Character(s)/Relationship(s) Asta, Charmy, Finral, Fuegoleón, Jack, Klaus, Langris, Letoile, Licht and Tetia's child who died in canon, Liebe, Loropechika, Mimosa, Nacht, Niaflem (Ralph's dad, doesn't seem to have a canonical first name), Noelle, Orsi, Ralph, Sylph, Vangenace, Yuno, Zenon; Asta & Yuno
Genre Alternate Universe/Canon Divergence/Fantasy/Gen
Rating PG-13
Word Count 11,221
Disclaimer As this is fanfiction, I do not hold copyright to the source material(s) nor do I claim that I do. This is for free entertainment purposes only.
Summary In a world where the devil manipulation 500 years ago played out differently, Yuno never receives the wind grimoire, causing his path to the Golden Dawn to take a significant detour.
Warning(s) Black Clover spoilers up through chapter 309, blizzard, frostbite, brief mention of murder and suicide , butcher shop, war, dead bodies, beheading, canon typical violence, food consumption
Notes I got super inspried immediately after reading chapter 308 to write this AU. Since chapter 309 only just happened, I'm not compeltely sure how Yuno's Star Magic will work in canon, but here's how it works in this fic:
1. It can have any properties a main-sequences star has (heat, light, gravitational pull, etc...)
2. It can affect sunlight since the sun is a star and also moonlight since moonlight is reflected starlight (which would explain why Sun Magic + Moon Magic = Star Magic).
3. It can also create stars, but that's like one of those finishing moves kind of spell levels
I tried to keep this fic simple without making it too simple since I'm trying to avoid chapter fics right now since they can be too time consuming. That's why I decided not to mess with the fourth Zogratis or Morris. I decided to call Ralph's dad Niaflem since he doesn't seem to have a first name in canon yet. I called Licht and Tetia's child who didn't survive in canon "the elf" in this fic because I didn't want to name him since he doesn't have a name in canon.
And Still There Was Hope
Long ago, near the outskirts of Clover Kingdom, two young boys made their way home after exploring the forest on a winter's day. Light began to fade from the sky as the snow steadily fell and the wind increased. Asta led the way out of the forest towards the church. He fell face first into the snow deliberately and waved his arms and legs wildly before hopping up to his feet. "That was too cold!"
"You're not supposed to put your face in it when you make a snow angel." Yuno let out a long breath that condensed around him. He did it again and watched the vapor travel up towards the sky like the smoke form Father Orsi's magic mixing with the snow spiraling from the sky. The sky continued to darken. The snow blew in all sorts of directions. Fog began to form along a nearby riverbank.
Asta sighed. His stomach rumbled. "Let's go." He paused and moved around in a circle. "Which way…? Which way…?" he murmured.
There was only snow and fog in view now. The wind gusts threatened to blow them to the ground. The church seemed to vanish in the storm. Yuno looked down at his feet, but there was no sign of a fairy circle or other enchantments under the snow to kidnap them. Panic gripped Yuno's stomach and his heart rate increased. Where were they? Did they exit the forest correctly? Was it an attack?
Asta grasped Yuno's hand tightly. "We'll get home! I know the way!"
Asta might have known the way under normal circumstances, but they could not find a way out of the swirling snow and darkness. They tried their best to walk in a straight line but it felt more like endless circles. Their stomachs rumbled. Father Orsi was probably worried. Yuno kept a tight hold on Asta's hand. Asta's hand was cold now. Yuno could not remember a time Asta ever felt cold.
"We're going to wrong way!" Yuno tried to shout above the wind.
Asta opened his mouth and then fell forward, Yuno falling with him. Yuno sat up. "Asta!"
Asta did not answer.
"Asta!" Yuno called out but the blizzard carried his voice away. He felt for Asta in the darkness and then rolled Asta onto his back and tried to haul Asta to his feet. Even though Yuno was taller, Asta had always been stronger and the task of dragging Asta was almost too difficult. "Asta! Wake up! I can't carry you!"
There was still no answer. It was still too dark to see. The wind continued to howl and snow continued to swirl. Both of them kept shivering. Natural mana seemed to build up around them and commune with Yuno's natural mana causing his body to glow a pale yellow. Yuno's grip tightened around Asta and he shut his eyes tightly. If only they could see. If only the wind would stop. A burst of mana shot upwards from Yuno's body causing the clouds to part just enough for the stars to shine and the moon to light their way. Tears froze to Yuno's cheeks. He fixed his gaze on the moonlight. He took a deep breath. He had to do this. He had to drag Asta home. He wrapped his arms under Asta's armpits as he had seen villagers drag people from a bad farming accident that harvest.
"Asta! Yuno!" Father Orsi called out behind them.
Yuno looked over his shoulder and sniffled loudly. "Help! Asta…he…."
Father Orsi had flame in one hand and a rope tied to his other wrist. He put out the flame just long enough to hug both of them tightly. "Thank goodness I found you in time." He picked Asta up and let Asta's head rest on his shoulder. Orsi's body temperature rose enough to create a light fog around them and help Asta thaw slowly. He lit a fire in his opposite hand. "Hold onto my robe, Yuno. We can't be sure when the storm will resume."
Yuno nodded and grasped the fabric tightly. They followed the rope back to the church. Yuno kept watching the moonlight. He kept thinking about the stars and the moonlight. It was so pretty. It was their only way safely home. He knew he could not stop thinking about them, though he was not sure why.
Yuno finally stopped thinking about the moon and stars once they were safe inside the church with the door closed. Immediately the pale yellow glow disappeared from Yuno and the blizzard resumed. Father Orsi pulled a rug closer to the fire and laid Asta down on it. "Sit with Asta. I'll bring dry clothes," he told Yuno. "Tell me if he stops breathing."
Yuno sat at Asta's side. Both of them continued to shiver. Asta continued to breathe. Father Orsi returned with dry clothes and a towel to dry their hair. The wind continued to howl outside. Once everyone was dry, Father Orsi sat on the floor with the boys and kept the fire regulated to a steady, even temperature so no one would warm too quickly.
Yuno watched the reflection of the flame dance across Asta's face. Asta's breathing seemed even like sleep, but he did not move around like he normally would when sleeping. Yuno bit his lip.
"Asta will survive thanks to you," Father Orsi said quietly.
Yuno looked over at him. "I didn't do anything."
Father Orsi smiled. "When I found you, mana glowed from your body and the clouds parted. I don't know what magic that indicates, but it was enough to reunite us and get Asta indoors in time."
Yuno frowned a little and looked down at his hands. What had he done? Could he do it again? He yawned and rubbed his eyes. He did not want to fall asleep yet. Not when he did not know if Asta would wake.
"It's exhausting the first time you create a spell," Father Orsi said gently, "and it's hard to sleep when someone is sick or hurt, but you must sleep so you won't worry Asta when he wake."
Yuno reluctantly nodded and fell asleep on the rug near the fire. When he woke, the winds still howled and the fire still crackled. Asta's arm lay across Yuno's face. It was warm. Yuno closed his eyes again and vowed to become stronger.
Mana existed in everyone and everything with rare exception. Yuno's personal mana communed with the sky. He could manipulate sunlight, moonlight, and starlight. He could part clouds, call small objects to himself, and fire beams of starlight. Hage praised him for his efforts and seemed excited to see what his magic could become once he had his grimoire.
Asta, however, showed no signs of mana. Unlike everyone Yuno had ever met, nothing radiated from Asta and never once did the natural mana around them condense and commune with Asta. Asta would shout and carry on, vowing to become magical and powerful, but the magical part was very doubtful.
"Maybe my power is having no mana!" Asta said as he walked with Yuno to the local grimoire tower. "Like I'll get this grimoire and it'll be all black and then pow! I just suck all the mana out of the room!"
Yuno was not sure if that was possible, but it was also hard to believe something would not happen to propel Asta further on their goal to become the Wizard King. Asta was always determined, always working, always striving. All of that energy had to go somewhere and Yuno had no doubt that they would both take the magic knight exam together in the spring and become magic knights.
They fell in step with other fifteen-year-olds from the region and entered the grimoire tower. The ceremony began minutes later. Grimoires flew from the shelves and settled into waiting hands. Asta's movements grew more exaggerated as he tried to coax a grimoire forth. Yuno waited silently. The tower was several stories tall and filled from floor the ceiling with grimoires. Each grimoire seemed to pulse with a unique mana signature and the more Yuno watched, the more he realized that the mana signature of the grimoire matched the mana signature of the person it chose. Yuno closed his eyes and concentrated. What did his mana feel like? Where was an identical mana signature in the room? Was there an identical mana signature in the room?
There was not. Yuno opened his eyes and his heart sank to his stomach. No matter how long he waited, no grimoire would flutter to his hands. No matter what grimoire he looked at on any of the shelves, they all fit incorrectly. There was not even a grimoire with no mana waiting for Asta either.
Yuno left the tower before those laughing at Asta's antics turned their attention and laughter towards Yuno too. He got only a few meters when he heard Asta run to catch up to him. Neither of them spoke. Their feet led them to a clearing near the church. Yuno could feel the pulse of the nearby strong magic region in the distance. He could feel mana from the sun communing with his own mana, ready and waiting on the need for a spell. Yuno swallowed.
Asta blinked. "Where's your grimoire?"
"There wasn't one to get," Yuno whispered. His heart seemed to sink even lower. Tears welled up in his chest, but they did not quite reach his eyes. His magic was stronger than some people who lived in Hage who had grimoires. There was no reason that his grimoire would not exist.
Asta frowned. "But you can use magic! They have to have one there for you! Maybe you have to say an incantation!"
Yuno shook his head. He did not want to dwell on it or explain his reasoning. "What about you?"
"Absolutely nothing just like everyone said." Asta sighed and his frown deepened. The setting sun turned his hair golden. He bit his lip and then took a deep breath and closed his eyes. When his eyes opened, he met Yuno's gaze. "That doesn't mean I can't be the Wizard King! I just have to be the best magic knight! Nobody said that magic knights have to use mana!"
Yuno smiled despite the heaviness in his stomach. "But, they're called 'magic knights.'"
Asta made a tight fist. "I'm still going to do it! Even if I have to beat the bad guys with my fists! Even if I have to use a sword!" He held his fist out to Yuno. "I'm still going to become the Wizard King!"
Yuno's smile grew. "After I've been the Wizard King." He pressed his fist to Asta's fist. Asta immediately protested as loud as possible. The sun seemed to glow brighter a moment before dulling and disappearing below the horizon. They would find a way to reach their dreams. There was still hope.
When it was time, Asta and Yuno traveled the capital to take the magic knight exam along with several dozen participants from across the kingdom. The exam was difficult without grimoires but not impossible. Yuno had the ability to blister skin, throw debris, and temporarily blind people. He was not as compact or aggressive as Asta with his physical attacks, but his attacks met their marks and gave him the upper hand in the fight. He defeated his opponents every time.
With the exam concluded, the captains observed the contestants from the balcony and began picking their new squadmembers. Yuno did not look away even as many captains passed over him. The captain of the Black Bulls chose Asta for his squad despite Asta's lack of mana, so there was still hope someone would choose Yuno.
"I only have room for one," Jack said, ending his sentence with a small, staccato laugh. "I chose the one with the headband."
Yuno's heart dropped as the captains all rose to their feet, even the witch who continued to sleep. The exam and selection process were over and everyone had all the new squadmembers that each captain wanted. Yuno's heartbeat increased. His shoulders tensed. There had to be a mistake. Never in all his memories was one where Asta managed to do something before he did. They were always right there together or Yuno was the one who was one-step ahead. "I can fight!" Yuno called out. "I'm strong!"
"What your magic can do is amazing," Vangeance said. "Find your grimoire and show us your true power."
"There are no limits to how many times someone can attempt this exam," Fuegoleón said. "Return when you can show us your true strength."
Yuno's fingers twitched. A bad taste permeated his mouth. He did not want to accept this failure, but he could not argue against their reasoning. His hands became fists.
Asta lingered at his side a moment, but neither of them spoke for a long time. "You'll become a magic knight next year." Asta looked off to the side at Yami and Finral. "I don't think Captain Yami's the type to wait around forever, so I got to go. I'll write everyone regularly."
Yuno nodded. "See you later," he murmured.
Asta waved and jogged over to Yami and Finral. They left through a portal. Yuno sighed and looked up at the sky. The capital's grimoire tower was all but a shadow against the rapidly dimming sky. It was a good place to start. Maybe his grimoire was somewhere other than near Hage. He just had to find it.
Yuno traveled by broom across Clover Kingdom. He traveled from grimoire tower to grimoire tower, staying in places long enough to help with planting, tending, and harvesting the fields to make money. He covered the southern shores and middle pastures, working his way steadily towards the forsaken realm. No matter where he went, no matter how long he lingered, there was still no signs of his grimoire, but he would not give up on his quest. Resigning himself to never finding his grimoire felt as ill-fitting as every grimoire he encountered in the each tower. His grimoire was out there somewhere. There was still time. There were still more towers to search.
He paused atop a small mountain and stared down through the trees at the valley below. He could see his next few destinations. The wind ruffled his hair and he closed his eyes, turning his face to the sun. The mountain abruptly shook. Yuno opened his eyes. The shaking stopped as abruptly as it started and then shook again. Heavy footsteps seemed to draw closer to a nearby cave entrance. Soon voices echoed up from its depths.
"If we can lure it out into the sunlight, it'll turn to stone!" Klaus shouted.
"Too bad we can't just punch a hole in the ceiling and stop it faster!" Asta shouted.
"Punching isn't always the answer!" Noelle shouted.
"If we don't hurry, punching it might just be the only answer," Mimosa said as they exited out of the cave and skidded down the mountain a bit to a stop near where Yuno stood.
A cave troll followed. It stumbled to a halt and froze in place in the sunshine.
Klaus sighed in relief. "Finally. Good work, everyone."
"At least we achieved the Wizard King's objective," Mimosa said. "Is the relic secure?"
Noelle tucked an object wrapped in her handkerchief into her grimoire pouch. "It's secure."
The troll suddenly lunched forward, one of its long arms swooping towards the magic knights, intent on sending them flying from the mountain face.
Yuno reached towards the sky, the sunlight began to intensify, and the mountaintop began to bake as if it was the middle of summer. The troll's arm stopped mid-swipe. Its body slowly seemed to harden under the sunlight, turning the color of bleached rock.
The temperature continued to climb. The mages began to sweat. Noelle's skin began to burn and blister. The troll continued to harden and bleach until it could no longer move. Slowly the sunlight's intensity diminished and the temperature cooled. Yuno lowered his arm.
"Incredible!" Klaus breathed at the same time Noelle said, "Wow," and Mimosa covered her mouth in surprise with a whispered, "Amazing!"
Asta blinked and turned to Yuno. "When did you get here?!"
"I ate lunch here," Yuno said.
Asta introduced everyone. Noelle was from his squad while Klaus and Mimosa were from Vangeance's squad. All of them were on a mission to return a relic from a dungeon in the cave to the Wizard King by that evening. Asta grinned and gestured to Yuno. "This is Yuno. We lived together."
Klaus raised an eyebrow. Mimosa smiled a rather practiced smile and wrapped her vines around Noelle to help with healing her sunburn. Noelle's gaze shifted between the two of them.
"You don't have to word it that way," Yuno said. "We grew up at the same church."
Klaus adjusted his glasses. "That must have been very lively."
The troll growled in warning. Even as rock, it did not die or hibernate. Clouds drifted closer, threatening to obscure the sun.
"We should leave the mountain before he can move again." Yuno unstrapped the broom from his back and stood up on the handle.
"Thank you for your help," Klaus said. "You're really talented. You should take the magic knight exam next year."
"I plan to." Yuno did not want to consider the possibility that he might not have his grimoire by then.
Klaus and Mimosa retrieved their brooms. Asta and Noelle joined them and soon all of them flew from the mountain just before the clouds covered the sun. The cave troll turned to its normal dark gray color, roaring in frustrated anger before returning to its cave dwelling.
There was no grimoire waiting for Yuno along the rocky shores in the east or the sandy shores of the west. There were no grimoire waiting for Yuno in the common realm or the forsaken realm. There was only one last tower to check in the north. Strong magic pulsed around Yuno threatening to compress his lungs and fill his stomach. He grit his teeth and marched forward steadily finally yanking the door to the grimoire tower open. It slammed behind him. He gazed upwards towards the windows several meters above him at the top of the grimoire tower. There were so many grimoires here like every other tower, but again none seemed right. His knees buckled and his hands hit the floor palms down. Sweat dripped down his face and his heart raced. The oppressive strong natural mana continued to pulse outside the building. There was no sound of books moving or pages flapping. There was no identical mana signatures here. Tears stung his eyes. The Heart Kingdom only accepted the best mages for educational purposes. Diamond and Spade had no desire to open their borders to anyone from Clover. This was his last option for who knew how long and again, there was nothing for him.
The door opened and closed quietly. Near-silent footsteps approached. A faint, green glow spread through the tower before extinguishing when a spell dissipated. Yuno took a deep, ragged breath. He slowly raised his head.
An elf stared down at Yuno. He was tall and looked more human than depictions of elves from the children's books donated to the church, but his ears had mistakable points at the tips. A small fairy-like creature hovered at his shoulder. They smelled almost like the first hint of spring even though it was almost winter. "Humans never come here," the elf said gently.
Yuno got to his feet and ran the back of his hand across his eyes, hoping the tears were no longer evident. "I'm looking for my grimoire."
"You won't find it here," the elf said. "Grimoires are ancient magic. They usually rest near where their partner is born. No one has been born here since the tragedy of the First Wizard King."
Yuno blinked. "The…what?" He heard of the triumph of the First Wizard King, but never the tragedy.
"You come from Hage, right? One of Orsi's wards?" The elf did not wait for an answer but gently guided Yuno towards the door. "I'll tell you the story while we travel."
A beautiful green grimoire fluttered open, a four-leaf clover adorning the front cover. Wind swirled around them to create a protective dome against the strong natural mana in the region. The dome moved with them as they walked. Yuno almost wanted to touch the magic but he kept his arms at his sides.
"Long ago, elves and humans lived a tense but friendly existence by each other's sides," the elf said. He had so much mana that it seemed as if he did not have to concentrate on maintaining the dome as he spoke. "It was only a matter of time before elves and humans would become family. One day, five hundred years ago, an elf took a human princess as his bride out of mutual love and respect." The elf stopped walking and the wind dome splintered into several tornadoes that spread in all directions, knocking away a natural strong mana threat. The tornadoes dissipated and the dome returned. The elf resumed walking. "The couple had twins and lived near the boundary in Hage. Then, one day a devil arrived."
Yuno continued to walk with the elf, watching the strong mana manipulate the branches of the trees in the distance. He kept listening.
"The devil encouraged the elves nad humans to slaughter reach other, killing many who lived in Hage. It attacked the elf and his princess, killing them just as her brother arrived. The situation was dire, impossible, and bleak. Covered in the blood of his family, the First Wizard King succumbed to the devil and became one himself." The elf paused, his lips becoming a thin line. "The First Wizard King rampaged into this very strong magic region where the mana ripped his devil form apart piece by piece saving Hage and the kingdom from ruin." The elf gestured towards the north. "You can see the skeleton of the First Wizard King just above that ridge."
Long horns raised into the sky and hollow skeletal eye sockets stared at them as they passed. Yuno frowned. Father Orsi and Sister Lily said that the First Wizard King became the First Wizard King because he defeated a devil that tried to destroy Hage centuries ago. He never imagined the devil the First Wizard King defeated was himself. Yuno pulled his eyes away from the skeleton and looked at the elf. "What happened to the twins?"
They walked out of sight of the skeleton and soon Hage appeared in the distance. Now out of the strong magic region, the elf dispelled the wind dome. "The twins survived." His gaze turned towards Hage and the church before returning to Yuno. "Your willingness to brave the strong magic region, to search every tower in Clover Kingdom shows that your grimoire exists. It is just somewhere you can't anticipate."
Yuno sighed silently. "Is there a hidden tower?"
"It wouldn't be hidden if I knew about it," the elf said. He looked to the fairy-like companion near his shoulder. "What do you think, Sylph?"
Sylph eyed Yuno. "Grimoires call to people, but you can't waste your life looking for something that doesn't want you to find it."
Yuno frowned. "I will find it."
The elf smiled. "Good luck. I hope you find it someday." He headed back towards the strong magic region.
Yuno put his hands in his pockets. He watched the elf leave and then stared at the church a long moment. This was not defeat. He would keep looking. He just had to help Hage in other ways for now until he could travel outside of Clover Kingdom.
There was an abandoned cottage on the outskirts of Hage near the river. Whispers said that a witch once lived there until a devil ate her soul and cursed the home and land. Devils seemed like a metaphor rather than actual beings, so Yuno did not hesitate to claim the residence as his own if no one else would. He ploughed the meadow, planted seeds, and tended crops. He cleaned the cottage, replaced the missing shingles, and repaired the door and shutters. Spring arrived along with planting season. The crops grew and summer gave way to harvest. He sold some of his harvest in cities south of Hage and shared what he did not sell or use with Hage, providing additional food to everyone.
The air grew cooler. Today it was time to plant the winter wheat. The air carried a promise of rain. Yuno worked diligently only pausing when he heard excited footsteps approach accompanied by a familiar, echoing, "Yuno!"
Asta rushed over, careful of the rows of wheat. He wore an all-black outfit with his chest and stomach on display despite the chilly weather. A large broadsword rested against his back. "I brought you something!" He reached into his pocket and pulled out a drawstring bag.
Yuno peeked inside. The bag was full of all types of seeds, some large and some almost too tiny to see. "Seeds?"
"Yeah. We've been training somewhere really neat in secret. I asked Charmy to give me seeds to all the tasty food she found," Asta said. "It was my turn to go back with Finral this time, so I'm here until Captain Yami's meeting ends. I already spent the morning at the school."
Yuno pocketed the seeds. "We can have lunch together. I got some cheese in exchange for my crops." He led the way through the field, careful of the rows of seeds. When they reached the cottage, both of them slowed.
A cloaked figure stopped leaning against one of the walls of the cottage and stood. Ralph lowered the hood of his cloak and tears stung his eyes. "Prince Yuno! I'd know you anywhere. You look just like your mother."
"My name's Yuno but I'm no prince," Yuno said at the same time Asta shouted, "P – Prince?!"
"I can prove it," Ralph said. "Seventeen years ago, the Dark Triad attacked our royal family and turned Spade into a military dictatorship. They killed your parents, the king and queen, but my father rescued you and brought you to the church here on October fourth. He took you in a willow basket. You wore a white gown and had a blanket made from mink."
Father Orsi gave him such a blanket when Yuno took up residence at the cottage and said it was with Yuno when he came to the church. However, that was not enough to convince Yuno. "Anyone who got Father Orsi talking could make up that kind of story."
"I also have a spell that can show you some of your memories and some of my father's memories," Ralph said. "My father would have journeyed here himself to show them to you, but the Dark Triad monitors his movements too closely."
Yuno's jaw tightened. His stomach unsettled. His arms tensed. He pinched his tongue between his teeth and then sighed. "I –"
"Asta! Asta!" Finral called out as he ran towards them up a footpath that led to Hage. "Asta! There you are! Thank God!" He skittered to a halt when he reached the cottage. "The Dark Triad's attacking the hideout! Captain Yami told me to get you!" He opened a portal immediately.
Asta charged forward, pulling his broadsword from its sheath. A flash of red seemed to pass through the portal soon after. Grey screamed in the distance. "See you later!" Asta called out from the other side of the portal, ready to slice the first threat he encountered.
"Sorry. Excuse us" Finral stepped through the portal just before it disappeared.
Yuno stared at the spot where the portal once was. His fingers flexed and his jaw tensed. The Dark Triad. The same people Ralph just mentioned. A trap? A coincidence? Grey's scream echoed in his mind. Mana gathered and spun around Yuno as small stones flew around him in elliptical patterns. He met Ralph's gaze and the stones fell back to the ground. "I want to help. I can't promise I'm any prince, but I can't ignore this."
"That's alright," Ralph said. "Joining our forces will be a confidence boost. Everyone will be happy that you survived and our efforts seventeen years ago weren't in vain."
"I don't have a grimoire," Yuno said.
Ralph ran his tongue along his teeth. "So that explains that prophecy," he murmured and then nodded. "Let's go. I can tell you everything on the journey. If we stay here too long, the Dark Triad's forces will find us."
Yuno quickly packed provisions and dressed for winter. He secured the cottage and followed Ralph. They disappeared into the dense forest away from prying eyes. The journey was long and entirely on foot but not impossible to make without sleep. The forest eventually gave way to the badlands along the Diamond border. The temperature steadily dropped as they continued north. Snow flurries spit from the sky as they neared Spade. The sun disappeared below the horizon.
"I was almost fifteen when the coup happened," Ralph said. "There were whispers of revolution for years. Our citizens were restless. There was never a day without snow on the ground for ten years straight even if most of it melted between snows. King Loyce wanted to find a way to quell the unrest, but once one group settled, other groups began causing problems. It wasn't surprising that the coup happened, but it was surprising that its supporters were devil worshipers instead of average citizens." Ralph sighed and scanned the scenery. "But, we're finally going to break free from the Dark Triad's control. Everything's falling into place. That's why it's so important that I bring you home now."
Yuno looked behind them, but there was no sign of threat. His attention returned to Ralph. "What happens when we win?"
"You ascend the throne and guide us towards peace and stability," Ralph said.
Yuno pulled his threadbare cloak closer. He attended the star festival last year and saw the king of Clover Kingdom in person for the first time. He was not impressed. If he lived in Spade as a citizen of the countryside, he would want something other than birthright royalty leading the country. He could not imagine many citizens wanting another man in a crown telling them what to do after suffering at the hands of a different man in a crown "I don't want to be a king. I want to be the Wizard King."
"What's that?" Ralph asked.
"A Wizard King is the most skilled magic knight in the kingdom. They protect the kingdom and run the magic knights," Yuno said. "Anyone can become one if they are skilled enough and chosen by the others. I want to become the Wizard King so that I can help the forsaken realm, so people nobility forgets can thrive."
Ralph grew quiet. They passed through a stretch of badlands and entered taiga. Fir trees brushed against them as they continued walking. The moon rose. Ralph stopped near a group of salt licks. "We have a difficult battle ahead of us. We need to get you a grimoire." He breathed deeply and then whispered to the fir trees, "I know you're listening, Nacht. We need your help."
Slowly, darkness grew in the moonlight until Nacht emerged from the shadows. He smiled as if he wore a mask but there was no sign of paper, feathers, or plaster. "It's been a while. Things are happening. I might have to leave quickly."
"I understand," Ralph said. "My friend needs a grimoire."
Nacht's eyes opened and his gaze fixed on Yuno. Yuno straightened subconsciously and his breath caught. Nacht's mana made the hair on Yuno's arms stand on end and his shoulders tense. Yuno could almost feel several mana signatures lurking just behind Nacht in the shadows. Was it a trap? Mana condensed around Yuno slowly just in case.
"You're surrounded by shadow. If I was a foe, you would be mine," Nacht said. He adjusted his cloak so Yuno could see he wore the same emblem that Asta wore on his capelet. "Yami appointed me vice-captain of the Black Bulls years ago. I've been working with the Spade resistance for a long time on behalf of Clover Kingdom." He surveyed Yuno. "Tell me, what your goal is by joining the fight on the side of Spade."
"I want to help," Yuno said. "I feel like I'm spinning my wheels. I can't ignore what I heard and felt before Asta's squadmate closed his portal. I can't ignore what Ralph told me about Spade either. If I can't fight alongside Clover, then I'll fight alongside Spade and help where I can."
Nacht's eyes opened more. "And what about your lineage?"
"I don't know what I believe," Yuno said. "Maybe I'm a prince. Maybe I just look like their queen. This shouldn't be about me. This should be about protecting Clover and liberating Spade."
"This battle will be difficult," Nacht said. "We'll fight a hoard of devils. Their numbers will increase rapidly as the ritual elapses. The Dark Triad might be the least of our worries."
"I still want to help," Yuno said.
Nacht's eyes closed and his smile returned. "We should hurry then before Asta wakes and chooses to do something brash."
Yuno blinked and tensed even more. "Is he hurt?"
"He's in Owen's care," Nacht said. "Asta fought as best he could against part of the Dark Triad, but like all of us, he must grow stronger."
"I don't want to keep you from Asta," Yuno said.
"Very well." Shadows encircled Nacht and Yuno from below. Nacht's attention turned to Ralph. "We'll return soon." Then the shadows swallowed Nacht and Yuno whole.
Everything was dark. Everything was cold. It smelled of blood, metal, wood, and water. Yuno was almost aware of others traveling alongside them before the shadows parted and he stood in a butcher's freezer. Their breaths condensed in the air. The only light was the moonlight through the window. Everything smelled of only blood, meat, and ice now.
A wall nearby began to rattle and something rammed against the paneling. Nacht remained motionless, his smile never slipping. Yuno crouched, preparing to fight. The wall splintered and a grimoire flew swiftly across the room, avoiding the hanging carcasses deliberately before settling into Yuno's open hands. A single spade rested in the center of the front cover surrounded by an intricate design filled with interconnected knots decorated with stars. The spine's design seemed like an optical illusion between a flower in a vase or a fountain spouting water with a star at the top. The intricate knot pattern reprised on the back cover without the spade in the center. The grimoire settled easily into Yuno's pouch amongst his belongings.
"I heard the royal family moved the grimoires out of the original tower when the queen heard a prophecy before you were born," Nacht said. . "The resistance moved them a second time recently. Your grimoire has been in Spade all this time waiting for this moment."
Yuno swallowed the feeling in his throat though no tears came to his eyes. The grimoire felt like it was as much a part of him as his body was a part of him. It radiated the same mana that he believed he had. His stomach felt settled and his shoulders relaxed. Then he blinked and tensed. Neither of them could linger here. "I'm ready to return."
Shadow engulfed them and after brief darkness, Yuno felt the grass near the salt lick under his feet. Ralph stood up from a stump he sat on while they were away. "Thanks, Nacht."
"I've told your father already, but you need to hear this," Nacht said. "The Dark Triad kidnapped two arcane Clover mages today. We only have days until the Tree of Qliphoth ritual begins. Prepare accordingly. I will prepare Clover's forces."
"Who are the mages?" Yuno asked.
"Yami Sukehiro and William Vangeance," Nacht said. "We can still save them as long as we train diligently and prepare to fight with our lives."
A creature emerged from the shadows almost like a dark, round puppet on Nacht's shoulder. "Asta is awake!" Gimodelo said.
"I must go," Nacht said. "I will see you in battle." He disappeared into the shadows.
Yuno sighed and watched the spot where Nacht stood a long moment. With his grimoire at his side, exhaustion seemed to whisper to him. Ralph led the way towards one of the resistance's bases. Hopefully they would not have to journey much farther.
The resistance spread out across Spade's countryside frequently near mining shafts where they could practice their spells without attracting attention from the Dark Triad's forces. Yuno and Ralph stopped at the mouth of a cave embedded in a knoll. Ralph spoke a language that Yuno did not understand and the mouth of the cave glittered before returning to normal. "Enter quickly." Ralph led the way.
The cave was dark and grew warmer as they moved deeper. They dropped down a shaft to a lower level. Mana-powered light shone from special rocks placed in holders at periodic intervals. Resistance fighters gathered for sleep shifts and meals. Choruses of "Ralph!" and other greetings filled the space before dying down all together. All eyes turned to Yuno. Murmurs passed through the resistance. It was shocked and positive before slowly turning suspicious and wary. Yes, Yuno looked just like the queen, but they could not be certain it was not a trap or trick.
Niaflem approached. He put a hand on Ralph's shoulder. "You did well," he told his son. His attention turned to Yuno. He smiled. "Prince Yuno, You look just like your mother, but stand like your father did at your age. I believe that Ralph was not tricked and this is not a trap, but would you please show us your magic to prove who you are?"
Yuno's gaze swept the crowd. His grimoire flew from its pouch and the pages fluttered open to the very first spell in the grimoire. Little stars spread across the room, increasing the amount of light. The stars twinkled as they might in the sky. The resistance fighters stared at the stars a moment and then fell to their knees along with Ralph and Niaflem, placing their hands over their hearts.
More people appeared from deeper in the cave and they too knelt once they saw the spell. Yuno shifted his weight and then dispelled the stars and his grimoire returned to its pouch. "I haven't done anything to deserve kneeling. I'm just here to help how I can."
Niaflem raised his head but kept his heart on his chest. "Your existence is enough to warrant kneeling. Now that we have your strength and the assistance of Clover and Heart, our existence and victory are assured."
Everyone returned to their feet. A few rushed off to find the best provisions. Whispers spread through the crowd and throughout the cave. Yuno looked just like the queen. He sounded just like the king as a teenager. He had Star Magic. Everyone seemed convinced that Yuno was the missing prince. Yuno decided to pretend he could not hear the whispers.
"Tonight you should eat and rest," Niaflem said. "Tomorrow we can begin training. I'm sure that you have magic that rivals our own, but growth spurts and exhaustion know no titles."
Yuno nodded. Something about the man's presence put him instinctively at ease even though Yuno could not be sure all here might welcome him.
Niaflem's hand hovered at Yuno's shoulder and then retracted. "I'll show you around and find you a bunk."
Yuno followed. The more people he met as they traveled through the base, the more people stared and the more they whispered. He hoped those who did not like him would save their attacks for after the war. If they could not, he would find his own way to the battle when the time came and do what he came to Spade to do.
Without access to the daylight, the cave operated according to clocks. Most woke when it should be morning, ate lunch when it should be mid-day, and slept when it should be night unless they were on guard duty. Yuno spent every day training in the training cavern. It was about as big as the church in Hage, and mages constantly cycled in and out of it so they could train between other duties. Most left Yuno alone. Whether out of reverence, disgust, or understanding, Yuno was not sure. He appreciated the distance. He needed to concentrate and catch up to all the mages involved in the coming battle.
With a grimoire, Star Magic became easier to focus and easier to control. Each day he created new spells, trying to build better offense and defense with each addition to his grimoire. His grimoire glowed the same light yellow color as his mana and kept his portion of the cavern lit for most of the day.
The night before the raid on the castle, Yuno stepped to the side of the training cavern and sat on the rock floor. Sweat ran down his face and his chest moved noticeably with each breath. It did not feel like enough training, but he did not want to push himself so much today that he lagged behind tomorrow. Other mages continued to spar and practice. Mana shot about the cavern. Yuno closed his eyes only to open them not long after when footsteps approached.
"Just like your grandfather." Niaflem offered Yuno a mug of water. "He always attacked any problem he faced with relentless tenacity."
Yuno took the drink and appreciated the chill against his hands. "It's weird hearing about people I've never seen."
Niaflem sat beside Yuno and sipped from his own mug of water. "There are paintings and drawings." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a stiff paper box the same size as a large matchbox. "The Dark Triad probably destroyed much of the official art, but my wife drew these long ago and I've kept them with me since."
Yuno wiped the sweat from his hands on his cloak and took the small pieces of paper carefully by the edges. Each paper was a small but detailed painting. There was a regal king with white hair and striking amber eyes. There was a young prince with a stylish moustache. Then there was a young princess with Yuno's nose and lips. Yuno stared at her a long moment. He carefully handed the paintings back to Niaflem.
Niaflem stacked them with other small paintings of his own family members and closed the box. "Your father ascended the throne a few years before you were born. It was a difficult time for everyone. There was snow in summer, unrest in the countryside and cities, but things seemed to be improving just before the Dark Triad came to power."
Yuno sipped his water.
"I know you likely did not receive the necessary diplomatic training and education in Hage that you would have had you grown up in Spade, but it was the first place I found once I crossed the border," Niaflem said. "I hope I did not place you into sorrow, abuse, or difficulty."
Yuno lowered his water. "I grew up at the church with other children. Father Orsi and Sister Lily took good care of us. I want to help Clover become a country where people don't have to struggle as much as we did, where people like us aren't ignored. It's why I want to be Wizard King. I want everyone's lives in the forsaken realm and across the kingdom to improve."
"You could do that here, for Spade," Niaflem said. "When the war ends, we will need leadership and direction."
"Shouldn't someone who lives in Spade provide that?" Yuno asked. "I don't know anything about your country."
Niaflem snorted slightly. "You can always learn. It'd be nice if we could avoid a war of succession."
Yuno was about to point out that a war of succession would probably happen anyway when one of the resistance fighters called out to Niaflem from the mouth of the training room.
"Don't overdo it," Niaflem said as he stood. "We need you to not just help our cause tomorrow but to survive the war." He left the training cavern.
Yuno sighed and finished his water slowly. He tried to keep his shoulders relaxed and his breathing calm. He wanted to survive the coming battles for his own sake as much as the sake of others so he could return to Clover with everyone else.
Before dawn, the resistance left their caves across Spade and traveled to the castle in the capital, growing in numbers as their groups united in a march across the taiga. The snow was ankle-deep in most places and knee deep in others. Everyone conserved their mana and used snowshoes to navigate the drifts. The closer they drew to the castle, the more a suffocating, malevolent mana intensified. Yuno scanned the sky and land for thereat, but so far, there was none. He watched the castle grow larger in view and exhaled slowly. Clover's force arrived at the castle at the same time Spade's resistance arrived and the battles soon began. Devils stretched high into the sky. The Dark Triad's forces swarmed. There was no choice but to fight, to move forward. Eventually Yuno found himself inside the castle.
The demonic, malevolent mana only continued to intensify. It seemed to emit from all directions on all levels especially at his feet. Yuno ran through the corridors, careful of dark, twisting branches and roots extending from the lower levels. The dark wood seemed to radiate with both Yami and Vangeance's mana. If he followed the roots and branches, he would hopefully reach them in time.
Yuno rounded a corner and skidded to a halt. He slipped behind a towering column and peered around it. A creature who looked like an amalgamation of devil, insect, and human loomed over Klaus, Mimosa, and Langris. Langris bled profusely. Mimosa's magic wrapped around him tightly. Klaus wore a mana zone shield of metal armor, but his knees seemed ready to betray him. All of them were trapped in a cube of mana that seemed to have cracks and shards missing. Mages Yuno did not know laid dead on the ground inside and outside of the cube.
Zenon spoke in an otherworldly voice, his words reverberating against wall and bone, "Your quest stops here." Mana condensed and gathered around him at an alarming rate, preparing for an attack.
In the same moment, Yuno rushed forward, entering through one of the gaps in the mana-made cube. He gathered debris as he ran so bits of marble, gold, stone, and décor swirled around him in ellipses. Yuno's grimoire glowed brightly and drew Klaus, Mimosa, and Langris towards him as the debris wrapped around them to create a thick orbiting shield. Soon bits of tapestry and paneling ripped free from the walls to strengthen it. By manipulating his density, Yuno kept the dead and living from joining the shield.
Zenon's attack slammed into the shield, but the debris kept orbiting, more objects joining the shield with each orbit. Yuno grit his teeth. "I don't know how many attacks this can sustain."
"He's weakened," Klaus said, "but still formidable. Without Langris' spatial magic, we would have died long before you arrived."
"Are there any signs of reinforcements?" Yuno asked.
"The last time I checked, Asta and Noelle were a few rooms away along with Captain Nozel and some of the Heart Kingdom forces," Mimosa said. "I think they're fighting another member of the Dark Triad."
"So it's just us and this guy," Langris murmured as his wound stopped bleeding.
"I'm Yuno of Hage," Yuno said.
That did not seem to fill Langris with confidence, but Klaus and Mimosa welcomed Yuno's assistance. Attacks continued to slam into the shield of debris. The shield would not last much longer, but gave them just enough time to formulate a plan.
Yuno breathed deeply and sent the debris flying towards Zenon. In that same moment, Klaus sent a spiraling, spinning lance-shaped chunk of steel straight for Zenon's gut. Langris used portals to help the Clover forces dodge counter attacks while Mimosa used her vines to tether Zenon in place.
Langris opened a portal at Zenon's back and Yuno sent hyper-focused starlight attacks through it. Zenon broke free from Mimosa's vines at the last second. The wound Klaus gave him healed very slowly. He could still breathe and move. Spatial and Bone Magic flung at Zenon's adversaries.
A yell drew closer and Asta slashed through the top of the mana box and landed with almost no sound, plunging a large black broad sword into the bottom of the cube, absorbing Zenon's attack and the cube into his sword. Devil mana clung to his skin as if Asta wore a black exoskeleton with puffy sleeves and red accents. A small shrunken creature with pale hair hovered at his shoulder. Asta screamed with rage again and yanked his sword free from the ground, sending Zenon's attack right back at Zenon before taking Zenon's head. The moment Zenon's head hit the ground, Asta's devil exoskeleton dispelled and the small devil at his shoulder became a large, pale youth. A dark grimoire at Asta's side stopped glowing red, shut, and then disappeared back into Asta's grimoire pouch. He fell back onto the floor and gasped for air.
"Everyone!" Noelle called out as she ran towards them from the same direction as Asta. She wore one of the Clover Kingdom's battle cloaks but her legs and feet were bare. She called her magic to her hands only to dispel it when she saw Zenon's head.
"You guys made it in time!" Mimosa said. She wrapped her vines around Asta and Noelle, checking for any major injuries.
Yuno approached Zenon's head slowly, Klaus and Langris joining him. Klaus nudged Zenon's head with the steel toe of his boot. They all held their breaths. Zenon's eyes opened. Langris opened a portal in Zenon's mouth and turned his head inside out until it vanished into itself.
"That was…" Klaus murmured.
"A spell I have never used until today," Langris said. He performed the same spell on Zenon's body. "He kept blocking it when he was whole."
"Wait! Mimosa!" Asta called out at the same time Noelle shouted, "Mimosa! Stop!"
Mimosa's vines paused just before they could touch Liebe. Her gaze did not leave him. She remained tense and ready to resume the spell if no one could give her a good reason to abandon it.
Asta moved between Mimosa and Liebe, holding up the palms of his hands towards Mimosa. "This is Liebe. He's my partner."
"What?!" several voices said at once.
"When I went to help defend the hideout against Dante, this anti-magic sword grimoire followed me through Finral's portal I guess." He held up his grimoire. "I showed it to Nacht and he said there was a devil inside of it and if I wanted to get stronger, I had to bind myself to Liebe, so I did." He showed everyone a tattoo that encircled his left wrist and matched the tattoo around Liebe's left wrist. "It wasn't even a hard choice! Liebe's a good guy! He's on our side! Luciferio killed his mom and we're going to kick his ass if he dares to show himself!"
Liebe's jaw remained tense. His eyes shifted between all of the mages. His tail twitched in small, sharp movements. He did not try to escalate the situation, but his body remained poised to dodge any attack.
Yuno stepped forward. Despite the oppressive malevolent mana permeating the castle and its grounds, he could tell that Liebe's mana was different from the other devils he encountered so far. He stared at Liebe a long moment. Liebe did not look away. "I'm Yuno," Yuno said. "If Asta says we can trust you, then I will trust you."
"I'm Liebe," Liebe said. "Asta said you would say that."
They shook hands. Liebe's hand was cold and rough. He was careful not to nick Yuno's skin with his talons.
"Why does Yuno sound like he's deciding for all of us?" Langris whispered.
"It is a compelling argument," Klaus noted. "Asta is a very good judge of character."
Mimosa sighed and licked her lips. "I suppose since he's bound to Asta, that's a good sign." She dispelled her vines and her grimoire returned to its pouch.
Langris sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Let's find the captains. Be prepared for anything." He led the way.
The group headed through the castle, following the roots and branches that led across the castle and to a staircase that led to the lower levels. The malevolent mana grew more intense with each step downward. The rest of the Black Bulls and Golden Dawn joined them in small detachments until everyone joined the group. Devils sometimes blocked their path, but the more magic knights they had, the faster each devil fell. Stopping the Dark Triad seemed to stop the flow of new devils and significantly slow the ritual.
When the mages reached the bottom floor, a series of dungeons spread out as far as they could see. The branches and roots grew more dense and wider as if drawing closer to a trunk. The branches and roots tried to wrap around the mages as they ventured further, catching on their cloaks and snagging their wrists and ankles. Yami and Vangeance's mana radiated from the roots and branches more strongly than when the roots and branches first appeared. They were running out of time. Everyone hurried.
The laboratory was in the center of the castle. A large spell circle crisscrossed the floor. Two coffins stood upright facing each other with a great dark tree growing between them, absorbing both caskets into its trunk. Yami and Vangeance's mana barely emanated from the caskets. The room smelled like devils, but there were none lurking. Everyone looked to Nacht for guidance.
Nacht surveyed the room, his eyes opening slowly. "They're not completely lost, but we can't lose focus yet. Erase a portion of the circle and they will die. Destroy a piece of the tree, and they will die." His eyes remained open and his lips did not smile. "We have to kill the tree to save them without killing Yami and Vangeance in the process."
Murmurs spread through the group.
"We need to purify it," Gordon said. "Like using medicine against a disease."
Letoile's eyebrows drew together. "We could use salt."
Everyone's attention turned to Charmy. Charmy frowned. "I can't make salt la!" She hopped onto a cotton cloud. "I can get some from the kitchen!" She zoomed away.
"That might take too long," Nacht said. "We need to use the magic we have among us."
Mimosa's gaze turned towards the back of the group where Yuno stood. Klaus soon followed her gaze. Noelle's eyes shifted to Yuno. "Sunlight," they all said at once.
Everyone else's gaze turned to Yuno then. Yuno ran his tongue along his teeth. The magic knights quickly parted, leaving him a path to the laboratory entrance. Yuno walked slowly towards the laboratory's door. He had to come up with the right spell. He could not intensify the sun's own rays like with the troll down here.
"Once it's purified, Asta and Liebe will be able to dispel the rest of the magic," Nacht said. "Be ready."
"Yes, sir!" Asta said as Liebe shrank down and hovered at his shoulder.
"Everyone should close their eyes or you will lose your eyesight," Yuno said from the doorway. His grimoire opened and a new spell seared itself onto the pages as he carefully placed his feet in the unmarked spaces of the magic circle, making sure to touch only the empty floor and not the design. He finally stood in the last space big enough for his feet as close to the center of the tree as he could be. He closed his eyes and held his hands up in front of him as if grasping a large sphere. Warm gases grew between his palms. It pulsed as the gas began to condense and collapse. The warmth grew hotter and wind blew his hair away from his forehead. When the gas formed a glowing sphere, Yuno lifted his arms up and sent the sphere towards the ceiling. The sphere grew hotter, larger, and then engulfed the entire laboratory in bright, blinding sunlight. Sweat continued to drip down Yuno's face and boy, soaking his clothes. The sunshine continued to blind. Yuno kept his arms elevated.
Cracks and snaps echoed throughout the room. Loud crashing sounded from floors overhead. Yuno did not stop the spell until the sound of toppling, splitting wood finally settled. Once the spell ended, he opened his eyes. "It's safe now."
The dark wood lay withering on the floor. The magic circle no longer existed. Asta charged forward with a great yell and severed the withering wood from both caskets. The other magic knights surged forward and managed to catch the caskets before they hit the ground. The Black Bulls freed Yami and the Golden Dawn freed Vangeance. Mimosa's vines immediately set to work on healing both of them while Gordon helped with his medicinal magic. Yuno watched the doorway for threat, but only Charmy appeared.
The oppressive, malevolent mana presence in the castle began to abate. Yami gasped for breath and Vangeance's eyes fluttered open. Sobs and cheers echoed through the dungeon. The remnants of the Tree of Qliphoth turned to ash and the wege sealed. The war was effectively over.
Yuno left the dungeons once it seemed things were safe enough for the Black Bulls and Golden Dawn to care for their captains without an outsider present. The malevolent mana continued to evaporate from the castle and every step he took up the stairs felt lighter. When he reached the ground floor, the smell of blood and death replaced the smell from the devils and the wege. Bodies from all countries lay across the floors. Yuno checked those he passed but none still lived.
Sights and sounds of active battle faded from inside and outside the castle. Yuno paused at a large broken window that overlooked the capital. Snow swirled into the castle. The breeze ruffled Yuno's hair. Several buildings stood along a road in the distance almost like extensions of the palace complex, but their balconies were much less elaborate and it looked as if long ago businesses might have existed on the ground floors. Yuno touched the windowsill, careful of broken glass. The sun would set soon. He was not sure what would happen once night fell on Spade.
Several echoing footsteps approached and the remnants of the Spade resistance spread out down the great hall. Niaflem and Ralph led them. Everyone's clothes had dark stains of devil's blood that looked black in the dimming light. The resistance knelt and placed their hands over their hearts.
"I'm still not someone to kneel to yet," Yuno said.
"You are," Niaflem said, raising his head. "You are worth more than you think. The war is over. We're finally free from our nightmare. What we need right now is a voice to rally around, someone who can lead us towards the future that you speak about where no one is forgotten. We need you."
Yuno pulled his cloak closer, but the winter air passed through it, chilling the trails of sweat on his body. He shivered and set his jaw. "I've lived under royalty my entire life. Our wells run dry when water diverts to the south. Our children go hungry because people pay their taxes with food when they have no more coins. The farther from Hage you travel, the less people even think of its existence or the existence of the rest of the forsaken realm. I don't want to become one of those people."
No one spoke. All eyes remained on Yuno. He drew himself to his full height and squared his shoulders. He surveyed the crowd before him. "I decline the kingship of Spade. However, when I am Wizard King of Clover Kingdom, you will always have an ally as long as you treat your people with respect."
"Lies! Manipulation! Respect us with your death!" a cry rose up from the very back of the resistance's forces. Several mana attacks shot forward, aimed so that they would arc over the resistance forces and hit Yuno's head and heart.
Hands grasped Yuno from behind and dragged him into the shadows. Everything darkened and then Yuno's feet landed on grass. The last of the color left a brilliantly clear sky. Stars and the moon spread out in grand display. A cool late-fall breeze rustled the leaves of the trees and Yuno's cloak did not feel so inadequate against it as it did against the snow storm in Spade.
Nacht let Yuno go and smiled as if wearing a mask. Yuno blinked and gazed around them. They were in an unfamiliar forest. Natural mana pulsed around them with seemingly enhanced properties but not dangerous like the natural mana in the strong magic regions. All of the Clover Kingdom and Heart Kingdom forces rested in the glen. Yuno touched his face and chest, but none of the attacks reached him. "Thanks for saving me."
"You made a good choice," Nacht said. "We need more people like you in the world, not fewer." He stepped over to the Black Bulls. Mana barely radiated from anyone. It was time for all of them to recover from battle. Charmy passed around apples from nearby trees that she dispatched, which infused them with what magic she had left. The apple slices helped boost everyone's stamina enough to keep from passing out in the forest.
Loropechika moved towards the front of the group with Undine and Gajah at her side. "Thank you so much!" she said with such force that she almost lost her balance. Tears gleamed in her eyes and soon fell down her face. "I'm grateful for everything you've done for my kingdom and me. I'm so glad that I came home alive." She wiped at her eyes and took several deep breaths. "You can stay as long as you wish. Please make use of the Heart Kingdom's mana to heal and grow. You will always have an ally here."
Loropechika opened the palace to everyone, providing beds and amenities as she did for those who trained in the Heart Kingdom at the start of the war. The mages split up into groups to bathe and prepared for bed.
Yuno could not sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, devils lurked in the darkness. Every time he managed to drift off to sleep, he woke with a start with his heart racing, but he had no memory of what woke him. He looked around the dark room that he shared with Asta, Klaus, Liebe, and some of their squadmates. Everyone else was asleep. Yuno sighed and slipped out of the room. His feet led him to the palace gardens.
A beautiful fountain sparkled in the moonlight at the center of the garden. Yuno slowed when he realized that Vangeance sat on the ledge of the fountain with his feet up on the ledge and face turned towards the moon. With his mask off, Vangeance was almost unrecognizable, but his mana signature was unmistakable.
"I heard you saved us," Vangeance said, his voice soft but strong. His gaze turned towards Yuno.
"I used sunlight to purify the tree so Asta could disrupt the spell," Yuno said.
"I'm glad it worked." Vangeance changed positions so his feet now rested on the ground in front of him and he faced Yuno instead of the moon. He held Yuno's gaze.
Yuno did not look away. He ignored the birthmark covering Vangeance's face. Such marks were not rare in the forsaken realm where families abandoned children that they considered cursed. Father Orsi taught the children at the church to treat such people as they might treat anyone else.
Vangeance's lips turned upwards in the smallest of smiles when Yuno showed no signs of disgust. "I want to make you an offer but you don't have to respond immediately."
Yuno's breath caught. His heart beat faster. Hope swelled in his chest, but he did not let it show on his face.
"I created the Golden Dawn to be the pinochle of what the magic knights could be," Vangeance said. "I take only the people who show skill and talent so we can strive to be at the top every star festival and the confidence of the citizens. You have that type of skill and talent. Even though no one could watch your spell, everyone told me how it destroyed the tree enough so Asta could free us without killing us. Without you there, Yami and I might both be dead. Please join my squad."
Yuno managed to exhale. "Yes."
"Shouldn't you think about it?" Vangeance's smile grew ever so slightly.
"I did." Yuno thought about it ever since Vangeance advised that he return to the exams with his grimoire. He held three fingers up to the center of his chest.
"Welcome to the Golden Dawn then." Vangeance stood slowly and dusted off his clothes. "We can work out the details tomorrow so you can tie up things in Hage before your induction."
"Yes, sir," Yuno said.
Vangeance bid him goodnight and headed back to the palace.
Asta abruptly appeared from behind some bushes once Vangeance disappeared.
"Spy," Yuno said.
"Hey! It's not my fault!" Asta pointed at Yuno. "You looked like you had a nightmare so I followed you. I didn't know Captain Vangeance would be here!"
Yuno snorted and smiled softly. It had been a long time since the two of them ended up outside at night because one or both of them had a nightmare. Yuno sat down on the fountain's ledge and Asta joined him. Clouds passed across the sky, but stars and the moon remained visible between them. Owls called to each other from separate territories. The fountain continued to bubble and shimmer.
"We did it," Asta said. "We kicked the Dark Triad's ass, got our grimoires, and became magic knights." He looked up at the stars. "Now all that's left is Wizard King."
"I'll let you know what it's like when I put on the robe," Yuno said.
"Like I won't already know!" Asta said. "I've already got plenty of merit! I'm on my way! I outrank you right now you know!"
Yuno snorted. "I'll catch up in no time."
Silence passed. The trees continued to rustle. An owl flew overhead looking for its next meal. Asta and Yuno lingered at the fountain until they were barely awake enough to drag themselves back inside the palace. Tomorrow would bring them even closer to their goal.
The End