CHAPTER 29: THE CURSE THAT ISN’T A CURSE

Haru was sleeping like a log when Egri opened the door.

The dark corridor outside was completely empty.

"That’s interesting," she said with a smug smile. "Mental magic, huh?"

In response, she heard the same footsteps again, this time panicked, terrified, as if whoever it was, was backing away.

Egri yawned.

"You’re boring me. Can’t you come up with something more creative?" she said, her voice full of disdain.

She raised her hand. A black spot appeared around her palm, and from it shot out a red, spiked tentacle, striking straight into the darkness.

For a second she thought she’d caught the assassin, but it turned out to be just a fake body, a shadow clone.

Then she felt a soft gust of air beside her, like something had just rushed past her into Haru’s chamber.

"I wouldn’t do that if I were you," she warned.

But whatever it was ignored her, running forward. Moments later, there was a scream, the sound of bones snapping, and then a nasty crunching noise, like teeth grinding against bone.

Smiling, Egri turned around.

Haru was still sleeping peacefully, almost like he was in a trance. The royal chamber, however, had completely changed, the walls, the furniture, even the floor were all made of Egri’s teeth, mouths, and tentacles, perfectly mimicking the original shapes.

Only Haru’s bed remained untouched.

One of her mouths spat out a lump of clay, a piece of cartilage, and a black feather onto the floor.

"An invisible golem?" she muttered, crouching down to pick up the clay. "It’s overflowing with magic. Whoever’s targeting Haru must be a seriously advanced mage."

"Indeed," came a man’s voice from behind her.

Standing in the doorway was a grown man in golden robes. He had dark brown hair, blue eyes, and a black metal mask covering his mouth and part of his face.

"Long time no see, Kamiya," Egri said, turning toward him with a mocking smile. "Out of the three clowns who kidnapped Haru, you’re the only one worth remembering."

"Watch your mouth," he replied in a grave tone. "Even if that day’s been forgotten, I still remember them."

"You were the biggest coward among them, and the strongest god at the same time. Tell me, how can someone with such a torn-apart personality even still exist?"

"If you call rationality cowardice, then you really are insane."

"Don’t make me laugh. Did you really think you could stop the rebirth of the Four Pillars of the World? You called us ’flames’ and reduced our existence to that, but the wise founder of the Hoshigane family knew what to do. He listened to our cries."

"This world belongs to us. Things like you shouldn’t be walking around in it. You’ve done enough damage. There’s no place for your kind here."

"You seem to forget, Kamiya, that I’m the one who keeps this universe in balance," she said, grinning wickedly. "Our imprisonment will only make our return stronger, better than before."

"Why did you absorb another god’s body? It’s only weakening you."

"It’s just a temporary fix. I’ll kill that little pest and devour him from the inside to gain the power I need, life for life. I gave Haru a child from power of wish, but the price will be giving birth to me, in a new body. Who knows? Maybe I’ll even look a bit like my new mother, heh."

"I won’t let that happen, I–"

"Face it, Kamiya. You’re already losing. You’re not holding back because you can’t attack me, you’re holding back because you’re scared. Scared of my counterattack. And honestly? You should be."

"N-no, that’s not true, I–"

"If that’s the case, then why the tricks and illusions? I was wondering how I’d kill you once I’m reborn as one of Haru’s twins, but looks like you’ve come right to me," she said, stretching out her hand. "You and other gods were so desperate to bring me back, to use me for your eternal rule. You’ve got no idea what kind of price that would’ve cost. Anyway, any last words before you die?"

Panicking, Kamiya flicked his fingers. A small golden projectile shaped like lightning shot straight toward Haru.

"Big mistake," Egri said coldly. She flashed forward and bit through the bolt with her teeth, crushing it effortlessly.

In the next instant, she was right in front of Kamiya. Terrified, he couldn’t even move.

"Your so-called rationality was just madness in disguise. Your caution? Just fear. You’re nothing but trash, unworthy of being called a god. But your body and its mana... those will be useful," she said, grabbing his face.

Behind her, a massive red and sliver jaw appeared. It first spat out Shien’s body, then bit down and devoured Kamiya whole.

Unlike Shien, who’d been swallowed in one piece, Kamiya was chewed to pulp, bones cracking, flesh tearing, but Egri kept the noise low, muffling his screams inside this huge mouth, so Haru wouldn’t wake up.

Shien landed on the floor, shaking and dripping with Egri’s saliva.

"Wh-who the h-hell a-are y-you...?" he stammered in terror.

"Your master should already know that," she said coolly. "Now get lost, dog."

She touched the floor, and a black hole opened beneath him. Shien vanished.

Egri sighed, closed the chamber doors, and glanced back at Haru.

"I hope I don’t cause you too much trouble when the time comes, Mom," she whispered, looking at him with a strange sense of hope.

The royal chamber returned to normal. Egri turned into a red light and slipped into Haru’s body, right into his belly.

*

Haru woke up lying on his back. He stretched and let out a relaxed sigh. He hadn’t slept this well in ages.

Slowly, he got up from the bed.

I feel so refreshed... but also so weirdly heavy...

He looked down, his stomach was twice the size it had been.

Huh?! What the hell?!

Oh my god, is the baby okay?!

Calm down, Haru... you can still feel it, right?

...Wait, no. I feel... two lives? How’s that even possible?!

He glanced around the room. No sign of Egri anywhere.

Did she go somewhere? Maybe to the bathroom? Should I wait for her?

No, I need to find Ayame right now. I can’t just sit here.

What if something’s happening and I don’t even know it?

I can’t risk anything happening to our child...

*

Ayame stared at Haru’s now much larger belly under his kimono, visibly shocked. Gari and Maldie stood nearby, equally lost for words. They were in Shion’s office. Haru sat in front of Ayame, while the servants stood on each side.

"So... they’re having twins now?" Gari asked, clearly confused.

"What the hell is going on here? Just when we’re about to celebrate the new Hoshigane heir, the palace keeps getting more dangerous by the day," Maldie said, frustrated.

I can sense Egri’s magic in one of the fetuses. That terrifying aura... it’s unmistakable. She merged herself into Haru’s belly so she could be reborn physically. But... why?

Maybe I can hurt her, stop it before it happens.

I can’t let that thing come into the world.

Don’t even think about it, Ayame, the curse’s voice echoed in her mind. If you do that, you’ll kill Shion and Haru’s real child too. We’re connected. And besides... how could you even consider killing an innocent baby? For now, I still have my own awareness, but it’s fading, day by day, week by week, month by month...

I don’t get it. Why would the curse want this? If you hurt their firstborn, then I will–

You’ve been mistaken about me all along, Ayame. I was never really a curse. I’m something else entirely. Maybe this will help you start your next journey toward the true knowledge.

Now, excuse me... I’m feeling really sleepy.

"Haru, don’t panic when you hear what I’m about to say," Ayame spoke up.

"Huh?" Haru blinked nervously. "It’s... that bad?"

"Boss, relax," Gari said softly, walking to him and taking his hand. "You’re fine, okay? Breathe in, breathe out. The last thing we need is you going into shock."

"First of all," Ayame began, "I owe you all an apology. I lied."

Gari felt Haru’s grip tighten around her hand.

"Egri wasn’t my guardian spirit, she was the curse itself, in physical form. Or at least, that’s what I thought. I don’t know what she truly is, or how she connects to my pain, Shion’s suffering and cursed eyes... but one thing’s certain: we won’t be getting any answers from her directly. She’s going to be reborn as your second child."

"S-so I’ve got some kind of weird being inside me?" Haru asked nervously.

Ayame sighed.

"Not exactly. You’ve got two children, Haru. Your children. But one of them will turn out to be Egri’s next incarnation, whatever that ends up meaning for the future."

Gari felt Haru squeeze her hand even harder. She didn’t know what to say, she just looked at him with sympathy.

"Haru," Maldie said after a long silence, "please... be strong. We’ll get through this somehow."

"Yeah, that’s right," Ayame nodded.

*

A month and a half later...

Shion’s army led the captured princess Aki out of the palace, across the courtyard, to stand before the king himself.

The enemy’s forces had been obliterated, the palace was in flames, and the rest of the royal family had been slaughtered.

Aki wore a long white off-shoulder dress and a silver tiara with red gemstones. Her hands were tied as two soldiers escorted her forward over the stone pavement.

Shion stood surrounded by his men, who now controlled the entire city.

"W-why did you do this?" Aki asked, her voice full of despair. "Neither I nor my family should suffer for my father’s foolishness!" she cried, her voice trembling with anger and frustration.

Deep down, Shion wanted to apologize, but he couldn’t.

Too many people were watching, those who’d placed their expectations in him.

"The ruler’s choices decide the fate of many lives. If your father didn’t value you, then... you have my sympathy," he said betraying no emotion.

One of the soldiers handed Shion a ritual blade. The prince wanted to sigh, but he had to stay coldly calm, stoic.

None of this makes any sense.

I’ve done terrible things... fully aware of what’s expected of me.

I did it so I could return to you, Haru, to you and our child.

Shion raised the blade above Aki’s head, starting a new Chapter in history.

The Kingdom of Hoshigane absorbed the Kingdom of Tora.

Not long after, Shion was given a new title – The Fearless King – and that’s how he was remembered in the chronicles of the world.