers fight the enemy soldiers that attack their homes. And the soldiers of Okuninushi trample in their metal and glowing armor, to and from the large wooden gates.
They are just in view. The tall engraved doors in their grandiose stature standing with unwavering strength. I run, as fast as my legs can take me, despite the burn, despite the way my lungs burn from how fast I have run. I run until I reach the entrance of the gates.
However, when I finally reach them, I am met with Sir Mori and his quartet.
His eyes blow fire when he recognizes my form. He stomps forward, each hand gripping on a hilt on either side of his waist, and his lips contorting into a prominent grimace.
"You have been banished from the castle grounds," he hollers over the screams of pain and agony, "You are not welcome inside!"
I try to dodge him but he halts me with his sword. His quartet surrounds me, their blades just a finger away from my skin.
They still view me as a threat. I cannot blame them.
"We are under siege, Sir Mori," I heave as my breath continues to fail me, "You think holding back one of the most skilled from the royal guard is wise?"
He scoffs, pressing the tip of his blade against my sternum. Any more pressure than he'd be breaching skin, "I think holding back the crown princess from the lands that have waged war on us is more than enough of a reason."
"You don't understand!" I grit, "Kou- The king's life is in danger!" A shadow falls on his face. "Is that a threat?"
"No- I've received word that assassins of Emperor Touka Todokoro have breached Okununishsi's borders."
His eyes seem to widen as he absorbs the truth I have spoken. Then, his stature changes. It's firmer, more on guard. And while he becomes a pillar of strength, his men all hesitate with their swords, the tips quivering, like leaves in the wind, despite hovering so close to my person.
"Emperor Touka? Where did you-"
The ground trembles. Then a painful roar shakes the walls.
And it is like the earth gasps air when ice blankets the gates.
Tobio was right when he said Touka would strike on the night of the full moon.
We all watch in horror, in amazement too, as the summer breeze becomes a frigid blast of winter wind.
"The Emperor is here." I breathe in surprise. "Noritaka," I plead, "Let me through. I can distract him from Kousuke. Please."
He glances at me, then to his men. A single nod and their swords lower.
"I'm coming with you." He steps aside, handing me one of his swords, the same sword I'd first dueled with him, and opening the smaller gate for knights to use. "Don't break the little trust I'm giving you."
"I won't. I swear it."
We run through the narrow dim lit path. The world shakes as our footsteps echo through the walls, dust billows, and pebbles jump.
If the outer town was in chaos, then the citadel has become a disaster—as though the final day of this world has come.
Townsmen have started to flee the castle's entrance. Some men, women, and children cry and weep as they see their homes burn. Others grab forks and spikes, while those with knowledge of the mystics wield their powers. Organized in lines, they march towards the chaos.
I weave through them, some parting when they recognize my hair from patrols on Manami's back, others blocking my path to ask why I was conveniently out of the castle when under siege.
It is an arduous task. Nonetheless, the knowledge of Kou's life in danger is enough to move mountains. Crossing this formation is child's play.
The wind is cooler the closer I get, the skies have gone brighter from the fire, and the air has become acrid due to the smoke. True annihilation has come.
"Princess!" I hear Sir Mori holler through the crowd. I turn and find him cornered against three of his own men. His quartet were the traitors? How is that possible? "Head to the northwest tower!"
Dark smoke appears behind Sir Mori, solidifying into a silhouette of a man holding a sword. My eyes widen with realization and I yell, "Behind you!"
He dodges the blade, stabbing the gray man. But he disintegrates back into smoke. Sir Mori continues to battle his quartet.
Suddenly the smoke appears in front of me. A man steps through, tall and slender with a scar down the middle of his forehead, while he gawks at my form.
"You are hideous," he whispers, "You are gorgeous," he smiles.
I have only heard stories of the Dark Horsemen. How they pillage villages and burn castles to the ground all by the word of Touka Todokoro. The rumor is that they have been behind countless overthrowing of kingdoms with just their infiltration skills.
There are five of them: the Genie who can travel through smoke, the Thief who could create tangible replicas of individuals with just a piece of ones hair, the Vampire who has lived a millennium wearing other people's faces, the Magician that can hide anyone and anything in his hat, and the Orphan that can destroy anything with his touch.
The smoke trailing around Sir Mori must be the Genie. The quartet may be replicas made by the man- the Thief standing in front of me; his contradictory speech is the key to knowing his identity.
"She is gorgeous," A girl in blond braids walks through the smoke next. Her fangs retract as she smiles, the dangling earring on her left ear glinting in the firelight. She must be the Vampire. "I would love to have her face next."
The smoke disintegrates again, returning in a thicker cloud towards Sir Mori.
The Thief and the Vampire circle me, their steps even and in sync.
"Two of the Dark horsemen against I alone. Seems like you overestimate my power."
"Oh no no, we don't underestimate the holder of the Emerald Helm," the Vampire smiles, "That would be foolish of us."
"Foolish indeed," the Thief sings, "Not folly at all," He snarls.
I smirk, "I suppose a withering man and a little girl do need each other to go against someone with strength as mine." I grip the sword in my hand, pointing it out, towards the Thief while I eye the Vampire over my shoulder.
The Vampire then surprises me. She cackles, her voice echoing through my skull as her cheeks flush a dark rouge, "We are not here to fight."
"No fighting," the Thief nods in approval. "A fight is inevitable," he argues.
"We are here to secure the king's demise. And we will accomplish that feat by keeping you here, with us."
"If you think he cannot rescue himself, you truly underestimate a man brimmed with the power of the dragons soaked in his blood."
The Vampire steps closer, twirling a lock of hair around her first finger. "The Magician's skill in transfiguring a measly poison dart into an arrow is special to him alone. Not even the senses of the great dragon bloodline can evade such an attack."
My heart thunders dangerously. They truly thought of everything of Kousuke's senses. The only way to save him would be to-
No, I cannot think of that now. I must survive against these two first.
"You truly will forgo such a rare occasion? Battling against the holder of the Emerald Helm will mark you as legends."
"Such sweet words you speak," the Vampire sings, "But we are already legends. The Supreme Knights we are called."
"Legends we are," the Thief echoes, "Legends we are not," he snarls.
"Oh what is that, my love?'' The Vampire grins widely, saliva dripping from her dagger inn canines. "Should we teach the runaway princess a lesson?"
The Thief laughs, his eyes and hands glowing bright. "A lesson is good. A lesson is not needed."
I grip the hilt tightly. The unease in my chest grows. What is it they will do? How shall they teach me a lesson?
The light glows brighter. I cannot see what is in front of me.
I must be vigilant for I cannot—must not—underestimate them either. She can fool me with another likeness. He can fool me with duplicates of others. They truly are made for one another.
The glowing seizes, and two of the Vampires stand in front of me. Who is the original and who is the fake is beyond me.
"Let us play a game, Princess Yamasaki," the left one sings.
"If you guess the correct original," the one on the right sings now, "You may leave uninjured,"
"And if I am wrong?"
They grin widely, "Then you shall pay with your blood."
I dart my eyes back and forth on their likeness.
It should be an impossible choice. They are identical in every shape and form. From their grins, to their hair, to their eyes. Even the inflection of their voices remains the same.
However, one thing is different. The earring.
I point to the one on the left, watching how the earring on their left ear swings like a pendulum. They cackle together, melting into the ground.
I miscalculated.
Tendrils of smoke come from behind me, and her cackles start to creep into my ear.
She is coming from behind, through the Genie's mystical power. I try to move but I know it is too late. She is too close. I will not be able to dodge her in time.
I look ahead to find Sir Mori battered with cuts on all of his limbs, the smoke that once enveloped him now receding away into nothingness. His eyes meet mine, those mauve irises dulling with every slow blink.
His traitorous quartet has melted to the ground; they were a product of the Thief's power. He is the last man standing. When he finally recognizes me through his delirium, he creases his brows, his lips parting to say something.
Whatever he says is a mystery. For I could not hear the whisper he wheezed before he fell to his knees.
And the moment he falls to his knees, a chest thrumming roar quakes the grounds. I look to the sky, finding only ever ending purple cover the moon and the stars.
Manami has come, her horns and her eyes glowing the brightest gold it could compete with the sun.
The Genie's smoke evaporates, the cackles disappear, and the Thief's form melts to the ground while she lands by my side.
But something is off. Terribly so. I can tell when I hear the wheezes through her snout and the way her glow starts to dim. And as it dims her form shrinks, morphs, into her human form.
"Manami?" I crawl to her shuddering form, "Manami!"
She coughs through soft broken, shattering, chuckles. They grate my soul. They envelop the darkness over the flicker of hope I had.
That is when I noticed the small dart pierced into her shoulder.
I look around us and above us, and that feeling of ever-encompassing dread starts to creep up my chest. The Magician is in the castle. He is hiding in the cover of the shadows. He is.
A damp hand cups my shoulder. When I look down I realize the dampness is not my tears but her blood, a dark crimson glowing with a faint gold.
Hesitantly, with grief rooting into my chest, I meet her eyes. The twin suns surrounded by darkness are dimmed—are glassed over with pain.
"Save your love, sister," Manami whispers, her grip tightening, the space between her brows wrinkling together. "Tell Eiji I'll always love him. Always."
She relaxes, her eyes shining brighter for just a moment, her final breath piercing my chest like an arrow.
And all I can do in this moment, as I feel her warmth disappear, as I witness her aura flicker away into the darkness of the night, is hold her tight.
I know I do not have much more time. I must prevent the chance of Kou—my beautiful, magnificent, heartbroken Kou—to face the same fate.
So before my tears can dry, I close Manami's eyes, kiss her forehead and rest her hands on her chest. I stand up, glaring at the ice blanketing the dragon's den.
I may never exact revenge in Manami's name.
But Kousuke and Kirigaya will.
And with that solace hardening my conviction, I run. I run with one phrase chanting in my mind. I must save Kousuke.
This is all stupid.
***
Katsuki
I hate ghosts. They are stupid creatures made up to spook the unassuming. The thoughts of spirits coming to haunt the living is just-
I spit at the dirt ground. And then grimace at the thought of another student popping their head from the ground.
Hell, I hate this.
Walking through this exercise is no fun. And the fact Deku is with Yumi while I'm stuck with IcyHot makes it worse.
Walking through the woods while class rejects get to get a laugh from our fear is stupid. Idiotic. Down right humiliating.
What's worse is when IcyHot starts to poke into my business. "Are you and Yamamoto-san in a disagreement?"
I want to punch his pretty face in.
"None of yah business, yah half and half bastard."
We trudge through the path, my hands shoved in my pockets and his on his sides in fists. He's probably scared shitless too. Probably making conversation to distract himself.
"You seem more disagreeable since the final exams."
I feel a vein thumping at my temple.
"Like ya know anything!" I snarl.
I wanted to scream. But I do, the extras would know our location. Like I'd let that happen.
"She seems sadder than usual. And she hasn't recreated that quirk awakening like in the sport's festival. I thought maybe because she was distracted."
"She's not distracted," I counter. It's a white lie. Of course she's troubled, she witnessed one of her best friend's past life's death. How do I explain that without sounding insane?
"I think she is."
"She isn't! She's just scared of hurtin' the people around her like in your fight. Give her a break."
I keep my gaze to the ground, ignoring the feeling of IcyHot's eyes on me. He better get it through his thick skull that I ain't in the mood on talking about this-
"Bakugo-"
"Ya shithead, I don't wanna-"
He pulls my arm, and I jerk my head to scream in his face. (Screw the class reject extras' grand scare, he's crossing a line).
But then I see the shock and confusion on his face, his eyes looking over his shoulder, and then his finger pointing behind us. I turn, following his gaze.
It's an extra passed out on the floor, enshrouded by the pink smoke chasing us forward. Then the smell of burning trees came in quirk. I turn to my left and I see the blue fire coming in closer.
What the hell? What the hell!
We make eye contact, and in a second, we know what to do.
I go to grab the guy, and he creates an ice wall to deflect the smoke temporarily,
And then we run forward as fast as we can.
Chapter Notes
Taken
A year has passed. A lot has happened. I lost two family friends to cancer, changed careers, and finally got my life together a little bit more than I had last year. I know I neglected this story for quite some time. But I couldn't bring myself to start the second half when I was mourning; as you may have guessed, these next few chapters are heavy. 〒▽〒
For those who stuck around and waited patiently, I thank you so much. The lovely comments really got me going, and I finally got back into writing way more often than I had this past year. We'll be starting off with biweekly updates (once every two weeks) until further notice.
Some edits are being made to the beginning of the chapters; minor things I missed and some grammar mistakes I'm catching from my previous self. Though I will try so my writing style doesn't deviate too far from what this story was a year ago, I know it has changed a bit. Hopefully in a better way. (○` 3′○)
Anyway, without further ado, here is the very long awaited chapter. As always, enjoy reading! ☆*: ... o(≧▽≦)o ...:*☆
Ayumi
I still can't get Manami's dead body out of my head. It sucks even more when I see Mina right in front of me. I see a glimpse of her smiling and then a flash of blood and scales and see Manami's final breath part her lips.
And I know it was stupid of me but I couldn't help hugging her when I saw her in the morning.
And I know Bakago ('Tsuki) saw me. But I did not have the energy to think on what his neutral face meant. (I didn't want to cling on false hopes. Nor did I want to fall back into his affection if he couldn't trust me over the centuries old disagreement.)
So, the whole day, when I could see him watching, possibly waiting, I ignored him. As I learned to isolate the metals from the earth and bring them to the surface, I ignored how I could feel his body coming closer, his body facing me no matter the distance between us.
It took time, but I finally conjured enough metal to create a weapon right before dinner.
But now, as Midoriya-kun and I wait for our turn to enter the forest for the courage competition, I am way too excited for tomorrow's training. I need to get stronger so I can protect Dad.
"I'm glad to be here," I say suddenly.
Midoriya-kun looks over to me, his eyes shining in a way I know would piss off Bakago ('Tsuki). "Me too. I hope we learn even more before we head home," he says.
"Knowing Sensei, we've got a lot more to accomplish this training camp."
He smiles and his curls bounce as he nods, "I bet."
Suddenly, Pixie Bob glows red and is pulled back behind everyone.
I turn around, eyes widening when I see two villains, one slamming a large and thick staff on her head and the other crouching with a bunch of swords on his back.
"These pet cats are in the way," The larger villain says.
"Wh-Why?" Mineta shakes. "I though they made doubly sure... So why are there villains here?!" I'm sure everyone wants to know the same.
Mandalay then sends a message telepathically, "Everyone! We're being attacked by two villains! It's possible that there are more! Anyone who can move, get back to camp immediately! Even if you come across the enemy, retreat and do not engage!"
That is so much easier said than done. How can we not fight back?! Don't we need to fight to survive?!
I can't dwell on it any longer. The lizard starts to monologue, something about them being a vanguard for the League of Villains. This has to do something with Shigaraki. The other villain decides to threaten Pixie Bob which Tiger does not take lightly.
"Oi oi calm down, Mag-nee." The lizard says, "You to Tiger. Calm down! It all depends on whether having power over life and death follows Stain's tenets or not."
"Stain?!" Midoriya exclaims.
Iida balls a fist, "So you're the ones his ideology brought?"
Again the lizard monologues, acknowledging Iida-kun's involvement with Stain's capture. "I'm Spinner," he declares, "The one who will spin his dreams into reality!"
Such a tacky catch phrase if you ask me. (I can definitely imagine 'Tsuki saying something hilariously stupid about it too.)
Wait.
Katsuki and all our classmates are inside the forest. The burning forest!
I turn around and worry fills my chest. Even if we are fighting, even if I hate his guts at times, I can't stand the thought of him getting hurt.
"Go, everyone!" Mandalay says, "Listen carefully. Do not fight. Class rep, you're in charge!"
I don't want to go. I can't. My feet won't allow me when I know Katsuki is in there, possibly in danger.
(Explosions, flames, and wood do not go together at all.)
Midoriya is also not moving and Iida catches on.
"Midoriya-kun! Yamamoto-san!"
"Go on ahead!" Midoriya says before calling Mandalay's attention and putting a hand on his chest. "I know where he is!"
From how determined he looks, I assume he means Mandalay's nephew, Kota.
She gives him a nod, and he takes off without a second wasted.
This is my chance. I know it's selfish but I can't go to safety knowing everyone is in danger out there.
I turn to Iida-kun and give him a firm nod. "I'll stay with Midoriya-kun so he stays safe. You guys go!"
And before anyone could say anything against me, I'm off, behind Midoriya's tail. I use my quirk just to find his footprints and follow them towards the mountain path I remember asking Sensei about. He said to avoid going there alone. What was a little kid like Kota doing up there?
I catch up and Midoriya exclaims in surprise. "I didn't know you followed me." "I'm sorry. But I couldn't leave without knowing if everyone else is okay."
He nods, understanding as ever. I will never understand Bakago's ('Tsuki's) revulsion to the adorable broccoli.
But then I feel something thin and wiry, snaking through the forest floor. My heart drops.
Please don't be what- who I think it is.
Another follows, thicker and clearly a chain.
"Midoriya-kun," I say as I stay rooted in the spot. "Get out of here. Quickly!"
"What?! What is it?! Is everything okay? A villain?"
I nod. "The same one I encountered from the mall. He is strong and will kill you to hurt me."
His eyes widen and he's clearly conflicted from leaving. Maybe I can understand why his selflessness can be a little annoying to Bakago now.
"Then I can't possibly leave you alone." He nearly cries, "I-"
"Saving Kota is more important."
"But you'll be-"
"Midoriya-kun, please try to understand!" I exhale sharply, my nerves going alight when I feel the chains getting closer. Denser. "He's killed people to try and control me. I refuse to let him use you."
He looks like he's about to cry. But when I start to bring more metal to the surface and let a little of the shine catch the moonlight, he notices just how ready for a fight I am. How I will break the rules if absolutely necessary. A sentiment I know he'll abide by.
Without another word, he nods in conviction and runs away, disappearing in the trees.
I exhale again, bringing more metal to the surface and towards my side of the battle field that my evil uncle is making.
And then I project my voice. "I know you're there."
He laughs, the voice bringing memories of red amongst the uncaring crowd that just walked past me and my dying mother.
"That was quite the intervention. Didn't want any witnesses to you joining my side?" "The last thing I'd do is join you," I sneer.
"Is that so?" He steps out of the shadow, chains surrounding him like tentacles sprouting from his back. "Shall I pay my brother a visit after this?"
I grit my teeth. I can't let him get to me. I need to collect more metal before I can fight him head on. I'm almost there.
"If you wanted to hurt Dad, you would've already."
"I don't want to hurt him. Not like I did with your mother. No no," he shakes his head, his eyes widening with an unhinged craze, his pupils shrinking and his irises glowing a brighter copper. "I simply need you. And if that means using my dear brother to get you to cooperate, then so be it."
I swallow my heart in my throat. I just need a little longer.
"You think killing Dad would get me on your side? Are you insane?"
He is cackling now, eyes brighter, his hair standing tall and the chains becoming more alive than before.
"Insanity is part of the family," he smiles with his teeth, "And you're just like me."
"I'm nothing like you!" I exclaim as I lift small spheres of metal from the ground, and then shoot them towards my uncle. Like bullets from a machine gun.
Dust plumes, covering where my uncle stands. But I know it's not enough to hurt him. He's too skilled to even get injured from the attack.
The bullets were a distraction to the real problem. My own metal chain, thinner and sharper, is heading towards the chains that are attached to his body, slithering closer enough to cut it into little pieces. I just need to render it useless to attack me.
Because unlike my control over metal, my uncle cannot change the shape of his chains at will. He can only change the width and the length based on the amount he has and that's about it.
I know the chances of him catching on are great. But any risk is worth taking.
Just as expected, my uncle's laugh echoes in the space between us, the cloud of dust and grime growing larger. Bullets deflect back, and I quickly create a shield to catch the bullets to use again.
"Well done, buddy," he says, "You kept a plan of defense and re-attack all in one. UA is proving in helping your quirk grow much more than I thought."
"What does my quirk have to do anything with you?"
"Oh you don't know?" The dust cloud settles, and he stands tall with all his chains in view. "Because you inherited the blessing our family has had since the olden times. A blessing that I also have."
I can't even bother to read into what that means. This is the time to attack.
I bring my hidden blade into the light, and use my finger hidden from his view to slice through his chains as quickly as I can.
The satisfaction I feel when I finally caught him off guard is everything.
His eyes widen, and he winces from obvious pain as I cut them into small pieces. He can't use them to make me quirkless.
I'm panting, my shield still standing tall in front of me. He is heaving, on one knee, clearly trying to see what he can do to turn the tables in his favor.
But then, the worst possible thing happens.
Mandalay's telepath comes in "Everyone! Aizawa Sensei has given permission to fight in defense and to
get to safety!" A pause and then, "Also, the student Kacchan is being targeted! Kacchan, do not engage!" My heart races, my mind goes miles per second.
This couldn't be happening. Katsuki is being targeted? And if the message is for Kacchan, does that mean Midoriya had encountered a villain and extracted information?
"You're distracted," my uncle winces only to smile wider than before. "That's not good on a fight!"
He shoots the smaller chains of metal towards me, only for them to get encased by the metal of my shield.
"Why are you after Katsuki Bakugo?"
He sneers, "That kid is the League's target. I'm only here for you."
I exhale sharply. My worst fear is for Katsuki to get hurt because of me. But my uncle has no clue about my closeness to his explody highness. Thank All Might.
"Is that relief I see? Does Katsuki Bakugo mean something to you?"
I swallow deeply, faking a grimace of disgust. "Bakago you mean? Of course not."
He narrows his eyes, and for a second I think I failed in convincing him that I am serious in hating him and not faking hatred. And then he laughs.
"More and more you are proving to be just like me."
The glee in his voice, the pride, is scarier than his frustration to bring me to his side.
I want to run away from the fear starting to enclose around my throat. I cannot let myself get taken. I cannot let Katsuki get taken.
"I will never be like you," I say with force, my teeth grinding like the metal pieces I control grinding against stone. "I will never associate myself with you. The only thing we share is blood."
"Blood runs thicker than water. Why else could my brother never tell the police about your mother's true killer, or how my cousin will never reveal his accidental connection to my eagerness to train you?" He takes a step closer and the earth ripples beneath me. Did he send some chains underneath the ground? "No matter how much you try to deny it, you can never escape the pull of blood. You can never escape me, Ayumi."
I flinch hearing my name, the soft tenor and faux kindness I know he is trying to use to lower my guard. As if I'm that much of an idiot.
I jump, conjuring a plate of metal to protect myself from the chain that is about to encircle my ankle.
But the metal never comes. My shield falls. The metal encasing his broken fragments of chain links crumble to expose me. I land on my knees, groaning from the pain that erupts from my chest. And I am shocked as to why my quirk refuses to work.
I look up, eyes widen, fingers trembling as my uncle's eyes glow like twin suns, his hair now suspended as if he was electrocuted.
"Look at your finger," he whispers, too happy, too toothy.
I feel faint when I notice the smallest and thinnest of chains encircling around the base of my pinkie, like a ring.
I don't even bother to fight back. There is no point.
Not when I'm rendered quirkless by my uncle's quirk: his opponents are faced with quirk erasure when wrapped in his chains.
No matter the size, no matter the appendage it wraps, if his chains wrap around your body in any way to create a circle, you will be quirkless until he removes them.
The chains that slithered under the ground shoot out, binding my legs together, coiling up my body and pinning my arms to my sides.
My eyes well, my breath grows erratic. I'm just as useless as I was before. All the training, all the work to become better amounted to nothing.
I don't pay attention to what happens anymore, let myself spiral in my despair, in my fear of what is to come.
My uncle calls the warp gate, Kurogiri, and drags me into the darkness. I just hope Katsuki doesn't follow me.
Chapter Notes
The Arrow
The beginning of the end is here! (For the past lives that is.) I suggest some tissues and an emotional support item close by. Kousuke's point of view is particularly heart wrenching.
Kousuke
The war room is painted crimson, just as battlefields become. My mother said it is to remind us of the cost of war, the pain and destruction that inevitably touches every person in every kingdom. How the spilling of blood is not always desired but becomes a necessity.
I understand this, and is why I forsake such advances against the northern kingdoms of old. The ones who sneer and belittle magic folk, the ones who deceive us for the thirst of our power with the mystics.
But as I swing my sword, channeling the power of the sun through my limbs, I am faced with the inevitability the late queen spoke of. And it all could've been avoided if I checked Ayane's past by my own faculties. If I trusted only myself and not men from other lands with skewed loyalties.
The ice that once coated the exterior of the walls melts from the combined heat of Kirigaya's and my mystics. I have a nagging of who has come on behalf of the Emperor Todokoro but before I could make such an assumption, thick unnatural inky smoke plumes at the balcony, where General Kami's lightning covers the other general's rear. My eyes widen, my voice too late when I see a sword plunge through his chest.
Crimson, just like the walls, erupts from his mouth, his yellow mystic fluttering away. I hear general Kiyoko scream, her mystic of sound deafening all else. Glass shatters, the soldiers we fight turn to sludge; the work of the Thief.
This is the worst outcome to have snuck upon us. The Dark Horsemen have come to conquer my kingdom.
General Seto rages, his amulet glowing brighter, shaking the foundations of the room. Then a knife flashes from behind General Kami and to General Seto's heart. A direct hit.
I know it is not death for the strengthened general, simply a weakening, a delay in his might. That delay is enough to kill him.
I look at the smoke's form which has a woman with blond hair and glowing eyes step into the fray.
She looks directly at me, a smile tearing at the corners of her lips, the fangs glinting like knives.
"The great barbarian king, Kousuke Bakugan," she sings, stepping towards me.
General Seto tries to intercept, pounding his enlarged fists to the ground. She laughs, like poison dripping from a vial, and swings her hand to release another dagger from her wrist, hitting him between his eyes.
He falls to his knees, crimson spilling, blending with the stone floor. His eyes are unseeing, his breath a final puff, his mystical glow snuffed for eternity.
This is what it means to face the Dark Horsemen unprepared. This is the might of Godai Empire's strongest knights.
General Kiyoko and Kirigaya go next, her heartbeat amplifying into thunderous drums, his demi-dragon form becoming more lizard than human.
The Vampire cackles, tilting her head back and exposing the column of her neck without a care.
Because then the balcony becomes dust, and the floors and walls begin to crumble away to make the war room half of its glorious size. My soldiers cry as they blow away into dust, their naught existence tearing my heart into little pieces.
The attack is much more dire than I could fathom. The Orphan has striked, and his hair glows silver against the moonlight, the source of his powers. To think he's a descendant of the great General Commander Nara Shirawa.
Both generals leap away from the floor, closer to me, defending my flanks. At some point, the Genie moved towards the double gates, letting the Thief step through with an army of his clones.
General Kiyoko continues her attack, and Kirigaya looks at me for a split second, a question in his glowing red eyes. I give him a nod in return.
Him transforming within the castle walls is a perilous risk, but with the foundations already gone, and half the room now mingling with the sky, we must take such severe stances.
He glows, bright and blinding, his form growing until his wings span the remainder of the former war room. The height of every hall in the castle accommodates for the dragons to roam, so there is no worry on whether he'll fit. The concern is in the strength of his flames, the fury of his breath. And after hearing Manami's cry, her jagged roar, I know Kirigaya's last thought is on using simmering embers as opposed to fuming flares.
The pair fight the Thief and the Orphan, while I turn my way to the Vampire stalking my flank. "Oh darling king," she coos, "How does it feel to see flames dance on your beloved kingdom?!"
I become hot all over. If it is from shame or from rage or from the dragonfire under my skin, I will never know.
"Tell your emperor that his days are numbered!"
She tilts her head, the earring dangling back and forth, forth and back. "Of course you'd say that," she giggles, rouge tinting her lips, "But this is the cost for stealing his bride."
My lungs seize, I could blame Ayane for this. I could. But a part of me, a desperate, ever consuming part of me, cannot blame her choices, or her inclination to run from such company. Who would want to marry that heartless man with such lacking morality?
"His bride wasn't stolen! She left on her own accord and joined our kingdom in hope of an alliance against Emperor Touka. And as of this moment, that alliance is forged!"
She pauses her trail towards me, her eyes widening and her smile curling higher. "Is that so?" Then she takes out a dagger at her thigh from its scabbard and licks against the blade.
Her body morphs, golden eyes darkening into lagoon blue, her hair growing longer brightening into the auburn of Okununishi's sunset, freckles smattered across her cheeks and the slope of her nose.
My heart falls and twists in the pit of my navel. The Vampire steals the faces of her conquests. And the woman in front of me, is a spitting image of Ayane.
Is Ayane gone?
No that couldn't- I sent her away- she shouldn't be in harms way- this wasn't supposed to happen. "What have you done with her?!" I rage, no longer caring for the rationality that held me back. The Vampire smiles with Ayane's face, her eyes bright and beautiful as the lagoons I rest in.
I loathe her for using Ayane's face. I loathe her with my entire being.
"Is that concern I hear? For an exiled traitor of your court?" She has Ayane's voice too. I wish to kill her. She uses a thin spoke to tie her hair into a bun, a similar bead resembling a drop of blood, that matches her earring, dangles from the backend. "Do not fret darling king. I took down the dragon in place of this lovely face."
Before I can react to hearing Manami's fate, she charges forward, blades combed between her fingers. She swings her arm, releasing three at once.
The ire and grief and fear is too much. It rises into my chest and exhales into flames just as potent and large as Kirigaya's. The blades disintegrate and the Vampire's scream echo in the hall.
Her right side is burned, right down the middle as her clothes continue to feed the flames, her skin bubbling against the heat of volcanoes. She cries, and runs away, trying to get the fire off of her.
With her face, her eyes, her hair, her screams, I only see Ayane burn from my hand. The sight tears me apart at the seams.
Energy courses through my veins, I need to help sway the battle in our favor.
I look to my side, where Zuko wields his enchanted sword I gifted him from the eternal forge on Kuroo Island against two of the Thief's duplicates. I look to the other side, where the Orphan runs through the Genie's smoke, where the Thief creates more of himself to help the Vampire extinguish my flame.
They are retreating. We've protected our forces, even with heavy loss.
I sigh with relief, glancing towards Kirigaya who is shrinking back to his demi-dragon form, launching more attacks to capture at least one of the Dark Horsemen, General Kiyoko assissting in every way possible. More of our soldiers have entered the hall, swaying the battlefield in our favor.
We may have lost half of our war room, but I refuse to lose this battle.
However, before I can attack forward, before I can decide where to lead my forces, a voice screams from behind me. A beautiful voice that the Vampire had stolen.
"Kousuke!"
I turn to the call of my name, my eyes widening in shock.
Ayane is still wearing the white dress I saw her in last, the tips of her hair coated in someone's blood, one of Noritaka's swords in her hand dipped in more of it. Her eyes, glowing closer to emerald than to the lagoon blue I am familiar with, are not meeting with mine. They are looking up at the empty space that was once the roof.
In my curiosity, my stupid stupid curiosity, I follow her gaze to only be pushed and on the ground. My heart thunders in my ears. What just occurred?
I look up, from where I stand on my knees. And Ayane is looking down on me, her eyes dimming, her skin paling, her lips tinting rouge.
Then I dare to look lower. An arrow with Godai's colors pierces her, crimson staining white and spilling onto the floor.
My heart that was in my stomach falls to my feet, my chest collapses, and my head spins. She falls to her knees. I am falling. My heart shatters.
"Ayane!"
I cannot recognize the despair that coats my throat, the sheer pain as it grates against my disbelief.
On my knees, I crawl to her, pulling her to me, laying her on my legs and tearing off my crimson cape to wrap around the arrow protruding from her. My hands quiver, my breaths rattle, my eyes water.
She cannot die. I refuse to let her.
As I gingerly, shakily, tie my cape, her hand finds mine, holding onto my whitening knuckles with little force. I do not want to accept that her strength is leaving her so easily. I cannot.
With hesitance, I peer up at her. Her eyes are half-lidded, her cheeks are losing color, her breath is erratic. Regardless, she grins as if nothing could be better than being here in my embrace.
"No," I panic, my voice betraying me, "No no no, no please. Aya, I beg you, look at me." I am a desperate man. I lightly pat her cheek, staining it crimson with her blood that is on my hands. I need to keep her waking, I need to keep her alive.
"Ko- Kousuke." Her voice cracks and splinters as she tries to speak my name as tenderly, as ardently as she has in our shared hidden glimpses in the light and stolen moments of our union in the shadows.
I hold her from behind her shoulders, my other hand combing her hair away from her face. Crimson stains her more, caking her hair and her skin.
"We have to get you to the old lady, just hold on. Okay." My eyes blur and tears begin to spill. I mean to convince her, but as every shaky breath expires from her lips, I know I am only attempting to convince myself. "You're going to be okay. You hear me, Aya."
I cannot, will not lose her. Not like this. Not when I meant to forgive her after the war was over and done with. Not when I still wanted her as my queen.
When I'm about to call a soldier to get the healer, I feel her hand again on mine, the one that rests on the side of her beautiful face.
"Kou, st- stop." She stutters and coughs. And I wish to die in her stead. "Please stop. It's o- okay. It doesn't hurt." I know she lies. I can tell from how she grimaces and how her skin starts to grow colder.
Then she is coughing more, and crimson spills. A sudden sharp terror of losing her starts to pierce my chest, right through my already shattered heart.
"No, you can't leave. No please." I beg, weeping with my entire body and soul.
The crimson of war, the cost that comes from the necessity of it, is something my mother warned me of. And she was right. I will never be able to recover from this heady cost.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." I whisper, my eyes pouring rivers, my grip trembling as her blood dries on my skin, my teeth digging into the flesh of my lips to draw more crimson into this tragic painting of war.
I'm sorry.
~~~
Katsuki
My head is splitting in half when I wake up to a girl's scream, the crimson behind my eyelids reminding me of regrets and half-baked apologies.
My eyes shoot open, and for some reason I still see crimson. Crimson in her hair, on her blade, pooling from her stomach and onto the floor, blending with the walls.
So that's how she ended up dying. Shitty princess Ayane.
It takes a few shitty seconds after blinking the shitty tears (Die tears!), but I quickly realize three things: one, I am strapped down to a metal chair in chains and leather straps; two, I am rendered quirkless by whatever they have tied me with; three, I am alone in the room I'm kept in.
I scan the shit stained walls, the single door that is bolted down with a small opening for what could be to peek inside, and the window that has wooden planks nailed down to cover the light coming in, not letting me know what time or where I could possibly be. There are crates of what smell like disgusting alcohol stacked on the far corner, and another chair similar to the one I'm stuck in.
Did they get one of the extras? Or is it just another chair for their other prisoners?
Honestly, anyone else tied down could be a possible ally in this shithole. So every single thing should be considered if I want to escape with my skin intact.
(Don't worry you shitheads, I know that the League of Villains have captured me for whatever shitty justification they got. And yes the last thing I remember is shitty Deku screamin' my name and the world going black when something sharp pricked the base of my neck.)
What's important now is that I need to gather more information than what I have.
Even with my stupid heart echoing in my ears, I strain them to try and listen to the sounds around me. There is a buzz from the air conditioning, and a very slow tune playing in the distance. It sounds like jazz, more retro and buzzy, as if playing overhead in speakers to fill the dull noise of people breathing and drinking their lives away. From the window, I hear the rustle of wind against metal, of the occasional thump of fists hitting against muscle and bone, the grunts of people in pain.
Considering the cheap brand of booze and the shitty choice of music, I'm probably in a bar's storage room somewhere deep in the city. Somewhere where villains and your everyday goons come to drink their nights away.
Then I hear the slam of a door, the stomps of heavy and slow footsteps come closer to the door I'm stuck behind. I see the glimpse of a ragged face and glowing eyes, long and wavy hair quickly cloaking the man's voice.
"You done with your fill?" That sounds like the Stitch-face flame user who grabbed me by the neck. That bastard is strong.
"I'll never be done. Not until my niece learns to follow my footsteps."
Niece? Is that the girl who screamed earlier? He took a family member and is forcing them to become a villain? That is cruel and evil. Plain wretched.
"Not everyone is willing to take their family's burden."
"Like you?"
There is silence, and a thick tension that seems to push through the hall and into this room.
"I am their burden."
Then Stitch-face laughs, a macabre broken laugh that makes my anxiety spike; he sounds as if he has nothing to lose. Those are the worst villains to go against.
Another door is slammed, silencing the pair of villains.
"Dabi," That's definitely Shigaraki's voice, "Toga needs your help with the star lamp."
Stitch-face, Dabi, grumbles something too low for my shitty ears to hear, and then what I assume is his footsteps, recede away.
"What do you need from me?" The other villain, the older one who is after his niece, sounds bored.
"We'll talk after you tell me exactly why you thought bringing your prisoner here was a good idea, Yamamoto."
My eyes widen, and my breath goes shallow. I don't pay attention to what's said next. All I hear is my blood rushing in my ears as I put two and two together.
The mention of a villain coming after her alone, the way she caged up and said it was none of my business, the way she implied it was to protect me.
She wasn't making it up. She truly meant to keep me from harm's way.
Because the villain after her is her family.
And that means the villain's niece that's going through hell is none other than Yumi.