A/N: Hey, again! Welp, more people are still interested in this story than I'd anticipated, which makes me feel a bit bad for just disappearing like that ^^"...

Anyhow, here's the next chapter.

Enjoy! And as always, feedback is welcome and appreciated :)!

Replies to the reviews from chapter 76:

jordanholder089: Hello, old friend, it's good to be back. As always, thanks. As mentioned in the notes, some segments of the plot are a blur and my writing style has altered a bit over the last year and a half, but I still hope to give a satisfactory ending :)!

Sugar: Oh, hey, Sugar! Long time no hear, lol. I bet you weren't expecting to find this thing in your inbox xD... Anyhow, yeah, I distinctly remember my notes containing details about handling this scene and Jackie's character carefully. I THINK I remember what the remainder of her character development is supposed to be like... But that aside, I hope you enjoy the rest of the story.

TheFireFox123: It feels refreshing to be back now that I've managed to sort out my IRL stuff. Now I just hope I can deliver the ending you guys have been waiting for! And Happy Halloween to you too, my friend :)!

Disclaimer: I do not claim the rights to Star vs. the Forces of Evil or any of the characters that appear in the show. They are the property of Daron Nefcy and Disney. I do, however, claim the rights to any original characters that may appear in this story as well as the plot, and would kindly ask for a permission request should you want to include any of the story elements in your own works.

Star vs. the Forces of Evil: Staring it up!

Chapter 13

The End of Hope

As the after-echo of Star's throat-harrowing scream faded amid the stone pillars, a ghastly silence descended upon the throneroom of castle Butterfly. The crown once proudly worn by its matriarch ruler, Moon Butterfly, clanked repeatedly as it impacted with the cold stone floor, then lazily lulled in place until momentum ran out for even those tiny motions. Next to it lay Moon Butterfly, her breathing ragged and hollow, each breath stinging as though she were inhaling fire. Around her, a pool of blood was steadily forming, the once-proud queen at its centre, her blue dress a stark contrast to the crimson she now lay in. Next to her stood Jackie- no, she was Jackie Lynn Thomas no more, she realised; Jackie Lynn Thomas was the cool, laid-back skater girl from down the street, always carefree and optimistic, ready to face whatever challenges the world was about to throw at her with a confident smile. Jackie Lynn Thomas, the closest friend to Star Butterfly and Marco Diaz; the friend who would help them unconditionally; the friend they could confide in; the friend who would never dream of hurting them. That Jackie Lynn Thomas was dead, she realised. She was Nerida, just Nerida now. Nerida, the princess whose crown and kingdom were stolen from her; Nerida, whose whole world had shattered before her eyes; Nerida, who was willing to tell any lie, pay any price and commit any sin to get her revenge on the person who'd forced her to become the monster she was; Nerida, who was now standing, bloodied dagger in hand, gazing down at the dying wretch that dared call herself a just and fair ruler; Nerida, who, at long last, had her revenge. Sweet, glorious revenge.

And yet, she felt no rush of glee, nor joy, nor delight, nor anything, really. She felt nothing. Watching the murderous hussy desperately trying to claw herself only to have her arms and legs give way before she could even rise an inch; hearing her cough as not to suffocate on her own blood; witnessing life itself slip from her body; surely, she should have felt something. Excitement, joy, ecstasy. But no, not a single emotion stirred within her, and neither did the shocked and horrified faces of the onlookers, two of which she once called friends, nor the dismayed cries of King River, the blue harlot's husband - spewing one curse after another, swearing all forms of revenge on her - nor the disbelief on Marco's face as he looked upon her, nor the agonizing screams of Star that seemed to shake the very foundations of the chamber. She tried to feel, and even focused on the young princess' tears, hoping to emphasize with her at least somewhat, feel a fraction of her pain. After all, they were not so different, now less than ever. But no. Deep within herself, she knew; her emotions were gone, cast out of her heart and buried in the void that now filled her soul. She could tell; the moment she'd plunged that dagger through the harlot's heart, something within her broke. And somehow, it felt... right.

Yes. Jackie Lynn Thomas could never have accomplished what Nerida had. Jackie Lynn Thomas would have broken long ago. Jackie Lynn Thomas was too weak. But Nerida, Nerida was strong. Nerida was the missing piece she'd been looking for. Where Jackie Lynn Thomas would cry, Nerida would not; where Jackie Lynn Thomas would hesitate, Nerida would not; where Jackie Lynn Thomas would emphasize, Nerida would not. Yes, she was Nerida, just Nerida, and for the first time in many years, she embraced that simple fact, and as she did, she felt at peace. Now, now she was truly strong, and nothing could hurt her ever again.

"Well done, Daughter," Diana said, curtly, her footfalls chiming against the stone as she strode across the chamber. Nerida did not respond, but instead kept her gaze locked on the dying queen. "Now," Diana continued, looking at the bloodied dagger in the girl's hand, "shall you finish the deed?"

Nerida shook her head wiped the blade on her dress, then sheathed it casually.

"No. She doesn't deserve that kind of mercy."

"Cruel..." Diana commented, crudely, and watched as the girl casually whisked a loose lock of hair, tucking it behind her ear, and crossed her arms.

"What about the rest of our plans, Mother?"

"They are proceeding at an acceptable pace, Daughter. Commander Toffee should be arriving shortly. I doubt he'll want to miss Mona's final breath. He's been looking quite forward to this day, after all." Diana smirked. "Almost as much as you, I dare say."

Nerida didn't comment and darted off, striding past the fuming River Butterfly who spat curses at her and entirely ignoring Star Butterly calling out her former name, the name of a dead person, through tears of sorrow and anguish, and even Marco, whom she spared no more than the briefest of glances. They were so noisy, the rebel princess, the safe kid, the harlot's husband, the whole lot of them, so she wove weaves of water and gagged them, and she found that doing so felt calming, relaxing almost. She did not stop until she stood before the cat, or rather what she referred to herself as, Zora, and dismissed her gag of water. The girl bore the look of a cornered animal, her eyes wide as an owl's and shaking just as much. Nerida knelt beside her and locked her gaze with the small girl's. She stared at her for a time, and ignored the panicked screams from Star, daring her to so much as lay a finger on the cat.

"So," Nerida said, her voice perfectly calm, "ready to drop the act yet?"

"...huh?" Zora blinked in confusion.

"Hmm..." Nerida studied her, focusing on the red and white mask resting atop her head. "Say," Nerida continued, "how much do you remember?"

"Remember?" Zora asked with a perplexed look. "Remember what?"

"Interesting," Nerida remarked, looking off to the side where Diana was surveying the room. "Mother? Thoughts?"

"She lies not, Daughter," Diana replied, striding over to her. "The Cat cannot remember so long as she chooses not to remember."

"I see. So she's locked her memories away?"

"Not quite, but a valid approximation, I suppose," Diana circle around Zora, gazing down upon her with an emotionless expression. "Your words imply she has done so willingly, but that is not at all the case. Not from what I have come to understand over the aeons, anyhow. The poor thing..."

"What are you two talking about?" Zora asked, her voice shaky. Diana knelt down wordlessly and snatched the cat mask from Zora's head. "Hey!" the little girl exclaimed in a sudden burst of anger. "Give that back!" Diana studied the mask with a bored look, twisting it in her hands. "I said, give it back!"

"Do you know what this is, little cat?" Diana asked, cocking an eyebrow. "Do you recall its origin?"

"Yes! It's my mask!" Zora snapped back, eyes narrow and voice sharp. "Now give it back!"

"My, how brazen we are today," Diana chuckled, "but do tell me, why does this mask mean such a great deal do you, little cat?"

"Because-!" Zora bit her tongue, inhaling a deep breath to calm her nerves. She opened her mouth to answer but could only gape. Why was the mask so important to her? In nothing else, it should have been a loathsome item, a reminder of a life of servitude, yet somehow, she did not consider the object as such. She realised then that she could not bring herself to think of it as such. "I... it's... um..." she stammered, blinking rapidly. Her head felt light all of a sudden. She was... trying to remember. But... trying to remember what? Zora shook her head rapidly and gazed at Diana who was staring down at her.

"You don't know the answer." This was a statement of fact rather than a question, and said with such an air of confidence; could this woman know something about her past? Now that she thought about it... who was Diana? Or more importantly, what was she?

"Who-" Before Zora could pose the question, a crisp voice interrupted her, calm and level.

"Oh my," said the posh voice accompanied by the sound of footfalls on stone. All heads swung in the direction, and shock turned to disbelief when they saw a familiar humanoid lizard wearing a neat tuxedo casually strolling down the hallway from the entrance, his hair tucked back with an unhealthy amount of gel. He whistled as his gaze landed upon Moon, who has somehow managed to lift herself unto her elbows and whose dress was dripping blood. "I see I've missed quite the spectacle."

"Toffee," Diana said, plainly in greeting, and the lizard nodded his head. "I see you've managed to arrive. Precisely on time, I might add. Or should I say barely on time?"

"I do tend to keep a close eye on the clock, Diana," he said, walking past her with long, even strides, his interest locked on a single person. "Or have I ever failed to fulfil my end of the bargain?"

"You have not."

Toffee seemingly ignored the remark and finished his walk only when he was standing before the waning Moon, and just like the waning Moon, her complexion was ghastly pale, almost like a blanket of snow. Whatever strings she was grasping onto, she was somehow forcing her body to stay alive, but all it took was a single glance at the expanding pool of blood underneath her to know that the strings would soon snap. Still, he couldn't help but admire her iron resolve. What a pity that it was precisely that stubborn resolve that had planted the seeds for her own downfall.

"Thus the price is paid, Moon Butterfly. Not equal to the sin, but enough."

Moon raised her shaky head, and he wasn't entirely sure how much she could see with those hollow, blank eyes. And yet, through quivering lips, she managed a mutter.

"T-t-t...o...f-f...eh...?"

"I thought I told you not to call me that, although..." he rubbed his chin and sighed an exasperated sigh. "I suppose that, given your present predicament, I'll let it slide." A frown crept onto his face, and he turned his head to Diana, and at her nod, to Nerida, who stared at him with bleak eyes, and he could tell there was something... missing in them. They were cold, hollow, the eyes of a murderer.

I see. So that's how it is.

"Needlessly cruel, don't you think?"

Nerida shrugged. "She deserves to suffer," the girl replied as though it were a statement of fact.

Tsking, Toffee took a knee and reached into his side pocket from which he extracted a vial with oozy black liquid that he uncorked and put to Moon's lips.

"You do not deserve mercy, Moon Butterfly," he said as he helped the queen down the liquid, and there was no warmth to his voice. "But be thankful that some of us are not monsters like you..." Once the vial was empty, Toffee pocketed it and stood upright, watching as the last spark of life fade from her eyes as her body fell limp, and he could no longer hear the faint beating of her pierced heart. Toffee closed his eyes, sighing.

Even a monster like you does not deserve to suffer so, Moon.

Spinning on his heels, Toffee straightened his tie and waited for either of his two associates to comment on his actions, but as neither did, he decided to survey the room and was impressed by what he saw.

"You've done I fine job, as expected," he said, glossing over the tied and gagged captives. "All is prepared, my lady?"

"Almost," Diana remarked. "The fruits of our erroneous labour shall soon be ready to harvest, but not yet, my servant. Not yet. We are still missing one final piece of the puzzle." Diana turned to Zora, frowning at her. "And I fear that obtaining it shall not be as simple as I'd foreseen..." The woman then strapped the cat mask onto Zora's head and studied the girl intently, humming in thought. After a time, she sighed. "I was hoping it wouldn't come to this, little cat, but seeing that your memory seems to be entirely skewed, I am left with no better alternative. Fret not. I shell help you remember who you are, little cat."

"Who... who I am?" Zora asked, her voice small and shaky. The next thing she knew, Diana's hand was resting on her forehead, and a bright, red glow shone from the woman's palm.

"I do what I must. The cycle shall be broken, no matter the cost..." Diana said, and for a moment, one tiny moment, Zora thought saw none of the pretentiousness nor the malice that normally adorned the woman's face, but instead, she saw a look that seemed... lonely. Lonely and sad.

Then came the pain.

Then her vision blurred.

And her whole body spasmed as she howled in agony, and the world went dark.

...

Star Butterfly no longer understood what was going on, nor why. The world was mad. It had to be.

Her mother, the one person she'd always looked up to, a mass murderer.

Jackie, one of her closest friends, a princess; one who has stabbed her mother.

Toffee waltzing through and putting an end to her mother's suffering through what he probably considered a display of mercy.

Yes, the world was mad.

But right then, she cared for none of it. Not her mother's dark secret, neither Jackie's betrayal, nor Toffee's twisted sense of mercy.

As soon as she saw Diana cast her magic on Zora and heard the girl's- heard her daughter's harrowing scream and saw her collapse onto the ground, hurt and unconscious, something deep within her stirred. Something primal, something dark. She could feel it taking hold of her body. It was a familiar sensation, she realised, and she recognised it; yes, just like on that day when the humans on Earth had tried tearing her and Zora apart. Last time, it came without warning, but this time, she welcomed it, opened her heart, her very soul to it, and allowed it dominion over her body, soul and mind. She could feel it building up within her, the strange power, boiling, swelling and swirling like an ocean of fire. She let it burst, and magic flowed into her body. But wait, this was not the magic she usually channelled with the aid of her wand. No. That magic was like a creak, calm and pure, ready to be seized. This was like a storm, powerful and unrelenting, forcing itself into her very being, trying to tear her apart. It hurt, oh how it hurt, and yet... the excitement that came with it! And the power! Whatever puny magic her wand could hold was hardly a puddle compared to the ocean now at her disposal. With it, she could do anything.

And just like that, the bindings holding her snapped, and an aura of darkness engulfed her, blazing like a flame, yet dark so that no light dared touch it, and reality itself shook and tore as it came into contact with this wonderful void. Power, so much raw power, all hers and hers alone. So, this was Dark Magic? Why oh why was she forbidden from touching it, this wonderful gift! It made her feel so alive! But she could only hold so much of this blank infinity! More, she needed more! But she could hold no more! So how? How how how how how!?

Her wand! Surely her wand would allow her to hold more! Instinctively, she extended a hand, and the wand came flying to her, and oh! What delight! What power! Such ecstasy that nothing in the world could hope to match it! And what was that? Something beyond this darkness? And she drew more. And more. And more. And-

"AHHHHHHH!" Star fell to her knees, gripping her head that felt like it was about to explode, shaking it desperately. She tried with all her might to let go of her wand, but to no avail. Her body was no longer her own. It belonged to whatever this thing was. This vile thing threatened to consume her. She could see it now, beyond the void, this shapeless, formless monstrosity threatening to seep through, and she was the one holding the door wide open. She couldn't let it through! She just couldn't! But the power, so sweet so- NO! She could resist it! she had to! She. Had. To.

...

"...she's succumbing to her inner darkness. 'Twont be much longer now, my dear Daughter."

"And do you think she can hold out long enough?"

"With her connection to the cat, perhaps. The wand and the mask are doing their jobs quite adequately."

"And are you certain it will work, Mother?"

"Certainty is a fool's delusion, my dear Nerida. But I have good reasons to believe that it will."

"And the cat?"

"She shall awaken soon. What was locked has been released. Now, we wait."

"And proceed with the final step?"

"Indeed."

Marco listened in on the conversation taking place a few feet before him, rubbing his wrists in hopes of loosening the bindings, but those darn things wouldn't budge! He tried kicking, tossing and turning, but nothing seemed to be working!

Needless to say, this was not looking good. This was the opposite of good! Star needed his help, pronto, and he was on the floor, utterly useless, incapable of moving an inch! Whatever was going on, he could sense Star slipping away. The feeling was alien yet ordinary, and he had no clue what it was, but somehow, he knew that if he didn't help her soon, she would be gone.

Damn it! Hang on, Star! I'll figure something out!

"...and that shall conclude the ritual?" he heard Toffee's distinctly smug voice ask, and it was Diana's that came in reply.

"Yes. Once the sacrifice has been made, the ritual shall be fulfilled, and He shall enter this mortal coil."

"And are you certain this is safe?"

"Were you not listening, Toffee? I am certain of nothing. But it a risk we must take if we are to break this kingdom once and for all."

"If you say so, Mother."

"Now, shall we proceed to the final part of the plan?"

The events he witnessed after this, all in sequence, sent more than just chills down Marco's spine. Diana snapped her fingers and a portal swirled into existence. Beyond it, Marco saw an old, familiar face, one he hadn't seen in some time, its owner danging from four chains, two on his feet, two binding his hands, carried by what appeared to be two large trolls decked in obsidian black, angular armour.

Ludo.

Where had the small bird-like villain been for so long? He could still remember the fateful day he and Star destroyed the birdling's castle, and now, that day seemed so far gone...

"Unhand me!" Ludo exclaimed, no fear or dread in his voice, just anger and agitation. Didn't he realise the situation he was in, or did he simply not care? Either way, he kept up his futile struggle as the two trolls carried him over to where Diana, Jackie and Toffee were posted, watching and listening to his beloved Star suffer and scream with faces displaying complete apathy. Diana and Toffee he could understand, but Jackie? He still couldn't believe what he'd seen or what he was seeing, and his heart throbbed when he saw those cold, lifeless eyes.

Ludo seemed to come to terms with his captivity as his struggle stopped, but the anger never finished from his face.

"Are you sure it must be him, Mother?" Jackie asked Diana, looking from Ludo to her and back. "I don't see why it can't be someone else. A life's a life, after all."

"Do you question me, Daughter?"

"No, but-"

"Then we shall leave it at that." Diana smiled slyly. "Follow and obey, as you have thus far, and you shall receive all the gifts promised to you."

Jackie nodded and stepped over to Ludo, who med her gaze brazenly.

"What do you want, girl?" he practically spat at her. "Don't think that just because you treated me nice that I won't make the whole lot of you pay for daring to imprison the great Ludo!"

Jackie tilted her head, with no hint of emotion on her face. The next instant, the half-bloodied mermaid-hilt dagger was in her hand; then the edge was pressed against Ludo's throat, and the birdling's eyes grew wide, and before he could utter a single word, Jackie's hand whipped throat the air, and an arc of blood streaked through the air, splattering on the stone floor; and Ludo tried to scream, but all that came out were gurgles; and Jackie just... stood there, watching Ludo desperately trying to catch a breath of air. She moved almost like a machine, sheathing the blade and spinning on her heel, staring at Diana. "We should hurry before he dies. Dead and near-dead aren't the same." The way she said it; no change in tone, no emotion, no hesitation. This wasn't Jackie. This couldn't be Jackie! And yet, deep within, Marco knew it was, and he wanted to weep. He once again tried breaking the bonds, but he couldn't. He tried reaching for his own source of magic, but he couldn't. He tried doing something, anything, to stop this chaos, but he couldn't. He was useless. Utterly useless, unable to protect his girlfriend, his daughter, his friend, or even Ludo; just a weak human. And tears streaked down his face. Some future king of Mewni he was.

He could only watch helplessly as the two trolls, Jackie and Diana trailing a for or two behind, carried Ludo, barely clinging onto life, over to Star, the black void surrounding her growing stronger and stronger, her screams now those even a banshee couldn't hope to match. They placed him down, and Diana touched his forehead, the same glow appearing in his hand as with Zora, then retracted it.

"Hope's end hath come," she whispered, wearing a victorious grin, spreading her arms and locking her gaze onto Star. "With this sacrifice, we call unto you! Come forth, a great one! Hear our summons!"

Marco couldn't understand what was going on, but in that instant, he could see the darkness around Star swirl and twist, retracting into itself, Star's body at the centre of the retraction. He could feel her slipping away; she was a husk now, barely clinging on, and he could do nothing about it.

He tried one final time to break the bonds, but it only reminded him of his weakness, so he gave up.

This was it.

This was the end.

Diana's words were not an exaggeration. Hope truly was dead.

Have you forgotten the agreement, mortal? a voice whispered, and his teary eyes shot open. A voice soft and feminine, but above all, familiar, and Marco gazed about himself, looking for the source. Fret not, mortal, the voice continued, I will uphold my end of the bargain, and in exchange, when the time is right, you will uphold yours, as was agreed upon.

You! You're that same voice from the dream I had!

Dream? Heh? You, mortals, are foolish. Amusing, yet foolish.

What's going on!? Where are you!?

Ah, location, another mortal misconception. Strange and flawed, yet you do make it work. Still, I suppose the correct answer would be 'here,' mortal. Not that it matters in the grand scheme of things.

Huh? Was he going crazy now? Yes, that was probably it. He did hear that people tended to go insane before they died.

You will not die this day, mortal. Or rather, you shall die only once this day.

What are you-

Here, mortal. This should help you see, and perhaps to understand. The Trickster doth boast of your sharp mind.

He wanted to ask what in blazes was going on, but then, he did see. He saw strange streaks and coils of light, almost like tendrils, flowing about the room, twisted and intertwined, linking what appear to be Zora, Star, Diana and... himself! He understood none of it.

What are those?

Again such strange concepts! Argh! Mortal foolishness truly knows no bounds! the voice said, sounding both amused and frustrated. They simply are, mortal. Just as I am, just as you are, just as-

Alright, alright! But what am I supposed to do now that I see these... things?

Do you see the one linking yourself and your beloved, mortal?

He squinted, and indeed, he saw it. It was the colour of crimson, flowing from his chest to Star's and vice-versa. Oddly, he spotted another of the same colour, this one linking both him and Star to Zora. He studied them further and noticed something odd; each red streak was flowing towards Diana, but instead of directly being linked, the tendrils wrapped around her. What the heck was this?

I see it, he replied, referring only to the tendril linking him and Star. He couldn't waste time. This thing, whatever it was, clearly knew what to do, or so he hoped. There was a time for questions, but now was the time to be still and listen.

Good. Now, a question, mortal. You wish to save your beloved and the cat, no?

Yes!

And you are willing to pay any price, no?

YES!

And you would protect their lives, even if it cost your own?

YES! For the love of God, yes! he was surprised how easy the words came. No hesitation. He could hesitate later. Right now, he had to save Star and Zora, and he was ready to do anything for it.

Excellent! Then you must reel in your beloved's soul before the void may lay claim to it.

OK. And how do I do that?

You must use your bond, mortal. The one bestowed upon the Lovers Eternal in cycles past and cycles to come, binding them.

Bond? What bond? he wondered, and his eyes grew wide. The Blood Moon!

It is the bond's form in this cycle, mortal.

Marco felt a chill, remembering the conversation with Tom what seemed like an age ago. The prophecy that said one of them would kill the other. Surely, the voice wasn't suggesting-

Argh! You mortals and your overthinking! the voice practically shrieked at him. Time is fleeting, mortal, as is your beloved. If you wish to act, act now!

Alright! Alright! Sheesh! But in case you haven't noticed, I can't even move, and even if I could, I have no idea what I'm supposed to do!

You will know, the voice stated in a matter-of-fact fashion. As for your bonds, I would undo them, but without the little cat's mask, I am unable to manifest. It is under maximum load as it is, any were I to attempt manifestation in your mortal coil, I would likely shatter it. Fret not, however, I have arranged for an accomplice, even if I loathe her very existence! You shall owe me dearly for this humiliation, mortal!

An accomplice? So now the voice in his head had friends? It was official, he was losing it. Or so he thought until he could feel someone tugging on the gag on his lips, and a moment later, it came loose. Shocked, he turned his head to see an all-too-familiar person grinning at him.

"Sup, bro?"

"Janna!?" he exclaimed, unsure whether to feel surprised, outraged or delighted. "What are you doing here!?"

"Convenient, isn't it?" Janna said, lazily untying the bindings on his arms. "I usually don't interfere like this, it tends to spoil the fun, but I've been promised quite the show if I did this, and hey, I'm not gonna pass on a front-row seat." He could feel the bonds snap, and Janna smiled a satisfied smile. "There we go, safe kid, you're good to go!"

Marco stared at her in bewilderment. "Janna! What are you even doing here! How did you get here! And how did you undo those bindings! They're magic!"

Instead of answering directly, Janna smirked and simply lifted off her hat, and Marco's eyes grew wide. She soon put the hat back on and fastened it neatly.

"...we need to have a long talk once all of this is over!" Marco commented as Janna helped him upright. Fortunately, their chat didn't seem to alert any of the three, so he still had the element of surprise on his hands. "You gonna help me?" he asked the sly trickster, who shook her head.

"I think I've done enough damage as it is," she said, pointing at the untied bindings. "For now, I'm just gonna sit back and enjoy the show."

"I really hate you sometimes..."

"Love ya, too, safe kid." She winked at him - actually winked! - and vanished in a puff of flames. Despite the situation, Marco couldn't help but take a moment to frown and shake his head. That girl...

Now, what to do? That voice - it had to be real, right? - had given him some very vague instructions, to say the least. Sure, he could not use magic again, and he still saw those strange lines, but what was he supposed to do with them. His mind raced. What to do?

Then he saw something strange. The coil connection him with Star. It looked... off, somehow. It was red, the same red as the light of the Blood Moon, there was this thin, almost translucent, oily tinge surrounding it, and the closer it was to Star, the more apparent it became.

Its source is the void consuming your beloved, the tiny voice said.

I figured as much, but, what am I supposed to do with it?

Feel it, mortal, and the answer shall down on you.

Marco felt like pulling out his hair, what with the cryptic answers he was getting, but he could do that later. Save Star and Zora now, rip out his own hair later. Feel it, she said? "Like, touch it or something?" he wondered aloud, then shrugged. Might as well try, right?

On the other end of the room, as if finally sensing what was happening behind her back, Diana spun her head, and her eyes grew wide in alarm as she saw the boy reaching for the tinted, red tendril of magic.

"No! You fool!" she shrieked, a cry that overshadowed even that of Star, and he looked to see her face filled with alarm. "You'll ruin everything!" Diana screamed, hurling a bolt of magic at him, but before it could reach him, his hand enclosed itself around the coil, and the world would never again be the same.

To be continued...

Chapter end notes:

Welp, I did promise you guys a dark twist, and this is just the start of it! See ya next time!

Tootles!