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talpup · 3 years

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Summary: Yami Sukehiro just wanted to join the Magic Knights and make his mentor proud. He knew there would be trails. He knew trouble would come his way. Knew he would be faced with discrimination for being a foreigner and a peasant. What he didn’t know. Didn’t expect. Was that literal Chaos would come his way. That he and his mentor’s sister would be at the center of world ending trouble. Or that he would fall in love with his mentor’s sister and face more than discrimination; but the jealously of Nozel Silva who loved the same woman he did.

Please remember this fic is rated mature and has warnings of violence, abuse, sexual tension, eventual sexual behavior, and other possible triggers. For a full list of story tags please check the fics AO3 (link to that at the top of my tumblrs homepage).

Sorry about the late update. It was a super busy weekend, and my three big chronic illness bad's are still making me pay the price. Anyway, here you all go. Hope you enjoy.

Chapter 96

It was near midnight. All the Captain's were tired, irritable, and on edge. They were meeting because Yami and Teris had never checked-in this evening when Jax had explicitly ordered his Vice Captain's to do so before lights out.

The Black Bulls Captain focused his glare on his fist which rested on the table as questions were asked, hypothesis given, and ideas about what to do were put forth. He blamed himself for Yami and Teris’ disappearance, certain that the Agents of Chaos had taken them.

Having reported to Greywright before this meeting was called, Jax had encouraged the Commander to question the supposed traitor Flic about Yami and Teris’ disappearance. But, Greywright had told him it would do no good. During his interrogation of Flic yesterday afternoon, Greywright had learned that the man knew nothing of the details concerning Alowishus’ plans. Jax would've liked some time alone with Flic anyway. Not to question the man; but simply to beat one of the Agents of Chaos, even if that person was no longer aligned with them.

“I question keeping up the search. Especially this late at night. We went out this morning looking for two Vice Captains and instead of finding them, we lost two more.” Jamie said.

“You sound scared.” Win taunted.

“I’m concerned for the safety of my squad. For all our squads.” Jamie said.

“We’re Magic Knights. We don’t abandon anyone, least of all our own.” Kess said, fiercely.

“I’m not saying we give up.” Jamie told, thinking Pyter would’ve understood if he were still Captain of the Silver Eagles.

“You’ve always been a selfish ass. I doubt you’d want to continue even if it was your own Vice Captain missing.” Mereoleona fumed.

“We don’t even know who took them or why. Blindly searching has done nothing but thinned our resources and wear our Magic Knights to exhaustion, and it’s only been a day.” Danise said.

Whilf nodded in agreement. “There has to a better way to go about this.”

“Better then searching for four Magic Knights Vice Captain’s?” Mereoleona stormed in challenge of the Purple Orcas Captain.

“No one’s saying that. But fumbling around hoping to stumble upon something isn’t working.” Breigha said.

Mereoleona could hardly argue with her friend. During her own futile search this afternoon she had wanted to torch the four kingdoms until whoever took her brother returned him, begging for mercy. She’d fry the fools and then pummel Fuegoleon for letting himself be taken.

“Do we even have an idea if they were taken because they’re all Magic Knights, or three of them royal?” Win asked.

“I’m guessing none of the families have received any word or demands?” Danise tendered. The Coral Peacocks Captain looked from Mereoleona to Julius. She glanced at Kess figuring as Nozel’s Captain she would've been in contact with Nathyn Silva or at least a representative from the royal house.

Julius rapped his knuckles on the tabletop with a silent curse. Just like last year, and two months ago during the Spade Kingdom mess, he had forgotten to send message to Fyntch about Teris being taken. When he had finally gotten around to writing Fyntch last year he hadn’t mentioned that Teris had been taken; simply saying he was sure Fyntch had seen the beam that lit up the sky the morning of the Summer Solstice and assuring him that he and Teris were okay. As for the happening with the Spade Kingdoms Magic Scientist Rayla, he hadn’t bothered sending Fyntch message and told Teris as much so she wouldn’t mention it to their brother.

Having met with Lord Leonidas himself and spoken with House Silva’s representative, Jorah said. “Neither the Silva’s or Vermillion’s have reported receiving demands or word of admission and intent.”

Jamie scoffed, thinking that the Silva’s and Vermillion’s were too proud to admit to it if they had. The two royal houses likely had their own people looking into things and would handle the matter privately if they came across anything.

Whilf looked at the Wizard Kings Advisor. “Has Magic Investigations unearthed anything of use?”

Ellara shook her head sadly at the Purple Orcas Captain. “My people have been out all day checking in with their sources and questioning people searching for some kind of lead. We haven’t given up. But as yet, they have discovered nothing that would tell us who took the Vice Captain's or why.” She looked at Julius, Mereoleona, Jax, and Kess. “I’m sorry.”

Julius and Jax stared at the Wizard Kings Advisor, both thinking Ellara was far from sorry but would be.

96.2

Yami noticed how Calen stuck close by them as he and Teris were made to walk through the portal. Given that Teris had once broken through Calen’s negating magic the first time she had light traveled, it was justifiable that they were concerned.

“Leon! Nozel!” Teris rushed forward only to be grabbed by a cloaked figure.

Yami punched the Agent of Chaos not seeing or caring if the person was a man or woman. He pulled Teris out of their grasp, holding her to him.

“Peace, Livia.” Calen told the woman as Alowishus stepped through the gateway.

Livia stood down and tenderly touched her face.

Hands bound above his head, hanging from a tree branch, Fuegoleon’s eyes blinked slowly open.

Tied and swaying beside the Crimson Lion, Nozel croaked, barely able to lift his head. “You shouldn’t have come.”

“Didn’t have much of a choice.” Yami said, looking them over.

Nozel took in a slow, shallow, shuddering breath; grimacing at the pain the small movement brought.

Teris tried once more to step to them, but Yami held her firm least someone attempt to stop her again.

Teris trembled in Yami’s arms, a fearful rage building. Nozel and Fuegoleon were alive but they were a battered, bloody mess. And that was only the injuries she could see. They had been in the Agents of Chaos’ custody for little more than twenty-four hours. Who knew what those monsters had done to them.

One eye swollen shut. The other, vision tinted red by blood. Nozel told Yami. “First chance you get, you get her out of here.”

Teris shook her head, angry worried tears blurring her sight. Though she had no idea how they were going to manage it, she promised Nozel and Fuegoleon. “No matter what it takes. We’re going to get you out of this.”

“I’m glad you said that; because you hold the way to freedom for your Intended and your cousin. The path to seeing them live through this is a simple one.” Alowishus said, stepping toward her and Yami.

Teris turned to face him. “Let them go and I’ll do it.”

“Teris... No--” Fuegoleon’s lips moved, sound barely coming out. His voice faltered, weakly coughing up blood.

Yami uttered a stream of curses, his grip on Teris tightening. He scowled at Alowishus and the surrounding Agents of Chaos in the low, flickering firelight of Piper’s magic. He would kill every single one of them even if it took his entire life to hunt down every member of Alowishus’ followers.

“That’s not how this goes.” Alowishus told Teris. “Your friends go free only after you and Yami do as I say. Play difficult and we will continue harming them until you do or they die; whichever comes first. But I warn you. They proved difficult themselves, refusing to answer the simplest questions. It’s left them in bad shape. I doubt they’d be able to survive much more.”

Fuegoleon’s eyes slowly lifted, too weak to rise his heavy head. He wanted to tell Teris not to listen. He would rather die than have his cousin agree to whatever these people wanted. But no matter hard he tried, his brain couldn’t make his chapped bleeding lips form the words.

Yami didn’t need a better look at Fuegoleon and Nozel to know Alowishus was telling the truth. It was clear they had been tortured and were in really rough shape. Nozel’s head lolled. Though it was difficult to tell if the man was unconscious or not.

“What do you want?” Yami asked.

“To get to the treasure vault of a labyrinth.” Alowishus said.

“What? You and your people so lacking that you need us for such a simple task.” Yami mocked.

“This isn’t any labyrinth, Yami. The contents of the vault are meant for you and Teris. Destined for the two of you to find and receive.” Alowishus told.

“Labyrinth 297,353.” Teris breathed.

Alowishus smiled. “I see you’ve heard of it.”

Yami looked at Teris in question.

Teris stared back, both surprised and not that Yami didn’t remember. “He wants us to collect the Future of Chaos.”

“Not just the two of you.” Alowishus said, keen ears hearing Teris’ whisper. “I will be going down with you to also receive the page.”

Yami turned to the man. “The History of Chaos has been nothing but a curse. Like hell I’m going to the labyrinth that has the Future of Chaos. I’d rather see those two die.”

“As you wish.” Alowishus’ eyes slid to the Mage that stood beside Nozel and gave a slight nod.

Nozel’s body tensed and began to squirm. Hanging from his arms, he began to swing. His muscles spasmed at the pain. Teeth pressed together trying to hold back the cry that bubbled in his throat.

Yami couldn’t see any outward wounds being made. But when blood began to come from Nozel’s ears, nose, eyes, and mouth, he barked. “Stop!”

Alowishus tilted his head at Yami, not yet giving the signal for the Mage to cease. “Agree.”

Yami glared.

Nozel began to scream.

Voice caught in fear and horror, Teris’ trembled, knuckles white as she clutched onto Yami’s upper arms.

“We’ll do it. We’ll go.” Yami broke.

Alowishus smiled. “Excellent.”

The signal was given and the Mage stopped.

Alowishus held a beckoning hand out to Teris. “Come here.”

Yami’s arm tightened around Teris’ waist. But he hadn’t needed to worry, she didn’t even try to move.

“It appears you require another lesson in how this goes.” Alowishus turned to the Mage and told. “Don’t be so gentle this time.”

Whatever the man was doing, he did it to both Nozel and Fuegoleon. Both their bodies seized. The Crimson Lion and Silver Eagle crying out. Teris tired to take a step toward Alowishus but Yami held her in place. She squirmed in his arms, pushing at his chest; but Yami refused to release her.

Teris looked up Yami at single tear rolling from its bank and down her cheek. “Please.”

Yami shook his head even as his hold slowly released. Teris stepped away him. He made to follow but was barred by someones arm. They didn’t dare touch him, but it was enough to stay his steps.

Teris was more than halfway to him when Alowishus gave his man a nod.

Teris’ steps ceased. Her head started to turn to look over her shoulder at Fuegoleon and Nozel when suddenly Alowishus was right in front of her. His hand clasped her jaw, fingers digging into her cheeks as he turned her to face him.

The next thing Teris knew, Alowishus was kissing her. No. It wasn’t really a kiss. Though that didn’t make it any less unnerving or make her stop trying to push away. It was more like the way a mother bird feeds her young. Only in this case, Alowishus was forcing a thick, vaporous substance down her throat.

Yami broke the arm barring his way and rushed forward. He was tackled and held down by three men. A cloak of mana flickered around Yami like a sputtering candle flame, present one moment and gone the next.

Calen ground his teeth. His magic fighting to negate Yami’s.

Mana skin blinking in and out of existence, Yami threw one of the men holding him into another that was coming to assist. He got to his feet and tossed a second against a tree trunk ten meters away,

“Stand back.” Slade told the third that was still trying to hold Yami back from their Master. The Rope Mage created a glowing rope. It wrapped around Yami, binding him tight.

Yami fell to the ground. He pulled and struggled against the magical binds, yelling curses and threats.

Alowishus released Teris and staggered back. Misandre was there to help steady her Master.

Teris fell to her knees. Sputtering, she coughed up dense black smoke. Her eyes watered, at the burning cold that seeped through her body into her very soul.

“What the hell did you do to her! I’ll kill you!” Yami roared, the magical ropes breaking nearly as fast as Slade could create them.

“I merely replenished her mana stores. You should thank me. In her depleted state she wouldn’t have survived receiving the Future of Chaos, let alone whatever dangers we might cross down there.” Alowishus looked down at Teris who was on all fours choking up thick black puffs. “Your system is adjusting to foreign mana. It’s not a perfect exchange, but you’ll be fine.”

Yami snarled. His fighting didn’t let up, even as Teris’ coughing eased.

“Let him go to her.” Alowishus ordered.

As soon as Slade’s magic released, Yami was on his feet. He rushed to Teris, sliding to his knees to stop beside her. His arm wrapped around her jerking shoulders as she continued to sputter.

“You alright?” Yami asked, pushing her hair back from her face.

Teris nodded, still wheezing. She wiped the stale taste of Alowishus off her mouth and spit, wisps of black mana escaping her mouth and nose like smoke. She pushed up to her knees, a shaking hand gripping Yami’s arm for balance. “Leon? Nozel?”

Yami glanced over at the still bound men. Neither Nozel or Fuegoleon moved. Their breathing so shallow Yami couldn’t see the rise and fall of their chests. Through his sense of their Ki, he was able to pick up on their faint breaths and weakened heartbeats.

“Still breathing.” It was the only thing Yami could say.

Alowishus turned away. “Let’s go. The new moon rises. We must be in the vault by its peak.”

“What’s a moonless night have to do with it?” Teris rasped, Yami helping her to her feet.

Alowishus turned back her. Rather than answer, he told. “Yami’s power might be on the rise. But he has still faced a small down trend as the Summer Solstice has neared. Your power, though lessening, will continue to grow slightly until the morning of the solstice.”

Yami looked at Teris seeing her frown at the unanswered question. He could see her mind working, trying to figure out the answer on her own.

“Before we head out. Turn around and look at your beloved friends.” Alowishus ordered.

Despite not wanting to do anything the man told her to, Teris couldn’t resist. She turned.

Yami stood in her way, wide shoulders and towering frame blocking her view. He gave her a slight shake of his head.

Teris stared up at him.

“Move and let her see them, Yami. You both should know the stakes any further disobedience will have.” Alowishus told.

“She doesn’t need to see them.” Yami said, eyes lifting to the man that called himself Death.

Alowishus stared back. For a moment it looked as if he would insist. With a sigh, he allowed. “Very well. You’ve seen the state of them, Yami. You know what testing me would mean. I doubt you want to be the cause of their deaths.”

Teris balked at that. She tried to step to the side, but Yami moved with her.

“So protective.” Alowishus smirked. Looking at Teris, he told. “It’s probably for the best. A sight like that will stay with you long after they’ve recovered, or died.”

“Leave her alone.” Yami growled.

Alowishus looked down at Teris. “Just so long as you’re aware. Timeis of the essence for the both of us. Your cousin won’t last more than two hours at most. Your Intended not lasting much longer after that. And that’s only if you behave and don’t kill them yourselves by having me set Nexis back to work on them.”

Yami glared at Alowishus. “We won’t try anything. Let’s just get on with it.”

“For the Prince’s sake I hope that’s true. I will be carrying a charm. If I activate it, Nexis continues his work until I deactivate it. If I’m injured, it activates immediately. If I am rendered unconscious, it activates immediately. As unlikely as such a happening is, if I am killed...” Alowishus smiled at the change in Yami’s eyes at the prospect.

“Let me guess. The charm activates.” Yami said.

“No. The charm crumbles to dust. As does the connecting ones left in the hands of my followers. If that happens, not only will the Silva and Vermillion heirs be instantly killed. But the Agents watching Captain's Julius and Jax, as well a the rest of your friends from afar, will spring into action killing them before they even realize there’s a threat.” Alowishus said.

“But you’ll be dead.” Yami said, as if the rest didn’t matter.

Alowishus gave a tight smile. “Only for a time. You cannot kill Death”

“Pretty sure if I removed your head you’ll die.” Yami said.

“I’ve heard that before. Sadly, only one such commenter was still around to see how wrong they were.” Alowishus sighed tiredly and raised a guiding arm. “Shall we?”

Taking Teris’ hand, Yami stepped after Alowishus. They walked for some time through the dark forest with only the dim glow of the accompanying Agents of Chaos’ grimoires to light the way.

While the mana Alowishus gave Teris might've bolstered her magics reserves. It didn’t do much to help against physical exhaustion. Seeing her start to lag, Yami looked ahead to Alowishus. “Didn’t you say time was of the essence? Why are we tripping through a moonless forest?”

“Misandre will see us inside the labyrinth, but first we must find it.” Alowishus said. Pausing his steps to stare at something in his hand.

“What do you got there?” Yami asked.

“Directions. Of a sort.” Alowishus looked over his shoulder at Yami. “Come have a look if you’d like.”

Yami slowly released Teris’ hand. He glared at the surrounding Agents of Chaos in warning. Grateful for the breather, Teris didn’t move to follow him.

Alowishus watched Yami as he stepped beside him and looked at what he held in his open palm.

Yami scowled. “Are those bones?”

“Finger bones to be precise. They’re from the maker of the labyrinth and are pointing us to the labyrinths entrance.” Alowishus smirked at Yami. “You see? I do my part to make things as easy and painless as I can for the two you. When we reach the area, Misandre will portal the three of us in. Once down there, we’ll make our way to the vault and the three of us will enter and receive the Future of Chaos.”

Yami raised a brow. “The three of us?” He scratched the back of his neck. “I might not have the brains Teris does. But I remember the paper sniffers at Investigations saying Yurist’s prophecy said the ones who found the History of Chaos would find its future. Seeing as you weren’t there when we got the first page of Chaos. I don’t see how you expect to get your hands on the second.”

Alowishus’ eyes darkened. “I’ve forgotten more about Yurist and his prophecy’s than the sum knowledge of the four kingdoms libraries and scholars combined. When it comes to such things, you must be careful, Yami. Yes, the prophecy says the two that find the History of Chaos will also find the Future of Chaos. But the key word there is find. Not receive.”

Yami looked at the man thinking that if the keyword was ‘find’ then Alowishus was still somehow wrong and in for a disappointment; because he and Teris weren’t finding anything, they were being led. Giving one last look at the bones that moved like a compass, Yami stepped back to Teris.

They walked a bit more until Alowishus stopped once again.

“Misandre. Here. Three hundred and seven meters down.” Alowishus glanced at Yami and Teris seeing they too had picked up on the numbers. He and his people still hadn’t learned the full meaning of Yami being a third seventh son; and as much as he wanted to question Yami further on it, now wasn’t the time.

Calen stepped to his Master, his concern evident. He remembered last years long lingering injury Alowishus had suffered from his battle with Julius Nova, and Yami and Teris’ combined attack.

“They know the stakes, and won’t try anything.” Alowishus soothed Calen. He looked at Yami and Teris. “Will you.”

Yami’s left hand rested on his katana’s hilt. “I suppose you’ll just have to trust us. Just like we’re having to trust you about not killing the royals, and letting us all go.”

Calen glared at Yami. “If you harm the Master. I’ll do more than kill your friends. I’ll find this Land of the Rising Sun and end every single member of the Sukehiro line.”

“Good luck with that.” Yami said, sure there had to be a family that went by Sukehiro in his homeland; unfortunately for Calen’s plans, it wasn’t Yami’s family.

Misandre opened up a portal. Alowishus gave the Spatial Mage a nod as he passed through. That’s when Yami saw the woman’s hands. Hands he’d recognize anywhere given the amount of times they had hit him and tried to crush his neck.

Yami pulled his katana from its sheath. “Those don’t belong to you!”

“Yami, don’t!” Teris grabbed his arm, not seeing how his eyes had flicked black for a fraction of a second.

Snarling at the woman wearing Bronn’s hands, Yami sheathed his katana. “I’ll soon see those off you and where they belong.”

96.2.2

“Teris. Give us some light.” Alowishus said from somewhere in the dark space.

Teris’ hand twitched tempted to light up the direction Spade’s voice sounded from and fry him. Her grip on Yami’s arm tightened, grateful they had stepped through the portal together.

Slowly, she lit up the area. The three blinked, their eyes adjusting.

Looking about the space, Alowishus told. “To use your terminology, the labyrinth isn’t active. With it not open and visible to the surface we will have to deal with the dark. But it also means that most of the beasts and traps will be in hibernation. Still, be on guard. The creatures that reside in places like this are more powerful during the new moon.”

“Which leads me to ask again. Why a moonless night?” Teris questioned.

Alowishus tilted his head. “The vault is this way.”

Senses alert to danger even if he didn’t appear to be, Yami commented almost conversationally. “I suppose we should be thankful that Bronn was such a good Spatial Mage. Without his hands, that woman probably would’ve deposited us between bedrock.”

“Noticed that did you?” Alowishus smiled, leading the way.

“Gotta admit, I half expected her to try and smack me upside the head.” Yami said.

“Parts taken carry a residual portion of a persons magic, not a remnant of the persons character.” Alowishus said.

“Why take Bronn’s hands at all? Were Erskin’s a little too chewed up by Saber Wolves? Or were the hands of your dead follower too painful to see?” Teris asked.

“When you have lived as long as I; such feelings of friendship, love, even hate all but fade away. I’m not so old that I’m incapable of affecting such emotions for the sake of others. But, just between the three of us. I feel little to nothing. Well, until the two of you showed up.” Alowishus stopped and turned to to face them. “You two have done much more than give me the means to reach my aims. You have made me feel again. First excitement. Then awe. I have long since forgotten what hope felt like. But I believe I may have begun to feel a bit of that as well.”

Teris’ brows furrowed. “Just how old are you?”

Alowishus wagged a finger at her. “A proper bred young royal like you should know it’s impolite to ask.”

“Just how old are you?” Yami questioned.

Alowishus smirked and turned away. “Come. Time runs short.”

Though they didn’t come upon any traps. They did happen upon two beasts. Just as Alowishus had said, the creatures were more difficult to subdue than expected. Finally they reached a large cavernous chamber with a set of towering double doors that looked near identical to the ones that had housed the History of Chaos.

“Our time together is almost over.” Alowishus said, as if saddened by the fact.

“You’ll keep your word and let us go.” Yami prompted.

“Of course. I’m a man of my word. After this, you and Teris are free to go. Until I next require you that is.”

“Nozel and Fuegoleon?” Teris questioned.

“Your beloved cousin and your Intended will be set free as well.” Alowishus said.

“Last time we faced a vault containing something having to do with Yurist and Chaos the doors snapped shut behind us and didn’t reopen till someone from the outside did so.” Yami said.

“That won’t be an issue.” Alowishus said.

“Why? Got a tracking charm on you that you’ll leave where you’re standing so the Spatial Mage with Bronn’s hands can portal here and open the doors when we’re done?” Yami asked.

“Clever. But no.” Alowishus told.

“Then what’s your plan for getting us out of there?” Teris questioned.

“Me.” Alowishus said.

“You?” Teris stared.

Alowishus’ expression darkened. “Even if you don’t trust me. Trust that I don’t want to be in that vault room any longer than necessary.”

Alowishus turned and looked at the vault doors. Excited as he was to once again see and this time receive the Future of Chaos, he wondered if his grandfather’s work would have him. And if added to his grimoire, what, if anything, the page of Chaos would show him.

96.3

Nozel’s eyes slowly opened. Even with the pain, thirst, hunger, and fatigue muddling his senses; he could feel a swell of mana not too far from where they were.

Guilt washed over him. Not just for Teris agreeing to whatever Alowishus wanted for his and Fuegoleon’s sake; but for the terrible state the Crimson Lion was in.

During their questioning, the Agents of Chaos had taken to torturing the other in effort to get them to comply. The tactic had worked a lot quicker on Fuegoleon, who had caved, reluctantly answering their questions. Nozel’s will to protect Teris and ability to tune things out had seen him hold out longer. Their tormentors cutting into Fuegoleon’s flesh and magically tearing at his insides as Alowishus calmly waited for Nozel to answer.

Much as he wanted to, Nozel couldn’t fully lay the blame of this on Yami. Not when he and Fuegoleon were being used to make Teris comply with Alowishus Spade’s wishes. Not when even he had broke for Fuegoleon’s sake and answered the mans questions. He tried to recall what those questions had been but currently couldn’t.

His still good eye, the other swollen shut, turned in the direction of the swelling mana. The direction Alowishus had taken Teris and Yami in. He hoped Teris was alright, and silently swore he’d kill Yami if the man let anything happen to her.

Still unconscious, Fuegoleon’s shallow breath rattled in his chest. The Crimson Lion was fading. Yami and Teris needed to hurry.

96.4

Yami’s head snapped up, sensing a rise in Alowishus’ mana.

Teris turned to the man as well, tone accusatory. “The peak of the new moon has a similar effect as the solstice does for us.”

“Not the peak of the new moon. The moment right before. When it is at its darkest. The height of the moons death, if you will.” Alowishus gestured to the closed vault doors. “After you.”

“Never been in a labyrinth where the vault doors didn’t open. Do we just bust in?” Yami asked.

Teris shook her head. “There’s magic holding the doors closed. If we try to force it, the reaction could be similar to our magic when it clashes.”

Yami looked up. “Under three hundred some odd meters of earth and stone. I don’t like our chances of surviving that.”

Teris turned to Alowishus. “The labyrinth’s not active. There is no way we can open the vault doors.”

“You disappoint me. Unless you’re hoping I’m that stupid.”

Teris’ mouth opened, but Alowishus continued on.

“I assure you. I didn’t go through all this trouble without being certain there was a way to open a sleeping labyrinths vault room.”

“Then do it.” Teris said.

“Now that does make me certain you know better. Did you forget the rules regarding your friends up top? Think you could see me dead by tricking me and light travel to them before my followers kill them?” Alowishus’ eyes darkened. “Open it up.”

“The mana you gave me— I doubt it’ll recognize it as mine.” Teris said.

“Then we will just have to hope your system was able to assimilate enough of it for the labyrinth to recognize it is you.” Alowishus said.

“What’s that?” Yami asked, looking between them.

Frowning at Alowishus, Teris explained. “If what Yurist wrote is true. Then our mana should be able to open the doors.”

“So why can’t he do that?” Yami asked.

Teris stepped before the doors. “Shall we.”

Yami scowled. “I asked you a question.”

“Leon and Nozel don’t have much time.” Teris told.

Yami stared a moment. Something was off. He didn’t like how Teris didn’t answer him. How she wouldn’t even look at him, staring straight at the door. But she was right. Braid Face and Lion Cub were in bad shape. They didn’t have much time.

Heaving a sigh, Yami tilted his head side to side, stretching his neck. “How much mana are we giving to open up this thing?”

Teris swallowed, nervously. “As much as it needs in order to recognize us as us.”

Yami did the same as Teris and placed his palm on the door. He slowly loosened his hold on his mana. Even a couple paces from Teris and in direct contact with the object he was letting his mana seep into, it was a struggle to keep it from veering to connect with hers.

A pressure beneath his hand built as if something other than the door was stretching out, making contact with him. It apparently approved, as it stopped taking in his mana forcing Yami to pull back on the eased harness of it least his lose control and his mana connect with Teris’.

Yami turned to Teris surprised she wasn’t done as she had started before him. He stepped to her. A prickle of foreboding tickling the back of his neck. “Teris?”

Watching Teris with interest, Alowishus warned. “I wouldn’t touch her.”

Yami spun to the man, temper and worry rising. “What’s happening?”

“It’s trying to decide if it’s really her.” Alowishus said.

“What do you mean, if it’s her? Of course it’s her.”

“Did you forget? I gave her a portion of my mana.” Alowishus said.

Yami’s muscles tensed, concern tipping into fear. His jaw clenched, understanding what Teris and Alowishus had been talking about. Understanding why she had avoided answering and had refused to look at him.

“I’m confidant her system has been able to assimilate enough of my mana and make it her own by now.” Alowishus eased.

“Bastard! I’ll kill you!” Yami stepped toward Alowishus, katana cloaked in darkness.

“Do you really wish to be the death of Teris’ beloved friends when you are so close to seeing them and yourselves go free? Or was this your secret plan all along? To lash out at me and get her Intended out of the way. Permanently.”

Katana raised to send a slash of darkness, Yami paused.

Alowishus lifted a shoulder, smirking. “I can’t say I blame you. You face enough trails with me and my plans as it is. It would undoubtedly be a relief not to have to deal with the mess of having to fight in order to make Teris yours. You know I could just activate the charm. We could finish up here and return to the top. It’ll simply appear to Teris as if they succumbed to their injuries. It will be our secret. She need never know.”

Yami glared. The cloak of darkness disappeared from his blade. “No.”

“I could send message for only Nozel to be put down.” Alowishus tempted. “Fuegoleon, if he still lives, isn’t the problem after all.”

“I said, no.” Yami growled. He sheathed his katana.

Teris fell to her knees.

Yami turned back and knelt beside her. “I got you. You alright?”

“Yeah.” Teris breathed.

Yami brushed her hair back noting how pale and feverish she was. “When we get outta here you and I are gonna talk about the chance you took without telling me.”

“Had to—for Nozel and Leon.” Teris panted, trembling hand wiping her sweat drenched brow.

Looking down at them, Alowishus felt a pang of disappointment that Yami hadn’t taken him up on his offer. Maybe it was merely because Death had helped create Darkness; but there was something about Yami that made him want to win the young man over.

Alowishus stepped in front of the opening vault doors. “Up. We still got our prize to receive.”

Ignoring the man, Yami asked Teris. “Can you stand?”

Still out of breath, Teris merely nodded.

Yami hooked her arm around his neck and wrapped his arm around her waist. Easily bearing most of her weight, he lifted her to her feet with him as he stood. “Let’s get this over with.”

They stepped into the vault with Alowishus. Yami and Teris looked at each other, puzzled when they weren’t congratulated by the same Crazy Happy Killer Voice that had greeted them when they received the History of Chaos.

If the labyrinths were created by the same person. Even if that person wasn’t Yurist himself. Then surely things would be similar. The doors and interior of the vault were almost identical.

At least this vault didn’t have bodies in various stages of decay, Teris morbidly thought.

Alowishus seemed to realize something was wrong as well. Mana flaring, the Master of the Agents of Chaos released a roar of fury. The chamber they were in shook around them. Dirt and stone raining down.

Yami held Teris tight, creating a shielding cocoon of blackness. “Get us out of here!”

Teris would’ve done so but for one thing. Her concern for Nozel and Fuegoleon’s lives. Alowishus still held that charm.

“Now!” Yami gritted, dark cocoon straining against the weight of the crumbling labyrinth.

Teris light traveled them to where they had last seen Fuegoleon and Nozel.

“Get away from them!” Alowishus ordered his people when they made to move against Yami and Teris.

Teris spun around. Yami’s shield dropped,

Teris’ hand lifted on instinct. She sent out a burst of incinerating light only for it to dim and slow as soon as if left her. Slowed as it was, it was still faster than most magical attacks.

Caught by surprised, Alowishus didn’t get a chance to move. The attack struck him in the chest. There was a moment of stillness as everyone stared.

Alowishus and Teris blinked at one another. They both knew he had been undefended and her direct hit should have instantly killed him.

Rage still consuming him, Alowishus counted this as one thing going his way this night. “It would seem your system hasn’t assimilated enough of my mana for it to harm me. Better luck next time.” He saw Yami reach for his katana and ordered. “Misandre. Quickly now.”

Alowishus didn’t wait around long enough to see if Misandre was able to portal his followers out in time. Breaking apart, he disintegrated into the earth.

Katana cloaking in darkness even as he unsheathed it from its scabbard, Yami sent out a several dark slashes. He cursed, knowing before they cut down the trees beyond that he was too slow. Alowishus and the Agents of Chaos were gone.

Yami turned to Fuegoleon and Nozel. With a swipe of his blade, he cut the Silver Eagle and Crimson Lion free. Hoping Alowishus' foreign mana wouldn’t adversely effect her light traveling Fuegoleon and Nozel, Teris took the four of them to Healers Hall.

96.5

Alowishus’ anger had barely calmed. Storming into his private office, he slammed the door behind him and made for the shelf behind his desk, picking up his father's skull.

“Your lied!” Alowishus roared, gripping the skull in both hands.

“I told you, your efforts would be futile.” A voice resonated in his head.

Alowishus shook the skull, not hearing the dead mans words. “The Future of Chaos was not there!”

“The Future of Chaos is not for you.” The voice of the skull sounded in his mind.

“I had a plan to work around that. It was faultless.” Alowishus snapped.

“Apparently not.” The voice said.

“You placed grandfathers work back inside labyrinth 297,353 after you retrieved it, putting special protections in place to keep me out.” Alowishus said.

“You mean after I took back what you stole?” The voice of Erin Spade questioned.

Alowishus snarled, grip tightening. “I had it in my grasp and you took it. Stole it.”

“You stole it first.��

Alowishus slammedthe skull down and turned away. He had barely been able to delve into the unfathomable knowledge that was the Future of Chaos before his father had ripped it from his grasp. He had been sure his father had placed the page back in labyrinth 297,353 for Yami and Teris to eventually find; certainthat his father had merely set barriers to block his re-entrance, since he had been unable to enter again until tonight.

“You placed grandfathers work back inside labyrinth 297,353 after you retrieved it.” Alowishus said, again.

“Did I?” His father's voice sounded in his mind.

“You moved the Future of Chaos to another location!”

“You moved it first when you stole it.”

“You changed the future Yurist saw. You ruined Yami and Teris’ destiny to have the Future of Chaos.” Alowishus accused.

“More thanlikely, I kept theprophecy concerning the Future of Chaosin tact. While my father’s prophetic words could often be unclear. That one sentencewas quite clear. Findand receive. It could hardly be said those twofound the labyrinth, what with you setting upon them and forcing them to bend to yourwill and go down there. I have full confidence that Yami and Teris will find and receive my father’s final work, if they haven’t already.”

“What do you mean haven’t already?” Alowishus demanded.

“Destiny canonly be bent to your will so far before it snapsback to its own designs, Fin.”

Alowishus sneered at beingcalledby his first life's name. “I will have my way, Old Man. Yami and Teris will help me awaken Chaos and see to a finalend. I will get what I have worked sevenexistencesfor.”

“Good luck doing it without the Future of Chaos.” The voice taunted.

“You are useless and more infuriating every time I speak to you. I should ground your bones to dust and forget you ever lived.”

“I wish you would.” The skull of Erin Spade said.

“That would bring you too much joy. Finally finding your rest after all these years. No. You will not rest until I have my way.” Picking up the skull, Alowishus set it back on the shelf. “Till the death of the next moon, Old Man. Know that I won’t enjoy the three nights of your company anymore than you will mine.”

Comments are VERY MUCH appreciated and really make my day. Thank you to those who have left hearts. And a special THANK YOU to those who have recently commented or re-blogged. It really means a lot.

Next chapter snippet:

“He’s ill.” Jax said.

“How ill?” Marx asked.

“Deathly.” Yami rumbled.

#yami sukehiro #nozel silva #fuegoleon vermillion #julius novachrono #mereoleona vermillion #black clover #light in the darkness

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zackmephisto · 4 years

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crimson, light pink, vermillion, copper, canary, olive, seafoam green, powder blue, mauve, pink nectar.

crimson - what’s an event that’s shaped you to be who you are today?

i was actually thinking about this the other day. it was, as dumb as shit as it sounds, the moment i chose, out of art, choir, or band, to do band stuff in fifth grade, and stick with it until a little after i graduated high school.

light pink - do you have stuffed animals?

i have a daryl

vermilion - how brave are you?

depends on the circumstances, i guess? how deep in my comfort zone am i?

copper - what is your favorite kind of day?

i’m assuming this means weather-wise. overcast, a little windy, with no humidity.

canary - favorite song?

i have a lot tbh. depends on the day. my go-to lately though has been fall glow by reol. give it a shot if you like japanese music

olive - what’s your favorite food?

burritos, no doubt. there has yet to be a more perfect fucking whole meal.

seafom green - do you like water?

i was born in monterey bay, california. the ocean is my everything. and now i currently live in norcal, in a valley with two major lakes nearby. fuck yes i like water.

powder blue - would you want to be able to change the weather?

absolutely. it’s like. breaking 110 on a regular basis in the summer here and i fucking hate it. i would change the weather in a goddamn heartbeat

mauve - what would you name your kids/pets?

i’m never having kids. but as stupid as it sounds, even though i’m firm in not having children, i’ve got kids names picked out. david james for a boy (named after my grandpa and my kung fu master respectively), or robbin valerie for a girl (my grandma’s name). i already have pets who’s names i love, king leonidas and edgar allan poe, so. there’s that

pink nectar - what’s your aesthetic?

depends p heavily on the occasion. today was a lil girly. usually i try to stick to gnc and punk ‘don’t fuck with me’ vibes. my bedroom is low key weeby and really cozy, and i do try to keep my shit clean and organized. if u click on the link i attached to daryl u can kinda see my bed and the tapestry above it

color asks

#dirt's asks #ask meme #i love u. thank u for helping me take my mind off of. Tonight #friends tag #was suzukigunichiban #magicalweirdism

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loosesodamarble · 8 days

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Faust children's sleep schedules are out of whack

Dusk: (yawning as he comes out of his room) Why is everyone up so early? Leon: ..... It's ten in the morning. Dusk: Huh. (thinks for a moment) I guess five hours will do. Leon: Please tell me you don't normally only sleep five hours a day. Later that day… Dawn: (dragging her feet) I've never stayed up so late. Sunela: It's barely nine o'clock? Dawn: I should hit the hay soon if I want to be up by four a.m. Sunela: Why are you up that early?!

.....

Leon is @thoughtfullyrainynightmare's oc. Sunela is @faewraithsworld's oc.

#black clover #black clover incorrect quote #black clover oc #dusk faust #dawn faust #leonidas vermillion #sunela ideale #soda's ocs #laura's oc #taja's oc #nacht and josele's children don't know how to sleep like normal people #just like me and my friends/lh

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thoughtfullyrainynightmare · 4 months

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Did I hear a request for some fluff 👀? *ahem* Since you want some fluff; how about a small oneshot with the FueLara and their children with the prompt “Is this a dream? If so, I never want to wake up.” Please 🥰?

Hiya Lyra! I took my sweet time with this, but I was in the mood for some fluff so... I finally finished this ^^ Thank you for enabling me!! ❤️‍🔥

Characters: Eleonora, Leonidas, Cyraleona and Fuegoleon Vermillion, Solara Equinox Pairing: Fuegoleon x Solara Genre: Family fluff with the Fuelara kids Summary: The kids are playing in the garden of the Vermillion estate, Nora manages to pull the two older ones into a puddle and they are all in need of a bath to wash the mud away, the family then curls up in blankets next to a fire, and Papa Fue comes home from work to see his family bundled up Length: ~2.6k

A few clouds floated through the sky at the Vermillion estate as a few leaves, painted with the colours of autumn, floated down from the trees, danced through the air, and landed onto the rain softened ground. The tiled paths were lined with the brown grass that was getting ready to welcome winter in some months of time, and a few puddles had collected here and there. And there were occasional gusts of wind that shifted the leaves around with a rustle that was overpowered by the sounds of laughter and yells.

“Nora!” Leon, the oldest of the three children yelled while running after the smallest.

The little girl had only recently learned to run, but it seemed that, now that the youngest of the little lion cubs had gotten her feet under her, she wasn’t about to stop and sit down any time soon. Which was only emphasized by the babbling laughter that escaped the little girl, as she was running across the garden as fast as her little legs could carry.

“Nora, you’ll trip if you keep running into the puddles,” the other girl, an older sister with ombre hair that begun as red, but shifted to a warm blond at the tips, called while running after her brother and sister. But her tone was much more gentle; as if simply a louder speaking voice, rather than a call.

And at a small distance away, overlooking at the scene, was the mother.

She was standing to the side with her hair tied up onto a French twist, and her posture was relaxed, but her eyes were to the children. The few steps here and there she took, were to keep her line of sight on the little ones, just to make sure that nothing would happen.

Sure they might stumble a little, perhaps tumble into the puddles, but there was no wrapping them into bubble wrap. The ground was soft, and they were home. There was no real danger, and the toddler needed to learn that sometimes you might trip, but then you’d get up. Which seemed to come naturally.

Though Eleonora had stumbled, she had always met it with the same bubbly laughter, and had tried again. And it was because of that trait that Solara had thought Nora to have learned to run at such a young age.

The little girl just refused to give up.

She was headstrong and determined. And she’d be sure footed once she got some practice; it wouldn’t make sense to hinder the progress.

But Leonidas and Cyraleona seemed very concerned for their baby sister. Which was understandable. After all, the twins had been there to see Nora as an infant; how small and frail she had been, just like any baby. And they hadn’t quite yet forgotten how small she was, which was why they were trying to run after the little one, to keep her from stumbling.

Nora on the other hand, had other ideas. If one hadn’t known any better, one would have thought that Nora was purposefully running away from her siblings to show them that she could make it on her own. Or maybe try and tell them to keep up with her, and to push them a little bit.

Maybe eventually she would be. But for now. She was simply intent on running into the puddles, and Leon and Cyra were running after her. While trying to persuade her into playing in the piles of leaves.

Which... when dealing with a toddler that potentially had her father’s affinity, might not be the best decision. Even if the leaves were slightly damp.

Eleonora was still too young to be showcasing her mana, or affinity, but there was always a chance that it would push forth and cause a combustion of a kind. Fue hadn’t exactly been precise about at what ages he had accidentally lit his own clothes on fire due to the abundance of mana he held, but by all logic, it wouldn’t still be for a while with Nora. But. It never hurt to keep an eye on things.

Leon and Cyra had inherited a combination of Solara’s and Fuegoleon’s affinities, which had resulted into a few fires already, which gave an added reason to be watchful. Though the two of them were already old enough to keep their magics in check, for the most part at least. Some of their spells were still volatile and uncontained, but they’d learn over time.

I wonder what affinity Nora will have... For some reason I don’t think she’ll be the same as Cyra and Leon. I just didn’t have the same feeling while expecting her than the twins. But for some reason I don’t think it’ll be the same as mine either... Though Fue tells me that it’s too early to speculate, I’m more inclined to think that she’ll have his affinity. Or something closer to his affinity. Solara thought to herself. And Nora seems more hands-on, eager to dive into new experiences and to learn, while both Cyra and Leon were a bit more ...careful, in their approach. Cyra more than Leon. Which... reminds me a little bit of myself. Not that I was exactly careful, but I was more so, I think. While Nora... she’s very much a Vermillion.

“Nora!”

Solara looked up to see both Nora and Leon sitting in a puddle. Nora was clapping her hands, and Leon looked a little bit upset with mud on his hands, while Cyra stood right by them with hands on her mouth.

Oh my, it seems that they need a bath, she thought while shaking her head with faint amusement.

Nora reached towards her sister, while stumbling up, and Cyra mirrored the movement to take a hold of Nora’s hand.

But as she did, Nora plopped onto the ground, pulling Cyra along with her. Which was followed by a yelp from Cyra and more laughter from Nora.

I see, Solara chuckled while jogging to the kids.

“You shouldn’t do that Nora,” Leon scolded with furrowed brows and sounding even more upset.

Cyra looked at her hands, and her soaked, muddy clothes, as her lips quivered a little.

“[Children,]” Lara called out while coming closer to them and kneeling down next to them.

“[Mom! Nora pulled us into the puddle!]” Leon said while standing up and away from the puddle.

“[I saw, Leon,]” she nodded, while Nora giggled. “[You shouldn’t do that Nora. You’ll upset your siblings,]” she scolded the toddler before turning her attention back to her eldest again. “[She is stronger than one would think. All toddlers are,]” there was a smile on her lips, but an apology in her eyes as she picked Nora up, and propped her against her hip to free one hand, so that she could offer it to Cyra.

The older girl took a hold of her mother’s hand, and got up, while fighting back tears in her eyes.

“[It’s okay honey. We’ll get you all into a bath, and then maybe some hot cocoa.]”

Cyra’s chin stayed lowered, but she shivered in the passing breeze, the same as Leon.

“[Hey... Cyra, sweetheart?]” Lara gave her oldest daughter a smile. “[You want to have a hug?]” She opened up her arm to welcome her in, while still keeping Nora up in her other. And Nora stayed still, behaving surprisingly well while observing the interaction.

“[I’ll get mud on your clothes mother...]” The girl sobbed while wrapping her arms around herself.

“[It’s okay honey, I can handle a little mud,]” she spoke with a gentle, hushed tone. “[Come here.]”

Cyra glanced up before diving into the embrace, and letting a few tears run down her cheeks.

“[Are you hurt?]”

Cyra shook her head.

“[Good,]” she glanced at Leon. “[What about you, Leon?]”

He also shook his head, looking a little more serious, but not as upset anymore.

Lara nodded, and let her eyes shift between the kids. “[Now. How about that bath, and some cocoa afterwards, hm?]”

Cyra and Leon nodded, and Nora let out an excited giggle, after which they began walking back inside.

Later that afternoon, all three kids were seated in front of a fireplace of the master bedroom. The older ones had their mugs, and Nora had a sippy cup, but there was a blanket wrapped around all of them.

The bedroom door opened, and a familiar figure appeared through it.

“Papa!” Cyra was the first to put down her mug and run across the room, with Leon close behind her.

Nora was the slowest this time as the blanket hindered her start the most.

“Good afternoon my precious children,” he greeted while kneeling down and opening his arms to welcome all three into his embrace. “Did you have a nice day?”

“Nora pulled us into a puddle and we got muddy and wet,” Leon declared factually while looking his father in the eye.

“Oh, I see,” he chuckled. “That wasn’t very nice of you Eleonora,” he looked at the youngest who had an impish grin on her face.

“But we took a bath and got some hot cocoa,” Cyra added.

“Hmm... How wonderful. A nice long bath can help with a lot, I have found,” he stated with a smile.

“Mhm,” the girl smiled.

Nora pulled Fue’s jacket, closer to the fire place.

“What is it dear?” He asked with a tender gaze, waiting for the youngest to try her best to tell what she meant.

Nora got up, and toddled to her sippy cup, and then back, handing it to her father.

“Thank you dear,” he said with a smile and a nod. “But I’m sure I can have my own. So, you can drink yours,” he placed a kiss onto Nora’s forehead while handing the cup back to her.

“Come father,” Cyra pulled onto his arm. “Sit with us by the fire.”

Fue chuckled while standing up. “I’ll be there in a minute,” he assured. “I’ll just take off my cape and jacket first.”

The kids nodded and returned to their seats, wrapped the blankets around themselves and took a hold of their mugs while staring into the fire. Salamander followed suit in his small form, and curled into the fireplace on top of the logs, as if a cat in a sunny spot near a windowsill.

“We missed you,” Solara greeted while walking up to her, taking her turn to welcome Fuegoleon home.

“I missed you too,” he smiled while leaning closer and pressing a tender kiss onto her lips. “All of you,” he added while glancing to the kids seated by the fire.

“How was work?”

His eyes took on a tired undertone, and a sigh left his lungs as his eyes turned back to his wife. “Tiring,” he simply replied. “But let’s... discuss it later,” there was a request in his tone, a careful wish that he might relieve some of his burdens onto her, but not yet.

This wasn’t the time for it, not with the cubs in the room.

And she understood it more than well, which is why she nodded, and placed her hand onto his cheek.

“Later,” she assured him while stroking his cheek with her thumb.

His hands moved to take off the cape, and hung it onto a coatrack by the door, only so that he might take her hand into his, and bring it to his lips. He lowered his head, as if to make a small bow to her, and pressed a gentle, lingering kiss onto her skin, as his eyes closed in a slow blink before finding hers yet again. Only to linger. Only to gaze at her with adoration and need and a kind of pull that he, even after all these years, still couldn’t explain. Not that he needed to explain it. Because to him, it was enough to know that he wished to be by her side; spend the remaining days and nights he had in his life with her.

That in itself, was enough. To know that he wanted her; that being without her, would be a kind of slow death for him.

His posture straightened, and his head turned towards the kids; the three treasures in his life, gifted by life itself to him and her. And his hand kept a hold of hers, as his feet began making their way closer to the fireplace, to pull her along with her.

The evening went on by the fire place with a few cups of cocoa; stories and laughter, talk about everything and nothing in particular, until the kids fell asleep onto the floor with the pillows and blankets. Their eyes were closed, and their chests kept rising and falling next to the crackling fire as their parents just watched them.

“We should carry them to bed,” he whispered to her without taking his eyes off of them.

“We should,” she agreed with a whisper of her own, looking at the kids, just as he did.

“Do you...” he began to utter, but then shook his head, as if to shake of a thought he deemed silly.

“What?” She glanced at him with faint amusement, and a slightly quirked eyebrow.

“I was just... thinking,” he replied as the smile he had on his lips continued to linger.

“About?”

There was a kind of curiosity in her tone, one that was light and airy, but which held back a chuckle.

“About how... our journey hasn’t been without troubles...”

“It certainly hasn’t,” she mused, making his smile widen.

“But despite of it, we’re here,” his gaze was soft and gentle, as if to adore a sight he was still trying to believe to be true.

His hand lifted to find hers; as if he wanted to make sure that she really was there.

“We have... three beautiful children. All of them wonderful in their own ways. Like rare gems, and...”

There was a pause, during which he struggled to find words with which to depict what he was thinking.

She leaned a little closer, and placed her head onto his shoulder with a whisper. “About...?”

“About how... we got so lucky?”

The chuckle she has been holding back left her lips as her eyes closed in a slow blink.

“I do,” she admitted with yet another whisper. “Sometimes I wonder if this is just a wonderful dream...”

He let out a hum that was a strange mix of being pleased and amused. “If it is...” he pressed his head against hers with a rolling motion, as if to rub his head against hers. “I never want to wake up,” his voice was quiet and careful, almost as if he was apprehensive, almost like he didn’t want to be too loud out of fear of some higher being hearing the admission, and then making him do just that; wake up from the blessed dream he was having.

It was as if he was speaking out a secret for her, and only her, to hear.

Her hand kept a hold of his, telling him that she was there. That she shared the same reality along with him. That if it was a dream, it was a shared dream, perhaps one of fever.

But both of them knew, that their heartstrings, the gilded threads of fate that had spun into ropes, couldn’t have concocted such a perfect dream. That this, was far too good for either of them to have imagined. And thus, it must’ve been the reality, they were living.

#fuegoleon x solara #eleonora vermillion #cyraleona vermillion #leonidas vermillion #black clover fanfiction #lyra #wifey #yami's biker chick #maybe I'll make an art piece for this in some point

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thoughtfullyrainynightmare · 8 months

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Next up on the Tarot deck is Leonidas Vermillion by yours truly (Fuego's son)

Major Arcana Card VII: The Chariot

The Chariot tarot card is all about overcoming challenges and gaining victory through maintaining control of your surroundings. This perfect control and confidence allows the charioteer to emerge victorious in any situation. The use of strength and willpower are critical in ensuring that you overcome the obstacles that lie in your path. The Chariot's message comes to make you stronger as you strive to achieve your goals.

He shows that you should pursue the plan with a structured and ordered approach.

#black clover #black clover tarot #black clover oc #black clover next gen #leonidas vermillion

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loosesodamarble · 5 months

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Alistar: Would your rather: die or- Dusk: Oh definitely dying. Mikhail: You didn't even hear the second option! Dusk: I still choose it. Zoisite: What's the other option, Al? Alistar: Fighting with your parents. Dusk: I choose death. Leon: Please wait. Do you mean "fight" as in "argue" or "fight" as in "a physical altercation"? Alistar: I meant an argument to be honest. Zois: Guys, this is Dusk, I think arguing with his parents would send him into cardiac arrest. So he'd still die! No offense. Dusk: None taken. Though I would've said a stroke- Zois: Nah, it's your heart that would give out. Mikhail: Can we *not* imagine Dusk suffering a severe medical emergency? Leon: Fair enough. Although... What would be the cause of death for the "death" option? Alistar: Hm... I just kinda assumed the idea of collapsing dead out of nowhere. Zois: Damn, you can't give Dusk a cool death? Alistar: Alright then, I'm deeply sorry for not elaborating on a hypothetical death scenario! Mikhail: (looks into the camera) These guys are supposed to be my seniors? Give me a break.

.....

Alistar is @lyranova's oc. Dusk is my own oc. Mikhail is @koneko-pi's oc. Zoisite is @faewraithsworld's oc. Leon is @thoughtfullyrainynightmare's oc.

#black clover #black clover incorrect quote #black clover oc #next gen ocs #alistar vangeance #lyra's oc #dusk faust #soda's ocs #mikhail silva #koneko's oc #zoisite ideale #taja's oc #leonidas vermillion #laura's oc #boys will be boys asjhfiausrh!

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loosesodamarble · 2 months

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Picnics and Fireworks of Love

Summary: The Vermillion family go out to enjoy a picnic under the night sky. Fuegoleon and Solara are in for a surprise. Genre: general, family fluff Word count: ~1800 A/N: And here is the finale to the gift fics for @thoughtfullyrainynightmare! Also, these oneshts will be posted on my ao3 account. They'll be chapters to a fic titled "Summer Essentials with the Vermillions."

..........

“The night is gorgeous tonight, isn’t it?” Solara remarked.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen the sky so cloudless honestly,” Fuegoleon said in reply.

Fuegoleon, Solara, and their three children strolled through an open field out in the countryside of Clover. The grass was tall and swished with each stride of the family’s legs.

“Mom, Dad! Hurry up!” Eleonora called for several yards ahead. She waved her arms at them. “Are those long legs just for show?”

“We’re coming, Nora!” Fuegoleon answered. “You kids are just too quick and spry for us, I suppose!”

The walk brought the five of them to an area of the field where the grass was shorter, likely grazed down by wildlife. With silent nods passed between them, the family agreed it was the spot to settle down.

Cyraleona unfurled a picnic blanket she’d been carrying which everyone helped smooth out. Leonidas set down a lidded basket and pulled food from within, passing it around to his parents and sisters.

Each part of the meal was made by someone different. Fuegoleon made spinach salad with sliced strawberries mixed in. Solara had grilled meat skewers, and she mentioned that the seasoning was given to her by a friend so it wasn’t all her work. Cyraleona grinned from ear to ear as her family enjoyed the garlic knots she baked. Leonidas’s dish was quiche with a seafood filling. And Eleonora had made dessert, triple chocolate chip cookies. Each of them also got a bottle of water and a bottle of the Vermillion family’s special lemonade.

As Solara leisurely ate her meal, she noticed how her kids scarfed down their shares of food. They still ate with some sense of grace, not taking too big bites and using a fork for whatever food they felt called for it. But whenever she or Fuegoleon tried to get a conversation going…

“Yes, my friends in Thea did write back,” Leonidas said before forking another bite of salad into his mouth.

“And what did they write?” Fuegoleon pressed. Leonidas gave a mute shrug to that.

Cyraleona swallowed a mouthful of quiche before muttering, “He’ll be there for the concert. His word is his bond so…” She cut herself off with a sip of water.

“That’s good. I’m sure his parents are proud of his work,” Solara replied. “And I assume you’re happy that he’s still your pianist?” That only got Cyraleona to hum. “So… Nora, how was that one-on-one lesson with Sister Theresa? Was she everything your dad said she’d be like?”

“Yeah, Sister Theresa’s lesson was great!” Eleonora cheerfully said.

“Then maybe we can convince her to let you study under her another time,” Fuegoleon suggested with a smile.

Though Eleonora emphatically nodded to the idea, she still went ahead with eating instead of talking.

Fuegoleon and Solara glanced at each other.

What do they actually think of this? Fuegoleon wondered as he watched as his children were finishing the last items on their plates. They agreed to the picnic when Solara first suggested it. Though they weren’t enthusiastic about it the way I know some of their peers might’ve been, they certainly weren’t against it…

The suggestion had been a week ago, discussed over a more formal dinner. Eleonora had been the first to agree though she also threw in a comment of a picnic probably not being as fun as her camping trips with Mereoleona. Leonidas mentioned that his friends often talked about summer picnics. Cyraleona smiled and talked about how it’d be a refreshing change of pace from the tea parties she’d been invited to recently.

Did we do something wrong between then and now? Fuegoleon thought back but he couldn’t think of anything that he or Solara did that would’ve bothered the children.

Fuegoleon noticed the three leaning in close to each other. They were whispering something and he couldn’t make out what they were saying since he just now pulled himself from his thoughts. Fuegoleon raised an eyebrow.

They seemed enthusiastic only moments ago. Taking the lead on the walk. And they even made dishes all on their own. Solara picked at the quiche. It was the perfect amount of salty and spicy but also creamy from the egg. No way her son put in so much effort for a picnic he didn’t want to go on. But their behavior now makes it seem like they want to get this over with. Thinking more, Solara recalled something. They were muttering about what to do here a few days back… Were they worried about boredom? No, that can’t be it. Conversation comes easily between us. So then what—?

Solara’s thoughts paused when Fuegoleon nudged her elbow with his own. She lifted her eyes to him. Once their gazes locked, Fuegoleon flicked his eyes in the kids’ direction. Solara turned her head.

Leonidas, Cyraleona, and Eleonora had left the picnic blanket and were dashing away. The sound of eager laughter trailed behind them.

“Looks like they have a surprise for us,” Fuegoleon whispered.

“Mom! Dad!” Eleonora yelled, beaming like the sun. “Watch what Uncle Leopold taught us!”

The parents watched and their eyes went wide as their children began to write the runes used for Mana Method in the air. The runes formed the spell circles and seconds later, glowing balls of magic shot into the air.

The speed of the spells created sharp whistles. Then, those balls of magic exploded. Vibrant, warm colors contrasted brilliantly against the dark navy sky. There was a deep orange from Eleonora’s Fire Magic. The twins’ Burning Sun Magic were flickering mixes of red, orange, and yellow. More magic was shot into the sky, directed by the runes that the kids wrote. Some spells burst and scattered streaks of color into the air. Others flared out, elegantly unfurling like the petals of a blooming flower.

“Wow…” Solara blinked a few times to push back the tears coming to her eyes.

It was beautiful. The firework show. The smiles she could see on her children’s faces. The relief she felt knowing she’d worried for nothing.

“Indeed. To think that Leo was able to teach them that in just a few days.”

Without taking his eyes off the fireworks, Fuegoleon reached and wrapped his arm around Solara’s shoulders.

“The children sure are incredible,” Solara said as she scooted closer to her husband. “They’re eager to learn, each one of them. And they work hard for what they want.”

“Wonderful traits to have.” Fuegoleon nodded approvingly. “I’m glad they’ve gotten the best parts of you.”

“And you too,” Solara shot back with a grin. “I’m humble enough to admit that I needed help to raise them into the people they’ve become. I’m proud of who they’re becoming thanks to their own efforts too.”

It was true. As much as Fuegoleon, Solara, and their relatives raised and influenced Leon, Cyra, and Nora, the three of them were becoming their own people too.

Leonidas was growing more in tune with those around him and working to empathize with people regardless of their backgrounds. His ability to listen to others and use what he learns to make decisions were the signs that he could be a leader, if he so chose.

Cyraleona was coming out of her shell, not entirely abandoning her safety zone but learning to show more of herself. She was gaining a quiet boldness that felt right for her. Her artistic heart was adept at stirring the feelings of others and who knew what she could do with that talent.

And Eleonora’s fierceness and cleverness grew with each day, making her a loveable handful to her loved ones. She was ready for a challenge, be it physical or intellectual or even against simple boredom. Always changing, Eleonora would certainly change the world with her.

They had their traits from their parents, but they had many more traits that were their own.

But they were still Solara and Fuegoleon’s little cubs.

It made Solara’s heart swell and she was sure Fuegoleon felt the same. Solara rested her head on Fuegoleon’s shoulder and gazed up at him.

“Thank you, Fuegoleon.”

Fuegoleon turned his head and took in his wife’s smile, illuminated by the bursting fireworks. The flashes of light in the sky made the flecks of sun in Solara’s forest eyes stand out. Such a beautiful woman, inside and out, directing her adoring eyes at him. Her words were filled with gratitude and they held more value to him than any announcement of grand titles being awarded to him.

“Thank you, too, Solara,” Fuegoleon whispered back. “You don’t know how much you mean to me.”

“Couldn’t you always tell me?” Solara teased.

Fuegoleon took a deep breath but then sighed, “No, I don’t think so.”

Solara blinked. She was caught off guard by the admittance. Though she didn’t seem upset.

“No matter my words or my actions, I don’t think either would be able to truly capture the depth of my feelings for you,” Fuegoleon stated as his eyes flicked away from Solara and back to the flames dancing in the air. “These thoughts and feelings can’t be conveyed to you in all their truth. I’m sorry.”

Solara stared at Fuegoleon. She stared at the way the intermittent lighting truly made her husband’s hair look like vermillion flames. The lavender of his eyes didn’t get overtaken by the fiery colors. Rather, the soft, beautiful color she fell in love with seemed stronger against the red, orange, and yellow glow. And his words, his words confessing a sense of weakness, sank deep into her heart.

“Don’t be.”

Fuegoleon didn’t get a chance to look at Solara as threw her arms around Fuegoleon’s torso and buried her face in his chest. She gripped the back of his coat.

“Don’t—” Solara giggled and turned her head so her mouth wasn’t covered. “Don’t be sorry, Fue. Hearing what you just said… That’s enough for me.”

Fuegoleon placed a hand on the back of Solara’s head and used his other to caress one of her arms. He smiled at her. And he was sure his smile at the moment was the same as the one he saw on her face.

“Lara…”

Solara raised her head and sat back up. “Yes?”

Fuegoleon brushed aside a lock of hair that fell into her face.

The whistle of fireworks shooting into the sky resounded.

He leaned down and she tilted her chin up.

The sky lit up with flames and the light of a bright sun.

Their lips pressed together for a soft, chaste kiss.

The fires of love, whether they burned in a romantic’s heart or in the shared heart of a family, burned especially bright that night.

#black clover #black clover fanfic #fuegoleon vermillion #black clover oc #solara equinox #fuelara #leonidas vermillion #cyraleona vermillion #eleonora vermillion #next gen ocs #laura's oc #gift fic #wifey laura ❤️‍🔥

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thoughtfullyrainynightmare · 5 months

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Little next gen interactions I just thought of…

Leonidas and Dawn run off together and disappear for a bit. Fue and Nacht eventually find the two in a dark closet… arguing and competing over whose magic is stronger.

Dawn: Mine is Light Magic! Of course mine is brighter!

Leon: It maybe be brighter but your magic also lacks any heat which my attribute can supply!

…..

Solara pokes her head into the library and sees Dusk and Cyra on a sofa together. Cyra has fallen asleep and her head is on Dusk’s lap. Dusk is completely still, not wanting to wake Cyra.

Solara: Ahhh. Looks like she must’ve been up late again. Here, I’ll help carry her to her room.

Dusk: Uh, no… She shouldn’t be disturbed if she’s so tired so… I’ll… I can wait…

…..

Josele hears a commotion. The cause? A maid has spotted Eleonora and Vivian climbing to the roof of the castle. Being a protective mama bear, Josele goes after them and gets them back on the ground.

Nora: It was Vivian’s idea. She said the open space would be ideal for me to show off how big I can make my flames.

Josele: (looks at Vivian)

Vivian: Eleonora speaks truth. I deemed the roof the area to have the lowest chance of catching on fire.

…..

Just the Vermillions and the Fausts having a grand ol’ time together. 🥺

The families are bonding! T^T Though Fue and Nacht might not be that thrilled about it, but... their wives and kids are having fun ^^ Or at least having adventures. And in the case of Vivi and Nora, enabling each other.

But also...

Dusk: I can wait Solara: ...What if she stays asleep through the night? Dusk: I can wait Solara: Sweetie, you're not being reasonable Dusk: ... I think the only reasonable thing is to let a tired person sleep Solara: ....

#Erika #Faust fiancèe #leonidas vermillion #dawn faust #cyraleona vermillion #dusk faust #vivian faust #eleonora vermillion #black clover next gen #solara equinox #josele canty #fuegoleon vermillion #nacht faust

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thoughtfullyrainynightmare · 5 months

Text

A redraw from way back when

#fuegoleon vermillion #solara equinox #black clover next gen #cyraleona vermillion #leonidas vermillion #black clover fanart #i luv them your honour

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thoughtfullyrainynightmare · 4 months

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A/N: This is a collab between myself and @loosesodamarble that we finished a couple days ago! I just got around to posting it ^^' It's for the 1.6k follows event from some weeks ago ^^ Caelum belongs to Erika, and Leonidas is mine

Summary: Caelum Roulacase, who is a later bloomer and has been in Spade to learn magic from King Yuno, is now back in Clover. But... he is dealing with some thoughts and a lot of emotions that he'd rather first get out, and discuss with someone else. And the best person he can think of for this purpose is Leonidas Vermillion. The two young men hit off a conversation and... perhaps start a new friendship Genre: General Pairing: Caelum & Leonidas Length: ~5.5k Contains: ...Philosophical discussion? Some manga references? It's very safe imo

And for a moment, Cal smirked with a kind of a huff, and looked up in what appeared to be amusement. Which it was. Since in that moment, Cal thought about how much the mannerism appeared as that of Leon's father.

An apple doesn't fall far from the tree, or how was it? He thought in passing before opening his mouth again.

"Is this seat taken?" He asked, gesturing to the other seat around the table.

Leon glanced at the seat, which was vacant. And it wasn't the only seat, or the only table, available outside. Or inside for that matter. Which in itself was telling.

But there was no reason to decline the request as he wasn't expecting anyone.

"No, you're free to join me," he nodded with a kind smile, which was returned with another nod. "Do you want to get something to drink first though?" He continued with a slight wonder.

But Cal let out a sigh while sitting down, and picked up the menu card on the table lazily. "Depends on what they have on offer."

The tone was tired, and more downbeat than one might have expected. Perhaps something was bothering him?

The two boys sat in silence for a moment as Caelum perused the menu.

"I, uh, suppose I should be saying 'welcome back'," Leon said while resting his hands on the table. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Caelum blinked in surprised and looked up at Leon with a half-hearted smile. "Oh. Yeah. And thanks."

This crossing of paths was made awkward not only by the fact that the boys weren't particularly close but also due to them not seeing each other in the last three years. Not for a lack of effort. Simply, Caelum hadn't been in Clover Kingdom whatsoever.

"I wasn't even aware you'd come back," Leon again broke the silence. "And here I thought I'd hear about it first from Dawn-"

"Ahahaha... That's the thing..." Caelum's laugh was clearly forced, making Leon pause and furrow his brow. He and Cal locked eyes, prompting Caelum's answer. "Dawn doesn't know I'm back. Right now, only my family and Uncle Langris have been told."

Leon nodded, not entirely sure what to say to that.

Leon kept quiet long enough for Caelum to wave over a server and put in a drink order for himself. When the server left, Caelum put his attention back on Leon.

"I was kinda hoping to talk to you first, actually," Caelum admitted. His fingers drummed against the table's surface. "'Cause I know we're not really buddies but I was kinda hoping someone would hear me out."

Leon raised a brow. "And that someone can't be Dawn?" Whatever could Cal be worried about? And what would it have to be for him to seek me out over Dawn of all people?

Looking at Caelum, there was a lack of warmth from the boy. They weren't close, but Leon recalled him usually being smiles and gentlemanly grace. But now, he was stiff and muted, like a dimmed light.

"No." He simply said, eyes down, and lacking of that very glimmer that he used to hold, which was only emphasized the blunt answer.

Leon leaned back in his chair, opting to make himself assume a more relaxed and open position, over that of questioning. "Well, in that case, I'd be happy to lend an ear," he stated, to which Caelum nodded.

And it almost felt as if in that nod, there was a thanx.

"So... You've spent time abroad too, right?"

Leon quirked an eyebrow and glanced to Cal for a moment, because it seemed almost as if a rhetorical question.

Cal knew that he was only half-Cloverian.

"Yes. I travel quite frequently, but most of the visits are short in nature. At least these days. Though it's a goal for me to spend some extended period of time back in Thea again, to know how it is to really live there. See the kind of insight to the country that you can't get from a short visit," he explained, factually, but in a rather casual manner.

And again Cal nodded, listening to the explanation. "How was it?" He asked, but before Leon could answer, he corrected himself. "I mean... I'm not looking for an explanation about what kind of a country that is, or the customs or the people or the..." he trailed off, his voice fading in the slightest as the words kept pouring out of him.

After which, he sighed, and rubbed the back of his head.

"I ... How was it to live there?" He spoke with a heavy tone, as if it had been an ordeal, whatever it is that he went through while in Spade. And granted that there were plenty of stories still in the air about Spade, the weight of the tone wasn't all too surprising.

"Caelum..." Leon said while leaning forward and placing his hand onto the table. "It doesn't sound like that is the question you'd like to ask from me."

Cal's lips parted for a moment, but as he was about to speak, the server brought him his drink.

"Thanks," Cal stated, and Leon nodded. After which, as the server left, there was a brief silence that hung over them.

A train of thought that was lost, perhaps. Or just words that would have jumbled together no matter what.

Until, finally, Cal sighed again. "It isn't," he admitted, and picked up his glass, taking a sip. "I just thought that someone who has been travelling could... maybe... I don't know, understand how I feel."

Leon let out a thoughtful hum. "Well... if we want to split hairs, I haven't been 'travelling' that much. I spend time between two countries. But if you want to talk to someone who has been travelling, I can direct you to my mother."

Cal let out an amused scoff as a reply.

"You didn't just visit, or travel, to Spade," Leon pointed out. "You lived there for an extended period of time. And... I can't imagine how anxiety inducing that must've been."

A look of recognition, perhaps awareness was the better word, flickered across Cal's face before he sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.

"It was rough at times but I wouldn't say 'anxiety-inducing'," Cal said.

"Come now, you don't have to downplay any of your troubles. You shouldn't be, really." Leon smiled at Cal, his eyebrows raised, making his expression and words a bit more inviting to his companion. "Cal, you said you wanted to talk to me and now you're closing up?"

"Hm. Aha... Caught me," laughed Cal. While he smiled, it still wasn't full. But a hesitance and tension seemed to ease from Cal. "I don't want to look back on my experience as negative. But there was just... a lot. The Grinberryalls are good people and they took care of me, but it always felt awkward because they're family friends of family friends and, well, just hearing it, it sounds-"

Leon nodded, chuckling despite himself. "The degrees of separation felt like too much. And perhaps you felt like you were taking advantage of a flimsy connection?"

"Y-yeah!" Cal's face colored up to a rosy pink. "I think everyone in Spade got sick of hearing me say 'I don't know the royals directly but my parents are coworkers with the king's foster brother'... But it was all I had."

Leon laughed again. It was amusingly familiar.

Someone reaching to establish a connection and reap its benefits was nothing new in the realm of nobility. Son of Whichever Family. Heir to Whatever Title. People wanted to justify getting a chance to interact with someone, no matter how tenuous the link might be. In Leon's experience, though, people rarely showed shame when attempting to appeal to his parents or Leon himself. Folks usually behaved entitled to what they desired.

But Cal felt shame for grasping at the thin thread that gave him a chance to speak with King Yuno. Not that Leon blamed Cal. Sometimes, even the best people had to stoop to uncomfortable levels to achieve their goals.

"Hm... If you ask me, I think you don't need to be so ashamed of the opportunity you were granted," remarked Leon. "You're humble enough to admit that your connection to King Yuno isn't strong but you didn't have any ulterior motives, unlike some. To be perfectly frank, I don't think he would've taken you in if he believed your intentions weren't pure."

"Really?"

"Without a doubt." Leon sipped from his drink.

Cal stayed quiet for a moment, just thinking about it.

Sure, King Yuno had an... unusual background to say the least, and was someone who didn't take the suck-ups seriously in the slightest. Not that a lot of the higher ups did, but where King Yuno differed, was that he didn't entertain the gestures or attempts, or take advantage of the gold-digger behaviour. Which... by extension also meant that he, at least, didn't think so about him.

"I... suppose you're right" Caelum admitted with a faint, relieved smile.

"And... in case it becomes a talking point," Leon continued in a rather casual manner, because it seemed within reason. "I don't think anyone here thinks that you were trying to take an advantage of the loose connection either."

"Well... here people know me," Cal stated. "I wasn't exactly ... well, hoping for them to have forgotten who I am."

"And they haven't."

"It's just that I was reminded of it so often while in Spade."

"I get it."

There was another silence that settled into the air, as the two sipped their drinks. The world went by. People had errands to run, or they were just enjoying the weather, same as them.

"Is that what you were so worried about?" Leon inquired, glancing to Cal from the corner of his eye.

"I... suppose.." Cal rubbed the back of his head. "It's... as said, I was reminded so often about seeming like I was just... a gold-digger that it... I'm just..." he trailed off for a moment, and looked back into his glass, as his mind settled into a sea of static.

"You wanted to be reminded that you're a good person, with well grounded morals and ideals and wouldn't take a advantage of a person like that?"

"...Something like that," Cal chuckled.

Which was replied with a chuckle from Leon too.

"Dawn could easily have told you that," he noted. Which was true. Dawn would have given him the same reassurance. Though maybe it would have been coupled with something more in addition.

"Yeeahh..." he uttered, smiling a little bit. "But it's different," he tried to argue. "When you have someone who has been in the same place and situation, or at least similar, then... there's... you get a better educated response and opinion than from someone who hasn't been in your shoes."

"Hmmm..." Leon hummed while trying to choose what to say, because there were a few replies that he could give. "Well... to be perfectly fair, I haven't exactly been 'in your shoes' since my situation is different from yours," he argued. "Because when I go cak to Thea, I stay with my grandparents. Who I know well, and there is no question of lineage or trying to take an advantage of them because... they are my grandparents. So, what would they say? That I can't visit them? That it would be unreasonable for me to visit people within close family?" He paused for a while, looking at Cal. "If anything, I think you had it more difficult, and had more ... opportunities to rise to the occasion."

"Man, I wouldn't call what I did 'rising,'" Cal said through his laughter. "More like I was scrambling to... not even keep up but to catch up to my peers. And I was trying to prove that I wasn't wasting King Yuno's time."

The ending of the statement carried a weight, an insight to Cal's anxiety.

"Mhm. Well if that's how you're thinking of it, then do you think you accomplished your goal?" Leon questioned. "Catching up and spending the time well?" He gazed at Cal expectantly.

"Well..."

Cal raised his hand and a concentrated sphere of light formed over his palm. It was a basic seeming spell. But for Caelum, who had been unable to output a fizzle of magic for 12 years, it was a testament to his newfound strength. Cal looked upon the star-like sphere above his hand and beamed.

"Yeah, I do think so. I trained as hard as I could and did my best to focus on what I was there to do." Caelum closed his hand, extinguishing the light in a smooth motion. "Wasn't easy though. It felt... really weird. Like everyone was watching me but also ignoring me because my circumstances were weird and I was an outsider."

Cal opened and closed his hand a couple times before locking eyes with Leon.

"Do you ever..." Cal's eyes narrowed and his nose scrunched up, as he seemed to weigh his words. "Is it like that for you?"

Leon blinked at the sudden shift. Sure Caelum had been able to talk out what had been weighing on him but turning the attention to Leon in the midst of the conversation felt like whiplash.

"Is it like what?" Leon asked.

"I know you said that you have an easier time visiting Thea 'cause of family but... is it still kinda like my situation?" Cal said. "Do you both get noticed and get neglected because of what makes you different from the rest of Theans when you visit?"

Leon let out a long "oooh..." then pursed his lips, considering the question.

Leon wasn't a total stranger to Thea the way Cal was to Spade. But he wasn't entirely belonging either. That was true.

Leon sat back in his seat and intwined his fingers loosely onto his lap in thought. "I never thought about it, really," he admits. "Because... I think that wherever you go, there will be people who'll ignore you, and some who pay attention to you. That's just how humans are."

"But that's not what we're talking about," Cal interrupted, making Leon nod.

"Which is why I think I can relate to the feeling," he admitted. "I'm... not full Cloverian, and I'm not full blown Thean either; I have components of both." He paused for a while, thinking about what to say.

And after a little bit of pondering, he sighed. "Here, though they didn't downright say it to my face, after most people of my age got their grimoires, I was considered 'left behind', because I didn't have one," he stated while manifesting out his grimoire.

Its red surface glimmered in the sun, and its golden design danced around the surface, as if streams of fire and light. And the way it floated around in the air, as if pulsating with fire and light and pure warmth, was... strange. Not unpleasant, but strange. While it held something comforting and familiar, something else about it felt foreign and wild.

"I took my time crafting this," he finally said while looking at the grimoire. But closed his eyes, and dispelled the book of spells, just as quickly as he had manifested it. "Which is why here, I was considered ... weak-er, among other things. Or defective, I suppose," he uttered. "And when I'm in Thea..." he sighed, "while, again, people don't say it to my face, they see me as weaker because of my paternal lineage."

Cal frowned at the words, which earned a glance from Leon.

"It's... complicated," he only explained. "But umm... the thing is that my paternal lineage also makes my mana more secure and grounded, and inhibits mana depletion. Which is a merit."

"And you're not... bothered by any of it?" Cal asked, careful and silently, as if under his breath.

"Well... as said, my family is supportive of it. And... having comparatively more secure mana is hardly something to be sorry for," Leon half joked. "But, there is a long answer to the question, which I've already started," he chuckled apologetically. "While the short answer is: They ignore and notice what they want to notice."

Cal groaned, "I guess you're right..." He tilted his head to the side as he sighed, causing the fringe of his hair to fall in his face. "And to think you have to deal with that here in Clover and Thea."

"Unfortunately, yes. But at this point, I'm largely used to it." Leon lazily waved a hand through the air.

As sad as it was to think, Leon and his sisters would never truly "belong" in one place. With one people. Their births. Their magics. Themselves as people. They were distinct from other citizens of both the Queendom of Thea and the Kingdom of Clover, being both but neither at the same time. While they could understand the parts of themselves that came from either nation, such as the grimoire Leon crafted in line with Thean tradition, the children of House Vermillion still had so much of themselves to determine because of what set them apart thanks to the circumstances of their births.

Leon understood that all people had to define themselves beyond their bloodlines. But it felt particularly pressing for himself, Cyra, and Nora...

"Y'know..." Cal's voice brought Leon back to reality. "It's strange to think that even with multiple kingd-" Cal caught himself and raised a finger. "With multiple nations working together, the citizens are still kinda sorta looking down on each other. Not totally but a judgey-ish thing..."

"Mm, yes, there is a condescending-ish-ness sometimes."

To Leon's response, Cal let out a short burst of a laugh. It wasn't impossible for Leon to loosen up, the pun battles he had with Alistar were proof enough. But hearing the prince take on a similar speaking mannerism as him tickled something in Cal. He felt a pang of regret not being able to befriend him sooner or more deeply. But, he thought with the optimism taught to him by his parents, that it wasn't too late to start befriending Leon in the present.

"Call it national pride or perhaps cultures being slow to accept and integrate," Leon said. His tone was light but his lips were pulled into a thin frown of disapproval. "But we can't deny that relations are much friendlier than before."

"Hooo yeah!" Cal full on cackled and threw his head back. "Twenty years ago, the only thing I could've learned in Spade was how dungeons looked and smelled. Still..." He shook his head. "Life's being kinda unfair to a guy like you. Since you're stuck in the middle. Sorta kinda..."

"Unfortunately, yes. Though I feel honored to know you see it as an injustice towards me," Leon remarked with a light tone and touched a hand to his heart.

"Hey, I'm only telling the truth," said Cal as he brushed his hair back and tucked the strands behind his ear. "A guy as knightly as you doesn’t deserve to be looked down on, Leon. And you being so amazing is probably why Dusk is always trying to visit House Vermillion, to learn a thing or two from you."

Leon's lips twitched for a second.

"That'd be flattering..." Leon spoke under his breath while Cal took a long swig of his drink. "But I don't believe that to be the case..."

Cal's cup hit the table with a faint thunk.

"What was that?"

"Even if that were the case, I shouldn't let the opinion of others distract me. Be it negative or positive evaluations," Leon said, gracefully dancing around the implied topic that wasn't his or Cal’s to comment on. "What truly matters is fulfilling what you seek to accomplish. Whether that's crafting a grimoire." Leon gestured to himself. "Or taking a crash course in how to use magic." He gestured to Cal. "And as we've both shown, our goals have been reached."

Cal stared ahead of himself, thinking about his experiences. Thinking about the lessons he got, and the ones that he didn't... quite yet understand. And frowned. "Shouldn't..." he hesitated while leaning forward, and supporting himself with his elbows. "Shouldn't there be a feeling of accomplishment then?"

Leon let out a hum, lifted his chin and stared to the side, to the city streets with a directionless gaze. "I suppose how grand of an emotion are you expecting," he just said.

"What do you mean?" Cal asked, hoping for a clarification.

"Like..." Leon uttered with a faint frown, thinking about how to formulate the idea into words. "You did accomplish something, while in Spade. You became more familiar with your magic, right?"

"Yeah," Cal replied, but it was lacking in confidence, and was laced with frustration. Because his... accomplishments were basically in getting to the level that was expected of someone of his age. Which most wouldn't deem as an accomplishment.

It would be seen as the bare minimum.

"And... are you not proud of what you did?"

"I think it was necessary for me to do, if I want to get anywhere in life," Cal half admitted, half stated. Because there was an honest truth in it too. In this world, you still needed magic, of some kind, in order to get anywhere. I don't want to be a burden to those around me...

"That isn't what I asked," Leon gave Cal a kind smile, but earned a kind of a frown from the other young man, who was now looking to the side. "Because I think that... if you wouldn't have wanted to make something out of yourself, you would have stayed. You're choosing to be a better knight, and a mage. Which in itself is an accomplishment."

Cal just listened, in silence. Partly because he didn't exactly know how to reply, and partly because he wanted to hear where Leon was going with this.

"Sure it might have taken a bit longer for you to gather the tools you need," Leon shrugged. "But because you've worked to earn the place you're in now, you know that you can do much more. And you have that... ability and determination to continue from there."

Cal listened, while realizing that Leon hadn't actually replied the original question about feeling accomplished.

"You're hungry for me," Leon commented. "You aren't... fully satisfied, or have this ... grand sense of accomplishment, because you recognize how much further you can go."

Caelum stared at Leon as the other boy as his words sank into his mind.

He's unsatisfied because he knows there's further he can go. That was the truth of it all.

For so long, Cal felt like he'd been trailing behind those around him.

Socially, he was behind someone like Dawn who would be the one to break the ice with strangers whereas he waited for someone to introduce themselves first.

When it came to academics, Silver Adlai eclipsed Cal, being an effortless genius who had skipped grades twice.

Leon was well-mannered and good-humored, making him adored by nobility and the lower classes, which anyone, not just Cal, could be jealous of.

Alistar garnered admirers from a young age thanks not only to his good looks but his exceptionally strong magic.

And then the one who Cal was behind the most: his younger brother Raphael. Raphael had the coveted Spatial Magic that came from the Vaude bloodline. It had the ferocity of Langris offensive spells. And the precision of their father Finral's teleportation spells. And he showed so much potential long before Cal ever performed his first spell.

Cal loved his brother dearly. He adored his friends. And admired those he wasn't as close with.

But his anxiety over his abilities, specifically his magic did come from seeing how easily it came to others. While he was busy grasping the basics, others were strengthening and refining their abilities. What he learned in Spade was indeed valuable and helped his grow. But his step forward wasn't nearly large enough to close the gap between himself and his peers.

Cal saw those around him. And he knew he still had a ways to go with his own powers.

For that reason, seeing that he still lacked in comparison to others, Cal's accomplishment felt so weak.

"So am I...?" Cal grit his teeth. "Will I never truly feel accomplished? Is that my fate, Leon?"

Leon gave Cal another compassionate smile, which quickly turned into one of amusement.

"Y'know, I asked something similar from my father not too long ago," he chuckled. "I don't remember the exact wording of my question but... I remember what he talked about in his reply."

Cal stayed silent. There was a kind of an anticipation in him. But it was tangled with something that ached to defeat.

Hell, he had just gotten started and he felt like giving up already? Was that really what all that work added up to? It was almost enough to make him laugh in his grief.

"His reply... He asked from me, how... I thought he felt when he became the Wizard King."

There was a pause... during which Cal frowned.

"How... it felt to become a Wizard King?" Cal repeated, as if wanting to makes sure he had hear it right.

To which Leon nodded. "I didn't have a reply either," Leon glanced at Cal with a smirk. "But then he went on to talk about how... that place, that profession... He told me that he remembers standing in that office for the first time after the official 'coronation', and how he just looked around the room like... 'this is it. I have come as far as I intended. This was the goal, the dream.'"

There was another pause, during which the two young men around the table, didn't exchange looks. Instead, their eyes were down to the depths of the table, or the pavement beneath their feet.

"To him... growth had been one... important thing. As long as you can grow, and decide to do so, there's a way forward. That is what drives him. But when he stood there, he had reached an end of the road."

Cal felt like he knew the feeling. What Leon was describing.

"There was no grand feeling of victory."

Cal's eyes closed.

That was it. That was the feeling.

"And then he talked about how... he remembers my mother entering the room and asking how he felt. If he was happy? Satisfied?"

Cal's eyes opened, back into the void in the table.

"He didn't answer," Leon commented with a half of a joke, which was delivered with a kind of a grin. "But he told me that mother knew, and said that... He had ran out of titles. Merits that can be given as medals and diplomas. But that... didn't mean that growth needs to stop. That... there were once mages who didn't have those titles and certificates and medals, but... they continued forward all on their own. That growth never ceases, unless you choose it to end."

This was again a long route to the answer to the question that had been asked. Cal didn't mind. Actually, he thought that he preferred, in these kinds of discussions, the long answer.

"And he could look back all the accomplishments that he had achieved. He could be proud about all of them. Take a breather. But in the end he would continue forward."

Cal's eyes flickered.

"So... there are senses of accomplishment. But they're not these grand end points. They're middle steps. Because... stopping the journey would make life awfully dull."

Cal closed his eyes, tapped his fingers against his cup, and sighed. It wasn't a melancholic sigh though. His anxiety, though not entirely washed away, had ebbed like a river. There was relief in that soft exhale. A sense of understanding and calm that came with hearing how even a great man like Fuegoleon was faced with a problem not too different from Cal's own.

"Weird. You say something that should be taken as a definitive answer and yet I can't help but feel like it's another question."

"And what would that question be?" Leon asked.

"'What comes next'." Cal answered. "We can grow and learn and accomplish. But then we can still ask 'what else can I do?'"

"Hm!" Leon seemed to perk up at the reply. "Not a bad way to see it. So long as you don't ask it with too much anxiety."

Cal nodded in agreement before his eyes drifted to the sky.

The heavens, for which he was named, were partially cloudy that day. Spring was in full swing. Meaning...

"And what's next for me is my getting my grimoire," Cal said with a beaming grin.

"Mhm. A momentous occasion for you and our peers." Leon traced the rim of his cup which was now close to empty. "And after that, you'll be joining the Magic Knights?"

"If all goes well."

"For someone like you, there's not a doubt in my mind," Leon assured. He paused then touched his chin. "Well, maybe there is one doubt."

"Hm?" Cal raised a brow. "You worried for me, Leon?"

Leon's expression didn't give off a sense of worry though. There was a mirthful smile playing on his lips instead.

"Frankly, I don't know which squad you'll be joining. Pick the wrong one and you could be squad-ering your potential."

"... Snrk!" Cal slapped a hand over his mouth.

"Do you think your parents will have a cow if you don't join the Black Bulls?"

"Pfffff!"

"And don't worry about not joining my squad. We got the lion's share at last year's exam..."

Cal clamped his other hand over his mouth.

Leon chuckled to himself as Cal fought his laughter. While not his best material, it seemed to do the job of expelling the last remnants of Cal's tension.

There was a moment of an almost silence that fell between the two, as Cal tried to catch his breath, and Leon chuckled to himself under his breath. But at the end of it, Cal leaned back in his chair, the same as Leon, and they sipped their drinks.

Cal looked across the table, and thought about the reasons why he wanted to have this chat. Or a chat. More of an 'a chat' because he hadn't known what to expect. Not really anyways. And ... though the conversation had taken a lot of unexpected turns, it had been a good conversation. A very good conversation.

"Y'know... Leon?"

"Hm?"

"I ... wouldn't mind doing this again-, like... hang out," Cal rubbed the back of his neck. "And maybe talk about something less serious."

Leon let out an amused hum. "But in all seriousness..."

Cal gave him a look; eyebrows lifted, and chin lowered, almost as if to ask if Leon was being serious.

"I wouldn't mind either," he admitted with a small smirk.

"Maybe Dawn and I can come to the Crimson Lion Kings' headquarters some day, and Dusk can tag along to enjoy the good discussion," Cal suggested.

To which Leon hummed. Maybe one of these days his sister and Dusk would... either realize that they were in a relationship, or would make it official. He himself wasn't quite sure which one it was at the time but... it would sort itself out in some point. Things had a habit of falling into place like that, as long as one kept moving forward.

#black clover fanfiction #black clover oc fanfiction #caelum roulacase #leonidas vermillion #I had so much fun while doing this!!!

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