A/N: Hello, everyone! To those who already know me, thank you for your patience. Haha! For those who do not, hi! My name is Andrea, nice to meet you. I am soooo excited for a few reasons today: this is my first My Hero Academia fanfiction EVER, and my first new work published in over TWO years! I was giddy to finally upload something for this fandom, and this idea would not leave my head. I have been trying to polish my skills a little, avoiding the very wordy descriptions that don't add much to the story and focusing more on actually moving the plot along. So, for those who have read previous works of mine, do know this one might be a little different. But that's what this community is for, right? To experiment and share the stories we love to create! Without further ado, here I give you my newest baby. Enjoy!
P.D: This story will also be uploaded to AO3, where you'll find the explicit scenes when the time comes.
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A Witch for the King
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Chapter 1
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The wind gusted cold and merciless through the mountain pass, ruffling Katsuki's blonde hair, and he wondered for the hundredth time that day if this was a good idea. Crow's Peak had never been kind towards travelers, with scorching days and glacial nights. It was also discouraged as a merchant's route due to the bandits and beasts hiding in its cave system. All in all, they could not have picked a worse path to reach Midnight Grove.
Tired and hungry from the five-day journey, the blonde tripped over a protruding rock and cursed in a way that did not befit a newly appointed king, or any king at all. A strong hand grabbed at his arm to steady him but was quickly shoved away. Katsuki wrapped the fur coat tighter to his form and scowled at his companion, who corresponded with a sheepish smile of razor-sharp teeth.
"What the fuck are you smiling about, huh?!" demanded Katsuki. "We're freezing our asses here because of you!"
"Yeah, I know…" mumbled Eijirou, the wind tousling his red locks. "But we shouldn't be far now! We should be able to see the village just over that hill." His finger pointed forth, to a dark lump rising a few miles before them.
"For your sake, we better." grumbled Katsuki, annoyed for no other reason than the cold seeping through the layers of clothing he wore. A pang of jealousy sat in the pit of his stomach as he glanced at his companion from the corner of his eye, the red-headed shapeshifter seemingly unbothered by the weather without even wearing a coat.
Rough climates were unwelcomed, yet not unknown to Katsuki. Growing up in the Nightlands was a guarantee to experiment them constantly throughout one's life no matter in which corner of the continent one hid. He had been born to a family of tailors in a small village in the south, a decent upbringing considering their most prominent clients were nobles from the cities. Katsuki, however, never saw himself as someone who would entertain the rich's every whim, but as a man who would challenge the oppression caused by them. He had never had many choices on the matter: if he refused to take on the family business, he would either have to starve on the streets or take the sword.
Even though his options had been limited, the right one had been easy enough to choose. Katsuki had a violent disposition and unflinching tenacity since he was a child, both which he learned to channel in the right directions as he grew older. The sword suited him, and his victories in battle suited his people. He weaved his way up the ranks amidst the hateful and judgmental eyes of nobles whose children refused to fight, and the reverence of townsfolk who admired him more than they did their king. Even with his crude mouth and harsh demeanor, Katsuki was a man of honor and justice. When he became a problem for the kingdom and the nobles' interests, he was exiled to the wild lands of the north. No more than five years later, he returned riding a dragon and commanding his own army and seized the throne of the Nightlands.
That had been the easy part. Keeping the throne, however, was another story.
"Hey, I can see it, Katsuki! I told you we were close!" shouted Eijirou from the top of the hill. He had managed to get a few steps ahead of Katsuki while he was lost in thoughts of old battles.
As the king reached the hill, his ruby red eyes settled on the forest below. The thick canopy parted midway to reveal high walls protecting a sea of wooden roofs. At first glance, Midnight Grove was an inconspicuous bunch of old huts in the middle of nowhere, which was the reason why they had outlived the many dangers of the continent for so long. Old magic had never been flashy.
The pair made their way down, relieved to be out of the mountain terrains at last. They crossed the valley and entered the greenwood, wary of the dark and the strange noises it harbored. The temperature rose to a pleasant level even when their visibility was still null. Katsuki kept his hand in the hilt of his sword hidden under the coat until they reached the village gates, and even then, it felt wrong to let go of it. A cloaked figure approached them cautiously, lighted torch in one hand and no weapon in sight. Katsuki was not fooled. The residents of Midnight Grove did not have to carry weapons to be dangerous.
"Who goes there?" asked the guard in the dragging, bored voice of a man who would rather be doing anything besides guarding the gate.
"Katsuki Bakugou. Open the gate." said the blonde in his usual authoritative tone.
The man snorted and raised his unoccupied hand to pull back the hood of his cloak. A wild mess of purple hair and pale skin greeted them, amethyst eyes scrutinizing the blonde in petty annoyance.
"And why in the goddesses' name would I do that?" he asked with a mocking tone that rubbed the king the wrong way. After withstanding the Nightland's wilds for five days, Katsuki was not in the mood for taking anybody's shit.
"You fucking little-!" He never finished the sentence, as the words suddenly seemed to get stuck in this throat, clogging his windpipes and forcing him to gasp for air that would not come. His hands grabbed at his neck, eyes suddenly widening in fear as a sinister smirk found its way to the gate keeper's lips.
"Katsuki!" gasped Eijirou and rushed to the king's side as he fell to his knees, his face turning a sickening blueish tone. The hands attempting to hold him up suddenly burned where they touched, and Katsuki watched through hazy eyes how the red-head's pupils shifted to menacing reptilian slits, his head turning to the gate as an otherworldly snarl slipped out.
He had never envisioned a death as humiliating as this one, at the hands of some third-rate trickster while a shapeshifting dragon incinerated the only old magic village left in his kingdom. He watched as Eijirou pounced the man, golden and red scales already visible in his arms and the back of his neck. When the dragon's face was close enough to the torch's flame, the guard's violet eyes widened.
"Kirishima? Fuck!" He was able to dodge the dragon's claws in time, rolling away from them and breaking his concentration on whichever spell he'd casted on Katsuki.
The blonde felt the air return to his lungs, and rage quickly replaced the fear he had felt. Pulling out the sword, he rushed with the intent to slice the man to pieces, only for a solid mass of flesh to impede his deed by tackling him to the ground.
"Wait!" screamed Eijirou as he held Katsuki down, his appearance human again as he looked at the purple-haired man. "Shinsou?"
Katsuki struggled against the iron hold, blood pumping in his ears as he screamed bloody murder. How dare that gate keeper nobody tries anything against him? And why was Eijirou holding him down and suddenly awestruck with that bastard?
"Kirishima, is that really you?" asked the man called Shinsou as he approached them, eyes warily on Katsuki's form.
"The hell?! You know this asshole?!" shot Katsuki, craning his neck from the dirt to look back at Eijirou who nodded slowly.
"Yeah." said the dragon, finally relinquishing the hold on his king when he was sure the young man would not try to slit any throats. "Hitoshi and I grew up in The Ravine before my clan moved to the mountains. But what are you doing here?" The question was received with a grimace from the man.
"Messed with the wrong people." explained Hitoshi as he picked the flaming torch from where it had fallen beside the gate. "It was either the quarries or the noose, but the High Priestess found me before the council could decide. Brought me here ten years ago."
"I'm sorry, man."
Hitoshi nodded at the dragon's apology, his eyes settling on his companion. "You're that pyromancer king, aren't you? The one who sieged the Great City and took the throne."
"What of it?" huffed Katsuki as he dusted the dark leather of his pants, annoyance clear in his voice.
Hitoshi smirked, turning towards the gate to open it. "You always did enjoy adopting hooligans into your pack." The comment was casual, received with a sheepish look from Eijirou and some dirty words from Katsuki as they were led inside the gates.
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Midnight Grove was bigger than how it had looked from above, many old trees rising as tall as four-story buildings, hiding away the small houses underneath. The village was lively, something Katsuki had not noticed when they were walking through the greenwood, most likely due to an extraordinarily strong protective spell at work. Music filled the streets as crowds made their way under the canopy, stopping by the many kiosks lining their path. Smells of sweets and spices assaulted his nose, making his stomach growl. Garlands of wildflowers, some he had never seen before even in his exile, decorated the doors and windows and the heads of the women, and some men. They seemed to have arrived in the middle of some kind of festival.
"So, why did you come to Midnight Grove, again? I don't recall you saying." asked Shinsou, his voice loud to be heard over the crowd.
"Yeah, about that…" Eijirou began, but was interrupted.
"Shinsou!"
A small woman made her way through the crowd, her arms flailing wildly in the air as she called for the gate keeper. Her white dress flowed behind her, too long for her height, the ends dragging through the grass. Her long chestnut hair was held secured in a braid intertwined with wildflowers. The garland in her head, Katsuki decided, made her round and flushed cheeks look even rounder.
"Shinsou, there you are! I've been looking for you everywhere!" exclaimed the young woman, hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath. "Aizawa asked me to send you over. Something about some spirit wards not working properly?"
Shinsou exhaled heavily. "He knows I'm on guard duty tonight."
"Not anymore." said a feminine voice to their left, and Katsuki only caught a glimpse of auburn hair as the new woman gave a small nod towards them and a salute to Shinsou before disappearing through the crowd towards the gate.
"I guess I have no choice." he murmured tiredly. His amethyst eyes settled on the two men standing beside him, scrutinizing their surroundings still. "Sorry, but I gotta run. Ochako, would you mind taking them to see the High Priestess? Whatever it is you need, I'm sure she can help you."
"Of course! This way, please, uh… umm?" she began, her brow suddenly furrowing in confusion.
"Oh! I'm sorry! I'm Eijirou Kirishima, Commander of the Royal Guard, and this is Katsuki Bakugou, King of the Nightlands." Eijirou introduced them merrily, taking her small hand in his bigger ones and giving it a squeeze.
Katsuki watched as Ochako's eyes widened for a millisecond in recognition before she gave them a big smile, eyes dancing with mirth. "It's an honor to meet you, my Lord, your Highness. Please, follow me." She turned and began navigating through the throngs of people. Shinsou was already gone when he looked back.
As they made their way to the center of town, Katsuki could not help but wonder who exactly their new escort was. She was not dressed differently than other women who had crossed their path; in fact, he was sure he saw a few others wearing jewels and intricate lacework in their dresses, unlike Ochako. Yet, he could not shake the feeling that there was something special about her. She radiated a certain energy that seemed to call out to people. Children would hold her hand as they walked, and the elderly would gift her with small bows and blessings. The lack of knowledge about what exactly made her different in his eyes itched at the back of his skull.
The young woman suddenly stopped mid stride, the two men halting quickly to avoid colliding into her. "Are you hungry?" Ochako asked as she turned, her eyes glancing from the red head to the blonde.
"Actually, now that you mention it…" Eijirou trailed off, hand patting his belly and a pout to his lip. Ochako covered her mouth in what Katsuki assumed was a decent attempt to hide a snicker.
"'Course we are. Five days eating fucking scraps." Katsuki shot a nasty look at Eijirou before turning his attention to the brunette, which startled at his choice of words. "What? You got something on you?"
"I don't." she answered too quickly, a sour look taking over Katsuki's face. "I'm sure the High Priestess will offer you a proper meal at her temple, but I just thought I could get you some fruit bread for the way. It's very tasty and we only get the spices for the one they're selling today once a year, so… but only if you want, of course, your Highness!"
Katsuki suspected the reason she wanted to get the fruit bread had more to do with a personal interest than an actual worry to feed them. Before he could protest, his stomach growled, and the choice was forced upon him. With an annoyed grunt, he agreed, and they found themselves following the brunette away from the crowd into a small alleyway.
There were less people here, the tumult of the main street receding to a dull hum. Ochako stopped in front of a small shop hidden away inside the alley. The smell of spices and fruit almost gave the blonde whiplash, his appetite turning ravenous. A tall, bulky man stood behind the counter, carefully placing a two-tiered cake on a display.
"Sato, good evening!" Ochako greeted the man. He startled but managed to place the cake down safely.
"Good evening, Lady Ochako! I see the High Priestess finally gave you some time off." said the man, a curt nod directed at her companions.
"Not enough to catch my breath, but anyways… Tell me you saved me some slices!" exclaimed the brunette with a slight bounce as she leaned over the counter. Katsuki got his answer as to why she had dragged them to the sweets shop, the same one he suspected; and yet, he could not help but wonder at the man's words. Was she an apprentice to the High Priestess? A witch, most definitely, but how important exactly to be referred to as "Lady Ochako"?
"I sure did. Here." He reached under the counter and pulled a small basket out, handing it to Ochako, who beamed back at him.
"Thank you so much!" Excitement seeped through her pores as she inhaled the delicious aroma. "You really outdo yourself every time, huh?"
Katsuki cleared his throat behind her, arms crossed over his broad chest and boot tapping against the wooden floor. Her eyes widened, as if she had just realized they were there.
"I'm sorry! I'm such a spaz!" she apologized. "Sato, this is Commander Eijirou Kirishima and King Katsuki Bakugou." Ochako rushed to their side murmuring apologies and extending the basket for each to grab a piece of the dessert.
The man named Sato gasped. "T-the King?! In my shop?!" He made a spectacle of bowing before them. "Welcome to Midnight Grove, your Highness! You too, my Lord! I hope your travels see you well."
Katsuki remained silent as the man bowed again and bit into the bread as Eijirou insisted there was no need for so many formalities.
The truth was, becoming king had not changed Katsuki. He was still crude and brash and loyal to a fault, only now he had a whole continent depending on him. He had chosen his council diligently and was still learning to make the best decisions for the sake of his kingdom. He was, after all, only twenty Springs old. Having people he trusted with his life close inside the palace, like Eijirou, made his job easier, but did not protect the Nightlands from all dangers. That is why they had come to Midnight Grove. He needed allies, these allies, for what was to come. Either that, or a miracle.
"Anyways, we'll be going now. Have a good night and don't work too hard." Ochako called to Sato, who had disappeared inside the storage room. They were about to cross the door when he shouted.
"Wait!" Sato came back with a wooden box and promptly handed it to Kirishima. "This is for you. A token of my appreciation for everything you've done for the Nightlands, your Highness."
Whatever was inside smelled divine, and Katsuki had to physically restrain himself from ripping the box open like a famished animal, even if that was exactly what he felt like. They bid their goodbyes and thanked Sato for the food. Heading out into the bustling street again, they followed Ochako towards the main square, munching on their snacks. The dried berries and spicy cinnamon quickly settled Katsuki's stomach.
"So, my Lord…" Ochako began as she gave her bread a generous bite, humming in content. "You're a shifter, correct?" she asked out of the blue, looking at Eijirou over her shoulder. He seemed taken aback by her question but quickly recovered.
"I am. How did you know?" he asked, voice laced with wonder and curiosity. Katsuki said nothing but was just as curious.
"Your energy. I can feel it intertwining with the creature's energy. A powerful one, too." she said matter-of-factly, as if it was normal to sense these kinds of things.
"Really? That's so manly!" Eijirou exclaimed, his unoccupied hand fisting before him in excitement. Katsuki rolled his eyes. "What about Katsuki? What do you feel?"
Ochako's brow scrunched as her big eyes settled on the blonde. His ruby eyes held hers intently, almost as if he were also trying to figure out what she was. Her plump lips pursed in thought for a moment.
"Hot, like lava." she said. "Like fire in your veins, and yet it's not."
Katsuki smirked and reveled on the way her cheeks flushed at his undivided attention. "I thought you all knew about my magic here, pink cheeks." he said, arrogance dripping from his words.
A glint of offense flashed through her eyes, but she kept her composure better than he had expected. Her head turned forward again, most likely hiding whatever ugly scowl adorner her pretty features at his name calling.
"Well, my King, forgive my boldness, but I would rather prefer you call me by my given name." Katsuki snorted behind her and she huffed, clearly annoyed. "And what you have is not exactly pyromancy as most believe."
"Damn right." Katsuki said, watching as her shoulders tensed slightly at his interruption.
"It's also not common, hence I can't exactly pinpoint it." she added, throwing the last piece of fruit bread into her mouth. "I'm sure a more experienced practitioner like the High Priestess can give you the correct answer."
Katsuki was amused at the bite in her words. There were not many people in the kingdom who dared speak to him in such a way; his infamous temperament was enough to discourage them. His parents, and maybe Eijirou, were the only ones he knew not to take his abrasiveness to heart and challenge him back when necessary. This mysterious witch was proving to be much more interesting than he had first thought.
"It actually is very close to pyromancy." Eijirou added in an attempt to dissipate the tension that had suddenly formed between the pair. "It's like a cousin, or something."
"Would've expected a real witch to figure that out." taunted the king.
Ochako stopped dead on her tracks and turned around so fast, Katsuki was sure she got whiplash.
"And I would've expected a real king to have some manners."
Katsuki's nostrils flared as he stared down at her, smoke rising from his clenched fists. He was a good head taller than her, but her presence was powerful, almost suffocating. Her body was close, too close, the heat of her flesh seeming to permeate his clothes and reach his own, her sweet scent hanging in the air between them. Her cheeks were flushed in anger, or maybe embarrassment, and her eyes were steely and vicious. She did not cower under his glare, and for some reason that excited Katsuki the way battles excited him, the way letting his dangerous hands loose on the enemy made adrenaline rush through his veins. Who was this little witch?
"Hey, there's no need to fight." Eijirou pleaded warily, as if waiting for any of them to snap at any second. After what felt like an eternity, Ochako backed away and continued her way, the pair following a few steps behind. "Dude, don't go angering the locals! We came her for their help, no to insult them!" the dragon accused in hushed whispers.
"Shut up, shitty hair." was all Katsuki said, his tone signaling the conversation was over.
The path opened into the main square, the music and laughter almost deafening now. Katsuki was careful not to step on anyone's foot as they maneuvered their way through the bodies dancing around what looked like an ancient statue of a woman. He had seen her before in old tomes at the palace's library: a deity only referred to as The Goddess. He watched small children surround it and place flowers at her feet as they finally reached their destination, his attention back at the endeavor at hand.
Ochako led them up the stairs to the temple's entrance. It was the only structure not built from wood, almost as if it had been hidden in this forest for years immemorial and the whole village had been planned around it once it was found. The white stone walls seemed to shine under the moonlight and the lanterns of the main square, the garlands hanging from the walls only adding to its beauty. The festive sounds faded once they crossed the threshold, an eerie silence engulfing them. Their steps echoed on the ancient walls as they walked, the long entryway lined with statues of various creatures and old paintings.
Eijirou reached his hand to one of the statues, the one resembling a dragon, smoothing his fingers over the rough surface. "How old is this place?" he asked.
"A few millennia." Ochako answered, her voice echoing down the long corridor. "Our ancestors discovered it while running from the Blood Trials. The old stories say the soldiers found the forest, but they could never find the temple. They would walk for days and use up their resources, until they either died or were forced to turn back. When the witch hunts ended for good, the survivors began to construct the village and entire lineages moved in. This is a sacred place, a symbol of victory and protection for my people." She stopped when they reached the end, a giant wooden door with sigils carved into it, painted in silver and gold. "Whatever it is you're looking for, know you're in the right place." She gave a small bow of her head. "It was a pleasure, my Lord, your Highness."
She had made it halfway back the way they had come from when Katsuki called out to her.
"Hey, Ochako!"
The woman came to a slow stop and glanced over her shoulder at him. He did not know why he did it; but hearing the story of her people had made him regret the hurtful words he had said earlier. He felt something he had rarely felt before: the need to apologize for his actions.
"It's not fire." he said. "My magic, it's not fire. It's-"
"Explosions."
He watched in awe as the moonlight filtering through the windows illuminated her, her skin glistening in silver, eyes mischievous as they stared back at him with a challenge. Katsuki was glad to hear the box in Eijirou's hands clash with the ground, its contents scattering through the marble floor, as it broke him from his reverie, and he was able to find his voice.
"How did you-?"
"You smell sweet." Ochako announced loudly as she turned around, making her way to the exit. "Pyromancers smell of ash, explosion users smell sweet."
Katsuki stared at the now closed door, swearing he could still hear her soft sniggers. Eijirou began picking up the scattered sweets and putting them back in the box. He could not hold back a bark of laughter and received a half-hearted smack to his shoulder.
There was definitely something special about that little witch, and Katsuki was determined to find out what it was, but that venture would have to wait. As they made their way inside the imposing door, his priority was only one.
He had a war to win.
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A/N: I do hope you guys enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. I plan for this to be a short story. I don't tend to write PWP, hence the build up to the hot stuff, and I like crafting worlds, so yeah. It might have like two or three more chapters tops. Things like the lore, the characters' past, and other details will be explain as the story develops. Let me know what you guys think in the comment section. Thank you so much for stopping by and taking your time to read my stuff. :) Bye bye!
Fun Fact: I also loooove to draw. You can find my work under atabex_art on Instagram.