𝒦𝑒𝑒𝓅𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒴𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒫𝓇𝑜𝓂𝒾𝓈𝑒 | Katsuki Bakugo x OC

Chapter 25 - The Dark Horsemen

Ayane

The chill I felt when leaving the fortress was no fluke. I realize that when I see the glint of ice in the distance: the power that resides within the Todokoro bloodline.

Chaos riddles outside the castle walls. Fire blazes atop the straw roofs. Children cry for their mothers and mothers fight the enemy soldiers that attack their homes. And the soldiers of Okuninushi trample in their metal and glowing armor, to and from the large wooden gates.

They are just in view. The tall engraved doors in their grandiose stature standing with unwavering strength. I run, as fast as my legs can take me, despite the burn, despite the way my lungs burn from how fast I have run. I run until I reach the entrance of the gates.

However, when I finally reach them, I am met with Sir Mori and his quartet.

His eyes blow fire when he recognizes my form. He stomps forward, each hand gripping on a hilt on either side of his waist, and his lips contorting into a prominent grimace.

"You have been banished from the castle grounds," he hollers over the screams of pain and agony, "You are not welcome inside!"

I try to dodge him but he halts me with his sword. His quartet surrounds me, their blades just a finger away from my skin.

They still view me as a threat. I cannot blame them.

"We are under siege, Sir Mori," I heave as my breath continues to fail me, "You think holding back one of the most skilled from the royal guard is wise?"

He scoffs, pressing the tip of his blade against my sternum. Any more pressure than he'd be breaching skin, "I think holding back the crown princess from the lands that have waged war on us is more than enough of a reason."

"You don't understand!" I grit, "Kou- The king's life is in danger!"

A shadow falls on his face. "Is that a threat?"

"No- I've received word that assassins of Emperor Touka Todokoro have breached Okununishsi's borders."

His eyes seem to widen as he absorbs the truth I have spoken. Then, his stature changes. It's firmer, more on guard. And while he becomes a pillar of strength, his men all hesitate with their swords, the tips quivering, like leaves in the wind, despite hovering so close to my person.

"Emperor Touka? Where did you-"

The ground trembles. Then a painful roar shakes the walls.

And it is like the earth gasps air when ice blankets the gates.

Tobio was right when he said Touka would strike on the night of the full moon.

We all watch in horror, in amazement too, as the summer breeze becomes a frigid blast of winter wind.

"The Emperor is here." I breathe in surprise. "Noritaka," I plead, "Let me through. I can distract him from Kousuke. Please."

He glances at me, then to his men. A single nod and their swords lower.

"I'm coming with you." He steps aside, handing me one of his swords, the same sword I'd first dueled with him, and opening the smaller gate for knights to use. "Don't break the little trust I'm giving you."

"I won't. I swear it."

We run through the narrow dim lit path. The world shakes as our footsteps echo through the walls, dust billows, and pebbles jump.

If the outer town was in chaos, then the citadel has become a disaster—as though the final day of this world has come.

Townsmen have started to flee the castle's entrance. Some men, women, and children cry and weep as they see their homes burn. Others grab forks and spikes, while those with knowledge of the mystics wield their powers. Organized in lines, they march towards the chaos.