The Cursed Kingdom

Chapter 8: Love and Lies

"It is a pleasure to see you again after all this time, Lady Yaoyorozu." Shoto took Momo's hands in his as the two stare companionably at each other. "Your presence is a welcomed one."

"Thank you, King Shoto." She gave a small curtsey before accepting his arm and letting him lead her into the palace. "I apologize for my tardiness, but there's so much going on at home. There are things I must tell you, and I hope you'll hear me out."

"I heard about the attack on Eisley." Shoto said grimly. "Harrod is getting bold, testing out these new battle tactics on innocent civilians. If you want I can lend a small troupe of soldiers to protect Nabu's borders."

"That's appreciated but unnecessary. I think you're Harrod's true target. He holds a grudge like no one else." She warned. "Your daughter is especially in danger I feel."

"He won't touch Hikari. For that I'm determined." Shoto said with a stern expression. "My daughter is safe here."

"King Shoto…" Yaoyorozu turned into him. "She may be safe for now...but Harrod is building up strength. He may not have allies like you do but soon he may come to possess something that would give him and his mercenary troops advantage."

"What have you heard?"

"Destruction magic… that attack on Eisley was done with only a handful of troops and lacrimas filled with dark magic." Yaoyorozu clutched her heart. "There's rumors that he's got a source of it hidden in the Shadow Kingdom."

"I don't like where this is going." He took Yaoyorozu's shoulders, turning her to him. "What kind of source?"

"The dark kind…" She touched his chest. "King Shoto… I-" She started to tell him, but both were snapped from the intense moment as the sound of heels clicked fiercely down the hall.

"Momo!" The Duchess calls out to her daughter from down the hall as she strut irritably yet regal down the hall, her chin high in the air, and her eyes filled with fire. "Forgive the intrusion, King Shoto." She curtseyed to the king but then turned to her daughter with a look of displeasure. "My dear, why did you not inform me the moment you were in town? I told you we had a lot to do when you arrived."

"Forgive me, Mama." Yaoyorozu turned to her mother looking distraught at having been interrupted. "I had something urgent I wanted to discuss with the King."

"That business with Harrod is not our place to talk about. That man will be the inevitable cause of his own destruction, and both King Shoto and the Warriors from Courscant are dealing with him. We, as King Shoto's guests, were brought here to see to the princess, not to add more pressure onto his shoulders."

"It's quite alright, Duchess, I'm grateful for your daughter's concern." He turned to Momo and cupped her hands in his. "As your mother said, I will deal with Harrod in due time. For now the safety and upbringing of my daughter is the most important."

"I understand that, but Lady Midoriya-" Shoto's face tensed up at the mention of Izumi. The Duchess grit her teeth behind pursed lips at the sight.

"She's dead, Momo." The Duchess took her hand. "The King has grieved enough, do not add to it."

"What if she's not?" Momo uncharacteristically shouted and tried to shake her hand away. "Please let go of me mother, this is serious!" She turned back to Shoto. "Harrod has dark magic, and I think she's the source. It's my honest belief that she's alive, King Shoto. We must help her!"

"Enough, Momo, come!." The duchess bowed. "Forgive my daughter your highness. She too grieves for a lost friend and her betrothed. Do not think ill of her."

"No, it's okay. I…" Shoto heard the crack in his own voice, the news shaking him up and muddling his brain. "I understand… please get some rest, Lady Momo. You've had a long journey." Shoto bowed his head politely, his face stoic, but eyes stormy with grief. "I will see you both at dinner."

Shoto turned away and signaled his guard to follow him. Momo let out a sound of distress and whirled around to her mother.

"What is wrong with you?"

"Wrong with me? What is wrong with you, you foolish girl!" The Duchess snapped her fingers in her face. "What kind of nonsense are you putting into the King's head? He needs to move on with his life, and dragging up that woman will only delay him in selecting a new bride."

"Do not address her like that! Lady Midoriya is a dear friend of mine. Both she and Tokoyami risked their lives to protect us all and I will not sully their memories nor ignore the possibility that-"

"Come to your senses, girl!" She smacked Momo's cheek and snagged her by the chin. "That woman is dead. Lord Tokoyami is dead. Do not let your grief cloud your judgement. You have three goals. The first is to help raise the princess, the second is to gain the trust and loyalty of the people of Tattooin, and the third and most important one is to gain the affections of King Shoto."

"Mother… King Shoto doesn't want me. He'll never love me the way he-" Momo tried to reason but the look in her mother's eyes cut her off.

"This isn't about love, it's about marriage. You will be his queen, Momo. Now stop with these idiotic ideas and fantasies and remember why we came here." She briskly let her chin go and coolly walked the hall. "Come, the princess is waiting."

"Why you came here..." Momo sighed heavily and followed her.

~Shoto~

Shoto stood in his tower room, looking out the window and into the distant mountains where the Shadow Kingdom lay. He felt his heart ache and he held it.

"Is it true, Izumi? Are you really alive? Or is this just another cruel trick to play on my heart?" He lowered his head letting out a shuddering breath. "I'm the King, it is my duty to protect my people, my kingdom, from those that oppress it. It is my duty as a father to look after HIkari, to ensure she's raised well and happy. None of those duties or responsibilities require me to risk war with the Shadowlands… and what if Yaoyorozu is wrong? What if you're not there, what if this is all just a ploy to lure me out?"

He paced the room and looked to his large empty bed. The nights had been so cold, so lonely without Izumi. His heart ached again and he gave into his fatigue and fell into it. He pulled a pillow into his arms, breathing in deep. He swore he could still feel her skin, smell the mix of herbs and earth in her hair, and taste the warmth of her kiss on his lips.

"I just can't escape you… Everywhere I go, I see you. I see you in our daughter, the way she looks, laughs, and craves for adventure. I see you in the training fields, practicing and practicing your technique. I see you in your mother's flower fields, in the star covered sky just like when we first made love…" He let out another shuddering breath as he pictured her lying naked in his arms, hearing her throaty laugh and sudden gasp as he touched her, and the frustration of his desires tore at him.

"RAUUUUGH!" He quickly ripped away and stood to pace again. He pulled on his hair and grit his teeth." Damn it! Take me to heaven, or damn me to hell… but by the gods just stop toying with me!" He shouted and fell to his knees. Tears streamed down his face as he stared back out the window. "Please Izumi… If you're alive then just… give me a sign."

~Meanwhile: The Shadow Kingdom~

Harrod stood in front of Izumi's dark crystal, his hunger for power having taken its toll. His face was sagged and aged, his hair streaked with more gray than black, and his eyes wild with eerie delight as the staff hsi blacksmith had created absorbed more power from her.

"Yes! Ah this is perfect. A beacon to fuel the crystals of my men… a weapon worthy of a man in my station." He whirled around lifting the staff high in the air then tapped it down on the concrete..,. The air vibrated with its destructive power and made the elite group of mercenaries anxious. "It is your turn now my friends. Take up the gifts I have presented to you, and place them upon the crystal."

"It's about time." Shigaraki adjusted his gauntlet and placed it palm out over the crystal. His eyes watched Izumi's face as he absorbed the power. He saw the slight change, the twist of pain and resistance as he sucked it from her, and it made his face twist with delighted pleasure. "Right where you belong, you bitch."

He removed his glove and admired the purplish glow. As a test he placed his palm on a stone and it instantly crumbled into dust.

"Excellent… now then let's keep the line moving." Harrod ushered them all… one by one the mercenaries were given weapons with crystal fragments filled with dark magicks… each with their own unique properties and destructive power.

"Finally! We are ready!" Harrod laughed and spun his staff in hand, tempted to kiss it. "Tonight we march toward Tattooin… and in less than two days time we will take the Hero's Kingdom and bring King Shoto down to his knees!"

Cheers and War cries echoed through the caves. From her crystal, Izumi could hear everything… and knew she couldn't sit idly by. She had to help… she had to reach out… but how?

She couldn't move, she couldn't speak… how could she warn her friends and family about the danger? She slowly opened her eyes… her vision hazed inside the lacrima… but she felt magic and power all around her. Magic… she could use her magic. Spells could be cast through intense prayer if done properly.

Okay Izumi… she coached herself and let her eyes close once again… focus.

~Tatooin~

Night fell, and one by one the lanterns of the town were lit up to guide those that stayed active during the night. Tsuyu's pub was hyperactive with its usual drunks, and diners, as well as a few out of town faces looking to camp for the night. Kota and Kai took up to barstools slurping up some of Sato's famous stew and fresh bread with freshly churned butter.

"So…" Kota said in between bites of bread. "No word from Lady Momo?"

"No… but I made her a promise that I'd give her time." He gulped down his mead and wiped it away with his sleeve. He reached into his pouch and placed the coin on the counter. "I'm going back to the workroom. I wanna prep some elixirs for the trip. With or without the king I'm leaving in two days."

"Alright I'll-" Kota started to say he'd join but then noticed the glow at Kai's hilt "Looks like that'll have to take a back seat. Your lady fair is calling you."

Kai looked down and lifted the crystal into view. He sighed and rubbed the stone.

"I need to let her know I'm leaving… but I'm wondering if I should tell her why." He sheathed his sword away.

"I wouldn't… if she knew her mother was alive, knowing her she'd want to tag along with you." Kota pointed out.

"Good point… I'll just tell her I've family business elsewhere." He pat Kota on the shoulder. "Enjoy your meal my friend. I'll meet you back at the workroom in a few hours."

"Don't wait up… I'm working on my own project with Shoji." Kota told him and motioned him away with his mead. "Go on then… love awaits."

"Ha…" He chuckled and jogged out of the pub and vanished into the shadows. He reappeared at the castle, sensing Hikari's light in the gardens. He slipped from the tree and wrapped his arms around her pulling her back into the shadow and barrier.

"Oh!" She held her mouth to keep herself from making noise. She turned to him smiling. "Kurai! You startled me."

"Forgive me, your highness." He kissed her hands. "You wanted to see me?"

"Yes… truth be told… I'm restless. I can't help but feel something's wrong. I thought maybe…" she tapped his temple. "Your visions could-"

Kai took the hand she used to touch him and looked her dead in the eye. She'd sensed what was going on with her mother… she was becoming more and more attuned with the natural magic energy inside her.

"I don't need visions to tell me what's happening, Hikari. Harrod, the queen's brother who betrayed and murdered her, has found a way to harness dark magic, and used it to attack the town of Eisley as a display of his new power."

"Harrod… the man responsible for my mother's-"

"Shhh…" Kai hushed her before she could say any more. "You met Lady Momo?"

"Yes, a charming woman and so very kind, but what does she have to-"

"She was a witness to the event… she says that Harrod has a power source that's fueling his new weapons, but no one knows what it is or where it's located. She's trying to convince your father to send out a scout party and find out more."

"So that's why my father looked so distressed at dinner…" Hikari held her necklace, her mother's ring clutched tight there. "He must be so conflicted right now having to deal with that horrible man again."

"I think there's more to it then that… but I don't want you to worry about it, Hikari." He lifted a hand to stroke her cheek. "So long as you stay here at the palace, you're well protected. I should tell you that whether your father agrees to the scout party or not, I'll be leaving for the shadowlands in two days. I've people I care about, and I can't stand to see them suffer under Harrod's rule."

"You're leaving?" She looked distraught at this. "You only just got back, and you're leaving me again?"

"I promise I'll return as I always do." He pulled her in for a hug and stroked a hand down her hair. "I wish to protect you most of all."

"I should return…" He sighed. "I have a lot of work I need to… mmmph…" he winced as the familiar pain in his temple returned. "I need to… Mmmph shit not again!" He held his head. He felt a vision pushing it's way out… and it was a big one. He could feel it from the base of his skull and had to collapse to his knees.

"Kurai?!" She knelt in front of him eying his pained expression. "Is it another vision? Tell me…" Her hand reaches out to touch his forehead and Kai gasped his stormy eyes nearly black as they focus on her.

"No, Don't!"

Hikari's fingers barely brushed his skin and she immediately felt the backlash of his curse. Her own eyes went wide and wild as images upon images filled her head, and voices echoed like horrific background music.

Kai tried to pull away but Hikari crawled with him laying both hands over his on his temples as she shared his vision.

~Vision~

The scenery rushed around them, blurred images of forests and mountains until they came upon the barren soils of The Shadow Kingdom. The remodeled castle looked more like a demon's layer with its spiky towers, and deep cavern entrances and catacombs. Candles lit the windows, but the vision pulled them down into the dark underneath the structure.

There they saw the army of mercs all with their newly designed weapons, leading them was Shigaraki and Harrod, the two strutting side by side, looking maniacal and ready for battle. As if rushing through the crowds of bodies the vision took them straight down the length of the army and into the room they'd all come from.

They had a split second to admire the large glowing lacrima before it zoomed into Izumi's body and face and her eyes snapped open and she spoke in an agonized and nearly screaming tone.

"THEY'RE COMING!"

~End of Vision~

Hikari jerked back screaming and stumbling, the guards were immediately alerted to her distress and came rushing.

"Your highness! Are you hurt? What is-" it was then they saw Kurai on the ground, the force of the vision having taken it's toll and leaving him practically unconscious on the ground. "Intruder! Men grab him!"

"No… no wait he's not…" Hikair tried to stop them but struggled to remain on her feet. She wanted to vomit, her head hurt so bad and her body felt limp after being thrown into the vision so suddenly. "He's not an intruder! He's a friend!" She felt arms come around her and lift her up. Since her legs had wanted to buckle she leaned into the hold and back at Kurai who was being dragged in by his forearms.

"Call forth the King!" The guard instructed as they escorted everyone to the throne room.

When Shoto had heard his daughter had been discovered in the gardens with a man in black, his heart raced and he rushed down the steps of his tower and to the throne room. He took one look at Hikari's pale and weakened state and turned cold deadly eyes on the man in black slowly regaining consciousness.

"You've one minute to identify yourself, intruder, and explain what you've done to my daughter or I will have your head!"

"Papa, don't…" Hikari pushed at the guard holding her upright and she walked between her father and Kurai. "It's not what you think. He's a friend. This is my friend Kurai. He didn't hurt me, it was just an accident."

"King Shoto, I heard the commotion, what is going…" Momo came into the room, her mother trailing behind looking distressed at having her evening routine interrupted. As Momo met the rest of the crowd she looked around at the scenario and gasped at the sight of Kai being held down in a bowing position. "Oh! King…" Momo started to address him but then remembered where they were. "King Shoto, I apologize for not introducing you. This is Lord Kurai."

"Lord… Kurai?" Hikari slowly got to her feet. "Lady Momo you know him?"

"Yes… ah…" She wrung her hands together trying to smooth the situation out. "He's a good friend of your mother's. Lord Tokoyami introduced him to me years ago when he was just a boy, but after everything that happened with Harrod he vanished along with many other Shadowland nobles."

"I see…" Shoto's narrowed gaze eased some.

"So he's a Shadowland Noble?" Duchess Mira adjusted her robes. "Then he's in discordance with the law foreboding any Shadowland Noble from obtaining residency on Tatooin lands."

"Oh shove it…" Hikari reached for her father's arm. "Please don't punish him, Papa. he hasn't done anything wrong. I summoned him here, he's been my tutor for the last several years. Lady Momo and I can both vouch for him."

"Why wasn't I made aware of this?" Shoto turned to his daughter.

"Because…" she twisted her fingers together. "I was afraid you'd send him away." She gave him pleading eyes. "Please Papa, he's-"

"He's coming…" Kurai finally spoke, interrupting and he lifted his dark stormy eyes to Shoto.

"Who's coming?" Shoto turned to Kurai.

"Harrod, and his mercenaries… They've obtained weapons harnessing Lady Midoriya's magic." Kai slowly got to his feet, the guards hesitating to let him go, but Shoto waved a hand, permitting it. "Her body is preserved underground in a large lacrima and they've been siphoning off her power and using it to strengthen their numbers."

"A Lacrima… so she is alive!" Lady Momo gasped holding her chest.

"Wait a minute, just wait a minute, how do you expect to trust the words of a-" Duchess Mira screamed and protested.

"He's not lying…" Hikari whirled on Duchess Mira. "I saw the visions too… I saw Harrod and his army… I saw the lacrima and I recognized my mother's face." Tears filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks as the realization of that hit her. She turned to face her father who too was medumbstruck at this news.

"So then it's true…" Shoto held his chest and he slumped into his throne. This was it… he thought with astonished relief… this was his sign. Tears of gratitude spilled down his face. "Izumi's alive!"

"She is…" Kai spoke with a dead serious glare. "-and she's giving us a warning. Harrod is coming, he's already on his way here."

Shoto took a long moment to process all this. His hear and mind were cluttered and screaming different orders. He wasn't sure what to say or do next.

"Papa…" Hikari took her father's hand, kneeling at his side and giving him a warm and comforting smile. He saw Izumi in that smile, and knew exactly what his long lost love was trying to tell him.

"Protect the light…" he pulled Hikari's hand to his mouth and kissed it. "Protect the people…" He got to his feet and called for his entire guard. "Send word to my brother, Chief Bakugo, and every able body soldier in my kingdom. War is heading our way, and we've less than two days to prepare. Make ready to evacuate the citizens and prepare for battle!"

"YES SIR!"

~Ask Briry~

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Sorry it's been so long since I've updated this. I've had so many stories all shuffling in my brain that it's hard to focus on just one. I hope this was worth the wait!

Next Chapter: Behind enemy lines