Harriet: From Solitude to Slayers

Chapter 6: Shadows of the Forest

Teddy, now twelve, had grown into a remarkable young boy. His agility with the sword was impressive for his age, and his curiosity often led him to ask questions no one else thought of. Harriet, proud of her adoptive son, allowed him to help with the younger children in the village, teaching them the basics of swordsmanship. Though he was still learning himself, he had a natural gift for guiding others, and the children looked up to him with admiration.

"Keep your grip firm but not too tight," Teddy instructed as he stood beside a small group of children, demonstrating the proper way to hold their wisteria-imbued swords. His voice, calm and steady, carried the authority Harriet had passed on to him through years of careful guidance. "The sword should feel like an extension of your arm, not a weight you're struggling to control."

Harriet watched from a short distance, her heart swelling with pride. Teddy had become so much more than the scared boy she had found years ago. His resolve, his compassion, and even his wisdom exceeded his age.

He's going to be stronger than even he knows, Harriet thought, a smile tugging at her lips. But beneath her pride lay an ever-present worry. He needs to learn to control his magic.

At night, in the quiet of their home, Harriet took the time to teach Teddy how to harness the power within him. His unique ability as a Metamorphmagus—a rare magic that allowed him to change his appearance at will—was powerful but dangerous if left unchecked. And lately, there had been signs that his emotions were starting to affect it.

"You need to focus, Teddy," Harriet said softly one evening as they sat together in the candlelit room. A gentle, calming aura surrounded her as she guided him through their lesson. "The magic inside you is strong, but without control, it can lead you into trouble. The wand isn't what channels your power—it's your mind. Focus on your breathing."

Teddy closed his eyes, trying to steady the fluttering anxiety that often came when he thought about his powers. He had always been curious, always eager to explore the limits of what he could do, but now, for the first time, he felt a strange fear about it. His abilities were unique in the village, even among those trained in both combat and magic. And the weight of that difference, combined with the looming threat of demons, weighed heavily on his young shoulders.

A few nights later, Teddy's curiosity got the better of him.

The village, always so lively during the day, fell into a peaceful quiet at night. The barrier surrounding the Refuge glowed faintly, providing a sense of security. But Teddy's adventurous spirit was hard to contain, and that night, he felt an irresistible pull toward the mysterious forest beyond the village's edge.

I'll just take a quick look, Teddy thought as he slipped out of his bed, careful not to wake Harriet. He moved silently through the house, the moonlight casting long shadows across the floor. As he crept past the barrier, a sense of excitement and nervousness filled him. He had always wanted to see more of the world beyond the village, to understand what dangers truly lay in wait.

The forest was dense, the trees towering overhead like silent sentinels. Teddy moved through the underbrush cautiously, his senses alert. The deeper he ventured, the more uneasy he felt. The night air seemed thicker here, the darkness pressing in on him from all sides.

Suddenly, he heard movement—a soft rustle in the bushes. Teddy froze, his heart hammering in his chest. His hand instinctively reached for the small sword Harriet had given him for protection.

What was that? He could feel his pulse quickening, and with it, his emotions spiraled out of control. His magic—his Metamorphmagus powers—reacted to his fear. Before he knew it, his appearance began to shift uncontrollably. His eyes, normally a soft brown, flickered between shades of deep red and his hair, dark and curly, paled to a ghostly white.

Before Teddy could get a grip on his magic, two figures emerged from the shadows, their presence both awe-inspiring and terrifying. The towering figure of Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira, stood like an immovable wall, his massive frame blocking out the moonlight. Beside him, Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira, her vibrant pink and green hair flowing in the wind, gazed at Teddy with wide, astonished eyes.

"A demon!" Mitsuri gasped, stepping back slightly, her hand instinctively gripping the hilt of her blade. "But... there's something strange about him."

Gyomei, though blind, sensed the chaos within Teddy. His hand rested on his enormous spiked flail, but he did not move to strike. "There is an aura of confusion around him," Gyomei said in his deep, calm voice. "He is not like the others."

Teddy, overwhelmed with fear and panic, tried to speak, but his voice caught in his throat. His magic continued to spiral out of control, his features warping in and out of monstrous forms. The pressure in his chest grew unbearable. He wanted to explain, to tell them he wasn't a demon, but nothing came out.

Mitsuri's gaze softened as she lowered her sword slightly. "Wait, Gyomei... something's wrong. He's not attacking."

"That doesn't mean he isn't dangerous," Gyomei warned, his voice stern. "But... I agree. There is something we don't yet understand." He extended his hand forward, and with surprising gentleness, he approached Teddy. "We will not harm you. But you must come with us."

Unable to resist, too terrified to think clearly, Teddy was captured. His fear broke the last remnants of the magical barrier Harriet had placed on him to conceal his powers. His appearance stabilized briefly into a form that could easily be mistaken for a demon. With heavy chains, Mitsuri and Gyomei bound him, taking no chances.

Back at the Refuge, Harriet stirred from her sleep with an unsettling feeling in her chest. She had been vigilant over the years, honing her instincts, and now something was wrong. Without hesitation, she rose and moved through the village, her senses heightened.

"Teddy?" she called softly as she entered his room. But her heart sank when she found the bed empty.

No... not now, Harriet's mind raced as she checked every corner of the house and then beyond it. Panic surged through her. Teddy... where are you?

By dawn, she had rallied the village. A small group gathered around her, their expressions serious. She moved with precision, delegating tasks and establishing a temporary leader in her absence—an elder villager who had earned her trust over the years.

"I'm leaving you in charge," Harriet told the elder. "Keep the village safe. Strengthen the barriers. I need to find Teddy."

Her heart heavy with worry, Harriet set out into the forest, her thoughts a storm of fear and determination. She had trained the villagers to be strong, to protect their home, but right now, her focus was entirely on finding Teddy. She couldn't lose him—not now, not after all they had been through together.

As she ventured deeper into the forest, a single, ominous thought haunted her.

The Hashira...