Hari woke up to the sensation of her heart trying to pound out of her chest.
Her red eyes shot open and she groaned. She curled on her side and tried to suppress the panic and the pain that was quickly overwhelming her. Predictably, her blood responded in kind and she felt the unpleasant heat begin to build within her that came from her Demon's Body fighting her for dominance.
Breathe, she ordered herself. Sweat dripped down her face. You are okay. Just breathe. You must have accidentally tapped into your magic while you were sleeping again. This will pass. Just breathe.
Agonizingly slowly, the pain in her chest subsided. It still took several minutes after that for her body to stop shaking.
With a sigh, Hari rolled onto her back and covered her eyes with her arm. "It's happening more frequently," she mumbled to herself. "It's getting bothersome."
It had been three weeks since the encounter outside the Moon Village that had resulted in Hari's heart getting cursed. And to her growing frustration, they were no closer in getting rid of it.
A few days prior, they had received a summons from Sora to return to the Moon Village. Shan had been ecstatic, thinking that this meant that the witch had found a cure for Hari's ailment. They had both been disappointed when that hadn't been the case.
"Only a witch stronger than myself can remove the curse," Sora had said regretfully. "The only one I know who could do so is the Witch of the East."
That hadn't sat well with Shan. Not surprising, considering their last encounter had led to the witch turning Shan into a five-year-old girl.
Hari got out of bed and slowly made her way to her bathroom. Her movements felt sluggish as they often did after these attacks. Due to the increased frequency, Hari spent most of her days more exhausted than alert. The warm shower helped to ease the aches in her chest but did not ease the weariness as she'd hoped.
She quickly pulled her wet hair into a bun, lacking the energy to fully dry it. She put on a pair of black pants and a dark-green sleeveless turtleneck. As always, her Sound of Wandering horn necklace was placed around her neck and tucked out of sight. She smiled fondly and pressed a hand against where her mate to Shan's horn rested before she exited her room to head to the dining room.
Predictably, Haki was already there, enjoying her breakfast. She was still wearing her gardening clothes and was covered in dirt. There was a sparkle in her purple eyes that made Hari smile in return as it eased some of her worries.
"Good morning," Hari said cheerfully as she sat down. "You must have been up really early this morning."
Haki beamed. "I'm starting to see buds bloom on the latest plants I added. I had worried that they wouldn't respond well to the other plants surrounding them, but they're thriving." She looked sheepishly at her messy state. "I was so hungry that I came straight here."
Hari chuckled. "Doesn't matter to me." She scooped small portions of food onto her plate from the serving dishes. "I'm just happy that you're loving having your own section of the castle garden."
Her words were ignored. Haki's purple eyes watched critically as Hari filled up barely half of her plate. Then her eyes looked over Hari's body. Hari could feel herself flush in embarrassment at the scrutiny.
"You're losing weight," Haki said worriedly. "And you haven't been training lately." She bit the inside of her cheek as her eyes began to glisten. "It's getting worse, isn't it?"
Instinctively, Hari opened her mouth to deny the claims. To offer her younger sister some sort of comfort. But all that came out was silence. Hari closed her mouth with a sigh.
"I've been…weary," she admitted. There was no way that she would tell Haki that she woke up almost on a daily basis to the sensation of her heart threatening to beat out of her chest.
Haki instantly got up and walked around the table to stand beside her. She placed a hand on her forehead, checking her temperature. Then she bent down and pulled Hari into a very sweaty hug.
"Dad should be home any day," she said. "You can't hide this from him like you tried to with me. We are telling him," she said firmly.
That was the last thing that Hari wanted. Their dad was pretty understanding that his daughters needed freedom and never tried to confine them to the safety of the castle once they reached adulthood. But, Hari was technically his heir. If something threatened her, then her dad got very heated. Both as her father, and as her king.
Hopefully he would take the news of her curse without destroying anything of importance.
Haki went back to her seat and stared while Hari forced herself to eat what she had put on her plate. It wasn't that her stomach was hurting or anything. Hari just found that her appetite was fading as the days went by.
Probably wasn't a good sign.
After Hari finished her plate (and felt fit to burst), Haki rushed off to shower and change while instructing her to wait for her. Hari smiled fondly and drank at her tea while she waited. She was barely waiting for twenty minutes when Haki and Yoshua entered. Haki's hair was still soaking wet.
"You didn't have to rush on my account," Hari said with an annoyed frown. "I'm not about to disappear."
Yoshua nervously bit her knuckle. "Hanulim is coming today. Perhaps she can look you over and see if there's anything she can heal."
Hari smiled. "Sounds like a plan," she said, though she doubted it would work.
The three devils exited the castle and went for a walk. Because Hari couldn't use her magic, it also meant that she couldn't teleport herself. It was annoying, to say the least. While they were walking, every demon they passed gave Hari a befuddled glance. They weren't used to seeing their vibrant princess looking so tired. Eventually, Haki got annoyed with all the looks and grabbed Hari's arm.
"It's alright if I teleport you, right?" she asked anxiously.
Hari blinked. "Yes, that's fine," she said.
Haki smiled and looked to Yoshua. "Would you go grab Lofree?" she requested. "She isn't scheduled to return to Jenna until tomorrow. I'll feel better if we have Lofree around if we go to the Middle World."
Yoshua smiled. "Of course," she said. "I'll be right back."
While they waited for Yoshua, Haki forcibly pulled Hari over to a nearby bench and made her sit down. She sat down next to her and continued to hug her arm tightly. Hari smiled and ran her free hand soothingly on Haki's back.
"I'll be okay," she assured her. "Shan is sure to get word of the Witch of the East's location any day now."
Haki clutched her arm even tighter. "I'll feel better when Dad is back," she admitted. "He knows so much more than we do. Maybe he has a way to get rid of curses."
"Maybe he does," Hari said comfortingly.
They were joined by Lofree and Yoshua with Zeke fifteen minutes later. The blood demon's eyes narrowed when she took in Hari's appearance. Seriously, did she look that bad? Thankfully, she didn't comment. She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.
"You can't enjoy the fresh air near the castle?" she asked bluntly. "There's still a lot of Lost One activity going on."
Instantly, Haki frowned anxiously as she second-guessed her choices. Hari smiled and got to her feet.
"I'm feeling a little stifled here," she admitted. "And the other Asmodians are starting to ask questions. I think they're beginning to worry that I'm going to become Lost."
All three Asmodians scowled at her disapprovingly at her bluntness.
Lofree sighed. "Fine, we'll go," she said reluctantly. "But if things get heated, I want Haki to get you three out of there. Leave me behind."
That didn't sit right with Hari. But Haki nodded in grim acceptance.
Hari rode on Zeke with Yoshua while Lofree and Haki summoned their wings. The group of demons made their way out of the Underworld to the floating islands that made up the Middle World. They set foot down on one that was pretty close to the Underworld. Lofree instructed them to wait by the edge while she did a quick scan to look for any obvious threats. When she returned a few minutes later, they all visibly relaxed.
Hari sat under the shade of a tree with Haki and Yoshua while Lofree stood in the open with her arms crossed, eyes constantly scanning for any sign of trouble. It made Hari feel guilty that her friend was taking on so much upon herself, especially now that the curse was starting to wear her down.
"Lofree, please join us," Hari called. "Everything is fine."
Lofree looked over and frowned. "Heres in periculo," she said simply.
Hari flinched as if struck.
The mood was slightly soured after that. Haki and Yoshua tried to coax conversation out of Hari, and she did her best to engage with a smile on her face. But judging by the worried frowns on their face, she wasn't being successful.
Eventually, Hari's mood did end up lifting when she saw four familiar robed figures lightly fall to the floating island they were resting on.
"Shan," Hari said with a smile.
Her girlfriend, along with Hiskaya, Hanulim, and Jenna, all approached their devil counterparts. After giving Haki and Yoshua a pointed look, the two left her alone to go and greet their girlfriends. Jenna went to a scowling Lofree with a carefree smile on her face. Shan took one look at her and hurried over before kneeling in front of her.
"Hari, what's wrong?" she asked worriedly. "You look really tired."
As usual, the ice-blue eyes captivated Hari. How was it possible for someone to be so beautiful? Hari smiled and reached a hand out to gently toy with a strand of stray golden hair.
"Nothing's wrong," she lied. "Just didn't sleep well."
Shan's eyes narrowed. "Hari," she said warningly.
Damn, Shan could read her too easily. Hari sighed.
"I think I tried to use magic while sleeping," she admitted. "I woke up to an attack this morning."
Instantly, Shan's hands were over her heart. "How does it feel now?" she asked urgently.
Hari placed a hand over Shan's. "Better, but I'm tired," she said sincerely.
Shan visibly tensed. She gave Hari a cold look. "And it has happened before," she realized softly. At Hari's silence, she got to her feet. "Hanulim," she called, turning away from her. "Can you see if you can check over Hari?"
Being the center of attention was the last thing that Hari wanted. But it was what she got when she was quickly surrounded by the other seven in their odd family. Their expressions ranged from worried (Haki and Yoshua) to ready to punch anyone who spoke to her the wrong way (Lofree, naturally).
Hanulim stepped away from Yoshua and knelt down next to Hari. "I haven't had much luck in fixing the damage before, but I'll try again," she said. She placed a hand over Hari's chest. "Tell me if this causes too much discomfort."
Light appeared from Hanulim's fingertips. Hari winced at the stinging sensation that angel magic brought, but it was nowhere near as painful as the curse. She watched anxiously as Hanulim's face grew focused on something that she couldn't sense. After a few minutes, Hanulim removed her fingers with a frustrated scowl.
"I can sense that there's damage, but I can't find it," she said apologetically. "Which doesn't make sense. I know where it is, but every time I try to look at it directly, it's gone. But when I'm sensing the areas around it, I see it." She frowned. "I'm sorry, Hari, but I don't think I can heal you."
The sound of breaking wood shocked them all. Their heads whipped around and saw that Shan had stepped away from Hari at the news and had punched the closest tree so hard that her hand was stuck in the bark.
"Excuse me," she said shortly as she pulled her hand out and began to walk away.
Hari scrambled to her feet and followed her with a sad smile at the rest of their group. "Shan, wait up," she said.
Instantly, Shan paused and waited until Hari joined her. Then she slowed her walk and they moved to a more private area. Once they were out of sight and earshot, Shan sat under a nearby tree and looked up at Hari pleadingly. Understanding, Hari joined her and she let Shan pull her so they were both lying under the shade. It was a surprise when Shan placed her head on Hari's chest, right over her heart.
"None of my sources can locate the Witch of the East," she whispered. "I went back to visit Sora and she has no other options."
Hari ran her fingers through Shan's hair. "Haki insists that I tell my dad when he returns," she said. "He might have different insight." She exhaled. "But the problem is my dad might keep me locked up tight until it's resolved."
Shan sat up and frowned. "Why would he do that?"
"Heres in periculo," Hari responded. "The heir is at risk." She sat up. "It's serious business. Kwang-Sarang and Lofree have been even more on edge than usual these past few days. I think they know how my dad will react when he finds out."
"But what good will locking you up do?" Shan demanded.
"Past demon kings kept their children in Limbo to protect them from danger until they were old enough to protect themselves," Hari explained. "It's a place where only the ruler can access. If Dad is worried that I'm in danger from Manoa and her cohorts, then I fear he'll send me there."
"But you're already cursed," Shan protested. "What more could they do to you?"
At Shan's distress, Hari pulled her into a tight hug. After a few moments, Shan returned it, just as tightly.
"I hate this," Shan admitted against Hari's shoulder. "I feel so helpless. And you've been so strong." She tensed. "I'm sorry that I failed you."
"You have not failed me," Hari insisted. "Let's not panic until there's a real reason to. Right now, let's focus on the fact that I'm alive."
Shan pulled back. "Why are you using your magic in your sleep?"
Hari shrugged. "I don't know. But I think if I stopped, then I'll bounce back." She huffed. "Problem is, by the time I know it's happening, I'm already in pain."
An idea seemed to appear in Shan's mind because her face started to blush prettily. Before she could say it, Hari tensed as she sensed a familiar dark aura. And judging by the way Shan's face immediately turned cold, she had sensed it too.
"We aren't alone," she said.
"Shan, this is the same aura as one of the cloaked figures who attacked me and Garam," Hari said softly.
That got a reaction. Shan was instantly on her feet with her Color of Strength immediately making an appearance. Hari was on her feet beside her. Both of them eyed the dense woods in front of them.
"Hari, can you run?" Shan asked calmly.
This was no place for pride. "Not for long," she said honestly. "And not as fast as I normally would."
Shan's head dipped in acknowledgement. "Then stay by my side," she ordered. "I'm sure that Hiskaya sensed them, too."
Following Shan's lead, the two girlfriends slowly backed away from the forest. The edge of the floating island was only twenty yards behind them, but at least they had some room to maneuver and there was a smaller opportunity to be snuck up on.
"Shan, Hari!"
While Shan didn't turn her head from the forest, Hari glanced. Haki, Hiskaya, Lofree and Jenna were all running towards them. The look on Lofree's face was particularly fierce.
"I sensed the cloaked lady," Hiskaya continued when they approached. "Are you two alright?"
"Haki, please take Hari out of here," Shan ordered.
"Jenna too," Lofree added.
The reserve administrator turned and glared at her sort of girlfriend. "I'm not some damsel you can just send away," she snapped.
Lofree glared at her. "Will you just go?" she snapped. "I need to focus on these assholes."
While Jenna and Lofree argued, Hari looked anxiously towards the forest. She could still sense the cloaked woman's aura. So, where was she? Haki was nervously approaching her. It was then that Hari noticed cracks forming in the floating island beneath Haki's feet. Hari's eyes widened.
"Haki, watch out!" she shouted
Before the words were even out, the island they were standing on began to crumble.
Haki cried out in surprise as the land beneath her feet broke apart with a loud explosion. She fell through the shattered land and disappeared before anyone knew what was happening.
"Haki!" Hiskaya cried as she leapt after her, wings sprouting.
"She can teleport!" Lofree shouted after her, but Hiskaya paid no attention. Lofree snarled and looked at the ground they were standing on. "We need to get out of here," she said darkly.
"Agreed," Shan said grimly. "Lofree, can you fly Jenna and Hari out of here? I'll cover your backs."
Lofree immediately reached out and summoned her wings before she wrapped an arm around a very surprised Jenna's waist. "Hold on tight," Lofree ordered.
"R-Right," Jenna stammered as she wrapped her arms around Lofree's neck.
Hari swallowed nervously as she looked at the ground. She was still at least ten yards away from Lofree. Was the ground safe to step on? Unlike Haki, she could not teleport should she find herself falling from Middle Earth.
Turns out, the choice was made for her. A moment later, a monster leapt out of the forest towards a surprised Lofree. It was easily ten feet tall with large claws and large, eager fangs. Before the monster made contact, Lofree beat her wings and carried Jenna out of harm's way.
They're splitting us up, Hari realized. She locked eyes with a grim Shan. And Shan sees it, too. What's their goal here?
Three more clawed monsters teleported in front of Shan, much to both of their surprise. Shan immediately engaged with the threats, keeping a close eye on Hari who frustratedly kept her distance. In the air, Lofree continued to try and swoop in to grab her, but her monster kept engaging her whenever she got too close. And while holding Jenna, she didn't have the same maneuverability she would have had otherwise.
It was then that Hari sensed the shift in menacing aura. She whipped around and glared at the familiar robed figure that was now standing across from her.
"Haven't you done enough?" Hari spat, to which she could see the robed figure smirk.
"Hari, get back!" Shan commanded. She sliced through the three monsters and began to dart towards her. "Get away from her!" she shouted furiously at their enemy.
It was then the second robed figure appeared behind Shan and lashed out with a whip. The whip caught Shan around the ankle and wrapped around tightly. Shan turned and glared and was immediately shocked by the magic. The battle angel grunted and fell to the ground.
"Shan!" Hari cried out. She moved to rush towards her girlfriend, but was immediately restrained by the other robed woman. She grunted when her arms were painfully pinned together behind her back. In her weakened state, she couldn't break free and was forced to her knees. "Let me go," Hari demanded.
On the ground, Shan was struggling to get to her feet. Her blue eyes narrowed dangerously at the cloaked woman restraining Hari. She got to her feet and grimaced when the whip around her ankle electrocuted her again. This time, she gripped it with her Color of Strength. She still scowled in pain, but she stayed on her feet. With a mighty tug, she pulled the cloaked figure attacking her closer. The cloaked woman shouted in alarm and then in pain when Shan roughly punched her across the face, sending her crumpling to the ground. Manoa's unconscious face was revealed a moment later when her hood fell back as she hit the ground. Shan knelt beside her and wrapped a hand around her neck.
"Let Hari go," Shan said, deadly serious. "Or I will snap her neck."
To Hari's surprise, her captor just chuckled then held her tighter.
"You misjudge the situation," the woman said cruelly. "Captain Shan, always assuming that the beings that go bump in the night are always after her. Always so reluctant to trust that her heart remains closed off. And so blind to what is really happening."
Her laugh grated on Hari's nerves. Then the woman leaned forward so her lips were right against Hari's ears.
"Why would I pursue a battle angel when I can take a princess?"
Shan's eyes widened in horror. She leapt forward at full speed. "Hari!" she screamed.
But it was too late. With a victorious laugh, the woman teleported, taking Hari with her. Hari had just enough time to lock eyes with Shan's before she was gone.
The next thing Hari saw was stone. She was shoved roughly to the floor where she landed with a pained yell. Her arms scraped painfully on the stone floor, but she was too pissed to care about that. Hari leapt to her feet and turned around to glare at her captor. She stood tall and poised, her pride as a princess refusing to let her cower at her situation.
"You know not what you have done," she said coldly. "You have brought the wrath of Satan himself upon you."
Unimpressed, her captor shrugged and began walking to the large iron door that marked the only entrance. She unlocked the door with her magic before opening it. Hari watched with narrowed eyes, not bothering to try and overpower her as she knew it was useless. The woman knew this too, as she laughed victoriously.
"Heres capta est," she said cruelly before closing the door.
After a few moments of stunned silence, Hari began to tremble. "The heir is taken," she whispered.
She stared at the door in disbelief. Her legs began to wobble and she fell to her knees. Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She was a princess, and a princess didn't crumble to pieces over a little thing like a kidnapping.
An amused chuckle alerted Hari to the fact that she wasn't alone. Hari's head whirled around. Sitting in the corner was a hunched over figure, dressed in a tattered old robe. Hari cautiously got to her feet and approached.
"Who are you?" Hari asked. "Where are we?"
With another chuckle, the figure stood. The hood was drawn back and Hari was found gaping at a painfully familiar old face.
"It's about time you showed up," the Witch of the East smirked. "Now, we can finally get to work."