Legend of Twin Princesses

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Rei quietly was sitting on her bed, observing the view outside. The shikigami won’t respond to her and her strength still not enough for her to stand up.
“Princess Rei, someone wants to talk to you.” An attendant said as she cleaned Rei’s side table.
“Let him in.” Rei replied without looking at the attendant.
Hikari entered the room. She was sweating profusely and was shaking as she approached her sister.
“Are you alright?”
Rei glared at her, “What are you doing here? Are you going to rub it in?”
Hikari kneeled at her while looking at her straight to the eye, “I just wanted to check on you.”
“Look. I don’t need your pity.” The elder twin princess responded, “Spare me that attitude of yours.”
“I’m sorry…”
“Enough! You’re here to look down on me like what you always do.” Rei growled as she threw a plate in her sister’s direction. Hikari caught the object safely.
“Do you really think it that way?” Hikari asked with a shaky voice, “I am here to apologize about what happened to the tournament. I tried to hold back but…”
“And now you’re telling me that you are holding back?! Are you looking down on me that much?!”
“...”
Rei looked away as she cried, “Now leave. Your presence disturbs my place.”
“But...” Hikari tried to hold her sister but received a slap in return.
“I SAID LEAVE!”
Left with no choice against her hysterical sister, she stepped out.
“I WILL DEFEAT YOU SOMEDAY!” Rei yelled as her sister disappeared from her sight.


“Rei still not have forgiven me about what happened yesterday, mother.” Hikari reported as she sat down in the queen’s garden together with Sayuri.
Sayuri took a sip of her tea as she replied, “Dwell little about it. We all know how your sister hates you. It’s going to be useless.”
Hikari sighed, “I’m sorry I lied to you yesterday. I never meant to win the entire tournament...”
“No, don’t say that. You have saved our lives when Spira made an appearance.” Sayuri replied as she pulled the sword she had hidden the day before. “I’m going to give this back to you. With that bitch’s suddenly showing herself up, who knows. She might attack us once we are vulnerable.”
“She also visited me in the players’ hall yesterday. She mentioned about the shikigami being corrupted.” Hikari said.
Sayuri smirked. She knew it is a bad sign when she found out about how Rei got the shikigami. Spira intended to create chaos using Rei’s hatred for her sister. Damage has been done and all she could do is to stop it before it could be irreversible.
Before the queen could speak, a blue light burst from Rei’s bedroom followed by an attendant’s scream. Wasting no time, both Sayuri and Hikari rushed to the scene. Both were stunned at the sight of Rei being naked and the bandages flying around and sticking like spider’s web all over the place. They also noticed the elder twin princess’ hair turned to white and her eye colors reversed.
“M-mother, help me!” Rei’s cried in a distorted voice.
The bandages swiveled and now flew towards the queen, but Hikari went in front of her. She tried to cut the bandages with her sword, but it wound around her and instantly wrapping her from neck to toe. 
“I can’t control it!” the elder twin princess yelled as it continued to show more bandages.
Hikari used water enchant to weaken the bandages to the point that she was able to escape by muscle strength alone.
“You’re alright?” Sayuri asked.
“I’m fine, mother. What about her?” Hikari answered.
Sayuri pulled out some paper seals from her kimono.
“Looks like what Spira told you was true. Now I will need your help.”
Hikari prepared her sword as the queen prepared the seals.
“These seals will probably gain the shikigami’s attention. I need you to distract her while I do this. Feel free to knock her out if you can but don’t go risk yourself.” Sayuri instructed.
Hikari nodded as the queen started the incantation. She disappeared and reappeared in front of Rei but the bandages formed a wall to stop her attack.
“You got some guts, little bitch.” A distorted voice called. 
The younger princess glared at the person in front of her. She knows this is not her sister this time, rather a living manifestation of the shikigami.
“You think you can stop us?” the shikigami responded as she flung more bandages towards Hikari. Upon seeing this, Hikari moved quickly using her lightning enchant to avoid it. However, with the room being cramped, the younger princess got caught immediately. Shikigami wasted no time to add layers to the wrappings covering Hikari until only bits of her hair were visible.
Hikari tried to use her water enchant but realized that by doing so, would have drowned herself. Struggling to get air, she tried to contort her body, but the bandages held her tight. She could only moan to get Sayuri’s attention.
“!!!” Shikigami stopped after noticing a seal embedded in her chest. Her magic power started to wane and the bandages all over the place began to retract. However, she managed to cut off her bandages from the fully mummified princess to prevent the seal to release her.
“You may have won this time, old hag. But I’m not going down without a fight.” Shikigami said as she slowly transformed back to Rei. Sayuri immediately tended to Hikari whose body still wrapped up and now struggling to breathe. She carefully removed the bandages from her nose but felt her magic power not enough to completely remove the rest.
She glanced at Rei, who was barely conscious and getting wrapped up as well by the shikigami. She immediately carried the elder princess back to her bed.
“M-mother, what happened?” Rei asked as she clutched her chest.
Sayuri smiled at her, “Don’t you worry. It’s alright.” She said as she caressed her hair.
“I-I lost control of the shikigami…” the elder princess replied as she stared at the queen in tears, “I am so afraid…”
“Sssh. It’s alright. Take a rest. I’ll be back.” The queen said as she stood up and picked Hikari.
“What happened to her?” Rei asked.
“The shikigami tied her up like this before transforming you back. This going to be tough.” Sayuri answered before she left the room.
Rei smiled as she closed her eyes to rest.


Where am I? Hikari opened her eyes and saw herself floating in a black void naked.
Hello, little bitch. A familiar voice spoke. Welcome to my realm.
Hikari felt her body going numb as the shikigami appeared in front of her.
Don’t you try to escape. You will be dead soon, anyway. The shikigami said while grinning.
Hikari tried to speak but her mouth won’t open. As the shikigami approached her, she felt she is running out of breath.
I told the old hag that I’m going to take you away after being defeated.
The princess tried to move a finger but in vain. The shikigami held her head and kissed her lips.
The wrappings I have for you are very suitable for this situation. If you will not die suffocating, you will be dying a slow and painful death of dehydration. Isn’t that magnificent?
Hikari glared at her as she felt her heartbeat going slowly. Suddenly she felt something removed from her nose and can breathe.
The shikigami clicked her tongue as she saw a ray of light coming from a hole.
Guess your old hag figured it out. You’re lucky… for now.
“Hikari?” Sayuri called out.
The younger twin princess opened her eyes. She found herself in bed and the queen is beside her, sweating a lot and with scattered talismans around her.
She noticed as well that she can only move her head. The rest of the body still wrapped in bandages. Her crossed arms causing her great discomfort in breathing.
“Mother... Is Rei alright?” she asked.
Sayuri shook her head as she answered, “I managed to seal the shikigami temporarily. Rei is alright. How about you?”
“I can’t move. I feel like I’m inside a cocoon or something.”
“Can you cast your water enchant?”
Hikari tried but nothing happened.
“Mother, looks like my magic power is being drained.”
“I’m sorry, Hikari. Looks like it will be difficulty to get you out. That shikigami is feeding on your magic power.” Sayuri said as she sat down and caressed her forehead.
“I can wait, mother.” Hikari replied in a somber tone.
“I will do my best to get you out of here as fast as I can. I will need to rest for me to be able to recover my magic power and remove this for you.” Sayuri said as she stood up and left.
Hikari stared at the ceiling for a long time. Finding peace despite of her predicament, she chose to relish the feeling of being bundled.
“Look at that. What a pitiful sight.” Rei said as she entered the room.
Hikari looked at where the voice came from. Rei is all dressed up as if nothing happened.
“You look like you’re going for a funeral… as a corpse.” The elder twin princess teased, “How does it feel?”
Hikari can only glare at her sister as the latter approached.
“What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?”
“…”
“Don’t you worry, little girl. This is just a start of the torment I’m going to give you.” Rei said as she sat beside her. She put her hand on her sister’s neck as if checking her pulse, “I have the shikigami’s powers. Just a little of training and I’ll definitely be defeating you.”
Hikari sighed as she looked away from her sister. Rei let out a chuckle before reaching to her midsection.
“I will make sure this will keep you company for a long time.”
She slipped an ivory egg-shaped orb to Hikari’s midsection. The orb, as if precisely guided, tried to enter her sex. Feeling violated, Hikari thrashed around the bed but it only helped the orb to burrow itself inside her. She tried to eject the offending object, but the bandages also burrowed to her nether region to prevent it. The orb entered deeper until it reached almost near her womb.
Hikari tried her best to stay focused on getting the orb out of her body. Tensions built up in her nether regions as the orb vibrated. With the sudden change in her predicament and exhaustion of her magic power, she stopped struggling and could only gasp as she felt she was going to explode. Rei saw this and immediately sealed her lips to prevent her from screaming. 
“Now I feel I have done my part. Enjoy!” the elder princess teased as she kissed her sister’s sealed lips before leaving the room.
Hikari twitched and gyrate as the orb continued its vibration inside her. Her focus dwindled as she felt heat near her womb and a moment later, orgasm came and despite of the pain of her body being wrapped up, she felt pleasure. The seemingly never-ending cycle continued to wreck her concentration until she decided to give up and continue ‘exploding’.
It was the next morning she noticed that the bandages got drenched in her sweat and sexual juices. Although she can feel she can get out of her predicament, she exhausted herself to the point she can’t even move a muscle. She no longer feels the orb inside her and the numbness in her nether regions disappeared. She decided to roll to fall down from the bed and destroy the bandages. This caught the attention of the queen who hurriedly went to her room.
“Looks like you’re able to use magic now.” Sayuri commented as she cut off the bandages.
“It’s not, mother. Rather these bandages have gone weaker due to sweat.” Hikari replied.
“Is everything alright?” the queen asked as she could cut the last of the bandages.
Hikari nodded. She couldn’t discuss her ordeal without having her sister involved. She tried to stand, and the queen helped her.
“I know you have burnt a lot of strength and magic power so please, I want you to rest.” Sayuri said.
Hikari held her hand and replied, “I thank you, dear mother.”
The queen called an attendant to arrange her bed and got her something to wear before leaving.
“Watch out for your sister from now on. That shikigami can bust out of her at any moment.”


Two days later…
“Are you sure about that decision, my queen?” Eichiro asked. The queen had a serious face and her hands together around her mouth and fingers interlocked. 
“I am sure that it will happen. You know how the sisters hate each other. You know how bad it will be eventually,” Sayuri replied.
“If we do declare the next queen that way, would we be in trouble with the Yamagawa and Nova Aeris for the plans against The Blanks?” Eichiro inquired as he looked at a scroll that contains a public match between Rei and Hikari for the position of the queen.
Sayuri chuckled, “It’s fine. Besides, my only problem is with Rei. If she’s to be ready for the responsibility, that match will teach her discipline for using that living weapon win or lose. If Hikari wins, Rei will be under control.”
The king consort crossed his arms as he sighed. He glanced at the queen for a bit as he signed the scroll.
“Hope this one’s worth it, my queen.”


News spread like wildfire around Matsumoto. The duel between the princesses has attracted lots of attention than the fireworks festival tournament.
“Mother, did I hear it right? Who wins the duel will be the next queen?” Rei asked as she slapped the table. The queen delivered the message to her.
Sayuri sighed as she leaned on the wall, “You heard it right, my child. You see, I may look young but the responsibilities are too much to handle for my age.”
Rei glared at her, unconvinced by the queen’s explanation, “But mother, do we have to let everybody know about this? I mean, by birthright, the firstborn should be the rightful heir, right?”
“Now hush, my child. I want the next queen to prove to me that she is ready for the responsibility, can lead this kingdom to greatness, and can be victorious to the challenges that may arise.” Sayuri explained while folding some papers into planes.
“Is Hikari already informed about this?” Rei asked.
“Of course, yes. She initially declined for the same reason you mentioned. It took me a while before I can convince her.” The queen answered, followed by a chuckle, “Now, are you up or not?”
Rei stood up and glared at the queen, “If she will stand up and fight, then I’ll do the same.”
“Very well. I’ll be expecting both of you to be appearing on the arena by dawn. Get yourself plenty of rest.” Sayuri said as she walked away.
The elder princess sighed as she lied to her bed and fell asleep.
Shikigami?
Yes, master?
You’re going to help me out?
Of course, master! I heard everything. I can’t wait to give ‘er pain.
Then it’s going to be fun tomorrow.

That next morning, the arena seats were already filled with citizens of Matsumoto. Most of them were interested in what is going to happen between the twin princesses. Almost all of them were rooting for Hikari who just won the tournament just days before.
“Why is there a need for a duel it’s obvious that princess Hikari is superior?”
“Her way of thinking is beyond her age. Therefore, it should be princess Hikari.”
“I agree. Princess Rei however, is also has helped our soldiers in expanding the territory.”
“Why in the world did the queen host this tournament?”
Everybody in the side froze when the queen and king consort made their appearance. As they reached the center of the arena, all bowed and went silent.
“My dear citizens of Matsumoto...” Sayuri spoke, “I am in front of you now to tell you all about this event.”
The audience lifted their heads as Sayuri continued,
“As you have known, there are currently two princesses of this kingdom, Rei and Hikari. They have gone throughout the hardships to earn their keep as the inheritor of Matsumoto’s will. They may be opposite sides of a coin, Rei, the firstborn, has helped us extending our lands through sheer force of will, pragmatism and strength.”
Rei approached them two. She was wearing a blue kimono off-shoulder, carrying a bunch of bird-shaped origami clumped together and her hands covered in bandages.
The king consort continued the speech, “Hikari, the last born of the twins, has also done a lot of things. Her way of diplomacy and negotiation has helped us bolster our army and expand our territory. Her achievement in the recent tournament and her ideas of peace has garnered attention of the other leaders, making us a better alliance against our common enemy, the empire of The Blanks.”
Hikari entered the arena from the other side. She wore the outfit she used on her final match against Kei and noticeably carried two swords. The audience cheered as she made her way to the queen and king consort.
“This day, there will be a duel. The winner of this match will be declared as the heir apparent to the throne. She takes all and the loser will serve as her guardian.” The king consort declared.
The twin princesses approached each other. Despite of her intense hate against her younger sister, Rei silently bowed and shook her hand. Hikari repaid the gesture by doing the same. They bowed to Sayuri and Eichiro then the crowd, before returning to their positions.
The king consort raised his hand and asked the girls, “Both of you, anything to say?”
Hikari shook her head as she prepared for her stance. 
“I will defeat you for humiliating me.” Rei answered as she removed her kimono, revealing her form-fitting suit almost similar to Kei’s ninja outfit and the bandages on all her four limbs. The audience gasped in awe on sight.
As Eichiro signalled the match to begin, Hikari uncovered one of her two swords. Her lightning enchant gave her a burst of speed to the point that she disappeared and reappeared a few inches away from Rei and attacked. Guided by her reflexes and instinct, the elder twin princess barely blocked the attack using her bandage-covered arms.
“The hell was that? Those bandages are made of steel?” 
“Whoa, she barely blocked her!”
“Princess Hikari is fast!”
“Tch.” Rei scowled as she pushed Hikari back and grabbed her origami. After a brief incantation, the origami scattered and glowed red. Hikari responded by raising her arm and casts wind barrier as the origami approached with haste. 
“Fancy explosives…” the younger twin princess commented as all the origami exploded few meters before reaching her. As the smoke cleared, she smiled as she saw Rei charging to her carrying a spear made of her shikigami.
The elder twin princess unleashed a barrage of thrusts. Hikari still having her lightning enchant blocked her with the tip of her sword causing Rei to hurt her wrist, effectively disarming her.
“You!” Rei exclaimed as she flung a bunch of paper planes towards her sister.
Hikari saw it all. Her sword glowed and in a quick moment, she fired waves of water. The paper planes disintegrated on its path. Rei quickly added more projectiles but got hit. As she tried to block the next attack, she noticed her shikigami won’t form anything through her arm because she was wet.
“It’s useless…” Hikari commented, “Wet papers will form by now. Please surrender.”
Rei did another incantation. The bandages emitted a blue light and she could form a sword.
“I know you would say that.” The elder twin princess replied as she jumped forward to attack. Hikari blocked all of her attacks with ease, then retaliated by summoning a ball of water and throwing it at her. Despite of being completely wet, Rei continued to attack as the sword she formed appeared not to be affected by water.
“Hmph, interesting…” Hikari said as she dodged and blocked Rei’s attacks. She found an opening and successfully countered by kicking her opponent in the gut. However, instead of knocking her out, she leaped back as the elder twin princess staggered.
Hikari, you’re really foolish. You should have taken the chance. The queen thought while crossing her arms.
Rei peeled the bandage in her hand and let it drop on the floor. As if guided by the wind, the bandages straightened and darted towards her sister. She was stunned when she saw the bandages burned before even reaching her target. Hikari quickly drew her other sword after putting the first one back to its scabbard. She tried to throw paper planes forward but none of them even reached far. She noticed almost too late that the flames that burned her papers are approaching and dodged just within a hair’s breadth.
“Fire, huh?” Rei said as her bandages glowed red, “I can absorb that too!”
Hikari generated a sword beam with fire enchant as Rei threw paper blades. The blades penetrated the other projectile but got deflected when the younger princess blocked. The audience sighed in awe upon seeing both princesses were even in terms of skill.
“Whoa! Those papers are dangerous!”
“Those papers are resistant to water and now fire? I don’t understand.”
“Princess Rei is much powerful than I thought.”
Impressive. It must be that shikigami helping her and not through studying her own weapon. Sayuri told herself. 
“What else can you do now, little girl?” Rei taunted as she formed a fan using her bandages, “I can block whatever magic you want-”
The elder princess could not finish her taunt when Hikari appeared a few meters from her with both swords out. Rei could only protect herself by forming a wall but could not block the incoming attack. The paper wall melted like butter, giving the younger princess a window to generate a whirlwind that blew her away.
“Wha- !!”
As the vacuum of wind caused Rei to be afloat, Hikari struck with both swords. Since two distinct elements imbued her weapons, she was able to tear the bandages protecting her opponent’s limbs. Reversing her grip of her swords, she swung them in mid-air, causing the elder princess to plummet face first.
Hikari quickly put her swords back to their scabbards as she saw her opponent trying to stand.
“Surrender now, sister. I will not hesitate to finish this if you still -”
“SHUT UP! LITTLE BITCH!”
Sayuri was wide-eyed when she saw Rei transforming into Shikigami again. It was then she realized, during that last attack, it might have shredded the seal together with the bandages. 
Hikari fired waves of magic using both her swords, but Shikigami finished her transformation before she hit her. Her energy deflected the waves without moving.
“HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT, LITTLE BITCH?”
“Shikigami?” the younger princess asked.
“Indeed. Did you miss me?” Shikigami replied as she fired paper blades.
Hikari didn’t answer as she closed her eyes and crossed her arms with her swords. Shikigami formed a drill on her arm and charged forward. Before she got nearer, the younger princess formed a whirlwind around herself, causing the Shikigami to hesitate and jump back.
“You may have caught me last time because we fought in a small room, Shikigami. Now it’s my turn!” Hikari exclaimed.
Shikigami chuckled, “Oh that? Don’t you worry. I can simply just force you to fight us in a small area.” She replied as she flung a mass of bandages all over the place. Guided by her magic, the bandages encircled themselves, forming a small dome-like barrier and blocking everybody in the arena from seeing what’s inside and limiting her opponent’s area of movement
Hikari glared at her opponent. Now that the area became enclosed, she knew she had only one chance to escape.
“Now little bitch. How do you like it?” Shikigami asked, “I think this will be appropriate. You will die before anybody can see you.”
“Not bad…” the younger princess replied as she prepared her twin swords.
“Hey little bitch, you should be in despair by now. This area is now under mine. As long as you are here, your magic power is being suppressed.” Shikigami spoke as she pointed her hand to her opponent.
Hikari smiled silently as she prepared for her stance.
“DON’T YOU FEEL AFRAID? DESPAIR?! YOU STILL SMILED DESPITE AT THE END OF A BURNING ROPE?! WHAT KIND OF HUMAN ARE YOU?!” The possessed elder princess yelled as she charged towards her opponent.
“You can only suppress magic power based on your host, Shikigami. And I think you’re over your head when you think you could suppress more power than you can handle.” Hikari said as her swords emitted blue and red light.
“W-wait a minute, you mean you have more magic power now?” Shikigami asked as she stopped and regained her composure.
“Who knows?”
The younger princess swung her swords, generating sword beams of water and fire. With limited room to move, Shikigami attempted to block the incoming projectile but found out it was stronger than the once thrown earlier and was pushed back.
“You! HOW COULD YOU GAIN SUCH POWER IN A SHORT TIME?!” Shikigami growled.
Hikari didn’t answer as she swung her swords repeatedly and wildly at her opponent. Moments later, the dome cracked until the barrier broke to the awe of the audience. Shikigami staggered as the younger princess appeared right in front of her and struck with a single stroke of both swords, sending her into air for a few seconds.
“I am going to finish this, Shikigami. Surrender now and you and your host shall live.”
Shikigami could only look at the younger princess. Her hand trembling as Hikari maintained her stance and raised her swords.
“Shikigami, you really are persistent. Guess that may be the reason why my sister chose you.” The younger princess spoke.
“Die BITCH!” Shikigami shouted, as she formed a blade from her arm and stabbed her opponent. It stunned her when she saw it’s not blood coming out of the wound she inflicted but water… a sizzling one. The form of the princess she stabbed exploded into hot water, splashing her and leaving her defenseless.
“How cheap!” Shikigami yelled as she tried to open her eyes.
“Cheap, but you fell for it twice?” Hikari taunted from behind as she held her head.
“T-twice? What do you mean?”
“…” Hikari lifted her opponent in the head. As Shikigami struggled to escape, a whirlwind formed around her. The younger princess held her tight as the whirlwind got intense to the point that dust blew all over the place.
Few seconds later, the arena got clear and the audience gasped in shock and awe as they saw the younger princess standing as if nothing happened and the Shikigami struggling to stand.
“That stings!”
Hikari glared at her as Shikigami began to transform back to Rei.
“That’s it. I’m going to get her back now. But know this little bitch, we’re going to get you someday!” she shouted as her hair went back to black and her pale white skin returned to normal. As the transformation completed, Rei fainted.
Hikari approached her unconscious sister with a grim look on her face. She knelt and cradled Rei gently as she could. As the crowd cheered for her, her tears dropped silently. She lifted her head as she saw the queen and the king consort coming.
“Hikari, last born of the twins. You have done well.” Eichiro said.
The younger princess laid Rei down and bowed in front of them.
“Rejoice, citizens of Matsumoto. We now have our crown princess, the White Hare, Princess Hikari.” Sayuri announced. She faced Hikari who has a noticeable frown on her face, “I know it was difficult for you. But starting today, toughen up, both physically, mentally and emotionally.”
Hikari wiped her tears as she stood and looked around as the cheers went wild for the rest of the day.


“Have you done your mission, lady Spira?” a cloaked figure asked as he took a sip from his cup.
“Indeed, milord. The shikigami has been corrupted and given to the elder twin princess of Matsumoto.” Spira replied while she took a seat without bowing down. The cloaked figure showed his head, revealing to be lord Anuth of The Blanks.
“How insolent, bandit queen. To think you were just a hired muscle by our lord Anuth, you think you are higher than us not to bow and show respect.” Another cloaked figure said.
“Calm down, general Balrog. She is free to do what she pleases.” Anuth spoke. Balrog bowed down and stepped back. He faces Spira again, “However, the elder princess still failed on causing havoc to that kingdom, milady.”
Spira chuckled, “Indeed milord. She lacked training so I really don’t expect her to win against her sister and Queen Sayuri.”
“Why would you let the weaker princess have it?” Anuth asked as he rested his head on one hand.
“The shikigami is picky. She looks for a person she could easily manipulate. The elder princess has grudges against her sister and bears a desire to become powerful. I think you know the rest.” The bandit leader explained.
Anuth could only smile as he looked at the window as he spoke, “Very well, milady. This is a big gamble that I ever done. I hope you know the consequences if we don’t see any progress on Matsumoto.”
“Of course, milord. I really appreciate that you trusted me.” Spira replied as she stood up.
“I didn’t say I trust you. But I sure do love it when you do your thing, Spira.” The emperor said as he signalled a soldier to escort the bandit leader, “I hope you and I could be more than just the emperor and the mercenary relationship, milady.”
As the bandit leader left, Balrog approached the emperor.
“Can we trust her?”
“General Balrog, you know I always wanted to have things my way. Trusting her is not an issue.” Anuth replied as he took the last of his meal.
“Besides, it will be best to see the royal family deal with a troublesome pest before we proceed. I would like to see the queen’s face before everything falls in front of her.”