Andy headed into the kitchen, grabbing a piece of toast. She smiled at Ryusei and Yuki who were at the table. "Morning."
They gave matching smiles, their mouths full.
Tet came in, then shook his head. "You two are eating us out of the castle." He turned to Andy. "Food shipment will be here in a hour."
Andy nodded, "Alright."
She finished up her piece of toast, heading to start her business for the day.
She was back through a couple hours later, noticing Yuki and Ryusei eating once again. She rolled her eyes and headed out of the kitchen.
Several hours later, Kenji stuck his head into her office. "Have you seen Ryusei? I can't find him."
She shook her head, "Last time I saw him he was eating with Yuki... again. Have you checked the kitchen?"
He grinned ruefully. "No. I should have, huh? I feel for the food budget with the walking stomachs around." He waved and left.
A few minutes later, he raced back in panic. "I need your help!"
She stood quickly and went to follow him.
Yuki and Ryusei lay writhing on the floor clutching their stomachs. Whimpers of pain were coming from both of them, their faces flushed and sweating.
Andy froze for a moment before going to them, focusing and covering them in the purple light.
Nothing changed.
Yuki looked at her through pain filled eyes. "P-p-poison…" He lost consciousness.
Andy's eyes filled with tears before she looked at Kenji, "Search the whole castle for who did this. I'm going to see if the doctor can make an antidote..."
She gently lifted Yuki and carried him to the infirmary before going back for Ryusei.
Kenji scoured the castle. He was checking the guardhouse when a guard sauntered up to him.
"Is everything alright?" The guard smirked.
"The Prince and my brother have been poisoned. I have been charged with finding the culprit." Kenji answered, his eyes narrowing.
"That's such a shame. I hope you figure it out. I'll let you know if I see anything."
Kenji nodded slowly, then turned to leave.
The guard pulled a knife out, burying it in Kenji's back.
The Fae cried out, sinking to his knees as he tried to pull it out. "Wh-why?"
"You're rebels and you've turned the Queen against us."
"The war is over! She surrendered!" Kenji fought to stay conscious. He struggled to breathe through the shock. Blood was quickly puddling beneath him as he swayed.
"She would never have surrendered if you rebels hadn't changed her!"
He kicked at Kenji before exiting the guardhouse and heading to the castle.
Kenji pushed himself up stubbornly and tried to follow. A trail of blood dripped behind him as he unsteadily forced himself to grab the guard's wrist. "You're not hurting her…"
The guard turned, punching Kenji hard in the face.
Kenji staggered back, then retaliated with a fist to the stomach. It was weak, his strength rapidly ebbing.
The guard kicked him down once he got air back in his lungs. He turned back and ran toward the castle.
Kenji let out another cry as he landed on his back, the knife going deeper. He tried to breathe, but soon surrendered to the darkness and lay still.
The guard entered the castle, heading to find Andy.
Tet encountered him in the hall. He looked at the guard questioningly. "Is there a reason you aren't at your post?"
The guard snarled at him, not even answering his question before attacking.
Tet dodged the guard's fists, kicking out in defense. "Wait a minute...I know you! You're the bastard who attacked me at the ball!"
"You were supposed to be dead!" The guard growled.
"Sorry, not sorry." Tet advanced on him. "You're welcome to try again, but I'm not distracted this time."
The guard punched out at him a few times, landing a couple hits in as he dodged the ones Tet threw out.
Andy watched Ryusei and Yuki, going between them and holding their hands. She prayed the doctor would come up with something soon. She remembered Kenji and wondered if he'd found anything yet. She left the infirmary and headed down the hall. Eventually, she came to Tet and the guard fighting.
Tet looked up and saw her. "Get back! He's the one who attacked me!" He was distracted by her, his breath whooshing out as the guard kicked him. As he began to double over, he felt a sword at his throat and froze.
"Stop!" Andy yelled. "It's me you want, isn't it?"
"I want all of the rebels.. I never had anything against you until they turned you against us."
"I stopped the war though. I'm sure you're mad at me for that," she tried to stall, hoping Tet could find a way to escape the sword.
"Of course I am," the guard growled.
Tet took a deep breath and stamped his foot onto the guard's. He rose too slow to avoid the guard's attack.
The guard sliced at Tet quickly as he continued to look at Andy.
Andy froze, unsure if she should run away or try to attack him herself.
Blood sprayed into the air as the blade cut into the right side of Tet's throat, continuing down his chest. He cried out, falling face first to the floor. He lay still, blood spreading beneath him.
The guard advanced on Andy who was still frozen in shock. She finally began backing up slowly. Her senses kicked in and she began running down the hall. The guard soon caught up, grabbing onto her arm tightly.
There was no sound, just a harsh intake of breath. Then the guard toppled backwards, an arrow buried in his chest.
Andy was breathing rapidly as she looked around in confusion.
Daiki was above her, another arrow notched in his bow. He watched the guard for a moment before vaulting over the balcony and landing beside her. "Are you alright?"
She nodded slowly before remembering Tet. She ran back toward him, kneeling beside him, not caring that her dress was getting soaked with his blood. She focused, covering him with the purple light and praying it would help.
He raggedly sucked in a breath, his eyes opening slowly. "Where..is he?"
"Daiki got him," she said quietly.
"Good.." He passed out, his chest struggling to breathe.
"He needs blood or he'll die again." Daiki hefted him over a shoulder, beginning to head for the infirmary.
Andy stood, remembering Kenji. She searched for a while until she finally found him. She knelt beside him, checking for a pulse.
Silence met her fingers. His skin was pale and cool to her touch. She saw no injury, only blood pooled beneath him.
She moved him to look for an injury, finding the knife in his back. She gently removed it before picking him up and carrying him to the infirmary. She focused, covering him in purple light as the doctor prepared a blood transfusion.
He sucked in a breath, his chest rising slowly. He didn't wake, but his color returned slightly.
Yuki cried out, his body beginning to convulse.
Andy rushed to him, grabbing his hand and looking at the doctor, "Is there anything you can do?"
"I'm working on an antidote, but formulating it isn't proving easy," the doctor answered, stepping away from Kenji and heading back to his desk.
"It hurts, Mommy! Make it stop…" Yuki clutched at her, his breathing rapid and short. He clenched his eyes shut as he writhed.
Ryusei lay deathly still beside him, his chest rising and falling in an irregular pattern. His eyes were open, but gave no reaction.
"I would if I could, baby," her eyes were filled with tears.
It felt like forever to Andy as she waited for the doctor. Finally, he came over with a syringe and injected it into Yuki's arm. He took another one and gave it to Ryusei.
Yuki slowly stilled, his eyes closing as his breathing steadied.
The doctor waved a penlight in Ryusei's eyes, then sadly clicked it off. He closed his staring eyes, then shook his head. "I'm sorry." He left the infirmary.
Andy went to Ryusei and focused her power on him. She tried not to start sobbing, trying to believe she could save him.
Nothing happened for a long time, then he shuddered and gulped in air.
She let out a relieved sigh as she watched him. After a few minutes, she headed back to Yuki, holding his hand tightly.