Himiko left Yoshino Town without looking back. The crown of black shards spun lazily above her head as she climbed into the northern mountains.
The path was steep and rough. The air grew colder the higher she went. Trees thinned out, replaced by mossy boulders and low mist. She passed an old abandoned shrine with a broken stone fox statue beside the path. She paused for a second, looking at the faded protective carvings.
"Even the gods abandon their posts when they grow weak," she muttered with a small smile, then kept walking.
Further up she crossed a narrow wooden bridge over a ravine. The planks were old and rotting. Halfway across, one snapped under her foot. Himiko didn't even pause — she simply stepped over the gap and kept going.
The buzzing presence grew stronger the higher she climbed. She could feel the Fly King's energy ahead — heavy, hungry, and unmistakably special-grade.
By sunset the abandoned temple came into view. Crumbling stone walls, collapsed gates, and a large central hall still standing.
Himiko stopped at the bottom of the cracked steps.
"Come out," she called, voice calm and clear. "I have a proposal for you, little king."
The buzzing inside the temple grew louder. A deep, rasping voice answered from the shadows.
"…Who dares call me that?"
The Fly King emerged from the darkness — tall, with a massive fly head and compound eyes that reflected her image hundreds of times. His chitin body clicked as he moved, translucent wings twitching behind him.
Himiko smiled slightly. "I do."
The Fly King studied her carefully, head tilted.
"You're no normal curse," he rasped, voice layered with the sound of wings. "Your energy is too refined. You were human once, weren't you?"
Himiko stood perfectly still at the bottom of the steps, crown spinning slowly.
"Very perceptive for an insect," she replied. "I'm Himiko. I've come to offer you a place in my court. You already command swarms. Serve me, and you'll command something far greater."
The Fly King let out a harsh, buzzing laugh.
"Serve you? I take what I want. I answer to no one. Why would I kneel to a walking grave?"
Himiko's smile stayed calm.
"Because I'm stronger than you. And unlike you, I'm building something that will last. You can join me willingly… or become another shard in my collection."
The Fly King's wings snapped open. Dozens of insects swarmed out from the temple, circling him protectively.
"Bold words," he growled. "Let's see how long that pretty porcelain holds up."
The Fly King thrust his arms forward.
"Insect Manipulation: Swarm Torrent!"
A black storm of flies erupted toward her, the sky darkening with thousands of wings.
Himiko raised one hand. A single black grudge shard floated in front of her like a shield.
The moment the swarm hit it, a chain of soul ruptures tore through the front ranks. Flies exploded in mid-air, black ichor raining down. The rest of the swarm panicked and scattered.
The Fly King snarled and charged, slashing at her head. Himiko slipped aside, but his wing slammed into her ribs with a loud crack, sending her sliding across the stone. A visible fracture spread across her torso.
She looked down at the crack, then back at him.
"Interesting. You hit harder than you look."
The Fly King thrust his palms forward again.
"Insect Manipulation: Blade Flies!"
Hundreds of razor-winged flies shot toward her like daggers.
Himiko smiled.
"Harvest."
A dozen black shards ripped out of the incoming flies and flew into her. The Blade Flies lost control and crashed to the ground.
Before the Fly King could react, Himiko was in front of him. Her hand drove into his chest, porcelain fingers punching straight through his chitin. Black ichor sprayed across her white dress.
They broke apart, both breathing heavily.
The Fly King clutched his bleeding chest, wings twitching.
"You're more fragile than you act, vengeful bitch."
Himiko wiped a streak of ichor from her cheek, eyes still calm.
"Vengeful bitch?" she echoed with a small smile. "How crude. I expected better vocabulary from a king."
She took a few steps closer, looking up at him with complete confidence.
"Have you had enough? Will you join me willingly and become my general? Or do I have to keep beating you until you learn your place?"
The Fly King stared at her, clearly furious… but also thinking.
After a long silence, the Fly King let out a low, buzzing sigh.
"…Fine. I'll join you. Under one condition."
He pointed a clawed finger at her.
"You'd better find me something interesting to do. I was already getting bored of this place anyway. But if I ever feel like you're wasting my time… or if I eventually surpass you, our fight continues. And I will kill you."
He crossed his arms, wings buzzing like he was embarrassed.
"Don't get cocky just because I agreed."
Himiko smiled, clearly amused by his attitude.
"How adorable. A king throwing a tantrum because he doesn't want to admit he's interested."
She turned and started walking back down the mountain path.
"Come. I'll take you to where I stay."
Kuro clicked his mandibles in irritation but followed, wings buzzing behind her.
They walked in silence for a while before Himiko spoke again.
"Fly King is just a title humans gave you, isn't it? What's your actual name?"
He was quiet for a few steps, then answered.
"…Kuro. That's what I call myself. When I first awakened, the fear that created me whispered that name. So I took it."
He glanced sideways at her.
"And you? Himiko was your name when you were human?"
She nodded. "Himiko Higuruma. That's the name I kept even after death."
Kuro let out a low chuckle.
"Higuruma… So the rumours were true. You really did wipe out your own clan."
Himiko's smile didn't change.
"I did."
After another minute she asked, "You seem to know a lot about the outside world for someone living in an abandoned temple. How do you get your information?"
Kuro shrugged. "Every now and then some traveler wanders too close. I keep them alive for a few days, ask questions, then eat them. They talk fast when they're scared. That's how I heard about you."
Himiko let out a soft laugh.
"Efficient. I approve."