And here we are again Wielders. This story started officially 1 year ago, all after I fleshed out Tenebrae and got some information from the other Light Protectors. I'm excited for how the story is turning out and for any future plans to come. So I hope you all are ready for another year.
As for this chapter, the World chosen will be made obvious as soon as the chapter starts. However, when, is the question. Let's see how many people recognize it.
So let's get on with the story!
Tenebrae exited his portal and looked around. He had jumped to a random World with a strong Light. But also, one that had a familiarity to him. It was a World he had visited in the Unions.
"The Castle of Dreams," Tenebrae said as he looked at the structure.
The castle was as grand as he remembered. Even in the daylight, there was a majesty to it. He had landed in the beautiful landscape of the garden. The many trees hiding him from view.
And not a moment too soon. A carriage was coming out of the gate. It rode past him, on the road into town. The Light he felt was in town as well.
"I've been here before," Tenebrae thought aloud. He started walking down the path following the carriage. "But something feels off. During the missions, the cart left to find the Princess. Which means the Light should be at the castle. If the Light is in town, did I go back in time?"
Tenebrae saw the carriage stop in town. Luckily, it didn't go near the Light. He took his chance and walked to it.
Tenebrae entered a circular courtyard. He noticed a fountain and a bench close to it. Bothe were beautifully done, and the Seeker was impressed. But he still had a ways to go before reaching the Light.
As Tenebrae entered the front yard of a manor, the feeling of the Light got stronger. When he made it to the manor, he had a moment of realization. Tenebrae had felt a Light like this. It felt like Belle's when he saw her at Hollow Bastion.
'A Princess of Heart?' he thought as he walked. 'If so, I thought they were already with their loved ones. Something is strange.'
Tenebrae heard wheels approach. He turned and saw the carriage coming towards the manor. Tenebrae dove into a bush close by and watched as the carriage stopped.
From the carriage, stepped out two men. One was tall and dressed in a noble outfit. The blue was near pale, with a red sash over his chest. He adjusted a monocle and approached the manor.
A smaller goofy looking man came out after him. His attire was more fit for a servant. He had a pillow with a glass slipper on it. He followed the taller man.
The two men approached the manor, and the nobleman knocked on the door. Tenebrae tried to stay quiet as he watched. Though, a chill went through him as the door opened. A subtle Darkness was close by. A woman in a dark red dress answered the door and allowed the two men entry.
"Something isn't right," Tenebrae said, standing from his hiding spot. "That Darkness was strong, but almost unnoticeable. I thought the events in this World were set. The Light should already be living her Princess life."
Tenebrae felt a surge go through the air, the surge of magic. But this magic was tainted. He felt it flow from the Darkness.
Tenebrae shivered. "No. That can't be right. This World doesn't have accessible Magic. What is happening?"
Tenebrae saw the door open again. He ducked back into the bush to hide again.
Exiting the manor were the two gentleman and a young red hair woman. She didn't have the Light or Darkness. But she did have on the glass slipper the men brought. Following behind them was the woman who answered the door and another young woman. The woman had a smell of Darkness to her, while the young black-haired woman did not. All of them entered the carriage and it departed.
When the carriage left, Tenebrae stood up from his spot. He crossed his arms as he tried to think. The events did not line up.
"Let's think," he said aloud. "The events of this World were a young woman goes to a party. She dances with the Prince and has a grand time. However, at midnight she leaves, leaving behind a slipper. That slipper is used to find her and reunite her with the Prince."
Tenebrae looked at the manor. He felt the Light move through the building. The Light then went to the door of the manor. Tenebrae ducked back into the bush as the door opened. A young blonde haired walked out the door, locking it. She ran off in the direction of the carriage.
When the woman was out of sight, Tenebrae stood up from his hiding spot. "And that was the girl in question." Tenebrae tilted his head in confusion. "But if she was home, then what changed? The slipper should only fit her."
Tenebrae decided to observe the events going on. He started to head to the castle, since that was where everything was transpiring. It took him some time, but he eventually made it.
Tenebrae did what he could to avoid detection. He made sure to keep a read on the Light and Darkness of this World. They were not in the same area of the castle, which should have been a good thing. However, he chose to follow the Darkness.
Tenebrae made it to a door. He heard voices coming from inside. He peeked in enough to see the three women from the manor, and, he guessed, the Prince and King. It looked like they were discussing something.
Tenebrae noticed the Prince was upset. He seemed to be pointing something out to the King. The man from before, the Grand Duke, if Tenebrae read the lips correctly, looked to be in the room bad worried. The older was looked like she was trying to smooth things over.
'I guess events will happen just as they…' Tenebrae's thoughts were cut short. A small wave of Magic drifted through the air. 'This feeling!? Just like back at the manor. Someone is using magic, but why?'
Tenebrae peeked in again and saw the Prince had a different look on his face. The Prince walked up to the red head and seemed to be smitten. The Prince got to one knee and the mood shifted dramatically.
Tenebrae growled but backed away from the door. This wasn't right. Unless the Prince had gotten hit in the back of the leg, that looked like a proposal. But it wasn't supposed to be that woman. It should have been…
Tenebrae didn't have much time to think, before some Heartless appeared. Luckily, they were just Shadows. However, it looked like they were chasing something. Looking around to make sure no one was close, Tenebrae fired off a few fire spells to take care of them quick. When the Heartless vanished, Tenebrae ran up to whatever they were chasing. In the smoking remains of the Heartless were two mice.
Both had clothes on, despite being mice. One had a red hat, red shirt, and an orange jacket. The other had a green hat and a yellow shirt. They looked scared but determined.
"Hey, you guys need to be careful," Tenebrae said, kneeling next to the mice. "These things are dangerous. Also, I doubt the castle will be keen on an infestation."
"But Jaq-Jaq and Gus-Gus gotta find Cinderelly," the one in red said.
Tenebrae blinked in surprised. The mouse…spoke!? He realized he spoke first, but he hadn't expected to hear a response. 'Okay, yeah, I've gone crazy. I'm just going to go along with this.'
Tenebrae lowered his hand to the two mice. "Here," he said, trying to hide his shock, "I'm bigger and can hide. We'll find Cinderelly faster this way."
"Zug-zug!" The two mice said, before jumping onto his hand, then up his arm.
"I'mma Jaq-Jaq." the mouse in red said, "That'sa Gus-Gus."
"Jaq and Gus," Tenebrae said with a smile. He started to move towards the Light. "I'm Tenebrae. Nice to meet you."
"Ten-Ten issa good guy," Jaq said with a smile. "Now let's go find Cinderelly."
'It's official,' Tenebrae thought as he started jogging down the halls. 'I'm crazy. Mice are talking to me, so I'm crazy. But that isn't even the weirdest thing to happen.'
Tenebrae did his best to stay out of sight of any servants. Tenebrae followed the source of the Light. It led him to a cellar. He had seen someone leave, but it wasn't the Light. When they passed, Tenebrae snuck into the cellar.
It was dark on entry. But there was enough light to see barrels of liquor. As well as a single crying young woman.
Tenebrae recognized her, Cinderella. The young woman's blonde hair was held back by a bandana. Her clothes were only slightly dirty from working. But her blue eyes were filled with sadness.
Jaq and Gus jumped from his shoulder. They scurried onto a crate in front of Cinderella. When they got her attention, they explained what they saw. They were chattering and acting out a scene like what he saw in the room before.
"She made him forget who I am?" Cinderella asked. She then realized what they were saying. "Magic! That explains it! Boys we have to get that wand!"
Tenebrae decided to make his presence known. "Ahem! That's well and good. But dangerous."
Cinderella looked up at him and was startled. "Oh, I hadn't realized another person was here. I'll just get rid of these…"
"No, no Cinderelly," Jaq laughed. "Ten-Ten issa friend."
"Tenebrae," the Seeker said with a nod. "Nice to meet you. I came here for a similar reason to you."
"Oh, well won't you help us?" Cinderella asked.
"I will," Tenebrae nodded. "I witnessed the same event as Jaq and Gus. So, I know the Prince is not in his right mindset. I'll seek him out, while you look for the wand."
"Thank you!" Cinderella said with a smile. "I promise to repay you anyway I can."
"No need," Tenebrae said, turning to leave the cellar. "Be careful."
Tenebrae exited the cellar. Instead of staying inside, Tenebrae opened a window close by and climbed the side of the wall to get to the roof. As he walked along the roof, he tried to sense for any other presences. Only Cinderella and the Darkness seemed to register, though.
'This is a waste of time,' Tenebrae thought. 'How can I find anyone when no one has a significant mana signature?'
After some time, Tenebrae had walked along the length of the roof and saw a balcony. On it was the red-haired young woman from the manor and the King. It looked like they were having a talk.
"But today, I wish to give you something much more valuable," the King said. In his hand, Tenebrae saw a golden heart case. When it was opened, there was a small seashell on a pillow. The King did not notice the look on the woman's face.
"Isn't it lovely?" he asked, staring at the seashell lovingly.
"A seashell?" the woman asked.
"This shell was the Queen's most treasured possession," the King said, still looking at the shell. "We found it when walking by the water on the day we met. We reached for it at the same moment. And when our hands touched, that was when I knew I found true love."
The young woman's expression softened. "You knew all that, just by touching her hand?"
"There's no more powerful force in the world, than true love." The King placed the seashell into the young woman's hand and closed her fingers over it. He regained some composure and coughed into his hand. "Well That's all. Run along now, run along."
The young woman stared at the shell before departing. The King had a smile on his face too, before heading inside.
Tenebrae sat at the edge of the roof. He had a ghost of a smile. 'Not matter the world huh? Love is powerful. And true love… A simple touch was all he needed.'
Tenebrae looked at his own hand and clenched it into a fist. He remembered his first meeting with Laci and how her hand felt even after he dried off. He remembered how, in any of his dreams, she held him without fear. Tenebrae quickly shook his head to regain his focus.
'Now is not the time,' he thought. 'I'm on a mission and that comes first. I'll find Laci later.'
As Tenebrae got ready to leave, he noticed a few flower petals float away. He looked along the path they came from and saw the same red-haired woman going inside. From what he saw on her face, she was in a state of bliss. As he saw her go in, he felt Cinderella approach the Darkness.
'So long as she is safe,' Tenebrae thought, hopping to another part of the roof of the castle. 'She should be fine. I should stay on guard anyway. I need to find the source of the magic.' As he thought that, he felt a few pulses of magic come from where the Darkness and Cinderella were. 'Of course…'
Tenebrae jumped to the roof where he felt the magic surge. He decided to stay out of sight. He was hoping Cinderella found the wand and was escaping.
Tenebrae heard a bit of a commotion and sighed. Of course, it wasn't that simple. He felt for Cinderella's Light and followed it. She was still inside but moving quickly. He guessed she was being chased. There were also random bursts of magic, but none were near her.
Tenebrae jumped to the roof above the entry doors. He had to wait for Cinderella to appear before he moved. He should have been able to grab her as she came out. He did not expect to see the Prince walk in though.
"Hopefully, since the wand is close by, she can undo the magic." Tenebrae said with a smile.
Tenebrae's smile dropped when he saw Cinderella being taken away by the guards. By the looks of how they were handling her, and the lack of a Prince following, she failed. He wanted to help, but he knew he had to let these events happen. Instead, Tenebrae made his way off the roof. He landed in time to see Cinderella be taken away in a worn-out cart.
When the cart was out of sight, Tenebrae continued on. He followed it and Cinderella's Light, but he kept to the trees and bushes. When the cart entered the coastal section of town, Tenebrae took to the roofs again. He jumped from roof to roof, keeping in time with the carts.
When the cart stopped in an alley, Tenebrae hopped down behind it. He made sure to stay out of sight from the guards.
"Cinderella?" he whispered. When she turned to look his way, he kept speaking, "Don't look directly towards me." When she looked back down, he leaned closer. "I take it things didn't work. But why are you here?"
Cinderella looked ready to cry. "My step-mother. She had the guards stop me and take me away," she whispered back. "Now I don't know what is going to happen."
Tenebrae took a glance past her and the guards. He saw a ship being loaded and saw the guards look towards it. 'Oh no.'
"If I'm right, you're going to be taken away," Tenebrae whispered. He saw Cinderella look shocked, but she quickly returned to looking just sad. "But, when we get on the ship, I can get you away. Can you be patient until then?"
Cinderella nodded subtly. Tenebrae took the opportunity and snuck around the building. When one of the crewmen walked to load up, Tenebrae followed behind grabbing a small sack. On board, Tenebrae deposited the sack and went to hide on deck.
After some time, a bell sounded. Tenebrae looked back to the port and saw Cinderella. She walked up the gangplank to the side of the ship. He could see the sadness coming from her.
When the gangplank was raised, Cinderella went to go sit on a barrel. Tenebrae moved to be closer to her, sitting on a barrel near her.
"I'm sorry, by the way," Tenebrae said with a sigh. "I should have done more to help you and the others."
Cinderella had a sad smile as she shook her head. "You're not at fault. I was the one chasing a foolish dream. If anything, I'm grateful to be leaving."
"Like I said, I can get you somewhere safe. We just need to get a little farther away," Tenebrae said with a smirk. He looked back to the port. When he did, his mood lifted. "But you shouldn't give up. Your dream may come true."
Cinderella looked at him confused. But both looked up when they heard a yell, followed by the sound of cutting fabric. The Prince was using a knife to slow his descent as he rode down the sail. When he landed, the Prince fixed his hair and smiled at Cinderella.
Tenebrae took a step back as the Prince approached. He watched as the Prince and Cinderella held hands. They stared into each other's eyes and Tenebrae could feel the magic lift. Cinderella was overcome with joy and hugged the Prince, who spun her around.
When he stopped spinning, the Prince put Cinderella down. He then took her hand and knelt. "Will you marry me, Cinderelly?"
Tenebrae had to hold back a laugh, hearing him use the nickname.
Cinderella giggled as well. "Yes, but… actually, it's Cinderella."
The Prince smiled and picked Cinderella up by the waist. "Cinderella!" he said happily.
"congrats you two," Tenebrae said, approaching the couple. He noticed the Light grow from them. But there was still Darkness to contend with. "But shouldn't you both go get ready for you're the big day?"
"Oh yes," Cinderella responded with a smile. "Won't you join us?"
"And he is?" the Prince asked.
"A friend," Tenebrae answered. "I am Tenebrae, Your Majesty. And don't worry about me. I'll catch up."
"Nice to meet you," The Prince said. "I should go and let the Captain know to turn back."
When the Prince left, Tenebrae nodded to Cinderella. "Don't worry about me. I will get back to the castle my own way. I have something to check first. But I will be at the wedding, Princess."
Cinderella giggled as Tenebrae walked below deck. He made sure no one was around. He opened a portal, focusing on the Darkness of the World.
"Time to go fix this timeline," Tenebrae said. He walked through the portal, preparing for the worst. -
And there we have it Wielders! The next World and chapter! I will admit, I had to watch the movie and re-watch it as I was writing the chapter. I never watched it before, so I will say I did enjoy it. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and are excited for the next part.
Until next time, May your Heart be your guiding Key!
