Fates Entwined (A TodoBaku ff) ✔

LX

"Wake up, princess."

Shoto frowned at whoever was trying to disturb his sleep. He weakly batted at the hand on his shoulder, turning further on his side and resting atop the comfy cushions and blankets underneath him. A quiet chuckle caught his attention, but the hand soon returned to shake him again.

"Oi, ya gotta wake up sweetheart. He ain't gonna wait until you've had ya beauty sleep."

Shoto retorted with something that sounded like a weak curse and a 'shut up', trying to delay that feeling of dread that began to seep through his body as he became more awake. He sighed, taking in the sweet spiced scent that rested atop the blankets, letting it comfort him before he forced his eyes to open. Today was the day, after all.

"Morning." Katsuki greeted, looking down at where Shoto was now realising he was using the man's arm as his personal pillow.

"The sun hasn't yet risen." Shoto caught a glimpse of the moon still in her descent in the sky, only just beginning to dip into the horizon line. Clouds scattered the sky, hiding away the twinkling stars as if to protect them from the horrific sights that the day would bring.

"We gotta make sure the fight is far from the villages, the border will be our defensive barrier, remember?"

Shoto remembered, of course. The plan was to meet Enji just beyond the edge of the Edalian Forest, at the same wide expanse of hills and open grass that Shoto saw when he found himself lost in Tapsken. It was a large space, and there was little fauna and flora to be damaged by the fighting due to the lack of forestry and traces of winter weather. Having the forest as their back defence would mean little chance of a surprise attack from behind, and they were far enough away from the closest villages scattered throughout the Tribes that Katsuki's people would remain safe. 

Whilst this was their best defence, it also meant having to rise before the sun to reach the battleground before Shoto's father. It would reduce their energy, walking that distance with their weapons and supplies for emergency treatment and so on, but it was the best way to keep the people safe and help protect nature and her inhabitants. 

With a weak groan Shoto pushed himself up, looking at his friends who lay resting around them. Katsuki went to light the fire, reigniting the few sparking embers that remained before they began waking everyone else up. Some woke up easier than others. Kirishima woke quickly, his energy bright in a way that Shoto could not tell was due to him wanting to encourage their friends or to hide his nerves. Shinsou was slow to wake, the dark circles under his eyes were as prominent as ever likely due to a disturbed sleep. Shoto could understand, but he was thankful that with Katsuki he was able to sleep peacefully, feeling safe. 

Once they were all awake Iida and Sero went to wake the soldiers, everyone beginning to wash and dress for battle. There was a tense and solemn silence that lingered throughout the castle, one that permeated and thickened the air as Shoto dressed alone in his room, eyes always looking back out onto the now desolate lands outside. As more and more people collected in the hall, Shoto could see the different battle armours and weapons native to the different kingdoms. 

Iida wore the traditional knight armour from Endeavour, silver and gleaming and polished to perfection. From an outsider's perspective it looked heavy and clunky, yet anyone who wore it knew it was specially designed by one of the key forgers of Endeavour, Mei Hatsume, who assured all of the king's soldiers would have utmost protection and flexibility. 

Shinsou and his soldiers did not wear much armour, only pads on their vital points made out of a gleaming black metal that seemed to melt into their bodies, moving fluidly with each limb. Despite the array of weapons between them, each soldier wore a collection of different obsidian knives perfectly matched to their cat-eyed precision.