Ethereal ◆ Shoto Todoroki x Reader

The Dead King's Heir

◆ Part 2: Chapter 21 ◆

The Dead King's Heir

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Hiro Mizuki

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After his sister left with Todoroki, Hiro just stood by Katsuki and his guards, not sure what to do or where to go. Everyone is complaining about the darkness and not being able to see, but Hiro's gotten used to it by now.

"Katsuki," Hiro says, "what's happening?"

Katsuki explains the situation for him. "That guard's got some light quirk, so we can see a little bit. Nobody's really doing anything."

"Okay. Thanks."

He shifts on his feet, listening closely to the sounds of the world around him. The shuffling of feet, whispers, and Katsuki's soft breathing.

He can tell the foreign prince is nervous. 

"Katsuki," Hiro whispers, "are you—"

A blast interrupts Hiro's question, and the blind king feels the ground shake. His heart pounds in his ears, and he feels for Kyuen, calling her name.

Someone grabs his arm, pulling him up with a grip that makes his skin sting. He feels Kyuen nudge at his hand, and he pats her head. Her soft fur calms his nerves, but he still hears his heart, erratic and terrified.

He hears someone cough.

"Katsuki?"

"Shut up," he growls, pulling Hiro to the ground. Crawling under a table, his guide dog by his side, Hiro stays quiet. He has no idea what's happening, but he trusts Katsuki. Right now, he has no other choice.

Hiro listens, but the room is quiet. 

The sound of Katsuki's stifled breathing makes him anxious.

Footsteps echo throughout the room.

There's no voices.

Just footsteps.

Breathing.

And the whistle of the wind from outside.

Someone's here, he thinks, but what was that loud noise? 

Why is it so quiet?

They both must be hidden pretty well; he imagines that the tablecloth is shielding them from whoever is outside. 

Hiro stays still, quietly panicking. 

What happened to his sister? And Todoroki? Where is everyone?

A voice breaks through the silence: cold and bored.

"They must be somewhere else," it sighs, "probably ran out with Queen Todoroki and Toga."

Another voice grunts. "Just find them. I don't care how. We've already got the king."

Hiro gasps, Katsuki quickly slapping a hand over his mouth. Thankfully, the imposters don't hear his exclaim, because they leave. He can hear them shut the door and their footsteps fade away.

Hiro pulls Katsuki's hand off of his mouth. "What is happening?"

He can't see the expression on the prince's face, but his voice is strained and fearful. "Everyone. They're all gone."

"What do you mean?"

Bakugo only mutters in response. "What the hell?"

Hiro grabs his friend by the shoulders, snapping his face to his. "Katsuki, what the heck is happening? I heard an explosion."

"They're gone," Katsuki snaps, "they disappeared! They . . . there was smoke and . . . "

Hiro tilts his head. "How?"

"Like hell if I know!"

Hiro climbs out from under the table, a hand laying on Kyuen's back. 

"Calm down, Katsuki," he sighs, "we just have to find them."

"I am calm!"

Hiro sighs, shaking his head. "So they just disappeared? Poofed? Even the guards?"

"Yes, dammit," Katsuki huffs, "you don't believe me?"

"No, I believe you." Hiro smiles. "We just have to find out where they went. Tell me exactly what happened!"

"There was purple smoke. It was almost black," he explains, "It filled the room in an explosion of noise, and everyone disappeared."

Hiro nods slowly. "So this must've been a planned attack. They're probably after King Todoroki."

"You think it's the King Killer?"

"Him or the League," the blind king shrugs, "but wait. This is my sister's . . . "

Katsuki inhales sharply. "They must be after the baby."

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Hiro's shoes clack against the hard floor of the castle as he stumbles along, clutching Katsuki's hand. They're looking for Queen Todoroki, in hopes of reaching her before the King Killer can. 

Katsuki's skin is slick with sweat, although Hiro knows that only helps his quirk. The prince smells of caramel; it's not entirely unpleasant. 

Katsuki leads Hiro through the castle, but then the king has an idea.

"Stop, Katsuki," He huffs, "are there any windows nearby?"

"Yeah?"

"Look at the moon," Hiro explains, letting go of his hand, "tell me what phase it's in."

He listens as Katsuki heads towards a window, opening it and peeking his head outside. 

"It's uh," the prince mutters, "almost full, actually."

Hiro closes his unseeing eyes, smirking. "Perfect."

Clenching his fists and taking a deep breath, the blind king imagines the moon he'll never see again. Silver and shining. Always here, no matter if it's night or day.

The moon is stubborn. It will never abandon. Never leave. Hiro tells himself he will be like that, too. He will survive. He will stay.

He will shine like the moon.

"Hiro?" Katsuki says, taking a step towards the king. His eyes are glowing, and his clenched fists harbor pure light. 

That must be his quirk, he thinks. 

"Take my hand, Katsuki," Hiro says, holding out his uncurled fist.

Katsuki is silent, but he takes it, the warmth of the light held there surprising him.

"Now," Hiro smiles, "be my eyes."

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