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Chapter Text

The drifting embers tell a story. One of how a Tarnished of no renown, came to the Lands Between, and through adversity and anguish came to behold the Elden Ring. Their tale is written equally in blood, failure and triumph. For alone they could not have claimed the throne of Elden Lord. Countless were their foes, and few their allies. Fewer still would live to witness a new Elden Lord rise. Lunar Princess Ranni, now Lunar Queen Ranni, child of the Carian Queen Rennala, and the second Elden Lord Radagon, took this once lowly Tarnished as her consort.

Together, the crumbling remnants of the once glorious Golden Order were finally torn down. As the last piece of the now fled Greater Will having been slain for the Tarnished to lay claim to the throne. Together, they ushered in an age of stars, the Lands Between was no longer bound to the whims of higher beings, no gods or demigods remained to rule them. All were put to the sword by the Tarnished, who claimed each of their Great Runes. General Radahn, Proud Leader of The Redmanes. Godrick The Grafted, Sovereign of Limgrave. Morgott, The Omen King of Leyndell. Mohg, The Fell Lord of Blood. Praetor Rykard, The Blasphemous Lord of the Volcano Manor, and Malenia, Blade of Miquella and Goddess of Rot.

Each held power well beyond that of the Tarnished, demigods one and all. Yet, despite their near godhood, the Tarnished would prevail, again and again. Yet, not without sacrifice. Loss and sorrow would come to be well known to the Tarnished, along with pain and suffering. Melina, a figure who saved the Tarnished from dying in obscurity. It was from her blessing that the Tarnished was given the means to improve themselves to be a match against what adversaries awaited them. It was she who granted the Tarnished a place within the Roundtable Hold.

Yet, despite their once shared goal, for the Tarnished to become Lord, it would not last. Upon the realization of what was required to gain access to the Erdtree, that denied any and all entrance, and thus the Throne. The Tarnished was overcome by despair, all too similar to the one who walked the path before them, having gotten so close, yet faltered at the last step. Heeding the tainted words of a maddened corpse, they delved deep into the depths beneath the Capital, and came to behold a wretched secret. Driven now by the desire to prevent Melina’s fate as naught but kindling, the Tarnished took the wicked deal, of which their body now shows the permanent price paid for it.

The Flame of Frenzy, born within the Three Fingers, now burned within them. Despite all of this, the Tarnished still held fast. Even after Melina left their side, proclaiming that they would die by her hand, they felt no sorrow, for she would still live. As the flame screamed within them for oblivion, they continued forth, using themself as both kindling and spark, to set the Erdtree aflame and to grant them the means to become Lord.

A place out of time, where upon rested both Destined Death, and the Lord of a Time long since past. Despite the challenges, the Tarnished laid low the Lord of Dragons, and it was there, within the heart of the storm beyond time, that the Tarnished would outwit the Flame. A needle, of unalloyed gold, crafted for the sole purpose of removing the influence of higher beings. With it now piercing their heart, the Flame of Frenzy held sway over them, and The Lands Between, no more.

Despite everything, the Tarnished became Lord of their own will. With the new empyrean Lunar Queen Ranni, and the Last Elden Lord being the foolhardy Tarnished to whom she came to hold as her beloved, the two made to leave the Lands Between behind. To prevent anymore destruction to be caused by the Elden Ring. Yet, they would not leave anything unsaid or undone.

The Tarnished’s heart still bled from those they could not save, but held fast for those they could. The last two who remained with the now flame consumed Roundtable Hold. An old master of smithing, whose memory was consumed by the flames as well, and Roderika, a woman who could attune with spirits left within ash. She refused to leave the aged blacksmith Hewg behind, even as the flames threatened both. Even though Hewg could no longer remember the reason he refused to leave the Hold that once yet no longer held him captive, he was still smithing away, for a reason he could no longer recall.

Yet, before the fire claimed them, the Tarnished ushered them to safety. Entrusting their care to a merchant who has been there from the start of the Tarnished’s journey. Granting them the means to live well, the Tarnished bid farewell to some of the last friends they had made that still lived.

Only one remained to whom Ranni wished to give her goodbyes to. Her mother, the Carian Queen of Raya Lucaria, Rennala of the Full moon. Though her mind had long since left her, all but consumed from grief and by the amber egg that once held the Great Rune of the Unborn. Even though Rennala did not recognize her daughter within the doll her soul now inhabited, Ranni would not leave her mother unprotected. The arcane sorceries that would guard Rennala would never be breached, any who would attempt would find themselves naught but twisted lumps of malformed flesh.

Though she did not make it known, the Tarnished knew what else she wished done before bidding farewell to the Lands Between. Though it took some time, both Iji and Blaidd, both loyal to her to the very last, were given proper burials.

At long last, before they truly left the Lands Between, the Tarnished returned to the Church of Vows, where Miriel, the Pastor of Vows, and Boc, the Tarnished’s ever loyal seamster awaited them. Together with Ranni, they would make a vow. A vow that would never be broken.

Though the vow is unknown to every living soul beyond those present, it is said that the vow the Tarnished spoke moved Miriel so as to draw tears from the wizened turtle. It was then and there, accompanied by Boc, that the Tarnished and Ranni took their leave of the Lands Between.

Yet, the tale of the Tarnished who would become Elden Lord, did not end there. For despite the Lands Between far behind them, another land would beckon them, a strange and twisted land. Yet, in comparison to the Lands Between, it was a veritable wonderland.

Chapter Text

A near silent breeze drifted through the blooming buds born upon the trees that surrounded them. Walking upon a path that had no end, yet undeterred by their ceaseless march, did the Tarnished and their companions continue. Though the land they found themselves within be foreign it did naught to prevent them from moving on. Lady Ranni atop of Torrent, the Tarnished’s noble spectral steed, and the Tarnished and Boc walking beside. The calm serenity of their surroundings granting them needed reprieve from their journey from the Lands Between. To the Tarnished, who once walked the lands beyond the fog, the land they tread upon was still unknown to them.

For a moment they elected to stop their journey, if only to allow Torrent some time to rest. Boc was all for it as it had been sometime since it was his turn to ride Torrent. It took the Tarnished only a few moments to set up a suitable place to rest. While Boc worked on getting the fire started, the Tarnished helped Ranni down from Torrent, who promptly wandered a small distance away to eat some tallgrass.

“My thanks, my dear.” She spoke as they placed her upon a barren tree stump nearest the temporary camp. It had been quite awhile since they last had gotten a moment to rest themselves, constantly on guard ever since they reached land. Their time in the Lands Between had made them wary of practically everything around them, seeing as Boc was once trapped as a bush.

Ranni could not help but worry as her consort’s form was tense. She knew full well the lengths they had undertaken to become her Lord, as well as the price these decisions took upon them. Scars, both physical and those of the mind, plagued them. No scar more evident than the one created by a lapse in judgment, by a moment of overwhelming despair. She knew not how they freed themself from the Flame, that was one secret they seemed intent on keeping from her. She was not bothered by it, she herself had kept many secrets, and had many regrets herself.

The life she had embarked upon was never going to be kind, to her or those who aligned themselves with her. Yet, the Tarnished stuck with her all the same, from stumbling into her Rise, offering themself into her service, and through it all, the Tarnished stubbornly refused to abandon her. Even after she left to take her fate back from the Two Fingers, they still managed upon her trail. The lengths they had gone to in order to reach her beggared belief. She swore that she would repay that loyalty, at least in some form.

Still, as she watched them begin to pace back and forth, constantly on guard for an unforeseen threat, she could not think of a means to ease a small amount of their pain. Yet it was because of them, and her closest confidants, that her fate was now her own again, she would do whatever she needed to see her Lord’s burden eased, if only by a small amount.

“My dear, I have little doubt that we are being observed, allow thyself a moment’s reprieve.” Her words stopped the Tarnished’s pacing, a pause followed before they turned around, with a near silent sigh.

“Of course my Lady, caution is best in reasonable amounts I suppose.” With that, they sat near the fire, right beside Boc.

“M’lord, m’lady is right, these are different lands after all. Perhaps the people of these lands may be more welcoming than those from the Lands Between. Why, we haven’t been accosted once by a single crab or passing soldier!” Boc rightfully pointed out. While true, there was also the fact they hadn’t come across any other form of sentient life beyond the occasional passing deer. The total lack of anything beyond animals was likely only adding to the Tarnished’s paranoia.

Still, they couldn’t deny they could do with a slight rest. They weren’t tired, seeing as they didn’t need sleep, but the walk all this way was causing their legs to start to cramp. Even now, they couldn’t allow themself to be completely at ease. Their experience across the Lands Between taught them that threats could be anywhere. The warmth from the campfire was a welcome one. The warmth from the sites of grace were different, almost hollow compared to real fire.

If only for the briefest of moments, the warmth of the fire made the Tarnished forget the pain rooted deeply in their body. The calm and quiet was broken by a sound. The clattering of carriage wheels and the thunder of hooves, rapidly approaching. In an instant, the Tarnished leapt to their feet, greatsword at the ready. Ranni herself rose, appearing beside Boc, ready to unleash her lunar sorceries should the need arise.

The rumbling grew closer, the trees shook around them as from the forest burst an immense black carriage, driven by two horses that put those of the Night’s Cavalry to shame in size. The carriage still charged forward, meeting the Tarnished as they swung their greatsword to repel it. The moment their blade met the massive equines however;

Utter darkness.

When they next opened their eyes, they were met with pitch darkness. Any attempt to move was met with resistance. Wherever they were, it was a tight and cramped place, almost like a coffin. Not that it would be the first time they were in a coffin, yet this one wasn’t as cold as the stone coffins they were used to. There was also the fact they did not get into this one willingly. As their thoughts raced, they soon remembered another thing. They had no idea where either Ranni or Boc were. Whatever that damned black carriage had done to them, it may have done to Ranni and Boc as well.

With their determination renewed, they struggled violently against the lid that held them trapped, until a voice came from outside of the coffin.

“Naagh! One of these stupid things have gotta open!” Quickly followed by something banging against the lid of the coffin. “Come on! Open!” The voice continued to struggle against the lid, yet gave up as the banging stopped. “Did they glue these things shut!” The voice grew slightly more distant, before the banging started on what they could only assume was another coffin near them.

“I need to get one of those stupid uniforms before someone catches me!” Again the voice struggled against the lid, with the Tarnished barely able to make out another voice, at least it seemed like one, muffled beneath the coffin lid and the clattering of whatever was trying to break into them.

“Fine! Stupid lid, try this on for size!” With a shout, the telltale of flames filled the air, followed by what was certainly someone either startled by the flames or actively being burned alive. Just as the sound of a coffin lid smashing to the floor sounded out, they finally grew tired of being trapped themself and proceeded to use their head. 

Several slams later and what was certainly going to develop into a nasty bruise on their forehead, the coffin lid shattered from the force. The light of the room blinded them for a moment, but the freedom allowed them to at least hear properly.

Whatever it was that was attempting to pry open the coffin lids was clearly surprised by them being awake, or were they referring to whoever was in the coffin they set on fire. The Tarnished paid them no mind as they took in their surroundings, a darkened ornate room, with what was likely a dozen floating coffins around it, not counting the one they were trapped within. Once their vision adjusted to the lighting, they looked over to where the noise was coming from.

There they saw what looked like a black weasel or squirrel trying to pry the robe off of the very confused and slightly charred person from the other coffin. Whatever they said to the weasel squirrel clearly angered it as blue flames once again roared around it. They could only watch stunned at the scene before them.

“I am not getting cooked alive by a weasel!” The person who was clearly having a bad day shouted as they took off, which had the weasel cry out behind them as they ran.

“I ain’t a weasel! And get back here! I need that uniform!” The weasel said as they ran after them, completely ignoring the Tarnished.

It took the Tarnished a minute or two to come back to their senses after such a sight. Once they had their bearings, they quickly set to work trying to find Ranni and Boc. It only took a few minutes for them to work through what coffins remained in the room, not caring for the noise they were making as they shattered the coffin lid that held Boc within it.

Once the lid was opened, Boc slowly started to come to, clearly overjoyed to see them unharmed. “M’lord! You’re alright, thank goodness. When I saw that carriage barreling towards us, I was worried you may have been harmed.” The demi-human then got a look of where they were. “M’lord? Where are we?”

“Wish I knew Boc, but that’ll have to wait, we need to find Ranni.” It was only then that they realized what Boc was wearing. “Boc? When’d you change clothes?”

It seemed Boc was as unaware of what he was wearing as the Tarnished was but a few moments ago. “I’m not sure, m’lord, but you are wearing the same robe as well.” They took a moment to look themself over, seeing that indeed, they were stripped of their armor, and were dressed in what appeared to be ritualistic robes of some kind.

“We’ll deal with that later, for now we have to find Ranni.” They told him as they ripped the lid off the last coffin, finding their still slumbering wife. “There we are!”

Gently, the Tarnished lifted her from the coffin lined with frost covered flowers of some kind. The movement, regardless of the Tarnished’s uncharacteristic gentleness, stirred Ranni from her sleep. “Ah, it would seem my fear was misplaced.” As she came to, the Tarnished placed her on her feet.

She placed one of her hands upon the Tarnished’s cheek, as if to confirm that they were truly there. “It was but for the briefest of moments, but in truth I worried for thee.” She spoke.

“Do you remember what happened? All I can recall was the carriage.” They asked her.

“Only in part, when thy blade had struck the stallion, you vanished. Completely and utterly. Before I succumbed to slumber I felt a sorcery unfamiliar to me. Yet, the result seems to have been some form of teleportation.” She then took note of her clothing. “And some manner of clothing replacement.” She took a moment to get a feel for the robes. “I prefer my previous attire.”

“I think you look lovely, regardless of attire.” Ranni looked away for a moment, yet the Tarnished swore they could see the pale blue color of a blush born upon the spectral half of her face. “Regardless however, for the time being, it may be for the best that we leave. A place this ornate coupled with what brought us here, cannot be the safest place to be.”

“I beg to differ!” Came a voice from behind them, quickly in an instant, the Tarnished drew their greatsword again, whilst Ranni’s lunar sorceries crackled at her fingertips.

Immediately, the man who spoke raised his hands in surrender. “Easy there! I mean no harm, I understand that this may be quite confusing. But as your most gracious host, allow me to ease your worries.” From behind the man in the feathered cloak, came the person who was previously set on fire by the weasel, and said weasel themself, bound in what appeared to be some kind of rope.

“You may call me Dire Crowley, Headmage of this fine academy!” Dire spoke with a flourish. “Today is definitely a unique one, never have we had such impatient new arrivals. First this one runs halfway through the school with their out of control familiar.” He motions his cane towards the slightly singed person behind him, and the clearly angry weasel. “And now you’ve not only awoken before the ceremony, but have also broken all the other coffins as well!” He shook his head in a very animated manner. “Goodness, if this is how you all intend to start the year, I can only pray you improve before you are 3rd years.”

“What in the name of the Erdtree are you on about?” was all the Tarnished could say in response to Dire.

“Ah.” It seemed he realized something. “I got carried away with myself! You all must still be bleary from the trip here! Come come! I’ll explain on the way. I’m already late!”

He wasted no time in walking away, when his back was turned the Tarnished leaned into Ranni. “Should I create a distraction while you and Boc escape?”

“We shall have that as a contingency. I do not believe that man capable of doing us any meaningful harm. Beyond that, he spoke of this place as an academy. It may be possible that there are similar academies to Raya Lucaria, if that is true, I wish to learn more.” With that Ranni began to follow after, with the Tarnished and Boc close behind.

Somehow, the Tarnished believed things were only going to get even stranger from here on.

Chapter Text

Another day, another instance of the Headmaster apparently forgetting that he was Headmaster. Everyone else remembered what today was, everyone else had remembered the importance of the ceremony. And yet, despite all the students and the Dormwardens all present and in the required robes, Crowley was still nowhere to be seen. Because of the Headmaster’s inability to handle even his most basic of obligations, it fell to the Vice-Warden of Diasomnia to handle this year’s round of 1st years.

All in all, this newest batch of students definitely seemed promising, even if this year was a little more in favor of some dorms than others. Housewarden Rosehearts sighed as he took count of how many 1st years he’d need to keep track of, Heartslabyul having gotten the most new arrivals, Octavinelle immediately after, followed by Scarabia and Savanaclaw with an even amount of 1st years. While it was not unusual, Diasmonia had gotten the least amount of 1st years almost since the academy began, this year seemed to be a near, if not record low.

Ignihyde and Pomefiore were in the inbetween, fewer new students than Savanaclaw, but more than Diasomnia had gotten by a wide margin. As usual, Shroud had refused to show in person and elected, as always, to simply send his tablet and younger brother to the ceremony. Housewarden Rosehearts felt as if he was the only one taking this seriously.

Diasomnia’s Vice Warden, Lilia Vanrouge, took one more look over the gathered students, looking to see if there was anyone left unsorted. With a quick clap of his hands, he spoke. “Well, that seems to be everyone! Still a tad disappointed Crowley couldn’t join us today, along with the lack of being properly informed that the ceremony was today. It seems everyone is where they rightfully belong!”

“Of all the times he decides to ignore his role, today of all days?!” Rosehearts couldn’t help but let his frustration out. Housewarden Al-Asim, of course, gave Crowley the benefit of the doubt.

“Maybe he just got a stomach ache?” Housewarden Kingscholar scoffed at Al-Asim’s question.

“Fat chance, he’s probably still sleeping. Wouldn’t be the first time we’ve had to do his job for him. Besides, everyone’s been sorted already, so there’s no reason to keep hanging around.” Kingscholar turned around. “All you who don’t want to sleep outside tonight follow me, I need a nap anyway.”

Lilia took this as a sign to wrap things up. “Indeed! If everyone who got sorted into Diasomnia would follow me! Can’t have our new arrivals get lost after all!”

“I didn’t take that long, did I?!” Came a voice each of the housewardens and vice-warden knew well. Dire Crowley, with five figures in tow behind him, erupted from a door off to the side of the room, nearly throwing it off its hinges. Despite the customary dim lighting for the ceremony, once they had entered the room proper, each Housewarden got a good look at the people behind the Headmaster.

Two of them were relatively normal looking, one looking a fair bit more weary and hardened than the other, almost as if they were prepared to fight their way out. The other looked dazed almost, and slightly burnt if the edges of their ceremony robe were anything to go by. The other three however looked far more out of place. The only other human looking one, had skin as blue as the sea, and had an extra pair of arms that seemed to move in sync with the upper pair. One of their eyes was closed and as if connected by said eye, an almost ghostly version of their face was there, just beside their face.

The other two were closer to animals than people, one was bound in the whip that Crowley so rarely used, some form of familiar. The other however looked more like a rat crossed with a human, hunched over and seemingly hiding behind the far more intimidating of the new arrivals.

“I do apologize for my lateness! I was busy rounding up a few students who hadn’t been roused for the ceremony! I trust everyone won’t mind staying a few more minutes while we get these students into their proper dorms, yes?” The only audible groan came from Kingscholar.

“Fine, but let’s make it quick.” Was all he said in response.

Crowley quickly made his way towards the mirror, shooing Lilia back towards the crowd of students. The newest arrivals slowly made their way towards him.

“Now now, there’s no need for cold feet, no one has ever been summoned erroneously before. Now, simply stand before the mirror, and we’ll get you sorted.” At his words, the group looked amongst themselves, before the blue skinned one walked forward first, which caused the more intimidating of them to tense even more.

“Speak your name” Came the spirit within the mirror, appearing as an elegant mask within the reflection.

“I am Ranni.” Came the student’s reply, the voice clearly that of a woman. Which caused murmurs to erupt amongst the crowd. “Daughter of Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon.” This caused even more murmurs, as well as causing Crowley to tense a bit.

“I sense within you, the chill of the darkest night, and the guidance of moonlight.” The Mirror spoke. “Your fate was born upon the stars, once ceased, and now free. Within you, I sense immutable power. You belong within Diasomnia.” The crowd applauded, most out of obligation, while the ones from Diasomnia, small in number though they were, egged on by Lilia’s enthusiastic cheering, made themselves known.

Ranni however, did not move to join her new dorm, walking back beside the intimidating figure. The next to approach the mirror was the smaller, hunched over figure, who was stopped by the intimidating one, only for a moment, as if to confirm that they wished to go next.

“Speak your name.”

“B-Boc, the seamster, a-at your service sir.” The nervous voice of the student spoke.

“Within you, I sense a passion. Born from admiration, you wish to bring out the beauty of others through your work. Yet, doubts still linger, once you had wished to look as those whom you admire did, beautiful. To be reborn anew. To love oneself is a most fierce task, but you strive for it all the same. For one who loves beauty, both within and without, you belong within Pomefiore”

The cheers this time were more subdued, especially from Boc’s new dorm mates. Yet, a glare that would strike fear into even the most hardened of warriors came from what could only be assumed to be Boc’s close friend, causing the subdued applause to erupt louder than before. This had Housewarden Schoenheit glare back as well, yet when his gaze met the other student’s the staredown did not last long, with Schoenheit averting his gaze elsewhere.

Boc then returned to the student’s side, just as Ranni had. This time, it was the scary student’s turn. Each step they took was meticulous, carrying a weight and authority behind them. At last they stood before the mirror.

“Speak your name”

“I am Y/N, the last Elden Lord and consort to Lunar Queen Ranni.” The crowd didn’t murmur in surprise this time, but had erupted as they spoke. Before them stood royalty yet unheard of, and beyond that, they were married as well. Crowley for his part, did not let his shock be known, save for the beading sweat behind his mask.

The mirror was quiet for some time, unheard of before in the history of the ceremony. When it finally spoke, it seemed almost unnerved.

“Within you, I sense a multitude. Strength beyond mortal measure, a heat so scorching as to render all it touches naught but molten slag. Yet, kept tempered by a will unshaking. Countless trials have you faced and overcome through sheer unwavering will. You are possessed of great and terrible responsibility, a weight so maddening it would drive anyone lesser beyond the brink. Your claim of lordship is unquestionable. Within you, I sense power. There are none that you belong in.”

Again the crowd erupted, with the Housewardens needing to calm them down, Kingscholar only doing so as the shouting was giving him a headache.

Crowley, for his part, took a step in front of the mirror. “P-pardon? You couldn’t assign them a House?”

“They are fit for all and for none. No decision can be made that would be fitting. They are beholden to none of the Houses." The Mirror spoke clearly, not caring for how it was stressing Crowley.

It took a few minutes for things to quiet down, and a few more after that for Crowley to finally say something. “W-we’ll just figure something out later, for now let’s finish this. This way.” he motioned for the singed student to approach.

The student’s familiar seemed to increase it’s struggling as they approached the mirror.

“Speak your name”

“My name is Yuu, that’s Y with two U's.” He said, clearly still out of sorts.

“Within you I sense the inability to wield magic. You are unfit to be sorted into any of the Houses.” Again, what the Mirror said caused Crowley to seemingly start losing hair from stress.

“Once is bad enough, but twice in a row?! Do I need to get you serviced?!” Crowley shouted, seemingly forgetting to keep Yuu’s familiar bound, with a puff of blue flames, it was free again.

“NNNGAAH! Hey! If they aren’t fit to join, let me! I’ve got way more magic in my smallest toe than they do their whole body!” The little fork tailed fire weasel proclaimed, before immediately setting a nearby curtain on fire. “I’ll prove it!”

“Ack! Mr. Yuu please control your familiar!” Crowley shouted trying to stamp out the fire.

“I already told you! He isn’t my familiar! I don’t even have magic, remember?!” Yuu shouted back, taking shelter behind Y/N, who seemed nonplussed by the arsonist squirrel.

Crowley completely paused for a moment. “Oh, really? I must not have heard you.” Before the fiery little fiend wound up setting another curtain on fire

The little fiend kept spewing blue flames in an attempt to show off its magical prowess, but all it managed to do was set every curtain, and one unfortunate student on fire, said student being housewarden Al-Asim.

Housewarden Rosehearts however, had gotten tired of this disruptive display, pulling from his inner robe pocket his wand. “Rule 23: Cats must never be brought to formal affairs! I think it is time this little beast was taught a proper lesson.”

Another Housewarden, Ashengrotto stepped up next to him. “I think the two of us are more than capable of getting a rebellious little intruder under control. So I’ll lend you a hand.”

From behind the chaos, came Shroud’s voice from his tablet. “Always trying to score brownie points eh Azul?” A quick glare was shot at the tablet before Azul turned his attention back to the pyromaniacal creature, his own wand at the ready.

 While Rosehearts and Ashengrotto focused on the firestarter, nobody else, including the Headmaster, seemed to be focusing on quelling the fires that were rapidly consuming the room, or the fact another classmate was also slightly on fire. Lilia was doing his best, he had to give the little fire fiend credit, this was some fairly potent fire magic, the curtains of course were done for the moment the flames touched them, but he kept them from reaching any further. As for Al-Asim, none of his flailings helped put out the flames on his robes.

That was until one of the late arrivals, Yuu if he remembered correctly, quickly threw off their own robe and used it to smother the flames. Luckily for him, the flames hadn’t harmed him, but his robes were another story. With him no longer being on fire, Al-Asim watched as Rosehearts and Ashengrotto chased the creature around, each bolt of magic they cast was meant to keep it from spewing anymore flames.

Yet, stray flames still flew from it as it tried to both evade capture and show off its power, a small jet of blue flames shot towards Ranni, only for it to be intercepted by Y/N. The flames gathered around a strange braided object in their hand, before being snuffed out a moment later. Al-Asim watched as they, with but a wave of their hand, shot a violet bolt of magic towards the creature. The second the bolt struck, it ensnared the fiend, and pulled it violently towards the unmoving Y/N, who grabbed it by the scruff of its neck.

“O-o-owwwOWOWOWOW, Let go! Lemme go, you brute! The Great Grim will not be treated this way!” Grim, as they now knew the creature, flailed wildly, trying to catch them with his claws, or with his flames, but was kept just out of reach.

“Care to deal with this?” Y/N asked the two housewardens who came to a stop a few feet away. Rosehearts took a moment to compose himself when he saw the new student just holding the raging firestarter like an angry kitten. Ashengrotto seemed as surprised as he was. With a quick cough to clear his throat, he aimed his wand towards them.

“Thank you for helping, now then. OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!” A different looking bolt of magic flew towards Grim, latching onto his neck, with Y/N ducking their head away from the light. When it dimmed, around Grim’s neck was a heart shaped pillory.

“Ny-NGAH! What did you do! Why can’t I use my magic!” Grim cried as Rosehearts took Grim off of Y/N’s hands.

“So long as you have that collar on, you’re as harmless as a house cat.” He stated, Grim went limp as he couldn’t escape his grasp.

“As impressive as ever Rosehearts, such a powerful Unique Magic. One can only imagine the possibilities with such a spell.” Ashengrotto spoke, his voice lowering to a murmur towards the end, but Rosehearts paid him no mind.

“Wonderful work!” Crowley said as he approached, his feathered coat slightly more charred than normal. “I’ll take care of him from here! Make sure this little beastie doesn’t find a way back in again.” Before he left with Grim, he turned to address Y/N and Yuu. “Once I return we can discuss your circumstances. For now, everyone may return to your dorms!” As Crowley left with the still struggling Grim, Rosehearts and Ashengrotto quickly went to guide their new 1st years to their respective dorms.

As the room emptied, Lilia from Diasomnia remained behind, along with Housewarden Schoenheit, giving the new 1st years time to mingle while they approached the late arrivals.

“I must admit that was quite the show!” Lilia laughed. “These ceremonies are always interesting affairs.” His gaze turned towards Ranni. “Greetings!” He gave her a formal bow. “I’m Lilia Vanrouge, Vice-warden of Diasomnia, normally our housewarden would be here to welcome you, but it seems they forgot to invite him, again.” He sounded fairly disappointed.

“Well met Vanrouge. I understand that you wish to show me towards my lodgings, but I fear that will be impossible.” She gave a slight bow in return.

“Ah yes, I understand that it can be quite troubling to be separated from your spouse, even for a brief amount of time. But I do insist you at the very least come see the dorm, I doubt the Headmaster would simply send them away if they could not be sorted, they may even come stay in Diasomnia with you! I’m sure Malleus would welcome the company!.” Ranni looked towards Y/N, who gave a slight nod in response.

“Very well, but can I trouble you for a more guided tour? These are unfamiliar lands to us, and we would not wish to cause offense.” Lilia’s eyes lit up at the idea.

“But of course! Why Malleus would enjoy nothing more than helping with the tour, it may also help ease his mood when he realizes he missed the ceremony.” With that, Lilia left with Ranni in tow, leaving Schoenheit.

“I understand that you are Pomefiore now.” He spoke clearly and to the point, glaring down towards Boc.

“U-uh, yes, Good Sir. I’m B-Boc, royal seamster to M’lord.” He motioned towards Y/N, whose gaze never left Schoenheit’s form. Schoenheit crouched down quickly, pulling the hood from Boc’s head, using his hand to move Boc’s head around, getting a good look at him.

“Unsightly, I’ve never seen a beastman like you before. She mentioned you aren’t from these lands. Where did you come from?” Each word was to the point, stated as fact rather than an observation.

“W-well M’lord and M’lady, as well as I, hail from the Land Between. I am not a beast man as you say. I’m a demi-human.” Boc told him, constantly looking towards Y/N for encouragement. “I may not look as beautiful as you, s-sir, but m’lord has shown me that I don’t need to be any different to be beautiful.”

Schoenheit stood back up immediately, looking towards Y/N. “How would you rate his work? Of what quality are his stitches, his threads, his seams?”

“Firstly, never speak to me like that again, and secondly, Boc’s work has saved my life and my decency countless times. There are no others I would trust mine or my lady’s clothing with.” Y/N crossed their arms as they stared Schoenheit down.

After a few moments of silence, Schoenheit spoke. “Very well, despite his looks, if he is as capable as you say he is, then he has a place with Pomefiore. I trust he will be able to meet my expectations?”

“So long as you treat him well, then I’ll allow it, but my opinion doesn’t matter, his does.” Y/N crouched down to Boc. “Are you feeling up to this?”

“O-of course m’lord! You showed me that I am beautiful as I am. I will never forget that, and if it means I can improve my skills as a seamster then I am ready for anything.” Boc then turned towards Schoenheit. “Boc, the Royal Seamster, at your service!” he said with a bow.

Schoenheit gave a small smirk at the demi-human’s tenacity. “Come along then, I have an important meeting soon, and I would like to put you to the proof as it were.” With that, both Schoenheit and Boc left,  leaving Y/N and Yuu alone, waiting for Crowley to return.

Y/N rubbed their temples as they felt a migraine coming on. what didn’t help was another voice joining the mix.

HOW DARE HE SPEAK TO YOU IN SUCH A WAY! THE UTTER GALL!

Chapter Text

‘Can we not start off shouting Godrick?’ Y/N’s poor head was already pounding from the chaos of recent events, the last thing they needed was Godrick’s ranting to make it worse.

THE UTTER NERVE OF THESE PEASANTS! I’D GRAFT ALL OF THEM ONTO DOGS IF I STILL HAD MY BODY!

Which may be why you no longer have one. A calmer, more even toned voice replied, Morgott this time.

QUIET YOU! BEYOND EVEN THAT, YOU SHOULD BE AS INFURIATED AS I AM. TO SEE THEM SO BRAZENLY DISRESPECTED!

I never said I wasn’t, now quit your incessant screaming.

Yuu could only watch as Y/N gave a groan and rubbed the bridge of their nose, he could only imagine what was going on in their head.

FINE! Fine! But if such impropriety towards them is continued! HEADS WILL ROLL!

Mmmust you ssscreech sooo? The strained voice of Rykard decided to chime in.

Oh I refuse to be lectured by you!

Enough. Came a firm, yet powerful voice. It is unbecoming to argue in such a manner. For the time being, we are within an unknown land, it is a poor idea to make enemies so soon, even if they are less than respectful of them.

At his word, Godrick immediately calmed down and listened. Of course Lord Godfrey

Thank you father, but if I may, it may be prudent to err on the side of caution around this Headmaster Crowley. Morgott suggested.

‘I’ll be careful, if Ranni believes him incapable of doing us harm, then I’ll defer to her.’ This seemed to finally put the Shardbearers at ease, more or less. They felt something bump into them, turning slightly they saw it was Yuu who was trying to get their attention.

“Yes?” They raised an eyebrow at the shorter male.

“Sorry, you had spaced out there. I wanted to ask you something.” He told them. “Am I, uhh, am I dreaming?” The question had Y/N raise an eyebrow.

“Weren’t you on fire not more than an hour prior?” They motioned to the crumbled, ash covered, charred mess that was Yuu’s ceremonial robes.

“I mean, I was on fire, but I’ve had weirder dreams.” He seemed to fidget with the sleeves of the robe. “I’m still kinda confused by everything, I mean that cat weasel almost set me on fire and wanted these robes.”

“I will admit, that does sound strange when you say it out loud like that” Not that Y/N had had a normal life themself, compared to the Lands Between, despite the peculiar nature of what they’ve witnessed here, the Lands Between were far more intense and strange.

“Magic, talking cats and mirrors, my mom used to read me stories about these kinda things before bed.” They could tell that Yuu was a fair bit stressed about the idea that this wasn’t a dream. “I just wanna go home now, this has been way too exhausting.”

“I can understand that, but we’ll just need to wait for this Headmaster to return. I can’t leave without Ranni and Boc.” As if on cue Crowley returned to the room, minus one arson prone cat.

“I have returned! I made sure that little firestarter couldn’t find his way back onto the academy grounds! And without having been charred for my trouble either!” Crowley gave a laugh. “Now, we can finally get this slight issue handled.” With a brisk stride, Crowley approached the mirror.

“Alright, now seeing as neither of you were able to get sorted, it does leave me in a strange position. No one has ever been called by the Black Carriage that hasn’t been sorted into our fine academy. And seeing as I’d like to keep that record intact, I believe the best course of action is simply to return you home!” Crowley pointed his wand towards Yuu. “As for you” Motioning to Y/N this time. “We will need to discuss matters privately, it isn’t uncommon for those of royalty to be enrolled here. I must admit I have never heard of either an Elden Lord, nor a Queen of the Full Moon. But it may be that our historical records simply need updating!”

“Now, simply stand before the mirror, and speak the name of your home and we’ll have you back there before you know it!” Yuu did as he said, and stood before the mirror, the spirit within again appearing.

With a deep breath, Yuu said “Tsushima, Japan” Y/N had no idea where that was, but in all likelihood no one here knew of the Lands Between either.

Moments passed in silence as the mirror did not reply, when it finally did however. “No such place exists.” Crowley looked as if he was about to have a stroke.

“What do you mean ‘doesn’t exist’! They had to have to come from somewhere!” He ranted at the mirror, the spirit within it seemed nonplussed by his frustration.

“Wherever they are from, they do not belong to this world, they have no place in this world to return them too.” And with that the spirit vanished from the reflection.

“Hey! HEY! Don’t ignore me!” Crowley rapped his knuckles against the mirror, completely missing the fact that Yuu’s breathing seemed a bit faster than before.

If they do not belong within this world, I struggle to imagine that we are much different. Morgott brought up.

‘He mentioned he never heard of the Elden Lord before, meaning it’s possible we don’t belong in this world as well.’ Y/N groaned at the thought.

Regardless, you still are Elden Lord and the Elden Ring is your’s, you are not some feeble weakling. Godrick brought up. It was true that they still held the Elden Ring, restored by Ranni and within them for safe keeping. Its power was theirs. If it came to it, they would make their power known.

Once Crowley realized that the spirit would not be answering again, he gave a dramatic sigh and turned back to them. “Well, this certainly is a day of firsts! Come come! If there is ever a place to find even the most obscure of information, the library is the place to be!” Quickly, he broke into a stride, fully expecting them to follow him.

Y/N saw Yuu’s uneasy stance, giving them a quick pat on the back for reassurance.

Youuuu maaay find morrre about this wwworld theeere. Rykard croaked out.

Together, the two trailed after the Headmaster, following close behind as to not get lost within the halls of the academy. Soon enough, they came upon the library, candle sticks floated about, offering poor illumination to the already dimly lit library. Crowley walked towards a nearby podium, upon which sat a large glass orb with green smoke swirling within. Y/N paid Crowley no attention as they took in their surroundings.

The library was certainly large, a fair bit larger than the one within Raya Lucaria, whether or not the tomes within this library contained the same quality of information on the arcane and magic was another question entirely.

I spent many late nights studying there! Came the bombastic voice of Radahn, his mind having returned to him within Y/N’s.

Leoonarrrd doubtless appreciated your effffforts brother . Rykard replied

He did! Radahn finished as Y/N watched Crowley argue with yet another talking head within the glass orb. When the spirit vanished back into green smoke, they could hear Crowley give a groan of annoyance, before turning back to them.

“Curiouser and curiouser, not a single book, tome, or errant piece of parchment holds even a single mention of this Japan. And nary a one about an Elden Lord, though the only book with mention of the Queen of the Full Moon was erotica” He coughed to change subjects. “This poses an incredibly difficult situation. Normally, we’d never accept a magicless student into Night Raven, but it would be far too cruel to simply cast you out with nowhere to go. Fortunately I, as your most Gracious and Generous Headmaster, have come upon a most ingenious idea for a place you both can stay at until I can get this all sorted.”

“Magicless though they may be, I certainly am not, what do you intend to do with me?” Y/N crossed their arms as they asked him.

“Well, despite my inability to authenticate your status as royalty, you certainly seem sca- I MEAN! You certainly seem to have some measure of authority behind you. Not that I doubt your words, but I will either require a demonstration, or irrefutable proof of it. Another time perhaps, as it is late enough as it is, and you both are undoubtedly tired. So come along with me to show you to your abode for the time being.” Again, not waiting for a reply, Crowley took off again, leaving Yuu and Y/N to follow after.

They soon came upon a rather decrepit looking building. Y/N would compare it to the village of the Albinaurics, except those actually seemed to have been worth living in once upon a time. This place was beyond abandoned, and the fact it still stood was a miracle in and of itself. When Crowley opened the door to enter, it nearly fell from its long rusted hinges. The way he presented the dust covered and ruined building, one would imagine it to be the lap of luxury. Yet, when Y/N saw something about the size of a rat, but with far too many legs to be one, skuttle under the floorboards, Godrick’s suggestions were becoming more and more appealing.

I will not yell, but if you refuse to strike this fool down, I very well may. Was all Godrick said as Y/N felt their migraine worsen. Yuu was coughing up a storm as a plume of dust fell from the ceiling as the building groaned as they entered.

“I will admit, it may not be in the best of conditions, seeing as it has been sometime since a student last stepped foot in here. But it should be more than enough at least for a day or so, until I get this all sorted.” He turned back to them, a grin on his face. “I trust this won’t be an issue?”

“It might be healthier for us to just sleep outside.” Y/N said, just a chandelier crashed into the floor, falling straight into the basement.

In silence, the three of them stood there for a few moments, before Crowley quickly fixed the hole in the floor with his wand.

“Nonsense! The Board of Health and Safety makes us ensure that every building capable of housing our students are up to code! It just hasn’t been cleaned in a while is all!” He then made his way, carefully, around some of the weaker looking floorboards, before opening a door that led into what appeared to be the master bedroom. They had to admit, the bed did look nice, despite the thick layer of dust on it, though they could only imagine the ecosystem of horror that existed beneath those undisturbed sheets.

“Just let me get this sorted for you!” With another swish of his wand, one bed became two. “There! A place for both of you to sleep. Now, while you both get situated, I will go and grab you both something to eat. After the chaos of the day, you both must be famished!” Waiting for no one, Crowley left the two of them in the dust covered room.

Y/N making no facial expression beyond what could be perceived as neutral displeasure asked Yuu. “Do you think anyone would care if I strangled him when he comes back?”

“Honestly, I think you may be doing someone a favor.” was all he said back.

The silence was broken by the sound of clattering and the sound of a window breaking, which is surprising because most of the windows were already broken. Again, Y/n drew their greatsword, moving between Yuu and where the sound was coming from, from the doorway they entered, a blue light emanated beneath the door. The door handle shook a few times before the door flew open.

“NYAHA! Nobody can keep the Great Grim out for long!” The same fiery fiend from the ceremony stood triumphantly, having conquered both a window and a door, before he saw Yuu and Y/N standing there wide eyed.

“NGAAH! You two again!” He quickly went from surprised to angry. “You!” He pointed at Yuu. “If you’d just have given me your robe! I could be living my dream of becoming a great sorcerer! And you!” He then pointed at Y/N. “If you hadn’t nabbed me like that! I wouldn’t have gotten caught!”

He would have continued, if Y/N hadn’t just picked him up by the scruff of his neck like an unruly kitten. “W-what are you doing!?”

“Keeping you from starting a fire, unless you haven’t noticed, an errant sneeze from you could turn this building into an inferno.” Was all they said as they held onto him.

“I-I knew that! Now lemme go! I’m not a cat! I’m the Great Sorcerer Grim!” Grim continued his futile struggle as Y/N looked at Yuu, before walking over and handing Grim off to him.

“I’m going to make sure this place is secure. Yuu, make sure he doesn’t start a fire, and you, no starting fires.” Was all Y/N said as they walked out of the room, leaving both Yuu and Grim dumbfounded.

It was Grim that came to his senses first, quickly wriggling out of Yuu’s grasp. “I’m not a child! Or a cat! You!” He pointed at Yuu again. “If I’m going to become a great and powerful Sorcerer, I’m gonna need some minions! So you are now my Henchman!”

Yuu crossed his arms at the precocious little furball. “And who decided that?”

“I did! Don’t think I forgot you can’t use magic! Which means you gotta do as I say or I’ll cook you welldone!” He began to spew a few small streams of flames, before something fell behind him. “NYGAAH!” In a moment he quickly hid behind Yuu’s leg, shaking from the sudden crashing sound.

A faint chuckling could be heard from all around them, before a chill passed by Yuu’s head. “It’s been years since we last had guests!”

Another voice spoke from behind Grim’s head this time. “It’s been forever since we last got to play with someone.” Grim let out a scream and turned on his heel and spewed flames at the voice.

“Owowowow! That hurt!” The voice complained.

“Magic fire? That’s playing rough!” The first voice chimed in. “Luckily we can play just as rough!”

Yuu looked around them and couldn’t find where the voices were coming from. “G-ghosts?”

“Ghosts?! Where?!” The voice said, as a large, pale white apparition appeared before them, seemingly terrified before bursting out laughing.

“Course we’re ghosts! And you two are in OUR house! That means we get to play with ya!” The other ghost, this one far smaller, said as he appeared. The two burst into laughter as they disappeared.

With Grim trembling against his leg, Yuu was struggling to think of a plan, but it didn’t take long for him to come up with one. He quickly pried Grim off his leg and held him face to face. “I have an idea! Your fire managed to hurt them right?” Grim took a moment to think before nodding. “If I can point them out for you, can you hit them with your fire, but not the walls?”

“Nnnn, why would I do that? I can protect myself just fine!”

“Because, if you do, you could show Crowley that you deserve to be enrolled in the academy!” Appealing to his pride, Yuu knew he struck paydirt when he saw Grim’s eyes light up. Quickly, Grim jumped from Yuu’s arms and puffed up his fuzzy little chest.

“Just point em out to me Henchman! I’ll show em some real fire power!” The small blue flames in his ears flare up a bit as he psyched himself up to fight the ghosts. If Yuu weren’t busy trying to reconcile the fact they were trapped in this world at that moment, he definitely would’ve thought it was cute.

And so the two went to battle against the two specters, with Yuu calling the shots Grim’s flames never missed their mark, and the surrounding furnishings were thankfully spared the same fate as the curtains during the ceremony. The ghosts however were putting up a fair bit of resistance, changing their plan from getting the jump on Grim, to getting the drop on Yuu instead.

Just as one kept Grim occupied, the other slowly appeared behind Yuu. Just as he was about to scare the daylights out of Yuu, a voice came that brought them to a halt. “Whaddya lugs think you’re doin’!?”

All four turned their attention to the voice, finding that beside Y/N, floated a thinner ghost who looked almost disappointed with the other two. “First time in years we get people livin’ in these dusty ol’ halls and you both try and scare em off?”

“Oh come on Ezra! It’s been forever since we last had a good haunting!” The smaller ghost complained.

“Well that’s just too bad Gus! Ya can’t be scaring off every last soul that comes here! That’s why it’s been so long since we last had visitors, cuz you lugs don’t know how to tone it down!” Ezra then turned to Y/N. “Now we got these two needing a place to stay cuz Crowley can’t figure out how to send em home. This one was polite enough to hold a proper conversation with me.”

Y/N shrugged “To be honest, seeing my reflection’s flesh melt from its bones is hardly the scariest thing I’ve experienced”

“You yell at us when you use the scariest haunt we got?”

“Quiet down Phineas!” Ezra quickly turned back to Y/N after shouting at the large ghost. “I already apologized for that, besides this youngin’ told me that Crowley basically ditched em here.”

Gus and Phineas looked at each other when he said that. “Man, even after all this time, he ain’t changed a bit.” Gus lamented

“Guess we oughta focus our frights on him when he comes back.” Phineas suggested.

Ezra grinned at that. “Now that sounds like an idea, besides, having some fresh blood in these ol’ halls might ‘liven’ the place up!” He cackled at his own pun, with Yuu stifling a chuckle as well.

Gus elbowed Yuu, or at least the motion as it simply passed through him. “Don’t encourage him, or he’ll pun you to death”

“I heard that!” Ezra screeched at the smaller ghost, only for a knock at the dilapidated front door to catch all their attention.

“It’s Crowley! Scatter!” Phineas shouted as he and Gus vanished into the flooring, Ezra was close behind, but held back to say one last thing.

“Don’t worry bout Crowley, if he causes you guys any grief, he’ll be in for quite the scare!” With that he vanished into a wall.

Once the ghosts fled, Crowley finally managed to get the door open without throwing it off its hinges.

“Ah good! I was worried those loathsome ghosts had given you all a fright and-” He quickly spied Grim in Yuu’s arms. “I thought I had gotten rid of you! Quite the persistent little fiend you are.” He strode over placing a bag onto a dusty chair, reaching for Grim.

“Wait!” Yuu proclaimed, stopping Crowley in his tracks. “Grim here is the reason those ghosts didn’t scare us off, he helped drive them off.” A half truth at worst, but what Crowley didn’t know, wouldn’t hurt them.

“Truly? I find that doubtful, the little fiend could do little beyond torch our fine tapestries, let alone fend off three fierce ghosts.” He then turned to Y/N. “Is this true?”

“Not entirely, if it weren’t for Yuu’s keen eye, those ghosts would’ve escaped Grim’s flames.” Crowley’s eyes widened at that.

“Fascinating! That he was able to get that creature to obey him, even though it isn’t his familiar.” Grim spoke up after he finished mumbling.

“I’m a he, not an it! And this ‘creature’ has a name! I’m the Great Grim, future Sorcerer of unrivaled power!” Yuu did his best to keep Grim from sabotaging his chance at enrolling.

Crowley hummed and seemed deep in thought, before with a snap of his fingers he spoke. “I believe I have an idea to put you both to the proof. I happen to have a potion that will allow me to transform into a ghost.”

“You have a potion that just kills you?” Y/N asked, seemingly serious.

“Oh no no! It’s a temporary transformation, but perfect for the opportunity to see if Yuu is as much of a beast tamer as you all say he is.” With no time given to allow for a rebuttal, he pulled from his pocket a small vial, swiftly drinking it down, before immediately changing into a small ghost, still adorned with his crow mask and feathered hat.

“Perfect! Now, come at me with your best! I assure you it won’t be anything I can’t handle!” Grim seemed eager to get to it, and Y/N, along with the Shardbearers within them, were keen on watching Crowley get toasted.

Once again, Yuu and Grim worked in odd synchronicity, nothing Crowley could do allowed him to evade getting burnt. It only took three minutes of being constantly set ablaze for him to cry mercy.

“A-alright! I believe that to be more than enough proof!” As he surrendered, he turned back to normal, now slightly smelling of burnt feathers. Quickly, he dusted himself off.

“You are truly a talented beast tamer! This has certainly given me something new to consider. Now” He turned and opened the bag he brought in. “I have graciously gotten you both a decent meal! Truly, my magnanimity knows no bounds!” He passed one bag to Yuu and the other to Y/N. “Eat up! Come morning we can talk more about your situation. Until then, sleep well.” With a dramatic bow, he turned and marched out the door, tripping on an errant piece of flooring and smacking his face onto the stoop of the building.

He looked around to see if something had tripped him, before getting back up and leaving once again, slightly more wary of anything that might trip him again, never noticing the chuckling Gus who kept up with him.

Yuu was the first to open his bag, staring at what appeared to be quite a delicious sandwich. Just as he unwrapped it to eat, a loud growl was heard, looking towards the source of the sound, it was Grim’s stomach. Before anything else could happen, Y/N had handed their own sandwich to Grim.

“Eat, I have food for myself. I’ll go make sure you won’t catch something from the beds, in the meantime.” Y/N quickly left them to it, never catching the look Yuu gave them, Grim too busy devouring the sandwich.

As Y/N lifted the bed and drove off what they thought was a mixture of rat and spider, another voice spoke within their mind.

You are very kind. Miquella, the brother to Malenia and the one cursed to live within a child’s body for eternity, told them.

‘They were hungry, I don’t need to eat as much’ They replied as they checked the remainder of the bed.

Even still, you treat others better than yourself . As if on cue a spark of pain echoed from their right hand, coming from the scar where their index finger once was.

But you are still walled off from others, I can only ask that you open up to them . Was the last thing Miquella told them before going quiet. Leaving them, in a rare moment, alone with their thoughts. He may have been right, but they had lost enough and did not wish to feel that kind of pain so soon again.

Their friends were either dead or hated them, they did not wish to add to that anymore.

Chapter Text

By the time morning had come, Yuu had gotten at least a somewhat decent night’s sleep. Unfortunately for them, when the sun’s light beamed through the numerous holes in the building, it got him right in the face. As he groggily got himself out from underneath the covers, he took in his surroundings. Reality once again set in for him, this wasn’t his bedroom, it was some dilapidated, old building. He wasn’t in his house, he was somewhere completely alien to him, with magic, talking cats and dolls, and ghosts.

If he weren’t still waking up from an unnaturally deep sleep, he may have had a panic attack as his situation set in. Yet, as he took in his surroundings, they seemed more clean and less abandoned than when he had gone to sleep. As he shifted slightly, stirring the still sleeping Grim from his slumber, only enough to get some snorts and grumbles from him.

Yuu finally managed to pull his feet out from under Grim without waking him, slipping back on the basic sneakers he was brought here in. He was lucky enough to have at least some normal clothes beneath the robe he was forced into. Seeing as the robe was now in tatters from the several fires it was subjected to the day prior, he needed to make sure this pair survived until he could get spare clothing. He could hear the sound of something being dragged in the other room.

Opening the door slightly, he saw Y/N dragging a dusty sofa across the room with ease. The living room seemed a far cry from the way it was last night. It still looked abandoned, but not as dilapidated. The broken glass was cleaned up, along with most of the dust. The floor did noticeably have a few more person sized holes in it in certain places. Once Y/N had placed the sofa where they wanted it, they finally noticed Yuu staring at them from the doorway.

“My apologies if I woke you. Tried to keep it as quiet as possible, but the flooring had other ideas.” They vaguely motioned towards one of the new holes in the floor.

“N-no, the sun woke me up. Have you been up for a while?” Yuu walked around one of the holes as he sat on one of the freshly cleaned chairs.

“Never went to sleep, don’t need to. This place was and still is a death trap. Never mind the rats, bats, broken flooring and windows, and that ticking reptile in the basement.” Y/N listed off, not noticing as Ezra floated through the wall.

“Hate to bother ya, but it seems our ‘Most Generous’ headmaster is on his way here. He spent about an hour before he dozed off last night deliberating about somethin’ so buckle up kiddos, doubtless it’ll only benefit him.”

Y/N only gave an annoyed sigh in response, while Yuu answered back. “I think we’ll be able to handle anything he may have us do, but could I ask you to wake up Grim? I didn’t wanna wake him.”

“Can do Mr. Yuu! Been awhile since I last got to wake someone up!” Ezra wringed his hands as he floated through the wall into the bedroom. A few moments of silence followed before the telltale sound of a cat screeching echoed through the halls, the door to the bedroom burst open as Grim skittered from the room, Ezra in pursuit.

“NNYAGH! BACK OFF YOU FIEND!” Grim shouted as he scrambled into Yuu’s arms.

“Oh come on! It wasn’t that scary! I figured a monster wouldn’t spook so easy, specially after last night!” Ezra chuckled to himself, when a knock came from the door. “And that’s my cue! See ya later Yuu!” He finished as he fled into the floor, just as Crowley opened the door, which thankfully didn’t fall from its hinges.

“Ah ha! Up bright and early! If only others were as diligent as you are.” He spoke. “Now that we are all well rested and ready for a brand new day, I believe it is time to discuss the pink elephant in the room as it were.”

He clapped his hands as he presented a type of uniform to Yuu. “Seeing as, despite your displays of bestial mastery from last night, you are still incapable of wielding magic, it would be beyond reckless of me to enroll you within classes that require magic. Which is all of them seeing as this is a school for those gifted in magic after all. I have devised a brilliant alternative!” Yuu placed Grim back onto the ground and took the uniform, it looked almost like a janitor’s uniform.

“In exchange for allowing you access to the school and its amenities, I believe having you work towards keeping our fine establishment as spick and span at possible! Of course you will be well compensated, until such time as I can figure out how to get you back home.” Y/N coughed to get his attention. “Oh, and of course I haven’t forgotten you my terrif-TERRIFIC friend! Seeing as I still haven’t been able to authenticate your status, but don’t wish to cause an international incident if your claims are true, I believe having you simply keep an eye on Yuu while they work may give me the time to find a means to devise what that ruddy Mirror was on about.”

“Yuu may not have magic, but they aren’t helpless. Beyond that, this is a large academy. Unless the compensation matches the work you expect of them, they will need help.” Y/N looked towards Yuu. “I’ll help Yuu when needed, just tell us what needs doing and no needless fluff.”

Crowley jumped slightly as Y/N’s gaze returned to him. ‘A-ah! Straight to the point! Wondrous! For the time the statues on the main thoroughfare do need some cleaning, moss seems quite attracted to them for some reason. Of course when you have finished, you may eat lunch within the cafeteria. Hopefully, you won’t be doing this for too long, as your most generous employer, I shall spare no effort in finding you a way back home!” With that, and a flourish Crowley left them.

Yuu looked at the uniform and let out a sigh. “I’ll go get changed.” Yuu quickly went back into the bedroom to change, leaving Grim with Y/N. The two exchanged an awkward glance at each other, neither really knowing what to say to the other.

“You’d better behave yourself.” Was all Y/N said to Grim.

“Hey! This is the closest I’ve ever been to my goal! If my henchman manages to get into the good graces of Crowley, I can finally become a Sorcerer!”

“That involves you not setting any more tapestries on fire. Yuu is here because that fool of a headmaster needs to find them a way home. I’m here because I’ve nowhere else to go, but you? You’re still here because Yuu vouched for you, making Crowley believe that he can keep you under control.” Y/N stood from where they were sitting, crouching down to be eye to eye with Grim. “So behave, if not for Yuu’s sake, than your own.”

Grim growled for a moment before he looked away and crossed his arms. “Fine, but don’t think I’ll just roll over and take it if someone crosses me!” Y/N didn’t look at all impressed by his statement. Neither could speak further as Yuu returned, dressed in the uniform Crowley had given him.

With his hands on his hips, Yuu said. “Well, no time like the present.” With that, the three of them left to find wherever the main thoroughfare was. It didn’t take too long, they weren’t able to ask anyone for directions as most of the students were likely still waking up. When they finally came upon the statues, Y/N was a fair bit impressed, each of these statues depicted a different figure. An entire statue was dedicated to a lion.

It almost looks like Serosh . Godfrey said as they observed the statues. A lion, three that appeared to be separate queens of some sort, another who seemed to possess blazing hair, and another with a serpentine staff and turban.

“Woah, these statues look pretty intense.” Grim said as Yuu got to work cleaning off some moss that was encroaching on the statue of the horned queen. “I didn’t get a good look at em yesterday. Man, who even are these guys?”

Grim hopped over to the statue of a rather portly queen. “Who’s this granny anyway? Why’s she got a statue?”

“Statues like these are usually meant to honor previous or current royalties. Either that, or these people have some massive egos on them.”

Like some people we may know . The rarely heard from Malenia spoke up.

I ALREADY APOLOGIZED FOR THAT

Malenia please we shouldn’t be arguing about this right now

Y/N did their best to ignore the argument brewing in their head, instead helping Yuu in cleaning. The amount of soap they kept on themself would likely raise a few eyebrows, but it did prove useful as it made quick work of the moss on one of the statues. They did their best to focus on the task at hand, only to hear a voice they were unfamiliar with speak up.

“You seriously don’t know about the Queen of Hearts?” Y/N turned to face the newcomer. Orange hair and a student uniform, he stood there with his arms crossed as he smirked at Grim.

“Why? She important or something?”

“A long time ago, she ruled over the Maze of Roses. She managed to tame the madness of the land with her rules and her loyal card soldiers. Quite the feat all things considered, her word was law, anyone who didn’t wanna play ball, it was off with their heads!”

A firm hand is required in order to establish the rule of law, cutting off someone’s head seems a just punishment. Godrick chimed in.

Yooou did mmmakke a haabbit of cuttinnng off moore thaaan jussst the head. Rykard added.

IT WAS AS JUST FOR ME AS IT WAS FOR HER!

“She’d cut off your head? That’s terrifying!” Grim added

“Eh, that’s what makes her so cool, nobody listens to a push over after all.” The newcomer answered back.

“Besides that little history lesson? Who’re you anyway?” Grim asked.

“Name’s Ace! First year who arrived yesterday, pleased to meet ya!”

Grim took the initiative to introduce them. “My name’s Grim, soon to be the greatest Sorcerer to ever walk these halls! And these two are my henchmen! The lackey in the uniform is Yuu, and the scary one is Y/N”

“You ever refer to me as your henchman again, I'll shave you bald.” Was all Y/N said in response.

“And I never agreed that I was your henchman!” Yuu shouted back.

“Those ain’t names you hear everyday, specially round here.” Ace replied crossing his arms,

Not letting them get another word in, Grim spoke up again. “Hey Ace! What’s the deal with the rest of these statues? They famous too?”

Ace then took the chance to give a brief history lesson on each of the statues. The King of Beasts, which drew Godfrey’s attention, The Sea Witch, The Sorcerer of The Sands, The Beautiful Queen, a title that Godrick said was pretentious and the others surprisingly agreed with him, the Lord of the Underworld, and finally the Witch of Thorns.

“Gotta admit, they’re really cool huh?” Ace’s face went from a look of admiration to something closer to a smirk as he turned back to Grim. “Unlike a certain racoon.” As Ace loomed over Grim, his smirk changed to a grin as he broke out laughing. “Man oh man! I can’t believe it!”

“You’re the guys who turned the entrance ceremony into chaos, a random no name who can’t use magic and a monster who doesn’t know when he isn’t wanted. Took everything I had not to bust a gut yesterday.” Zero to infuriated in under a minute, Ace certainly had talent in raising Y/N’s ire.

“Watch your tongue boy.” Y/N spoke in a low rumble, redirecting Yuu’s attention from Ace’s insult to the fact this is the first he heard Y/N sound so angry. And it wasn’t even because they were insulted. No, they were upset on his behalf, and beyond that, he didn’t even wanna be here.

“Or what? Come on, you think a glare and an angry voice is gonna change the fact that none of you got allowed in and you got stuffed with janitor duty?” Ace, showing either an unrivaled amount of fearlessness or stupidity, got up in Y/N’s face, clearly challenging them.

“Fools often find their heads separated from their bodies. So I will only state this once more.” Y/N grasped Ace’s shoulder. “Watch. Your. Tongue.”

Yuu could only watch as Y/N’s entire demeanor changed. He knew that Crowley annoyed them, but this was another level, well beyond annoyance.

Ace scoffed and brushed Y/N’s hand off of him. “I figured I'd come over and screw with you guys a bit, but you really outdid yourselves.” Completely disregarding Y/N’s very clear warning, he turned his back and began to walk away. “Unlike you losers, I’ve classes to attend, be sure not to miss a spot you guys!”

Such arrogance………..the utter gall………the sheer NERVE! Such disrespectful worms need be taught a lesson! Let pain be his teacher! LET AGONY BE THE CONSEQUENCE OF DISRESPECTING THE ELDEN LORD!

Flames flew, and scorched the pavement just beyond Ace. Silence consumed the surroundings as the pavement smoldered and boiled from the heat of the flames. Turning around as quick as a whip crack, Ace stared down Y/N, who’s outstretched hand smoldered a yellow flame.

“What the hell?! What do you think you’re doing!?” Ace demanded.

“I gave you fair warning to watch your tongue, but fools rarely take heed of threats to their health. You believe you can speak of my fellows and I so shamefully and be allowed to walk away?” Y/N wasn’t shouting, their tone wasn’t raised above a low rumble, yet Yuu could feel the anger radiating from every word.

“I offer, but one last chance to make amends, apologize for every insult and this need go no further. Otherwise I shal-” Y/N was cut off, by a flurry of wind that buffeted them, a small scrape appearing on their cheek from the furious winds. As they raised a hand to dab at the small bead of red that appeared from the cut, Ace had a cocksure smirk on his face, all the while students from various dorms gathered round and watched in awe at what was transpiring.

Yuu only watched as Y/N’s hand trembled slightly as they took in the sight of red on their fingers. Quickly, Yuu grabbed Grim and pulled him further back.

“Very well”

Flames consumed Y/N’s left hand, before launching forth in a torrent of flames. Ace answered with a gale of wind, dispersing the flames. The crowd that gathered was shouting encouragement for both of them. Ace for his part was certainly good at keeping Y/N’s flames away.

Y/N still had the advantage of simply not stopping the torrent of flames, the winds protecting Ace were weakening while the flames still burned hot. Thinking quickly, Ace forced a tunnel of wind forward, sending the flames scattering apart amongst the statues. Y/N treated the blast of wind as nothing more than a light breeze. Deciding to put a decisive end to this, Y/N gathered flames into their hand once again, launching them not in a torrent, but gathering them into a massive sphere of flames.

“Winds beat fire! Simple as that!”

“Let us put that to the proof then”

Y/N put their whole body into hurling the fire ball, with it hurtling directly towards Ace, who for his part, stood his ground, conjuring another wind tunnel to deflect the flames. When it met the winds, it all but instantly overwhelmed Ace’s magic, giving him just enough time to jump out of danger as the fireball exploded, consuming its surroundings in flames.

Yuu pulled Ace further away from the flames, despite the insults he didn’t want to see him cooked well done. Before the flames could spread any further, with a flick of Y/N's arm the fires vanished, leaving the surroundings mostly untouched. Mostly, as the statue of the Queen of Hearts was not so lightly charred. It still stood, but was caked in a thick layer of ash and soot. It did not bother Y/N as they strode towards Ace. Ace, despite narrowly avoiding fiery death, still tried to come off as confident, even as Y/N lifted him by his collar.

But, before words could be exchanged between either of them, a well known voice cut through the murmurs of the crowd. “What in the devil is going on here?!”

Chapter Text

Showing an impeccable sense of timing, there stood Crowley, almost fuming at the sight before him. Most of the crowd scattered before they could get in trouble for encouraging the fight. Thus, leaving only Yuu, Grim, Y/N, Ace and a charred statue to face Crowley.

“I allow you to remain here so long as you keep our fine school clean and you set fire to a statue of the Great Seven!? What is the meaning of this?!” Crowley demanded.

Y/N was clearly not in the mood to deal with any more annoyances as the tone they spoke with carried an authority that surpassed Crowley’s. “We were doing as you had asked, when one of your students believed it would be worth his time to harass us. I took offense to that.” They motioned to the other statues. “We managed to clean the other statues before we were interrupted, as for the other statue.” They dropped Ace and walked over to the charred Queen of Hearts. Taking out a bar of soap from their pocket, with a single stroke the ash and soot began to vanish from the statue, as if it was given a thorough cleaning.

“Well be that is it may, that doesn’t mean you can go setting students or the surroundings on fire!” Crowley countered.

“An insult to both myself and my companions demanded an answer, so I did. Perhaps instead of asking why I defended our collective honor, you should be asking why one of your students decided that causing trouble for your employees was something they should do?” Y/N’s question seemed to have Crowley change his tune, clearly not wanting to continue raising their temper any further than it already was.

“Well, indeed you are correct. Mr. Trappola, just what do you believe you were doing?!” Crowley’s shouting was now directed at the freshman.

“Oh come on! I wasn’t the one who toasted the statue! Besides, I only wanted to mess around, ya know? They’re the one who took it too personally.” Ace tried to defend, pointing out Y/N while Yuu and Grim just watched.

Crowley rubbed the bridge of his mask as he let out a groan. “I can’t allow either of you to go unpunished, regardless of who was more in the wrong.” Crowley notably looked toward Y/N before he continued. “Mr. Trappola, later today, as punishment for harassing the fine janitorial staff of this academy, you are to clean one hundred windows throughout the school.”

“Oh come on! A hundred windows!?”

“As for you Y/N, as punishment for losing your temper and causing minor damage to a statue of the Great Seven, you, along with Yuu and Grim, are to supervise and assist Mr. Trappola in cleaning the windows later.” Crowley decided to not address the growl like rumble that came from Y/N.

“Wait, why us? Y/N was the one who blew up!” Grim argued.

“Well, all three of you are in this together after all. Yuu seems to need to keep a better eye on both of you now.”

“Excuse you?” Crowley quickly moved on to avoid answering Y/N.

“For now, Mr Trappola I would recommend you hurry to class, unless you want to start your first day on an even worse foot.” Ace took that moment to run off, having clearly forgotten that he had classes to get to.

“As for you three, despite this incident, you did manage to clean the statues as I had asked, impeccably so. So I’m willing to overlook this minor problem for the time being, unless anything else comes to my attention in dire need of a cleaning, I believe you take some time for yourselves until Mr. Trappola arrives for his punishment. Aren’t I so generous!” With that Crowley left them.

Y/N took several deep breaths, in an effort to calm down, when Yuu approached them. He gave them a quick pat on the back. “Hey, thanks, for all that. Ya didn’t need to step in like that.”

“Nonsense, you have no choice but to be here, you shouldn’t be insulted for something you’ve no control over.” Was all they said in reply.

“Still, that was quite some ‘fire’power you showed off.” Yuu grinned at his own pun, taking notice of the slight twitch of Y/N’s lips.

“That lanky ghost is already corrupting you Yuu!” Grim complained.

“Hey Y/N found it funny.”

“No I didn’t”

“Yes you did! Your lips are twitching! You’re trying not to laugh! See!?” Yuu stood on the tips of his toes to poke at Y/N’s mouth, who turned to face away from him. Yuu continued to try and point out Y/N’s attempts to not smile, to the point where Y/N was practically spinning on the spot to constantly keep away from Yuu. Eventually Yuu admitted defeat, just in time as Y/N was getting a bit dizzy, spinning around so much.

“Well, we have at least a few hours to ourselves. I think I’m gonna go grab something to eat!” Yuu declared, to which Grim seconded.

Y/N on the other hand had a different plan. “You both go on ahead of me, I’ll be hitting up the library to see if I can’t learn about this world more.”

“Oh! Can you grab me something to read as well? There’s bound to be some form of interesting novels there.” Y/N shrugged at Yuu's question.

“I’ll try, grab me something you think I might like.” With that Y/N walked away from Yuu and Grim, with them going the opposite direction. Though the academy’s halls were almost labyrinthine, Y/N had experience in dealing with such confusing halls. Of course, their way of finding where they needed to go was basically accidentally finding where they needed to go after being hopelessly lost for a few hours. Fortunately, it didn’t take them nearly as long to find their way back to the Library. There were a few students out and about inside of the library, none seemed to pay Y/N much attention.

If they were going to learn anything more about this world, they’d need to find historical records, or something akin to it. Thankfully, they could read the signs dictating which aisle held what form of literature. They looked over the countless tomes strewn about the shelves, grabbing what few caught their eye. A tome called A Twisted Tale: The History of Twisted Wonderland’s Many Kingdoms and Countries, The Witch Of Thorn’s Domain; a book detailing the history of Briar Valley, The Great War; one explaining the history and reasoning behind the largest conflict between Fae and Human kind, and Historical Academia; the history behind Night Raven Academy and Royal Sword Academy.

Of course, they also looked around for something Yuu may enjoy reading, eventually finding themselves in a section that read ‘Graphic Novels’, it took a few moments and a few pages for Y/N to realize that by graphic they had meant illustrations and not bodily gore. They settled on a book about demon hunters, it seemed to only be the first of several volumes however. As they made their way out of the library with the books, they had accidentally bumped into someone passing them, giving a quick apology, they tried to continue on, only for the person they bumped into to walk in front of them.

“Hey hey, I know you. You’re the stonefish from the entrance ceremony!” The lanky individual in front of them said. Greenish hair, and sharp razor-like teeth, this student carried themself differently from Ace, which Y/N considered a good thing.

“Not sure if that’s an insult or not, but you may call me Y/N.” They told him.

“Nah, I’m feeling Stonefish more, not a fan of being called a Stonefish, Stonefishy?” Y/N wasn’t sure if he was deliberately trying to get a rise out of them, but Miquella and Morgott were doing their best to keep them calm.

“Call me what you will. I’m not in the mood to argue.” Was all they said, as the student quickly hung off of their shoulder.

“Not arguing, just sayin’ is all. Say, do ya think I can give ya a quick squeeze, ‘fore I let ya go?” Y/N raised an eyebrow at his request, but he at least let them put their books down beforehand. The last person that had held them wound up being obsessed with death and attempted to revive a soulless demi-god corpse, but they doubted that this student could manage that. The student wasted no time in wrapping his arms around them, before squeezing tightly.

This was nowhere near the hardest they’ve been squeezed before, Rune Bears set the bar far too high for it to be surpassed, or even met by this student. They did note that some of the students around them looked almost scared for them. The student squeezed even harder, which didn’t change Y/N’s reaction. Suddenly, he just let them go, almost disappointed by their lack of reaction.

“You’re no fun to squeeze.” And with that, he left, completely ignoring them.

Thhhe people of thhhhiss laaand arrre sssstrannnge. For once they agreed with Rykard.

Regathering their books, they eventually found their way to the cafeteria, finding Yuu and Grim amongst the few students that were there. Grim was going to town on a few sandwiches, while Yuu was eating some noodles. Y/N sat down across from Yuu, who pushed a bowl over to them.

“Eat up! They said that this was freshly made too! Nothing beats fresh beef ramen.” He said before diving back into his own.

“Says you! These tuna sandwiches are second to none!”

Y/N had no idea what ramen was, but if Yuu thought they’d enjoy it, they may as well give it a try. With one hand focusing on feeding them, and the other opening one of the books and flipping the pages as they read through them. Despite the chaos of earlier in the day, this felt nice. The food was a welcome change, no longer needing to deal with small, bite sized meals. Though, they would miss the conversations they’d have with Boggart and a meal of boiled crab.

Grim continued to ravage the tuna sandwiches that he had gotten, while Yuu read through the novel Y/N had gotten him. Time continued to pass as they ate, eventually just having them both reading while Grim napped against Yuu’s leg. It was around the time that Y/N had finished A Twisted Tale, that a thought came to mind.

“It has been awhile, I’d say I’m surprised by it, but I think that he’s trying to skip out on his punishment.” Though they didn’t say his name, Yuu knew who they were referring too. This woke Grim up right quick.

“That ginger better not try and stick this on us! I’m already dead tired from cleaning those lousy statues, a hundred windows’ll kill me!”

“Grim, WE cleaned the statues, you fell asleep.” Y/N told him.

“That’s not the point! That jerk ain’t skipping his just desserts! With me, minions!” Grim, taking a surprising amount of leadership, ran out of the cafeteria, despite having no idea where to start looking. With a sigh, Y/N put the books they borrowed into their bag, along with Yuu’s book, before the two of them chased after Grim.

The two chased Grim throughout the halls of the academy, with him screaming for Ace to come out. Eventually they chased him into a room of mirrors, where they found him standing around muttering to himself.

“There you are! You think you can just stick us with the work! Not so fast!” Grim shouted from down the hall, before he charged at Ace.

“Agh! Like hell I’m cleaning that many windows!” He shouted back before taking off, nearly running into another passing student.

“Hey you! Stop him! He’s trying to escape his punishment!” Grim shouted at the confused student.

Said student looked panicked for a moment as he tried to get a grasp on the situation, before just taking out his magic pen and dropping a cauldron on Ace, knocking him to the floor, giving them all time to catch up.

“What the hell man?! Who throws a cauldron at someone?!” He yelled at the student in question.

“Well I didn’t think I’d get a cauldron! I just needed something to stop you, and something heavy was all that came to mind.”

Y/N was the next to speak. “Crowley assigned this punishment to you directly, we’re stuck with supervising and making sure you don’t get yourself killed cleaning those hundred windows.”

“As if! He said that you had to watch and help me! There’s a difference, besides you guys are the janitors here! Why should I be forced to waste my free time?!”

“Because of you one of those statues got charred, believe me, there’s plenty I’d rather do than see you again, but here we are.”

The student that stopped Ace looked shocked at the revelation. “Wait! You guys damaged one of the statues of the Great Seven?! No wonder Crowley was mad enough to make you clean that many windows.”

“And who are you anyway Mr. Goody Two Shoes!”

“My name is Deuce, Deuce Spade, your Dorm-mate and classmate, we literally sat next to each other, would it kill you to at least remember your dorm-mates names?” He asked, to which Ace looked away in annoyance.

“Please, let’s just calm down, arguing over it now won’t change anything. The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can forget each other exists, how’s that sound?” Yuu suggested, to which Ace grumbled in agreement.

Deuce however, did note something. “Hey, where’d that cat go off to?”

The four of them looked around the mirror room, only to see neither hide nor hair of the little troublemaker. Only for their searching to be interrupted by Grim’s voice from further down the hall.

“I’ll leave it to you, ya redheaded jerk! Bye-bye!” Grim shouted before taking off again.

“Oi! That mangy cat thinks he can just stick this all on me?! Juice! It’s your fault this happened, so hurry up and help me catch him!”

“My name is DEUCE! Also, how is it my fault?! You’re the one who got in trouble anyway!”

“Well, the shorter one is dead weight and can’t use magic, and the taller one is insane and nearly cooked me! Now come on!” Ace gave Deuce no chance to argue as he dragged him after Grim.

Yuu looked stressed by the situation, looking over to Y/N for help, only to see them trembling slightly, much the same way they did before they fought Ace earlier.

“Yuu, we are going to catch Grim, and he and Ace are going to be cleaning the windows themselves.” Y/N stated, it wasn’t a suggestion and he knew they wouldn’t allow for any arguments otherwise. So, both of them chased after Ace and Deuce, who in turn chased after Grim. This chase continued until they arrived back in the cafeteria, with Deuce and Ace looking up towards one of the chandeliers.

“Try and catch me now!” Grim taunted from the chandelier.

“Hey! No fair hiding up there! Get down here!” Ace shouted as he fruitlessly swiped at the out of reach cat.

Yuu however, tried to convince Grim to come down more gently. “Come on Grim, it’s not safe up there! Come down before you get hurt!”

Y/N just glared up at Grim as Godrick tried to convince them to just hurl a spear at him. Deuce however was thinking up a plan.

“If he won’t come down, one of us just needs to get up to him.” He said matter of factly, before taking his magic pen out and pointing it at Ace.

Wait, don’t do anything I want to see these buffoons harm themselves. Godrick said.

They certainly aren’t the brightest bunch. Morgott added in.

“Woah, woah, woah! What are you doing?!” Ace shouted as he started floating slightly off the ground.

“I don’t know how to fly, so someone is gonna have to get him down!” Deuce told him as he focused more.

Wait, is he truly considering just hurling that fool at the chandelier? Radahn asked

Before anything else could be said, Ace was sent flying directly into the chandelier, knocking Grim, and the chandelier loose.

HE IS. Miquella shouted as Y/N watched as the chandelier fell in slow motion before them. Directly beneath it was Yuu, who wasn’t paying attention to Deuce and Ace, more focused on getting Grim down safely. Deuce was still beneath the chandelier as well, not having thought his plan out at all. Faster than anyone could blink, Y/N rushed forward, pushing both Yuu and Deuce to safety, only for the chandelier to land directly on top of them.

As the shattering sound of glass and steel filled the room, Deuce and Yuu looked back at the broken mess that once was the chandelier, with both Grim and Ace, more or less safe from the damage caused by it. Yuu however knew that Y/N was still trapped beneath it.

“Oh god! Y/N!” He quickly tried to pull the pieces off of them, with Deuce quickly realizing what he had done, before he joined Yuu, even more frantically pulling broken shards and metal off of them.

“WHAT IN THE NAME OF YEN SID HAPPENED IN HERE!”

Chapter Text

Showcasing an unnatural ability to show up just when he isn’t wanted, there stood Crowley, positively fuming at the sight before him. “I entrust to you, the care of this academy’s fine image, and all you have done is damage school property!” He also showcased a distinctive lack of care for the fact that Y/N was still stuck beneath the destroyed chandelier. For their part, Yuu and Deuce were more concerned with freeing Y/N than acknowledging Crowley, while Ace and Grim were taking the brunt of his fury.

“Not only are none of the windows cleaned, you’ve destroyed one of our priceless enchanted chandeliers! Do you have any idea how difficult they are to replace?!” He stopped his shouting as the broken mess of glass and metal started to shift. Finally, Y/N stood, broken glass and shattered metal shifted to the floor as they shook their head, small shards of glass flying loose.

“Despite having that fall on me, your shouting is more painful.” They groaned, before staring Crowley down, not at all impressed. “It’s ornate, that I will admit, but priceless? Doubtful.”

“W-well, it’s not the structure itself that is priceless, it’s what is housed within that is!” Crowley countered, before looking around the floor amongst the debris.

Y/N took a step forward, glass crunching under their foot. “If it were truly so priceless, then why store it in a chandelier of all things? One mistake and-” They were cut off by something distinctly not glass crunching under their foot. Both they and Crowley paused as they lifted their foot.

Now in several pieces was a rather unique looking stone, more akin to a gem than a stone proper. It gave off the faintest hints of magic, likely due to the fact it had been broken. “Well”

For once, Crowley actually was mad at Y/N, no longer trying to skirt around the possibility of angering them. “Do you have any idea how irreplaceable that was!”

“No, because once again, I am NOT from here!” Y/N argued back. “Nor do I particularly care that you house something as apparently irreplaceable as that gem within a bloody chandelier!”

“Do NOT try and argue your way out of this! Naught but havoc has been wrought since you three arrived and I will not allow it to continue any further! Come morning all five of you are expelled!” Crowley for his part did not cow easily against Y/N’s rising temper, his words striking all but Y/N.

“W-w-wait why me?!” Deuce asked, his tone wavering as the situation set in. “Grim and Ace I get, but Yuu and I were trying to calm things down.”

“It was you who launched Mr. Trappola into the chandelier, correct? You share the same amount of blame as them! And as for Yuu, I believed that he would be able to keep his companions under control! Clearly, I was woefully mistaken!”

“Hey, Grim I get, but Y/N’s not a toddler or a pet! I don’t NEED to keep them under control!” Yuu argued back.

Ace, for once, was actually quiet, the reality of his actions setting in. Shifting the broken pieces of the chandelier as if they were the shattered remains of his chances of remaining in Night Raven.

“What even was that stupid gem that made it so irreplaceable?” Y/N demanded, no longer shouting, but with a very evident vein near their temple.

“That was a Magistone! An incredibly useful, and might I add, increasingly RARE, gemstone that allows for the use of magic freely!” Crowley pulled out his magic pen, motioning to the inlaid gem at the top. “These are becoming increasingly harder to find, and you just carelessly crushed one under foot!”

“And you put it in a chandelier?!” Y/N was no longer angry, but now incredibly baffled. They didn’t know if Crowley was exaggerating the importance of the stone, or if he was being entirely truthful. They didn’t know which answer was worse in all honesty.

“WAIT!” Deuce shouted, getting everyone’s attention. “You said they are rare, not irreplaceable right?”

“Yes, but they have become so infrequent no one has managed to mine one in some time.”

“That doesn’t mean that there aren’t any left! If we can find a replacement, would you allow us to remain?” Deuce asked, beyond hopeful that Crowley would agree.

Crowley hummed and hawed, making a show of thinking it over. Before, with dramatic flair, he came to a decision. “Very well! As I am a most generous and forgiving headmaster! I shall allow one last chance at redemption! If you can return with a replacement magistone, then I shall allow for you to remain here.” He did however have a stipulation. “But, provided you DO somehow manage to find replacement, any further destruction of school property and I will expel you without second thought.”

He gave a quick flourish which led into a bow. “And as a show of my unending generosity, I will even give you a tip as to where you may find a stone! Come with me!” With a flick of his pen the chandelier was repaired and rehung from the ceiling as if nothing had happened, even without the magistone, it looked the same as ever. Deuce grabbed Ace by the back of his uniform collar, and Yuu got a hold of Grim, preventing either from running off again, there’d be no getting out of things this time.

Crowley led them back to the mirror room, standing before the Mirror from the entrance ceremony. “Some distance away there is a mine shaft that was once used to obtain Magistones, however, it ran dry and has since been abandoned. I can think of no other place you may possibly find one. Good luck everyone!” And with that Crowley left to let a bunch of teenagers, a combustible cat, and the Tarnished, retrieve a likely nonexistent stone from an abandoned mine, an action any responsible headmaster would obviously do.

“No time to waste!” Deuce said as he began to drag Ace towards the Mirror, only for Ace to resist.

“Hold it! Why are you so gung-ho on this! It’s like he said, the stupid mine is probably completely empty, we’re wasting our time!” Ace argued.

“Because unlike you I have to stay in school! If you had actually gone through with your punishment, NONE of this would’ve happened! But you just had to try and avoid the consequences!.”

“Well maybe if YOU had thought twice about hurling me at the stupid thing, it wouldn’t have broken!”

“What happened, happened, arguing over that is pointless! Besides, what would you do? I doubt you have a better plan for keeping us from getting expelled!”

“Blackmail, for starters. Crowley’s bound to have secrets he wouldn’t want dug up, and failing that, sic them on him.” Ace jabbed a thumb towards Y/N, who glared at him in return. “Crowley seemed pretty spooked by them, before the chandelier broke, so I figured they could fold him like an ironing board to get him to not expel us.”

“For starters, you are quite bold to assume I’d do anything for you after the hassle you’ve caused, And besides that.” Y/N quickly grabbed Ace by the collar of the uniform and waist of his pants, before hurling him into and through the mirror.

“Did-did you know that would happen?” Yuu asked Y/N, who had a pleased smile on their lips.

“Either that happened, or it would shatter, either way it felt good to do. Now come on. The last thing I want to have to do is something Ace suggested.” Y/N said before walking into the mirror.

Deuce looked at Yuu for a moment. “Are they always like this?”

Yuu shrugged. “It’s been a stressful day, they’re actually pretty nice when things are calmer.”

Deuce scratched the back of his head. “I hope so, the last thing I want is to be on their bad side like Ace is. Let’s just hope we can find this stone. I can’t be expelled on my first day.”

Deuce and Yuu followed thereafter, coming out on the other side of the Mirror, seeing Ace shouting at Y/N.

“Not cool dude! That could killed me!”

“Why? A rock to the head wouldn’t have hurt you, nothing up there to damage.” Deuce couldn’t help but strangle a chuckle at that.

Ace stood back up, and glared at both Deuce and Y/N. “Fine, whatever, let’s just find this stupid rock and get back already.” he said as he begrudgingly stomped towards the mine entrance. Grim stuck his tongue at the back of Ace’s head, while Deuce shook his head.

“You know I thought you’d care a bit more about the possibility of being expelled on the literal first day of school.” Deuce brought up.

“Don’t act like I don’t! It’s just cuz THEY” Ace pointed a finger at Y/N. “Took me screwing around too seriously that we’re in this mess to begin with.”

Y/N began to walk after Ace, with Yuu, Grim, and Deuce following after. “If what you were doing was your attempt at making jokes, I’d suggest a different approach going forward, not everyone you meet will be as restrained as I.”

“Restrained?!” Ace said, affronted. “You call hurling a Blast Cycle sized fireball at me restrained?!”

“Yes” Was all Y/N said as they approached the mouth of the mine.

The aged wood supports seemed to be holding strong, barring minor cosmetic issues from what was likely years of abandonment. All that could be heard from within the cave was the sound of wind, likely from the otherside of the mine. The broken lantern hanging above them shook slightly in the wind, before breaking loose and smashing to the ground.

“Are we sure this is the place?” Yuu asked, unsure of what awaited them within.

“Abandoned mineshaft, this is where the Mirror led us. If this isn’t where we need to be I’ll have plenty to discuss with Crowley.” Y/N said as they pulled out a lantern from their bag, lighting it, and hanging it from their waist. “No time to waste.”

Ace, Yuu and Grim were fairly unsure of entering, but Deuce followed after Y/N immediately. Y/N stopped only long enough to address them. “I doubt there’s anything in here that could be dangerous, but if there is, it will be safer to stay by me than to split up.” With that encouraging thought they finally followed after.

The mine was in rougher shape the further they went in, broken minecarts and shattered tables strewn the ground. Beyond the dim light from Y/N’s lantern, there was no outside light to be found, beyond the faintest of glimmers further within. Y/N couldn’t tell what it was, they were half certain it was a trick of the dim light.

“Man, what a dump.” Ace commented, kicking around a loose piece of wood. “Just a buncha rocks and stones, no wonder only dwarves liked being in these kinds of places.

“Crowley did say they left when they couldn’t mine anymore Magistones.” Yuu brought up. “Makes sense they’d pack up and leave if there was nothing to gain here.”

Y/N stopped them, drawing everyone’s eyes to the shattered remains of a support beam before them, along with what appeared to be a mined out section of wall.

“We may want to exercise more caution, these support beams are old enough as is, anymore get destroyed, and being expelled will be the least of our problems.” was all they said as they proceeded forward slowly, Deuce taking interest in the mined out section of wall.

“This looks a lot more recent.” He said, sifting through some small rock dust piles, finding a small glimmering piece of stone. “Look! I think this is Magistone! At least, a small piece.”

“Well congrats Deuce, now if you let us know when you find the actual stone, we can leave.” was all Ace said in response, continuing to kick around a broken piece of wood.

“Well, if it’s recent, that means whoever mined it must still be here.” Yuu brought up. “There’s so much dust that there’s no way someone was here before us. At least from the way we came.”

“Meaning, either they are still here, or they fell victim to a collapse.” Y/N finished, before continuing further in the mine, stopping when a low groan filled the entire mine. “This place is in worse shape than I thought. We shouldn’t waste any time.” Taking their own advice Y/N quickened their pace, the others trailing behind. The farther they went, the darker it became, until the only light they had came from Y/N’s lantern. Until they eventually came to what appeared to be the end of the cave, a massive pile of boulders and rocks, the result of a cave in no doubt.

“And we can go no further.” Y/N stated plainly.

“Oh come on, if you’re so powerful, you can move these easily right?” Ace suggested.

“I could, but I’d also be bringing the rest of the cave down around our ears. I’d live, you all, not likely. So if you prefer to continue living, a better suggestion is needed.” but before any more back and forth could happen, Deuce spied a faint glimmering from another pile of rocks.

“Do you have any brighter light?” Deuce asked.

From their bag, Y/N pulled a fully lit torch, illuminating the entire section of the cave. Ace looked at them beyond confused. “Do you just keep lit torches in there?”

“You don’t?”

Ignoring the conversation behind him, Deuce went over to where the glimmering was coming from. Shifting through a loose pile of debris, he found what they were looking for.

“I got it!” His shout echoed the entire mine. “I found the Magistone!” This pulled Ace and Y/N from their little spat, drawing them over to him.

“Ho lee! There actually was one here?!” Ace couldn’t believe his luck.

“An impressive looking gem, still don’t see the importance to it however.” Y/N admitted.

“Uh g-guys?”

“Crowley said these things are on our Magic Pens, so they are really useful.” Deuce mentioned.

“Guys!”

“Least we got the stupid thing, I just wanna get outta here already.”

“GUYS LOOK OUT!”

Yuu’s shout finally got their attention, no longer focused on the Magistone, but on the large looming figure just behind them.

STONE
IS
MINE

Thinking quickly, Y/N knocked Ace and Deuce back, barely managing to catch the descending pickaxe, keeping it from embedding itself in their head.

MINE
STONE
GIVE
BACK

The creature moved fast despite its size, knocking Y/N into the cave in rubble, before it chased after Deuce. Yuu was faster however and grabbed Ace and Deuce, getting them to their feet, before they booked it out of the cave, the light from Y/N’s fallen torch fading as the fading light of the sun came into view. All three were panting as they finally came to a stop outside of the mine.

“Wh-what the hell was that thing?!” Ace questioned in between gasps for air.

“I-I-I don’t know! It was massive, how long has that thing been in there?!” Deuce couldn’t come to terms with whatever nearly just killed them.

“It knocked Y/N away like they were nothing! I don’t wanna see that monster again!” Grim cried, completely ignoring the fact he was digging his claws into Yuu’s shoulders.

“Y/N’s still in there with that thing, we can’t just leave them!” Yuu brought their attention to the far more important factor in all the chaos.

“They’re more than capable of handling this themself. Why should we risk life and limb when we got what we came here for!” Ace countered.

“Because, without them you would’ve had a pickaxe jammed in your thick skull!” Yuu shouted back. “If you had just left us alone, none of this would’ve happened, so take responsibility for once, and stop trying to duck out of your consequences!”

Ace actually looked surprised at Yuu blowing up at him. Before he let out a grumble, shouting back. “Fine! Fine, we’ll go save them, but that’s it, we get them and leave. I am not fighting that freaky monster!”

“I can’t let someone get hurt because of me again.” Deuce muttered, barely loud enough for the others to hear.

“Again?” Was all Ace got to say before Deuce interrupted him.

“The longer we wait the more danger Y/N is in! Let’s go!” Deuce wasted no time in running back into the mine, with the others barely able to keep up.

“We can’t just go in guns blazing! We do kinda need a plan!” Yuu shouted as he chased after Deuce.

“Yeah! The plan is, grab Y/N and split!” Ace shouted back.

As they ran back to where the torch light shown, Yuu barely managed to pull Deuce out of the way of a massive pickaxe being embedded in the wall, followed by a roar that shook the mine, peeking around the corner they saw Y/N currently clashing against the massive monster, their greatsword holding back the other pickaxe the creature had. With a pivot, the pickaxe buried into the ground next to them, allowing them to plunge their blade into its exposed stomach, a torrent of black spilled from the wound. It let out another shuttering roar before it backhanded Y/N across the room again, charging them with incredible speed, with them only barely able to block with their greatsword again.

Ducking behind some rubble, Deuce quickly realized they really did need a plan, fortunately for him, Yuu already had one brewing.

“That thing is way too fast for us to make another run for it. We need to take it out.” Yuu said as he looked around the area. His eyes falling on the pickaxe stuck in the wall. “If we can get the pickaxe dislodged, we could use it to help Y/N!”

“And how exactly are we gonna do that? Unless you didn’t notice, that thing is buried deep and is almost twice your size! How do you expect that to work?!” Ace questioned as he watched sparks fly as Y/N forced the monster onto the backfoot for a moment, allowing another strike that bled it of its black blood.

“You can use wind magic right? I’ll try and pull it out and you use your magic to help.” Ace looked Yuu over for a moment, before Yuu patted himself on the bicep. “Stronger than I look, just trust me.”

“What should I do?” Deuce asked, slightly in awe as Y/N kept pace with the beast.

“You can summon cauldrons right? I’m not sure I’ll be able to swing hard enough to kill it, so be ready to throw one right into it’s uh” Yuu looked around the corner again to get a better view of the monster. Its head was seemingly made of glass, and had the same black sludge it bled, roiling around inside of it. “Hit it in its glass head.”

Deuce gave a nod as he got his magic pen out. Grim, who was slowly trying to leave unnoticed, yelped when Yuu looked over to him. “W-what do you think I can do against that thing! Best I could do is toast its clothes!”

“I know that, but I had a different idea, one I don’t think you’ll like.” Yuu looked slightly apologetic. “I’m gonna need you to run around and get its attention once we have the pickaxe free. Can you do that?”

“Nyeh! You want me to risk my fur to get its attention?! Why would I do that!”

“Because, you owe me for covering for you, you owe Y/N for not kicking you out, and for risking their own life so we could escape, and I’ll get you some tuna once we get back. How’s that sound?”

Grim grumbled to himself for a bit, giving away nothing as to his true thoughts, before he finally spoke. “Fine, for the tuna.”

Yuu waited for a good moment to get to work. Just as the monster and Y/N clashed again, he made a break for the stuck pickaxe, grabbing hold of the massive handle he pulled with all he had. The stone of the wall creaked as they pulled, refusing to give the pickaxe up. Hearing the struggle right behind him, Yuu put their back into it, just as Ace used his magic to stir up the wind. Adjusting his grip, Yuu pulled and it came loose, along with a decent chunk of the cave wall.

The monster heard the commotion and knocked Y/N away again, changing its attention to Yuu, only to be staggered as a cauldron bounced against its head, leaving a spider web crack across it. Just as it recovered, it was interrupted again as blue flames danced across its head. It now focused solely on Grim, who scampered and dodged around the monster’s furious strikes. Only for another cauldron, this one thrown at even greater speeds due to enchanted winds guiding it, to slam into the back of its head, worsening the cracks. It let out another roar as it charged Ace and Deuce, only for its own pickaxe to get jammed into its chest, piercing clean through, and staggering it in a way that no blow prior had.

As it crumpled to its knees, it let out another immense roar, only for its head to be cleaved in half by Y/N, who had slashed clean through it. With no flair, it melted into a pile of black, ink-like sludge, before it eventually faded away entirely, leaving nothing but a blackstone in its place.

Everyone was huffing from exertion, Ace was on his knees as the fact they managed to kill the monster set in. “T-that was.” He needed a moment to catch his breath before he continued. “That was AWESOME! Did ya see how hard the cauldron hit it?!”

While the rest were catching their breath, Grim looked over to the blackstone left over from the monster. Without a second thought, he immediately popped it in his mouth and ate it.

“Agh what! Grim, no eating weird rocks from monsters! Spit it out!” Yuu frantically tried to get Grim to open his mouth to spit the stone out. Grim shook his head, swallowing the stone before they made him cough it up.

“Dude, gross” Ace groaned at the sight.

“Hey sue me! That was tasty!” Grim argued back.

“Still doesn’t mean ya should eat rocks off the floor.” Deuce said.

A cough got their attention, it was from Y/N, who had several bruises that were slowly fading as they spoke. “I want to thank you.” Y/N gave them a full, formal bow.

“You’d better be thankfu-!” Deuce stopped Ace from making an idiot of himself.

“You gave us the chance to escape. Coming back was the least we could do.” Yuu told them.

“Still, it was brave, such a beast wouldn’t think twice about goring you. Now, we should get back, before Crowley does anything else stupid.”

“Now that’s something I can get behind. Let’s go shove this in his face!” Ace found his second wind.

“I’m just happy we won’t get expelled now.”

“For the trouble we went through to get the stone, I’d say he owes us an explanation as to that monster as well.” Y/N mentioned as they approached the portal back to the Mirror room.

“Well, it's dead so what’s the point? I doubt we will encounter another one anytime soon.” Ace commented

“Let’s stop talking bout that stupid monster already, I’m tired and hungry!” Grim complained, slouching over Yuu’s shoulder.

And so, they entered back into the Mirror room, Deuce fortunately knowing how to get to the Headmaster’s office, saving them the trouble of needing to find it. The sun had already begun to set by the time they left the mines, it was just barely peeking beyond the horizon as they stood outside of the Headmaster’s office. Deuce looked down at the blue Magistone he held, only for Y/N to take it from him.

“I’ll handle the discussion, just keep Ace and Grim from saying anything stupid and we’ll be fine.” Y/N reassured, before just opening the door to the office, not even bothering to knock. As the five of them entered, they saw Crowley seemingly asleep at his desk, snores coming from him. Not wanting to waste anymore time, Y/N walked over and slammed their fist into the table to wake Crowley up.

Crowley’s mask nearly slipped from his face from how suddenly he shot up, a snort coming from him as he was woken up. Once he adjusted his mask properly, he saw who was standing before him. Giving him no time to say anything, Y/N all but threw the magistone at him, with him catching it, barely.

“We got the stone, killed a monster in the mine, and we did so before the morning. I believe you have an agreement to fulfill?” Y/N’s eyes narrowed at Crowley.

“Y-you actually found one?! A monster?! What are you talking about?”

“There was a large creature in the mine, it seemed to covet the magistone, enough that it was fully ready to kill to keep it. Had Yuu and the others not come to assist me. I don’t think I’d still be in one piece.” A lie, they would’ve been able to handle it no problem, but the assistance was still welcome, and they knew if they could focus on how it was Yuu who got them to help, perhaps Crowley would be more willing to assist in fixing the house. Failing that, their second plan was to start removing fingers until he agreed.

“Wait!” Crowley stood from his desk, looking over to Yuu. “You managed to get students to work together?” He sounded genuinely surprised at the idea.

“I mean, it took some convincing, but I don’t think if we hadn’t worked together, we’d be here right now.” Yuu answered sheepishly.

Crowley looked down for a moment, before looking towards them. “I can’t believe this! The day where the students of Night Raven would actually work together to achieve their goals!” He looked like he was about to start crying, before he whipped past Y/N and took Yuu’s hands.

“I knew you had the qualities of a beast tamer in you Yuu! Not only have you managed to keep Grim under control, for the most part, but you managed to get two of our students to get along!” He then stopped for a moment as an idea struck him. “I just had the most ingenious idea! It’s struck me how wasted you are on merely keeping the school clean. So, until I’ve devised a way to return you home. I have elected to enroll you, and Grim, as students in Night Raven!”

“Wait, really!?” Grim shouted, nearly falling off of Yuu’s shoulder from surprise.

“Indeed! It would be far easier to keep an eye on you both if you were officially enrolled. Don’t you worry about paperwork or anything, I can handle that. All I ask in return is that, if I need it, you’ll still be willing to help me around the school? You will of course be compensated for it!”

“With tuna?” Grim asked.

“Of course! No amount of tuna is too much, so long as you help when required!”

Yuu looked past Crowley at Y/N. “What about Y/N?”

Crowley paused for a moment, apparently forgetting that he also had Y/N to contend with. With a clap and a shaky voice he replied. “B-but of course! I wouldn’t forget them!” He quickly walked past them and back to his desk, tossing several papers labeled ‘Expulsion’ into a waste basket beside his desk.

“As for you, my fine intimidating friend. I thought long and hard upon what the Mirror said about you. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t figure out how to allow you to enroll in our school, until now!” He pulled another paper out and placed it on his desk. “I have decided that you shall be our new head of Discipline at Night Raven! You will have reign over the students in enforcing the rules of our academy. Such as not setting fire to the Statues of the Seven during squabbles.” He chuckled to himself. “Of course, it will take a few days for me to get it all cleared with the other professors, but that means you will be enrolled alongside Yuu.”

He motioned to Ace and Deuce to leave. “You two may leave, I trust both of you will be on your best behavior going forward. I want to see you two being the very model of a respectable student going forward!” Ace wasted no time in dragging Deuce away.

With their new status as students of Night Raven, Crowley gave the magistone they retrieved to Grim, seeing as any new student must have a magistone on hand to fully realize their potential. When asked about the chandelier, Crowley admitted that the chandelier they had broken was the only one with a magistone, and to avoid complications going forward, would simply resume its duty of lighting the cafeteria without the help of a magistone.

By the time they were allowed back to the ramshackle building they were living in, the sun had long since set. Y/N told Yuu and Grim to head to bed, seeing as they all had classes in the morning. Y/N would in the meantime focus on fixing more of the building. Yuu wasn’t too happy that Y/N wouldn’t get any sleep, but they reassured him that they didn’t need sleep. With that Yuu and Grim went back into their bedroom, while Y/N set about with some housework.

What felt like an hour passed as they set to work, using their Cranial Vessel Candlestand as a makeshift light source. It didn’t take long for them to run out of things to move or clean, leaving them in silence as even the ghosts hadn’t come out to talk with them. With nothing better to do, they sat across from the faint light of the candlestand, and pulled out the instrument Kale had given them, shortly before they went their separate ways. It had taken time for them to learn how to play the Ravanahatha, but they had at least gotten better.

But, before they could put bow to string, a knock came from the front door, it was quieter than Crowley’s, so carefully, as to not possibly wake Yuu or Grim, they approached the door. Once they opened it, they could only ask one thing.

“Ace, why do you have a collar on?”

Chapter Text

“Listen, can I just come in? Tonight’s already a drag as is” Was all Ace said in response, the chill of the night clearly not helping his mood. Knowing that they wouldn’t get an answer out of him otherwise, they stepped aside and let him in.

“Damn, you guys live like this?” He said as he took in the living room, dimly lit by the candlestand.

“I’m working on improving it, now are you going to answer my question or are you going to wear out your welcome by insulting our living conditions.” Y/N told him out right, not wanting to ruin the calm they had felt prior to his arrival.

“Right, right, sorry.” Ace took a moment to gather himself. “My Dorm Warden blew up at me, threw this thing on me and kicked me out.” He summarized quickly.

“How did you manage to anger your Dorm Warden so badly he locked you in a pillory?”

“What are we playing, 20 Questions?! Can I just sleep here for the night? It’s been a long enough day as is.” For once, Y/N actually took note of Ace’s expression. He actually seemed upset and tired, not just annoyed like he had been with the consequences of his actions. Just before Miquella could try and convince them, Y/N pulled Ace close for a moment, getting a good look at the collar he was stuck with.

“I doubt you’ll be able to sleep comfortably with this on you. Hold still.” Y/N looked the heart shaped collar over, finding no other means of removing it, beyond the obvious lock under Ace’s chin.

“I already tried that, broke like 30 bobby pins trying to get it open.” Ace told them, stopping abruptly as they gripped the sides of the collar tightly.

“Don’t move.” was all they said as their grip tightened. The sounds of metal getting slowly crushed filled the room. Adjusting their grip for only a moment, they pulled. Ace was almost pulled along with the collar as Y/N pulled it in half, the back of the pillory snapped in half first, freeing Ace from his mobile imprisonment.

Ace let out a gasp as he rubbed around his neck. “Ho lee! Dude, you’re a lifesaver! Remind me never to piss you off!”

Y/N gave a small chuckle. “Glad you finally realized that. Now get to bed and be quiet. Yuu’s sleeping, your bed is next to his. We’ll handle this more in the morning.” Ace gave a cheeky salute before quietly opening the door. Y/N heard a brief chuckle from him as he likely saw just how Yuu and Grim had fallen asleep. As the door closed behind him, they could barely hear what was likely Ace stumbling over a loose piece of flooring.

While Ace got to sleep, Y/N was left alone again, now with the broken hunk of magic metal that once held Ace. Ranni was far more talented then they were when it came to identifying forms of magic, and beyond her would have been Rennala. The steel was magic, a concept given form, yet even when broken it did not dissipate. In all likelihood it would remain until the one who brought it forth dispelled it.

Such a magic, meant to bind and control. Force one’s will onto another . The strained voice of the brother of Morgott, Mohg, spoke. Iron-clad and Resolute, nothing but total subservience would see it removed.

‘So, you believe that Ace’s Dorm Warden is a controlling one?’ Y/N asked.

The weave of magic is dependent upon the one who cast it. Much can be derived about a person, should one simply study the quality of their magic.

Y/N looked upon the broken collar in their hands, they had no love for those who forced their will upon others, but who were they to judge. How many had they’d kill to get where they were.

Enough. The voice of Godfrey spoke. Such thoughts are without merit, the path you walked gave you little other choice. Beyond even that, one cannot judge another without first meeting them. Leave these thoughts as naught but air, and allow yourself to judge in the morrow.

‘Fair enough, Ranni wouldn’t want me stewing within my own self doubt.’ With nothing else to do, Y/N tossed the broken collar onto a nearby table, taking their Ravanahatha back into their hands. They finally put bow to string, filling the air with the same melody that brought the nomadic merchants peace.

As their tune echoed through the night, they could feel another presence, watching them from outside of the building, yet they did not sense ill intent and simply continued, even long after the presence faded and even as the sun peeked over the horizon. Yet, to Y/N, the time blended together. This was the first true moment of calm they had since they first arrived in this land.

They knew as the sun illuminated the room, that Yuu and the others would awaken soon. They didn’t have much on hand that would serve as a decent breakfast, they never knew anyone would have boiled crabs this early in the morning, besides Boggart. Yet, a meal was a meal, and so with a spare pot they had found while cleaning that didn’t look as if it could poison you if you looked too closely, they set about making some food.

When Yuu finally opened the door to the living room, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as Grim was still trying to stay asleep as he was carried by Yuu. Ace looked a mess, his orange hair a tangled mess as he stumbled bleary eyed into the living room.

“Morning.” Yuu managed to get out before yawning. Flopping into a chair across from Y/N. “What ya cooking?”

“Crab, it’s all I have on me at the moment.” Y/N told him, before scooping a bowl into the pot and getting some crab legs.

“Seafood for breakfast? Eh, why not?” Ace said as he snatched a crab leg, before he sat down near Yuu.

The smell of the crab woke Grim up quickly, who leapt from Yuu’s arms and snatched the crab leg from Ace’s hand, swallowing it in almost a single bite. “Nyaha! Thanks for that Red Head!”

“Hey! You stupid racoon, that was mine!” Ace shouted, just before he could chase after Grim, Y/N just handed him a bowl of crab legs, before doing the same with Grim.

“No shouting, first rule.” Was all Y/N said as they took a bite of crab themself. Grim and Ace grumbled to themselves as they ate.

Yuu was the first to actually finish a decent amount of food. ‘So, what actually happened to get you kicked out?”

Y/N looked at Ace, who quickly swallowed what was in his mouth. “Woke him up when I tripped last night, sorry.”

Ace was quick to turn his attention back to Yuu. “I was starving after everything yesterday, after you guys made me miss lunch. I hadn’t had a bite to eat since that morning. It was already so late when I got back that I’d missed dinner too. So I just figured I’d grab a quick bite from the fridge in the dorm kitchen. How the hell was I supposed to know it was the Dorm Warden’s! It wasn’t labeled or anything!”

“You really just ate the first thing you saw?” Y/N asked, holding Grim by the scruff of his neck to keep him away from their bowl.

“I was starving, even still, blowing up and latching that stupid collar to my neck was way too much of an overreaction! It was food, no reason to go losing his head over.”

“But what if it was for someone’s birthday? You really shouldn’t just go eating things that aren’t yours.” Yuu told him.

“Oh come on! I thought you guys would be on my side over this!” Ace complained, finishing the rest of his crab legs. “If it was, all he had to do was say so. I woulda replaced it. But all he did was lock that stupid collar on me and throw me out. I couldn’t even get a word in edgewise!”

Y/N sighed as they mulled over the situation. “Listen, clearly you need to apologize. Whether or not he overreacted, there’s no sense in making the situation any worse for yourself. Just swallow your pride this time. We’ll even go with you if it'll help.” They gathered up the bowls from the others, placing them in a stack. A knock came from the door.

“Ace! Are you in there?” It was Deuce. Yuu got up and opened the door, letting Deuce inside.

“There you are! I told you it was a bad idea.” Deuce said as he walked in.

“I’m already getting the 3rd degree from them on this, I don’t need you saying I told you so either” Ace complained.

“Listen, cuz of you the Dorm Warden’s in a bad mood as is. He collared everyone who overslept. I figured if you apologize he might calm down a bit.” Deuce explained.

Ace grumbled, clearly still believing that the Dorm Warden was in the wrong for reacting as he did. Y/N however wanted to nip this problem in the bud before it could cause them a headache.

“We have about another hour before classes start, so let’s go over to your dorm and explain the situation, with us there he may be more willing to not get as angry. It wouldn’t do for a Dorm Warden to explode when meeting new people.” They stated plainly.

“Fine! Fine, I'll apologize for eating the stupid tart. But if he expects me to beg on my knees over this I swear!” Ace stood up from his seat, fixing his uniform as he stomped over to the door, Deuce sighing as he followed after. Y/N did however tell them to wait while they and Yuu changed into their uniforms, which Crowley had generously delivered over the night, directly through one of the few unbroken windows the building had.

Once they were dressed in their uniforms, Ace noticed a badge on Y/N’s chest. “What’s with the pin?”

“Crowley decided that I’m to be the head of the academy’s Disciplinary Committee. As I am also the only member at this time, he wanted it to be known that I was enforcing the academy rules. Now come, let’s get this done before we are late for anything.”

Following Ace and Deuce, they soon arrived at Heartslabyul, the dorm modeled and inspired off of the Queen of Hearts. To Yuu, the dorm was everything one would imagine they would find at a school for magic, warped looking furniture, floating books and teapots, it had him awestruck. To Y/N however, the twisted furnishings were almost an eyesore, it didn’t help that Godrick was complaining the entire time as well. The sooner they were finished there the better.

“If I remember correctly, the Dorm Warden should be in the garden.” Deuce said as he led them towards the garden. It was the one thing that Godrick had nothing but praise for. Y/N did admit that the white roses were quite nice, they never had taken to gardening, but seeing as the building they were now living in was quite dour, perhaps some flowers would liven it up.

Eventually, their walking managed to find them someone, however it wasn’t the Dorm Warden, but two people who were painting the white roses.

Who in their right mind paints over plantlife?! Godrick demanded an answer, but Y/N did not have one on hand.

Before any of them could do anything beyond just standing there, they were noticed by another redhead, who seemed to be staring at a rectangular object in his hand. “Well well, seems we got some company.” He gave a lazy wave towards them. “Don’t worry, we don’t bite, come on over!” Seeing as Y/N wanted this over as soon as possible, they were the first to approach, with Yuu and the others close behind.

“Now this is something ya don’t see everyday, the tart thief being chums with our ceremony troublemakers.” The redhead said as he looked them over. ‘First years stick together right? Oh hang on! Perfect time to snap a pic!” The other flower painter seemed to be unbothered by the fact he was now the only one working, while the redhead pulled the 5 of them together, with him at the front, holding whatever was in his hand out. What came next was a bright yet brief flash of light that surprised Y/N.

“My seven this is just great! Just lemme get this posted, #1stYrTrouble, #CayCay, #Heartslabyul.” Y/N had no idea what a hashtag was, so everything this person just said confused them even more. It seemed Yuu noticed their obvious confusion, with him leaning over slightly to Y/N.

“I’ll explain it later.” Y/N gave a sigh in reluctant agreement, as there was even more to this world they didn’t understand.

Ace was the first to actually speak up. “Guess settling this quietly is out of the question.” He moved forward a bit which seemed to get the other redhead to stop what he was doing. “Listen, do you know where the House Warden is? I wanna apologize about last night.”

The redhead quickly pocketed the strange device he was using. “No need to be so formal, I might be your upperclassman, but you can just call me Cater! Or Cay Cay like my friends do!” Cater put his hand to his chin in faux thought. “Well I do know where Dorm Warden Rosehearts is, but he has me and Trey busy prepping for the Unbirthday Party, so I’m too busy to tell you.” He said.

Every minute Y/n was here they were getting even more confused. Whatever an Unbirthday Party was, surely he could’ve just pointed them in the right direction. “If you can’t be of any help, just say so and we’ll find him ourselves.”

Cater put his hands up in defense. “I never said I can’t help you, just that I’m a little too busy too. But, if you guys help out a bit, we can talk while we work! I’m sure Trey would appreciate the help.”

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t stop to post every rose you finished on Magicam.” Trey said as he finished painting another white rose red.

Yuu could tell that the longer this went on, the more likely Y/n was to grow annoyed. “Alright, we’ll help, but you need to tell us where Warden Rosehearts is so we can get this whole misunderstanding settled.”

“Works for me! Just grab a brush and get painting! We need these hedges done before lunch.” Cater handed a brush to Ace and Deuce, who looked about as happy with this as Y/N was.

If looks could kill Y/N would’ve burnt the dorm down. This was just meant to be a quick in and out deal. Find Rosehearts, tell him Ace was an idiot and that it was an accident and wouldn’t happen again, and that’d be that. Not that they’d get roped into doing some of Heartslabyul’s chores.

Whether what they were feeling were their true feelings or a result of Godrick’s own annoyance bleeding over into them, they were in this world for less than a week and they were becoming more and more annoyed. Yet, the others did their best to calm Y/N’s temper, from within and without. Despite Ace and Deuce seemingly sharing a brain cell, and having apparently lost it, their antics at least made Y/N chuckle occasionally, and Yuu was explaining what Cater was holding, though they still had no idea what a cell phone was. Miquella did his best to let them enjoy this as a form of respite, while the others kept Godrick from ranting about the indignity of the Elden Lord doing someone’s chores.

If only it stayed as calm as it was, but as ever in their life, nothing was ever easy for Y/N.

Chapter Text

Amongst the things Y/N had expected to be forced to put up with, painting white roses red was not one of them. It was just meant to be a simple in and out solution, but no, they just had to paint roses just to figure out where Housewarden Rosehearts was. The only consolation was that Yuu was more than willing to help them, seeing as the others could use their magic to paint the roses. The thorns had actually drawn blood from Yuu’s hands, so they worked together. They held the roses steady and Yuu handled the painting.

As for the others, Ace and Deuce were still arguing back and forth about Ace getting them into this mess. While Grim managed to knock an entire can of paint over, splashing himself and Ace. So it was down to just them, Yuu, Deuce, Cater and Trey to finish painting the roses, while Ace chased Grim around.  In truth it was really just the four of them as Cater was more focused on posting the antics of Ace and Grim on his ‘cellphone’ as Yuu called it.

Apparently it wasn’t even called that, as Cater was quick to correct Yuu, telling him that it was called a Magicam, and at this point Y/N gave up entirely on trying to figure it out. Unfortunately their obvious confusion at what Cater was doing, made him quite interested in Y/N.

“Gotta admit, didn’t imagine that someone Riddle described as, and I quote ‘Carrying an aura of control and regality, one that would be a welcome addition to Heartslabyul’ would be friends with our troublemaking first years” Cater told them, keeping his phone trained on Ace and Grim.

“He also said he would petition the Headmage to allow your transfer.” Trey mentioned as he finished off another rose.

“Flattered, truly, but unless he allows Grim and Yuu as well. I will need to decline.” Y/N told them, the thorns of the roses barely digging into their palm, they didn’t catch Yuu’s look when he saw a small amount of red drip from their hand.

“Oh I’m sure he’d be all for it! All you’d have to do is follow a few rules and he’s not so bad.”

“I take it ‘Don’t eat tarts out of the kitchen without permission’ is one such rule?” Y/N asked jokingly.

“Well, yeah actually. And a few others, but hey, don’t all dorms have some kind of rules?” Cater said.

Y/N shrugged, he wasn’t wrong, but from the pillory he removed, Housewarden Rosehearts may overreact towards relatively minor rule breaking.

“Honestly, this place doesn’t seem too bad! Compared to living in that Ramshackle at least. Though the ghosts might get lonely.” Yuu said as he finished the last rose.

“You guys being here would definitely make Ace behave a bit.” Deuce joked as he finished as well.

There were more than a few holes in Y/N’s hands, but what worried the others was the sheer nonchalance about the red staining their hands. Cater gave a look towards Trey, who gave him one as well in return. With a stern clearing of their throat, both Ace and Grim stopped chasing each other and quickly came back over, still giving each other side eye.

“We’ve done our part, now for your’s. If you would kindly show us where Housewarden Rosehearts is, we can get this whole situation handled.” Y/N asked.

Cater, however, rubbed the back of his head. “Well, kinda wish it was that simple, but Riddle wouldn’t really accept any old apology. Rule 53: Any Stolen Item must be replaced! He’s kind of a stickler for rules in that regard. So, unless our little rule breaker here replaces the tart, we can’t actually let you back in, that also goes for you guys.” Though he looked a little reluctant, Cater took his magipen out, and at the same time multiple clones of himself appeared.

“What?! For real?! After all that, making us do your dirty work, you’re just gonna kick us out?!” Ace asked, definitely not in the mood for this, especially after chasing Grim around.

“Isn’t this a bit extreme for a tart? I mean, Ace’ll replace it if we have to, but do you really need to bar him from his own dorm? And kick us out too?” Deuce asked, clearly not wanting this to devolve into a fight.

“Sorry, but rules are rules, Riddle would have our heads if we let it slide, especially since he’s already in a sour mood.” Cater said.

“We don’t need to fight,” Trey told them. “Just leave, and come back with a tart as replacement, simple as that.”

“Hey genius! I don’t even know how to cook a damn tart! Besides that, you can’t kick me out of my own dorm ya know! All my stuff is in my room!” Ace shouted back, clearly ready to throw down.

Just as Yuu was going to try and calm things down, he saw Y/N’s expression, it was a dark one, a mixture of annoyance, anger, and hate. “We did all that you asked of us. Painted every last pedal in this maze. And you intend to not only deny us, but to force us to leave?” Y/N didn’t sound like this was directed towards Cater and Trey, but more like they were talking to themself. Ace was the first to react to their tone, instinctively backing away slightly.

“It’s not like we want to, you guys seem pretty cool all things considered, but Riddle’s already in a bad mood, and we really don’t want to see him lose his head.” Cater defended.

“We’ll only resort to force if we need to, but you are right that it isn’t exactly kind to take your labor for free.” Trey said. “At the moment, we’re all preparing for a big Unbirthday Party, the tart Ace stole was for that same party. During the free period after lunch, I’ll help you make a replacement tart, as compensation for not being able to show you to him. How’s that sound?”

Trey’s tone was even, seemingly well versed in calming rising tempers.His eyes scanned over Y/N trying to get a read on their emotions. Their dark expression changed into one of mere annoyance.

“I’ll hold you to that, classes are beginning soon anyway, and a fight now would be needless, but you are going to allow Ace to his room to change his clothing. On that part I’m firm.” Y/N told them, and with that the tension was mostly diffused. Cater offered to make sure Ace got his stuff, and would make sure he’d meet them at their first class for the day, Professor Trein’s History Class.

Yuu saw Y/N rubbing the bridge of their nose as their teeth were clenched, the situation apparently having given them a headache. Trey was kind enough to guide them out of the dorm, taking note of Y/N’s headache as well.

“Sorry for the trouble, Riddle just doesn’t handle rule breakers well, and has us enforce the rules when he can’t.” Trey told them. “Not making an excuse mind, regardless of the rules, we are still all students here.”

“He seems pretty strict huh?” Yuu commented.

“He did collar almost half the dorm for sleeping in a bit late.” Deuce mentioned.

Trey looked a bit upset when Deuce mentioned what happened that morning. “He’s not a bad person, just has a temper is all. Once all this is said and done, I imagine you and him might get along.” Trey told Y/N.

“Over a cup of tea I imagine.” Y/N said, half joking.

“I don’t think he’d have it any other way actually.” Trey laughed.

And so, what was meant to be a quick issue, turned into an even more complicated one. Y/N had no idea how to make a tart, and evidently none of the others did either so they needed to rely on Trey for this. Fortunately, it seemed that Y/N and Yuu shared classes with Deuce and Ace. Grim however was less than pleased with having to attend class. Trey bid them farewell just as Ace arrived.

At the very least, Ace and Deuce couldn’t get into trouble so long as Y/N kept an eye on them. The new issue was that Y/N only managed to finish a single book on the history of this world, and it was more a general summary of each respective kingdom and country. Both they and Yuu were very much out of their element here, and the rest of the classes weren’t going to be much easier. Fortunately they only had two classes before lunch and the free period thereafter. Professor Trein’s and Professor Crewel’s.

The time would hopefully fly by, but for Y/N they were mostly focused on dealing with the brewing headache as Godrick raged in their mind. He was incensed, the disrespect Y/N had had to deal with upon arriving here was mounting and so was Godrick’s rage, even Morgott was less than pleased with their treatment. Godfrey managed to calm Morgott while Malenia managed to cow Godrick’s wrath. It didn’t prevent the constant mental shouting from giving them a headache.

Other first year students began to make their way into the classroom, an older looking man sat behind the desk across from the students. He held an air of authority, and the cat he had with him seemed to stare down Y/N, before going back to grooming itself. “I trust none of you forgot what I assigned you yesterday.” were the first words the Professor spoke, followed by a not insignificant amount of groans from other students, including Ace.

Professor Trein’s gaze drifted over to Y/N and Yuu. “Unlike the rest of my students, you both have a reason for not having done so. Regardless, I do hope you both learn from this, and the importance of ensuring your assignments are done and handed in, on time.” Grim noticed that the Professor had apparently forgotten he was here, not helping the fact was that when sitting on the chairs provided only the tips of his ears were visible beyond their desks.

“Nygah! Hey I’m here too you know!” He protested.

“Yes, of course, Headmage Crowley was quite eager to inform us of our newest pupils, so much so that he woke us all at 3 in the morning to inform us.” Trein rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Completely forgetting that he had scheduled a meeting this morning regarding this very subject.”

“Either way, I suppose it falls to me to inform you of the status of your enrollment here.” He turned his attention towards them fully, but was also clearly addressing the rest of the class. “Y/N has been selected to lead the Disciplinary Committee of our Academy, they are in charge of enforcing the rules that everyone must adhere to, regardless of their dorm.” With his own magipen, he had a leather bound book appear in Y/N’s hands.

“Since I doubt Crowley allowed you to get a word in edgewise, I took it upon myself to grant you this tome, within it is the totality of the rules of Night Raven from the obvious to the obscure. I even removed some ‘recent additions’ Headmage Crowley added” He then turned to Yuu.

“As for Yuu and Grim, Headmage Crowley was adamant that neither of you could be away from the other, with Yuu’s inability to use magic, and Grim’s penchant for unwieldy magic, he stated that while you will be graded separately, both of your scores will be combined to the average of both scores, be they high, or low. As such I would recommend that you all be on your best behavior, and strive to become a mage worth speaking of for years to come.” His attention turned back to the rest of the class. “That goes for all of you as well! Don’t think that simply because it is your second day at Night Raven that forgetting your assignments will be so readily forgiven. For those of you who’s assignments are not on my desk, you will be required to finish two more assignments, based on today’s subject, and have them on my desk for class tomorrow, along with your missing assignment.”

More groans were heard, along with a sigh of relief from Deuce. Professor Trein then set about with his lesson, fortunately Yuu, Grim and Y/N only had to listen, and didn’t have assignments to do afterward. Y/N was quite attentive, seeing as they needed to learn as much about this world as possible. The topic was of political tensions that led to the first Human Fae war, a topic that Godfrey and Morgott were fascinated in.

By the time class had ended, Y/N was now quite informed on what would become a pattern in the wars between mankind and the Fae, Grim fell asleep, and Yuu was taking notes. When the bell rang, most of the students quickly barreled out of the room, with Ace and Deuce hanging back to head to the next class with Y/N, Yuu, and Grim.

“If the Housewarden hadn’t kicked me outta the dorm, I’d have had that stupid assignment done, but nooooo, over one stupid tart I gotta do three now!” Ace complained.

“If you learn anything from this, let it be to not be seen doing something someone may not like.” Y/N told him as they arrived outside of Professor Crewel’s classroom.

“Potionology?” Yuu asked. “Might be something I can actually do, unless you guys stir with your wands?”

“Not a clue, Professor Crewel spent all of yesterday lecturing us about the importance of the safety gear, and getting into a spat with a Pomefiore student over a fashion magazine they had with them.” Deuce told him.

Potions are quite useful. Mohg spoke. An offshoot of alchemy, and more similar than not to that which the Perfumers utilize.

Douubtlessss theeeyyy are more sssimilarrrr than dissssimilarrr to that which wasss tauuught at Rayaa Lucariaaa. Rykard mentioned.

I never really did well in those classes, I eventually just focused on Gravity Sorceries. Radahn spoke in passing. Ranni usually made me test her potions however.

They continued to talk amongst themselves as Y/N and the others found their seats. Eventually, a person Y/N could only assume was Professor Crewel entered, wearing quite the outfit, a fluffy fur coat, and what appeared to be a tailored suit. He looked over the class before landing on Y/N, Grim and Yuu.

“Headmage Crowley has allowed even more runts into my course. Never the matter, turning pups into competent potioneers is not beyond my capability. Though, first and foremost, as everyone else learned yesterday, the moment you enter this room, you are to quickly dress yourself in the appropriate attire, the rest of you, get dressed, our newest pups, come here.”

Y/N leaned in towards Yuu. “Is he talking about us?”

“I’m a cat! Not a dog!” Grim complained.

“Best go along with it, don’t want to get on his bad side, especially with that riding crop looking thing.” Yuu told them.

“Good pups don’t need to worry about that. Now come, I need to get you three fitted.” As the others went off to change, they went down to Professor Crewel.

He was quick to pull out a measuring tape, starting with Yuu. “I have been informed of your unique situations. Magic or no magic, I daresay you may be able to become a half decent potioneer, just need to make sure you are comfortable.” He turned his attention towards Grim for a moment. “Due to a previous accident from another class, I do have some attire that would fit you, and remember this, never mistake shrinking violet for Queen’s Violet.” He then began to measure Y/N.

“I usually have Boc handle this for me.” Y/N told him.

“Ah yes, Boc, the beastman that serves as your seamster. I was shown some of his more recent works from Schoenheit, must admit, he is talented, but no one is perfect, but I do intend to make him as close to it as possible.” Crewel told them.

“You think his work is good?”

“Of course, though his potion work could use some, well, work, but his skill with a needle and thread are the best I’ve seen from Pomefiore. Yet, as I said, improvement can still be made. I was able to get your measurements from him, I just want to make sure it won’t be a tight fit.” While he was measuring Y/N, he tried to move them in a subtle way, only for his hand to rest on an old wound that would never heal. Y/N recoiled harshly, nearly pulling Crewel over from the force of it.

“Apologies, I have a burn there. It still hurts.”

“No need, though from that reaction, it must be a bad burn. If you wish I can take a look at it after class, I may have a salve to treat it.” Professor Crewel’s words were genuine, seeing just how bad Y/N reacted to so light a touch.

“I doubt it, but if you wish.” Y/N didn’t argue, it had been sometime since the Fingers’ burns hurt like this. It was a pain they’d not grow used to. Yuu seemed to want to say something, but before he could, Crewel used his pen to bring three sets of safety equipment to him, with his magipen, two of three changed sizes, one for Yuu and the other Y/N, fortunately for Y/N, it was as simple as slipping it on over their uniforms.

Soon enough, the rest of the students came back, and the lesson went on. Professor Crewel’s lesson went on to show them the ins and outs of preparing a cauldron for making a potion, the importance of thoroughly cleaning out the cauldron once it is finished with use. It was ultimately uneventful despite Ace nearly setting Deuce’s sleeve on fire.

Once the lesson ended, Ace, Deuce, Grim and Yuu made ready to head for lunch, Yuu was still worried about Y/N, but they told him to find them something tasty to eat. Once they and Crewel were the last people in the room, Crewel summoned over a stool. “Come sit, no sense in being stoic about this.” He placed two jars on his desk.

Y/N obliged, sitting down with their back to Professor Crewel. “Just fair warning, it’s not pretty.”

“Pup I’ve seen plenty in my time at Night Raven.” He said in response, watching as Y/N removed their uniform jacket and lifted the back of their under shirt.

“By The Seven.” Was all Crewel said at the sight.

A massive black and warped scar wrapped around Y/N’s torso, with three separate extensions that reached around to their front. The skin was charred, bloody red along the outermost of the burns, it almost seemed alive, pulsing angrily.

“What happened?” Was all he could ask.

“A mistake, one I have to live with.” Was all he got in return.

“Pup, a mistake is overheating a cauldron, this looks horrid!” Crewel didn’t know what to do, a brief touch made Y/N recoil in pain, but from the sheer intensity of the burn, they should’ve been in constant agony.

“Stops hurting after a while, flare ups are rare.” They spoke as if this was normal.

“I’m going to try and apply some of this ointment, it should at least lessen the pain. The moment it hurts too much, let me know and I’ll stop.” Y/N gave him a grunt in response. Carefully, he began to apply the ointment. It was cold for a moment, as it soaked into the cracked skin and inflamed skin. Soon after however, the heat returned, so much so that even Crewel noticed. It was as if the burn was still blazing. He managed to get most of the ointment on the burn, before he pulled the shirt back down for Y/N.

“I will need to bring this up with the other teachers, regardless of how well you handle the pain. As for now.” He handed the other jar to Y/N.

“This should help in the burn possibly healing, at the very least it should numb wherever you apply it, whenever you run out, let me know and I’ll make you more.” Crewel didn’t say much else as he watched Y/N leave. Something wasn’t sitting right with him, even beyond the burn, it seemed as if they believed they deserved to have such a scar, almost like some form of penance.

If only he knew how right he was.

Chapter Text

What Professor Crewel had used had eased the pain from the Flame’s mark, reducing it to naught but a dull throb. Y/N wasn’t exactly happy to have more people aware of it, they had endeavored to keep those who knew of it to a minimum. The only people who knew prior to the Professor were Ranni and Boc. Now the rest of the staff at the academy would know. How long until someone, most likely Crowley, let it slip? It was their burden to bear.

Getting their mind off of what was troubling them, they made their way towards the cafeteria. A proper meal would help ease their mind, though getting the situation with Rosehearts settled would help far more. Mentally retracing their steps from the day prior, they found their way back to the cafeteria, this time bustling with activity. Students from the various dorms all intermingling, eating, and talking amongst themselves. Just when Y/N began to look for Yuu and the others, they were interrupted.

The short Vice-Warden of Diasomnia, Lilia Vanrouge, the one who had taken Ranni to explore her new dorm, had stopped them. A sly smile at his lips.

“Ah! I was wondering when you’d make an appearance, and was not a little bit worried when your friends came in without you.” He told them. “Come, I daresay you will want to speak with your beloved after so long apart.”

Despite the fact it had only been about 3 days since last they saw her, Lilia wasn’t wrong, they missed her terribly. Her steady mind kept them grounded, kept their mind from wandering. He could only hope Boc was getting on well with those within Pomefiore.

“Very well.” Was all they told him, which had him take them by the hand and lead them over to the table that was mostly empty. Only 4 sat at the table. 3 were students they didn’t recognise and the 4th was Ranni. She still wore her normal robes, but the most notable difference was the lack of the cracks that normally marred her form. The consequence of living within the body of a doll.

When she finally took notice of them, she gave them a gentle smile, one that they had only seen once before, when she embraced them upon learning of their experience with the Frenzied Flame.

“Behold! I managed to find your beloved! Quite easily once they arrived, it was hard not to notice them. Now for proper introductions! Ranni was quite enthused when the conversation turned towards you.” Judging by Ranni’s expression and the pale blue of a blush that appeared on the spectral half of her face, she didn’t intend for that to become known.

“I believe that conversation was to remain in confidence Vanrouge.” She told him.

“Come now, consider it repayment for Malleus’ help in repairing your body. Oh! Speaking of!” Lilia quickly moved towards the tallest student sitting down, a pair of blackened horns stood out from amongst his ebony hair. “I’m sure you’d like to be introduced to another fellow royal! Malleus Draconia! Heir Apparent to the Valley of Briars!”

Y/N had known of the Draconia family line, mostly in passing and through Professor Trein’s lecture earlier. Malleus was the grandson to the current Queen, and was considered to be one of the most powerful mages of the current age. How his skill matched up against the likes of Ranni’s or even Rennala’s they didn’t know, but he didn’t seem outwardly hostile. In fact, Y/N felt something was familiar about Malleus, it took them only a moment to figure it out.

“You were the one who was watching me last night.” They stated matter of factly, the presence he gave off was one for one for that which they sensed from outside. It seems one of the others at the table, a boy with light green hair, took what they said as an accusation instead of just a statement of fact.

“How dare you! You make it seem as if Lord Malleus was no more than a stalker! Even should he have been there, you should be honored to-'' He was quickly silenced as Lilia was fast to put his hand over the boy’s mouth and pulled him to his seat.

“Sorry sorry! Sebek is quite loyal to Malleus.” He quickly clarified.

“I was just saying he was there.”

“I was truly there, I was taking a stroll”

Sebek, as Y/N now knew him, was utterly stunned by the revelation, before immediately dropping to his knees before Malleus.

“Apologies, Lord Malleus! I only wished to defend your honor!”

Lilia couldn’t help but chuckle at Sebek’s antics. His gaze drifted over to the student who appeared to be asleep. He clapped his hands as he motioned towards him. “And here is another of Malleus’ retainers, my boy Silver.” Silver didn’t move at all, save for the slight movement from his breathing.

“Quite the group.” Was all Y/N said as they embraced Ranni. They did not want to let go. As Lilia saw the light blush return to Ranni’s face, he quickly had an idea.

“Well, I daresay I shouldn’t keep you two lovebirds chained down here. Your fellow first years are probably wondering where you got off to. I won’t keep you any longer. Don’t do anything reckless you two!” Lilia told them, to which Ranni was quick to take him up on as she rose from her seat and quickly took Y/N’s hand as she moved with uncharacteristic haste.

Once they were out of earshot of the Diasomnia table, Ranni was quick to pull Y/N into a proper hug.

“My dear, you don’t need to be so bashful when speaking of me. Naught you could say of me should have embarrassed you.” Y/N teased.

“My love for thee is to be kept between those we trust, I told him of you with the belief he wouldn’t exclaim it to all and sundry to hear.”

“Know that there isn’t a moment where I doubt your love for me, so please, my dear. Look at me.” Y/N carefully lifted Ranni’s head, seeing the rarely seen visage of Ranni blushing like a schoolgirl.

“Must you say such things, what would people think seeing the Elden Lord and their Empyrean speaking to each other like they were still in tutoring?”

Marika was quite eager to allow the people to know of our marriage. Godfrey commented, completely taking Y/N out of the moment.

Father must you? Morgott spoke, clearly embarrassed himself at what his father said.

Your mother would spend hours speaking such sweet words into my ears. She was certainly not bothered by any others opinions.

Father, no more, please.

With the ghost of a kiss to Ranni’s forehead, Y/N did their best to not let what was being said ruin the moment.

The union of Y/N and Ranni was not one of convenience, the love they shared was true and resolute. Naught would break them apart, the last Elden Lord would lay to waste any who sought to bring her harm. They were the first semblance of peace they found within the Lands Between, despite her enigmatic behavior. That single brief moment, as they held her close to them, made the chaos of the days prior seem so unimportant. She brought them comfort, they only hoped that they were doing the same for her.

Chapter Text

With Ranni with them, Y/N brought her over to the group they had become friends with. Ace and Deuce already had their lunch, while Yuu seemed to have been waiting for them to arrive.

Ace was the first to notice them approaching. Waving them over. “Bout time you showed up! Thought Crewel was using you as an experiment or something.” He said, before taking another bite of his food.

Deuce however noticed Ranni next to him. “Who is she? I didn’t think there were any female students at school.”

Y/N took this chance to introduce them and Ranni to each other. “Ranni, these are the people I have come to call friends in the few days we’ve been here. Ace and Deuce, two students from Heartslabyul, and Yuu and Grim, who are in a similar situation as we are.”

“Everyone, this is my wife and beloved Ranni.”

As Y/N said that, Ace immediately choked on his food, with Deuce needing to keep him from dying while Grim looked surprised at the revelation. Yuu, of course, knew already, giving her a polite wave.

Once Ace stopped choking, he let out a few coughs before speaking. “H-how are you two already hitched! You guys just started here!”

Y/N shrugged as they ushered Ranni to a spot beside Yuu. “A long and complicated story of which I will not be recollecting for time’s sake. All you need to know is that she is my beloved and I her’s. I wish for her to join us in rectifying Ace’s problem, who knows, Ace may learn something from her.”

Ace was quick to try and defend himself, only for him to sit back down and grumble to himself, which had Ranni ask what was on her mind. “It seems thou makest the strangest of friends, I had heard whisperings of some manner of discourse within Heartslabyul, I had thought it passing strange that several from there wore heart-shaped pillories”

Deuce spoke next. “Yeah, now that you mention it, a lot of our dorm mates have those collars.” Deuce wasn’t lying, as Y/N looked around the bustling cafeteria he saw no small amount of students were said collar, and the students that weren’t were clearly worried about them being next, as if even whilst eating they weren’t safe.

Ace however, changed the subject. “All this is giving me a headache, can’t we just eat and worry about this after? I mean Yuu hasn’t even gotten food yet.”

As if on cue, Yuu’s stomach let out a low growl, to which he blushed slightly and rubbed the back of his head. “I was waiting for Y/N, figured they’d want to order for themself.”

“Well they’re here! Let’s go! I’m starving, Yuu!” Grim protested from Yuu’s arms.

“Very well, I hadn’t meant for you to go hungry while waiting for me.” Y/N stood up from their seat, motioning Yuu to follow.

“Wait! Miss Ranni, would you like something as well, or did you eat earlier?” Yuu asked, ignoring Grim pulling at his hand.

Ranni shook her head in reply. “I appreciate thy offer, but with my body I do not require food to sustain myself. But do kindly make sure Y/N finds themself a good meal, they’ve a habit of eating the bare minimum.” To which Yuu gave Y/N a look.

“I’m used to being on the move, sitting down for bigger meals takes too much time '' was their defense, which Yuu didn’t really seem to buy.

“Well, no sense for doing that now, there’s plenty of time to enjoy yourself now. Come on, I saw some things you might like.” Yuu took Y/N’s hand and led them towards where all the students were gathered to get their own meals.

Grim’s lunch was easy enough to have guessed, a tunafish sandwich, three of them. The little firestarter was practically leaping at Yuu’s hand to get at the food, but still had to wait for Yuu and Y/N, much to his chagrin. Yuu found some small fish shaped cakes, which he apparently was all for as he took ten of them. Y/N however hadn’t a single clue what most of this food was, the only thing they recognized was the beef ramen Yuu hadn’t gotten them the day prior. Knowing that they had to decide, they went with what was called a Triple Cheeseburger, seemed decent enough a choice, with Godfrey and Radahn being all for it, whilst Morgott and Miquella advised that they eat it slowly, due to its size.

While Y/N was getting their meal, they overheard Yuu and Grim talking, more exactly it was Yuu telling Grim to stop jumping around before he knocked into someone, followed immediately by the sound of Grim’s head smacking into the underside of someone’s tray and said tray and its contents splattering to the floor.

Not even a single moment can we look away with him. Godrick grumbled as Y/N begrudgingly turned around, seeing two other students, Savanaclaw, judging from their uniforms, about to start yelling at Yuu and Grim.

“I told you to stop Grim!” Yuu reprimanded, before turning to the two students. “I’m so sorry about that, he gets overly excited about lunch. Won’t happen again, I swear.”

“You’re damn right it won’t happen again! That was the last Bobotie they had!” The taller of the two shouted, his sharpened teeth bared in a snarl, practically looming over Yuu.

“Ya think just saying sorry is gonna replace our lunch!” The short yet more stocky of the two growled, his eyes quickly drifting towards Yuu and Grim’s own food. “Course, if ya wanna keep ya teeth I can definitely think of how you could make it up to us.” Yuu saw where his eyes were looking and quickly tried to back away.

“Hey, I said I was sorry about what Grim did, I’ll give you some money to cover it, there’s no need for threats.” He tried to offer, but it was clear the two other students were in no mood for it.

“Give us your food or we’ll take it. Simple as that, now pick!” The taller one got even closer, towering over Yuu. Grim himself wasn’t happy with how they were treating Yuu, that and the fact they wanted his lunch, just as it seemed he was about ready to start spewing cinder and smoke, an unexpected ally appeared. Wrapping his arms around the shoulders of the two Savanaclaw students, was Cater, who had a seemingly nonchalant look on his face.

“Heard you guys chatting over here and I figured I’d butt in. Are you guys having a nice chat with my pal Yuu over here?” He asked them, though despite his apparent carefree demeanor, the two students seemed slightly unnerved by his appearance. What didn’t help matters for them was the now looming figure of Y/N standing behind Yuu, their eyes burning holes into the two students.

“W-we were just talkin’ is all, just a disagreement.” The shorter student told him.

“I saw you had dropped your lunch. Figured I’d let ya know that I saw them restocking some of it just over there. Might wanna jump on that, ya know?” Whether it was Cater’s sudden appearance or Y/N’s nigh lethal gaze boring into them, they took the hint and quickly left without another word. Cater watched as they quickly fled, chuckling a bit before he turned and saw Y/N’s expression, fortunately for him their expression quickly changed once they left eyesight.

“Close call there, Savanaclaw always gets the hotheads every year. Though I would probably keep an eye out, they don’t really like losing much.” Cater told Yuu, who was currently back to scolding Grim.

“We really can’t afford you screwing around like that! Ya gotta promise me you’ll behave during lunch, the last thing I want is for others to hate our guts.” Yuu told him, and for once Grim actually seemed to take it to heart.

“Come.” Y/N told them, which startled Yuu and Grim who hadn’t noticed that they were standing right behind them. “We can work on Grim’s behavior once we have all eaten. No sense in denying him a proper meal. Though, that doesn’t mean we won’t going forward. Keep that in mind” Y/N told Grim, who took that threat to heart.

“Mind if I join ya? Trey’s busy and I’m bored. Promise I won’t cause trouble.” Cater said with a wink.

“Couldn’t possibly cause more trouble than Grim and Ace, now come.” Y/N ended the conversation with that sentence. With that, they made their way back to the table, seeing Ace and Deuce apparently taking notes from Ranni, at least Deuce was at least, Ace seemed like he was thinking.

Once they sat down and began to eat, Y/N’s mind drifted towards Housewarden Rosehearts. Everything about this situation continued to get more and more difficult. They felt that this wouldn’t be solved so easily, no matter how much they wished it would be. Rosehearts was still an enigma to them, from Trey and Cater’s words, he is nothing but a passionate if not slightly temperamental Housewarden. But their words, and his actions weren’t in sync. The amount of collars they saw, and the fact it was for nothing more than sleeping in. The only fact they could draw was that Riddle Rosehearts reacted the same to any infractions, no matter how big or small. Yet, it would be remiss of them to draw judgment of his character without having met him in person even once.

This would be swiftly rectified when Ace opened his mouth and started to complain.

Chapter Text

“Honestly, I don’t get why everyone puts up with Riddle’s wannabe dictatorship.” Ace grumbled into his food. “Seriously, I think the only people I’ve seen who aren't terrified of him are you and Trey” He motioned towards Cater.

Cater, for his part, tried to calm Ace down. “I get that he might seem a little hotheaded.”

He tried to continue but was interrupted by Ace. “A little!? He threw a collar on anyone who overslept! Sure, maybe I deserved it because I ate that tart, but he just gets away with it because nobody is willing to make him stop.”

Deuce for his part also tried to calm Ace down, having seen someone approaching their table. “Listen I get it’s annoying but maybe you should-'' Again Ace wouldn’t be calmed down.

“Annoying?! He’s acting like a little teapot Tyrant! How do you even know he isn’t just making things up as he pleases?!”

Yuu for their part seemed to realize that letting Ace run his mouth wouldn’t end well, for any of them. “Maybe you shouldn’t be shouting so loudly?”

“At this point I just don’t care. So I messed up and ate his tart, that doesn’t give him an excuse to boss people around like he’s the damn Queen!”

Y/N however knew Ace was simply digging an even deeper grave for himself, seeing as the face of the student behind him was as scarlet red as his hair, they may as well enjoy what came next. “No sense in keeping your feelings to yourself Trappola, why not take them up with Housewarden Rosehearts himself. He is right there after all.” They idly pointed their finger directly behind Ace, which shut him up quickly.

“Indeed, I do believe any issues with leadership are best addressed by speaking with the one you take issue with.” Riddle said in reply. Ace nearly fell off his seat from surprise, whilst Cater seemed a bit more tense than before and Deuce almost ducked behind Y/N.

“I had come here to see if you had learned anything from your punishment, but not only do I find you haven’t but you somehow manage to completely remove it. Rulebreakers are bad enough, but to be so bold as to think you can just ignore your just punishment.” From his jacket pocket, Riddle pulled out his magic pen.

“Off with your hea-!”

Before Riddle could use his magic, his hand and pen were clasped in Y/N’s hand, keeping him from using his spell.

“Best to calm yourself, there’s no sense in losing your head in such a crowded space.” Y/N told him, while he was trying to pull his hand free.

“I believe I know full well how to discipline the wards of Heartslabyul! Now kindly unhand me!” Y/N thought it was almost cute with how Riddle was trying to pull himself free.

“Academy Rule #7: The use of magic on school grounds are to be relegated to unpopulated areas and non close quarter areas, and Academy Rule #19: Punishments for breaking of Dorm rules are to be handled only within the Dorms and not on school grounds. Punishment for the breaking of these rules are at the responding Professor’s discretion. Now, let cooler heads prevail and handle this properly.” Y/N’s tone was even and carried a firm authority to it.

Something about Riddle’s face when they mentioned punishments did not sit right with them, but he was quick to mask the horror that sprung forth. He did, however, take Y/N’s words to heart, taking a few deep breaths to calm down, before Y/N let go of his hand.

“Apologies, you’re right, it’s unbecoming of me. In truth I had also come here to inform you of a meeting later this week. As you are the Head of Discipline for the Academy, you’re expected to arrive at the Monthly Housewarden meetings. I also wished to speak with you in private, if you’d allow.”

“Fine by me, but I do have other things I’ll need to take care of today.” The conversation had diverted from Ace toward Y/N, which was fortunate as Ace couldn’t make things worse for himself.

“As do I, how does an hour from now sound?” Now that he wasn’t red in the face with fury, Riddle seemed rather reasonable, he was the most polite student they’d met so far, besides Trey of course.

Despite his stature, he certainly seems worthy of the role of leader. A strict hand to keep fools like Ace in line. Godrick commented, observing the posture Riddle held.

Yyyyoooouuu weren’t all that taaaalllll yourrrsself Godrick. Rykard brought up.

Indeed, until you made a misshapen spider of yourself. Malenia added.

ENOUGH. Godrick shrieked, giving Y/N a headache that they were trying to avoid. Apparently they had made a face when the headache came on as Riddle seemed to notice.

“Are you well? I’ve gotten no small amount of headaches myself from needing to keep the unruly in line. I suppose I should thank you for keeping that rulebreaker and his friend from causing anymore trouble, as well as commend you for handling that cat as well as caring for that magicless student.”

Something about Riddle not referring to Yuu by name bothered them. “His name is Yuu, I’m not his keeper, he’s more than capable of handling things himself, he’s why Grim hasn’t set anything on fire today, yet at least.”

“Yes, of course.” Riddle’s reply was quick.

“As for you wanting to talk later, if you’re free after lunch I can probably make it then. I still don’t have a set schedule here so I don’t want to make any promises I may not be able to keep.” Y/N told him, to which Riddle took a moment to consider.

“Well, a chat over tea does sound like just the thing to calm myself. Will you be bringing your wife?” So he had been paying attention during the ceremony.

“That is dependent on her, she can’t enjoy tea, but if she does agree, I daresay she’d enjoy the conversation.” Riddle gave them a nod in agreement.

“I hope this is the beginning of a fruitful camaraderie. Until later then.” With that Riddle gave a slight bow and left, leaving the cafeteria. As soon as he was out of earshot, a nearby Heartslabyul student let out a wavering breath.

“Thank the Seven, if he saw my lunch he’d have lost it.” Y/N looked at what the student was eating, it was almost the same as what they got, but without the cheese. They heard the student quietly mumble to himself “No hamburgers on Tuesdays, seriously?” before they quickly set about finishing his food, no doubt worrying that Riddle might come back.

These rules may be a bit more unreasonable than I thought. Miquella chimed in at the sight. Y/N agreed, this situation was getting more and more annoying the longer they were a part of it.

“Ace, a word of advice, talks of discontent are best done, quite literally anywhere but out in the open. As you’ve just made this problem a lot more difficult to resolve.”

“It’s not my fault he’s got issues! You heard that dude, there are even rules against having a damn hamburger!” Ace countered.

For once Y/N couldn’t argue with Ace, for a number of reasons, though primarily because the headache they had was only getting worse by the minute. Heeding Morgott and Miquella’s advice, Y/N took a single deep breath in and out, calming themself. “I will do what I can to make him see reason during our talk later, you focus on fixing the issue that got you into this in the first place. I’ll join you once we finish.”

Ace only grumbled in agreement as Cater looked a bit strained, as if he was doing his best to not worsen things, but also avoid taking a side.

Ranni, for her part, found the whole display rather amusing, compared to her life in The Lands Between, this was a welcome levity. It was quite the sight to see even Y/N get involved. She knew them for the quiet yet stalwart warrior that refused to fall or fail, arguing with this student, just as she once did with her siblings back in Raya Lucaria.

“I believe that I would quite enjoy this conversation with Rosehearts, but for the time being may we enjoy ourselves for the rest of our meal.” Ranni rested her hands together, which drew Ace and Y/N’s attention back to her.

“Very well, working myself up on an empty stomach will only exacerbate things. We’ll get this settled later, for now let’s finish eating.” with that statement, they went back to eating. Grim had long since finished his tuna sandwiches, while Yuu and Cater were showing Y/N Cater’s Magicam. While Cater kept taking pictures of a very confused Y/N, Deuce and Ace had a small chat with Ranni.

“If you wouldn’t mind me asking Ms. Ranni. When did you and Y/N first marry?” Deuce asked, genuinely interested.

“On top of that, why marry them? No offense but you two don’t exactly look made for one another.” Ace added in.

Ranni didn’t mind answering their questions honestly, despite her proclivity of the opposite. “When we first met, in truth I saw them as just another person. They were nobody of renown, and as such I did not expect much from them. It was only when they pledged themself to me with no expectation of return that they became more to me.”

“Like what? From a nobody to a servant or something?”

“Not a servant, I had little use for them. An ally at first and a friend soon after. With them, those I could trust numbered only 3, with my counselor Iji and my ever loyal Blaidd.” She informed Ace.

“As for how we came to be wed. In truth I still find myself surprised that they went as far as they did for me. In truth I was hardly grateful for their persistence. The path I set myself upon was one I thought was destined to be a lonesome one. Yet, they still came to me, and whether they knew it or not, proposed to me in the manner that had been passed down through the Carian Royal Family. They swore themself to me and I to them, and thus did we find ourselves on the path that led us here.”

Deuce looked almost close to tears, while Ace looked a bit unimpressed.

“It sounds like a love story my mom would read to me when I was younger”

“It sounds a hokey as one too”

“Can’t you for once not be such a jerk about things?” Deuce asked Ace.

“How am I a jerk?!” Ace demanded back.

“For starters you keep being snarky and sarcastic! She just explained how she and Y/N found each other and fell in love and your first response is to call it sappy!”

“I’m not good at dealing with all that sappy crap! I’m happy for em, but it sounds way too corny!”

“I will admit, had I read of such a situation back when I was in tutoring, I would have scoffed at the idea.” Ranni said, quelling the argument between the two.

Ace continued to defend himself. “Plus, with all this crap with the HouseWarden I’ve been stressed as hell. It’s not like I ate the stupid tart because I knew it was his! I was hungry and just needed something to eat!”

Ranni seemed to understand Ace’s position. “For my part, I will attempt to calm Housewarden Rosehearts ire, perhaps have him see that while Ace has made mistakes, they do not define him. For Ace’s part, he will simply need to endeavor to not prove me wrong. Deuce, I trust you will assist me in that regard?”

Deuce looked confused for a bit, before he quickly nodded. “Of course Ms.Ranni!”

“What the hell! I don’t need a babysitter!”

Ranni quietly chuckled to herself as she watched Ace and Deuce get back to arguing, truly this strange land was filled with interesting and humorous people.

Chapter Text

Fortunately for Y/N’s aching head, the rest of lunch went without much issue. Cater and Yuu did their best to explain what a magicam was to them. Cater even offered to help them get their own during the weekend, though Y/N would need to sort out the finances with Crowley. They didn’t want to have to deal with him again any time soon, they had to have something on them that would be worth something here.

Either way, it was reliant on them getting this situation between Riddle and Ace sorted out, which was why Y/N and Ranni were on their way to the Heartslabyul dorm. Ranni for her part was quite taken by the various strangely shaped furniture. She did seem to find this academy more entertaining than Y/N did, but she hadn’t had to deal with everything they’d had to in the short amount of time they’d been here.

Still, brief though it was, watching her find the bizarre surroundings enjoyable did make this chaos more bearable for them. Once they arrived in the Rose Garden, Ranni was once again taken by the sights around her.

“It is reminiscent of the garden mother and I nurtured in Raya Lucaria, when I was young. One of the professors argued against it.” Ranni told them.

“Oh? Awfully brave of him, or unbelievably stupid.” They replied.

I remember him! Radahn brought up. He even challenged mother to a duel over it!

“Truly? A duel?” Y/N said aloud, which took Ranni by surprise for a moment.

“Ah yes, Rykard and Radahn were present as well. It was quite the spectacle.” She chuckled to herself as she recalled it.

Mmmmore of a ssssllllaughter than a ssspppectacllleee. Mother maaaade an exammmple of the fooooool. Rykard informed them.

“Mother’s lunar sorceries were far beyond any that were taught at the academy. The poor fool was naught but a smoldering puddle of viscera. No one dared question her after that.” Y/N watched as Ranni genuinely began to laugh. “A-all that was left of him were his shoes, with plumes of smoke coming out of them.”

The mental image alone did manage to get a snort from Y/N, with even Rykard and Radahn laughing as they recalled it. It was a welcome moment of levity that eased the weight on Y/N’s shoulders somewhat. Still, they had come to have a, hopefully, pleasant chat with Riddle Roseheart, so keeping him waiting would only increase the chances of something else going wrong. With a gentle yet firm hold upon one of Ranni’s hands, they led her through the winding Rose Garden, until they came upon a table set for tea.

There in one of the three arranged seats, sat The Housewarden of Heartslabyul himself. He gave off a regal atmosphere, which reminded Morgott of the Nobles of Leyndell. It seems he went out of his way to prepare a proper tea party. There were pastries and a fresh pot of tea. Clearly, Riddle had rehearsed this, as it looked like he was doing his best to impress them.

“I’m glad that neither of you have gotten lost. I understand that Heartslabyul has the most.” It seemed he was thinking for a moment. “Unique layout. Though I find it only takes a few days to properly understand what leads where.” He then motioned towards the two adjacent chairs. “Come, sit, I’d be a poor host if I made you stand.”

Of course, they did take the seats. Riddle promptly poured Y/N a cup, offering to do so with Ranni as well, but she declined. “I appreciate thy offer, but I have long since been unable to enjoy comestibles. Y/N will need to indulge in my place.”

“Very well, I will admit that I was quite surprised when you all arrived during the ceremony. Needless to mention even amongst the chaos that followed soon after. Though I will admit I have not heard of either the Elden Lord nor a Lunar Queen.”

“We aren’t from here. It’s quite possible that where we are from is not in this world.” Y/N told him, which seemed to put a hole in his regal facade if only for a moment as he seemed surprised at the idea.

“Not from here? Surely, you cannot be implying you are aliens to Twisted Wonderland.” Riddle asked, trying to make sense of things.

“Indeed, through some magic unfamiliar to us, we were brought here. As was Yuu, and at present a way to return us to our proper homes has yet to be found.” Y/N told him.

It seemed something about what he was told was getting Riddle’s temper up a bit, with him going slightly red in the face before calming down. “A conversation for another time perhaps. Do enjoy the tea, it’s lemon and I do recommend adding two sugar cubes. It’s customary to enjoy it after a meal.”

At the mention of customs, Y/N remembered what they actually came to do. After adding the two sugar cubes and taking a decent sip of their tea, they finally brought up what was on their mind. “Is it truly customary, or is it one of the rules the Dorm has?”

Riddle seemed to be expecting the line of questioning. “Indeed, it is one of the rules for the dorm. I also understand that you likely do have questions regarding the rules of Heartslabyul.”

He wasn’t wrong. “I wanted to withhold any judgment until I learned more about the situation. I will admit however, I have seen some things that may be coloring my view on things.” Y/N explained. “Which is why I wanted to talk with you. Less about the rules themselves, but about the punishments for them.”

“I take it you mean my collaring of rulebreakers.” Riddle hit the nail right on the head.

“Indeed, it only makes sense to punish those who willingly break rules, but wouldn’t the punishment need to fit the crime?” Y/N asked. “To an outsider looking in, it appears any minor infraction incurs the same punishment, the locking away of magic.”

Riddle took a deep calming breath, before speaking. “That would be my Unique Magic, Off With Your Head, which summons the collar. As for the punishments. A firm hand is required to maintain order, Heartslabyul has held the record for the most Night Raven Academy students since its inception. As a result, in order to keep all those students in line, and to prevent utter chaos, the punishment is the same for all. In truth, losing one’s magic for a day or so is a blessing compared to what befell those who broke the Queen of Hearts’ rules.”

It would make sense, if the rules themselves made any. Morgott mentioned.

“Some rules certainly seem worth enforcing, replace what you steal, don’t eat other people’s food. But others seem too archaic to properly enforce, or expect others to even realize they are rules until they are broken.” Y/N pointed out.

“I’ve committed every last rule to memory. And as you yourself said, while some may be more strange and unusual then others, it just means it’s harder to break them.” Riddle countered, taking a sip of his tea, grimacing almost unnoticeably but not adding anymore sugar to help.

“Still, surely there must be a limit to what would be reasonably expected to be followed. Which is not to say I am disregarding Ace’s idiocy, he’s made it an annoying habit to cause as much trouble for me and Yuu as possible.”

“Ah yes, the troublemaker. It’s quite annoying that he isn’t simply breaking the rules of his own dorm, but ruining the time of others as well. It seems that collaring him for a short time didn’t teach him anything.” Riddle then remembered something. “In regards to his collar, am I to believe you were the one who removed it? It shouldn’t have even been possible, save for me allowing it to be removed, it can’t be removed.”

“I broke it off of him. When you made it so he couldn’t sleep in his dorm room, he came to our dorm. I didn’t think he could sleep comfortably with it around his neck, so I removed it for him.” Riddle seemed flabbergasted at the idea, using his magic pen to summon one of his collars in his hand.

“Though it may be rude, would you kindly demonstrate? I don’t want to impose, but would you allow me to lock away your magic?”

“I didn’t use any magic, and no. Whether or not I am considered royalty in this world is of little concern to me, but I have pride enough to refuse even for a mere test. Ranni however will ensure I don’t. She’s far more capable than I. I hope you don’t see this as an insult.” Y/N explained, gripping the collar the same way he had Ace’s.

“It’s no insult, in truth you may be the most polite person I have met at this academy who isn’t a teacher.” Just as Riddle was about to take another sip of his tea, Y/N pulled the collar apart as if it were a mere toy. The sight caused Riddle to choke on his tea for a moment. Fortunately, he didn’t spill any and just needed to clear his throat. Y/N put the ruined collar on the side of the table, before it dissipated.

“It’s by no means a weak magic, you’d have gone far in Raya Lucaria. Being capable of preventing your opponent from even fighting back is an invaluable ability.” Ranni commented. “But magical aptitude alone doesn’t mean one can travel far. As you saw, as impressive as your Unique Magic is, against someone who does not rely on magic alone, it’s naught by a bulky collar.”

“I-” He seemed at a loss for words for a moment, before he regained his composure. “Of course, I understand that well, but at present the only student incapable of magic is Yuu. I saw with my own eyes Y/N’s spell during the ceremony. Though as you have so perfectly demonstrated Y/N seems to possess an inordinate amount of physical strength, I only hope Coach Vargas doesn’t catch word of it, or he’ll likely challenge you to a contest of some kind.”

Y/N realized that they were getting off topic. Clearing their throat they changed the course of the conversation. “It’s clear to me that you aren’t simply punishing the students of your dorm for something like a bad mood. But, in Ace’s case, for as much of a troublesome buffon he is, I ask that you allow for some leniency. Though he’s bemoaning having to admit it, he did get himself into this situation, and is actively trying to make amends, he just has a habit of running his mouth off without thinking first.”

Riddle paused for a moment, both to think and drink his tea, before he spoke. “I will admit. I may have been, slightly, out of line barring him from the Dorm last night. Normally I’d have simply collared him and that would’ve been that. But, the tart he ate was for an Unbirthday Party that’s planned for tomorrow. And I simply saw red before he could even utter a word.” Riddle gave an almost defeated sigh. “Very well, as a show of good faith towards both of you for being so unwaveringly polite, and honest with me. So long as he replaces the tart, I’ll consider it water under the bridge.”

Finally, some success! Riddle seemed amicable to finally solve this situation, so now it simply fell to the others to make sure Ace didn’t screw this up somehow.

Let’s not underestimate that fool's ability to make things worse for himself. Godrick muttered. Let’s find wherever they are and make sure this won’t blow up in our faces.

That Y/N could agree with. Though they had absolutely no idea where the others were. However it seemed fortune continued to smile on them as Riddle pulled out his Magicam. “I told Cater to not interrupt during tea, this had better not be another selfie.” Riddle took a moment to read what he had been sent.

“Oh! It seems your friends are helping him and Trey with something. Yuu and Deuce are heading towards Sam’s Shop, he’s asking if you could join them there.”

“If it’s no trouble, I enjoyed our talk and the tea. Unfortunately, neither of us exactly know where Sam’s Shop is.” Y/N told him.

Quickly, Riddle sent a reply back to Cater, before showing them a small map of the academy, showing them the quickest path from Heartslabyul to Sam’s Shop.

“May I ask that the both of you join us for the Unbirthday Party tomorrow? Doubtlessly Cater or Trey have already let it slip that I am working on convincing Headmaster Crowley to allow you, Yuu, and Grim into Heartslabyul. I assure you it’s far more comfortable than that Ramshackle Hut he’s stuck you in.”

Y/N had to admit, it was a tempting offer. Mainly for Yuu and for Grim, the Ramshackle was barely holding together even with their attempts of fixing it. The Ghosts were doing their best to help, but even they could only do so much, such as deal with some of the more dangerous pests. Y/N still needed to figure out what to do with the ticking reptile in the basement.

“I’ll consider it, once all is said and done. Personally, I don’t see it as that bad an idea, but I will need to talk about it with Yuu and Grim. Though, do save a seat for Ranni and I, as for the type of tea I’d ask for. I can’t remember the name for it, but when I was younger, my mother would use the oil of the rind of some manner of fruit to add some additional flavor to black tea. If it’s too much of an ask, then your preferred choice in tea will do.”

Riddle apparently understood what kind of tea Y/N had requested as he nodded in agreement. “Now, I don’t want to hold either of you up any longer. Though do give Mr. Sam my regards, he’s the only person I’ve found who stocks the various teas I enjoy. Though his new hire is a bit strange.”

Y/N gave Riddle a slight nod in acknowledgment, before they once again took Ranni’s hand in their own and made their way towards the School Store.

Thankfully, the path Riddle showed them meant they didn’t get lost or held up. However, Y/N’s good fortune would run out as they rounded the corner that led to the shop. They did manage to catch Deuce, Yuu and Grim before they’d left, but it seems even without Ace being there, trouble still managed to find them. Trouble this time took the form of the familiar figures of two Savanaclaw Students from lunch.

Ranni took notice of one of the bags Deuce was carrying, which was dripping with a yellow slurry.

“What a waste of perfectly good eggs.” Yuu said as he tried to get the bag to stop leaking. While he tried to keep the mess from getting worse, Deuce seemed to be getting more and more agitated with the two other students.

“You think it’s funny to break someone else’s things?!” Deuce demanded an answer from them. “Apologize! Now! For both the eggs and the chickens!”

“What the hell are you talking about? It’s just some crummy ass eggs. ‘Sides you were gonna crack em anyway, we just saved you some time is all!” One of them laughed.

Just as Y/N was about to intervene, the door to the store opened and a figure they hadn’t ever thought to see again emerged.

Zorayas, the scout of the Volcano Manor, and Rykard’s Daughter, wearing a gown not unlike the one she wore whilst in her human guise, but distinctly different.

“Excuse me dear customers? I heard a commotion, is everything alright?” She asked them.

Deuce was a bit startled at her sudden appearance. “W-woah! Mr. Sam didn’t mention he had an assistant.”

“Good Sir Sam did not want to bother me with ‘customer service’ and usually has me restocking his wares and such. I only came because I was worried that someone had tripped over a misplaced Hand of Glory again.” Her gaze drifted over to the shopping bag Deuce held. “Oh dear, that wouldn’t happen to be what Sir Sam just sold you would it?”

Grim piped up next, his voice filled with indignation. “Yeah! Those were our eggs and these two meatheads broke em! They ain’t even sorry!”

“Oh dear, Sir Sam would not enjoy finding out that his customers were accosted just beyond his threshold.” She turned her attention to the other students. “If it isn’t an imposition I would ask that one or both of you assist in replacing the damaged goods. I am allowed to give a 20% Replacement Discount for situations such as these.”

“The hell are you on about?! You think we’re gonna fork over the cash for a couple of scrambled eggs? You got another thing coming, hunchback.” The stockier of the two spoke.

Whether the fury Y/N felt was their own, or Rykard’s boiling over, they didn’t care. Ranni didn’t seem happy either, fully allowing Y/N to do what must be done, only for both to be stopped as another voice rang out.

“Now, I’m certain I didn’t just hear someone mock my finest assistant for her posture. Surely, my ears are hexed to have heard something like that!”

From behind Zoryas, the door she came from swung wide open. Out of it came the proprietor of the School Store, a stitched hat atop his head, and skull adorned cane in hand.

“Neither me nor my Friends care much for insults, especially against my fine employees. We also don’t care for lies, so I will ask only for the honest truth.” Sam proclaimed as he walked forward, his gait slow and deliberate. Placing a hand on the shoulder of each of the students, he leaned in.

“Now would you be so kind, and repeat what you said to dear Rya?”

Chapter Text

Whether it was the tone of his voice or his reputation, the two students lost any bravado they had previously. It took a few moments before either could manage a sentence beyond the nervous muttering they were letting out.

“W-we were j-just uh”

“We were just saying that we had a hunch! Back at our dorm! That we would’ve been able to get something we wanted from the shop! But we didn't, so we gotta go!” The taller of the two was quick to come up with an excuse and the two took off, breaking into a dead sprint as the rest of them watched.

“I’ll give them points for the redirection” Sam mentioned idly as he twirled a card in between his fingers, one he didn’t have prior. “But dues are still unpaid so they’ll simply find this later.” Sam chuckled to himself before he turned with a flourish back to the others.

“Now, I offer my deepest and most sincerest of apologies, it’s a rare thing for such a confrontation at my humble shop, even rarer still for my dear customers to lose their precious merchandise as a result. Though I suppose having those two foot the replacement bill is apt enough punishment.” Sam’s gaze diverted from Yuu and Deuce, over towards Y/N and Ranni.

“Or perhaps a mercy, had I been any later, I may have needed to do some serious deep cleaning.” He chuckled, before giving a bow. “It’s a rare occurrence when fellow royalty find themselves at my place of business.”

Before either Y/N or Ranni could reply, Grim piped up. “NYAH! You’re a king too?!”

Sam only shrugged. “On my mother’s side.”

Deuce however was still livid about the situation. “Those bastards not only smashed up the eggs, but they also insulted her. I swear when I find them!”

Sam however was quick to cool Deuce’s head. “At this point I’d say they already scurried back to Savanaclaw, no sense in chasing. I’m also certain that beating other students senseless in the halls isn’t allowed, especially in front of our newly minted Head of Discipline, no matter how deserving they may be.”

Deuce recovered quickly, switching his attitude almost instantly. “R-right! Sorry Mr. Sam.”

“Oh it’s no problem, besides I daresay you both have quite the blank check! Follow my dear assistant back inside to replace your things, and pick out something nice for yourselves.” This prompted Deuce, Yuu and Grim to follow after Rya and back into the store. That left Sam with both Ranni and Y/N.

“Well! Not how I wanted to become acquainted with the both of you, but the past is passed! A pleasure to finally put faces to the names my Friends have been so talkative about.” Sam gave both a strong, animated handshake.

“I was not aware that we had become so fascinating.” Ranni told him.

“Well, it's not every day new royalty show up at our fine academy, especially unexpected royalty. Beyond that, my Friends have been abuzz about the fact we have ourselves a 4 pair of people who are literally out of this world.”

“You know we aren’t from this world?” Y/N asked, growing uncertain of the man before them.

“Well, my Friends have a knack for this sorta thing, you could say I deal with the otherworldly quite often!” Sam laughed as he adjusted his cane, Y/N taking note his shadow was delayed in the following after. “They were keen on meeting you all in person, but it seems Pomefiore has had him quite busy. I’ve had six of them stop by for supplies today alone! Seems your little seamster has become quite popular there. I do hope they give him a proper break.”

I can’t make heads or tails of him. Morgott spoke, echoing Y/N’s own thoughts.

“Well I am sorry if I’ve caused offense in the way I talk, I can but assure you I’m a friend.” Sam told them.

Wait
Wait
Wait
Wait
Wait
Wait
Wait
Wait

“You can hear them?!” It sounded like less of a question and more like a statement, the revelation surprised even Ranni.

“Somewhat! I know they’re there, and I can catch the odd sentence or two. However I tend to stay out of otherworldly affairs, unless they involve me, or I just feel like joining in.” Sam jokingly stated. “My Friends were in an uproar during the sorting ceremony, utterly clamorous! Going on about the Moon and the Lord, it took up until now to realize they meant you two.”

“I suppose then, that one of your ‘Friends’ is that shadow of your’s? It can barely sit still behind you.” Ranni told him, which had Sam turn around and stare accusingly at his Shadow, which threw its hands up in surrender.

“You’d think that with how it acts sometimes, but no he’s a result of my Unique Magic. My Friends are excited to meet you! Just not in ‘person’, that Flame is a bit too much, even for them.”

“You know about that as well?” It was becoming increasingly hard to keep any of their secrets.

“Not really, all I know is that it scares the nightlights outta them! Might be why they want you to be a friend, but that’s for them. As for me, you are just plumb interesting. Last time I saw Crowley with his tail feathers between his legs like you have him, was when he thought he was allowed an IOU at the store! You are certainly going to liven things up around here. You and the Little Imp!”

“Little Imp?” Y/N had no idea if he was referring to Ranni, Boc, Grim or Yuu.

“Of course, the little ‘beast tamer’ as Crowley put it, first magicless student to be allowed into Night Raven in history! And my Friends love the boy to bits! Oh! Speaking of!” Sam quickly smacked the wall with his cane before yelling out “Alright! What did I say about holding customers up!”

Arcane creatures Mohg said Akin to Spirits, yet more varied in nature, they do not pose a threat to any who do not commune with them directly.

“Oh they’re hardly threats as is! Just a bit too eager to have fun. Though I suppose now is the best time to give you this.” From Sam’s pocket, he pulled out a small indigo vial. “Something to help with the burns, Divus mentioned it in the group chat, and I figured you’d need something to help with the less tangible effects”

Y/N stared at the vial as Sam continued. “My Friends helped me create it, a gift for keeping the Flame subdued. Just mix it into the ointment Divus gave you, and it should cool off the Flame where applied.”

“My thanks”

“Oh nonsense, it’s the least I could do, especially for the vaunted hero of my dearest assistant. Rya has been an absolute darling since she first stumbled on the academy’s ground. She’s still a bit shy about herself, but she and my Friends get along like a house on fire! Hopefully, Seven willing, now that she has some family attending here, she’ll come out of her shell some more.”

Dear Zzzzzzoraaaayasssss Rykard spoke, his tone far more caring and emotional than Y/N had heard him ever being.

“Now, I’m more than willing to help you find anything you may need going forward, especially in regards to fixing up your little Ramshackle, as payment; however, you can help with some things here or there, or just hang around and chat. I have the feeling neither of you or the little Imp know much about how money works in our little world.”

“Indeed, it seems like I have to remind Crowley every other sentence that we don't know anything about this world.”

“Yep, that sounds like him, we’re still wondering if we should even tell him about your little ‘situation’ as it were.” Sam motioned idly towards Y/N’s chest.

“Sir Sam.” Rya's quiet voice came from behind them. “I fear our Friends want them to leave with more than they sought.”

“Ah! Thank you Dear Rya, I’ll handle checking them out, in the meanwhile, why don’t you enjoy your reunion.” With a gentle pat on her back, Sam quickly left to go save Yuu and Deuce from his overly generous Friends.

There was a pregnant pause as both Y/N, Ranni, and Zoryas stared at one another. It only broke when, fueled by the unexpected urges of Rykard, Y/N embraced Zoryas in a deep hug. It took her by surprise for a moment, but soon she returned it, a gentle embrace, one long overdue.

Ranni for her part approached and laid a gentle hand upon both of their shoulders.

Dearest daughter of mine.

Rykard spoke, possessed if only for a moment not by the Serpent, but by his truest self. The hug lasted until both Yuu and Deuce returned with several more bags than they had when they first left Sam’s Shop. Yuu looked as if he was going to say something but Grim piped up first, jumping up and down with a bag of his own.

“HAHA! Tons of Tuna! Those meatheads are gonna be feeling the wrath of Great Grim now!” He cheered, nearly ramming his head into the bag Deuce was carrying.

“Easy! I don’t want any more chickens to die for nothing!” Deuce shouted, quickly lifting the bag out of range of Grim’s hopping.

It took a moment for what Deuce said to really register with everyone. Rya tilted her head to the side and put her finger to her chin. “Pardon?”

Sometime later, and after explaining to Deuce that just because eggs come from chickens, does not mean every egg is itself a chicken. Y/N swore they saw an unimaginable weight was lifted from Deuce’s shoulders.

Bittersweet though it was, Y/N and Ranni parted ways with Rya, with Sam promising to allow her regular breaks to visit them. So, Yuu, Deuce, Grim, Ranni, and Y/N made their way back towards where Trey was helping them bake. Y/N felt oddly calm, perhaps in part due to Rykard’s reunion with Zoryas. They only hoped it would last and this whole affair with the Housewarden of Heartslabyul would be solved.

Chapter Text

“Thank the Seven Ace isn’t with us, he’d never let me hear the end of it.” Deuce mentioned.

“So long as he isn't causing us issues elsewhere.” Y/N replied, carrying the bags for everyone so Grim couldn’t break anything. As they continued their way to wherever Trey was, it seemed something crossed Yuu’s mind.

“Hey Deuce, did we get everything on the list? I feel like we forgot something.” In response Deuce pulled out the leaf of paper from his pocket and began to list off everything they bought, only to land on one thing he couldn’t remember.

“Did we get Chestnuts?” Which had everyone stop and think for a moment. Deuce Yuu and Ranni quickly gathered around Y/N as they opened the bags to take count of what they’d bought, with Grim trying desperately to get a look too.

“It would appear that Chestnuts were forgotten.” Ranni informed.

Y/N felt a blood vessel about to pop at the prospect of needing to go all the way back to Sam’s Shop for just one thing, but fortunately for them Deuce seemed to recall something.

“Well, the school’s botanical garden is nearby! We can see if there’s any ripe Chestnuts there!” Y/N would need to remember to thank him later for this recollection.

Deuce was quick to show everyone to the botanical garden, a surprisingly calm place given the apparent chaos that permeated the entirety of the college at all times. While the others took time to search for Chestnuts, Y/n took a moment to try and calm the ever present headache they had.

I believe you should allow yourself to be at ease. Being on guard so much is clearly making you unwell . Miquella spoke

Easier said than done, this entire world is alien to us. Beyond that, it seems like every other moment another one of these fools seems to get themselves into some form of trouble. Call it pattern recognition or the power of prophecy but Godrick was immediately proven correct as the sound of what could be called a startled roar filled the air, followed closely by Yuu frantically apologizing.

It wasn’t too far from where Y/N was that Yuu was attempting to apologize to a rather aggravated beastman student. Judging from his appearance, he was also a student of Savanaclaw.

Are all thessssssee beassssts ssssso temperamental? Rykard commented as Y/N approached.

“Shit! I’m sorry, I didn’t see your tail there, I was just trying to get a closer look at something.” Yuu was clearly apologetic, the fault lying with him and not the student. Regardless, judging from how other Savanaclaw students reacted to ultimately unintentional slights, Y/N was going to need to step in.

“You’d better be sorry, stepping on my tail is one thing, but you also ruined my nap. Now what the hell are you here for Herbivore?” The student spoke in a tone that was clearly bothered, but also uninterested.

“Just trying to find some chestnuts for something we’re baking. I am really sorry about bothering you!” Yuu continued, but stopped for a moment as the student began sniffing around him.

“Tch, knew you seemed familiar, you’re that Herbivore that set the entrance ceremony on fire. Trouble follows you everywhere huh?” He sniffed again, only to catch a different scent, his attention turning from Yuu towards where Y/N was, glaring holes through him from a few feet away.

He smirked to himself as he turned away. “Whatever, you ruined my nap so I’m leaving, just watch where you step next time. Not everyone is gonna just let it go. Just tell your pal over there that glaring at everyone won’t always work.” As the student left, Yuu turned to see Y/N approach.

“S-sorry about that. I didn’t think to look for anyone napping here and I kinda-” Yuu tried to apologize but was cut short.

“Hardly something to apologize to me for, he shouldn’t have been in such an obscured place. It would seem he was more level headed than his fellows” Y/N noted.

“Ngyah! It wasn’t even me who got in trouble this time, told ya I could behave!” Grim gloated, before being picked up by the scruff of his neck.

“None of that, it’s to be expected that you behave, keep it up however and you may get a reward.” The way Grim’s eyes lit up at the word Reward let Y/N know he was listening intensely. “And Yuu, don’t let any of these people push you around, magic or no, you aren’t helpless, remember the cave monster?”

Just as Yuu was about to answer, Deuce returned with Ranni in tow, heaving a rather sizable bag of what could only be Chestnuts over his shoulder. “You wouldn’t believe how easy it was to gather these when Miss Ranni used her magic on the trees!” He seemed pumped up from Ranni’s apparent display of magical prowess.

“It was hardly a spell of any note, a simple gale to jostle them free.” She responded, seeming a little flustered at his praise.

“Very well, let’s get these to Trey so we can be done with this whole tart situation.” Y/N was quick to get the group back on track, just so the headache that started with this situation would go away.

With Deuce carrying the chestnuts and Y/N the rest of the groceries, Deuce led them to the Heartslabyul kitchen, where Ace was apparently being run ragged by Trey while Cater recorded it with his magicam.

“Oh! You made it! I was worried you’d gotten lost on the way to Sam’s store.” Trey said as he washed his hands clean.

“There was a-” Yuu took a moment to think. “Little detour, but we got everything you needed, hopefully” Y/N placed the bags on the table as Deuce flopped the bag of chestnuts next to it.

“Well, I don’t think I’ll be needing chestnuts for a while” He commented with a chuckle. Cater skipped over to take pictures of what they’d brought in.

What came next was Trey enlisting each of them to help with the various steps of making the tarts. Ace, seeing as he was the one responsible for everything, was made to help with the more physically demanding steps, mixing and stirring up a storm, fueled by the hope that this will fix the problem he unintentionally caused. Deuce was tasked with keeping Grim out of the food, which turned into him chasing Grim around while Cater filmed them.

Yuu and Ranni were allowed to simply watch, and enjoy some previously made sweets Trey didn’t want to go to waste. Y/N didn’t overhear what Ranni and Yuu were talking about, but let them keep to themselves. For Y/N’s part, they tried to get a small amount of rest, surrounded by people they could somewhat trust, it allowed them to nod off for a brief while. And for a rare moment, they were at peace.

They awoke to the smell of freshly baked sweets. As they opened their eyes, they saw everyone besides Ranni, who was laying her head against their shoulder, enjoying a tart. Several more were on a plate on the table, cooling down as they were still fresh from the oven.

“When I saw that you’d dozed off, I made everyone quiet down a bit.” Trey said as he handed a tart to Y/N. “Also had to stop Cater from waking you two up with the amount of pictures he was taking.”

“It’s not my fault those two are picture perfect together!” Cater countered as he tried to keep Grim away from his tart.

“I’m just happy that this’ll be over tomorrow, next time I’ll just bring any late night snacks to my room.” Ace grumbled as he took a bite of his tart.

“Just make sure no one sees you next time!” Grim chimed, practically covered in crumbs from his tart.

“Jeez, Grim, you are a messy eater.” Yuu wiped away the mess from his face as Trey ushered everyone out, mentioning that they should be ready for the Unbirthday Party tomorrow. Ranni was still slightly drowsy, it had been sometime since she last fell into one of her deep slumbers, likely due to her new found role as the Goddess of their new Age of Stars. Y/N almost hoped she would allow them to carry her, as she would need to return to her own dorm room in Diasomnia.

Fortunately, Cater agreed to ‘sneak’ Ace back into Heartslabyul so he wouldn’t need to sleep at the Ramshackle again, saying that Riddle was busy with Dorm Warden work. So Deuce, Ace and Cater went back to their dorms while Trey stayed behind to clean up.

Just as Y/N was looking for a map of the college to figure out how to get Ranni to Diasomnia, serendipity struck in the form of Vanrouge and Sebek apparently having been looking for them.

Thankfully, when Lilie noticed Ranni’s tired appearance, he was quick to stop Sebek from shouting as he normally does. Lilia offered to guide the weary Princess back to her dorm, allowing Y/N and Yuu to go directly back to the Ramshackle for the night.

Damning their own fortune, Y/N allowed them to bring Ranni back, even though Yuu definitely noticed that they were grumbling about it afterwards. As Yuu bid them farewell and took an already asleep Grim with them into their bedroom, Y/N sat in the living room, deciding to play a simple tune to pass the time as the familiar feeling of being observed from outside came again.

They held out hope that everything would go well tomorrow, and they’d finally be able to calm their nerves. 

Chapter Text

Y/N was in a trance as they played a simple tune throughout the night, only taking notice for a moment as Malleus loomed outside. It was an uneventful evening, which they welcomed. Barring the occasional snore from Grim, and the gentle music they played, no noises were made. It seemed to have been the first unstressful night they’d had since they’d arrived in this world.

The only thing it was missing was the presence of Ranni and Boc. Of course, Ranni was in good spirits, but they hadn’t heard from Boc since the sorting ceremony. After this Tart situation was settled, they’d need to make sure he was being treated well by his dorm.

Time blended together as they kept playing, until the first beams of dawn pierced through the numerous holes in the Ramshackle’s siding. Knowing it wouldn’t be long until Ace and Deuce arrived to retrieve them, Y/N set about making some manner of decent meal for themself and the others.

Improvising a proper cooking set, and using a buckler shield as a makeshift pan, Y/N began to cook the meat they kept on them. They were unreasonably fortunate that nothing from the Lands Between seemed to spoil with time, nor did its flavor change either.

They weren’t a chef by any stretch of the imagination, but cooking the random meats they kept on them seemed to work well enough. So long as no one got sick from it, then it served its purpose. As the sounds and smells of sizzling meat filled the halls, so did the sounds of the haunters of the old building.

“Now that's a tantalizing scent!” Came the jovial voice of Phineas, the rotund member of the ghostly trio. “Oh what I wouldn't do for just a small bite!”

“You should be happy we've long since bit the dust, Phin'd eat ya outta house and home otherwise” Gus, the shortest of the trio mentioned from beneath a couch cushion.

“I was never that bad!” Phineas defended “Besides, Ez always made the best meals! I couldn't not eat em!”

“Quit yer bellyaching you two! It ain't like we can starve to death anymore, and besides, when was the last time any of us felt hungry?” Ezra finalled chimed in, drifting through one of the few holes that Y/N had yet to cover. “‘Sides, they gotta deal with Crowley, they’ll need the energy.”

He floated upside down in front of them, squinting his eyes as he studied their face. “You seem to be in a good mood.”

“Provided everything goes well, I’ll have one less headache in my life later today.” Was all they said as they flipped a piece of meat.

“They’re finally throwing Crowley out a window?” Phineas asked, which got a chuckle from his spectral friends, and something that could almost be mistaken as a laugh from Y/N.

“If only, but no. Provided Ace doesn’t somehow make a mess of things, the troubles involving the Heartslabyul dorm will be handled. So I’m willing to allow myself to be joyful about it.” They told them.

“I suppose that’s somethin’ to be happy ‘bout.” Ezra replied, before he turned his head towards the bedroom. “Think yer cooking skills may’ve woken our furry little firespitter”

What sounded like the quiet scrambling of claws against the wooden floors was quickly cut off by the resounding thud of something slamming directly into the door to the room. Immediately after came the frantic jiggling of the doorknob, which finally opened revealing the excited form of Grim.

Y/N had to catch him by the scruff of his neck as he leapt at the few cooked pieces of meat. “Manners would get you far, you know?”

“Ngyah! Come on! I get hungry after sleeping! Lemme have a bite!” Grim pleaded, though by his tone it was closer to demanded.

“Go wake Yuu up, properly! No setting anything on fire, and the rest should be cooked by then.” Grim grumbled at this, but once he was let go he did indeed go to wake up Yuu. The dorm remained mostly quiet meaning Grim was actually listening, with the faint shuffling of covers coming to Y/N’s ear.

“Are there any plates and cutlery that haven't been destroyed by neglect?” Y/N asked the resident spirits.

Ezra looked as if he was thinking, when Gus was quick to recall. “Oh! I know where we kept the good plates!” He practically flew through the wall.

“Oi Gus! Just point ‘em out ya can’t!” Ezra was cut off by the loud and very evident shattering of several plates. “Bring ‘em through walls” he finished, deeply disappointed his fellow haunt.

“I know where some others are.” Phineas said. “I’ll go grab them, and come through the door this time.”

“That’d be appreciated” Was all Y/N said.

As Phineas floated off, Ezra was quick to say “I’ll get Gus to clean up ‘is mess, somethins’ never change”

Thankfully by the time Grim dragged Yuu out from the bedroom, Phineas had returned with several plates, despite how dirty they were, it was nothing the soap Y/N carried couldn’t handle. While Ezra dragged Gus off by his tail and Phineas off by his ear when he tried to grab a piece for himself, Y/N placed a decent amount of meat onto both Yuu and Grim’s plates, taking the last cooked piece for themself.

“I’m not certain when this ‘Unbirthday’ Party is going to be today, so I decided that it would be best to have some manner of meal if it happens before luncheon, or even IS luncheon.” Y/N told them, finishing their own piece quickly after.

“I kinda figured Ace and Deuce would let us know. We’ve a free first period today so they’re probably on their way as we-” Yuu was cut off by a knock at the door. “Wasn’t expecting them to be here THIS early!”

“It’s not locked, it broke last evening.” Y/N said, just loud enough for the visitor to hear, but not for them to have to shout.

“Man, I’m really starting to see why Riddle wants you guys to join our dorm.” It was a voice that was neither Ace or Deuce, it was Cater Diamond. Wearing an outfit completely different from the typical Heartslabyul uniform, it seemed a fair bit more formal than normal for them.

“If everyone is going to make that comment when they arrive here I’m going to start making you all wait by the gate” Y/N told Cater, who put his hands up defensively.

“Didn’t mean anything by it, it just has a very intense…….rustic look to it. Would make for a killer backdrop for some posts I have in mind.” Cater replied, taking his ‘magicam’ if Y/N remembered correctly from his pocket. Several flashes came from it, which irritated Y/N’s eyes.

“You came here to retrieve us, not blind me!” Y/N shouted.

“Shoot! Didn’t think the flash was still on, my bad!” Cater was quick to put the Magicam away. “Anyway! Seeing as everyone’s busy setting up for the Unbirthday Party, I got elected to come get our guests of honor! And ya don’t need to worry, I’ve already gotten your lovely Lady Ranni. Riddle made super sure to hammer home the importance of showing our best today. It ain’t everyday where you’re trying to impress some hopefully new dormmates!” 

“We never fully agreed to that yet, but so long as everything goes well and we can put this tart nonsense behind us. I wouldn’t be opposed to not having to remove hound sized insects every evening.” Y/N said, standing upright as Yuu did the same, dumping what meat they hadn’t finished onto Grim’s plate, who quickly devoured it like the ravenous little animal he claimed he wasn’t.

“Honestly, everything seems fine, Riddle actually looked calm this morning, well about as calm as someone ordering a buncha people around trying to put together a massive party. Didn’t blow his top at least.” Cater mentioned, fiddling with something dangling from his magicam.

“Progress is progress I guess. Ace keeping out of any trouble?” Yuu asked as he cleaned some loose bits of meat from Grim’s mouth with his sleeve before heaving him into his arms.

“Deucey seemed keen on that. The second the two were presentable this morning, Deuce practically dragged Ace towards the kitchen so Trey could help make sure everything goes smoothly.” Cater continued as they made their way towards the Heartslabyul dorm.

Night Raven was much more peaceful this early in the morning, only a handful of students were out and about, none of which were from Heartslabyul.

These, ‘parties’, of theirs must be an all hands event Morgott idly mentioned as they carried on.

Judging from the maddening rules of Heartslabyul, I can’t imagine that Housewarden Rosehearts would allow anything less than what he believes is perfection Mohg mused.

A low grumble came from of all people, Godrick, which had Miquella speak up. Is something the matter?

A feeling in my nonexistent gut, I’ve had the displeasure of arranging such gatherings, and I speak well from experience that these events can leave the one in charge rather…..tempermental. In a rare moment Godrick was even toned and level headed, sounding like he truly spoke from experience.

‘We’ll just need to ensure that nothing is done to risk that.’ Y/N replied, the ease they felt in the twilight of the morning shifting into something else. Whether it was tension at what possibilities they hadn’t accounted for, or something else, they weren’t sure.

Yuu for his part once again took notice of Y/N’s souring expression, giving them a slight nudge to get them out of their thoughts. “Things will go fine, even if something does go wrong, we’ll deal with it, right?”

Y/N gave only a nod at Yuu’s question as a small smile graced their lips, it wouldn’t do to dwell on negative possibilities when equally positive ones existed. Cater, having overheard, spoke up. “Things will be fine! I’ve seen Riddle put together these parties before, and he’s nowhere near as testy as he usually gets. So long as nobody sets anything on fire or anything we’ll be golden!”

It didn’t take long for them to arrive in the twisting labyrinth-like halls of the Heartslabyul dorm, which Cater guided them through with practiced ease, eventually leading them to the dorm kitchen. As they arrived they found several people inside, some dorm members neither Yuu or Y/N had seen before. Ace and Deuce, who had apparently been ordered not to touch anything as Trey helped move things along, from food and drinks to cutlery and crockery.

Also there was Cater, the real one, alongside Ranni, whom he was apparently showing the ins and outs of his Magicam. Trey was the first to take notice of the Clone Cater and their arrival. The Clone Cater kept them out of the way of the few dorm members that hadn’t finished their business in the kitchen as they made their way over to the others.

“I will not lie, I’m almost jealous that you’re able to replicate yourself like that.” Y/N told the Real Cater as the Clone faded away.

“It makes life a lot easier, from dorm chores, to getting that perfect shot.” He told them.

To which Trey chimed in. “Doesn’t mean he gets it done any faster, his clones are still him after all, 5 minutes turn into 30 minutes and several dozens pictures on his Magicam.” Barely stifling a chuckle as Cater tried to choke out a counter argument.

“How much longer we gotta wait?” Ace complained. “Can’t we just give him the tart and say sorry already?”

“If you want to make this even worse then sure let’s do that. “Deuce jabbed back. “We gotta do this right otherwise this’ll have been for nothing!”

“I get wanting to get this headache over with, but it pays to do things right, even if it takes longer.” Trey told him. “Now that everything’s set up, we have the perfect chance to do this. After Riddle is introduced and has sat down, you can take the moment to give him the tart, which would fulfil several Rules in one go! You’ll replace the tart you stole, and give Riddle the first tart of the Unbirthday Party. There’s no way he’ll be able to stay mad after that!”

Ace crossed his arms, but ultimately relented. “Fine, I just want this done so I can actually focus on school stuff and none of this stupid crap”

“Alright. Oh! Before anything else.” Trey took out his Magipen. “Paint The Roses!”

With a flick of his hand, the outfits Y/N, Yuu and Ranni wore changed to be more fitting for the situation. Yuu wore what appeared to be a red and black checkered patterned tuxedo, they didn’t look out of place between Cater and Trey, like they belonged amongst the higher rungs of the Heartslabyul Dorm. Y/N looked closer to actual Queendom of Roses Royalty, a mixture of regal attire and a Queendom knight, with velvet soft gloves adorning their hands.

Ranni looked as if she was pulled from a portrait of the Queen of Hearts herself, albeit with a more fitting gown. She didn’t seem to like it over her normal attire, which she hadn’t even changed into a modified academy uniform. Y/N had the thought to ask Boc about getting that done, they only trusted him to care for clothing.

“I must admit, whilst I appreciate thy efforts to include us with your celebrations. This doesn’t suit me, in the slightest regard.” Ranni bluntly stated.

Trey seemed a bit embarrassed. “Well, there isn’t a lot else I could reference. We don’t have much in the way of a female uniform either, so.” Cater cut him off however.

“Are you kidding? You look fantastic! You’ll be trending for weeks after this!” Cater tried to get the best angle with his Magicam, only for Trey to swipe it from his hands.

“Let’s save that for AFTER the Party, we’ve gotta go! Ace, the tart is in the fridge, please for Seven’s Sake, don’t drop it!” Trey quickly set about getting them into movement. “For now, me and Cater will get our guests here.” He motions to Yuu, Grim, Y/N and Ranni. “To their seats, just wait in the wings and you’ll know when it's time.”

With that, Cater helped guide them towards their seats, it seemed Riddle had placed them near the center of the massive table. Tea-pots and towers of pastries adorned the whole length of the table, a variety of designs so painfully whimsical in nature that if Y/N focused too hard on them, Godrick would’ve had a fit. The Tea-pots seemed enchanted as one floated over to the decently sized tea-cup that sat before Y/N. It poured its brew until it was just short of the rim, before floating back to where it came from.

They grasp the rip of the tea-cup gently, it looked too fragile for them to grip the handle normally. When the tea within touched their lips, they were filled with a familiar warmth from their youth. The same form of tea that their mother would brew for them on cold evenings, a time so distant as to be completely alien to them now, but so painfully familiar as to spark a numb pain in their chest. Nostalgia always hurt.

Their attention drifted over to Ranni, who seemed to be enjoying herself, despite what she found herself in. As for Yuu, he was busy doing everything he can to keep Grim from eating everything within paws reach of him, at least before the party had officially begun.

It seemed not long after that, things were finally starting, as a dorm member stood up and spoke loudly and clearly. “Announcing the arrival of the Rose Red Sovereign of Heartslabyul! Heritor of the Queen’s Laws! Housewarden Rosehearts!” As he spoke Y/N saw Ace and Deuce entering, Ace being careful as to not knock into anything as he walked over.

Riddle Rosehearts approached in what Godrick compared to be a regal manner, despite lacking the same stature or status as legitimate royalty. He seemed to be observing the entire area, not just the assembled dorm members, but the rose hedges and the table as well.

“Red roses, white table cloth, and am I correct to assume there’s a slumbering dormouse as well?” He asked Trey.

Y/N refused to acknowledge Godrick’s baffled questioning as to why rodents were present as Trey replied. “Indeed! And we’ve got the jam to spread on its nose in case it wakes up as well.”

Now Y/N and Godrick shared the same baffled question, which consisted simply of ‘What?’

Rosehearts seemed content with his observations. “Very well, after we finish here we can begin the croquet game properly, but for now, we shall toast!” On cue everyone took hold of their respective tea-cups, Ranni and Yuu doing so as well.

“On this most auspicious of days! I bid all and sundry! A Very Merry Unbirthday!” As he finished, all the others from the dorm followed suit. Y/N spared a glance towards Ace, who took notice, realized this was probably the best chance he’d get.

“Uhh, hey! Housewarden Rosehearts!” Ace did his best to get Riddle’s attention without shouting or coming off as he usually does.

“Ah, it’s you, the troublemaking tart thief.” Riddle said, before his gaze met Y/N’s. His tone shifted to a less irritable one after doing so. “I trust you’ve come to make amends?”

“Uh yeah! Of course, got a replacement tart and everything, just for you!” Ace stammered out, clearly doing his best to avoid making a mess of this. He placed the immaculate appearing tart right in front of Riddle, Y/N watched as despite his face not showing it, his eyes lit up with barely disguised delight.

“Impressive, truly. If I may, what kind of tart is it?” Riddle asked as he went about grabbing his fork.

“Oh, it’s a chestnut tart, we didn’t hold back on the chestnut part either!” Ace proudly stated.

The atmosphere shifted, almost unnoticeably so, the look in Riddle’s eyes changed as well.

No

“A CHESTNUT Tart?!”

No

“Eh!?”

Riddle shot up violently, the table shuddering as he did so. “The Queen’s Rule 562: A chestnut tart must never be brought to any and all Unbirthday Parties!” His hands slammed against the table’s surface. “Such a blatant disregard of the rules! You’ve ruined a perfect Unbirthday Party!”

Why

“562?!” Deuce questioned, not really comprehending how things turned so quickly.

Yuu was the next to question things. “Just how many of these ‘rules’ are there?!”

WHY

Riddle spoke clearly. “810, The Queen of Hearts laid down 810 rules and as Housewarden I know every last one and can recite any and all at any given chance.”

This wasn’t right.

Cater’s voice could barely be heard over the ever rising commotion. “This ain’t looking good, Trey did you know any of this?”

“I only got the first 350 down pat, I never bothered going farther than that” Trey answered. “Shit, we’ve made a mess of this, and bad.”

I trusted them

“As Housewarden to the Dorm dedicated to the Queen’s Rigor! I cannot allow this transgression to go unpunished!” Riddle’s face was getting redder by the second. “Destroy that tart this instant and cast these rulebreakers out of this Dorm!”

They said this would work

“What the hell!? Is that one of your damn rules too?!” Ace demanded an answer.

Grim was quick to chime in as well. “Yeah! Why waste the tart? Just let me eat it!”

They SWORE it would work

Trey and Cater quickly tried to defuse things. “Housewarden, this is my fault! I was the one who suggested making the chestnut tart to begin with!”

“Yeah! I was in on it too! Neither of us knew there was a rule against it!”

“Making the tart has nothing to do with this, BRINGING IT HERE is the issue!”

I thought these people could be reasonable.

“Why do you even bother following such stupid rules?!” Yuu questioned, clearly baffled by the sheer lunacy of the apparent ‘rules’ of this dorm.

“All you’ve done since day one is cite one dumbass rule after another! You sound like a jackass!” Ace swore, his temper finally getting the better of him, and at this point Y/N no longer cared.

“What did you just call me?” Riddle trembled with barely contained rage.

“Ok! Let’s all calm down! No sense in making this worse!” Cater tried to reason. “Riddle, you know these are still newbies, they’ve only been here for less than a week.

“Screw that! I’m done trying to play nice! I did my end of the bargain! I’m not taking this because he came up with another stupid ass rule!”

Deuce was the next to speak. “This is beyond stupid! Rules need to be followed, but this is beyond reason!”

This forsaken world

“If you think debating me will do you any good, you’re far beyond wrong! Since I became Housewarden, not a single student has dropped out or been held back a year! Beyond that, of all of Heartslabyul, I alone have the best academic performance! Meaning that beyond any shadow of a doubt! I am the one who must be obeyed!”

Has been naught

Ace tried to rally the others behind him, as it was clear to all but the Housewarden that they only listened out of fear. It was said fear that had them forsake any sense of self worth and simply encourage Riddle, as to point his fury away from them.

But one annoyance after another

Cater tried one last time to get things calmed down, trying to get them to simply bow to Rosehearts’ whims, but none of them were having it. Ace, Deuce, Yuu and Grim, none of them accepted this.

“Like hell am I bowing to a self-righteous tyrant!” Ace shouted.

“What did you just call me?” Riddle’s voice was low, fury laced in every word.

“He called you what you are! A tyrant throwing a temper tantrum over a dumb rule!” Grim answered, adding several words that hadn’t left Ace’s mouth.

“H-hey! I don’t think we should make things worse!” Deuce tried to lower the two’s shared anger.

I have played along enough

“OFF WITH YOUR HEADS!”

I have allowed enough.

In an instant four collars found themselves around the necks of Deuce, Ace, Grim and Yuu. Riddle turned his fury towards Cater and Trey. “You two! Remove them at once!”

Any hope they once had that any reason could be found here was snuffed out by the words that left Cater and Trey. “Yes Housewarden”

“What the hell?! This was your idea to begin with! What the hell happened to the whole mentor act from yesterday!” Deuce demanded an answer, at the same time one of Ranni’s hands glided across the arm of Y/N, her gaze locked only to them.

I have had

“Sorry bout this, we can’t exactly disobey the Housewarden.” Cater looked strained as he said this, while Trey just looked defeated.

“So all that shit from yesterday was pointless huh?! Fine! Magic or no I’ll kick both your asses for this!”

“ENOUGH”

Chapter Text

The earth shuddered, force echoed the air, followed by the shattering of glass, porcelaine, and wood. All motion froze, a hellish heat choked the air. The eyes of all present were trained on Y/N, a mixture of steam and red flowed from their closed fist, which had slammed against the table, fracturing it nearly in two. The heat seared the air, as the collars locked around Ace, Deuce, Grim, and Yuu burnt white. Instead of melting like super heated metal, the magic that comprised them burst, reduced to naught but ash that drifted to the wilted grass below.

Y/N was trembling, their breath steaming against the air as it left their mouth. The only one brave enough to remain near them was Ranni, seemingly unaffected by the all-consuming heat that billowed off of them. Her hand was still firmly grasped to the forearm of Y/N. With each heaving breath, steam was expelled like thick plumes of smoke. Y/N’s gaze was unfocused, refusing to acknowledge anything.

This tension continued for another minute, which dragged along, each moment lasting an eternity. When they finally tore their eyes from the table, they were quick to turn it against Riddle, Trey and Cater.

Their eyes were a burning yellow, they had lost any composure they once held, looking closer to a rabid beast than any living person should.

“Enough”

As a thick stream of red dripped from their clenched fist, they continued, speaking a voice that trembled with overwhelming emotions. Even though, to all present it was clear which emotion it was.

“I appear to have labored under the delusion that any form of reason could be found in this horrid place” The blood that pooled beneath fist dripped off the damaged table, each droplet seared into the ground beneath them. “I believed, truly believed, that level minds would prevail, that this mess I had been dragged into, could be solved amicably.”

“I had wanted to believe that this was simply Ace’s fault” Y/N’s eyes trembled with the same rage that spilled from their lips. “But it would appear I was wrong.”

“Despite his numerous failings, it would appear the fault lies not with him.” They dragged their gaze across all the other members of Heartslabyul, before falling back upon the seniority of the dorm. “But with you.”

Riddle made to say something, but was cut off by Trey. “I know this isn’t-”

“Silence, you spineless worm, before I rip that tongue from your insolent mouth.” No shouting, no screaming fury, an order, absolute and unshakeable. Trey’s entire body froze as it tensed at Y/N’s order.

“I” Y/N took a deep breath, the steam that came out as they exhaled had diminished as they tried to temper their emotions. “Truly had hoped that once things had been settled, we could leave this moment as companions, perhaps even as friends.”

“But it would appear that I was wrong.”

“Wrong in all that I had hoped to find in this place.” Another shuddering breath. “Wrong to have hoped at all, I suppose” The chair beneath them groaned as they stood, their fist finally unclenched as they did, what shards of the tea-cup that hadn’t been reduced to powder by the force of their grip, pierced through the calloused flesh of their hand. Yet, as blood poured freely from the wounds, Y/N paid it no mind, not even as much as a scant glance to acknowledge it.

“We’re leaving, you will not follow, you will not seek retribution. Count whatever blessings you may, that I have not taken full leave of my senses. For that alone is why any of you still breathe.” Ranni rose next, sparing not a moment as she left alongside Y/N. Yuu and others followed shortly after, once they realized that nobody was actually going to stop them from leaving.

The trek through the maze was brief, as no words were exchanged. Yuu’s attention was locked to Y/N, the outburst striking home that he was the only one here without any true means of self-defense. He could only thank his luck that Y/N had taken a liking to him.

As they exited the garden maze and made their way to the mirror to leave, Y/N stopped suddenly, their gaze turning towards a nearby window. “Show yourself, I’ve no patience for games anymore.”

Before anyone could question it, a new voice was heard. “Curiouser and curiouser, I can list on one hand the people who know when I’m hiding around, and I wouldn’t need four fingers either.”

From where the voice came from, a floating head appeared, a wild blend of purples colored the newcomer's hair and feline-like ears adorned said head, along with a wide near ear-to-ear grin. “When I heard through the grapevine that there were some interesting new faces. Well I just had to take a peak through the looking glass to see who they were!”

“Listen dude we are not in the mood for this right now! Who knows how long til that tea-pot tyrant remembers what he was going to do to us.” Ace shouted, trying to get a move on.

“Oh! You mean our dear Queen of Mad Rules? You needn’t fret about that, I dare say your fiery friend’s ferocious flare up will have him out of his own head for quite awhile.” He said as the rest of his body appeared next to Ace, resting his arm on Ace’s shoulder, whilst his head remained separated.

“A-another ghost?!” Grim choked, hiding behind Yuu.

“Nay, I’m afraid I lack the same sense of the phantasmagorical as they who have long since passed on” He continued, his body walking over to his head, rolling it along his arms as he carried on. “You could consider me as a friend or a foe, but I’d prefer you consider me as I am.”

“And that would be?” Yuu asked, their emotions all over the place from the rapid changes in the situation, from on edge, to terrified, to now just baffled and tired.

“ I am the most honorable, baffling, confusing, annoying and befuddling Artemiy Artemiyevich Pinker!” He gave a dramatic bow, his head left floating above his body for a moment before drifting back onto his shoulders. “Chenya for short!”

Nobody said anything at the display for a moment, before Yuu spoke up. “So what do you want?”

“I already told you! Just to see the rambunctious rabblerousers that had caught the Queen’s most discerning gaze!” His stance changed nearly instantly as he carried on. “I’ve known since I was but a boy that the Rosehearts family had a generational temper, but that was one that trounced them all! Tell me, are you by chance related?” He asked Y/N, his head staying in front of their face whilst his body walked around them. “Distant relative or long lost second cousin twice removed?”

“Do we even look remotely related?” Came Y/N’s voice, which had calmed down from murderous to one that sounded exhausted.

“In appearance? That’s an unrivaled no! But in temper? I couldn’t help but see Riddle’s dear mother in you. I wonder if he and Trey saw the same.” Chechnya thought aloud.

“What’s his old lady got to do with this?” Ace demanded, to which Chenya feigned surrender at his anger.

“Nothing and everything! Because who can we be but our parents' children?” Chenya’s words were a mixture of meaning and meaningless.

“Speak plainly or don’t speak at all. Not everyone you meet will have the patience for riddles and misdirection” Y/N warned, seemingly unable to keep their temper as it was, but nobody mistook them for having calmed down.

“Fair enough, fair enough, but to put it simply, it isn’t my place to tell, nor I suppose is it Riddle’s. Fear has a way of tying one’s tongue, while guilt has a way of loosening it. If there’s anyone you should look for answers from, I’d say Trey” He spoke, likely as clearly as he could muster. “But sadly, my time on this side of the looking glass is reaching its closure. Though I will admit, I can’t wait to see what happens once this is all over!”

With that and as his words drifted off, his body vanished, piece by piece throughout his sentence, before only his eyes and mouth remained. And with his final words they too disappeared. It took only another moment for Y/N to speak again.

“He’s gone”

“What the hell was that dude on about?” Ace questioned. “He was all over the place.”

“Apparently something with Riddle’s mom? He said Trey could answer, but.” Yuu’s words drifted off at the end.

“We aren’t exactly able to go back and demand answers now” Deuce answered. “There’s a free period after lunch, we could see if we can corner him then.”

“For now.” Y/N filled the following silence. “It doesn’t matter, neither of you can return to this dorm so long as Riddle is in charge. We still have some time before our first class, and as much as I am loathed to want to, Crowley may actually have an idea as to what we should do next.”

“Whilst I possess doubts that Crowley can help in a meaningful manner, thy efforts should not go unrewarded. Whilst thee and thine friends seek your own solutions, I shall search as well. As I believe the methods of our recent past would not serve us well here.” Ranni told them, her eyes carrying concern for her consort.

“Do not concern yourself over my affairs, I had not meant to drag you into this. “Y/N sounded tired, as if the world weighed on them.

“I do so simply because I desire to.” She finished simply, as they walked through the mirror. Despite not wanting to, Y/N parted ways with Ranni once again, and as they had not even a week prior, made their way with the others to Crowley’s office.

It didn’t take long for them to arrive, with Y/N simply opening the door not bothering to knock. “Crowley, we require assistance with an issue!” They stated clearly.

Crowley was shocked out of what he was doing, which was apparently scrolling on his own Magicam and scrambled to look professional, before he realized who it was again.

“Oh! Please tell me you didn’t break anything again?” Crowley said at the sight of the five of them.

“No, we have an issue involving the Housewarden of Heartslabyul.” Y/N started. Not wanting to explain everything up to this point, they kept it brief. “A disagreement has spiraled wildly out of control, and reconciliation has been found to be impossible.”

“Ah! Housewarden Rosehearts has driven another mad has he?” He spoke as if this was normal. “I will admit, this isn’t the first time this has happened, why since he took over as Housewarden, Heartslabyul has seen the most dorm transfers of any of the other houses! 16 in just a year and half of being Housewarden!” He was quick to pull out a stack of papers. “It’d require some paper work and needing to bring out the Dark Mirror again, but I’m certain we can find you two a dorm that isn’t as……taxing on your mental health.”

“Oi! Switching dorms wasn’t on my list here! Like hell am I running away from my problems. Ain’t there a way for me to get payback?” Ace demanded, with Deuce giving a nod as well.

“Well.” Crowley pondered. “Traditionally speaking, the role of Housewarden is typically passed down when the Housewarden graduates, but there are other methods.” Crowley moved the papers back to where they came from. “Either there’s a majority vote to remove the current Housewarden, in which the dorm decides on the replacement together. Or there’s the much more common method.”

“Which would be?” Y/N drawled out.

“A duel! If one or more dorm members have enough grievance with the current state of things, they could come to me or in the past the Disciplinary Committee and demand a duel for the role of Housewarden, it’s how Mr. Rosehearts replaced the previous Housewarden, now a 4th year, Winston Jabbora. Perplexing duel that one was. Mr.Jabbora didn’t really seem bothered when he lost as he did. All he did was laugh.” Crowley mused to himself

“Sweet! So me and Juice” “Deuce” “Just gotta challenge Riddle and win! Then no more of those dumbass rules!” Ace thought out loud.

“Were it as easy as that, I'm afraid.” Crowley countered. “To prevent any issues, the duel is limited to magic only, we are an academy formed around teaching it as you know. If either party is rendered incapable of magic for any reason, the duel is over.”

“And while yes, there’s no real penalties for the challengers if they lose. It’d look awkward if they did, and I doubt the housewarden in question would be exactly forgiving at being challenged in the first place.” He finished, turning back to face them.

“Fine by me, so long as it knocks him down a beg, I’ll gladly take a beating so long as it ends with him losing!” Ace proclaimed.

“Alright, so I take it than both you and Mr. Spade will be the challengers in question?” Crowley asked, with both Ace and Deuce nodding in reply. “Very well, Seeing as this would be Y/N’s first time watching over a duel in their position, once this has been conveyed to the Housewarden. Everything should be set up for later today. AFTER classes of course. Learning comes first, getting beaten silly comes second.”

After Crowley ushered them out of his office while he got to work arranging things, Y/N turned to Ace and Deuce. “I’m going to be completely honest, neither of you stand a chance.”

“Oh come on!”

“Riddle’s spellwork is leagues beyond either of you, all I’ve seen thus far is a wind tunnel and a cauldron summoning from you two. His Unique Magic is designed to end a duel with these rules in an instant.” Y/N continued. “I make no promises, but after luncheon, find me and I’ll see if I can’t somehow get you two capable enough to not make idiots of yourselves. Now, classes are beginning and we don’t share any today. Learn anything you can, not just what would be useful later today, and once we’re free, we’ll meet near the courtyard.”

Y/N left no room to argue, and as such, they all went their separate ways. Y/N, Grim and Yuu left for another class on Potionology while Ace and Deuce left for Gym class.

When they finally met back up, it was during the lull from lunch, taking the food they had gotten outside to the courtyard, where fewer people were gathered. Grim didn’t even wait for them to get there as he scarfed down what he had gotten. A nearby bench allowed Y/N and Yuu a place to sit and eat while they waited for the other two.

“Hey.” Yuu began. “Are you…doing ok?”

“If this is in reference to my outburst earlier, I want to apologize for it if it had frightened you.” Y/N responded, idly taking a bite from the breaded chicken they had gotten.

“I mean, yeah it kinda did, but that was mainly cuz it reminded me that I’m kinda the weak link in our little group.” Yuu told them.

“Hardly, your strengths simply lie elsewhere.” Another bite was taken as Y/n watched Grim doze off against the leg of the bench. “You’ve been thrust out of your home, and into a wholly different system of power. You cannot fairly compare yourself to those native to these lands. Just as I cannot do so either.”

“Well, I’m just happy I have someone like you as a friend here then! Just two strangers in a strange land, getting dragged into other people’s messes huh?”

“Story of my life, truly”

“Hey!” a voice shouted in the distance. Deuce, with Ace close behind. As a near sprint over, Deuce carried on. “Sorry we’re late, Ace couldn’t decide on what to get to eat.”

“Hey don’t pin this only on me! Besides, I've got other things on my mind.” Ace defended, taking a simple sandwich from the bag he had. “It’s hard to focus with what’s happening later.”

“Allowing yourself to starve won’t solve anything. Eat and we’ll go from there.” Y/N commanded, allowing for no arguments.

So they did, it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence, but it was still uneasy. When they had all finished, was when Y/N started. “Given we only have a few hours at best. There’s little I can do to help improve your chances, that’s why both of you are going to be giving me your best until the next class starts. I want you to hit me with everything you’ve got. Any and all spells you have.”

“W-wait, I thought this was gonna be practice!” Deuce questioned, watching as Y/N moved over to an open area of the courtyard.

“It is, and since I don’t carry a training dummy on me, you’ll practice on me. Hold nothing back, I’ve suffered far worse harm in my life than what either of you would be able to do to me.”

“Alright, but no complaining if you can’t take it.” Was Ace said before he got his magipen ready. Deuce, despite his issues with the method, did as well.

Yuu watched as Grim continued sleeping. As Y/N stood still, arms crossed, Ace and Deuce attacked. Ace hurled winds that were akin to a raging hurricane, whilst Deuce struck with ice, solid and unyielding, each shard crashed against Y/N’s unmoving form. They threw a blizzard at Y/N and they hadn’t gained a single inch.

“Come now! There must be more to what you have than that! Where’s your anger!? Do you intend to live under Riddle’s thumb for the rest of your time at Night Raven! Strike me down!” Y/N taunted, trying to spur more out of them. “Strike me as if I hurt you! As if I harmed all you’ve come to care about!”

As the words left their mouth, a cauldron shattered against their head. The suddenness of it caused Ace to pause as he looked to Deuce, who had summoned it and flung it at Y/N. For what it was worth it had gotten Y/N to stagger, which gave Ace a chance to try and knock them over, condensing his winds into a single point on their chest. Together, they managed to knock Y/N two feet further back than where they originally stood.

As Y/N adjusted themself from the best Ace and Deuce had to give, a small trickle of blood poured from their forehead from where the cauldron hit. Deuce upon seeing it, panicked. “Shit! I’m sorry! Are you ok?!”

“Relax” Y/N said, as they wiped the blood from their face, the wound sealing itself shut and vanishing a moment later. “An impressive blow, but you will need more to stand a chance against Rosehearts.” As Y/N got back into position, they saw someone approaching.

“Hm, I suppose this saves us the trouble needing to track you down.” They said to the approaching person. As the others turned to find Trey Clover walking over, looking just as defeated as before Y/N had lost their temper.

“What? Here to try and get us to kiss his ass for forgiveness?” Ace shot at Trey. “Or are you here cuz he told you to punish us?”

“Neither, I know better than to try and force the issue anymore.” Trey sighed. “When I saw Chenya earlier today, I knew he probably mentioned something about our history with Riddle.”

“Something like that.” Deuce said, his tone only slightly less antagonistic than Ace’s. “Mentioned that Y/N’s anger might’ve reminded you and Riddle about his mom.”

Another sigh, Yuu felt that Trey was holding a lot of weight on his shoulders. “He isn’t wrong. I guess I owe you all an explanation for all the trouble I’ve caused you.”

And so, he did. He told them of their childhood, of Riddle’s very sheltered life as a young child and the time they spent together. He also explained how this involved Riddle’s mother. She was controlling, to a ridiculous degree. Everything about Riddle’s life was under her watch, as if he was more of an experiment to her than a son, or even a child. The turning point seemed to be when she had caught Riddle eating a sweet that Trey had given him from his parents bakery. As a result she had spent nearly 5 hours berating the entire Clover family.

Because of this, Trey thought he could atone for not helping Riddle enough as a child by helping him now. Yet, as he said this, Ace put a hole right through that idea.

“Helping him? Letting him run around acting like his mother isn’t helping him or anyone at all! Sure his mom sounds like a real bitch, but she’s not the issue at the moment! Riddle’s the one acting like a tyrant, and you’re just as bad because you refuse to do anything about it!” Ace jabbed his finger into Trey’s chest. “You feel sorry for yourself and think letting him do whatever he pleases will somehow make up for it? A real friend would knock some sense into you if you’re acting like an asshole! Right Y/N?”

“Don’t bring me into this anymore than you already have!”

“Exactly!” Ace turned back to Trey. “You and Cater have magic stronger than him and decide to just go along with whatever he wants just cuz it’s easier and less painful than actually trying to help him!” Ace turned away from Trey and walked over to the others. “Come on, we’ve only got to the end of classes before we gotta fix this mess, both mine, and theirs” He idly motioned to Trey who couldn’t look up at them as he slumped onto an adjacent bench.

Chapter Text

The day held a different air than it had when it began, it seemed that the challenge that Ace and Deuce had reached Riddle and as a result the rest of the dorm. No other members of Heartslabyul approached them beside Trey. They seemed only to watch from a distance whilst Y/N trained Ace and Deuce. Even though said training was more of a frantic attempt to make it so they didn’t make immediate fools of themselves. As it carried on, Y/N decided to finally wear one of their helmets after the third cauldron Deuce shattered against Y/N’s head.

Once the bell rang for the next set of classes, both Ace and Deuce had a better grasp of the few spells they did know. Ace’s winds had gotten stronger as had Deuce’s ice spells. Despite all this, Y/N knew they’d lose. The differences between them and Riddle’s capabilities were too great. Y/N also knew that even if they lost, Riddle simply couldn’t be allowed to carry on as he was.

By the time classes had ended for the day, Y/N was prepared for the worst. As was the rest of Heartslabyul it seemed, as it wasn’t Trey, Cater, or one of Cater’s clones that came to retrieve them, but some member they hadn’t met before. Crowley, as it seemed to always be the case, forgot to inform them that the duel was about to happen. Fortunately, they couldn’t start without them as Y/N was the Head Of Discipline.

The journey back to Heartslabyul was vastly different than before, more students seemed to be talking among themselves. Neither Y/N nor Yuu heard what they spoke about, but it seemed to be something important, as no one was smiling, grinning or even slightly happy. They seemed angry, as did their unfamiliar guide.

They found themselves back where the Unbirthday Party was held, finding only an open field and the few scorched patches of grass that showed the fury that had boiled over earlier that day. A majority of students stood to the sidelines, whilst Cater and Trey were beside Riddle, while Ace and Deuce stood alone until Yuu and Grim went by their side.

Crowley ushered Y/N over by his side. “Apologies! Setting up duels such as this one are surprisingly involved affairs, paperwork needed gathering and damage reports must be ready to be filled. Not to mention expense reports are required to be updated should the title of Housewarden trade hands.” He was quick to put his hand to his chin. “Though now that I think of it, did either of them express who would be taking over as Housewarden should they win?”

“No, but for the sake of everyone I’d rather it be Deuce.” Y/N answered honestly.

Crowley shrugged at that. “Either way, things seem rather tense, all things considered. I’ve never seen so many uninvolved people appear as agitated as I do right now?”

“Can you not read the room?” Y/N asked. “You think those two are the only ones with issues with Rosehearts? This is going to get messy.”

“I was worried it would come to that.” Crowley sighed. “Why is it the most efficient Housewarden we’ve had in years is the one despised by most of his dorm. I’m going to have so much paperwork to do after this.”

After he said this, Crowley cleared his throat and walked forward, with Y/N close behind him. “Alright, I believe both parties are aware of the gravity of the event that lies before them? A duel such as this is not held over petty reasonings as the title of Housewarden is a weighty one indeed. I trust that everyone understands the limits of the duel. Magic only, fought only to the incapability to cast further spells. Once both parties are fully prepared, the duel will commence at Y/N’s word.”

Crowley stepped back and allowed Y/N forward. They asked with only a glance to both Ace and Deuce and to Riddle. Getting a nod from both.

“Very well, no killing each other.” Y/N told them. “Begin.”

It was over just as quickly as Y/N thought it would. Before a single spell could be cast by either Ace or Deuce, heart shaped collars were locked around their necks with the shout of “OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!”

Y/N didn’t expect much else, but knew better than to think this was over.

“Just as I had thought” Riddle began. “This is the only possible outcome! The consequences for all rulebreakers! This is why I’m the only one who can be trusted to keep order!”

“Shut the hell up already!” Ace shouted back. “You think this changes anything?! That acting like your mother all the damn time means you get to act like an asshole to everyone?!”

“You leave my mother out of this! She was right! About people like you” Riddle pointed an accusing finger at Ace, and then Deuce, and even Yuu.

“Unruly, lacking any form of discipline, refusing to accept any form of authority. People like you need to be kept in line! And if force is the only way you’ll learn then so be it!” He turned attention to Yuu.

“And you! The odd one out amongst everyone who has ever attended these halls! A magicless, troublemaking nobody! If it weren’t for you and that brutish cretin who watches over you, these two wouldn’t have caused me and this dorm such grief to begin with!” And with that Y/N’s blood had reached near boiling again. What was this godforsaken world’s obsession with dragging Yuu into things?

“Clearly, whoever raised you, failed horribly. I can only imagine how ashamed of you they would be right no-” Riddle was cut off by a violent right hook, directed straight into the side of his face. Ace had had enough, shutting up Riddle in the only way he had left.

“Leave them out of this you dickhead!” He shouted, his knuckles turning red from the impact. “Insult me all you want, but Yuu’s got nothing to do with this! Yuu ain’t from here, he’s stuck here by himself, and Y/N was the only person here who wasn’t a jerk to them from the word go!” Ace cracked his knuckles as Deuce ran over, looking fully prepared to deliver a beatdown. “I’m an asshole, I admit it. That’s why I’m not letting this slide, if I’ve gotta beat up some spoiled brat for insulting my friend, then that’s just what I’m gonna do!”

“I came here to be better than I was before, but now all I want to do is make you hurt!” Deuce’s expression shifted, becoming a lot more violent.

Riddle finally recovered from the blow to his face. “You insignificant!” He raised his magipen, fire manifesting at its tip.

“Please, I thought we’d agreed on no physical violence! I’d have had Vargas oversee this otherwise” Crowley shouted, in some kind of attempt to stop what was going to happen.

Just before anything else could happen, an egg struck and splattered against Riddle’s head, stunning him as well as Ace and Deuce. Riddle’s gaze was a mixture of anger and confusion as he slowly turned to see who had thrown it. A first year member of the dorm, who had refused to back down under his gaze.

“I beg your pardon?” Was all Riddle said in response to the act.

“I’m sick of this!” The student shouted. “Getting accepted to Night Raven was the best moment of my life! I thought I’d be able to make friends, learn cool spells and potions and stuff like that!”

“But since day one I’ve been more worried about remembering some random ass rules from a lady who’s been dead for ages! I’ve barely been able to focus on any of my studies! All because I’m more worried that somehow, trying to better myself is inconvenient to some long dead woman’s stupid rules!”

Riddle’s face didn’t change at all. “I see” He then turned to more of the gathered crowd. “Am I to understand that everyone else here feels the same?”

It was that question that let loose the flood gates.

“I couldn’t get any damn sleep last night cuz I had to make up for the studying time I lost cuz you had me chase flamingoes during every free period!”

“Do you have any idea how painful those damn collars really are?!”

“You’ve made a week feel like damn years!”

“Winston was a dick, but he’s nowhere near as bad as you!”
“Yeah! Bring Winston back!”
“Jabbora was leagues better!”

More and more students voiced their long held complaints, and Riddle simply stood there and took it, only speaking once the others had begun to quiet down.

“I see”

“OFF WITH YOUR HEADS!”

With a slash of his magipen, collars locked onto every last student who had complained. Shouts of pain and surprise filled the air as Crowley looked on in shock.

“Mr. Rosehearts! This is far beyond what is allowed of a Housewarden, calm yourself this instant!”

“Order must be maintained! If it is painful, let it be painful! I alone am the one in the right! Nobody else!” Riddle’s voice was frantic, losing the sharp tone it once had, replaced with a more desperate one, as if he was trying to convince himself.

“Ok, things have officially gone off the deep end!” Cater shouted as he readied his own magipen, only for a collar to lock around his neck.

“All of you! All of you! OFF WITH ALL YOUR HEADS!”

A collar attempted to manifest around Y/N’s neck, but before the magic could even start to take physical form, it shattered like glass, drawing Riddle’s attention.

“And you, you must think yourself above all of this. Above any rules, and any form of punishment.” Riddle sounded almost like he was growling. “You must think you're better than me! That I’m simply crazy for wanting simple order in this chaotic, maddening world!”

“I’ll show everyone here why I’m the only one who can be trusted to maintain order! Why I am the one who is right! And if anyone thinks they’re above the consequences! It’s OFF WITH THEIR HEA-”

“Paint The Roses!”

A flash of light and the sounds of fluttering cards followed after. With Riddle’s face turning to genuine shock and pain as he turned to see Trey’s magipen out, and the various collars that once adorned the others had vanished and were replaced with torn up pieces of playing cards.

“Riddle” Trey’s voice was heavy, not angry, but closer to a pained desperation. “You need to stop, and calm down”

Something broke at that, something that kept Riddle from going over the edge. A dark liquid began to drip from the magipen that was held in a death grip in Riddle’s hand. “You too Trey? You’ve been thinking just like them as well?”

“No! I’m still your friend! But you’ve gone too far, and things need to calm down.” Trey tried to argue. “You aren’t acting like yourself!”

“You must think you should be Housewarden, your Unique Magic can completely negate mine!” Riddle’s voice was almost hollow sounding, as if he was simply narrating his thoughts instead of speaking them. “You must think you’re better than me! This entire time, you’ve been more than capable of taking the role of Housewarden from me!”

Y/N saw something change, the black sludge that once dripped from Riddle’s magipen now flowed heavily, pooling at his feet. “Crowley what the hell is that?!”

Crowley for his part, seemed genuinely scared at the sight.

“Mr.Rosehearts! Calm yourself! You’re using too much magic! Your body can’t handle it!”

Riddle’s entire body was trembling, as the pooling liquid began to bubble as if it was boiling. His eyes near bloodshot as the same liquid began to seep from his eyes and nose.

“If I’m the only one who feels this way…If I’m the only one who can be trusted…… Then…..THEN!”

“I’LL TAKE ALL OF YOUR HEADS!”

The pool exploded outwards, nearly catching Cater and Trey in it. They were only saved from it as they were teleported away. As they looked around at who had done so, they saw Ranni walking between them. “It would appear that matters hath become untenable. A curious result however.”

Crowley was quick to cast a barrier to protect everyone from the explosion, which seemed to alter the entire garden maze as it was absorbed into the ground. Razor sharp thorns formed from the darkness, which buffeted his barrier.

Ranni was the one who asked the burning question. “Wouldst thou care to explain?”

Sweat was seen dripping beneath his mask as he answered. “Mr. Rosehearts has gone into overblot.”

From the origin point of the blast, Riddle’s form was seen, covered head to toe in the sludge. Y/N knew where they had seen it before. It was the same liquid that the beast in the cave had bled. As Riddle’s body floated upwards slightly, from behind him, manifested something worse. An enormous body had begun to take form. Bound in barbed wire, it looked akin to the Queen of Hearts. But in place of a head, immense amounts of the liquid began to swirl and gather. A moment later, a shrill cry filled the air as glass formed around the liquid, taking the shape of a heart. More barbed wire circled the glass as a malformed mockery of a crown appeared at its peak.

Trey looked horrified as the liquid finally poured off of Riddle, revealing him to be wearing what looked almost exactly like the beast behind him. The same barbed wire wrapped around him as his eyes beamed a deep crimson, a dramatic change from his normal grey.

“Crowley! Explain now!” Y/N demanded as they rushed over.

“He’s going into Overblot! It’s what happens when someone uses more magic than they can physically take. The gem in our pens usually allow for plentiful and safe usage! But he’s used more magic than the gem could hold! Blot is a byproduct, without the gem to house it, it simply pooled in his body!” Another screech from the beast behind him, fractured the dome that Crowley had summoned.

“Then what do we do?!” Ace questioned.

“Overblots are highly dangerous! We must evacuate the dorm!” Crowley told him, using more effort to hold the barrier. “The Phantom behind him is constantly drawing magic from him to sustain itself with the resulting blot! This is going to kill him!”

“What!?” Trey’s voice was finally no longer holding any sense of control, he shouted in genuine terror for Riddle. “He can’t just die! What can we do?!”

“It isn’t safe! He’s lost all sense of himself! He won’t hesitate to kill anyone now! Even after his body perishes the Phantom will persist! We have to get everyone out of here!”

“Oh like hell!” Ace shouted back. “I’m not letting him get out of this by dying!”

Another shriek shattered the dome, forcing Crowley back slightly as Y/N braced themself, Ranni only held onto the brim of her hat.

“You think I was being unreasonable? I WILL SHOW YOU JUST HOW UNREASONABLE I CAN BE!” Riddle screamed, distorted slightly by the blot that consumed him. The ground rumbled as some of the rose bushes were uprooted from behind him. He wielded the Housewarden staff as a club as he pointed it at them. “I AM THE RIGHTEOUS ONE! I’M THE ONE IN THE RIGHT!”

Another gale of winds came from the Phantom, forcing everyone’s eyes shut for a moment. When Yuu opened his, he caught only a glimpse of the rose bush, mere inches from striking him. Before he could blink, he was pushed to the ground, not seeing what had been struck in his place, only hearing the resulting crashing boom.

“Y/N!” Deuce shouted as he saw blood staining the ground from the impact. Yuu looked over in horror at Y/N, who was clearly impaled in several places by the rose bush. Ranni did so as well, her eyes widening as she turned quickly back toward Riddle.

“You dare strike my consort?” Her voice held no clear anger, only for it to be revealed in the form of a wave of jagged ice that tore towards Riddle. The blot beneath it struck out in sharpened spikes, narrowly keeping it from tearing Riddle apart.

Ace helped Yuu to his feet, as Grim trembled at the sight of Y/N. Ace grit his teeth as he turned towards Riddle. “Oh now he’s gonna pay!”

“Ngyah! You’re still wanting to go fight that?! He just killed Y/N and you want to fight him?!” Grim shouted, only to stop his trembling as he watched Yuu pick up a sizable branch that had broken from the bush.

“Y/N saved me, I’m not gonna do nothing!” Yuu told him, which had Grim want to run, but he then saw Deuce step up as well.

“Ngyah! You idiots are gonna get yourselves killed!” He cried out again, before looking back to the bloodied, motionless form of Y/N. “T-that’s why……You need me! Without The Great Grim, you guys don’t stand a chance!”

Cater and Trey had gone over to where Y/N laid. Cater was using his clones to clear the debris off of them, while Trey tried to check for a pulse. “This is my fault! Why didn’t I do anything sooner! Damnit damnit damnit! Why are you such a gutless coward Trey” He demeaned himself as he got a good look at the damage to Y/N. He wanted to throw up, Y/N had been impaled right in the chest, red poured from the wounds, their mouth, nose and eyes.

“We can blame ourselves later Trey! We gotta fix this somehow!”

Before Trey could tell him that Y/n was dead, a voice cut them off.

“Very well.”

An intense heat forced Cater and Trey back, and drew the attention of the others. The rose bush burned, it was a raging inferno for a moment, before he began to shift. Most of the bush had crumbled into embers as Y/N emerged, blood poured off of them as they did, boiling in the air and vanishing before they could stain the ground. As the others watched as they approached Yuu. Y/N took firm hold of the lingering branch lodge in their chest, which was smoldering from the flames. With ease, they crushed the branch, reducing it to drifting embers and ash in the air. The holes from where the branch had pierced were sealed shut with a sizzling sound.

Y/N placed a hand onto Yuu’s head, ruffling his hair. “Riddle and I are going to have a long talk.” They then turned their attention over to Crowley. “You said that the Phantom is what will kill Riddle, correct?” Crowley only nodded as he couldn’t speak due to the air that now surrounded Y/N. “Then I will kill that, I leave beating some sense into Riddle to the rest of you. However” They reached into their bag and pulled out a proper club and handed it to Yuu. “This may serve you better than that branch.”

In the same breath as taking the branch from Yuu, they thrust the branch downwards in their hand, flames consumed it, and those flames lengthened, surging out into the form of a long bladed spear, jagged and seemingly made of slag metal. “Come and face me, and be burnt away in the wake of tarnished flames.”

Riddle watched as Y/N approached, carrying themself far differently than any had seen them before. “You think you frighten me?! ME?! I REFUSE TO BE AFRAID AGAIN! OF YOU! OF ANYONE!”

“You needn’t fear me.” Y/N spoke, their voice almost an echoing tone. “You need fear what comes next.” The pommel of the spear struck the earth, spears of iron ripped through the ground, erupting across the garden and burning away the rose thorns that prevented escape. Crowley was quick to move.

“I’ll make sure the other students get to safety, aid Y/N as best you can until I return!” He told Trey before casting a gale to free another student from a rose bush that had trapped them.

Trey seemed to be lost in his panic, his breathing uneven and wild. He was only brought back to the present by Ranni. “Lest thee wish for thy friend to perish due to thy failings. Repent now and free him from his madness.”

Trey then looked at the others, seeing Ace and Deuce, the two first year troublemakers that in so short a time laid bare all his failings. Two stubborn knuckleheads who refused to be ordered around by a tyrant of his own neglectful making. He saw Yuu, standing defiant, despite having no stake in anything related to Heartslabyul. He even saw Cater, looking at him before readying himself for the brawl that was going to happen, his clones at the ready.

Trey couldn’t help Riddle when he was younger, he made things worse when he arrived at Night Raven, he wasn’t going to fail Riddle or himself now. Riddle thrust his staff forward, the blot beneath him surging forth and taking the form of the card soldiers of Heartslabyul legend, which wielded jagged spears and halberds. In a single sweep of their spear, flames boiled the blot and scattered the soldier mimicries across the field. With a thundering leap, Y/N flew directly over Riddle, manifesting deep crimson flames in their open palm, slamming directly against the Phantom.

The resulting blast knocked the Phantom a fair distance away from Riddle. As Y/N landed, the blot that stained the ground fled away from their footfalls. With a short spin of the spear, a wall of flames separated them and the Phantom from the others. “Come, abomination, and die!” Y/N leapt forward again, dodging between the spikes of blot that it sought to skewer them with.

Riddle tried to dampen the flames, only for a condensed wind tunnel to be blasted against the back of his head. “Hey! Eyes front and center! Consider this round 2! No cheating this time!” Ace taunted.

“You think you lost because I cheated?! You vile little upstart!” Riddle snarled, lifting his staff to swing at Ace, only for him to have to use it to block the cauldron Deuce had summoned, keeping it from cracking his skull open. As he blocked one attack, another struck him, in the form of Cater shattering a ball of ice against his back. A skewering blow from the blot beneath him, destroyed Cater, only for him to vanish in a burst of magic.

“Jeez, you’re really going all out Ridds. That woulda killed me!” Cater chided, trying to get Riddle back to normal by acting as he normally does.

“Then stop working against me!” Riddle shouted back, hurling another rose bush at the real Cater. “I trusted you both! And this is how you repay me?!”

“We’re still on your side!” Trey countered. “But look at what you’re doing! Can you honestly look at me and tell me that this! Is what you think is right?”

His words actually seemed to work, with Riddle looking conflicted for a moment, a pivotal moment. As with his reluctance to attack again for a moment, Ranni took the chance to hold him still. Frost coated the garden, before it trailed up the dripping blot from his legs, freezing him solidly in position.

Y/N continued to batter the Phantom, it swung wildly, with them catching the swing and rolling their body over it in one single movement. They swung back, a firm blow striking violently against the glass of its head, a fracture spiderwebbing across the entirety of it. It roared with pain and fury, before it began to slam its own staff against the ground, in an attempt to crush Y/N. All but the last blow were dodged, with Y/N parrying the last blow, throwing the Phantom off balance. Giving Y/N the chance to prepare themself, aiming the tip of the spear at the Phantom’s head. Reeling their arm back, they hurled the spear up at the Phantom’s head, narrowly missing a direct hit, but scorching it violently due to the resulting flames.

As it turned back to face them, it found them gone, followed by the pressure of something leaping off the back of its head. It turned violently, looking up to find Y/N, flames gathering round them as they hovered above it.

“Begone”

It roared in response, with the blot that soaked the ground coming to life and manifesting into countless blades and spears, which closed in on Y/N. The flames were absorbed into their spear, with one last burst of fire launching them towards the Phantom.

As Y/n made to put the Phantom down, Yuu ran across the frozen ground, clambering up closer to Riddle. Riddle saw this and swung his staff at Yuu, barely missing them as they leapt up and brought their club down onto his head. As Yuu’s club cracked against Riddle’s head, Y/n’s spear punctured clean through the Phantom’s head, its final screech fading away as their flames consumed the blot and the area was consumed in a blinding light.

Yuu wasn’t sure where they were. It wasn’t the Heartslabyul dorm in any way, as it was just a white, seemingly endless room. It was as he got to his feet, he heard Riddle’s voice, which seemed to come from all around them.

All because I had broken one of mother’s rules
The only part of the day I looked forward to
Was taken away.
I thought that because she was the most accomplished.
That mother’s word was absolute.
Why do I feel like this then?
Why does my heart hurt so much?
Why won’t she tell me?
What rule is there to follow?
What did I need to do to make this pain go away?

Yuu felt everything that Riddle felt, they watched through his eyes, his memories. The joy, the sorrow, the pain, the everpresent, lingering, gnawing pain that ate away at him. He was but a child, and the love that he should have felt for his mother was nonexistent. All Yuu felt when he saw Riddle’s mother through his own eyes, was fear. 

The surroundings changed in the next moment, where Yuu saw in the distance Riddle, or the child Riddle once was, weeping alone. The distance was closed before Yuu could even move, as another figure entered the scene. An old man, wearing clothing similar to what old royalty wore in the past. He seemed rather annoyed, fitting the description of a crotchety old man well. Until his eyes locked onto the weeping child.

“What makes ye weep so” He spoke, sounding as if he would prefer to be elsewhere.

The child Riddle hiccuped as he tried to answer. “M-m-mama’s mad at m-m-me again.” The old man searched around the two of them, only briefly seeing Yuu, but paying them no mind.

“Your mother isn’t here, child. So why does she make thee weep so?”

Riddle looked up at the old man, his eyes red from his tears. “Because I broke o-one of her rules again.”

The old man looked aside for a moment as he spoke. “She’s not here.”

Riddle looked at the man, confused for a moment before the old man continued. “She’s not here, not here to enforce the rules that make you weep so.”

“B-but she’ll know! Mama always finds out!”

“She’s not here, she hasn’t been since you left” The old man spoke. “You bind yourself to the rules of another. Of one not here. You drive yourself to such deep sorrows for the rules of another.”

“B-but mama knows best! She always has!”

“Then why are you so frightened of her?” He asked. “Her rules bring you such fear, such terror at the mere idea of her learning you broke them. Why harm yourself by latching onto them, even now.”

Riddle’s voice was no longer that of his child self, instead his normal voice, coming from the child as he looked down. “Because, what else do I have? What other rules are there if I shouldn’t follow hers?”

The old man scoffed, as if the answer was blindingly obvious. “Your own boy, your own rules.” The old man said down besides Riddle, begrudgingly as he groaned as he did so. “Rules that bring one such pain shouldn’t be followed, even more so if the enforcer of them isn’t there to do so.”

“You’ve turned yourself into your own taskmaster, in place of her. In fear of her.” He continued. “Yet, she’s not here, and as such, the pain her rules bring upon you, are only there because you allow them to be.”

“But how?! How do I just let go of them! I’ve adhered to them my entire life! How do I make new rules?”

“What does your heart of hearts desire? What does it scream for? Beyond the rules, the fear, and the pain, what is it that YOU wish for?” The old man told him before standing. “I’ve walked the path you have boy, living adhered to the expectations of others, of what is expected of you. You have something I lost a long time ago.”

Riddle looked up at the old man, no longer weeping, but several tears still falling. “What?”

“The chance to be better.”

Chapter Text

When Yuu opened his eyes, he saw the clear blue sky above him. A far cry from the previous white void, and prior to that, the darkened skies that had formed from Riddle’s overblot. While it was a welcome sight, what wasn’t welcome was the soreness that filled his entire body. There was still some ringing in his ears as well. It was only once the ringing had lessened that he realized someone was talking to them. It took another moment for him to actually understand what was being said.

“Yuu! Are you still alive?!” Grim shouted right into his ear. “Come on! You can’t be dead, I can’t live by myself! Not with Y/N and those ghosts in the same house!”

“Grim, he’s not dead, but you're gonna make him deaf.” Deuce told the little fiend, grabbing him by his collar, letting Yuu sit up.

“What happened?” Yuu looked around, and everything was back to normal, nothing was burnt or damaged. Hell everything looked exactly as it did before the Unbirthday Party that morning.

“I have no idea. When you smacked Riddle, Y/N killed that monster, and everything went white suddenly. Next I knew everything was back to normal, cept you had gotten knocked on your ass.” Ace told him, looking over to where Trey and Cater were. Yuu looked over as well and saw them checking up on Riddle, who was coughing heavily as his body finally expelled what blot had been left over inside of him.

“I think Ranni went off to go find Y/N” Ace told Yuu, before turning his attention back to Riddle. “Now, I think it’s about time we got our payback properly.”

“Ace! We just saved his life! You seriously still want to fight him?” Deuce asked as he tried to keep Ace from making this worse.

“Hell no! But if he thinks just cuz he almost died that he can get out of his punishment, he’s got another thing coming.” Ace answered, stomping his way over to the other three. Yuu hoped Ranni would come back with Y/N quickly so Ace wouldn’t do something stupid.

Riddle was the one who saw Ace come over first, with Cater and Trey trying to shield him slightly against Ace’s gaze. “H-hey now, I get you might still be a little angry with him, but he’s not exactly.-”

“Stop covering for him already!” Ace shouted, which had Cater shrink back a bit. “I’m not here to punch him again, despite really REALLY wanting another crack at him.” He rubbed the knuckles of the hand he punched Riddle with. “I’m here cuz he still has a lotta shit to make up for! Nearly getting himself killed ain’t getting him off easy!”

“I understand.” Riddle spoke softly, barely loud enough to be heard. “I’ve had this coming for a while, I know that very well now.”

“Riddle.” Trey tried to counter, his tone equally soft. “You’re not the only one at fault here.”

“Trey, don’t downplay this. I’ve done terrible things, I’ve hurt people, whatever you or Cater have done wrong, were because I ordered you to do so.” Riddle then looked at Ace. “I only ask that before you follow through with whatever punishment you see fit, that you let me get some things off my chest.”

Ace crossed his arms as he glared at Riddle. “Don’t think coming up with excuses are going to get you off the hook ya know?”

Riddle shook his head at this. “I know that, but I believe I owe you the truth regardless.”

Ace motioned for him to continue, and so he did. “I” He took a moment to properly compose himself as his emotions were still raw. “I truly wanted to eat the tart you had made.”

“Eh?”

Riddle carried on. “The tart you had made. It was one of the most delicious tarts I had ever laid eyes upon. I truly wanted to eat it, I still do even now. But” He coughed heavily for a moment, but once it stopped he continued. “There was so much swirling inside of my mind at the time. I made a mistake. I’ve made a lot of mistakes lately.”

Tears began to drip down Riddle’s face again as he continued. “I’ve hurt not only you, but every last member of Heartslabyul. All because I thought the pain I felt was normal, was to be expected and encouraged. I’ve disgraced myself and the role of Housewarden, if you want it, it is yours by right.”

Ace stared down at Riddle, who had laid his soul bare before him, before making a sound that almost sounded like a growl. “Like hell! I was never into being Housewarden, I just wanted to smack you down a peg! Now you’re making me feel like an asshole!” He pointed a finger at Riddle as he continued. “You wanna make up for everything?! Fine, you get to arrange the next Unbirthday Party completely by yourself, from the cooking to the set up!”

Riddle, as well as Cater and Trey looked surprised at Ace’s demands, only for Riddle to begin to chuckle to himself, which then turned into a full on belly laugh. Which had everyone look at him confused. Once he was able to compose himself, he simply responded. “Alright, I suppose that’s fair.”

“Also! Work on your apologies! You go and almost get yourself killed, and you go and do that. Makes it really hard to stay mad at you!” Ace told him as Trey helped Riddle to his feet.

“Please tell me Ace didn’t make a fool of himself again.” Came the weary toned voice of Y/N, with Ranni’s hand firmly held against their arm again.

“Oi! Why do you single me out so much!”

“You make it too easy too.” Y/N grinned as they looked over to Riddle, who froze for a moment under their gaze. Y/N and Ranni walked over to him, with both Riddle and Y/N staring at each other for a moment, before Y/N ruffled his hair roughly.

“Glad to see you aren’t dead boy.” They told him, their tone sparking a look of familiarity in Riddle’s eyes.

“That was-”

“Perhaps another time.” They cut him off. “We’ve enough on our hands and the day begins to wane. We’ll talk tomorrow about things. For now, I believe it may be for the best that you seek forgiveness from the other members of the Dorm. And don’t concern yourself over me.” Y/N knew what was going through Riddle’s mind as he eyed the few red stains across Y/N’s uniform. “I’ve suffered far worse wounds before. If you truly want to repent for it however, I’d welcome some assistance with my role as Disciplinary Head.”

“R-right! Of course!”

“We can’t expect you to change completely, rules must still be upheld, especially when you’ve these two as part of your dorm.” Y/N idly motioned towards Ace and Deuce, who promptly began to shout at them in defense of themselves.

“Upheld within reason.”

Y/N nodded at this. “Within reason.”

Y/N then turned over to where Crowley was scrambling from. “Nobody’s dead?! What the devil happened while I was gone!?”

Y/N only shrugged. “We handled it, Riddle’s still Housewarden, but it would appear that things are finally winding down. Nothing’s broken and nobody died, all is well that ends well, yes?”

Crowley struggled to stammer out an answer for a few moments, before he cleared his throat and spoke. “V-very well! I suppose seeing as nobody has suffered grievous injury and there are no lasting markers. We can simply file this under a duel gone awry. Saves me some mountains of paperwork at the least.”

“However.” Crowley looked over at Riddle. “I expect you to be on your best behavior for the rest of the year Mr. Rosehearts. I can only overlook so many murder attempts before I need to start reporting them to someone.”

He then turned to Y/N. “As for you, I suppose that you served your role as Head of Discipline quite well. You managed to get this situation handled with a record breaking minimum in property damage. However, there’s still the weekly Housewarden meeting tomorrow. I expect 100% attendance at the meeting tomorrow as I have an important announcement to make during it!”

“Very well, seeing as there aren’t any classes tomorrow, it shouldn’t be that strenuous considering the events of the day.” Y/n told him, despite the aches that lingered like vestiges of the memory of a dream, they were unbelievably glad that they were finally done with the tart situation.

“Indeed! Now, seeing as I am a very busy man. I leave whatever fallout from this little incident in your capable hands! Farewell!” Crowley gave an animated bow and left. As the others actually seemed in good spirits, with Ace and Deuce seemingly chewing out both Cater and Trey for causing even more trouble for them.

Someone’s watching. The even toned voice edged at the corners of Y/N’s mind, Messmer rarely spoke unless called upon. It was only when he was called upon during Riddle’s overblot that he elected to make himself known once again. His flames surpassed any and all that stood before them.

Y/N’s eyes drifted across the area, spying a pair of piercing yellow eyes lurking in the darkness of the surrounding halls of the garden maze. “So there is”

“What was that?” Yuu asked, walking over with Grim in his arms. “You say something?”

“Sorry, I was thinking aloud. Perhaps it may be for the best that we return. The evening draws near and Grim is presently unconscious.” Y/N poked Grim’s furry cheek, earning a snort from him.

“Yeah, Grim crashed right after eating something off the ground. Might’ve been some food that someone dropped in the panic.” Yuu told them, before remembering something. “Oh right, Ms. Ranni, I wanted to thank you for helping.”

“Prithee think nothing of it. I should be the one thanking thee for thy companionship with my dearest consort. I must admit, I allowed myself a moment of… weakness when they were struck so.” Ranni told him.

“Come now, I already told you, you needn’t be embarrassed to express what you feel, especially for me.” Y/N was quick to slouch down to better see Ranni’s face. “Neither of us need hide anything from anyone, least of all how we feel for one another.”

Ranni’s eyes widened as she quickly looked away, pulling harshly at the brim of her hat. “Prithee! Not here!”

“At least Ace is too busy to gag at this. But, hey I’m happy for you guys. It’s not everyday you marry someone like Y/N.” Yuu expressed his honest opinion, which had Ranni’s pale blush worsen as Y/N let out a laugh, the first honest laugh Yuu had heard from the mountain of a person.

“You don’t know how true the words you speak are.” Y/N told him.

Ranni refused to look at Y/N as they ushered her to the Diasomnia dorm portal, her face still hidden beneath her hat, but it didn’t hide the blush that adorned her dual faces. Yuu tried to stifle a yawn, just barely missing the moment Y/N had crouched down and placed a kiss upon Ranni’s lips, barely hidden behind her hat. Yuu bid her farewell as her blush had almost begun to glow brightly from its intensity.

Y/N could only chuckle as they made their way back to the Ramshackle building they called home, with Yuu deciding to speak his mind. “You really love her don’t you?”

“I’ve done things that would drive others mad at the mere concept of doing so. There’s nothing I would not do for her, my beloved moonlight.” Y/N told them, as they entered. Despite the building being in the same state it had been this morning, it felt different to Yuu. Perhaps, he thought, it was because they had finally gotten the trouble with Heartslabyul settled. Or, it may simply have been how tired he was after everything was said and done. Facing down someone’s mental break given form and murderous intent was surprisingly tiring.

As Yuu took himself and Grim to bed, he waved goodnight to Y/N who simply waved back as they began to gently play some music, which drifted softly through the air and ushered Yuu to sleep.

As Y/N played well into the night, and the lingering gaze of their nightly visitor fell upon them from the window, Y/N felt some genuine peace, and this peace wouldn’t be disturbed or disrupted.

I will give you some credit Godrick. Malenia spoke, barely heard as Y/N lost themself in their playing.

Spare me. He growled out.

Take the compliment, you’ve done something to be proud of. Godfrey chided him for venom in his words.

I told the boy only that which I wish I had been told myself. Godrick groaned out. The weakling of our Golden Lineage, the shame drove me mad. I showed them in the end. But look where that got me.

Perhaps, but you were the one who claimed a Great Rune. Miquella told him. None of your immediate family could claim the same. Do not measure yourself against any one of us.

Bah

I guarded thee not out of worry you could not defend thyself. Morgott told him. You were still family, regardless of our differences I refused to allow you to stand alone.

Enough! Godrick barked. I do not need your honeyed words. I lived as I saw fit! I only wish I had done so before so much of my life was already spent.

“I thank you regardless Godrick’ Y/N allowed themself to get involved for a moment. ‘You spoke the words he needed to hear, I could not have done so myself. Though I do not know how it happened. I thank you for it all the same.’

Godrick scoffed, before falling silent for a moment. As repayment then, get Ranni flustered more often, she needs to be dragged back down to mortal every now and then.

INDEED! I’ve not seen Ranni look like that since Mother and Father’s party for her 16th Birthday! Radahn cheered.

Ssssssshe alwayssss hhhhhhas beeeeen thhheeee mooooossst reeeeserved of uuuuusss. Rykard added in.

‘You needn’t tell me twice to show love to my dearest moonlight.’ Y/N told them as they all fell silent again, drifting away in the tune that filled the air.