Disclaimer: I do not own Black Clover as it belongs to its respective owner. For entertainment purposes.

Tender Beginnings: An Ember of Truth

In the haze between reality and dreams, where the mind drifts from the body, he stood floating in a void of nothing. Rather, it was as though he couldn't grasp the realm around him, that his brain couldn't process the reality before him. His senses were dull, decreasing every moment that passed, as the sensation that he was burning boiled through his veins, overtaking them one by one. Or perhaps it was the world that was ablaze around him, scorching him in its embrace as all began to turn to ash.

In the blur of his vision, he could detect a figure standing in front of him though he couldn't make out any features of the others. A small pang in his chest, like a silent whisper he couldn't quite hear, and an invisible tug bewitched him to try to move closer to them. Yet his body remained immobile in the inferno as the being remained an indistinguishable blur.

They made no move to approach him, and his heart beat faster in his chest as he struggled internally against whatever binding was holding him still. There was a stinging in his eyes as his vision swirled more, and, finally, the being approached him. He could sense it crouching to approach his level. A touch like a soft feather wiped at the corner of his eyes, at the tears that threatened to spill. Then in a hint of pressure, he could feel himself being surrounded by a warmth that drowned the blaze around him.

He didn't know when his body reacted to his call, but he ceased caring. With all the strength left in his arms, he tried to circle the gentle warmth and hold it close. A brush of phantom fingers carded through his hair as he attempted to bury himself in the being that surrounded him. In response to his actions, the warmth seemed to wrap around him tighter. In his ear, the whisper of words echoed softly as he strained to hear them before they faded from the world completely.

"I wish there was another way," They murmured to him as their hand swirled patterns in his hair, "But we've run out of time." He could feel a slight dampness dripping on top his head in a steady rain, which in turn made his own tears stream down his cheeks. "And now," They said as the words wrenched their way from their mouth, "We must part and say farewell."

"I hope you can forgive me one day," The being muttered as the warmth around him strengthened its hold, "For the fate so cruel that I've given you." He could feel the hitch in their breath as they whispered, "In this land, you will be reviled only as a wicked beast to slaughter." The hand ceased its movements, instead gripping the top of his head lightly. "In others," The voice added with a hint of pain in its words, "You will be revered only as a divine puppet to control." He could feel the figure begin to pull away. "For that reason," They spoke softly with a conviction soaked in tears that made their tone tremble, "The truth about you must remain hidden."

Though he could not see them, he could sense their gaze meeting his. "Promise me," They began before taking a shaking breath of air. "Even when my words become dust in your mind," The being started slowly as if to brand them in his mind, "And I am but a ghost of your memories…" The phantom fingers carded through his hair once more, gently in a sad caress. "Promise me," They continued in a soft plea, "That you will never reveal the truth about yourself."

He nodded as he failed to voice the words that melted away on his tongue. The warmth surrounded him tightly once more as more tears poured from his eyes. He could feel the softest press of flesh against his temple. "I pray for happiness and strength to bless you," They breathed, "Against the misery destiny will surely bring you."

The warmth disappeared as the figure pulled away completely. The heat that it had overshadowed returned with vengeance. He could feel himself being choked from its intensity as a dizziness overcame his mind as spots gathered in his vision. He tried to reach towards the figure, to find the warmth that chased the pain away. But the figure was already far away, flickering like a dying ember in the horizon of the vanishing world. As darkness claimed him, he saw for a single moment the glint of falling tears and the pained whispering of final words. And then he knew no more.

"From nothing, you were born."

"A fate you were bestowed."

"For in your veins, His blood does flow."

"And in your heart, His shadow does beat."

"But with this prayer, your destiny will slumber."

"And so,"

"Asta"

"To nothing, you shall return."

"Until the black clover blooms in the crimson light of the moon."

Author's Note:

As promised, here is my new story that I have been working on. Sorry, its so late! When I first wrote the beginning in August, I decided to scrap that version in the end and completely rewrite it. I also wanted to hammer down the outline for the next two arcs so I could get a flow for the story going. Add school plus life, and bam! Original schedule to post it disappears. I'm hoping, as I finish mid-terms this week, I'll be able to post the rest of the first arc this weekend, or at the very least, be able to edit and post most of the first arc this weekend. Since Halloween is around the corner and I love posting AU's around that date, I figured I'd post the prologue and part 1/4 for the first arc now so you'll have a preview of what to look forward to. Thank you for your patience and for reading! Hope you enjoy! :)