“Onii-chan, are you okay?!!”

Fuhua’s shrill, frantic voice was muted, as if I were hearing it while submerged the ocean. What was she doing here? I thought she had already escaped. I tried to say something but realized I couldn’t feel my mouth.

“No, why aren’t you moving? It can’t be... please don’t die, onii-chan!”

That was my line. Why did you come back? You should’ve just run. Now we’re both going to become the oni’s food. My mind beat its fists against the cage of darkness that prevented it from moving my body.

I heard Hua’s voice again from further away. “Leave us alone!” It sounded like she was crying. I berated my useless body to move, only managing to make my fingers twitch.

“Because of you my brother is... my brother is...”

My heart broke again every time she sobbed. When Hua grew quiet, I feared the worst, but then I felt my hair standing on end. My consciousness had returned enough for me to open my eyes, and at first I couldn’t see anything in the darkness of night. A bolt of lightning struck a tree near me with an ear-ringing explosion and set it ablaze. The red glow illuminated my sister and the oni. His dark narrowed eyes were already greedily devouring the once-in-a-lifetime meal in front of him that would give him powers he had only dreamed about. At the same time, Hua was going through a strange transformation. Two curved golden horns were emerging from behind her ears, gleaming. Red scales formed around her neck, radiating light as if fire was inside of them. Her short white hair defied gravity, floating like wisps of clouds, and her hands were fierce claws.

Even if I could move, I would’ve been transfixed by the sight. Fuhua raised her right arm and a flash of lightning was captured in her palm, crackling with ferocity. My immature sister had taken the striking appearance of a young goddess of lightning. The oni raised his arms to protect himself, realizing that his prey could now pose a danger to him. Hua moved so quickly that if I blinked I would have missed it. Her lightning imbued claw boomed like thunder when it crashed against its target, and blinding light illuminated the forest for a millisecond. Then it was dark again.

After my eyesight adjusted, I saw Hua lying on the ground a few meters away from me in her usual form. My first instinct was to crawl to her. Each movement sent shocks through my nerves and stars in my vision, but I grit my teeth until I reached her side. Thankfully, her chest was still rising and falling as she breathed steadily. I took her hand in mine and squeezed it. Shifting my eyes left and right, I could see no trace of the oni, and I thought it was over. Then I heard a thump. Our indestructible adversary emerged from the darkness of the forest, although not unscathed. His right arm was missing, and his skin was red and raw where the lightning had touched it. Perhaps I would even be able to defeat him in that condition if I weren’t injured. All I could do was drag myself over Hua’s body and hope that he would eat me first and buy enough time for Hua to be rescued. The oni limped towards us, each excruciatingly slow step a reminder of our imminent fate. Once again, I prayed desperately for someone to save my little sister.

This time, my prayer was heard. The enemy crumpled to the ground, his head rolling away. I recognized the wide back of our savior right away. It was the same one that carried me when I was little.

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“You did a good job protecting your family, Ishho. Leave the rest to your father.” With those reassuring words, I closed my eyes and drifted off.

----------------------------------------

When I came to, I was in my futon.

“Onii-sama is awake!” Himeko’s sweet voice was the best thing I could hear after that ordeal. Himeko and my mother were kneeling on the floor next to me.

I tried to talk, but my throat was dry and I only managed to grunt.

“Don’t worry, Fuhua is uninjured. She’s just exhausted, and Ruolan is taking care of her.” My mother knew what I wanted to ask already. “Here’s some water.” She gently pressed a cup to my lips and I drank greedily. “Slow down or you’ll choke.”

With my thirst quenched, I finally took a good look at my sister. Himeko’s eyes were red from crying. I tried to reach out to pat her head and comfort her but found out that my arm was tightly bound to a bamboo splint.

“Where’s father?”

“After making sure you and Hua were taken care of, he left to fight the oni.” My mother sounded downcast.

“Sorry for worrying you two.”

“I’m just thankful that you’re okay. I heard from Raiden that you were injured while protecting your sister. I’m proud of you Issho.” Mei reached out and stroked my hair.

Himeko was quiet.

“Is something wrong, Himeko?”

“I couldn’t...” She whispered.

“I couldn’t...?”

“I couldn’t do anything to help onii-sama when you got hurt.”

“Himeko, you being by my side right now is all I need. Knowing my little sister cares about me will make me recover twice as fast.”

“Then I’ll stay right here until you’re better, no matter how long it takes.”

“Er, that makes me happy, but what about taking baths?”

“Do I smell weird, onii-sama?”

“No, you smell amazing. Wait, what am I saying?” Himeko was really stubborn sometimes. “Are you going to skip training too?”

“I do have to get stronger to protect you. Okay, I’ll go to training and bathe and come right back.”

Our mother laughed. “You’re lucky to have such a loving sister, Issho.”

“I know.” I said with a big smile.

We were interrupted when my door slid open, and a servant entered.

“We didn’t call for anyone.” Mei told him.

“Sorry empress, I just wanted to see that the young prince was doing alright.”

“You’re...” I started. It was one of the servants that I brought with me to the forest. “What happened to the rest of the guards?”

“They’re dead.”

I was filled with guilt. I didn’t know that there were oni in the forest, but I had still led those servants to their deaths. Their families must be devastated. I didn’t even want to imagine how Himeko and my mother would have felt if I didn’t return.

“I’m sorry I failed to protect you, prince.” He fell to the ground and bowed his head.

“It’s alright, I’m fine. I found the princess as well.”

“Ah yes, I’m relieved to hear that the young princess is alright.” He looked at Himeko as he spoke, which was strange.

“Yes, I was quite worried when Himeko went missing.” I threw out casually.

“As a brother should be.” He fell for my bait.

“Who are you?”

“What do you mean, prince? I’m your guard. Are you still confused?”

“No, you’re not. The princess I brought my guards to look for was Fuhua.”

The imposter's face went blank, and he lunged towards Mei.

“Watch out!” I yelled.

Himeko reacted swiftly, grabbing the man’s collar and throwing him to the floor. The assailant’s features distorted, revealing a young girl around my age with small horns growing out of her dark bob cut.

“My target is the empress, I won’t kill you if you don’t get in my way.” She addressed Himeko in a cool voice.

“No, I won’t let you touch my family.” My sister firmly stood her ground. All I could do was watch helplessly.