(The Day Asta Died)

BE WARNED!
Non-descript Character Death Ahead!

FLASHBACK

Clover Kingdom
Formerly Known as the Noble Realm, Currently Known as Nova Realm
Capital City
Magic Knights Headquarters
The 6th Anniversary of Asta Becoming Wizard King

Asta sighed as he entered the Captains' Meeting Room and saw that Zora and Kirsch were fighting again; Yuno was late; Rill angered Langris; Noelle and Sol were sending angry looks as Sekke, while Leo laughed like an idiot and did nothing to stop them. They hadn't noticed him enter the room, and he thought about disappearing, but Secre was right behind him with her signature deadpan look that made him not retreat on the pain of more paperwork (which seemed to multiply at an unbelievable rate).

"And these are my Captains that are supposed to aid me in changing the Clover Kingdom for the better," said Asta, sarcasm seeping into his tone. Asta had never perfected the art of the indoor voice, so they heard him loud and clear. Every one of his Captains calmed down and sat in their seats. He wondered, not for the first time, how Lord Julius managed his group of Captains so well. "Where's Yuno?"

"He was here," said Noelle, the Captain of the Silver Eagles. "But he got a message from Mimosa. It seemed urgent."

Asta knew that if Yuno had a reason, he'd say it later. "Fine, let's start without Yuno for now." He went to the Wizard King's chair, which was still weird even after six years of being in the position. "So, is everyone ready for the big announcement?"

Today was a big day. Not only was the Capital hosting a birthday celebration for their new King but also celebrating Asta becoming Wizard King. The new King was the previous, useless King's oldest son. The new King was a lot better and less spoiled. It was a good thing that the new King had Nozel Silva and Fuegoleon Vermillion to advise him. In addition to the celebrations, the Magic Knights were going to announce the opening of the Magic Knights' Academy.

"This is gonna piss off a whole lotta people," said Zora, the Captain of the Black Bulls.

"We got the new King's approval, so that's half the battle," countered Kirsch, the Captain of the Coral Peacocks.

"It still remains that many people especially around these parts still hold to their prejudices, so a magic school available to all children regardless of where they were born and how much mana they have might not go over well," said Langris, the Captain of the Purple Orcas.

"It's the same back and forth that we've been discussing for the last two years," said Leo. "This is the best option. We need more well-trained Magic Knights."

"Exactly right," said Asta.

"And even if some don't wind up being Magic Knights, we have other areas where we need skilled wizards," said Noelle. "Like the Magic Item Research field."

"It's pretty much a given that we're gonna get some heat from this, but since we're announcing when it's supposed to be a party, I think it'll hurt less," said Sekke. "Kirsch, is Captain Dorothy ready with the academy building?"

"Yep, it's in the Glamour World, all built and ready to go," said Kirsch. Though Dorothy Unsworth and the other Captains who had been in charge of the current Captains (Asta's Captains), old habits die hard and they still were called by their old title despite being retired. "We just have to wait for Yuno to come back and we can get on with it."

"No need, I'm back," said Yuno, flying through the window. Yuno, as the Captain of the Golden Dawn, was still as perfectly handsome and cool as ever. "There were some rabble-rousers that needed to be cleaned up. Don't you have a speech to do, like five minutes ago, to introduce the King, Asta?"

Asta looked at Secre, who scowled when she realized that they were, in fact, late. It seemed that the conversation got away from them. Asta wasted no time to hurry, with Secre and his Captains rushing after him because they were all supposed to be there.

By the time they arrived at the entrance to the balcony where the new King, Constantine, waiting behind the curtain, Asta heard the crowd calling for the Magic Knight Captains. Thankfully, King Constantine was only 21-years-old and he looked up to Asta and the Magic Knights as a whole so King Constantine wasn't annoyed, though he was nervously standing there next to his relative, the scales guy from Magic Parliament who still hated Asta's guts. Asta smiled apologetically. "Sorry, we're late. We were discussing the big announcement."

"Yeah, that's fine," said King Constantine, grimacing. "The crowd really wants to see you guys and not me."

Asta grinned. "No worries, Con, it'll be fine."

He stepped outside and the cheers began. Using a magic device to increase the sound of his voice, Asta spoke, "Thank you everyone for coming to celebrate! Today is our King Constantine Kira Clover I's birthday and the anniversary of the day I became Wizard King! The citizens of the Clover Kingdom's support means the world to us and know that the Magic Knights and the Royalty of the Kingdom will do everything to provide and protect everyone, no matter where they were born or how much magic they have. Now, please, put your hands together to cheer for the birthday boy!"

Noelle and Yuno practically shoved the 21-year-old King out from his hiding spot. Asta smiled encouragingly.

As the King spoke, Asta motioned for his Captains to join him on the balcony. "And the Magic Knights have a big announcement before you enjoy the rest of the party!"

It was Asta's cue to get back to center stage and make the announcement of the Magic Knights' Academy, when he sensed the spike of devil Ki. Immediately pulling his Demon Dweller and his Demon Slayer Swords out of his black clover grimoire, as Langris opened a portal to get the King out of harm's way.

But the King wasn't the target.

Asta was and whatever hit his Demon Dweller Sword caused it to split. Asta yelled orders, "Langris, Sekke, protect the King! Zora, Sol, Kirsch, crowd control. Yuno, Noelle, Rill, Leo, with me, it's a devil."

"Asta! Are you ok," asked Noelle as Asta put away the remains of his one sword and took out his Demon Destroyer Sword. He still had two swords left.

"Fine. I swear, how many more devils we gotta defeat," stated Asta, more to himself than anyone else. The Magic Knight Captains went into action (except Langris who was long gone as ordered).

It took several hours and a clash against the Queen of Devils (according to the demon in Asta's grimoire, who voiced his complaints in Asta's ears the entire time), but the day was salvaged and only part of the wall to the castle was destroyed this time. They've suffered worse damage from the Elves and from the Spade Kingdom's Triad.

Asta stood on the battlefield and surveyed the damage. Yuno and Noelle stood by him. They were all dirty and bloody. "Guess the announcement was gonna have to wait for another day."

"Let's just do a newspaper announcement and see if anyone notices," said Noelle, joking.

"Heh," said Asta.

And then, Asta's arms became numb. He had problems before with his arms, many times, but they've never gone numb. He dropped both his swords, metal clashing against stones.

"Asta," shouted Yuno, as Asta lost control of his body and fell to the ground.

He blacked out for a minute, but when he awoke his head was laying in Noelle's lap with Yuno examining Asta with a strained look on his face. "Shhh," said Noelle, soothingly, though he knew her long enough that she was crying already. "We're getting a healer."

"Asta, whatever broke your sword earlier," said Yuno, voice breaking, "it lodged in your chest. It's a curse. Just stay calm."

Asta laughed with a wheeze, when he realized that he was dying, that his two best friends were watching him die and he hadn't realized it the entire time. "I'm calm."

"Don't joke," said Noelle, angrily, but not really angry.

"I'm not," said Asta, relieved that he could still smile at Noelle and Yuno. "Yuno, take over for me, will you? There's still a lot of work left. And Noelle, make sure you keep him on track…" He stopped hearing Noelle and Yuno, even though he knew they were speaking. Yuno was crying and Noelle was sobbing. He sensed Secre and Grey arriving, but they were too late to stop whatever the Queen of Devils did to him.

"Kid, our luck ran out this time."

There were many things he still needed to do. There were things he needed to say to his friends, to his family.

But he suspected they knew.

With the Anti-Magic devil in his ear apologizing and the strong arms of Noelle and Yuno around him, Asta smiled for one last time.

What a life.

Notes:

Let me know what you think!

Next chapter will be out oct 21st