Chapter 12 Part I: Fiery Passion

Matt grimaced, his hands flying to his side where it hurt the most, but it did little to alleviate the pain. He hissed and took in several shaking breaths. Once calmed, he slowly got to his feet. He glanced around the dark corner of the hallways. Seeing no one, he quickly and quietly darted out of his hiding place.

This whole palace was endless! No matter how many doors he opened, it always led to some chambers. As for the stairs, there were probably just as many. He had lost count after the twentieth flight, only to end up back where he had started.

Matt silently cursed when he heard voices and saw shadows bouncing off the stoned walls.

"Hurry up, Jurogumo-san!" hissed a woman's voice. "Our lady demands that we find him immediately!"

Matt recognized her as Kitsune, the fox spirit, and Seiryuu's Second-in-Command. He could tell from the mischievous and airy feel of her tone. The other woman's response was calmer and more graceful by comparison.

"Patience, Kitsune-san. This castle is like a maze. There is no safe place for the Earthling to hide. Even if he does, he'll never escape the Dark Forest," she paused, and he could imagine a cold smile curling on her lips. "At least not alive."

Those last words sent shivers down his spine. Jurogumo reminded him of a spider—a black widow to be precise—beautiful and deadly to any male foolish enough to fall for her charm, beauty, and grace.

"I don't care if the Dark Forest takes him!" Kitsune growled. "We have to find him before the siege starts!"

"I shouldn't be surprised in seeing you so eager to prove yourself, little fox. Considering your recent failure, you should have been dead, your pelt decorating the wall."

"Watch your tongue! I am your superior!"

"Former superior," Jurogumo corrected softly, but there was no denying the amusement in her voice. "You've been demoted, remember?" Kitsune's answer was a bitter growl that sounded almost feral. "The truth is I don't care about being Second or Third, Kitsune-san. The only thing that concerns me is having an endless supply of victims to torment before I kill them for my children. Being Seiryuu's lieutenant or any other following ranks for all it's worth allows me that privilege."

"You bitch—"

"It's spider queen to you. Come now! Where would you go in this palace if you were an injured and frail little human trying to escape?"

Kitsune stiffened at first but huffed indignantly. "We'll search the west wing where the portal is hidden. If we're lucky, we can catch the human before he escapes through it."

"And if not?"

"We'll search the Dark Forest until we find him! It will take longer, but other dark spirits will slow him down."

The spider woman smiled darkly. "Good, this will make the chase all the more fun."

Matt waited until their footsteps faded. He didn't realize he'd been holding his breath until now. The west wing, huh? If what they said is true, then that's where his escape is. If the portal should drop him in the middle of the Dark Forest, Matt would rather take that chance than be hauled back to the mistress of this castle. He could hide in the south wing for now and bolt for the west wing once the coast was cleared.

Another bout of pain throbbed in his side, and Matt bit down on his tongue to hold in the vulgar word. Glancing around and seeing no one, Matt swiftly bolted down the dark and lonely hallway towards the south wing.

Constantly glance around the corners and over his shoulders, Matt's mind raced back to the last several hours since his capture.

When the portal to Heatherfield closed in on him, Matt was spirited away to Seiryuu's palace, hidden in the depth of the Dark Forest. The entire ordeal had become a game for her but a torture session for him. Seiryuu had decided it was fun to interrogate and "seduce" him at once. She'd pressed herself against him, stroking Matt's face and playing with his hair while asking him about the Guardians and their plan for the upcoming siege.

He tried to give her nothing.

"Go to hell!" he sneered but was met with a cruel smile.

"That is not how any lover of mine should respond," Seiryuu replied. She flicked out a war fan, and Matt was sent flying to the other side of the room. He slammed into a wall and screamed when his dislocated shoulder flared into excruciating pain. Before he could get up, a powerful gust of wind pinned him against a large pillar, and he found himself face-to-face with Seiryuu once more.

"Such a gorgeous face you have for an Earthling! It would be a shame if you bruised it," Seiryuu said. She was so close to him that their noses touched. Matt shivered as he could feel one hand stroking his face, her nails playing with the hair on his chin. The other was slipping under his shirt, pressing him forcefully against the column to prevent his escape. "Let's make a deal, my pet. You answer my questions, and I'll reward you with a kiss," she crooned. "If I like your cooperation, I can promise you something even better if you know what I meant." Matt glared daggers at her. "Deny me, and I'll have to punish you," she added. "And trust me, you wouldn't want that."

Matt's daggered eyes turned poisonous.

Seiryuu feigned a hurtful look and pouted. "Oh, don't scowl. You'll ruin that handsome face of yours!"

He spat in her face. Literally. To her credit, Seiryuu didn't react at first. "Sorry, lady, but I'm not really into the bondage sort of thing—"

Her razor-sharp nails drew a fresh line of blood on his cheek. "Do that again, and I'll rip your tongue out," Seiryuu warned in a low, dangerous voice.

Matt hissed defiantly at her. Ignoring it, Seiryuu grabbed him by the chin and forced him to meet her cruel, beautiful face. He could see a maelstrom raging in her eyes.

"Tell me what my treacherous brother, Zhu Que, told your friends before his death?"

"I don't know," Matt lied. "Kimi didn't tell me." It was half true. He heard most of what happened from Will. "We don't exactly get along. And even if she had told me, I wouldn't tell you a thing—"

Seiryuu backhanded him. Stars exploded in his vision as he was sent flying several yards away. Damn, she was powerful. Struggling to get to his feet, Seiryuu casually strolled up to him and kicked him painfully in the stomach. Bending down, she grabbed him by the hair and forced him to sit up to face her again.

"Where is Ngọc Long?" she asked.

Matter sputtered a cough as he tried to gasp for air.

"Does she still have Zhu Que's sword? Or did she leave it with the Guardians?"

Matt swung his good arm, hoping to catch Seiryuu off guard with the attack. She lifted a hand and easily deflected it. "That is going to cost you," she said, placing a hand on his side. At first, Matt thought she was trying to get under his shirt again, but a new pain exploded in that spot. He gasped, realizing Seiryuu had pressed a thumb against a rib and broken it. She laughed, leaning back to watch him clutching his side in pain, wheezing like a wounded animal.

"Y-You're…insane…" he gasped, glaring daggers at her.

Seiryuu shrugged and gave him a fake innocent smile. "What can I say? A cruel streak is what makes a woman so alluring." She leaned in closer and yanked him up by his wrist, causing him to scream from his pain. Pulling out her a war fan, she pressed the bladed edge beneath his chin. "Now, let's try another question," she smiled wickedly.

Matt's ordeal turned into a routine: Seiryuu would try to coax an answer or two from him. She wanted to know about the Guardians, their current power levels, and what they knew about the situation in Nihon. More importantly, she wanted to know how much information Zhu Que revealed to Kimi about her brother or anything that could throw a wrench into their plans. Matt tried to tell as little as possible or none at all—he was in too much pain to give a decent answer anyway—which earned him several new cuts and bruises. Realizing she was getting nowhere, the Lady of Lust changed tactic and tried to stroke his ego.

"It must be so hard for you to be left out all of the time," Seiryuu said. "You've worked so hard—and earned the rank of captain at such a young age! How the ladies must have swoon and fawn over you!" she laughed, fanning herself with her weapon. "I'll bet your girl's heart must be swelling with pride!"

Matt struggled to his feet. "There's nothing to tell. You'll be bored with the details," he replied truthfully.

"Oh, don't be so modest! The Oracle chose you to undergo such a grueling training regiment for the Guardians! Not only did you succeed, but you've also surpassed anyone's expectations! It is no wonder you were designated as a mentor to those girls," she paused, her lips curling into a smile. An adder's smile. "But now that they have Kimi, you are of no use to them."

Matt stiffened. Seiryuu smiled. Good. A reaction. "Even the warrior from Basilíade knows more and is better trained than you—it's no wonder the Guardians voted her as their leader! It seems your Will wasn't the only one demoted." Seiryuu pointed a fan at him and laughed when he recoiled, thinking she was going to attack. "From mentor to a mere stand-by once more. How pathetic."

Matt clenched his fists. "Y-y-you're wrong…" he whispered, unable to meet her gaze. "I am not worthless or pathetic—"

"You're not? And here, I thought you'd snuck into the palace to go sightseeing. Are you certain it wasn't a poor attempt of espionage?" Seeing that she had hit a nerve, Seiryuu continued. "Let me guess, you offered your service countless times, and when Kimi turned you down, you tried to prove her wrong by coming here."

Matt screamed and did the most stupid thing he could do at that moment: he charged at her, his magic flaring wildly with anger. Seiryuu merely smirked and hovered in the air like a swan. Spinning and twirling with the grace of a dancer, she conjured a small but powerful whirlwind. Matt gasped, realizing his mistake as the current pulled him in. Once he was within reach, she spun faster and delivered several vicious kicks that would fracture a few more bones.

Matt lay on the ground, moaning in pain as he clutched himself. He didn't bother to lift his head as Seiryuu's footsteps approached.

"Face it, my pet, you're nothing more than a hindrance to Kimi," said Seiryuu. "She already convinced the others to turn against you, even your girl."

"N-n-no! W-Will would never—" Matt sputtered, but his body hurts all over. Seiryuu smiled coldly, watching him writhe in pain.

"Never what?" she asked. "Go against you? Would always defend you to the end? Fight to keep you by her side? How foolishly you love her, my pet. But let me tell you something," she bent down and forced him to meet her gaze. "Love is a weakness. It leads to pain and misery. It led to Zhu Que's demise, and look where it has gotten you."

"You know nothing of love!" Matt spat and earned a slap to the face for it. His face burned, and he could feel a trickle of blood running down over the old trail.

"You've fought so hard to be by Will's side, and did she fight for you when the Light Guardian threw you down? Did Will jump in to help when Kimi humiliated you constantly?" Matt glared at her, but he paused. Hesitation and doubt glinted in his eyes, and Seiryuu could see it. She leaned in, her lips so close that he could feel her cold breath. Cold like a storm at sea. "You're much better off with me, my pet. Unlike your friends, I do not turn away any help that is offered, especially when it could prove useful. Wouldn't you like that? Join my forces and help me take down Nihon. We'll conquer the other kingdoms, and with Hwang-Ryong's forces, we'll rule all of Lusteria. With your background knowledge, it will be easy to take over Kandrakar—all the worlds in this cosmos! I'll make certain that you'll be rewarded handsomely in power, in wealth, respect—enough to make the Guardians rue the day they turned you away!"

By the Light of Kandrakar, she really likes the sound of her voice! But Matt had to admit that Seiryuu's lyrical voice was as bewitching as her face—flawless like a diamond. And her offer sounded so tempting. He would have loved to see the look on Kimi's face. Matt wanted her to feel as worthless and humiliated as she had made him felt. And Will?

Matt could see Will smiling at him. Her laughter was like music, her eyes sparkling like the stars, and her soft, red hair glowing like the warmest fire on a cold night—the warm colors of autumn and the fiery passion of his soul. He loved it, every part of her. But then, Will's smile faded, and tears welled up in her eyes. It was the last thing Matt saw before he decided to venture here.

He blinked away the tears. He realized how foolish he was to have come here. Now more than anything, Matt realized he had to fight and get back to Will and the others.

Matt's knuckles turned white as he mustered his strength and courage.

"Go to hell," he sneered.

Seiryuu blinked.

"You may be a demigod, but my Will is a goddess compared to you! She's compassionate and caring, while you feel nothing!"

"What did you say?" Seiryuu's voice was low and dangerous.

"You heard me! It's a shame that as beautiful as you are on the outside, your inside is so rotten. I must say that I've never seen anyone more ugly—"

Seiryuu grabbed Matt by his neck with one arm and lifted him into the air. He choked and tried to pry her fingers off, but she was surprisingly more muscular than he'd initially thought. Despite her slim figure, Matt had forgotten that Seiryuu is a Lusterian demigod—an immortal whose inhuman strength was just as terrifying as her raw power over wind and air.

"Did I surprise you?" she asked coolly. Matt gave a sputtering gasp when she tightened her grip. "Good. I'd hate to bore you to death."

Without warning, Seiryuu flung him high over her head. Matt crashed into a cluster of glass wind chimes. He screamed as several glass shards dug into his arms and legs before the descent. Out of self-preservation, Matt wrapped his arms around himself for the harsh landing. Expecting a painful impact, he was surprised when he was caught by one of the large veiled curtains and clung to it tightly as he fell. It slowed his descent immensely, but he still landed with a small thud.

Giving him no chance to compose himself, Seiryuu sent forward a torrent of wind from one of her palms and another with a flick of her war fan. Matt was knocked down and pinned to the door in such rapid succession that his head hurt.

Finally, the torrent dissipated, and Matt fell to his knees, gasping. As Seiryuu slowly approached, Matt looked up to glare at her and was about to tell her again precisely what he thought. The words were on the tip of his tongue, but Seiryuu curled her fingers, coaxing his breath out. Matt gasped, his hands flying to his throat in a futile and desperate attempt to keep the air from escaping. He tried to speak, tried to inhale—anything! But oxygen was escaping from his mouth and nostrils. Matt watched helplessly as his air swirled around him in mockery.

"I warned that if I don't like your answer, I will punish you," Seiryuu said softly. Matt's lungs were screaming for air, but no matter how much he gasped, the Celestial Warrior was keeping it from him. He could feel every molecule departing, making way for the darkness to claim his mind. "I am the Celestial Warrior of Air. Do not think that conjuring storms and gales are my only forte. Mortals such as yourselves are only allowed to live and breath at my discretion!"

Was this it? Was this how he was going to die? Asphyxiating on an alien world millions of light-years away? Matt tried to think of anything to help him escape, but he could feel his consciousness slipping away without oxygen. Seiryuu smiled as she bent down and whispered, "Goodnight, handsome."

Matt didn't know how long he had been unconscious. Slowly, he lifted his head and almost let out a moan. By the Light, his mind was spinning and hurting!

Seiryuu's back was turned to him while engrossed in a heated conversation with Hwang-Ryong over a holographic interface. Matt blinked and had to stifle his coughing, lest his captor should hear him.

"I assure you that everything is going as planned, dear brother," Seiryuu said exasperatedly. "Kenji's plan is already working, and my legions have been battering down the mortals' united forces for days."

"And what of the Guardians?" Hwang-Ryong asked. "If Zhu Que divulged any information to them before his untimely demise, it would be a nuisance. Not to mention a detriment to your siege, sister." Seiryuu didn't flinch at his cold accusation. "If you are not careful, the Light Guardian could waltz her way into our fortress and rescue her twin before you can extract the Mirror from him."

"Oh, don't you worry, Hwang-Ryong. I intend for her and the rest of them to come here and play."

"Is that why you haven't killed your new plaything?" he asked mirthlessly.

"I must admit that the novelty of having an Earthling toy is wearing off a bit, but I think I can squeeze one more use out of him." Matt quickly lowered his head and closed his eyes, pretending to be still unconscious as she turned in his direction. Seeing he was still out cold, Seiryuu turned back to face Hwang-Ryong on her holographic monitor. "If all goes well, I'll have all three Sacred Talismans as well as the Heart of Kandrakar at our disposal. Nihon would fall to me, and we can use our new assets to reclaim the other kingdoms—all of Lusteria and Kandrakar!"

"You can have Nihon, but we'll need the Sacred Talismans and the Heart to retake our sibling's realms. They are mine." Matt stifled a shiver. There was something about Hwang-Ryong's voice just now that seemed wrong. There was no pity, no remorse, or any shred of mercy. It was deep, dark, and evil. And the way he spoke, Matt had never felt so terrified. He snuck a glance and saw Seiryuu stiffened at her brother's dark warning. Taking a few seconds to compose himself, Hwang-Ryong spoke again. "I will allow you to borrow when we move our forces across the stars."

"By the gods, you're still an avaricious bastard," Seiryuu snarled. "I supposed that is why you're the Lord of Greed."

Matt didn't bother to eavesdrop on the rest of their argument. As quietly and as quickly as he could, he got up and made his way towards the exit, all the while keeping his eyes and ears open. He'd thought for sure that Seiryuu would turn around at any moment and stop him, but thankfully, she was still engrossed in her conversation with Hwang-Ryong to take notice.

Slipping out into the hallway, Matt didn't have time to breathe a sigh of relief when he heard footsteps approaching. Quickly, he ran down the dark and empty hall in the opposite direction and turned a corner. Not long afterward, a shockwave saturated with Seiryuu's power rippled outward and knocked him down. It came with a message:

Run all you like, my pet, but there is no escape.

And running was what he'd been doing since. For two hours, Matt managed to weave through Seiryuu's palace, all the while dodging traps and avoiding getting caught by her minions. This place was like a labyrinth! He already had two close calls when the fox and the spider demons were on his tail, and after hearing the bloodlust in Jorogumo's tone just now, he wasn't eager to meet her anytime soon.

A fresh wave of pain bloomed at his side. Matt winced, clutching at the area where it hurts the most, but didn't dare slow his pace. Damn! All this running was going to exacerbate his injuries. It was bad enough that his body was bruised and bloodied from being tortured, but he could feel his broken ribs digging into his lungs, making it harder to breathe. Matt glanced around desperately, unsure of where he was at this point. He needed a quiet and secluded place to rest. Somewhere he can sit and use what little magic he has left to heal his cuts and fractured bones.

On your left…

Matt blinked and glanced around. There was no one.

Your left…

Matt sighed. Great, he heard voices. One voice, actually, and it sounded…nice? Almost sweet and gentle. Odd, considering where he is right now.

Left…

Matt turned to his left and saw a large door at the end of a very dark and lonely hallway. Matt gulped. Under normal circumstances, he would balk at the thought of following a voice down a dark hallway and through a door that could lead him to who-knows-what? But this wasn't a normal circumstance; he was injured and needed a place to rest and think. Taking in a slow and painful breath, Matt made his way towards the large door, straining himself in opening it.

The chamber was dark. Matt could barely see his nose in front of him. From the echoes of his tentative footsteps, he knew it was a vast room. There were no windows, so he must be somewhere in the lower chambers of the palace. Matt sighed and shook his head. This might as well be a dungeon, but thankfully, it seemed empty enough to allow him a very much-needed reprieve.

Closing the door behind him, Matt sank to his knees and took a few minutes to steady his breath. Slowly and with great effort, he tapped into his remaining magic reserved from within and guided it to his injuries. Matt didn't have enough to heal the broken ribs fully, and the bruises and cuts on his face and torso were half-healed. It was better than nothing, he supposed. Letting out a huge sigh, he leaned back against the door to rest.

How the hell did he end up in this mess? The plan was simple: go to Lusteria for a reconnaissance mission and come home and prove himself. But his sloppy plan backfired on such a grand scale that, should he somehow survive and find his way home, Kimi will never let him live it down. She already pointed out to Will and the others how many times Matt got himself captured! A part of him agreed with trepidation. He'd thought getting frozen in a block of ice by a mere human was humiliating enough, but being treated as a demigod's plaything? It was too much.

Matt's eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, and he could see faint shapes and outlines around him. Glancing around, he decided he was done brooding. It was time to see what he could find that would help him escape this hellhole. He got to his feet and paced around slowly as to avoid bumping into the furniture. Only, there weren't any. Matt raised an eyebrow. Seiryuu is a vain and materialistic creature. Each room he'd come across before was decorated with the finest luxuries available to someone of her stature. Even her throne room was filled with beautiful veiled curtains, mirrors, and glasses. This room seemed too sparse in comparison. The only thing in this place was a large chest in the middle of the room—Matt held his breath. He squinted and saw a vague shape of a person. Hesitantly, he approached the object. It was large and appeared to be made of stone. Matt blinked, thinking that he'd stumbled on a tomb effigy.

Matt stopped and stood before the object. Reaching out to touch the effigy, he gasped when he realized how warm and soft it felt. No! Not an effigy—a person! Matt pulled out his mobile phone (which somehow miraculously survived) and turned on the flashlight app. What he saw took his breath away. The tomb effigy turned out to be a bed, and on it lay a sleeping boy. He wore a simple black kimono with black flowers embroidered in intricate swirling patterns, indicating wealth and stature. His face was young, serene, and so angelic, complimented by his tuff of dark, blue hair that shines like the calm sea at night. He didn't appear much older than Matt, but he felt he'd seen this boy somewhere before!

As if sensing Matt's presence, tiny shadows flicked and danced around the boy like a protective shell before dissolving into nothing. Matt's eyes widened as he realized he had just found Kimi's twin brother.

"Kazumi! Are you certain about this?" Kiyomi hissed, but her twin paid her no mind. "Kazumi, please! We shouldn't be here! If they catch us—" Kazumi's hand flew to cover her mouth.

"Quiet, onee-chan!" Kazumi pressed a finger to her lips and turned to listen.

Kiyomi sighed as she leaned in to join in her sister's attempt to eavesdrop on her fiancé's private meeting with the shogun.

Kiyomi and Kazumi found themselves sneaking into the Imperial Palace while trailing Kenji. After what happened in Annam, they decided they needed to know the truth and confront him. What Kazumi saw that day—what the Jewel of Life showed her while the Deadly Sin of Wrath induced her—she needed this!

"I have to know, onee-chan!" Kazumi insisted earlier that morning. "Kimi and Uncle Komei lied to me! I have to—need—to know what really happened to Seiji, or else I shall go mad!"

"But Kimi is on Earth! Even if she's here, I doubt she'll be inclined to talk after what we almost did to her and Orube," Kiyomi pointed out. "And our esteemed uncle is currently preoccupied with the other daimyo and war ministers. There's no one to ask."

"There's your betrothed," Kazumi said. Her sister gave her a pointed look. "Kenji's my only option now, and we both know that he's not telling us everything."

"Kenji's using us, but for something we aren't entirely clear about," Kiyomi said. She'd never loved the idea of being promised to him anyway. If given a choice, her heart and loyalty lie with her twin.

"Then let's go and find out," Kazumi said, putting on her coat as she headed for the door.

I doubt he'll be straightforward with you," said Kiyomi, following her sister. "Remember what he did to us? He's powerful."

Kazumi's eyes darkened as she lowered her head. "I don't care and I'm not afraid," she said with conviction. "One way or another, I'll get him to talk." And with that, they made their way towards the Chancellor's mansion.

But Kenji was not there. He was not at any of the Kinomoto estates. Nor was he seen at the war meetings near the front lines, the sparse university grounds, or the near-empty streets of Edo's most affluent districts. Frustrated, the sisters tried his office, but the clerk had no idea where Kenji was. He tried to walk out, but Kiyomi's shadow-wielding was more than enough to intimidate the poor clerk. After nearly causing him to piss in his pants, he pointed to the palace and scrambled out of the office as quickly as a frightened mouse.

Using their magic to make themselves invisible, Kiyomi and Kazumi bypassed security and spotted Kenji making his way towards the south wing. The older sister was about to reach out to him when a royal servant appeared. He bowed to Kenji and discreetly flashed the shogun's seal. Kenji nodded and dismissed him calmly before making a detour. The twins exchanged glances and followed suit, careful to make sure he didn't take notice of their presence.

Invisible and blended into the shadows, the sisters swiftly followed Kenji into the shogun's living quarters. Glancing around at the luxury, they wondered why the second most powerful person in Nihon would want a private audience with Kenji. Granted, he's been promoted as an ambassador to Joseon and Annam, but one would usually fetch servants and carriers. This meeting seemed more secretive and discreet. Too suspicious for the sisters' liking.

Settling comfortably on the far corner of the room, Kiyomi and Kazumi watched as Kenji bowed before his superior. The shogun, Prince Katsura and half-brother to the Crown Princess Kazu, was only a few years older than them and already possessed a hard face as if worn down by years of hatred and jealousy. He wasn't hideous by any means, but there was such contempt in his eyes that one glance from him could perhaps poison a person's soul.

"Your Highness," Kenji said. "May I offer my condolence for your loss. Long live the Emperor."

Kazumi and Kiyomi exchanged a look of shock. Their emperor was dead? The rumor of his ailing health true?

"Save your false condolence for an audience, Kinomoto-san," Prince Katsura said, rolling his eyes. "My father passed away less than an hour ago, and not a moment too soon, I supposed. I've ordered the officials to contain the news within the inner sanctum of these walls for the time being. I told them that hearing of the emperor's death would only embolden Seiryuu's forces against us."

"A wise move, Your Highness," Kenji complimented, but Prince Katsura's expression remained unchanged.

"I've noticed you took your time coming here."

Kenji nodded. "We had a little spy. Please understand that I had to take care of the matter personally before the filth slipped through our fingers." Prince Katsura's eyes widened, but Kenji held up a hand to placate his worries. "Rest assured, Your Highness, for our plan to help you become the next emperor will not be thwarted. Princess Kazu's heart surgery has already begun. As planned, I've installed our men as bodyguards—men loyal to you and would do whatever is necessary to see you on the throne. When the time comes, they'll kill the surgeons and leave the princess to die on that operating table."

"Why wait when we can give them the signal to kill the whelp now?"

"Killing your half-sister in haste would shift suspicion onto you," Kenji explained. "We must be patient and wait for the right moment to strike. The false bodyguards will kill the doctors and stage the scene to make you appear blameless. Anyone in court who doubted you before would think it was one of Seiryuu's demons who infiltrated the place and carried out her order. They'll have no choice but to rally behind you as the next emperor."

The shogun relaxed and smiled. He twirled his fan between his fingers, admiring the intricate design and craftsmanship. A thought occurred to him and made him chuckle. "What a pity that my sister will never be conscious enough to enjoy the few hours of being our empress."

"Indeed." Kenji's smile was cruel and conniving as an asp.

"What of your betrothed? Your father? Your clan?" The shogun asked. "Aren't you worried they'll discover your hand in all of this? I doubt your father will go willingly when dismissed of his post, and your betrothed will wonder how fast you will rise through the ranks to replace him."

"I'm a savvy politician who can easily craft a narrative to my advantage," Kenji replied, folding his arms. "Those girls may be General Katsumi's daughters, but even they have their weaknesses. Kiyomi is loyal and protective to her sister and would do anything to see her happy, while Kazumi's hatred for Kimi blinds her to the truth. She'd never quite gotten over her husband's death, I'm afraid. It makes my job in manipulating them all that easier."

"Let me guess, once I declare you my chancellor, you'll use your new role to elevate Kazumi from disgrace?" His answer was met with another cold and calculative smile. So cold that the shogun felt his bones chilled. "And with that narrative, Katsumi's daughters will forever be enthralled to you."

"Love breeds loyalty, hatred, and war, Your Highness," Kenji replied. "When you've learned to play the board, you can control the pieces."

"You're a calculative bastard, Kinomoto-san. The depths of your machination never ceased to amaze me. I ought to have you killed, but I value your mindset too much."

Kiyomi wanted to scream but felt a hand over her mouth as her sister shook her head. We need to leave! Kazumi said. Now!

Thankfully, there was a knock at the door. "Your Highness, news from the front line!" cried a carrier's voice. Seeing their chance, the sisters slipped out and made a break for it.

Finding a secluded room, the girls dove in and locked the door behind them. They both took a moment to catch their breaths, still dazed from what they'd heard. Kiyomi glanced at her sister and saw that she was shaking. Whether from fury or fear, she wasn't sure as she realized her own hands were trembling.

"Baka," Kazumi whispered. "How could we have been so stupid?!"

"Kazumi-chan…"

Kazumi glared at her, sparks of light flickering like a fire. "He played us, Onee-chan! Your betrothed had played with us for the fools that we are! Toyed with our emotions and thoughts! Stringing us like marionettes!"

Kiyomi said nothing as she clenched her hands into fists, her knuckles turning white. Swirls of darkness appeared and danced around her feet in agitation, in tune with her twin's light.

"By the gods…" Kiyomi whispered, her hands flying to her mouth in realization. "We've hunted Kimi down back in Joseon! And that town we tried to flood! And the things we did in Annam…the things he tricked us into doing?" Her sister looked equally disgusted by their shared sins.

There was no point in defending Kenji's action. For years, Kiyomi had sensed a cloud of darkness within him, even from a distance. Kenji's contempt for the world for mistreating him was always clear, but to think he'd go so far as to plan a coup? Kiyomi realized that there had been no remorse or pity in Kenji's voice during the entire conversation. He was willing to get rid of his adopted father! What wouldn't he do to her, his own betrothed?

"We need to stop him," Kiyomi said. "We have to tell someone—the Chancellor! Kimi and the other Guardians!"

"Kimi won't help us! She hates us for what we tried to do!" Kazumi protested.

"We have to try!" Kiyomi insisted. "If we find her, we'll explain to her what we've heard! Kimi was the one who tried to talk you out of revenge back in Annam! I'm certain she'll stop and listen to us long enough!"

Kazumi opened her mouth but could find no further argument. Her sister was right. "Fine," she huffed. "Time's running out. We have to hurry."

They opened the door but were met with several imperial guards with stern faces. Kazumi and Kiyomi yelped as they felt something cold and heavy clamping down on their wrists—dark iron manacles! Their light and shadow-wielding were inhibited! Blocking their exit, the guards streamed in; four of them quickly apprehended the sisters in tight grips.

"Unhand us! This is a mistake!" Kiyomi cried, but the guards remained unsympathetic to their plight.

"Release us!" Kazumi hissed, putting up a fight with her legs. "We are the daughters of General Kinomoto Katsumi! The ladies of the Kinomoto clan will not be treated this way!"

"Even if they're spies?" said a familiar voice. It was cold and oozed authority.

Kiyomi and Kazumi stiffened as they turned their heads to see the shogun striding in.

"Your Highness!" said one of the imperial guards as he and his men snapped into position. Four of them continued to keep a tight grip on the girls.

"You!" Kazumi seethed. "Usurper! Traitor! Bastar—"

A female guard slapped her vicious across the face, drawing blood. "Quiet!" she warned.

"Kazumi!" Kiyomi gasped, shooting the guard a warning look before glancing at her sister with worry.

Seeing this, Prince Katsura chuckled in amusement. "Well, well, well," the shogun smirked. "It seems we have two little birds that flew into the palace and ended up where they weren't supposed to." He leaned in to whisper in their ears. "And heard something they weren't supposed to, either. Today's just full of surprises, isn't it?" Kiyomi's glare hardened while Kazumi bared her teeth.

"You are not fit to be our ruler," Kazumi said in a low and dangerous tone.

"Fortunately for me, you don't decide that," the shogun said.

"The Guardians won't, and neither will the Sacred Talismans that they bear!" Kiyomi said.

"Oh, I think the all-powerful-and-wise Sacred Talismans will have no choice when I am the only living heir of the late emperor," the shogun smiled coldly.

"Kimi will stop you," Kazumi insisted, her eyes full of fury. "She and the new Guardians!"

Prince Katsura stared at them before bursting into laughter, causing the twins to exchange worried looks. Finished with his chortling, he leaned in to whisper so that only they could hear. "Your betrothed arranged a mission for them in the Dark Forest. I think your cousin and her little friends will be too preoccupied to stop me."

Kiyomi and Kazumi struggled to break free, but the cold, metal braces inhibited their powers. The guards tightened their holds.

"What shall we do with them, Your Highness?" the female guard asked.

Prince Katsura waved a lazy hand at them. "Toss them into the crypt below. They can leave and crawl back to their master like the bitches they are once I am emperor."

Taranee was a nervous wreck. Talking to the Prince of Darkness about her problems had helped—but by the Fire of Kandrakar! She didn't expect to run into Nigel again so soon!

School was over for the winter holiday, and while the other Guardians were busy prepping for their little Christmas party, Taranee rushed to the dancing school, hoping to cram as many hours of rehearsal before the big show.

"Nice work today, Taranee," said Edna. "I'm glad to see that you've improved so much these last few days. That was a solid performance."

"Thanks, coach!" Taranee beamed as she wiped the sweats from her brows.

"Keep this up, and you'll be fine for tomorrow's show," she added. Glancing around the rest of the group, Edna clapped her hands to command their attention. "All right, that's it for today! I want you all to head home and rest! Be here early tomorrow morning at seven-thirty sharp for our final rehearsal. Remember, we're performing live at two, and I want it to be flawless! Everyone clear?"

"YES, MA'AM!" everyone cheered in unison.

"Good. Now, dismissed!" Edna waved her hand before turning to Kevin Jensen to talk.

Taranee followed the girls into their changing room and picked up her things. Slamming her locker door shut, she gave a startling yelp when Sheila appeared right next to her with a smirk on her face.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you just aced your mid-term exams," Sheila said. "Either that…or you just found a new boyfriend!"

"Knock it off, Sheila!" Taranee rolled his eyes.

"What? So you do have a new boyfriend?" When Taranee gave her a mocking look, she shrugged it off. "Relax, I'm kidding. But I'm glad to see you doing better back there. You'll be a great Gerda."

Taranee nodded. "Thanks, and you were a spectacular Snow Queen."

Swinging her duffle bag over her shoulders, Taranee chatted with Sheila about the upcoming Winter Festival as they walked out. When she spotted Nigel half a block from the school, she froze.

"Anyway, I heard what happened in the ceramic class the other day," Sheila laughed, not noticing Taranee's silence at first. "I would have loved to see the look on Uriah's face. Maybe we should drop by the fair tomorrow after our first show? Of course, we're going to support Hay Lin and the other art students, but I want to see Uriah being forced to help—um, Taranee?"

Hearing Sheila's voice, Nigel turned and stiffened when he saw Taranee. For a moment, the two of them stood there with nothing but a wall of awkward silence separating them.

Shaking his head, Nigel attempted to turn around and walked on, but his path was blocked by a group of pedestrians waiting to cross a busy intersection.

"Hold it right there, Ashcroft!" Sheila called. "Are you really going to ditch an old friend without giving her a proper holiday greeting?"

Taranee's eyes widened, shocked at her friend's boldness, but Sheila gave her a coy smile. "C'mon, even I get the feeling you wanted to say something to him for a while." The crossing light flashed green, and the crowd began to move. Sheila turned to give Nigel a warning look before adjusting the strap of her backpack. "Well, I'd better go and meet Luke for lunch and leave you two to hash things out."

Taranee watched as Sheila moved forward, paused to say something under her breath as she passed Nigel, and fell in line with the stragglers before crossing the street.

Taranee took a deep breath. Then another. Then one more for good measure before strolling up to Nigel. "Hey," she said, trying to sound calm and casual.

"Hey," Nigel replied.

At least he seemed as nervous as me, Taranee thought. "So…what did Sheila say to you just now?"

"Nothing important," Nigel said mirthlessly. When Taranee looked as if she didn't believe him, he shrugged, shoving both hands in his pocket. "She said that I should talk to you, that's all." Taranee sighed, hearing the bitterness in his voice. "And I already tried, but—"

"Nigel, I'm sorry about what happened the other day!" Taranee blurted. Nigel blinked at her.

"What I meant to say is…um…it's just that…"

"Whatever you have to say, just say it and get it over with," Nigel huffed, his nostrils flaring. "I'm tired of you dancing around the subject."

"Because dancing is all you care for, isn't it?" were the unspoken words Taranee felt from him. She tightened her grip on her duffle bag, fighting the urge to retort but reminded herself why they were having this talk. It was now or never.

"You're right," she started. "I do love dancing. And I'll never stop loving it, and for what it's worth, I am sorry that I let it strain our relationship."

"Would you still choose it again?"

Taranee blinked. "Huh?"

Nigel let out an impatient sigh. "If the two of us could go back in time, would you still choose it over me?"

Taranee studied him for a moment. The silence was tensed and uncomfortable, and after a while, she finally nodded. "Ultimatum or no, my answer is yes."

Nigel narrowed his eyes, but there was no denying the hurt in them. He turned away and scoffed. "Figures. I guess compared to everything, and I'm just a passing fancy to you."

"That's not what I meant."

He snorted. "Like I care?"

Taranee halted. She wanted to call him a liar, give him a snappy retort, but she was here to make amends. "Nigel, just listen for a moment, will you? The truth is that when I look at you, I can't forget the terrible things that happened between us, but I can't forget the goods either. Can you?"

Nigel stared at her, taken aback by her question. "No, of course not," he replied. "Why do you think I tried so hard to keep you by my side? I did try to be supportive of your passion, even though you and I both knew otherwise. When that didn't work, I wanted to remind you of the good times we shared! How much fun was it for us to be together? I wanted us to be us again!" He pressed his hands to his chest to indicate the two of them as a whole.

Taranee simply nodded. "Yeah, you're right."

Nigel sighed and lowered his arms, his head lowered. "I went out of my way to invite you to that club so that we could share something special again. But you only seemed more interested in your new friends." He spat out the last word as if it was poison.

Taranee cringed. "I'm sorry, Nigel. I'm sorry that I hurt you. I tossed you to the side and forgotten about you because I was so wrapped up in my new friends and rediscovering my passion. The only reason you felt you had no choice but to give me that ultimatum was because of my selfishness!"

Nigel responded with a clipped look. He opened his mouth for a retort, then thought better of it. "Go on," he said instead, surprising them both.

"For what's it been worth? I had loved you, too, Nigel," Taranee continued. They both noted the past tense in those words. She could feel her chest tightening, but she couldn't stop now. "But you and I know that our hearts changed, and we can't and shouldn't force it to feel what it can no longer feel." As if taken by a spell, the expression on Nigel's face turned forlorn. Taranee blinked. Was this a good sign that she was reaching out to him? Clenching her first to her chest, she took a step forward and held his gaze. "Nigel, I am truly sorry for what happened between us. But I can't stand the thought of you living with your pain! So please, for both our sakes and especially yours, don't let me be the reason that you can't move forward! You were my first boyfriend, and I'll never forget how special our relationship was for how however long it lasted."

Nigel didn't know what to say. He hadn't expected the conversation to have taken this turn. Studying her closely, Nigel saw no trickery in her eyes and expression. The feeling she's expressing is genuinely kind, not given out of guilt or pity.

"W-what…what are you…?" he asked, but unsure how to phrase it.

"Nigel, you are a wonderful person, and you deserved to be happy." Taking a significant risk, Taranee stepped closer and took his hands in hers, and placed something small in his hand. Gazing down, Nigel realized it was a large bead, hand-carved with African tribal patterns.

"What is this?"

"A cherished memory," Taranee said. "When we were together, I know you always wanted to run your fingers through my hair, but…"

Nigel smiled—he actually smiled and let out a light laugh. "But your hair is too short, so I compensated by playing with the beads your side braids."

Taranee nodded encouragingly. She had loved it whenever Nigel was close enough to play with her hair like that.

"I remember now…I saw this in a shop and got it for you as a present," Nigel mused. "Thinking back, it was dirt-cheap, but even then, you looked so happy when you put it on. You liked it so much that I bought several more afterward until you had a boxful!"

Taranee's heart fluttered. She was glad to see they were making progress with this.

"I never realized that even now, I still have a part of your heart with me."

Nigel tensed and gave her a hesitant stare. "Are you telling me that you're returning this as a goodbye present?"

Taranee shook her head. "No, I'm giving you back a piece of your heart so that you can be whole again. Nigel, I can't be with you the way I am now. You're a wonderful person, and you deserve someone who can fill your world. I want you to be happy, but it won't be with me. I don't know who it will be or when you'll find love again, but when you find that person, I promise you that it will be worth the wait."

They stared at each other for a long time. Yami was right. Talking had been difficult, but it was a necessary step if the two were to move forward. Taranee had poured all her sincerity into those words. But would it be enough? She held her breath, feeling her heart pounding nervously in her chest as she awaited his response.

Nigel blinked. He glanced down at the bead in his hand, then back up at her.

"Who would have thought that you were as good with words as you are with dancing?" he mused, shaking his head. He curled his fingers, clasping the bead in his hand. "So…that's it then? There's no chance for us anymore, right?"

"No, Nigel, not as a couple," Taranee affirmed softly. "But we can still be friends, but it's up to you," she clenched her hand, but it continued to shake as hard as her pounding heart, "But I'll understand if you never want to see me again. This time, you get to choose."

Nigel studied her for as long as possible. Glancing down at the bead in his hand, he saw what it really was.

It was a chance to decide. A gift.

"I've done a lot of thinking these past few days," Nigel said softly. "I went against your mother and my brother when they each thought we were stupid for wanting to be together. I fought for you then, and I fought to hold onto you afterward when you were leaving me behind for bigger and better things. I did all of that because I thought that you were worth it, Tara."

Taranee suppressed the urge to cling to her chest. Her heart was pounding so much that she could feel it exploding out of her at any moment!

"But I guess my biggest mistake was thinking that I was the only one entitled to your heart," he said finally and gave Taranee a small, sad smile. "Tara, you have that spark within you—that fiery passion! It burns so brightly that others can't help but be drawn to you."

"Nigel…"

"If I had forced you to give up on your dream—to keep you away from discovering your full potential—it would have been disastrous," Nigel said. "Staying with me would eventually have put out that fiery passion of yours. And what kind of person would I be if I were to smother it?"

He put the bead in his coat pocket and smiled. "I can't hold you back, Tara, and you're right. I think it's time for us to move forward."

For the first time in days, a heavy burden lifted from Taranee's shoulders. She couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you for this and everything," Nigel said. "I hope that someday, you'll find that special someone, too. Someone who can match your inner fire."

"So does this mean that we can still be friends?" Taranee asked hopefully.

It didn't take long for Nigel to ponder the question. "You were always my friend, Tara. I'm just glad that you're willing to extend an olive branch today."

White snowflakes fell around them softly as if a sign from the universe to declare its approval. Taranee couldn't help but flash him her brightest smile in days. "Christmas is a season of giving, after all."

Author's note: I'm sorry for the delay. I've been dealing with difficult things in my life these past few months, including mental health issues. Currently, I'm finding a way to take care of it, and it's getting a little better. For now, this is as much as I could write.