Chapter 2: The Daemonium Forest
Chapter Summary: The order from the king is given. He demands the heart of Snow White, or else. With the kingdom no longer safe Snow White forced to flee in to the Daemonium Woods. But that may be just as dangerous as no one who enters these dark woods are ever seen again.
Hizashi's world came to a sudden stop. For once in his life, he was struck speechless.
He misheard. He had to. The king wanted him to kill Snow White? His Snow White? No. No way. This couldn't be real. This couldn't be happening-
Shigaraki continued to speak, although Hizashi could barely hear him over the hammering of his heart.
"Then when he lies dead, cut out his heart and bring it to me in this."
Out of the air, a dark ornate box appeared. Hizashi numbly took it.
"Why…?" The question barely came out in a breathless whisper, the air in his lungs seeming to vanish.
Shigaraki glowered at him.
"'Why?'"
A hand whipped out and gripped Hizashi's throat. Hizashi could only gasp in pain as he felt his throat burn from the mere touch. He could feel every layer of flesh dissolve until the hand was touching muscle. A rasp of pain escaped as blood dripped through the grip.
"Because I am your king. And you will do as I say, or else."
Shigaraki released Hizashi and he dropped to the cold stone floor. His breath came out broken as he gripped his throat. Blood drizzled from the open wound like a small sink. Tears broke loose from his eyes as an ache surrounded his whole neck. The wound itself burned as if a hot poker had been pressed to it. Shigaraki didn't cut his throat but might as well have.
The suffering he felt from his throat was nothing. Not compared to the fear and torment in his head.
The king wanted Snow White dead—his best friend, his one true love—and he wanted Hizashi to be the one to do it. No. No way. He couldn't-
"But I thought you might be a bit against the idea, so I cursed you just now. Just in case your loyalty wavered for a moment and you need an incentive," The king informed him, almost gleefully. "Until Snow White's heart is in my hand, you cannot leave the kingdom without my consent. Try, and your whole body will dissolve into nothing."
The cold sense of dread that had been coursing through Hizashi's body slammed into his core. So now he couldn't even run away with Snow? What did that leave for the two of them? What could he do?
Shigaraki watched the young man gasp and heave for a moment before summoning a servant from outside.
"Bandage his wound—he's no good to me dead." He walked towards the doors and stopped at the entryway.
"Oh, and Huntsman," He turned back, eyes glinting. "Don't keep me waiting."
With that, he vanished. Hizashi stared after him, eyes in wide circles. Then he collapsed forward, falling towards his knees. Despite his mangled throat, choked sobs escaped as tears starting to fall.
What now?
Snow White paced the courtyard, waiting as he promised. He wished he hadn't though. Instead, he wished he was in there with Hizashi, then he wouldn't be losing his mind the way he was. However, Hizashi had made some good points to him about how Snow's presence might make things worse. Not that it helped the scullery boy's nerves at all. He had his arms folded across his chest, nails digging into his skin.
'How long has he been in there?'
Too long. Too long for comfort. Snow White glared at the ground as if it was to blame for everything. He should go up there right now. Throw open the doors and get Hizashi out before it was too late. To hell with what happens next!
As he was about to do just that, he spotted golden hair appear around the corner.
A sigh of relief almost escaped but stopped when Snow saw the bandages around the hunter's neck. His eyes almost bulging, Snow quickly rushed over.
"What happened?" He reached his hand up, but Hizashi caught it in his own. Hizashi's skin was pale and his eyes were red and wet with tears. Behind the tears was an array of emotions, none of which fit usually the happy hunter. Hizashi pressed his eyelids closed and after a breath, he opened them. Despite his obvious feelings, the blond forced a smile. He kissed Snow's fingers.
"It's nothing." His voice was cracked, and he winced as if talking hurt him. From what Snow could see of his neck, it probably did. The pale brunet growled, teeth bared.
"The hell it is!" he snarled. His fists clenched at his side, ready to fight anyone. "Who-" Realization hit him like a cold wind. "Did the king…?"
Hizashi shook his head but not in denial.
"Not here," he whispered. He pressed his lips together, brow furrowed in a way that wasn't like him at all. Then, still holding Snow's hand, tugged the man after him. "Come on."
Snow White blinked as he stumbled after him.
"What?" Hizashi grinned at him.
"You promised me a date, remember?" Snow's eyes blinked rapidly for a moment.
"H-hold on just a minute!" he snapped. He didn't mean to, but Hizashi was being an irrational fool! "You're injured! We can't just-"
"Watch me." There was a strange, fiery determination in the hunter's voice that shut down whatever argument Snow was about to make. Though he didn't know what was going on Snow let himself be pulled through the courtyard.
Hizashi took him to the stables where his steed awaited. The mare greeted them in a friendly fashion as Hizashi finally released Snow's hand to give her an affectionate pat. He whispered in her ear.
Snow wasn't sure how but because of his elfin blood he had a certain amount of control over animals. Hizashi's family had been utilizing this ability to help them hunt for three generations now, or so he was told.
"Can you grab her blanket and saddle?" he asked. Snow did so and the two both worked to put them on. The stable hand was nowhere to be seen, which was a bit odd, but Snow had more important things to worry about than that drunk who was most likely sleeping off a hangover in a hay pile.
"Where are we going?" Snow asked after a minute of uncomfortable silence.
"That's the question…" Hizashi muttered, lost in his thoughts. Snow's brows knitted together in suspicion. Hizashi was still smiling, but he was anxious, his movements shaky. Snow desperately wanted to question him but decided to wait. If the king had hurt him then it would be best to talk when they were away. Despite all the rationalizing, it was still hard not to say anything when he saw the red creep through the bandages around his love's neck. Instinctively he reached out.
"Hizashi…"
"You ride up front this time, okay?" Hizashi interrupted. He threw him a playful wink. "Gives me an excuse to hold you the whole time."
Had Snow not had other things on his mind he would have rolled his eyes. Hizashi helped the prince climb on the mare, then pulled himself up behind him.
The two rode for hours. They left not only the palace grounds but went past the village and the farmlands as well. This wasn't the first time they left the palace to give Snow a "change of view," but they very rarely crossed out the village. Even then, they never crossed the farmlands. He noted most the crops were wilted and old and not an animal was to be seen. Snow found himself anxious in the new territory. A part of him urged Snow to turn around and return to what was familiar before it was too late.
He tried many, many times to ask Hizashi what was going on, but Hizashi never replied. It was unsettling that the man who could blabber on about anything in the world was so quiet. Even more so because Snow didn't know if it was because it hurt to talk or if the other was just scared. Neither was a good thought.
A terrible part of him wondered if the king had threatened Hizashi into breaking up with him, and now the hunter was taking him somewhere special to break the news.
'No, that's ridiculous. If Hizashi was going to dump you, he'd have done it at the castle.' Right?
It wouldn't be rational to go through all this just to break up. But Hizashi wasn't a rational person. To him, he would want to give Snow one last memory before saying goodbye. If that was the case then-
Snow shifted uneasily in the saddle as the anxiety built up. Why wasn't Hizashi telling him anything? Why the secrets? Why not just get it over with already?!
As he moved Hizashi's grip tightened slightly around his waist as if embracing him.
"Almost there…" he mumbled as he pressed a kiss to Snow's neck. Snow relaxed, but only slightly.
At long last, they came to an empty glade. In the distance, Snow White could see a forest. Not just any forest, but the Daemonium Forest.
Snow had heard rumors and tales of this place from Hizashi who heard it from his grandfather. Every single story and breath about the area was something out of a horror novel.
The trees towered higher than any castle, twisted and deformed in a way that resembled nightmares and terrors. Branches were raised high as if to try and cut the sky itself. In any other wood, a bird or another kind of creature would be seen over them. This was not the case with the Daemonium forest. No beast dared to near them. The long shadows they cast reached across the land, long enough to swallow a valley and leave it a colorless gray.
Even Snow, who had little world experience, could sense the danger and power of the place. Not even the bravest adventurer wanted to go in there. And those who did were never the same.
'Why on earth would we come here?' This definitely wasn't a romantic getaway spot unless you were a demon or vampire.
Hizashi hesitated for a long moment. He held Snow tightly as if he never wanted to let go. Finally, Hizashi squeezed him one last time before dismounting. Snow was about to do the same until the other spoke up.
"Don't. You need to go." Snow turned to him and blinked.
"Huh?"
"You need to go. You need to leave the kingdom," Hizashi told him. His voice was breaking but was also firm. "Ride until you're deep in the forest."
"Why-"
"There's a crossbow and dagger to your left. I've taught you to use both right? Kinda? Just in case. Dunno if they'll be a lot of help in there, but better than nothing, yeah? I'm sure you'll be fine. You'll be fine, right?" Hizashi forced a laugh as his head leaned forward, touching Snow's leg, his fingers tracing along the seams of his pants and the saddle.
"Hold on a minute-"
"No money though, but then do they use money in there? I don't think there's anywhere to shop or do trading with. 'Cept maybe sprites, fairies, and witches, but I don't think they deal in money. Never been in there so it's not like I can say-"
"That's-!"
"Ah, well; you'll figure it out, right? Careful about saying thank you though! I've heard all the old wives' tales and even gramps never said thanks to granny. 'Course that might have just-"
Snow raised his voice to cut through all the mindless chatter, his face contorted in annoyance.
"Hizashi, what the hell is going on-"
"The king ordered me to kill you."
Snow White froze on the saddle, suddenly as cold as his namesake. Hizashi's hands started to shake.
"He ordered me to kill you," he explained. "That's why he wanted to see me. He wants me to kill you and cut out your heart." Hizashi turned his gaze up and grabbed Snow's hand, a fire burning in his eyes.
"You're no longer safe here or anywhere in the kingdom. The only place you'll have a chance is in the Daemonium Forest. There's so much magic and shit there that even the King's spells can't do anything." A look of worry fluttered across his brow. "Or at least… I hope not."
Snow White shook his head as if that would shake everything into place and make sense of this madness.
"Wait, hold on a minute…" The king wanted him dead? Why? "None of this is rational. I've lived in the palace all my life. My mother's been dead for years—why try to kill me now? And why not kill me himself, or have one of the guards or servants do it? Why you of all people?" Actually, Snow could guess that much; Shigaraki was many things and sadistic was one of them. He probably saw the cruel irony in having Snow's lover rip his heart out.
Hizashi shrugged his slim shoulders.
"No idea, to any of those. If I had to guess though I'd say he wants your heart for some dark magic spell or whatever. I've heard in stories that warlocks would use hearts from young maidens for curses and stuff, so maybe that's it? You're not a maiden, but close enough, yeah?" He forced a small chuckle, but it got caught in his throat, unable to get past his worry. His grip tightened on Snow's hand.
"I don't care why. I won't let him hurt you, ever," The fire in his eyes grew. "I promise. But for now, the best thing for you is to run away as far as you can."
"Wait. What about you?" Snow's heart beat faster when Hizashi smiled sadly up at him, but not in the way it usually did. He squeezed the other's hand one last time before pulling away.
"I'll be fine. I'll catch up with you later," he said. "There's just a few things I need to do first."
"Like what?!" Snow's mind was racing. His teeth grounded together to bite back the panic that started to well up inside him. "Hizashi, he's a warlock with an army and unholy magic at his beck and call! He'll kill you when he discovers that you've let me go!"
"I have a plan." This did nothing to assure the former prince. Hizashi moved to the head of the horse and stroked its nose.
"Hizashi, this is insane! You're insane!" Snow's nails cut into his palms as he clenched them through the horse's mane. "Just come with me!" A look of pain filled the hunter's eyes. It was the first sign of weakness he had allowed himself to show. And it broke Snow's heart.
"I can't."
"Why not?!" Worry and anger were mixed with a handful of fear tossed in to make a horrible feeling inside of him. "You're always saying you wanted us to run off together and now that you have your chance you-" Snow White started to get down, only to find his thigh bound to the saddle.
'When the hell-?' The man gritted his teeth and tugged at the cloth, but the knot held tight.
Hizashi smiled sadly as he leaned forward.
"Sorry, Snow."
Hizashi whispered something into the horse's ear and then took a step away as the horse reared back. On instinct Snow lurched forward to grip the neck to keep from falling.
"I love you!" Hizashi cried, his eyes filling with tears that slipped from his eyes. "So, so much!" Snow reached out a hand towards him in desperation.
"Hizashi!"
With a loud screech, the horse fell back on its front hoofs. Once on the ground, she charged forward at full speed. As it did so, Snow White turned in the saddle and looked back at his lover.
"HIZASHI!"
The two watched each other until the distance swallowed them.
The horse's hoofs echoed in Snow's ears as he was carried further and further away from Hizashi. Snow tried to slow the mare down and turn her back, but she kept on. The huntsman must have used one of his magical commands and ordered the horse to carry Snow away. Snow White cursed under his breath.
'Dammit, Hizashi!' What was he thinking? Did he think any of this through? No, that was a stupid question! Of course, he didn't! All that dumb idiot was thinking of was getting Snow White to the one place Shigaraki couldn't get him. Not one thought went into his own safety, did it?!
Snow pulled harder on the reins, but it was no good. He didn't know how to control a regular horse, much less one that had been enchanted to go to a specific place. Snow considered throwing himself from the steed but his thigh was tied to the saddle. If he jumped, he would have just been carried in a very awkward position. He'd have to wait until he stopped bouncing so he could untie or cut himself free.
A shiver fell over the man as he and the mare entered a gray valley. There was no grass or weeds, just dirt hard as stone. As they rode, they passed a few homes that were crumbling to dust. Rocks and stones were scattered about as if they were grave markers. The scent of ancient decay hit Snow's nose and almost made him gag. He caught a glimpse of what might have been the cause of the smell but was glad the mare raced on before he could process it, least he retch while riding.
Just when Snow White thought he would never see anything but gray again, their location came into sight-the Daemonium forest.
Snow White was close enough to see the bark of the trees. They resembled cracked stone and reptilian skin more than wood. The leafs above flickered about like moths, each movement making a sound like rattlesnakes.
Snow's heartbeat tripped over its own rhythm as his pulse jumped to his throat. The mere aura of the forest was all but warning the travelers to turn back! Run while you still can! It spoke volumes how powerful Hizashi's spell was that the horse wasn't doing just that. She slowed just a little but kept on going forward as if dragged by an invisible force. Snow would only realize later that the look in her eyes was the look of someone who knew they wouldn't be coming out again.
Though only seconds had passed, it felt as if it took years for them to cross the entrance into what Snow would in time come to call the Devil's Garden.
Entering the woods felt like jumping the threshold to another world entirely. The mare slowed now that they had reached their location. This gave Snow White a chance to look at his surroundings.
The light of the sun vanished. The branches above had woven together to block out any light and shut out the sky completely. Yet he wasn't in darkness—not entirely. Below them, the grass, a dark green, emitted a soft phosphorescence. The glow was bright enough to create shadows that took the shape of monsters that leered at them.
Snow swallowed to moisten his dry throat as he glanced up. Twigs loomed over him like claws and knives, ready to cut into him.
He shook his head, followed by a breath to calm himself. He was imagining things, that's all. He was letting the fear of the tales and of Shigaraki's threat get to him.
Besides, none of this mattered. Snow had to turn back now and find Hizashi. Preferably before that idiot did something stupid and got himself killed!
He wiped his sweaty palms on his pants before grabbing the reins.
"Come on," He tugged the reins but the horse ignored him. He growled and yanked at them a bit harder, but not enough to hurt.
"Come on!" he repeated to no avail.
Fine then! If the animal wasn't going to listen to him, then Snow would walk back. Hizashi gave him a dagger, right? He would just cut his leg free and return to the palace before it was too late. Now, where was that blasted blade-!
Something sharp gripped his shoulders. The cloth that tied him to the saddle tore with no effort as something swiped at his leg. In less than a heartbeat Snow White was snagged into the air. He heard the mare cry out in terror, but there was nothing he could do as Snow was pulled into the trees above. His last sight of the horse was black claws from the brambles clawing out to grab at her before she ran off.
Snow was carried higher and higher into the trees. The limbs holding him had sharp ends like needles that scratched and cut at his flesh, releasing droplets of blood that sprinkled like rain. Snow White's breath became rapid as wrestled to free himself, rubbing his skin against the rough bark and creating violent red patches. Shapes in the form of eyes appeared in the darkness, all watching him in a spectrum of frightening colors. With an act of desperation Snow managed to rip an arm free and tore at the branch holding his other limb. The twigs tried to grab at him again, but as they did a sharp sting filled his eyes. Without warning or any known reason he was dropped.
Before hitting the ground, Snow snatched at a vine to slow his fall. It worked but then it started to weave around his arm like a snake. Had he not let go he would have been bound. Snow White's knees buckled sharply as he landed and promised pain for later. If there was a later.
The eyes appeared again, all watching him still. Snow White gasped sharply. Either he was surrounded and being watched. Or there was a giant beast before him with a thousand eyes. Whatever it was it didn't bode well for him.
As he tried to figure out what to do next, leaves from a nearby shrub fluttered into the air. They created a whirlwind in the air as they became a swarm. The plants flew at him like angry hornets. He cried out as they left multiple cuts all over his body, a sharp sting accompanying each one.
"Ngh!" Snow grunted. He stumbled back only to feel his foot slip. Before he could process this, Snow felt himself falling.
Murky water splashed as his body crashed into it. He was stunned at first however his survival instincts kicked in when he felt something claw at his legs to pull him deeper. He kicked at the hidden figure and swam to the surface. The moment he broke it Snow White started taking deep gasps of air only to have it leave him when he saw a pair of golden eyes glaring at him from a log. It opened its jaw like an alligator, with just as many teeth. Snow White barely managed to pull back before it could bite him. He swam in reverse towards the shore but not before another log beast bit his leg.
"Argh!" Snow kicked it away with his good leg and pulled himself to the shore. Even in the dim light around him, Snow could see that his leg was torn to heck by the attack. Snow would have never been able to stand if not for the adrenaline pumping through his veins.
He moved as fast as he could, but alas, with his leg the way it was Snow White could only stumble, barely able to duck as something swooped down at him. His eyes ached but he managed to keep them open and forward, afraid of what might appear if he blinked or looked away.
Faces appeared from the darkness to leer at him with large eyes and mouths—at this point, it was hard to tell what was real and what was hysteria. It was like the world was spinning around him, screeching at him like an angry owl. A thousand other voices filled his ears, sending his heart pumping faster and faster, and faster, fueling his desperate attempts to run and escape until it was all he could hear.
And then—it all stopped.
Snow White fell to the ground in a heap, unable to stand any longer. His eyes watered as they burned and seethed with pain before the tears broke loose. His breath came out broken as he curled up to hold himself. Whether he did this in an attempt to stop the pain, or comfort himself, or both, he could not say.
He laid there for what seemed to be hours, maybe less, before he finally found it in him to look up and observe his surroundings.
Snow White was on a small wooden bridge. It was old, but it had an ancient charm to it. Snow was relatively sure that it wouldn't break. The stream it was over flowed smoothly. After all the chaos he just suffered the sound of the stream was almost too gentle. Focusing on the soft sounds did help Snow White to get his mind calm. Well, not exactly calm, but to the point where he was no longer in a blind panic.
After a few deep breaths, he finally managed to lift his head and survey more of the area. For the second time that day, it felt like he had entered another world.
The forest had been a violent nightmare the moment he entered, but now everything was serene and tranquil like a child's fairy tale;
The area was lit by old lamps that stood as tall as the single apple tree growing off to the side. In the light, Snow spotted a garden by the tree but it was overgrown by weeds. Some of these climbed light poles that were lined up by what must have been a path once upon a time. Said path led up to a cottage that was almost completely overtaken by nature.
'A cottage? Here?' It was impossible to imagine anyone living in this forest, but the proof was before him. Maybe whoever lived there could help him.
He stood. Or he tried to.
"Ackk!" Snow almost fell back to the ground as pain shot through his body. Sweat dampened his skin as his body shook.
The adrenaline he felt was wearing out. Now he felt every scratch, scrape, bruise, cut, muscle, and bone damage he received. The worse had to be his leg which trembled so violently he thought it would snap under his weight—if it wasn't already broken.
Snow wanted to collapse then and there. The only reason he didn't was that he was afraid of what would happen if he stayed out in the open too long. Taking a deep gulp, Snow limped to the cottage, stumbling multiple times.
When he reached it he knocked on the door, mentally preparing himself for anything. Nothing happened, so he tried the doorknob. It was unlocked and swung open with no effort.
It was dark inside the cottage, but thanks to the light outside Snow White could see that it was in shambles. There was so much dust and cobwebs that Snow immediately assumed that the place had been abandoned for years. For a moment, he pondered whether it would be safe to enter as he might get sick or infected.
'If nothing else, I'll need a light.' He limped to one of the lamp posts and reached up. He had to fiddle with it a little using the tips of his fingers, but he eventually managed to push one off. He looked at it and noticed that rather than being lit by a flame the lamp was instead illuminated by a jewel that twinkled like the stars in the night sky. It wasn't natural for jewels to glow like this, so he guessed that they were enchanted. Did that mean a wizard lived here at one time—or still did? Had the situation been different the thought might have convinced him to leave. While magic wasn't uncommon it was rarer these days and Shouta didn't have any sort of interaction with wizards or witches except for Shigaraki, and the less he had to do with him the better—as recent events proved.
However, as his only other choice was to go back into the woods he returned to the cottage doorway.
The lantern allowed Snow White to see the fanciful design work carved in the wood. Whoever built this place had put quite a lot of effort into it.
With a light source to guide him, Snow stepped over the doorway, dragging his tired limbs after him. He tried not to take too much notice of the blood that dripped onto the floor, though that did hasten his need to find something to patch himself up with.
He started to search the house and noted that there were a lot of toys lying about; dolls—animal and human-like, wooden weapons, toy chariots, and a number of nesting dolls. Whoever lived here before must have had a lot of kids.
'Wonder what happened to them?' Snow tried not to dwell on this too much. After everything that happened today, his imagination was not a friendly place to be.
He went up the stairs, even though this meant more work for his overworked body. At the top he saw six small beds and one large one. A twinge from his broken leg made him practically collapse on the largest one. He sank into the cushions.
Deciding that he couldn't afford to lose any more blood Snow used the blanket as gauze for his wounds. Luckily the fabric was thin and weak enough that he could tear it with his arms and teeth. He then peeled off the torn, bloody pieces of his clothing so he could treat himself. Snow wasn't able to wash his injuries without water, but he did his best to clean himself up. It wasn't easy to bandage himself as he felt dizzy from all the blood loss, but stubborn determination pushed him on.
He had just finished wrapping the last wound when exhaustion overtook his body.
As he collapsed back onto the bed he thought about his stepfather and what plans he had for Snow White's heart? Thinking about it, it wasn't unheard of for royals to get rid of their stepchildren. But why now of all times?
He also thought of Hizashi, his stupid, stupid—god, what if something happened to him? Was he alright? What was he going to do? Why didn't he just come with Snow instead of sending him off?
"Hizashi..." he mumbled into the mattress.
'Please be safe,' was his last thought before darkness claimed his mind.
{To be Continued…}
A/N: I hope the forest and the scene with Shigaraki were okay. To be honest, I'm not well versed in writing action or horror scenes, but I wanted to make the woods and Shigaraki's scenes scary, and in the former's case heart pumping. If you're more familiar with scary or action stuff, please share how you think I can improve. Actually, any feedback on how you think I can improve would be appreciated.
*Oh, and um, don't worry about the mare! She's, er, fine. Just like Bill in LOTR.
Elfin Facts:
*Humans born with Elfin blood inherit many talents from their elfin progenitors. The strength of said blood depends on the amount of Elf blood in a person and whether or not the human blood drowns it out. (Humans have a different type of magic that doesn't always mix well with Elfin magic.) The most common traits Elfin Bloods' will inherit are the gifts of song and dance, art and writing, and a connection with animals. This last one varies with the animal. There are spell words that can give the elfin blood a stronger control over the animal's will. Most will use this talent to hunt or farm.
**Meta Note: I know animal talking is more of Koda's thing, but Hizashi's quirk wouldn't have worked in the context.
World Fact:
*The Daemonium Forest was named after an army of demons invaded and infected it. Since that day every root and leaf was tainted and turned monstrous. There are even rumors that the trees themselves are fallen demons, transformed by a spell from long ago. While the forest used to be a temptress for adventures seeking their fortune, it now serves as fuel for nightmares. Few who enter these woods are ever seen again, and those who do make it out alive are never the same again.
*It's said that the magic there is so thick seers can't see inside or out—without a special trick or item, that is.