CHAPTER 2: TO JOIN HANDS - ACT 2
Hmm…
I wonder if this Etsuko girl will like me?
Will she hate me?
Has she already heard about how much I annoyed the other witches?
As we make our way through the trees, I feel my body remain all tense.
"Hey, quit sweating, your highness! Even if she does reject you, there are plenty other women in the world, you know!"
"Uh… Yeah… I guess so."
Akashi stops, and I stop with her. She closes one eye and points her finger at me. "The key is not to rush!"
"Huh?"
"If you move too fast, then you'll probably make a mistake, and you don't want to live with a mistake forever!"
Hmm… She's right. I should take my time here. I can't make a clear decision on my queen under all this pressure!
I face the path before us and relax my shoulders. "Yeah. You're right, Akashi!"
She smiles warmly at me as I try to ooze confidence, and we continue our walk. I take a deep breath, and think only positive thoughts.
This Etsuko girl… She WILL like me! Heck, she'll worship the ground I stand on!
Hey, what do you know… I'm calm now.
"And here we are, your highness!"
And my nervousness returns!
No…. I MUST be confident here, even if I have to fake it!
I stare with widened eyes at the wooden door before us, and Akashi is already banging hard on it!
There's no turning back now!
I'm kinda shaking, but I'm gonna keep it together!
"Alright, alright! I'm coming! Sheesh!"
The door opens up, and I'm greeted with a short, orange haired witch with innocent eyes.
"Hmmm?" She looks up at me and tilts her head, all confused and curious. I hope she's not mad from Akashi nearly breaking her door down!
"Who are you?"
Huh? She doesn't know who I am?
I feel a sharp nudge to my side. "Ouch! I-I'm… Prince Goyasaku, monarch of the West side!"
She looks up and rubs the back of her head. "What the? We have a monarchy? Man, I really need to get out more!" She then stares at me. "So, what are you doing out here in the forest, your highness? Were you kicked out of your castle?"
"Uh… Actually, it's a palace…"
"Oh, so you were kicked out of your palace?"
"Huh? No! I wasn't kicked out of anywhere! I'm just… you know… talking to the locals like a good prince should!"
Damn it… I really thought being a prince and wearing all these atrociously pricey clothes would instantly wow her. But since this is the first time she's heard of me, none of that hype is there. I'm just a regular guy to her.
Hmm… Maybe that would work to my advantage? Some women just want a guy on their level, not some high up monarch…
"So… um… What's your name, ma'am?"
She offers a friendly smile. "I'm Koharu."
"Koharu? I thought… someone called Etsuko lived here?"
"Oh, that's my sister. Hey, Etsuko, some prince guy is looking for you!"
"Really?" Another short, dark green haired witch appears beside Koharu.
Wait, they're twins?!
"Huh? A prince?" questions Etsuko as she stares at me. "When did we get a monarchy? Wow, I really need to get out more!"
Oh, great. They both see me as some regular guy! I can't rely on my nobility here, so I'll just have to use good old fashioned words and charm to win them over.
Surely one of them has to like me!
"Wow, twins, huh? That's a rare sight around here," I say with a friendly smile and my hands on my hips.
That should break the ice!
"Rare?" says Koharu as she crosses her arms and leans forward. "There are countless twins in the village!"
"Wait, you didn't know there was a monarchy but you know about the twins in the village?" I question.
"Yeah, we're not completely out of touch… Just, you know, mostly out of touch!" Etsuko confirms.
I, uh… kind of wanted a queen who was more well informed…
"Anyway," says Koharu. "Quit standing out there in the cold, Prince! Come inside and tell us all about you!"
"Hey! Waaaah!" They both grab me and drag me inside. The door is slammed shut behind me.
I'm seated on a sofa, and the twins sit together on the oak coffee table in front of me. They both perch their chins on their hands and inquisitively lean towards me.
"So, what do you do, Prince?" asks Etsuko.
"It's 'your highness'... and right now I'm working on protecting the kingdom from dangerous sorcerers from the East side!"
Normally I wouldn't start with boring politics, but there should be enough drama in my words to get their blood pumping…
"Wow! How exciting!" Koharu exclaims with her eyebrows raised.
Ah, that worked!
"Yeah. I was attacked by one just the other day, but I fought her off and defeated her like a man!"
A little cockiness should spice things up a little!
"Wow, you're so brave, your highness!" commends Etsuko.
"Yeah, we love it when guys totally take charge!" adds Koharu.
They're both smiling now, and I humbly smile back. This is going way better than I thought it would! I guess I can relax a little now.
I cross my arms and close my eyes. "That's right! It's a terrible mistake for anyone to mess with the likes of me!" May as well hint that I'm single… "When I find a queen, she'll have nothing to fear with me around! Ha-ha-ha!"
"Wow! So manly!" they both respond together.
Soon, all three of us are laughing together. My nerves take a hike and I find myself just being… myself.
I'll likely need another meet with these two to decide which one to focus my attention on, but, while I'm here…
I lean forward and say, "You know, I was thinking of hiring some witches to help me guard the palace. Do either of you two have any recommendations?"
"Hmm… Well, we're both pretty tough," says Etsuko. "But no-one's more powerful than our friend, Akashi!"
"Yeah, that's right! She's the OP witch, around here!" reinforces Koharu.
"Oh, really? She sounds like she'd be a great fighter for my kingdom! Say, do you think a strong woman like her would go for a guy like me?"
"Huh? No fair! I wouldn't mind being your queen, Prince!"
"Hey, back off, Etsuko! I saw him first!"
I put my hands up. "Ladies, ladies, I'm just wondering if I'm this Akashi's type, that's all!"
"Hmmm…" They both think to themselves, each with their fingers tapping on their chins.
Man, I hope they're comprehensive about the kind of guy Akashi likes. I want to know who to look out for. I did say I'd help Akashi find someone one day, and who better to ask about her type than her own friends…
"Well, she likes a guy who wears purple clothes and keeps himself to himself. She loves it when guys are all dark and mysterious!"
"Huh? Have you been eating the wrong berries? Akashi loves silver coloured clothes, and she likes guys who are laid back and friendly! Sheesh, and I thought I was slow!"
"Hey, who are you calling slow!?"
I awkwardly smile as the two bicker on. Maybe I won't get much information from these two on Akashi, after all…
Suddenly, there's a knock at the door.
The twins are too busy arguing, so I stand up to answer it.
I open the door, and Akashi stands there smiling with her hands on her hips. "Something's come up, your highness. Time to split!"
"But… we were just getting started." I look back at the twins, and it sounds like they're now fighting over who's the best at making potions.
"On second thoughts… Yeah, let's get out of here!"
I leave the hut and close the door behind me.
Akashi and I start walking through the forest. She's walking ahead of me. Is she… in a hurry?
"So, what do you think of them, your highness?"
"Um… Well, they're certainly full of energy. I don't think I'd ever get bored with either of them around. You… didn't tell me to expect twins, heh-heh," I note.
"Oh, yeah! Whoops... must have slipped my mind," Akashi responds, awkwardly rubbing the back of her neck. "So, what did you three talk about?"
"Honestly, we talked about you, Akashi."
She turns her head around. "Huh? Me?"
I give her a friendly half smile. "Yeah. I wanted to know what kind of guy you like. After all, I am gonna help you find someone one day."
She smiles. "Hey, that's really nice of you, your highness! Plus, it's good to work on common ground with all your prospects!" She faces forward again.
Hmm… Akashi's not mad that I talked about her behind her back. She probably has faith that I'd never slander her.
"Yeah… you're right." I look up as I think. "But, something's strange here. They disagreed on your type, Akashi. One said you like silver clothes and the other said you like purple clothes."
Akashi suddenly stops, and I stop too. "Purple clothes, huh? Who said that?"
"Um... I think it was... Koharu."
"Koharu, huh? I see." Akashi stands motionless as she thinks to herself.
Something's wrong.
"Akashi… What's the matter?"
She slightly looks to the side and her shoulders tense as a concern strikes her mind, and still remains silent.
Fine. She's not the only one who can get serious here.
I cross my arms. "Akashi, I order you to answer my question."
Her shoulders lower, and she turns to face me with a blank expression. "Whatever happens, your highness, stay behind me."
"Huh?"
"Akashiiiii! Come back! I can't believe you're stealing our prince from us!"
I turn around. Etsuko and Koharu are running towards us. Akashi walks past then stands before me.
"Ah! Sorry, you two!" she shouts into the distance while putting her hands up. "We've gotta get back to the palace! Urgent matters for in-demand people, and all! You two go back home, okay?"
"Can't you just give us a few more minutes with the prince?" shouts over Koharu as she closes in on us.
Uh oh… Something is VERY wrong here! I place my hand on my sword's handle.
"Hey, no can do!" Akashi responds. "It's my birthday today, remember? I'm gonna start a party at the palace, then you two can come along later!"
"Huh? Oh, yeah! It is your birthday today! I can't believe I forgot!"
Etsuko freezes up.
Koharu stops just after her twin and turns around to face her. "Hmm? Etsuko?"
Etsuko's eyes are wide as she focuses intensely on her sister. "K-Koharu… Akashi's birthday isn't today. It's tomorrow…"
"Oh… Uh… Hahahahah! I was just testing you! I know that! I'm not an airhead, like you!"
Etsuko, with her face white with distress, starts to back away.
"Etsuko! Run!" screams Akashi.
Suddenly, tree roots emerge from the ground and wrap around Etsuko's feet!
"What the-" Before she can finish her sentence, the roots push Etsuko up higher, then branches from the two trees at either side grab onto and wrap around her wrists!
Incredibly, Etsuko is now suspended in the air by the trees grasping her four limbs.
Koharu then looks at Akashi and I with zero emotion. "Akashi, please, I just want a few more minutes with the prince."
This is bad. I feel myself drowning in worry and helplessness, but Akashi just stands there plain faced as she stares down Koharu.
"You can't fool me, sorcerer," states Akashi. "Even though you've brainwashed everyone in this forest, I knew something was wrong when I saw you both together. I couldn't put my finger on it at first, but then you got things wrong about me that you shouldn't have."
Koharu laughs maniacally. "Brainwashing? I prefer the term brain poisoning. I just made the plants around here shoot spores which make any inhaler believe whatever I say. Quite a sneaky way to place a mind spell on everyone, huh?"
I think she's right… I have been poisoned! Even though there's clear proof that Koharu doesn't know Akashi, I somehow still believe she's Etsuko's twin and Akashi's friend. Those spores are like… a gullibility spell! This is some dangerous magic!
"Let her go, Koharu," Akashi commands. "You have nothing to gain here."
"Nothing, huh?"
Suddenly, one of the branches holding Etsuko's wrist twists violently.
CRACK!
"Arrrghhhhh!"
"Etsuko!" I yell in horror as I witness her right arm get broken. Tears run down her trembling face.
I angrily draw my sword and step forward instinctively, but Akashi puts out her arm and stops me. Somehow, her face still remains stoic.
"Come over here and save her, Princey!" taunts Koharu with a wicked smile.
There are too many trees around her… I can't just rush in!
But, I… have to save Etsuko!
"Awww… What's the matter? Am I not motivating you enough to fight me?"
Suddenly, the branches holding Etsuko start pulling, and they start stretching her out!
"Arrghhh! Urrghhhhh!"
"No! Damn it, what do you want, Koharu?" I cry out.
"Awwww! I never should have tried guessing what Akashi's type was," she replies, casually twiddling her hair. "Oh, well. It's a good thing all witnesses can be silenced, huh?"
I close my eyes hard as I hear Etsuko scream and groan.
But… Akashi just stands there…
Why is she so still? How is she so calm?
This is my fault. This is ALL my fault!
"Run, your highness."
Run? Is Akashi crazy? Right now, every tree in this forest is a weapon! I dare not open my eyes.
"I said, 'run'. Everything will be okay."
This peaceful composure of hers… It's driving me mad!
"SILENCE!" I shout out.
"Huh?"
I open my eyes to see Akashi lower her arm and look at me in shock. I return an ice cold stare.
"Akashi, stand aside. Now."
After a brief moment, a wide eyed Akashi lowers her head and steps aside.
As I march toward Koharu, I feel a rage consuming me.
"You dare to threaten my citizen? You dare to threaten me on my land?"
I stop walking, and stand before my grinning enemy. "Koharu… It's time I taught you a lesson."
I do a two finger whistle in an instant.
"Huh?" her smile vanishes.
Two red laser beams shoot through the tree leaves and slice the branches holding Etsuko's wrists.
"What the?" Koharu shrieks, frantically searching where the shots came from.
I rip out my glowing sword, and slash at Koharu. She drops to the ground, my sword swings over her head, and a blue shockwave is launched from it which chops the roots holding Etsuko's feet.
An exhausted Etsuko lands on the ground with a thud.
Koharu lifts her head from the dirt, grinding her teeth. She faces her palm to me, and roots from the ground shoot up. I slice those roots with my sword before they reach me. Koharu rushes up to tackle me, but I kick Koharu in the chest and he flies back into a tree. "Urgh!"
I sheath my sword, then race over to Etsuko's side. She's barely conscious.
Ban lands beside us, and I lift Etsuko onto Ban's back. "Ban, take her to the palace!"
He neighs, then flies up away with Etsuko.
I look back to Koharu, and before I know it, a giant fist made out of branches is flying straight toward me.
Argh! It's too big… I won't move away in time! I shut my eyes and scrunch my face.
SMASH!
I open my eyes, and see Akashi in front of me holding up a crystal shield which had countered the wooden fist, smashing it to countless pieces.
The dust from the impact settles, and I see a slightly injured Koharu stumbling toward us.
Akashi lowers her shield. "It doesn't have to be like this, Koharu! Go back to the East side!"
"Ha!" she taunts, raising her chin. "It took me forever to make my brain poisoning spell, and I can't let you two reveal how my trick works. I'm really onto something here! I can infiltrate the West side and sell a whole lot of secrets to the East, all while the people around here see me as family!"
"My coven doesn't take kindly to spies, especially ones that try to kill them!" Akashi transforms her shield into a big fist made out of crystal, and she hurls it at Koharu. "Haaaa!"
Roots in the ground rise up beneath Koharu's feet, and she's launched high into the air and safely over the crystal fist which wrecks the raised roots below.
While up there, Koharu pushes her palms towards Akashi, and branches from the nearby trees begin swiping.
Akashi rushes toward Koharu and jumps around, dodging all of the tree's attacks. Wow, I never knew Akashi was so fast!
She generates crystal knives in her hands, and throws them at the crotches of the attacking branches. Those branches then fall onto the ground dead.
Koharu lands gracefully on an overhead tree branch. "Hmph! Time for me to be a little more creative!"
Koharu puts out her hand and turns it into a fist. The dead branches on the ground start to shuffle, and they quickly join together to make a huge ball which hovers above Akashi. "Huh? You can control dead matter?"
"That's right, witch! I knew learning black magic would come in handy one day! Now eat dirt!"
Koharu swipes her hand down, and the ball comes falling. Akahi gets down on one knee and pushes her palms up. She becomes surrounded by a sphere of crystal.
SLAM!
The ball of twigs crashes into the dome, then covers it completely. Roots come out of the ground beneath Akashi and lift up the ball.
I've never seen anything like it - A giant ball of twigs is now surrounding a ball of crystal, suspended in the air by roots from the ground!
"Hahahahaha! If you let down your shield, Akashi, you can become one with nature! Hahahahaha!"
Damn it. Akashi is trapped in that ball of twigs! I can't launch a shockwave at it - I don't wanna hurt Akashi!
She should be safe inside her crystal dome for now, but she doesn't stand a chance with all this wood around us. I have to get help!
I turn around and run. Koharu notices my dash.
"Hmm? Where do you think you're going, Princey? Taking the coward's way out won't save you!"
I feel the roots beneath me starting to shake, and the branches of the trees start to tremble. I knew she wouldn't make things easy for me!
Roots emerge from the ground and try to grab me, but I jump over them. The tree branches take a swipe at me, but I chop them to pieces with my sword.
I keep running as fast as I can, and I soon see Momoka's hut in the distance.
There's no time to knock. I burst through her door, breaking it down.
I see Momoka turn away from her smoking cauldron to see me. She raises her eyebrow. "Huh? You're going to pay for that, right?"
I rush up to her, panting for breath. "Miss Momoka! There's a sorcerer… attacking Akashi!"
"What?" Momoka quickly grabs a potion bottle from her shelf. She finds and dips a metal ladle spoon into the cauldron, and fills up the glass with a scoop of the green liquid.
"Here. It's a dispellant. It will neutralize any spell the enemy is casting!"
"Ah, this is perfect!"
CRAAASSHHH!
I turn around, and see that the half of Momoka's hut behind me has just been demolished by a flying twig ball.
I look to where the ball travelled. It bashes into a big tree behind the hut and shatters, leaving the crystal dome with Akashi inside it. No longer having the energy to hold up the dome, it turns into dust and Akashi slumps onto the ground, barely conscious.
"Akashi!" Just before I rush over to her, Koharu casually walks into the middle of what's left of the hut.
She stops walking, then slowly and creepily turns her head to face me. "After I'm done with her, you're next, Prince!"
"Drink up, first!" I angrily throw the glass of dispellant at Koharu.
She puts up her hand, and the splinters of wood on the ground form a mesh which softly grabs the glass, like a spider's web catching a bug. Not a single drop of dispellant leaves the glass!
Koharu smirks at me through the web, looks at Akashi on the ground, then starts advancing towards her.
The nerve of that sorcerer!
"That tears it! Please forgive me, ma'am!"
After bowing to Momoka, I take off my cape, wrap it around my hands, then grab the cauldron's body.
With all my might, I lift it up from its fire.
"Hey! What are you doing? That took weeks to prepare!"
I ignore Momoka's protest.
Man, this thing's super heavy, and the heat is making me sweat like a waterfall… But now's not the time to complain!
I slowly but surely carry the cauldron across the hut, grunting and groaning along the way. My back is gonna be real sore in the morning after this!
I walk into and break through Koharu's wooden web. I leave the hut, struggle into the forest, and stop a meter behind Koharu.
"Hmm?" She stops and turns around, they gazes at me with an unsurprised look. "What are you gonna do with that, Princey? Drown me?"
I glare at her through the potion's steam. "No, Koharu. I'm gonna drown your powers!"
I put the cauldron down, then push it over with all the strength I have left. "Grrrrrr!"
The green potion leaves the cauldron and gushes onto the soil.
I see Akashi behind Koharu slowly lift her tired head to see what's happening.
The ground soon absorbs the potion, and the soil and the trees start to emit a beautiful green glow.
Koharu still looks bored out of her mind. "Oh, so you gave me more light to work with? How thoughtful of you!"
She turns to Akashi on the ground. The two lock eyes, and Koharu speaks with a deepened voice. "Take out the most powerful fighter first, then the weaker ones become nothing but pawns."
Koharu puts out her palm, then squeezes it into a fist. The roots beneath my friend start to tremble. "Goodbye, Akashi."
I close my eyes hard. This potion had better work!
All I hear is silence.
I open one eye to see Koharu inspecting her hand with confusion. "Huh? What the? What's going on here?"
Akashi focuses her eyes and slams her palms to the ground.
Koharu continues to panic as Akashi forces herself to her feet.
"Argh! Oh, no! My powers! Why can't I use them?!" Koharu looks up at the angered witch before her. "Huh?"
POW!
A fist meets her face, and Koharu is knocked to the ground. "Ungh!"
Oh, yeah… Akashi can't use her crystal powers with so much dispellant around, so she has to do things the old school way!
Akashi walks over to Koharu. "How dare you attack my coven, Koharu. Now's your chance to run away, and never show your face here again."
"You don't control me!" Koharu flings green dirt into Akashi's eyes.
"Urgh!"
Koharu quickly gets up and punches Akashi in her face. She's pushed back by the force and she lands on the ground.
"No!" I step forward, but my back gives way from carrying the cauldron. I cry out in pain, then collapse onto the ground on my stomach.
Urgh… I can barely move now… All I can do is watch on as Koharu staggers over to Akashi.
Akashi steadily gets up again before Koharu reaches her.
"You should've just let me kill you!" Koharu kicks her leg at Akashi. Akashi dodges it and gets behind her. She kicks Koharu in her back, and Koharu crashes head first into a tree. "Urgghhh!"
"You shouldn't have attacked my coven," Akashi growls. "You shouldn't have attacked my family!"
Koharu shakes her head to recover from her concussion and bitterly faces her opponent. She screams and launches herself toward Akashi to tackle her. Akashi dives and hugs Koharu's legs, tripping her up.
"Huh? Waaaaah!" Before she knows it, Koharu falls head first into the puddle of green dispellant near the tipped over cauldron.
Akashi lets go of Koharu's legs and quickly mounts her back. Akashi then forces Koharu's face into the puddle.
"Arghh! Urghh! Bluhhhh!"
I watch on in shock as the usually cheerful Akashi slowly drowns her struggling foe. Akashi shows no emotion at all as she fully commits to her act!
I try to move, but my hellish back pain just floors me. There's nothing I can do… All I can do is close my eyes, and wait for Koharu to stop struggling…
Tap!
Hmm? I open my eyes again.
I see a hand on Akashi's shoulder.
"Akashi, it's over. Let's go home now," softly remarks Momoka.
At first, Akashi remains focussed on drowning Koharu… But then, she blinks twice, shakes her head, and realizes what she's doing.
She quickly gets off of Koharu and stands up.
Koharu pushes herself out of the puddle with her last ounce of strength and lies on her back, barely conscious and coughing vigorously.
Akashi stares at her defeated foe. Even though the witch is still emotionless, a tear runs down her cheek.
Momoka puts her arm around her daughter, and the two walk back towards the hut.
And, now walking towards me… Is a crystal horse and a green haired witch…
***
I've passed out. Nothing new there!
I see nothing but darkness, but at least I'm still breathing.
I'm alive… But getting attacked again sure stinks!
Well, no-one said being a monarch would be easy.
I slowly open my eyes, and I see Etsuko sitting beside me.
"Huh? Oh, wow! You're awake!" She shoots a huge smile.
"E-Etsuko? You're… okay?"
"Heh-heh! I sure am!"
Hmm? She's rubbing the back of her head with her… right hand?
"Whoa… You're really okay! Your arm healed fast!"
"Huh? Oh, yeah! It's no big deal, your highness. I have healing powers!"
"Healing powers?"
I sit up on my bed. Wait… This isn't my bed… It's a bed inside a hut… This must be Momoka's.
"Yeah! That's why Akashi just stood there whilst it got broken. It was super painful, but she knew I could heal up fast, so there was no need to kowtow to that crazy sorcerer. Koharu ran off, by the way. I doubt we're ever gonna see her again," Etsuko announces with her hands on her hips.
"Yeah. The less enemies over here, the better," I comment. "I guess you're the reason why my back feels a lot better, too?"
"Right! I can restore anyone, but Miss Momoka forbids me from trying to bring back the dead, for some reason."
I gently close my eyes. "Heh-heh… That's probably for the best, Etsuko."
"Yeah. I guess so."
We smile at each other.
Alright. It's now or never.
"Etsuko, I'd like to thank you for helping me. Since you didn't know there was a monarchy, I'd like to show you around my palace sometime."
She puts her hands up. "Um… No, thank you, your highness."
"Oh?"
"I'm really sorry. You're a fun guy. You really are, but it was Koharu who liked you, and I just went along so I wouldn't feel left out. But I guess, in the end… Her affection meant nothing…"
Etsuko looks down sadly.
I feel a little disheartened, too.
However, on the bright side… "It's okay, Etsuko. We're all alive, and that is what's important."
Etsuko looks up at me with a kind smile, and I return it with my own.
Suddenly, Momoka appears at the bedroom's doorway and raises her eyebrow. "Hmm? Oh, good, you're awake!"
"Hello, ma'am. Thank you for letting me use your bed to rest. Huh?"
A large wooden spoon is thrown onto my lap. I look up, confused. Momoka has her hands on her hips and her foot is tapping.
That can't be good!
Before I know it, I'm dressed in an apron stirring another batch of hot green dispellant!
"Come on, come on! Get that potion mixed! My clients are waiting, and these repairs aren't gonna pay for themselves!"
"Hey! I said I would pay for it!"
"I don't need your charity! Less pity, more productivity!"
"What the? You can't treat me like this! I'm a prince!"
"Yeah, yeah! Put your new back into it!"
Urgh… This is the thanks I get!
Hmm?
Through the window that survived the attack, I notice Akashi laying on her back with her hands behind her head, staring up at the morning sky.
She probably knows things didn't work out between Etsuko and I…
But I know what will cheer her up.
Akashi, I'll throw you the best birthday party you've ever had!
