Chapter 12

Nightmares and Hot Blood

“You said they were capturing women, right?” Hari said as the idea bubbled through her mind.

“Yes. They took them all somewhere.”

“Out of town?”

Fushi acted surprised, as his expression changed between confused and understanding. “Yes. Yes. That makes sense. I did not see them approaching the Pit with any of the captured women.”

Perfect.

Hari had to try this. “I will give myself to them.”

“Are you insane?”

She was insane, but insanity wouldn't stop her now. “It’s the only way. I can’t fight so wounded, and you don’t even know how to wield a weapon.” Hari said. Fushi initially looked offended, but then nodded.

“What about me?”

“While he’s distracted with me, you try to sneak through your secret passage and evacuate as many people as you can.” Hari concluded.

“This will not work. You are a woman, but if they find me, they will kill me!” The desperation in Fushi's eyes was grand enough to make Hari worry about him.

“Then be careful. Your only chance to get out of town safely now is the Fist Maker.” Hari said. Jien was also the only way she could get out of here.

“How about you?”

“I have a plan.” Hari said.

Before leaving, Hari took the scabbard of Fushi’s dagger and hid the weapon in the back of her clothes, pinning it to her waist. She put on the best desperate girl expression she could think of and walked towards the center of the street where the Jade Knight was. This had to work out, or she had bought a direct ticket to Heaven and Hari didn’t plan on visiting the gods, or her ancestors, anytime soon.

The Knight noticed Hari as soon as she crossed the street. “Where are you coming from, woman?” the Knight said, pointing his glaive at Hari. He didn’t seem disturbed by her presence, just surprised.

Hari took a deep breath. She was no ‘theater kid, but she knew how to fake expressions during a fight. Now, she would need all the experience she had. “I was in the middle of the road when the attack happened. I tried to run away, but I couldn’t.” She pretended to cry. Her injuries should convince him enough to make him believe her lie. “The city was surrounded.”

The Knight lowered his weapon, dismounted, and studied Hari closely. His movements were rough, heavy. The large, black armor imposed a grand presence. The dark feathered helmet of Beasts of the Night gave her scary thoughts. Hari didn’t move, barely breathed. She had never been this close to a Jade Knight. At any moment, she feared he might kill her straight away.

The mere presence of the Jade Knight made Hari’s instincts scream, begging her to flee. But she ignored all instincts, which didn’t seem like a good idea in most instances, but today, it seemed like the only plausible idea. Sweat pooled on her skin, and memories of the nightmares and the invasion of Guinam took over her mind. Her lungs felt heavy. Breathing stopped as her chest tightened. She thought she was going to pass out, but concentrated on calming down.

He was just a man, not a monster. A human being. She didn’t need to fear him. But the thoughts did not manifest themselves in concrete emotions. Somewhere in the back of Hari’s mind, she wasn’t sure he was actually human.

The Knight sniffed her, as if she were some animal or piece of meat. “Come with me.” he took her by the arm, dragging her with him.

His hand was enormous enough to envelop Hari’s entire arm. The Knight was even bigger than Jien—the tallest man Hari had ever met. The Jade Knight didn’t seem to mind Hari’s presence that much. He abandoned the horse, and they walked together for a while. Hari just hoped that Fushi had got in.

The knight’s intimidating presence still clouded Hari’s thoughts. She thought she would be brave now, but her body didn’t react. It became helpless. Then she remembered Yaozu, Lin, Kara, Norell and the others. A surge of bravery lit through her.

“I… I need to use a washroom.” She said in a barely audible whisper.

“What?”

“I need to use a washroom.” She repeated.

“Huh? You can piss on yourself. I don’t fucking care. Just keep walking.” he said and hurried along.

“It’s not that. Lady’s stuff.” She said.

“Fuck me. Now?” he asked, and she nodded. “You’re lucky the boss likes girls like you.” he pushed her towards an alley. “Don’t take too long. Fuck.”

Hari quickly went to the darkest part of the alley and moved the dagger from her back to the front, unsheathing the blade. She stared at her reflection in the metal, counting the seconds and minutes that passed. Come to think of it now, that idea was completely stupid. The only spaces to hit the knight were under the armpits, on the neck, and on the face. At least, they were the only places where Hari noticed gaps between the armor.

She took the longest breath of her life.

I’ll try the neck.

“I-I’m done.” She said. Her lips were trembling as much as the rest of her body.

“Fuck. Finally. This invasion was a mistake.” he said, and Hari heard his footsteps approaching behind her. “Come on, we don’t have all night.”

Was she really going to do that? This was madness. Was she really going to kill someone again the same night she killed Gojo? Gojo had been an accident, but a Jade Knight? What if they were immortal? What if he could use cultivation in the same way as Jien? She couldn’t kill him, could she? She had to try. Hari knew the element of surprise was in her favor, but logic wanted to disappear from her mind.

Hari noticed the footsteps growing closer and closer to her. Her hands shook as her heart fluttered as fast as a bee’s wings.

There was still a chance to give up, to surrender, to throw the dagger away and say she’d made a mistake. Perhaps he would be merciful and not kill her if she begged him enough. That was a bad idea. Then Hari felt his hand behind her shoulder. Shivers of panic spread from his touch to her entire body, tensing every muscle over and over again.

Hari gripped the dagger’s hilt. She would have to act, now. She turned, slamming the dagger into the unsuspecting Knight’s throat. The man’s eyes widened, reaching for the deep gash. But the dagger had already gone through his neck. Hari felt it, as the blade sliced ​​through skin and muscle, through bone, until hot blood covered her hand. The sensation of cutting human flesh soaked into Hari’s fingers like a resin.

Gradually, between agonizing sounds and grabbing attempts, the knight emitted a muffled sound before falling to the ground, dead. Hari watched as the glow of life left the Jade Knight’s eyes.

Hari dropped the dagger, falling to her knees, gasping. She had just faced one of her worst nightmares and survived.

Hari had been kneeling in the alley for a while, not conscious of time passage. Her vision was blurred, and her thoughts drifted across a distant sea of ​​traumatic memories. When she came to herself, Hari realized she was still in the same position, facing the Jade Knight’s dead body, his blood mixed with mud and the smell of smoke. Concerned, she hurried to hide his body, dragging him down the alley, to make sure others didn’t see her crime.

To complete her plan, she stripped the knight of his armor and donned it. Inside, it was exactly what she’d been hoping for. The leather stank and the metal was uncomfortable. The Jade Knights didn’t seem to be the type to mind daily baths. And from what Hari knew of them, maybe not even weekly baths.

Also, the armor wasn’t made for someone her size. The proportions were all incorrect. The leg was too long; the chest was at eye level, and the gauntlets were almost out of reach, but she made it work, bending and crumpling the right parts. From the outside, she probably seemed like the smallest and thinnest Jade Knight ever. But she hoped the night and the smoke would be enough to camouflage her on her way to the Pit.

Hari picked up the heavy glaive, took a deep breath. It was time to rescue some children.