Prologue

In a lost village of many years past, stories were told of a book that promised men great power. Foretelling events of future wars and beheadings of kings. The dark book grew to be called, 'The Dark Prognosticus'. Never being wrong in its predictions, bloodlust broke out, as it was believed that whichever man controlled the book, controlled the world. The fighting was in vain though. For the left eye of each chosen man was marked with a black schelara. Seeking out the most depressed men in the world, the book lured them in by promising them the power of gods. Even with their newfound strength though, not one of them found an end to their pain. Feeding off the men's depression, the predictions of suffering only increased leading many of the chosen men to end their lives. Upon the death of the last chosen man, the Ancients, a tribe of elders who ran the village came together and using all the power they had, sealed the book away.

A meeting was then called, one that would lead to the mass migration of most of the Ancients from the village. While sorrowful, the villagers trusted in the wisdom of their elders and wished them well as they descended deep into the forest.

Years would pass, and rumors were rampant, some suggesting ascension and others believing they were traveling to one of the cities of legend.

But what truly came to be after the Ancients left the village? Grambi only knows...

Chapter 1

One week from present day-

To my beautiful Mentios,

I can't hide my feelings any longer. When the pen pal administration assigned us to each other two years ago, I wasn't sure what to expect. Would I get a school-child who corresponded with me only out of obligation? An angry old man who couldn't accept his love of rainbows? Or maybe an escaped serial killer, that was just lonely, being a fugitive an all?

When you replied to my first letter, in my native Italian tongue, I knew.

You had written me a poem called 'Distance'. I could count the similes, and being the brilliant man you were, you put smiley faces near each one. You told me you feared I'd tremble upon seeing your face. Oh, I would. I would tremble because I didn't think I'd get to lay eyes on such a beautiful angel. By the time I had penned my response, my letter was soaked with tears. You asked why I was writing in the rain, and well, I lied and said the sun dance hadn't worked. I wish I had told you I was crying. I was in so much turmoil wanting you to know my feelings but fearing I'd get hurt. I fought myself, and in turn, you sent more poems. 'Realized,' 'If only,' 'Let me love you' as if you were trying to tell me something.

And with hope as my only guide, I send this confession to you. My dear Mentios, I think I'm in love with you and I hope that deep down, regardless if you give me a chance, we can still be friends.

From your pen pal Mr. Green.

Present day-

Two twin brothers were sitting around a dining table. Sipping on iced tea, both relaxed on their wooden chairs. Mario, the man in red, was silent. His thoughts were lost in daydreams of marrying a certain special someone. Luigi, the man in green, wasn't capable of maintaining that silence. He had just gotten another letter from the postbox and felt it was time to come clean to his brother.

"Hey bro, since nothing's going on right now can I tell you something?"

Luigi said, taking off his green cap and placing it on the table.

Mario nodded, his mind only partially focused on his brother's words.

"You know how I'm really close to my pen pal right?"

"Mhmmm"

Mario mumbled, his mind still lost in another world.

"Well, we're kind of...more than pen pals…"

Mario's eyes perked at that.

"Ohh... like, you guys send dick pics?"

Luigi's face reddened, his head shaking as fast as it could.

"What? No, bro, I'm not ready for that."

Luigi folded his arms on the table and laid his head down.

"More like, we have feelings for each other."

Mario laughed.

"This is serious bro. I told him how I felt and yesterday, he confessed he felt the same."

"You guys don't even know what you look like."

Luigi slammed his fist down.

"We will soon. Mentios promised to come see me tomorrow."

Mario tilted his head.

"You guys still haven't told each other your real names? I mean bro, I refuse to call you that stupid Mr. Green alias you insist on using."

"Wha...it's not stupid. It matches my shirt."

"Exactly the point bro."

Luigi sighed.

"We wanted things like our name and appearance to be a surprise. Thought it would be romantic that way."

Mario rolled his eyes.

"Is he coming here?"

"Yeah."

"Well, we should get going then."

Mario got up from his seat and pushed his chair into the table.

"Wait, what? Where?"

Luigi stared at him.

"The castle, there's a dance going on soon. We're going to get Peach to put your boyfriend on the guest list."

He gestured Luigi to the front door.

The man in green blinked a few times.

"You spent the entire conversation mocking our relationship, and yet you're going to help?

Mario groaned.

"I'm your brother. Whenever I like it or not. It's what I do."

Luigi got up from his seat, walking towards Mario.

"That and I want to make sure this guy isn't going to become a serial killer like the last man you dated."

"But Mario, that was my-"

"No, it wasn't your fault. He treated you like shit, and I won't let that happen again."

Dear Mr. Green…

A jester with a black and white mask was writing words on a piece of paper. Intently focused on his task, he growled harshly under his breath when a loud pounding knock filled his room.

"Dimentio, Count Bleck wants to see you."

He sighed as the man named Count Bleck called him, looking toward his black bedroom door. With a snap of his fingers, his desk was left empty. The writings for Mr. Green fell towards the floor. His favorite unusable phrase crossed out. " Idiotic lovesick whore."

"Ahh Dimentio, Glad you could make it, said Count Bleck."

Count Bleck a blue-skinned man with a top hat was stabbing a piece of paper with a pen as Dimentio stood by his desk.

"Ciao, my count. I assume preparations for the wedding are complete?"

Count Bleck nodded not bothering to stop assaulting the paper.

"Count Bleck wants know about...Mr. Green?"

Dimentio's face froze.

"How in Jayde's name did you…"

"Cause you dummy silly."

Count Bleck's form transformed into the green-skinned girl called Mimi, her tongue sticking out at him.

"You wouldn't stop reading diary, so I transformed into postman to read mail."

Dimentio's eyes flared.

"Reading your childish diary is nothing compared to violating my own privacy."

He took a step forward, waving his index finger in circles until a purple and gold energy ball formed in his hands.

"Is it meanie?"

She also took a step forward, staring right into Dimentio's eyes.

"How one person's secrets less personal than another's."

Mimi crossed her arms.

"And I'm only lil' girl. Would Mr. Green want you hurting me?"

She smirked, refusing to back down.

Dimentio's hands shook as he held the energy ball.

"Ahahaha, well played, Mimi."

He smiled, chuckling softly.

"But alas my feelings about Mr. Green are as fake as a romantic comedy."

With the sound of crackling Mimi's body flew against the wall.

"Uhh but.. read…"

Dimentio waved his index finger.

"A ploy my dear, done on the orders of the count. He didn't want the details. Any topic about love leaves him more bitter than poison wild berries."

He turned around, floating towards the door.

"Wait, meanie why he want-"

"All in due time moi cherie."

Turning his head, Dimentio winked at Mimi, giving a mocking bow.

"Ahh, yes, and tell no one of this meeting, or like a butcher, I will slash into your body limb...by limb."

From the wall Mimi watched Dimentio open the door.

"Being true heir to Dark Prognosticus doesn't mean you have to be jerk."

Mimi whispered, rubbing her head with her hand. The jester paused, glancing at her over his shoulder.

"You could never understand the demons that I face."

Dimentio floated out of the room, letting Mimi tend to her wounds.

The next day…

Luigi gazed into the mirror, checking the bandanna that covered his eyes. A few knocks were made on the door as the clock chimed seven times.

"Bro you're not a girl. Get out of the bathroom already."

Responding with a loud "fine". He took a deep breath and opened the door.

Mario's eyes thoroughly scanned Luigi's body. He gave a nod upon completing his examination.

"Good."

"Good like how?"

Luigi asked as Mario led him towards the front door.

"Good like, you fucking look good alright! Now stop talking to me and go make out with your boyfriend!"

With a final shove, Mario pushed his brother out the door. Luigi fell forward. His face slamming into the welcome mat as his brother rushed past him jogging off towards the castle.

"Seriously Mario!"

The man in green mumbled as he laid there, trying to remember the difference between fabric and his face. He extended a hand, readying himself to push off the ground. A gloved hand met him instead. Tilting his head, he looked up.

Luigi first noticed the heterochromatic eyes. One black, one yellow. His gaze then extended to the man's mask. A similar divide of color but instead half black, half white.

The man in green's mouth widened.

"Men...Mentios?"

The masked man nodded, smiling at Luigi.

"And...is this my fabulous Mr. Green?"

"The one and only!"

Mentios laughed helping Luigi to his feet. The man in green was giggling, turning his head to the side as he tried to hide the blush on his cheeks.

"I'm sorry, I'm just- I… your eyes, and your mask and oh man you're beautiful!"

Mentios blinked. His smile fading.

"Did I do something wrong?"

Luigi's face fell, he twiddled his fingers nervously.

"Ahahahaha, no, oh no, it's fine, I just well…"

The man in green was looking him over.

"It's been a long time since anyone called me beautiful Mr. Green."

Mentios curved the lips of his mask up again.

"Shall we go now? I would love to show you the stars."

Luigi put his hand to his chin.

"Well, my bro really wanted us to go to this dance- wait stars?"

Mentios snapped his fingers. Luigi lost the ability to breathe upon seeing his date floating in the air.

"You can fly?"

"Anything is possible with magic dear."

Mentios floated back down and gave a small bow extending his hand to Luigi.

"You are as dazzling as the moon shining above our heads. Join me in the stars tonight love."

Luigi ignored the hand entirely choosing instead to run into Mentios's chest. Mentios flinched feeling Luigi's arms wrap around him.

"I will Mentios. I mean flying scares me a little, but since we're in love, I'll be strong for you. Just promise me that under the veil of your black and white mask I can fall deeply into your eyes and remain forever yours.

Mentios took a deep breath, wrapping his arms around Luigi.

"Mr. Green…"

He paused, thinking.

"Make me a promise as well."

Mentios lifted a hand, nestling it in Luigi's hair.

"Promise me, that regardless of what lies below my mask. You won't run away."

Luigi nuzzled his head against Mentios's shoulder.

"I promise."

Mentios tilted Luigi's head toward him.

"Then Mr. Green. I vow on my mother's grave that by the end of the night you will see my face."

He snapped his fingers, keeping Luigi wrapped around his waist as they ascended further towards the night.