Harumi's POV

     I remembered buzzing. Cool hallways. The sound of heels tapping the floor. I remembered cold objects being pressed against my lips, and burning liquid sliding down my throat. Sharp pain stabbed me in the arm. Cool sheets hid me from outsiders. More liquid in my throat. More pain. Everything felt woozy. It was hard to think, or see, or smell, or even taste. I had no choice but to submit to the treatment; I didn't have the strength to resist. Then, as quickly as it passed, it was over. The darkness carried pain and I wanted to step into the light.

     I opened my eyes to the faint sound of a fountain and the fresh scent of spring. The throbbing in my head was gone. I felt cool and light. Opening my eyes, I hesitantly rose to a sitting position.

      Silky covers moved with me. I looked down at their beautiful flowered print, showcasing several roses in an intricate pattern.

     What in the—

     I was in a bedchamber that looked twice the size of palace's in Ninjago. The domed roof above me was painted with stunning colors, showing a scene of Oni, Dragons, and their history. The walls were varying shades of marble with golden highlights. Soft pinks, purples, and greens filled the room with a peaceful feel. Large golden pillars were in the corners. Even the air carried elegance in its light, crisp feel.

      My jaw dropped open. I had fallen asleep nearly dead and woke up a princess.

     I had no care for any wounds or conditions I might still have left from dehydration. I scrambled out of the bed as fast as I could, ripping the sheets off me like they burned my skin. The floor was cool against my feet, which were covered in calluses from my years of training to be the Quiet One. A set of fuzzy slippers sat on the ground, awaiting use. I kicked them as far as I could across the room. I didn't want to be a princess again. I hated being a princess.

     The bed was in one section of the room, the outer one had a curtain blocking it from complete view. The bedchamber section had two sets of doors. I hurried over to first one, wanting with every inch in my body to figure out how to escape this torture.

     The first set of doors revealed a huge walk-in closet, which seemed like a room in itself. The walls were filled with every color dress I could imagine. Every shoe, every piece of clothing, every accessory a normal girl could dream of, it was all there. Bile rose up my throat at the sight. I rushed over to the next set of doors, yanking them open. Instead a way out, a massive bathroom stood before me. It tripled the size of my bathroom in the palace, and every wall was made of golden marble. There was a large bathtub, an oversized shower, a gold and dark wood sink filled to the brim with different cabinets. It all screamed princess at me. It shoved my past life down my throat in the most obnoxious way ever.

      I let out a screech, running over to the bedchamber's exit and ripping the privacy curtain hiding the bedchamber from the rest of the room off the wall. The perfectly carved bar holding up the fabric clattered to the floor, as the beautifully woven curtain fell on top of it in an elegant mess. Anger burned beneath my skin.

     In front of me was another large room. This one was redder and greener, but it was still luxurious. The fountain I had heard from earlier was here. It was a small one, and it sat in the center of the room, in a dip in the floor. The indent not only had the fountain, it had various plushy cushions, arranged in a circle for maximum comfort. The room had a small second floor filled with books of all kinds. I saw TVs, small refrigerators, and other little remotes. It was like the room had been designed to keep someone entertained and comfortable for hours.

     Or it was designed to keep a prisoner trapped for hours. I felt nauseous enough to retch, but somehow fought down the urge.

     I didn't want to be a princess again.

     I wouldn't wear the mask of the lie she was.

     I wouldn't cover up who I am.

     I would rather be dead than play the princess again.

     Seeing two more sets of doors in the second room, I ran over the nearest one, wobbling the whole way. Each sight of perfection made me feel sicker and sicker, like I had been thrown back into the life that I had tried to kill. The doors pulled open easily; I was irritated when they didn't come off the hinges. They led out to a nice balcony. It overlooked a grassy park. I saw a bright blue sky and many families picnicking on the vegetated hill. The squeals of delight from children playing tag reached my ears, and my attitude sunk even lower. I remembered picnicking with my parents when I was younger. That was before the life of a princess ripped that all away. Pushing the memories away, I guessed how many bones I would break if I threw myself off the balcony. This room had to be at least three stories high. There was no way I'd make the jump, especially when I saw the thorny vines climbing up the side of the building.

     There was still one door left; still one escape attempt left.

      I was halfway to the other door when I heard the balcony ones close, emitting a strangely robotic noise. I hissed at the air as I continued to the last doors. Unlike the other door, they didn't open.

     "Locked," I growled, betting these led to someone who could give me answers.

      I yanked on the door. When it still didn't open, I slammed myself against it three or four times. When it still didn't budge, I went to retrieve a heavy object to ram against it.

      "Would you like to unlock the door?"

      I stopped my search, looking around for the source of the disembodied voice.

     "I'm sorry, I didn't get that. Would you like to unlock the door?"

     "Yes!" I shouted to whoever was talking, making my way over to the door.

      "Please step back for the eye scanner."

       I barely had time before a small tube stuck out of the wall. I realized what was going on. A robotic security system had been installed here. I grabbed the tube in my fist, sticking my face in the camera.

      "I don't care who you are, or who you answer to, but you will let me out of this room right now, or there will be consequences."

      Once released from my grasp, the tube beeped once, then reeled back into the wall.

      "Scan complete. Welcome, Princess Katsuki."

      I bristled, clenching my fists. First, they lock me in a room, trying to turn me into a princess. Then, they somehow know my last name, which I had never revealed to anyone after my parents' deaths. They also knew I was the Jade Princess in Ninjago, yet they didn't seem to know all the details that followed. If they knew me so well, then certainly they would understand what happened to those who tried to turn me into a princess.

      The door's system beeped again, which directed my attention to it. I banged against the door with all my force, trying to shove it open. It scanned my face. It should be opening at this point.

      "Let me out." I yelled at the door, punching it just to let out my frustration.

     "You are not allowed to leave unless you have permission from your caretaker. Enjoy your suite." The disembodied voice responded.

      I punched the door again with a sharp cry, ignoring the stinging in my fists.

      "Hello."

      I spun to see a human.

      "I am your wardrobe assistant andro—"

      My fists collided with its face with a loud bang, knocking it back onto the ground. Sparks erupted from its eyes as it twitched. It wasn't a human at all.

      Slowly, it made its way back onto its feet, its artificial lips curling into a somewhat devilish grin. "I am your wardrobe assistant android. You have woken up from your sleep. It is now time to begin the morning procedure."

      "Make me." I hissed, reaching around my waist for a dagger.

      "It is required by your caretaker. Besides, you are not allowed to go out in public wearing a night robe. It is against the public conduct set in stone by our great queen."

      My dagger wasn't there.

      Great.

      Furthermore, I was wearing a nightgown. It was long and silky, with a dark magenta hue fading to a light blue at the bottom. It was something a princess would wear to bed.

      "Wearing bedclothes in public breaks conduct number thirty-two which says—"

      I side kicked the android this time, knocking it back on the ground. Before it could get to its feet again, I pinned it to the ground and felt around its head for some sort of control system.

      "Attacking royal android assistants breaks conduct number 374 which says—"

      I opened the control panel hidden behind the android's wig. Inside were a bunch of small wires and a couple of buttons. When I pressed them all and it didn't do anything, I simply ripped out the wires.

      The android clanged against the ground, a lifeless piece of machinery.

       "If I haven't destroyed my line of communication yet, then I'd like to reiterate my threat." I told the room. "Anyone you send after me to try and get me to play the part will end up like this. Let me out of here."

       Silence.

       Footsteps.

       "Your caretaker has unlocked the door."

      There was no time to grab the curtain rod to defend myself. I rushed to the door, ready to slip past whoever came through.

      The door burst open and two large black creatures walked in. I squared myself, but then I saw their eyes. Their glowing violet eyes.

       Oni.

      A small female stepped through them to the front, my only way out closing behind her. She looked human, her hair was a faded blonde and her frame looked tense and stressed. Her eyes gave her away. This was only a disguise to hide her real face.

      "I can see you are stressed by your new situation, Princess Katsuki." Her voice was monotone, slightly irritated.

       "Who are you and who do you work for?"

      "I work for the queen, who through her kindness and hospitality, has saved your life. Yet, the only thing you proceed to do is attack and destroy the paradise she has set up for you."

      "The door was locked!"

      "Do you think we want rogues to come in and come after you while you were recovering? No, we were doing it for your safety, Princess. Everything we have done has been for your safety and health."

      "You've built me a prison." I told her, flexing out my hands. "So, call your Oni friends aside, and no one gets hurt."

       "I wouldn't threaten your only way out. Besides, aren't you just a tiny bit curious about where your little dark-haired companion is?" The woman raised an eyebrow.

       "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH MORRO?!"

       "Your friend will be fine, as long as you comply."

       "Luckily for me, he's not my friend." I spat, still not moving from my fighting stance. It wasn't a lie, but what I was saying wasn't completely true either. Hopefully, they wouldn't call my bluff. "He betrayed me. I don't care about him."

       "Well then you won't mind if we throw him out to the night's monsters." The lady beckoned to the guards. "Come, we have other business to attend to."

       She was halfway out the door when I called out, "Wait."

       The Oni woman turned; a fake smile plastered across her stretched features.

       I hated everything about this. "I'll be your princess. Just don't throw him out to the monsters."

       "Very well." The lady answered, snapping her fingers. Two identical androids that resembled the one lifeless on my floor stepped into the room, the same creepy smiles lighting up their faces.

       "You will complete the morning procedure." The androids said in unison, walking towards me.

      "I will let you see your 'not-friend' once you are done playing your part. Any more misbehavior and I will not hesitate to call my guards on him." The woman swiftly exited the room with her two guards, leaving me with a couple of robotic freaks.

      "You will complete the morning procedure." They chimed, each of them grabbing my arm and dragging me towards the bathroom.

      I wriggled, but the screens of light in their eyes told me my every move was being watched. If I resisted, I had no doubts the Oni would do what she promised. So, I let them drag me towards the bathroom, where they would proceed to do what I had tried to erase with chains and red paint.

      I wasn't supposed to be a princess anymore. I had left that life to avenge my parents.

      But it seemed like if I wanted to keep Morro alive for his second chance, I had to go along with the very lie I had always hated. Once I got through this mess, I was going to slap Morro so hard for ever making me care about him in the first place.

>(<>)<

About two hours later, I followed my 'caretaker' through the halls of the palace I was in. I bit the insides of my mouth to keep from throttling anyone who walked pass us. They all scurried through the halls with downturned heads, so I couldn't tell whether they were Oni or androids. My sunburnt arms still ached from where the other androids had gripped me so hard. I didn't dare reach up to caress the sore spots, lest I actually acknowledge the existence of my princess attire.

       After holding me down to wash and cleanse me, the androids went on to slather my face in creams and potions. They brushed my teeth, tucked every last strand of my hair into some sort of intricate braid, and gingerly powered on too much makeup for me to want to look at myself anymore. They proceeded to take me into the closet of suffocating dresses and shove one on me. To make things even worse, it had to be green with red and gold highlights. I refused to meet my own eyes in the mirror when the androids smiled behind me and asked me how I liked it.

       The guards' staffs clinked against the polished floors as they followed us through each magical hall. Everything seemed to be made of marble and highlighted with someone's endless supply of gold. Cameras disguised as decoration were hidden everywhere, whether in the pot of artificial flowers sitting on said marble side-table, or in the middle of the ticking clock on the arches sitting at the beginning and end of each hall. What made everything so much worse, every single hallway had at least three broken mirrors in between the various doors.

      I constantly caught glimpses of myself in the shattered pieces, hating myself even more with each glance. My reddened face was disguised with ivory paint, my eyelids dusted with the familiar shade of ruby. The androids had woven a simple crown across my forehead and into my braid, making me look less like a girl going to a dance and more of what they wanted me to play the part of.

      I looked just like a princess and I hated it.

      I started to get lost in bad memories until I remembered meeting my adoptive parents in the Departed Realm. I had always despised them because they weren't the family that had been stripped away from me. They had always been the stricter guardians, telling me that I was doing so many things wrong.

      Sit up, Harumi, princesses never slouch.

      Close your mouth, Harumi, princesses never speak unless spoken too.

      Act the part, Harumi, or we'll make your life more miserable than it is.

      All I could see when I thought of them were those figures in my life, telling me to put aside my grief and act like a lady. They were wanting me to erase my past to be part of their perfect future. They never cared about me or what I was going through. They only cared about themselves and their perfect legacy.

      Yet, in the Departed Realm, they had seemed so loving and forgiving.

      Had they really meant to be cold during my childhood? Or had their ignorance on how to be parents fueled their behavior? Was their scolding borne of regret or love?

      I trailed behind my caretaker, my fists slowly unclenching. What if I had hated that life for no reason? The Emperor and Empress had done a great kindness taking me in. They had given me a life better than staying at the orphanage. Even if they did seem cold, perhaps it was only their ignorance of how to deal with grief playing in. Years of certainty seemed to crumble around me. The questions in my head made me wonder if my reasons to hate were sound. Was hating them just? Or was it just built up on lies I told myself?

      The Emperor and Empress weren't responsible for my parents' death. That was the Ninja's fault.

      I found myself meeting my eyes through the shattered pieces of mirror. Why had I ever hated them to the point of wishing for their deaths? If I had learned to forgive, if I had seen reason, they would still be alive. Once again, I realized it was my cycle of destruction that killed them. It was my own unwillingness to change.

      I'm ready to be better.

       I had made a promise to myself to try and be better. Which meant I had to try and stop my cycle of destruction, but I didn't know if that was possible.

       I was so caught up in my thoughts that I almost slammed into my now stopped caretaker.

      She turned around the gestured to the park behind her. It was the one I saw from the balcony.

      "Your guards will not bother you unless you try something stupid. They will escort you back to your room before your meeting with the queen. Enjoy your freedom, Princess Katsuki."

      She started off down back down the darkened halls as I processed what she said.

      "I'm meeting your queen?"

      My caretaker gave me one last tight smile. "Her Majesty will be more than pleased to see you are awake, Princess."

       I tried to imagine the hulking Oni behind me didn't exist and slowly stepped into the sunlight. The grass made a strange sound beneath my wobbly shoes, like it was crafted instead of grown. The air felt stale, the sunlight far from warming. It was like I was still inside, but I was obviously exiting a building.

       I started up the 'grassy' hill in front of me, nearly slipping twice because of the heels. On top of the hill I saw what I had seen from the balcony. Several families were spread out in the vast park, picnicking and playing together. Little children threw a ball in the plain in front of me, scurrying about to catch it before their friends. Heartache bit at my throat before I could think of anything else.

      "Harumi?"

       It couldn't be. Yet, she promised I would see him.

       "Harumi, is that you?"

       Shaking, I turned to my side and saw him walking towards me. He was badly sunburnt, his skin flaking from the ugly red hues. Yet, despite the obvious signs of being out in the sun too long, his hair was groomed back, and he was dressed in a respectable set of clothes. He looked taken care of, but he obviously wasn't given the treatment I was. My knees started to wobble for some reason as a million emotions started piling through my heart.

      "Morro?"

      "Harumi!" He immediately wrapped me in an embrace, squeezing the way a friend would. But he wasn't my friend. Reflex kicked in before my thoughts did, so I shoved him away.

       "Morro, you pathetic, insolent—how dare you even think about approaching me after... after..." I put a hand to my head, which caused the tulle in my three-quarter sleeves to rub against my neck. I remembered what I was wearing, where I was, and the role I was being forced to play. Because of him. This was all because of him.

      He let me have three hits before he grabbed my fists to keep from being punched again.

       "I think we need to talk this out like adults." Morro said, using a tone of voice that made me struggle against his grip even harder.

      "You betrayed me! You betrayed your promise! You preached about how I should change and that change is good and that change is possible, and then you turned on me! And now I'm stuck here, forced to be stupid princess again simply because they told me you were going to be released to monsters if I didn't! I hate this, I hate you, I hate that I care, and I hate everything and everyone in this infernal realm—" I broke down in angry tears, wishing with every bone in my body that my makeup would be ruined.

      "Harumi?" His voice was calm. He shouldn't get to be calm about this. I had to wear the mask again because of him. Didn't he see how much torture I was going through?

      I ripped away from his grip, turning away before I got the urge to hit him again. The Oni guards stood a respectful distance away, their eyes narrowed at the scene.

      "I'm going to tell you what happened. Whether you choose to listen or not is up to you."

      I refused to look at him.

       "When I was on lookout duty, Lux appeared to me. He could see me, hear me, and wanted to grab both of us to pull into the chasm. To give us more time, I struck a deal that we would become demons so Mistake could escape. I thought I could outsmart the demon and make it so we could betray him. The problem was, I couldn't think of a way out. Lux knew I had betrayed my half of the deal and threw me into the chasm." He sighed. "I honestly was surprised to hear it was you who convinced Mistake to go after me. I didn't think I was worth it in your eyes."

       I messed with the tulle on my sleeves. "I wanted to leave you there, but your stupid lessons got in the way."

      "Lessons?"

       I spun around, not at all enjoying the way my skirt swished with the action. "Your stupid changing lessons. All I could think of was my cycle of destruction and how I was never given a second change. Combine that with my idiotic promise to stay with you, and now you have a loyal ally who will save you from certain death even when it's against her best interests and will."

      He cracked a smile.

      "I hate this." I muttered.

      "And I love that you're continuing to try and be better, even when everything seems hopeless." Morro had the nerve to step closer. "And I'm glad that you are feeling so much better. I don't know how much you remember from the desert, but you were in pretty bad shape. It's only been three days, but I'm glad they've taken care of you."

      "It's been three days?"

      "Three days since we landed here. I think. We're underground so it's hard to tell."

      "We're underground!?"

      Morro was grinning like an idiot now. He reached forward, and this time, I didn't have the willpower to stop him.

      He gently grabbed one of my hands, flipping it over so my palm faced up. He pressed two fingers against my wrist so I could feel the pulse. It was strange feeling the subtle bumps of my heart. Morro had told me that I was alive before, but I was nearly unconscious them. I had never put much thought into the fact after I woke up in the room. My only mindset was trying to escape.

       I remember trying to feel my pulse in the Departed Realm, always searching for something that didn't exist. I had asked Morro how we functioned if we couldn't pump blood through ourselves. He had answered that in the Departed Realm, our bodies mostly worked on spirit, as if that made sense.

      "We're alive now." Morro murmured. "I'm not sure why they think you are their princess, or why they chose to take care of us in general, but I do know that as long as you stick to your promise, we're going to make it through this together. We'll find Mistake and head out to a less dangerous realm."

       I gently pulled away from his grip, still feeling like there was a chasm between us. "How do I know I can trust you? How do I know you aren't going to go back on your word again?"

      "Because I'm trying to hold onto what I still have left."

      What if I can't? What if I can't, and you have to choose between me and the chasm? I'm not your friend; we're barely even allies. Why would you have any reason to choose to stay with me?

       Because I'm trying to hold onto what I still have left.

       All this time he was doing it for me. He left his friends to be captured to save me from the demons. He went behind our backs and made the deal with Lux to try and keep me from being taken a little longer. He even subjected himself my own outbursts and threats just so he could have a chance to promise me things would get better. Morro was holding true to the promise he had made to Bansha during that stressful time that seemed so long ago.

       Let her be the one you were able to save.

       Morro was a leader. He looked after those who followed him. As irritating as that quality made him, I realized in that moment that he would go to any length to keep his final promise to his friends. He would do a thousand terrible things before letting me die. He wouldn't go back on his promise to stick by me and guide me along. Because he had never broken it in the first place.

       "Can I ask you something?"

        I looked up at him, for the first time that day meeting his dark green eyes.

       "How did you survive the night?" Morro asked. "Mistake and I literally had to sleep inside a dead spiderbird in order to survive the night. We all landed in the same realm, so how did you make it?"

      A laugh made its way up my throat, bursting out into the open air before I could stop it. It hung there between us, a foreign sound. I coughed; glad the face paint covered my blushing. "Um... sorry. It was just a serious question... and then you asked something random... whatever...I-I only remember waking up in the morning. I think I might have been covered in sand. Maybe that protected me. Also, how did we get from there to here?"

     "The Oni took us to their underground world. All the beauty you see here is artificial," Morro replied. His brow furrowed. "Its unlikely sand could have kept you hidden. The monsters could still smell you. Why would you escape unscathed?"

      "I don't know," I rubbed the back of my neck. "Just add that to the pile of mysteries we're encountering here."

      Morro laughed grimly. "I just hope this queen of theirs can help us."

      "If she's a queen of the Oni, then she must be untrustworthy." I said quietly, glancing back at the stoic guards.

      "Dangerous or not, they helped us survive." Morro said. "The least we can do is play along until we have the information we need."

      I nodded, and we were silent. I hated the idea of having to act like a princess, but it looked like I had no choice for now. We needed to figure out what the Oni wanted from us and then escape from this horrid place.

      Morro offered to walk around the perimeter of the park. He looked so serious about it, like he thought it would be better for my health or something, that I couldn't really think of a reply. We ended up trekking around the faux grass and faux lake, half of the time in a comfortable silence.

     "What's a spiderbird?" I asked.

     Morro laughed. "That is a long story."

     He did have time to tell it.

>(<>)<

Morro's POV

      I hated it when they made her leave. I know she had to prepare for our meeting with the queen, but I still didn't want to leave her alone. I was afraid of what she might do to tick them off.

       My past two days had been locked away in a small room, with about five cameras on me at all times. The only two books I could find among the meager furniture were very long novels on the culture in the underground, which might have been the most boring things I had ever laid eyes. I ended up spending the days finding creative ways to exercise while worrying about Harumi. Enmity told me they would make sure she was better, but I still didn't trust any of them.

      When my caretaker had told me she was well enough to talk too, I about wilted in relief. Harumi was okay. After everything she had been through, she was okay. I had made her the last one I could save.

       Dinner was brought in by a familiar looking droid; it had brought me meals on a copper tray ever since it locked me in this room. I ate in silence, then quickly slipped into the nice tunic the droid had told me to wear. I guess since I was meeting the queen, I needed to look somewhat nice.

      Right as I fastened the tunic's laces, the door swung open. My caretaker stepped in. He was short and meaty, with a sharp nose. His dark purple eyes gave away the fact he was Oni, but his demeanor reminded me of an old bachelor. He scanned me, then looked pleased. "You will be escorted to meet the queen."

      I noticed they never gave me a choice. It was always, 'you will.'

      I followed the caretaker down the ornate halls, noticing how the temperature was dropping with each turn we took. Already the halls were quite dim with the electric lights, but at this point there were candles being used to see. I had to squint in order to see my caretaker, and I barely noticed when Harumi stepped in beside me.

      This world was artificial. If anything, the temperature should always stay at a comfortable warm. So why was everything getting darker and colder the further we treaded into the palace?

       We finally came to a set of thin doors that had been engraved with Oni history. The caretakers pulled them aside and gestured for us to go in.

      "We will wait outside." They said.

      I hesitantly stepped into the room. It was pitch black, save the two candles hanging by the doors. Once I felt Harumi's skirt brush my legs, I heard the door slam shut behind us.

      I couldn't see anyone in the darkness, so I grabbed one of the candles and brought it forwards.

      Two eyes stared right at me.

      I don't remember who yelped, but I do remember a large chuckle resonating off of the walls afterwards. The room seemed to get colder as the darkness thickened.

      "Welcome." A glow blinked into existence, like someone was uncovering a source of light. It was a magenta color, with glowing gold dots in the center. I angled myself in front of Harumi. She scowled at me for being protective.

      "I'm not going to hurt you. I only want to meet you." The queen saw us, wherever she was in the darkness. "If I had wanted you dead, I wouldn't have let my guards drag you down here, would I?"

      Harumi stepped around me. "We cannot see you."

      "I do prefer the dark, Princess." The queen's voice said airily.

      "Why does being the Jade Princess have any status to you all?" Harumi questioned. I blocked her move to step forward.

      "Royalty has much status among the Oni, despite what type of royalty it is. And don't think I haven't noticed your lack of 'Your Highnesses.' Yes, I am the queen of the Oni. Please, call me Malevolence. I simply hate it when fellow royalty uses the same words as everyone else."

      A chill went down my spine at the sound of her name.

      Mistake. Enmity. Now Malevolence. Why do they name themselves after bad things?

      "You two were brought here from the outside, which is interesting. No one comes from above. Everyone knows how dangerous it is up there. Next, I get the pleasure of finding out one of those people is the princess. The other..."

      I felt her eyes on me, despite not knowing where they were in the dark.

      "The Master of Wind."

      Harumi involuntarily backed into me.

      "I have made sure both of you were provided for. Now, I have a question for you both. Answer yes or no as you please, it won't affect me if you refuse my offer."

      "What is this offer?" Harumi's voice was wary.

      "You are powerful beings. As a queen, when I see gifted individuals, it is in my best interest to see that they are on my side. I only ask for you to become my allies and help me in matters of my kingdom."

      Allies?

      I leaned over to Harumi. "She knows too much about us," I whispered, "don't accept it."

      When Harumi answered, her voice was chilly. "We can get our answers if we join them. I know these types of people. If we refuse, she will probably kill us."

      "All we need to know is how to get out and find Mistake. My strength has returned pretty well. I'm sure I could take on a few Oni."

      Before Harumi could reply, I stepped forward. The room suddenly felt a lot colder as the darkness came closer. "I do not know what Harumi will choose," I said, glancing back at her direction, "but my answer is no. I thank you for your kindness and hospitality, but I cannot be your ally. I know too little about who you are or why you need me"

      She was silent for a few seconds before answering in a very calm voice. "Thank you for being direct, Morro. I appreciate concise answers. They are so much easier to understand."

      I backed up. I had never once said my name out loud. Only Harumi had done it, and that was hours ago in a park Malevolence wasn't even in at the time.

     Or was she?

      This place had cameras everywhere, recording every move people made. Malevolence was the queen of the Oni, which meant she was most likely an Oni herself. She could have easily been there. But that didn't explain how she knew I was the Master of Wind. The only time I had tried to use my powers was when the Oni first spotted us in the desert above, but even then, my powers had been too weak to be noticeable. How did Malevolence know Harumi was the Jade Princess? There were too many questions.

      There was something off about this queen, and I could feel it.

       "Princess Katsuki?" Queen Malevolence's voice rang out. "Your choice?"

       Harumi closed her eyes. I could practically feel her thoughts swirling. After a second, she opened them. A cold determination passed over her face. I relaxed. Harumi was going to take my advice. We would fight off anyone who tried to attack us and make a break for the surface. We could leave this world of Oni and darkness behind.

       "Your Highne—Queen Malevolence," Harumi stumbled, her voice growing stronger with each word, "Your compassion to myself and my companion has been so infinitely great, and I thank you for it. A simple thank you cannot be enough to show our gratitude.

     "I will become your ally."