Harriet: From Solitude to Slayers

Chapter 14: The Flames of Destiny

The village was quiet under the evening sky when Harriet received the message. It wasn't a letter or a visitor; it was a feeling—a deep, unsettling sense of foreboding. It was Death itself, whispering to her. She had come to understand these cryptic warnings after many years of wielding the mantle of the Master of Death, but this one was more urgent than most.

Rengoku.

His name echoed in her mind like the crackle of fire, a beacon in the darkness. Harriet knew what the warning meant. Rengoku's mission aboard the Mugen Train was more dangerous than anyone realized. The danger wasn't just the usual demons. Death told her about Akaza—an Upper Moon demon, and one of Muzan's most loyal followers. His power was immense, and his orders were clear: kill Rengoku and capture Harriet.

Harriet stood from her desk, her face set in grim determination. Not today, she thought, her resolve unbreakable. She would not allow this brave Hashira, one of the protectors of this world, to meet such a fate.

That night, she prepared herself and made her way to the station where the Mugen Train would soon depart. Alongside her was Rengoku, his ever-bright smile and unwavering confidence a comforting presence despite the looming threat.

"I hear you're coming along with me," Rengoku said with his usual fiery enthusiasm as they boarded the train. "I'll keep you safe, Harriet. No need to worry about me!" His booming laughter filled the air as he moved with purpose, his hand resting on the hilt of his katana.

Harriet couldn't help but smile at his spirit. "I think we'll be keeping each other safe tonight, Rengoku," she responded calmly, but her voice carried the weight of her foresight. She had to keep him alive, no matter the cost.

Once aboard, Harriet and Rengoku settled into the train, their senses heightened. It wasn't long before the doors opened, and Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Nezuko joined them, as expected. The young swordsmen were eager, ready for anything, though they were surprised to see Harriet alongside Rengoku.

"Harriet! You're here too?" Tanjiro exclaimed, his surprise evident, but his smile was warm. "It's good to see you!"

"Yes," Harriet replied, smiling at the sight of them. "Death gave me a little warning about this mission. I thought I'd lend a hand."

Zenitsu's eyes widened with worry, as they always did. "A warning?! Does that mean we're all going to die?!"

"Not if we do our jobs right," Rengoku responded with his usual optimism, his golden eyes gleaming. "No one dies tonight!"

But Harriet knew the real danger hadn't even arrived yet. The train was filled with slumbering passengers, their dreams manipulated by a lower-ranked demon. Soon, they found themselves thrown into dreams—beautiful illusions meant to trap their minds. Harriet was able to break through the spell easily, her years of experience with magic and death making her resistant to such tactics. She freed Tanjiro and the others from their dreams as well, and together, they faced and defeated the first demon.

The battle with the demon controlling the train was fierce, with Rengoku's fiery blade cutting through metal and shadow, Tanjiro and Inosuke working in perfect sync, and Nezuko burning through the demonic flesh that threatened to consume the train. Harriet supported them with her magic, casting defensive barriers and healing minor wounds. Her presence gave the group strength, and soon, the demon was defeated.

But the night was far from over.

As the train came to a halt, the presence Harriet had been dreading made itself known. The air around them seemed to chill, despite the warmth of Rengoku's flame, and a figure emerged from the shadows. Akaza.

His eyes glinted with a savage hunger, his body radiating overwhelming power. Harriet could feel it, the intensity of his bloodlust, and she knew that this was the moment Death had warned her about.

"Rengoku," Akaza's voice was smooth, almost taunting as he stepped forward. "Kyojuro Rengoku. I've been looking forward to this fight." His gaze flicked to Harriet, and a sinister smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "And you... Harriet Potter, the Protector of the Forgotten. Muzan has his eye on you."

Rengoku didn't flinch, his hand tightening on his sword as he stepped forward. "You'll find I'm not so easy to kill, demon. And Harriet won't fall to your master's schemes."

Akaza's smile grew wider. "Muzan's orders are clear. Not only will I kill you, Rengoku, but I'll capture her. Muzan wants her to be his queen—a demon at his side, ruling over all."

The words sent a wave of disgust through Harriet. A queen to Muzan? The very thought made her blood boil, but she kept her focus. She wouldn't allow Akaza to take either of them.

The battle that ensued was unlike any they had faced before. Akaza's power was monstrous, his speed and strength overwhelming. Rengoku's flames clashed with Akaza's raw, brutal power, the two combatants moving so quickly it was nearly impossible to follow.

Harriet fought alongside Rengoku, her wand flashing as she cast spell after spell to protect him. Barriers of light deflected Akaza's deadly strikes, and tendrils of dark magic lashed out to keep the demon at bay.

But Akaza's attention shifted to Harriet more than once, his eyes narrowing as he sensed the raw power she wielded. "Join me," he growled, dodging a blast of magic. "You don't belong with these humans. With your strength, you could rule beside Muzan, live forever!"

"I'd rather die than serve him," Harriet spat back, her voice full of defiance as she unleashed a powerful burst of magic that forced Akaza to retreat a few steps.

Akaza's frustration grew, and in a desperate attempt, he lunged toward Rengoku with a strike meant to end him. But Harriet was faster. With a wave of her hand, she summoned a shield of magic, blocking the killing blow just in time. Rengoku seized the opportunity, his blade igniting as he launched a final, devastating attack, driving Akaza back.

But the demon did not retreat in defeat. Instead, he vanished into the night, his parting words hanging in the air. "This isn't over. I'll be back for you, Harriet. You and Rengoku. Muzan's will cannot be denied."

The battlefield was silent for a moment, the only sound the soft crackling of Rengoku's flame as he stood, breathing heavily. He glanced at Harriet, a mixture of relief and gratitude in his eyes.

"Thank you," he said quietly, his usual booming voice softened. "You saved my life."

Harriet shook her head. "We saved each other. This fight is far from over."

As the group gathered around, Nezuko checking on Tanjiro and Zenitsu still recovering from the battle, Harriet's mind raced. Muzan wanted her, wanted to turn her into his queen. It wasn't just about defeating demons anymore; it was about survival—and protecting everyone she cared about.

The train had stopped, and the dawn was beginning to break on the horizon. But Harriet knew the darkness was far from gone. Akaza and Muzan would come for them again.

And next time, she would be ready.