Do I even have to mention that I'll be ruining fairy tales for you?
''So... you're a guy? Why? And where do you live? Is the prince still a prince or is he a girl? Do you live in his castle? What about your step-sisters? And do you know other people from other fairy tales? Why do you want to help Chazz? And what is-''
Looking back, Cinderella really regretted having admitted to be an ally to this Jaden boy rather than having kept up his mysterious front.
Because once Jaden had gotten comfortable addressing him as 'Cinderella', his hesitant front had fallen and he'd begun asking a thousand questions all at once after they had crossed over into his world – or 'fairy tale world' as Jaden had called it.
It wasn't like his questions weren't justified, but it was pretty hard to answer them if he just kept on asking other ones without even taking the time to breathe inbetween.
Finally, as if realizing his rambling, he stopped, presumably organizing his questions in order of importance, before looking at Cinderella expectantly.
''Where are we going?''
''We have to get something.'' He nodded towards a nearby house, quickening his pace even more. ''And we need to hurry, we're out of time.''
The brunette had difficulties keeping up with the older man's big steps, but did his best not to fall behind too much.
After all, if he got lost here all on his own, there was no telling what would happen.
Even though he actually quite enjoyed the landscape so far and would have gladly taken a rest in the grass they were walking on or under one of the trees they had come across.
But, as always, he had to get his priorities straight.
''Hurry!''
''Yeah, coming!''
He followed Cinderella into the house, having to shield his eyes almost instantly as he noticed an ethereal gleam coming from the corner of the room.
''It sensed the danger...''
With only a few steps Cinderella had made his way over to the source of the light and picked the object up, causing it to stop glowing.
As far as Jaden could tell it was another book, although this one seemed to be older than the one he had seen in Chazz's mansion.
''What is that?''
''This is the Grimoire'', Cinderella explained, opening the book and showing the boy what was inside. Which was just a whole lot of blank pages. ''Normally, all these pages are filled with illustrations, each portraying a different fairy tale.''
He laid a hand on one of the blank pages and Jaden did the same, realizing that the page felt somewhat... hollow. It was like there was something missing in there...
''The pages are a seal for us. As you can guess by looking at them, the seal has been broken, causing everyone to escape. And now they're after Chazz.''
''Why? And where is he?''
The older male looked for a second as if he was about to start explaining, but then simply shook his head, attempting to close the book while Jaden was skipping through the pages.
''Not now, we've already wasted enough time as is and-''
''Hang on'', the brunette suddenly interrupted, pointing at a page he had come across. The one in question still contained an illustration of a fairy tale, Rapunzel to be exact. ''Why is this still here?''
Cinderella was genuinely taken aback for a few seconds before he seemed to understand.
''Of course... She needed some peace and quiet after catching him to avoid the risk of other demons coming by, so she went back into the page...''
Wait, so Chazz was inside that page?
He put his hand on the paper, sensing some sort of presence inside it, much like he had felt Cinderella's presence before being attacked by him.
The only difference was that it was even more intense than last time, suggesting that Rapunzel was either really powerful or...
''Two.''
She wasn't alone.
''Jaden, you said you were close with Chazz, right? Try calling out to him, I think he is more likely to listen to you than to me.''
Collecting himself, Jaden nodded, focusing his thoughts solely on Chazz and trying to establish a connection to him.
If duel spirits could do it, why shouldn't he be able to do it as well?
''Chazz?'', he asked, hoping the other could hear him somehow. ''Are you there?''
Yes, okay, maybe he was scared.
His body was shaking uncontrollably and his breathing had increased so much, he was practically hyperventilating despite nothing having happened yet.
Just some sadistic playing around with the knife, letting its edge trail over his body without actually penetrating the skin, torturing him with the knowledge that it could hurt him severely at any time.
But this person just wasn't doing it, instead taking enjoyment out of his distressed breaths, savoring the moment for as long as possible.
''The harder your heart works, the tastier it will be when I rip it out of your chest'', they explained, answering Chazz's unspoken question what was taking them so long.
He didn't really want to die, at least not by the hands of this random person/creature, but he also didn't want to wait an eternity for them to finish what they started.
Now would be an appropriate time for Jaden to swoop in and save him even if he was still reluctant about the idea of being saved by him yet again.
But right now he didn't have the option to save himself, so the best he could do was wait for some miracle to happen.
''Chazz? Are you there?''
The sudden voice echoing in his head made him jump inwardly.
How in the world..?
''Jaden?!''
He didn't realize he had said it out loud until the knife suddenly stopped moving, hovering over his chest threateningly.
''Jaden? Who is Jaden?''
''Listen, it's important! No time for explanations, just trust me!''
Why was his voice seemingly coming out of nowhere? Was he imagining things?
Well, even if he was, it was worth a shot to try whatever stupid idea he had. It was not like the situation could get any worse anyway.
''I'm listening'', he thought, just as the person grabbed him by his shirt.
''Answer me! Who is Jaden?'', they asked furiously, making sure to have their knife placed against his skin, the edge making the first cut as it was pressed down.
''Nobody'', he hissed, trying to keep calm in order to understand the instructions that would hopefully follow.
''Chazz! Are you okay? Are you hurt?''
Dammit, he'd forgotten Jaden's ridiculously short attention span.
''Yes, now shut up and tell me what to do!''
That was certainly a sentence he'd never expected to hear from his mouth... Then again, it didn't come from his mouth after all...
''Yes to which question?''
''JADEN!''
''Okay, okay, stay calm and repeat what I say!''
''Do we have to cut this little game short? That's a shame, but I guess it can't be helped...''
The cut deepened and started to leak blood, but Chazz barely felt it due to his high adrenaline level which he was grateful for at this time.
'''Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!' Say it, Chazz!''
What?
The knife twisted and he screamed, mostly because of his panic, although there was some pain in there as well.
Clearly this wasn't the time to question anything, so he just obeyed, raising his voice as much as he could.
''Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!''
The effect was instantaneous.
A high-pitched scream sounded from somewhere behind him, followed by the sound of someone running away in a hurry.
His restraints were gone in a second, seemingly having disappeared into thin air and he used his now free hands to shove the person back, taking off into the opposite direction where a bright light had appeared in the dark void surrounding him.
He had to close his eyes as he approached it because of how intense the light was, but kept on sprinting towards it anyway.
There was a slight tug at his body as he crossed through it which he vaguely took notice of before he collided with someone, making them both tumble to the floor.
Not knowing if he should panic again or not, the choice was taken from him when he heard Jaden's familiar, slightly amused sounding voice.
''Woah, easy there...''
Chazz relaxed, opening his eyes and waiting for the world around him to stop spinning.
''What the hell... was that?'', he managed to get out, simultaneously confused and disturbed.
''Our new adventure!'', Jaden exclaimed, laughing. Somebody else he hadn't been aware of before sighed.
''It's not an adventure, it's a serious problem.''
Chazz just looked at this man, unable to make sense of anything.
''Jaden, who the hell is that?''
Done!
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Do you like it? Do you want some romance? Are you a fan of fairy tales?
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