Summary:

The dreams take a turn for the worse and become nightmares

Notes:

Note: I'm aware that Yuno is the real Spade Prince. When I originally wrote the Gladiolus series, it hadn't been revealed yet, so in this series, his backstory is a bit different.

Chapter 14: Dreams to Nightmares

Nightmare Realm
Dread World
Asta

Asta sat in his office. It was the middle of the night. Noelle had gone home to Kahono. Marx had left to check on Julius. Technically, he should be in his room sleeping before another round of paperwork and meetings tomorrow, but sleep hasn't come easy to him in many years. He stared at the letter he had been writing for the last two years, on and off, never exactly finishing it. There were cross-outs, notes, and rambling paragraphs where words weren't cutting it. He'd have to rewrite it again, keeping the parts he liked.

The letter read:

Dear Yuno,

I miss you more than anything. I have only heard the news of you from the letters you send to Mimosa and Sister Lily. Why won't you send me letters? Are you still mad at me for being upset with your decision? Please, I just want to see you again. To talk to you. I miss you so much, it hurts. NO!

How have you been? I hope Spade is treating you well in your fancy noble family home. How's your new wife? I'm sorry I couldn't come to the wedding (being Wizard King is tough work!), but Mimosa said it was lovely. It's usually very cold in Spade so I hope you're keeping warm, make sure to wear layers.

You know you get grumpy in the winter. Make sure you eat every meal, get some meat on your bones. I know that you are so bad at taking care of yourself sometimes when you're busy. I worry that the Grinberryall people won't know how to take care of you properly. Not like I do. NO!

Things are going well in Clover. I'm sure that Mimosa told you everything. She's a great Captain of the Golden Dawn. She and Langris make quite a team as the Captain of the Golden Dawn and the Captain of the Silver Eagles. I think they both miss you. NO!What am I writing? We ALL miss you and want you to come back where you !

Noelle, Marx, and I are making progress on the anti-discriminatory laws. Fuegoleon and Nozel's support helps a lot in convincing the Magic Parliament. We're coming up with some great ideas to lift commoners and peasants up.

I wish you were here to see it. NO!

Asta sighed as he folded the half-written letter and shoved it into his desk. Sighing, he closed his eyes and leaned against the back of his chair.

Yuno had left him.

Who would have thought that Yuno was the long-lost son of a noble house in the Spade Kingdom? Baby Yuno had been kidnapped from the manor by someone who thought that Yuno deserved nothing and dropped off at the Hage Village orphanage. Yuno's biological parents had wanted him back after discovering that Yuno was alive. At first, Yuno resisted since he was raised in Clover and everything Yuno loved was in the Clover Kingdom. Then, Yuno's biological father died and Yuno felt responsible for his grieving biological mother.

So he left to take care of her.

At first, Asta knew that Yuno intended to come back.

But he never did.

Yuno broke Asta's heart.

The last time they spoke was when Asta made the trip to the Grinberryall Estate to convince Yuno to come back and they had argued something fierce. In the end, Yuno asked Asta to leave and Asta returned to Clover without his best friend and rival and one true love.

It took months before Asta could even smile again. To function normally again. He threw himself into work, gaining merit and prestige, intent on his goal to become Wizard King after Fuegoleon. But it didn't feel the same without Yuno competing alongside him. Still, Asta became the Wizard King and he was proud of himself for coming so far.

He wanted Yuno to be there to see it. As he promised, he took care of his family back in Hage and continued his fight to bring equality to Clover.

It meant something to a lot of people, but it rang hollow that Yuno wasn't by his side.

"Thanks for the tea and cookies," said Asta, sitting down in the Hage Village Church Orphanage kitchen with Sister Lily and Father Orsi. he had told Noelle he was going out for a walk, and instead, he got Cob to transport him to Hage Village. He had the urge to see Sister Lily and Father Orsi. "I just needed some quiet."

"You are very busy," said Sister Lily, sighing softly. "You need to take better care of yourself, Asta."

"Agreed," said Father Orsi, nodding. "How's legislation going?"

"Oh, Orsi, he doesn't need to talk about work," said Sister Lily. "Tell us about how everyone's doing!"

Asta grinned. It was always good to come home to the two people that raised him. He knew without a doubt that they loved him. "Noelle and Kahono want to adopt. But Noelle's super nervous about it. Finral and Finesse are finally getting married. Oh! Nash sent me a letter. He's doing well in the Azure Deer." Asta then launched into telling Sister Lily and Father Orsi every single detail about his friends' lives, catching them up on all the news.

Sister Lily giggled gently. "You know so many people. It makes my head spin."

"Speaking of people," said Father Orsi, being very obvious that he wanted to bring up the topic of Yuno. "We got a letter today."

"Oh," Asta said.

"We don't have to bring it up," said Sister Lily, elbowing Father Orsi in the side.

"I doubt that Lady Mimosa wants to be the one that tells him," said Father Orsi. "Yuno and his wife had a baby. They named her Astra."

Asta stared dumbfounded at Father Orsi and Sister Lily, before smiling tensely, "That's great. Yuno's a dad. He must be so thrilled. He's good with kids."

Sister Lily put her hand on Asta's head and ruffled his hair. "Oh, sweetie, it's okay to be upset."

Asta laid his head on the table and said, softly, "I always thought that me and Yuno would retire and adopt a bunch of kids and raise them here in Hage."

"We thought so too," said Father Orsi. "But life's roads are winding and things change, Asta. Some things aren't forever."

Asta sighed and lifted his head. "I guess I need to find a baby gift. A blanket would be good, right?"

"Right," said Sister Lily encouragingly.

"That's good lad," said Father Orsi.

And then, a communication portal appeared before him and Marx and Noelle were yelling at him. "Asta! We have a situation! The Spade Kingdom's Grinberryall Province is under attack. The Spade King requested help since their army is too far out."

Asta stood up and said, "Get me the Silver Eagles, the Golden Dawn and the Black Bulls to meet me in Hage, immediately."

"Got it!"

The Grinberryall Estate was under siege and on fire when Asta and the three Magic Knights squads arrived. Devils, lower-level devils according to Nelchael, roamed the province. Leaving Mimosa, Noelle, Langris, and Yami to handle protecting the Spade civilians and taking out the lower level devils. Nelchael screamed in Asta's head to get to where he sensed Yuno's ki since a higher-level devil was there.

Asta used his Black form and sword to fly to where he sensed Yuno. He spotted Yuno in his Spirit Form with Bell. Yuno had a bit of a disadvantage, as he had a baby strapped to his chest and using his one arm to keep the baby from moving so much.

He launched himself at the devil and used Demon-Slayer to catch it off guard.

Yuno called out. "Asta!"

"Yuno! Get the baby out of here," Asta roared. "Find Mimosa!"

"I'll be back," said Yuno, flying off as quickly as possible to get the baby to Mimosa.

Asta held the devil back, using his Anti-Magic to his advantage but this devil was a tricky one. Asta kept slashing but it kept reforming itself.

"Asta! Move!"

Asta instinctively dodged as one of Yuno's wind magic spells came careening towards the devil. Asta smirked. Of course, Yuno had gotten even stronger.

And then it all went wrong as the devil turned to attack Yuno fiercely. Yuno had gotten grazed and blood spurted everyone.

Yuno fell.

Nightmare Realm
Dread World
Noelle's Dream

"How was your mom's birthday," asked Asta, as soon as Noelle entered the Black Bulls' base.

"Great! But give me a minute," Noelle snapped.

"Yeah, yeah, did she like your present," Asta said, ignoring the fact that she just snapped at him.

"She did. It was the best one, no matter what Solid says," said Noelle, finding a seat on the couch next to Vanessa, who for once, wasn't afternoon drinking as she braided Charmy's hair. Charmy ate some cream puffs while Vanessa did her hair. "Nothing exploded I see."

"Eh, Zora dragged Magna and Luck out of the house for training. Finral went with to make sure that nothing gets broken," said Vanessa, grinning. "Glad you had fun, honey, but there's a pile of missions for you and Asta tomorrow morning."

"Of course, there is," said Noelle, rolling her eyes. "I guess I better get some sleep."

"Wait, uh, here," said Asta, handing Noelle a letter.

Noelle stared at it. "Who is it from?"

Asta smiled reassuringly. "Kahono."

"Oh."

'Noelle,

It's been a while. Hope you've been well. Things are going well in the Underwater Temple. Lots of tourists from Raque visit, so Gramps is pretty happy with all the guests. Kiato and I are doing well.

I remember when I first met you on the beach. I never told you that I thought you were more beautiful than anything I had ever seen. That's why I helped you (well, for the most part). Then I saw that you had a crush on Asta and thought it was a shame that you couldn't look at me like that. Then everything happened with Vetto and I was sad, but seeing you reassure me made me realize that I couldn't give up.

I can't sing anymore but there are still things that I can do.

I miss you. And I'm sorta in love with you.

Please reply.

-Kahono'

Noelle curled up to Vanessa and tried not to cry. "I can't face her. I don't deserve to."

"Yes, you do," said Vanessa, patting her head. Vanessa had sent everyone else off to bed, leaving Noelle and Vanessa alone. "My mother is a petty witch and she could have given us the cure for Kahono and Kiato but didn't out of spite. It's not your fault."

"I made her madder."

"You were defending me."

"Still. Kahono can't sing anymore. At least Kiato can still dance," said Noelle, morosely. "Singing was everything to her."

"Sometimes, bad things happen and you can't change them," said Vanessa, soothingly smoothing Noelle's hair. "Kahono has a soft spot for you, she always did. Write a note back. Tell her that you miss and you still like her."

"I can't."

"You can."

"I-"

Noelle sensed something off in the air. She quickly got up and rushed outside to find a silver-haired man sitting there, glaring stone-faced at the door to the Black Bulls' base. Noelle's eyes widened.

"Uncle?"

Nightmare Realm
Dread World
Zora's Dream

Zora schooled his face to not show any kind of emotion as he landed at the University front gate where Kirsch and his pretty little noble wife, Prudence Esmond, stood. Prudence, a severe-looking woman, glared at Zora. "You're late!"

"Zora's very busy," said Kirsch, who had smiled tentatively at Prudence. "I told you that I'd be plenty to take you."

Zora crossed his arms. Of course, it was that woman's doing, bullying Kirsch to request Zora on protection detail. Prudence just wanted to rub her marriage in Zora's face. Zora glared right back. "Let's move. You got brooms, don't you?"

He tried not to look at Kirsch. Zora was still mad at him and still embarrassed about what happened the last time they spoke on Kirsch's wedding day. Zora made a fool of himself and Kirsch let him. Well, granted, it wasn't Kirsch's fault. He was just doing what he needed to do, while Zora was selfish.

"Of course we got brooms," said Kirsch. "Do you know the way?"

"I do."

Prudence flew on the broom with Kirsch, while Zora followed behind them Zora squeezed the handle of his broom as he flew. Seeing Kirsch with Prudence clinging to his back like she wasn't a damn wizard herself and not a simpering fool irritated Zora to no end.

He could do so much better.

But that was the problem. Zora had no right to tell Kirsch what to do with his life, even if Zora thought that Kirsch would have been happier with him. There had been a flirtation between them since the War Against the Elves and Zagred. And while Zora wasn't overly romantic in nature, he really thought that there was something between them. Zora would have taken the chance on being with Kirsch if Kirsch had agreed.

But then, Kirsch was getting married and there was nothing that Zora could do to change it.

Except, trying to convince Kirsch to run off with him on his wedding day. It almost worked, but then Kirsch convinced himself out of it and they argued. Zora stormed off and couldn't watch him marry someone else.

"We're here," said Zora, landing at the Vermillion House Library Annex's entrance.

"As if we missed the entire building," said Kirsch.

"Heh," Zora snorted.

"Well, I need to do research," said Prudence, interrupting. She had her hands on her hips and demanded, "Kirsch, make yourself useful and fetch me a snack." She sashayed into the building, leaving Zora fuming and Kirsch rolling his eyes, but it left them alone for the first time in ages.

Zora clenched his fist and said, "So, snacks, huh?"

Kirsch grimaced. "She's very particular." Kirsch sounded like he'd rather do anything else, but Kirsch began walking to another part of the Annex. "There's a kitchen this way."

Zora followed Kirsch to the kitchen where Kirsch began to search the cupboards for ingredients. Zora watched him work. Kirsch's eyes were sad and tired and all Zora wanted to do was grab him into a hug and tell him that everything was going to be alright. It wasn't Zora's place. Kirsch made something simple-cookies.

Once they were in the oven, Kirsch looked at Zora and flushed. "What are you looking at?"

"A beautiful, underappreciated man with a cute ass," said Zora.

Kirsch sputtered, "Don't flirt with me. You! I...ugh, you're such a jerk sometimes."

Zora said, "I know. Everyone misses you."

Kirsch, still flushing, said, "I know." And to Zora's surprise, Kirsch came closer and whispered, "You have a cute behind too."

Zora snickered. "Adorable. Just say ass."

"Never," said Kirsch.

Zora's self-control weakened and he reached for Kirsch, who immediately yanked down Zora's mask to kiss him.

Kirsch's lips were soft.

This was wrong, he's married.

Wait.

Kirsch's not married. He's my partner, not Prudence's.

Zora pulled away from Kirsch, who gave him a hurt, wounded look. Zora looked at Kirsch's face and realized that something was wrong. Memories flooded in his head-conflicting memories. Was his dad dead? Did he never know his mother? Did Kirsch confess to him?

Zora wasn't in the Vermillion Family Library Annex anymore nor was he in front of Kirsch.

Instead, he sat in his childhood home, where his father sat at the kitchen table. His dad, suddenly years younger, wore his Purple Orcas robe.

"Hi, Dad," Zora whispered.

This was a dream. The whole damn thing was a dream.

It was a nightmare masquerading as a dream.

Something was very wrong.

Nightmare Realm
Dread World
Yami's Dream

"Hey," said Yami, chewing on the end of his unlit cigarette, as he stood in front of Charlotte Roselei's tomb in the Roselei Family crypts. He hated coming here to pay his respects, but Old Lady Ruth gave him special permission. And when the Old Lady Ruth died, Lerola continued to give Yami that special permission as the next Head of the House. "Well, Vanessa and Jack have been on my case. Saying that I need to talk about my feelings. Bah. Guess you're probably not impressed with me."

Yami sighed. He crumbled the cigarette and said, "I miss you."

Charlotte and the Blue Rose Knights had been sent to handle a border dispute between a Noble landlord and the Diamond Noble on the other side of the border. Things got out of hand and someone had been devil-possessed. The devil managed to short the magic communication tools they had so backup didn't know to come. Charlotte managed to defeat the devil, save the civilians, but suffered massive amounts of blood loss, in addition to being poisoned. The remaining Blue Rose Knights managed to get Charlotte to a doctor and call for backup at a nearby Magic Knight annex.

Yami and the other Captains had been called to sit vigil with their fellow Captain.

Charlotte died at sunrise the next day with her hand in Yami's hand and a smile on her lips.

Yami wasn't one to cry, but he went home to the Black Bulls and sat in his room and cried in the darkness. But he never grieved after that. He had been stone-faced during the funeral (full Magic Knight Captain's funeral rites performed)

He knew that he wasn't processing it well. But how does one move on from losing someone you loved but never told?

Yami sighed. He placed his hand on Charlotte's engraved name and pulled out another smoke, intending to actually light it this time, when his ki sense picked up on something. "Oi! Whoever the hell is watchin' me can come out right now! I ain't in the mood to play."

Nothing happened.

Yami growled, unsheathing his katana. "If you don't come out right now, I'll rearrange this whole tomb, don't think I won't just because Prickly Queen's here!"

And then the mausoleum shifted and Yami fell into a hole.

"SHIT!"

Nightmare Realm
Dread World
Finral's Dream

Finral hurried along the corridors of the Magic Knight Headquarters. He had some paperwork for Marx from Finral's mother-in-law (and boss) Mirinesse, a member of the Magic Parliament. The Magic Knight Headquarters was a bit intimidating since Magic Knights from all the squads were coming and going from the offices, the dungeons, the infirmary, and so forth. The Magic Knights were big, scary, and powerful. He was known as Langris' brother by the Golden Dawn, while others thought he was just some administrator.

Except, the Black Bulls liked to harass Finral.

Well, harass was the wrong word. They weren't cruel. They were just insane.

And it was more like they tried to recruit him.

"I'm not joining you guys," said Finral, trying to escape from Magna Swing and Vanessa Enoteca's double headlock.

"Come on. Your spatial magic is super useful! We could use a reliable married guy like you on the team," said Vanessa the Witch, winking. "And you can bring your cutie wife with you!"

"Oh! Mr. Finral, how's the pregnancy going for Lady Finesse? Is the baby going to be here soon," asked the rookie Black Bull, Asta, if a rookie looked like a brick house and took out devils in his spare time, then yes, Asta was technically still a rookie, along with Lady Noelle.

"She's fine. The baby will be here soon," said Finral.

"Have you picked out a name," Luck Voltia, the Cheery Berserker, asked, smiling widely.

"Yes, Fiona," said Finral. "But I really need to get to Marx…"

"Nonsense, sweetie, come and hang out with us. Then you'll join the Black Bulls," said Vanessa, winking at him.

Finral used one of his portals to disappear down to the next floor. Sighing in relief, Finral continued about his day.

"Aww, honey, they just want to be friends. You should be friends with them," said Finesse, patting Finral on the head as they sat down on the couch after dinner.

"But they're insane!"

"And very good people," said Finesse. "Having some friends would be good for you."

"I guess."

Friends sounded great, but he had his wife, his mother, his brother, and a new baby on the way. What more could he want?

"Finesse, I…"

Then, everything went dark.

Nightmare Realm
Dread World
Vanessa's Dream

Something was wrong, Vanessa thought as she window-shopped in downtown Kikka. The other Black Bull ladies were giggling and having a grand old time. Vanessa had Rouge on her shoulder the entire time. She suspected an enemy or incoming attack. She didn't have any precognition and she hoped that it wasn't something that she got from her mother. The slimy feeling didn't go away, even when Noelle bought everyone new dresses.

While the girls were preoccupied with a new sweet shop, she used her magic communication tool to try to hail the Coral Peacocks Headquarters to get in touch with Dorothy. Some advice from a fellow witch would be helpful.

"This is Kirsch."

"Can I talk to Dotty," asked Vanessa, patting Rouge absentmindedly.

"She... is not around?"

"Kirsch, sweetie, are you okay?" Vanessa asked, startled. Kirsch didn't know where Dorothy was? That was impossible. Kirsch always knew where his Captain was.

The line cut.

Vanessa quickly used more mana to try to call him back. But no answer. She tried to hail Samantha in the Witches' Forest. Then, she tried to call Dominante, who had been gifted a magic communication device by Asta, just in case, the Black Bulls needed Fanzell, Dominante, Fana, and Mariella.

She huffed and went back to the cafe. "Ladies, we're going home!"

She got his friends home safely into the Black Bulls' base. When they were settled and appeased that everything was fine (despite the fact it wasn't), she rushed to Finral and Finesse's room to find Finral organizing the dresser.

"Vanessa?"

"I think we're under attack but I can't tell by who or where they are or what they want," Vanessa blurted out to her very best friend in the world. She explained that she sensed a presence last night and throughout the day. Finral got paler the more Vanessa spoke. "Well?"

"You're probably right…"

Finral froze, not in ice, but just stopped moving.

Vanessa went over to shake him, but he didn't move.

She ran out of his room and downstairs to find the remaining Black Bulls frozen in place.

"What…?"

"Finally, we're alone, Vanessa, darling."

Vaness whipped around to find a man standing there. "Who are you?"

"I'm your father."

Nightmare Realm
Dread World
Gauche's Dream

"Don't run off too far, Marie," said Gauche, as Marie skipped ahead of Grey and himself as they walked through the town's shopping district.

"I remember," said Marie, cheerfully. She loved visiting town and perhaps, Gauche usually bought her too many things. "OH MY GOD! HI, ASTA, NOELLE!" Marie leaped at two Magic Knights, hugging them. Asta and Noelle were the youngest of the Black Bulls' squad and they had helped Marie, Gauche, and Grey out shortly after they started being Magic Knights.

Gauche grimaced, while Grey giggled.

"It's so s-sweet," said Grey.

The Black Bulls were a pain in Gauche's side. The Captain had tried many times to recruit both Grey and Gauche and Grey admitted that she almost went to them when Gauche had been in jail. They both have Black Bulls' cloaks somewhere in their traveling trunks that they never wore. Gauche had no interest in being a Magic Knight and neither did Grey, who didn't like to fight.

"Hi, Miss Grey, Mr. Gauche," said Asta, grinning. "It's nice to see you again. The others are here in town. Mr. Gordon still has the book you lent him."

Gauche glared, though admittedly he liked Asta and Gordon, he didn't want them to know that fact. "I see. Marie, stop suffocating the Silva girl. I don't want her overprotective brother to come and murder me."

"Aww, okay," said Marie, letting a red-faced Noelle go. "She needs more hugs to get used to them so she won't get embarrassed all the time."

"I don't get embarrassed," Noelle yelped.

"You do," said Asta, teasingly.

Noelle and Asta devolved into some bickering. Marie grinned and went over to Grey to steal her away from Gauche. Gauche sighed.

A shiver ran down his spine and he whipped his head around to find nothing there. The dark presence lingered.

"Oi, Grey, Marie, we're going home."

Their safety was his priority, a shopping day could wait.

"What's wrong," asked Asta and Noelle, getting serious at the same time.

"I sense some dark mana," said Gauche.

Asta closed his eyes. "Dark ki too."

"We need- YOU!"

"Long time no see, cousin Gauche."

Gauche saw red.

Nightmare Realm
Dread World
Grey's Dream

Grey and Gauche returned to the Black Bulls' base after the encounter with Grey's stepmother and step-sisters. Like Gauche had said, Vanessa had gotten into her wine stash and taken to sobbing and clinging to everyone like a leech.

"You're back," cried Vanessa, latching on to Grey in a hug.

Grey stifled a laugh as she hugged a drunken Vanessa back. Grey loved the hugs she got from her friends. "Sorry it took so long. I've got presents for you all."

"Presents," Luck cheered. "Gimme."

"Luck, don't be rude," said Noelle, hands on her hips and flushing. "But I guess I would like to see it."

Grey removed herself from Vanessa's embrace (boy was she strong, even when she was wasted). Grey pulled out several boxes. "Um, I hope you like them!" She handed out a small box each to her friends, which contained the mana-increasing magic tool rings and the tracking ring for Asta.

"Pretty neat," said Magna, examining the ring. "My very own magic tool."

"They can store mana and you can use the stored mana to increase your mana during battle," said Grey. She felt a bit warm. While she had worked on her anxiety, she still felt nervous on occasion. "Except yours Asta, yours is a tracker for when you get lost."

"I got lost one time," Asta protested.

"And then kidnapped like five times," Zora pointed out.

"Not to mention how many times you get flung away by overpowered people," said Gauche. "This was a good idea."

"Thanks," said Zora, pocketing his ring.

"Thank you, Grey," everyone else chorused in unison.

"You're welcome," said Grey, smiling widely. She was glad to do something good for her friends to show how much she appreciated them.

"I think we need some nom-noms," said Charmy, who would find an excuse anyway to make more food to have a feast. Magna, Luck, Asta, and Noelle cheered. Captain Yami sighed. Zora rolled his eyes and scoffed. Gordon clapped his hands together. Secre transformed into a bird and went to her spot on Asta's head to take a nap. Henry looked happy on the other side of the room. Finral and Finesse giggled.

"I shall help," said Ember the Dragon. "Come little dwarrowdam, let us cook."

Grey grinned.

Gauche grimaced, grabbing Grey by the back of the cloak, and said, "You had better not have spent ridiculous amounts of money on these rings, Grey."

Grey flushed, "I didn't!" She may have to do some odd jobs to repay the favors from her father's friends but it was worth it to see everyone's happy faces. Gauche still made her fluster, much to her chagrin, though she could speak to him like the others.

Wait, didn't I already confess? Aren't we together? I swore…

"Grey?"

And then the Black Bulls in the living room's base faded out and in a flash, Grey was in her childhood home, specifically her father's den (before it was turned into an overgrown closet for her stepsisters). Grey gasped and she sensed danger. The fire roared in the fireplace and there was a man in a chair, putting a book down.

"Hello, Ella, darling," said the man.

"Hi, Father," said Grey, squeaking out a greeting to her long-dead father. "But my name is Grey now."

She hadn't been Ella in a very long time. She was Grey.

Oh, is this a dream…?

"I've missed you so much. What an unusual name Grey…"

"This isn't real. You're dead."

The man sighed and morphed into another person, revealing one of her step-sisters. "Ugh, why do you have to be so difficult? Why can't you just fall for my trick?!"

Grey said, tonelessly, "Alice."

"Hello, dear step-sister, dirty Grey."

Nightmare Realm
Dread World
Secre's Dream

Secre went with Aster and the other children to the river to relax on Lumiere's suggestion. More like Lumiere's incessant worry about Secre's health, Secre mused as she watched Aster splash in the river with his cousins and the other elven children. It was always beautiful in the elf's home, though bad weather occasionally happened. Elves were blessed with mana and good luck too.

Watching the children calmed her spirit a bit.

She started to doze off when shrieks of terror were heard in the distance. Secre jolted out of her nap and stood up. "Children, to me!" The children of her home knew when to listen to orders from the adults as they didn't know how to fight with their magic properly yet.

Lumiere quickly appeared in a flash of light. "We're under attack! Bring the children to the safe house, quickly!"

Secre's heart stopped in her chest. "Is it Zagred?"

The grim look on Lumiere's face answered the question. "Zagred possessed some poor soul from the Heart Kingdom. I'm going with Licht, Lufulu, Rhya and Charla to hold him off. Get the children to Tetia and the others." He disappeared in another flash of light.

Secre picked up Aster and shouted, "Come follow me."

With a little struggling, Secre managed to corral the children to the safe house, though it was really Dryad's tree, a spirit of the forest's home. Secre reluctantly put down Aster right next to her sister-in-law Tetia, who looked tense and stressed. Secre kissed Astar on the forehead. "My darling, I love you, but I have to go. Be brave."

"Okay, Mama," said Aster, trying not to sniffle.

Secre leaves the children behind with the other non-fighters to join Lumiere, Licht, and the other warriors against Zagred.

She reached where she sensed the darkest of mana and found Lumiere and Licht going back and forth with Zagred (whomever he possessed rather), while Charla, Lufulu, and the others attempted to make barriers. Secre rushed to them.

And she kept running and running.

But they never seemed to get any closer.

The ground opened up beneath her and Secre fell, splashing into the water. Secre gasped. "What is happening?"

She gulped down water and heaved. "Where am I?" She trod water.

A voice said, "You are where you are meant to be, Secre Swallowtail. Drowning like the abomination you are."

Secre unintentionally sucked in more water and coughed. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because you are a danger."

Nightmare Realm
Dread World
Magna's Dream

After five hours, Magna, Finral, and Vanessa finally tracked down Luck. Luck, who still had his cheery smile plastered on his face, blinked a couple of times as if he couldn't believe they were there. When he realized they were real, Luck said, "Hey, guys! You came to visit me!"

Luck leaped at Vanessa first and gave her a hug. Then, he did the same to Finral. And finally, he pounced on Magna. "Do you want to fight?" Luck looked a little feral, more so than usual. He didn't look like he bathed or showered in days. He looked a little skinny, but other than that, he looked like he was happy. That was all that mattered to Magna.

"No, Luck, not right now," said Magna. "We actually need you and your super mana-sensing senses to help us track down some missing kids."

Luck grinned wider. "Ah, you came to me for help. I see, I see. You have to fight me first."

"Luck! Kids are in danger," Vanessa scolded.

"Yeah and I haven't fought anyone good in ages," said Luck. He began to stretch.

Magna sighed. He also began to stretch. "Okay, fine. I hope you're ready, Luck. I'm a Captain now, you know!"

"Big words," said Luck.

Finral and Vanessa sighed and wisely backed up.

Luck charged up his magic and sprinted towards Magna with a lightning punch. Magna dodged it and threw a fireball at Luck. Magna grinned. It had been a while since he sparred with Luck. They traded light magic spells at each other, though their "light" spells were very deadly. Finral had portals ready to divert the attacks, while Vanessa had Rouge.

Eventually, they tired each other out and laid on the ground, giggling like madmen. Magna said, "So, are you ready to help?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming to help you save the day," said Luck, grinning ear-to-ear.

Immediately all four sensed other people's mana. Magna and Luck leaped to their feet.

And that's when enemies came out of the trees and portals. The enemies didn't say anything as they attacked without preface.

"Shit!"

"Who are they," Luck demanded.

"If they're not one of your enemies, then I don't know," said Magna, eyes narrowing. Were they followed? Were these the people taking the children? Or was it something else?

Luck shrugged and charged forward with Magna close behind. Finral and Vanessa were right behind them. What's an impromptu fight with enemies for them anyway?

Nightmare Realm
Dread World
Luck's Dream

After that breakfast, Luck hadn't meant to stick around the Swing house. But then, Magna offered to spar with Luck. And Shula made lunch and had both boys help her in the forge. She offered him dinner and a place to stay that night. Luck didn't want to look a gift horse in the mouth, so he agreed. One day turned into two days and then it was a month later before Luck knew it.

He hadn't been comfortable ever in his life. Magna was enough of a challenge to keep Luck amused and maybe, Luck had needed a mother figure in his life but Shula was nothing like his own mother. Shula was stern yet gentle and expected both Magna and Luck to work every day but otherwise let them spar in the yard.

Luck knew eventually things would go south so he enjoyed the place to live and the warm food and someone to fight every day while he could.

It rained outside that day as Magna and Luck set up the dinner table, waiting for Shula to return from the forge. There was leftover stew from the previous night already warmed up again. Luck didn't mind leftovers, especially when they were so good.

"Rain should end tomorrow," said Magna. "We should go deeper into the forest and spar after chores."

Luck nodded. "Okay."

Suddenly, the door slammed open and a soaked Shula came inside. "Boys, go to the backroom, now."

"What's the matter, Ma," asked Magna.

"Go to the backroom," said Shula. "Take Luck with you." There was no room for argument, as Magna grabbed Luck's arm and they went to the backroom. Magna had shown Luck the backroom a week again, telling him that it was a hidey-hole just in case there was trouble. Both Shula and Magna had big personalities and many people didn't appreciate it, as well, if Shula had trouble with any annoying customers and unwanted suitors.

Magna and Luck sat in the back room, which couldn't be found unless you knew it was there. Magna whispered, "Suppress your mana."

Luck nodded, he normally did anyway.

They heard Shula's loud voice. "I ain't gotta answer any questions from you Magic Knights."

"Don't be difficult, Ma'am. We're looking for known criminal Luck Voltia. There had been sightings of him in this area," said a voice, a familiar voice from the Green Mantis squad.

"Don't know 'im. Get outta here. I'm a busy woman," said Shula.

"You have a son, I heard, so where's he on this rainy day?"

"Out. He's twenty-one. Doesn't tell his Ma everythin'," said Shula.

"I see, well, if you see anything, inform one of the Magic Knight annexes."

"As a citizen of Clover, it's my duty. But please leave."

Ten minutes later, Shula opened the backroom door. "Come out and eat dinner."

Luck didn't move, still a bit shocked that the Magic Knights tracked him here. No one had ever defended him before, especially not against Magic Knights. "Why didn't you tell him I was here?"

"I ain't no rat. And besides, you're a good kid," said Shula. "Whatever ya did back then don't matter. You were just doing what ya needed to do."

Luck felt tears come to his eyes and he sniffled.

"Oh."

Immediately, Shula and Magna hugged Luck.

But then Luck's vision went dark.

Nightmare Realm
Dread World
Gordon's Dream

Gordon visited his family's graves every week in the Agrippa Family Graveyard.

He entered through the gates of the graveyard and made his way to his parents, sisters, and grandparents' graves. When he first had them buried, the townspeople desecrated the graves, so Zora helpfully put traps around the perimeter of the graveyard to keep people out. It didn't stop animals. Gordon had to clean the graves and replace the flowers every week.

"Hi, Mom, Dad, Roxanne, Grandma, Grandpa," said Gordon, kneeling down at his little sister's grave first and removing the old flowers from the vase to replace them with new flowers. "It's been a long week, but everyone's well at the Black Bulls. We got five more stars. I think this year we will beat the Golden Dawn in the number of stars we earn. It'll make Asta very happy."

He moved to his grandma's grave, then his grandfather's grave (who died a long time ago and not in the fire). Then, he moved to his father's grave and last but never least, his mother's grave.

"I'm eating well. Charmy makes sure of it. Grey keeps an eye on my sleep," said Gordon. "And the others try to keep me occupied so I dwell too much."

Gordon stayed for another twenty minutes, speaking about his week and his friends. He used to send his parents letters, even when he had been estranged so that they knew he was alright. This would have to do.

Once he finished, he stood up. He walked out of the graveyard and went to wait for Finral to pick him up with a spatial portal. He always stayed a half-hour, so it'd still be a few minutes before Finral showed up again.

Gordon sighed, wondering if his family enjoyed the afterlife.

"Look, it's the freaky Agrippa leftover!"

"Oh man, he comes every day. I wonder what kind of weird black magic he does with his family's charred bodies!"

Gordon winced. He heard several people snicker as they walked by on the way to the river nearby. From town, you always had to pass the Agrippa house and graveyard. Gordon held back the tears, as best he could and didn't make eye contact with the townspeople as they walked by him.

Then, one of Finral's portals opened and Finral stuck his head out and said, "Ready?"

"Hmm, yeah."

He entered the portal and found himself in the Black Bulls' living room, where Grey immediately noticed. "Oh n-no, did you run in-into the t-t-townspeople ag-again!"

Gordon nodded morosely.

"Aww, honey," said Vanessa.

Gordon was enveloped in a big hug from Vanessa, Grey, Asta, and Finral. Gordon sniffled. "Why do they hate me so much?"

"Oh, Gordon…"

Then, everything stopped. His friends stopped moving or speaking. Gordon blinked away tears and his head felt light.

He fainted.

Nightmare Realm
Dread World
Henry's Dream

The Black Bulls base was a warm, loving, and sturdy supportive place.

Henry had no curse anymore, which was a bit more of a challenge keeping the base in working order. He had to keep an eye on his mana supply, which he never had to do before. It's harder but it's worth it to be able to eat meals with his friends and actually leave the house. Henry had a lot of help from the others learning how to interact with other people outside the base, as well as training.

Except, Henry didn't account for a new enemy attacking the Black Bulls at the base. It was much harder to hold together the house during a battle than anticipated.

"HENRY MOVE IT!"

"I...AM...HURRYING."

"STOP SCREAMING AT HENRY, CAPTAIN, HE'S DOING HIS BEST," yelled Vanessa.

Henry wasn't sure who they were fighting, or why, but Henry tried to use the Bull mode of the house but it wasn't working the way he wanted, nor as quickly. Henry grimaced as he heard the tell-tale signs of Asta's swords hitting enemies and Luck's lightning. He heard Magna screaming. Finral shrieked.

Henry summoned his mana, but then, to his horror, the house crumbled beneath him.

"What...is...happening?"

"HENRY!"

He heard the cries of his friends but as the house crumbled, things became dark around him. His equilibrium went off-kilter and he crashed to the ground. "Ow...that...hurt."

"Oh, cousin, you're still so strange."

Henry startled, sitting up. "Thomas?"

"Long time no see. You freak."

Nightmare Realm
Dread World
Charmy's Dream

Charmy ate her fill. She patted her over-filled belly and hummed, "La, my friends didn't come back." She rolled herself off of the chair. She toddled forward to go search for her missing friends.

Deeper into the forest she went, as she walked forward. She called each of her friends' names again. "Asta! Vanessa! Captain! Nero! Finral! Luck! Magna! Miss Finesse! Grey! Gordon! Ember! Gauche! Zora! Noelle! Henry!" And again. And again. As she walked, her stomach digested her food and she lost the added weight.

Her stomach grumbled again. "La, I'm hungry again." She sniffed. She smelled gingerbread in the air.

Charmy ran towards the smell of food. She found something out of her dreams. A large-scale gingerbread house, decorated with all the best gumdrops and frosting. Charmy's eyes widened and she yelled, "VICTORY!"

She charged at the gingerbread house and took out her fork (the one she always carried with her, along with a knife and a spoon). She took a big forkful and began to eat. She hummed in delight. She kept eating until she devoured an entire wall of the house, which then caused the house to collapse.

Someone sprung out from the destroyed gingerbread out. "OI WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MY HOUSE?" It was an elderly woman with a witch's hat.

"It was yummy," said Charmy, cluelessly.

"Do you want to fight, little dwarfling," asked the elderly witch.

Charmy gasped. "Do you have my friends?'

"What? No. You ate my house."

"Give me my friends back, La."

"Oi, listen to me!"

Charmy cracked her knuckles and went to summon her sheep. When she stepped forward, she fell forward and landed right in front of the never-ending food table where she started. Charmy sat at the chair, picking up a chicken wing. She took a bite and said, "I'm in BIG trouble, la!"

~to be continued