Do you believe in fairytales?
I'm very fond of them myself. They're timeless stories filled with magic that bring hope in our world. Wonders stir in our imaginations. Dreams come to life. Creativity inspires the soul.
It's a shame, though. I think the stigma of fairytales being "childish" or "unrealistic" completely misses the point of their purpose. Darkness always swells with pessimism and negativity when sneering at "happily ever afters". Reality is too cruel.
That's why I want you to stay strong no matter the obstacle. There's nothing to be ashamed about believing in happy endings. What's wrong with looking for the light beyond the tunnel?
There lies a beautiful world waiting for you to discover it. You just need to reach for it.
I know we can't be together forever. Even so, I continue treasuring every moment spent in each other's presence and recall them as clear as day the following morning I wake up. Because they're memories of you.
We walk under the same sky. When I look up and see the stars and the moon, I think of you also watching the same world above us, thinking of those you hold dear. Knowing you will still keep me alive inside your heart is enough for me.
So please, don't be sad.
...
Hey, let's make a promise. That way, we'll be bound to find each other no matter what. This won't be a goodbye. We'll meet again. I know we will.
Until then...
I will hold on to this [...] until we reunite. Wait for me.
Because, you are...
...
..
.
..
...
I weakly opened my eyes to the ground dyed by the silver moonlight. Where am I...? Why was I lying unconscious on the ground? I couldn't have dozed off sleepwalking outdoors... right?
Questions were strewn loosely in my mind as I lifted my upper body with my pale thin hands, palms and fingertips feeling the rough stone earth.
A shaky breath seeps through clenched teeth, shivers crawling through my bones. So cold... Just as expected from the fall season.
My head feels heavy yet blank for some reason. Did I hear someone's voice in my sleep?
I looked up at the scenery before me.
A tall grand building was situated above in the distance, with its noticeably peaked towers piercing the midnight canvas, stone walls, and arched windows. I recognized them as reminiscent of gothic architecture.
Is that a castle...? I've never seen one in real life, much less up close. My neighborhood could never dream of such extravagant art situated among our humble abodes and residential apartments.
Before I could ponder my surroundings further, the clank of hooves disturbed the silence of the night. I look behind me.
Never had I imagined the face of death until now. A fierce, almost monstrous face of a black stallion gritting riding gear strapped on its head had its hooves raised above. The whiplash from the once tranquil atmosphere to a horse that appeared out of nowhere coming dangerously close to trampling me was all I could make out before everything went blank. No pain, no shock. Perhaps I fainted? Again?
That was certainly one of the most unexpected ways for me to die. Oh to be flattened to death by a horse... In case you can't tell, this is my way of coping with danger: by shrugging my shoulders in resignation to the grim reaper and taking the easy way out by saying nonchalantly, "Guess I'll die".
A world basked in nighttime greets me the next I came to my senses. Oh no. Is this the afterlife? I was just joking through sarcasm, universe!
My bright eyes wide with hues like the full blue moon gazed into the starry canvas hung above and reflected beneath my feet. I was standing on the surface of the endless sea without a sign of life within sight.
While gazing up, I rested my hand on my heart. It was beating calmly despite more questions stirring in my head about this mysterious space. I realized how composed I was in this situation. Weird.
It must be how I suddenly felt right at home in this world. Darkness is no stranger for a nocturnal human such as I.
Somewhere, a man's voice echoes.
Ah, my lovely Lord
The noble and beautiful flower of evil,
You are the most beautiful, number one in this world.
Before I could decipher the source and the meaning behind his words, a ripple disturbs the once stillness of the tranquil sea. An antique golden oval mirror surfaces from the ripple in front of me. A girl's face reflecting surprise stares back at me.
I've seen this mirror before.
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the most...
For thee, guided by the Mirror of Darkness, follow thy heart and take the hand of the one reflected in the mirror.
Green yellow flames danced within the border of the mirror. From within, an anonymous white gloved hand outstretched their hand invitingly for me between this dark world I stand in and the world beyond the looking glass.
Do I dare to touch a foreboding hand surrounded by chartreuse flames? Whose hand would my heart want to accept? Only my heart knows, not the mind nor body.
Despite my reluctance, I decided to follow along with the mysterious voice and slowly lifted my hand to press my fingertips on the glass. A part of me is curious, after all. I don't consciously know who it will be.
My hand phases through like dipping beneath water. Initially I hesitated from the mystical effect but continued drawing closer.
Upon resting it on the white gloved hand, its disguised fingers grasped my hand gently with tenderness I was unable to comprehend.
A breathless gasp escaped my lips.
What is this gentleness breathing through their touch? I've never experienced anything like this before. Somehow, I almost feel like crying.
I flinched from the soft sensation of a pair of lips kissing the back of my hand. A jolt of electricity surging through my arm and heat warming my cheeks.
As though worried they scared me off, they rubbed circles across the back of my hand with their thumb.
I bit the inside of my cheek, hoping whoever this person is doesn't see my face right now. What am I getting so flustered over a faceless stranger for, me?!
The hand slowly slipped their grasp from me as if reluctant, fingertips dragging agonizingly slow across my skin with the intention of imprinting my flesh alive in their touch.
Yet it still retained their tenderness. I don't know how to explain it, but something tells me this person truly cares for me to the point that I don't feel creeped out from otherwise a stranger's touch.
Just how much do I really know my heart's desires...?
The hand faded soon after. I drew my hand out of the mirror and held it close to my chest. Even now I can feel their touch burning my skin. Yet I still don't know who the gentle hand belongs to.
Flames that turn even stars into ashes,
Ice that imprison even time,
Great tree that swallow even the sky,
Elements manifested within the mirror suddenly spring to life before my very eyes. I shielded my eyes from the passionate flames, hugged myself from the subzero sweep, and staggered from the erected force of nature quaking through my legs.
Such sheer power was beyond my comprehension. However disastrous they may be, they were beautiful nonetheless. That was why I wasn't trembling in fear. Instead, I marveled at the mystic wonders of what appeared to be magic. I couldn't look away.
Don't be afraid of the power of darkness.
The mirror now reflects a dark world. Unlike the beautiful, peaceful scenery of the night realm I stood in, the world was in ruins. A demolished building paved open for another presence lurking inside.
I was warped to the ruined world. The stagnant air of debris, and something malevolent lingering in the atmosphere, suffocates my lungs. I notice another presence apart from myself standing across. It was easy, really, given the massive monstrosity awaiting before me.
Bright blue flames for a mane and inside pointy ears shone upon a black creature with a hybrid of characteristics combined together prowls within. I could detect a pair of dragon wings, octopus legs flailing from around the mane, and a cobra snake flashing from behind as a tail. The chimera-like monster bares sharp white teeth menacingly with glowing eyes locking a target on me.
I gave a start. It could tear me to pieces and then some the moment it pounces on me. Its fangs would easily rip my soft flesh like wet tissue. The massive size of that thing would simply crush me under its jet black human-like hand. Coming into contact with its flames far intense than orange ones alone would reduce me to cinders.
The power of darkness...
A dark wispy blob manifested in front of the monster as the size of a human, yet the mysterious figure was completely shrouded in anonymity.
Could that be the mastermind controlling the monster?
They raised an invisible arm towards me, presumably pointing.
The monster watches me with a sneering glint in its gaze. Tauntingly, provocatively, mockingly.
It released a mighty roar of distortion, one I couldn't ground myself through the sheer force.
I was sent flying backwards. My body phased through the mirror, plunging me back into the night realm. However, instead of unceremoniously landing on the flat surface of the sea I once stood as a platform, I found myself sinking beneath the water.
Bubbles and rippling waves distorted my vision of the black sky.
Come now, show your power.
Mine, theirs, and yours.
I reached out in a vain attempt to touch the surface, however far away it was now. Was I falling from the sea or the sky? Suddenly I can't make heads or tails of which was which.
My body plunges regardless. I fall and fall and fall. The human body never fails to do so; it was natural to fall with gravity tugging you downwards. You can't resist it alone.
I closed my eyes.
There's only little time left for us.
Do not let go of that hand, at all costs.
~~~~~~~
Door to Twisted Wonderland, Opened
~~~~~~~
I awoke to a pitch black ceiling. The first thing I noticed is how I was resting my back against what seems to be a rather comfortable velvet bed cushioning.
Immediately afterwards I realized the space around me is tight. I can feel my breath breathing back on my face from the close proximity of this "ceiling".
I slowly lifted my hand to feel a solid flat surface within arm's reach. I couldn't move freely in the confined space I found myself standing upright in. Am I contained in a box? What the hell? Where am I? I sincerely hope I'm not buried seven feet under. My arm wouldn't reach the surface if I was.
Also, without any holes, it's getting hot and stuffy and suffocating. Whoever stuffed me in here without my consent should thank their stars I'm not claustrophobic, or else no one will know peace when I'm through with them. Actually I'd still have a "few words" with the perpetrator(s), claustrophobic or not.
I press my hands on the lid and push. It was tightly sealed. I can't move around to try kicking it down with my feet. How am I supposed to get out?
Just as I was debating on getting attention for the outside world to save me from my weird and mysterious predicament, I hear a sound behind the lid.
"Darn, people will come soon! I have to wear the uniform, fast..." A grunt was heard from presumably the same source. The voice was muffled but I could hear it as something belonging to a gremlin. I don't know how or why, but that's the first thing that comes into my head when comparing the voice. Why do I have a suspicious sinking feeling that this is not of a human voice...?
"This lid is so heavy. If it has come to this... gonna have to use my last resort! ...There!"
Suddenly I bared witness to blue flames igniting my vision. I shut my eyes and yelped while instinctively raising my arms to shield my face. I hear a thud sound pop off and light shedding on my disoriented form. What in the literal hell-?!
"Well then, well then, here's our aim... Huh, gyaaa—!!! You, why are you awake already?!"
I lower my arms. I was expecting a tall looming figure to haunt me but found my eyes sliding downwards.
A small, gray bipedal creature with white chest fur and a black forked tail gaped at my conscious self with wide aqua blue eyes. Blue flames burn from the inside of its ears.
"A talking raccoon?!" Was what I exclaimed. Close enough to a gremlin either way, I suppose.
The gray creature was taken aback by my reaction. "Who's the raccoon-! I am the great Grim, you know!"
"Oh, well. You, human. Give me those clothes! Or else... I'll roast you whole!" The cat/raccoon-like creature threatened, blue embers breathing through his black lips.
I glance down at the clothes he was referring. I was wearing a black and gold-accent robe with royal purple interiors decorated with a golden key pattern. I was wondering why it felt like I was in the wrong clothes.
But before that, I was about to be grilled by this sentient animal in a room of floating caskets. What a perfect place to be in.
"To think I'd be dreaming where a talking raccoon roasts me is a rather new take, even for me." I say to myself rather flatly, being a dreamer as I was.
"That's why I told you, I'm not a raccoon!" Grim retorted.
I jumped out of the casket I was in (for whatever reason I don't know) before nearly getting caught in the azure blue flames Grim spewed from his mouth. That was hot! Those blue colors weren't just for show!
I immediately booked the hell out of the mysterious room and ran with no destination in mind. I just know I have to flee from a monster whose capabilities of transforming into something worse is unknown. Actually, what should I expect from a talking raccoon lit on fire?
Grim must be desperate as he was still on my tail. All he wants from me is just the clothes I'm wearing, right? How does that work?! Does he really expect me to give it to him when I have no spare change of clothes? It's not even tailored for him! What happened to my old clothes?! Who stuffed me in this weird cosplay that could pass for an occult? I have so many questions!
I turned around several corners and through long hallways. I even stepped out into a vacant courtyard with an apple tree and back inside another part of a building until I wound up in a library. Never once did I bumped into another soul. This expansive place can't be abandoned, could it? Otherwise this is a nicely kept domain maintained by a really devoted group of people.
"If this is a dream, I want out!" I prayed and looked around frantically for an escape route. A wall of blue flames flashed the walls of the vacant room from behind me. In that instant, a cat's shadow overlapped my own. I swerve behind to see the monster has caught up.
"Did you think you could run away from me?! You lowly human! Now, if you don't want to be roasted whole, give me those clothes-" Before he could creep towards me further, a black rope of sorts caught him by the torso.
He let out a startled noise and squirmed uncomfortably. "It hurts! What's this string?!"
"It's not a string. It's the whip of love!" A man's voice claimed.
My bright blue eyes traced the -ahem- "whip of love" until they met a black mask akin to a raven. Beady yellow glowing eyes was all I could make out beyond the black eye sockets. I think this guy is more intimidating than Grim, to be honest, and should be more wary of. But he did stop the creature...
The masked man in a top hat stepped towards me. "Aah, I finally found you. You're this year's new student, right? That's not good," He chided, "To arbitrarily get out of the gate! Plus, to have a familiar that you have not tamed yet is against the school rules."
Question marks float above my cloaked head. Everything he said doesn't make sense. Did I get stuck in a film production? That would explain the unusual setting and this guy's attire. He's devoted to the whole raven character, huh? His tail coat does look cool, with how the ends split into tail feathers. Looks warm...
Meanwhile Grim was struggling to free himself. "Let me go! I'm not their freakin' familiar!"
"Yes, yes, every rebellious familiar says that. Let's be quiet for a while, shall we?" The man dismissed him airily, whip shifting to muffle Grim's mouth.
I could only stare dumbly as the scene unfolds.
"Really. It's unheard of for new students to arbitrarily opening the door and coming out by themselves." The masked man sighed. Somehow he sounds like an exasperated mother who has resigned to dealing with a troublemaker of a child, with his tone and mannerisms.
"How impatient are you? Come, come, the opening ceremony has started long ago. Let's go to the Mirror Chamber." He comes behind to lead me with a large but light hand on my back.
I suppressed a shiver by the graze of something pointy touching the fabric of my robe. When I glanced at his hand, I now noticed he wore a set of gold claw rings, or in his case, talons. Can you actually hold a pen and write (neatly) with those on? I'm curious.
But I digress. I was confused yet again by his words earlier. "...Door?" I didn't open any door though?
"It's the room where you woke up — the room with a lot of doors lining up." The dark-haired individual explains, "Every student that enrolled into this room went through that door to come here. Usually, students don't wake up until we open the door with a special key, but..."
I thought back to the room I first woke up in. So those caskets were doors...? Wow, they looked heavy yet were suspended in the air like gravity meant nothing to them. They must've been made of light material to be able to do that.
To answer the masked man, I muttered more to myself in mild suspicion, "I think the flames blew away the lid." I had heard the lid pop off back then.
"It seems that in the end, the main culprit is this familiar. If you brought him here, then look after him responsibly." The man scolded me.
Before I could correct him that no, I am in no shape of form related to Grim (he tried roasting me just for clothes), he suddenly remembered something and cut me off. "Oh! Now isn't the time for a lengthy talk. If we don't quickly go, we'll miss the opening ceremony. Come, come, we're going." He once again prodded me lightly with his hand still on my back, but I stayed in my roots.
"Before that, who are you?" I asked warily. Why does this guy with a penchant for keys wear a mask? Now that I look at him more closely, I can see that he has pointy ears behind his dark wavy fringes.
He eyes me peculiarly. At least, through his body language contributing to that. "Oh? Are you not fully conscious yet? I wonder if, perhaps, your memories are in disorder because of the space transportation magic..."
I've been clinging to every word this unnamed suspicious person has said and this is the first time I've heard him mention "magic". There's magic in this setup?
The man shrugged. "Oh well. It happens a lot, after all. I will explain to you as we walk. I am kind, after all." He added with a smile.
I end up following him out of the library and to the courtyard painted by the moonlight. An apple tree stood near a single well situated in the crossroad.
The masked bird man cleared his throat. "This is Night Raven College. It's a place where magicians-in-the-making with exceptional talents gather, Twisted Wonderland's most prestigious magician training academy. And I am the headmaster supervising this academy under the board chairman, Dire Crowley."
"Magician?" We're really going with a fantasy world, huh? And "Twisted Wonderland"? I'm having Alice in Wonderland vibes, although I don't know if they're safe ones...
"The only ones who could enroll to this school are those with excellent qualities of a magician, the ones who have been approved by the Mirror of Darkness. The chosen ones are called into this academy through the 'door', from all over the world. In your place, too, surely a black carriage carrying a 'door' came to pick you up."
I try to recall the memory. "I think I remember a horse with a scary face..." The sound of hooves clicking against the earth pavement and the whinnies of a horse... I thought it was going to kill me.
Did something happen before that? I don't know. It's all too hazy. Maybe some of my memories were indeed jumbled up...
I subconsciously rubbed my hands, particularly the back of them. Why do my knuckles feel tingly? It must be from the chill, I deduced.
Crowley continued, "That black carriage is intended to pick up new students chosen by the Mirror of Darkness. It is a special carriage carrying the door that leads to the academy. From time immemorial, it has been decided by conventional wisdom that carriages are used for pick-ups on special occasion, am I right?"
I slowly nod for the sake of agreeing along with the man my brain conjured in this unusual dream I'm experiencing. This is rather realistic for one, though I only tell myself it is to keep my sanity together. If it does turn out to be real, then I'll proceed to deal with that when the time happens.
Wait. If he says that the black carriages are for picking up people, then...
"In other words, I was brought here by force by that carriage?!" I half-exclaim half-mutter more to myself in realization. That carriage just kidnapped me without my consent!
The muffled protest noise coming from Grim reminded me of the cause that started this abnormal dream. I would have just slept in the coffin-shaped casket if it wasn't for the spitfire grill fest.
"Come, we're going to the opening ceremony now." Crowley ushered. We return to the interior of the castle-like college towards the site of the opening ceremony.
Along the way, I contemplated whether this really is reality. Candles lit by green fire, floating coffin caskets, and a talking monster that spits fire... These clearly aren't possible in my world. Yet when Grim oh so heartedly welcomed me with his fire, I felt the heat graze me. The game of cat and mouse we had had me breathing for my life. Or that's just my frail prowess of a soggy noodle doing the talking.
I wanted to stubbornly believe this is all just manifested from my little brain. But I know when I have to face the facts.
As we approach near the grand double doors at the end of the hallway, a seed of dread planted itself in my chest. Am I really in a world where these magical things are normal to the residents of..."Twisted Wonderland", I think Crowley said? If a creature like Grim is the basis for all the magic and wonders here, I should have some reservations about this, right?
When we were standing just before the doors, a voice from the other side -a boy not too young but not too mature, presumably around my age- was saying, "Did he get a stomachache?"
It was then Crowley dramatically slammed open the doors to interject a "No!" towards the false presumption. Every cloaked head in the mirror chamber turned to where we stood. Literally everyone has their hoods up and now it really does look like an occult!
I flinched under my robe attire. Suddenly the pressure of all eyes falling on us is nerve wrecking. I am technically the reason this whole ceremony is delayed. I try to stand directly behind the tall headmaster with my much smaller stature.
"Honestly. We were one student short, so I left to go find them." Crowley said before standing aside to reveal my lonesome self. Damn it. That was short-lived.
He says to me, "Now, you are the only one left who has yet to be sorted. I will watch over your little raccoon for you, so hurry up and step in front of the Mirror of Darkness."
I grew tired of correcting him about Grim's relation with me. That cat/raccoon/whatever is just a random beast to me. Regardless, I walk down the path to the hovering round mirror bordered in intricate gold designs. Inside the mirror was a floating face mask flat in expression. Great, the mirror from Snow White snuck in my dreams, but this time with black intricate lace designs akin to a masquerade mask.
"Reveal thy name." It spoke deeply with a booming yet mysterious command that I was compelled to speak, otherwise I would be embarrassed to have to be questioned once more like a fumbling child.
I didn't want to give my real name in front of these occult weirdos. Maybe if I went with a fake alias, I'd get to keep my private life separate from...whatever this is. If they have a problem with it, they'd consider not kidnapping an unwilling someone into their schemes. I'm not afraid to throw hands with all these people because my spite transcends their foolishness by a long mile.
(Yes, I do hold a bit of a grudge over something like this but honestly, could you blame me? I did not sign up for this.)
I gambled with the possibility of my safety and open my mouth to respond.
"...I'm Strix Noctowl."
"Strix Noctowl... The shape of thy soul..." The mirror fell silent. I nervously looked into the vacant eye sockets that stared unblinkingly at me, wondering why the grave face.
"... I do not know."
I blankly stared. That...doesn't sound good. For everyone else here, at least. Does this mean I can leave?
"What did you say?" I hear Crowley exclaim.
"I cannot feel a single wavelength of magic power from thee. Neither is there color, or form. Therefore, thou art ineligible for any dormitory." The Mirror of Darkness concluded.
Did... Did the mirror just imply I don't even have a soul? That might explain a lot of things about me, actually.
The crowd behind me erupts into murmurs.
"It's impossible for one of our black coaches to pick up a human who can't use magic! There has never been a mistake selecting a student in the past 100 years. Just how did this happen..?" Crowley shakes his head woefully.
Grim finally breaks free of Crowley's whip. "In that case, hand that seat over to me!"
"Ah, now wait a moment! You raccoon!" Crowley protested.
"Unlike that human, I can use magic! So let me into this school in their place! I'll show you right now just how exceptional I am at magic!"
I mean, sure go for it. I don't care. I really don't care. Never wanted to be here anyway.
Grim inhales sharply. Uh oh, he's gonna do it, isn't he?
"Everyone, get down!" A boy ordered.
Blue flames spread across the room. Fortunately everyone ducked out of its line of trajectory. The same can't be said for the curtains and furniture, however.
"If this doesn't stop, the school will be engulfed in flames! Someone please catch that raccoon!" Crowley cried. Isn't he the headmaster of this place, though? I don't see any other staff here, much less police officers.
Besides that, I can't believe that raccoon really thought lighting up the entrance ceremony hall was a great idea to flex. In fact he's making his admission worse!
The seven heads leading the groups were passing the baton on who should capture Grim, though they don't seem to sense the urgency behind the blazing blue flames. I lightly fan myself with my hand. It's getting real hot in here.
Having given up persuading the seven to do something, Crowley suddenly swerved to me. "He's your familiar, isn't he?! Please take responsibility and stop the raccoon!"
"How many times do I have to say I'm not a raccoon?! I'm the great Grim, and I'm going to become one of the greatest mages in the world!" Grim proudly declared.
I frown. This is really getting on my nerves. I'm still trying to grasp the situation! To think I'd be saddled with a big ego of a cat in my figment of imagination...
How annoying. "Fine! If none of you want to dirty your hands... This magic-less human will handle him alone." I made sure to enunciate my lack of magical prowess for the seven to hear. That was not petty you detected, certainly not because I was practically called unremarkable by an omniscient mirror in front of an entire audience.
Disregarding whatever reactions they have against me and ignoring a few cries of protest, I stomped over to the pesky feline. "Stop making things worse and just give up!"
"No! I'm coming to this academy!" Grim protested like a child throwing a tantrum. He sprayed a plume of fire to ward me away. I stopped just before the tip of the flames fanned me.
I held my tongue and waited until he stopped breathing fire before quickly lunging my arm for him. I noticed he has to stop to breathe in for air before continuing his flamethrower magic. That's the instance where I'll catch him!
Grim leaped just barely away from my reach and ran. Blue flames lit the mirror chamber in azure blue light.
"I'm strong!" The cat proclaimed as he snickers like a madman. Everyone was scrambling to avoid being roasted alive. Apparently the amount of chaos he brings equates to being strong.
I chased him to a corner.
"Huh?! A dead end?!" Grim came to a stop and looks back to see my shadow creeping up to overwhelm him. How the tables have turned.
He stood his ground, however. "I won't get caught by a puny human who can't use magic! Eat this!"
I jumped to the side. One thing I also noticed was that he has his eyes closed whenever he uses his fire. He can't see where I move. So he won't be able to predict where I appear next!
Once I landed to the right, away from the dangerous hell flames, I threw myself over to the cat. Grim choked once my hands grabbed his collar and ceased fire. A lifting feeling of accomplishment rose in my chest and slipped its way to my smirk. I caught him! No magic, no weapons, just pure intelligence and maybe a bit of luck on the side!
I was strewn on the floor when I caught him. I lift Grim at arm level and had him facing the opposite way from me, lest I'd be toast at point blank range. "Got him!"
Grim squirmed desperately and tried to claw at my hands. I foresaw that too and had held him by the limbs to avoid the razors from reaching me. I have my experience with handling stray cats to thank. "Unhand me, human!"
"Oh shut up! No one likes anyone who wreaks havoc and causes trouble for everyone." I hissed back at him, aggravated by this point.
"Off With Your Head!"
A black and red heart shaped collar magically appears on Grim. Now he's heavier.
"Gyahh?! What is this?!" The cat cried.
"Rule #23 of the Queen of Hearts: 'You must not bring cats into areas of festivities.' As you are a cat, trespassing here is a serious rule violation. We will have you leave immediately." A boy approached us. From my laid position on the floor, traces of red hair and slate gray eyes lined with black eyeliner are seen beneath the hood. Even under the shadows casted you can tell he has a baby -but pretty- face. Wasn't expecting a pretty boy to be in a cult.
But that's not my concern at the moment. Just now, he said the "Queen of Hearts"? The same queen from Alice in Wonderland with a temper and likes to arbitrarily throw out executions? The catchphrase "Off with your head" is just like her iconic lines, too.
"I'm not a cat! I'll have this collar burnt off in no time... Wh-What?! My fire won't work!" No matter how much Grim opens his mouth, not a trace of ember would come out.
The red-haired male smirked triumphantly. "Heh! Until I remove that collar, you won't be able to use magic. Now you're just like a regular cat."
Wow, that sounds strong. And convenient.
"Wh-What?! I'm not a pet!" Grim retorted.
"You can rest assured that no one would want a pet like you here anyway. Now, it will get removed when you're thrown out of this school." The boy said.
"Goodness, train your familiar properly!" Crowley scolds me, tall figure looming above my sprawled body. In case you were wondering, yes I'm still laying on the floor. I had opted to stay like this and just ponder why the hell I'm doing these things that are unlikely of me in real life. I'd never rush in knowing the dangers of Grim's flames, nor would I have expected to be so calm and calculating when confronting magical beasts. That's what I was doing for the past few minutes since I've caught Grim. Now my arms are slowly getting sore from holding a round-bellied cat restrained by a bulky collar.
Before Crowley would weave in a lecture about the makings of taming familiars, I flatly cut in saying, "He's. Not. Mine." I laid it on thick.
Crowley paused. "...What? It's not yours?"
"I've been telling you that over and over already!" I said with a straight face, keeping my voice as mature and calm as I was. Truthfully, I was annoyed how none of my words were taken seriously to heart. Why would he suspect I'm lying or joking around?
Sensing the exasperation in my poker face and tone (the kind of face that works wonders in backing people off, one I proudly use as a weapon), Crowley backtracked on how he approached the whole thing. "...I-Is that right?"
Grim and I nodded in sync with deadpanned expressions. For once, we agreed.
The headmaster adjusted his top hat and cleared his throat. He addresses to Grim, "Now then, we must throw you out of this school now. I'm not even going to use a pot. Since I am so very kind! Who will do the honors?"
He looks back to the students standing on the sidelines watching the whole scene unfold. In turn, they looked at each other awkwardly. This is all new to them, after all. Shouldn't animal control be called in for this kind of thing?
"Let me go!" Grim wriggles out of my weary hands. Now that his magic is sealed, there was no rise of urgency in stopping his movements again. "I'm... definitely, definitely...! Going to become a great mage!" Once he declared those words, the cat dashed out of the mirror chamber.
After watching him run out the hallway, Crowley turned to me and held out a gloved hand for me to take. I accepted it and was raised to my feet. I wonder why is he that desperate? For a sentient familiar to aim for greatness is rather unusual, at least that's what I think when I relate to familiars commonly seen in fiction.
When I turn my gaze to Crowley, I was alarmed by the agape expression his lips gave away beneath his raven mask. It was only then did I realize the entire mirror chamber became deathly silent. All eyes were wide and on me.
Did I have something on my face? Could I have gotten soot from the flames?
I reached for my face, only to recognize the weight of my hood had disappeared from my head, revealing my chest-length royal blue hair. My face profile was open for everyone to see!
"A woman...?!" I heard someone exclaim, though I couldn't pinpoint who.
The crowd once again rose in murmurs, again at my expense. Except this time, they were continuously casting glances my way as they spoke to their neighbors and friends.
"Isn't this an all-boys school?"
"How'd a girl get enrolled here?"
"Isn't that the same person who can't use magic?"
I began to sweat nervously. A myriad of emotions ran through my mind as I dread a lot of things once the implication behind the surrounding students sinks in.
Could Night Raven College actually be an all-male school?! Am I really the only female standing in this room? A powerless girl in a school of male magicians? Oh no. Oh no.
"Not only did the black coach pick up a non-magic user, they also mistook a young lady, to an all-boys school such as Night Raven College! What is wrong with this year's selection? What were they even thinking?" Crowley mumbles these things to himself and held his head, questioning the system that may have gotten wonky for this year.
I want to go home. I really want to go home now. I also hope whoever had a bright idea of sending the likes of me of all people to this school will get fired. Or however they'll get rid of them.
Crowley hushed the excited murmurs until silence returned. My presence in the chamber still has an effect on the headmaster as he stiffly began, "Well... we had a bit of unexpected trouble, but our entrance ceremony will now have its closure. All dorm leaders, please take your new students back to the dorms."
The dark-haired man looks over the lineup of leaders. "...Hm? Now that I think about it, I haven't seen Diasomnia's dorm leader Draconia here..."
I tuned out the world and pulled my hood back on to hide my face from prying eyes. What's going to happen now? Would they trap me into sealing my lips about this weird cult by forcing me into unpleasant deeds? A small part of me is scared. I don't even know where this location is and how far my home is.
"-Now then, Noctowl-kun. I'm very sorry, but... you will have to leave this academy. I cannot allow someone who has no magic ability, or a female, to enroll in this school." I heard Crowley address me.
I look up. Everyone has left the mirror chamber over the time I was dwelling in my own worrisome thoughts. Now it was just me, bird man, and a poker face magic mirror.
"Th-That's perfectly fine. I didn't plan on being here in the first place." I muttered, unsure if the headmaster would take offense to my words.
He doesn't remark on them, presumably sharing my sentiments. "Don't fret. The Mirror of Darkness will promptly send you back home. Now, step inside the door. Visualize your home very clearly."
Crowley gestures an arm to the mirror hovering above an acid green fountain.
"This has been a long dream..." I mutter before following his instructions. I close my eyes and recall memories of my home vividly.
The small antique shop owned by my great grandfather, Sidney, who loves Disney more than anyone I know. He owns a collection of old comic books featuring Mickey and his friends, old faded and yellowing newspapers put on frame regarding Walt Disney Studios during his youth, and just overall a child at heart.
In the living room stood a grand piano. I would play it with skilled fingers as Sidney relaxed in his rocking chair and doze off to his dreams. A glass case shelf standing by the corner displays all the gold medals and trophies from piano competitions I've won up to now. Sidney would come to every occasion not just for the concerts, but also my life in general.
Photo frames of Sidney and I together in front of the graduation site for elementary and junior high sit by the counter. By the time I graduated junior high was when I stood half a head taller than my small yet spunky great grandfather. In all the pictures of him and I in one frame, we were always smiling, something outsiders may consider uncharacteristic of me with my stoic attitude. I am most happiest with my closest family. What was weird about that?
That is the home I belong. The warm, gentle home where I'm free from the disdain of my relatives who scorned at me.
My home world where my dear brother figure resides. The man I adored and loved despite not being blood siblings...
My heart raced. Before I came to this Wonderland, I... He...
["I'm sorry."]
My lips pursed tight at the memory. That's right... I ran away from him after an argument. And then, there was a strange mirror...
"Now, Mirror of Darkness! Guide this child back where they belong!" Crowley commanded with a wave of his staff.
No response.
This was awkward. "...A-Ahem. One more time. Mirror of Darkness! Guide this-"
"Nowhere..."
My eyes shot open.
"What?" Crowley breathed.
"Nowhere in this world does this one belong. There is nothing." The mirror bellowed passively through full lips.
"What? That's impossible! Ah, there's just been one impossible thing after the next today..." Crowley shook his head.
The Mirror of Darkness remained silent, having nothing more to add on to my already questionable existence.
I stared. What did it mean by "nothing"? I clearly have a home, a family to return to. This is ridiculous! Take me home damn it! You're supposed to be an all-knowing mirror, right? God, I have never wanted to punch a mirror in the face (literally) in my life up to now.
"This is the first time anything like this has happened since I became headmaster. I'm not sure what to do... Which country are you even from?" Crowley asked me.
I tell him the name of my origins, yet as I watched for his reaction, nothing comes to mind.
"... I admit I have never heard of that place. I'm familiar with all the homelands of my students, who have come from all over the world, and yet I've never heard of this one. Let us investigate in the library." He suggested.
Having nothing to do, nor a place to be in, I followed him back to the library we first met in. Somehow I should have suspected it wouldn't be so simple.
...
Going directly into the beginning of the prologue for the layers of mystery~ Don't worry, they'll get answered in the future, of course. I wonder who's narrating the beginning sequence?
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OCs and art posted here unless stated otherwise. Some artworks/designs are old/outdated, so don't take everything concrete or set in stone for any upcoming designs. I'm constantly going back and updating my style as years go by.
Genres: Friendship, Family, Mystery, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Humor, Psychological Horror :)
Pairings: No official OC x Canon pairings. This is not a reverse harem fic (at least for this book). Romance is not a huge plot here so I didn't tag it.
Notice: This fic is undergoing complete revision with new plot points. I'll be rewriting from prologue to the beginning of Pomefiore arc (the latest until I paused and began revision) starting 5/27/22. Any comments prior to the date came from the original writing which was first published around late March/early April 2020.
For ENG twst newcomers, I've been following fan translations from JP twst and will continue to use terms and dialogue there.
You can also find me on tumblr for my twst OC blog, twisted-nox-sidus. Other platforms share my username HeroProject39 on DeviantArt, Watrpad, AO3, and Quotev.
This may still be subjected to *another* revision process in the future, but for now this will be the official writing.