Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Alright! Attention please~! Welcome to Heartslabyul, freshies! We’ve prepared a welcome party for all of you who were sorted into our dorm!”

The buzz of the jittery and nervous freshmen was all that could be heard within the gardens of the Heartslabyul Dorm that night. Hooded figures of all shapes and sizes gathered around the tables laden with food and dessert and tea. They muttered such and such to each other, just as any sane person would after witnessing such a chaotic entrance ceremony.

Cater looked on as all this unfolded, smiling to himself at the sight of these new students. All the trouble he and Trey went through to make sure this party went off without a hitch sure seemed worth it…

Now, all he had to do was socialize and get to know these fellas well! And what impeccable timing, too, as the viridian-eyed third-year easily managed to catch an interesting conversation right at that moment.

“Hey, are you a first-year, too? Whaddaya think happened to that monster that was going wild at the entrance ceremony?”

“I don’t know.”

“What about we sneak out and go check it out at the Headmaster’s Office—”

Oho? Trying to skip the party, huh?

“—YAY!” Cater interrupted the two freshmen’s conversation, abruptly placing his arms over their shoulders, startling them. “Mr. First-Year with Spiky Hair, you’re quite the daring one, aren’t you? Your seniors did their utmost to prepare this event and you’re just leaving~?”

“J-jeez! When did you get behind me?!”

He watched in glee as the heart-adorned student stuttered and buffered because of him. Meanwhile, the other student—who had dark-blue hair and was marked facially with a spade mark—was as stiff as a brick. How cute!

”By the way, if you’re not present at the welcome party, Riddle will have you lose your head, y’know~?” the older of the three said in a teasing stone…although what he said wasn’t a lie at all. Upon taking the hint, the red and blue first-years began nodding vigorously, their smiles nervous.

“O-of course, I’ll just stay here, Senpai! I’m so moved by this, uh, wonderful welcome party!”

“Y-yes! Exactly.”

Hearing this, Cater smiled even wider, hugging them tighter.

“Good, good! Now pull yourselves together! Your reliable Cater-senpai worries about you! Though, now that I think about it, I haven’t caught your names yet…”

The first-year who’d suggested leaving the venue was the first to reply, having regained his composure already. He pointed at himself, grinning. “The name’s Ace Trappola!”

“And I’m Deuce Spade,” replied the other seemingly more uptight one, bowing his head slightly. Cater nodded in acknowledgment.

“Nice! My name’s Cater Diamond~!” Upon introducing himself, the third-year finally let them go. As expected, they were quick to move a little farther away from him. He chuckled a little because of this. “If you have any troubles, feel free to approach me and Trey Clover! Did you guys have any questions?”

Whenever Cater asked that in the past, the students would usually reply with queries about the dorm quarters or the rules, but…it seemed as if Ace had a more unique question in tow.

“Erm, about the dorm leader… Riddle Rosehearts, was it?” the red-haired freshman began, being very obvious with his attempt at fishing information. “He seems rather strict. Any tips on how to deal with him?”

He truly hadn’t seen this coming. Cater smiled in an attempt to mask his uncertainty.

“If you just follow 810 rules at all times, he won’t behead you~!”

“A-all 810?! That’s crazy!” Ace’s panic and disbelief was palpable. “No sane person would be able to deal with all that daily!”

That was true... But rather than dwelling on the topic, Cater instead chose to sneakily change it into something else entirely, because just how could a third-year advise a new student to  simply “suck it up” when pressured to that extent?

Something of this degree couldn’t be solved through mere conversation. A far more drastic measure had to be taken.

Cater was more than willing to continuously take that risk.

(How ironic it was to find the venue for the earlier welcome party be in a state of such disrepair.)

A clash of flames and vines could be seen in the midst of the Heartslabyul gardens, the flames rising and rising until it was heralded as the winner.

“Off With Your Head!”

The grass patches were charred, the roses were in disarray… At the center of all this, one could find Riddle Rosehearts, still as indignant and dignified as ever, glowering angrily at an exhausted and collared Cater Diamond. The last of the latter’s clones had long since dispersed into the wind; it was a battle so unbalanced that it could hardly be called a battle at all.

“Haha…” Cater laughed bitterly as he willed himself to stand up, only to fail miserably. He gave Riddle a look that was a mix of contempt and awe. A wry smile etched itself on his face. “You’re so strong, Riddle-kun… Of course, I wouldn’t be able to defeat you…”

(Though he wished he did. How could he lack so much?)

Riddle’s gaze on him stayed the same—cold and disdainful. He tapped his heels impatiently against the charred grass, the expression on his face souring by the minute.

“Until when will you continue this farce, Cater?” he asked, trying his damnedest to keep his anger at bay. His gray eyes looked steely from where Cater could see him, and they seemed to glow in fury, almost as if they presented the tranquil fury of the moon above. “This has been the fourteenth time since last year. Don’t you dare think you can laugh this off. I know the real reason why you still keep challenging my leadership!”

The Heartslabyul dorm leader marched towards where he knelt, making the third-year grimace as the red-haired boy held him by the collar of his uniform.

“You… I’ve been letting you off so far out of respect. Since you are my senior, as well as my predecessor,” Riddle spat, his words venomous, the ones that followed even moreso. “But you persist. Do you doubt my leadership that much? Hasn’t it sunk in that it’s these ideals of mine that defeated you? I swear the next time you challenge me, it will be the end of you!”

It’s painful. This is all so painful.

His grip on Cater’s collar tightened, and his patience thinned. “—I am, and I have always been superior. Just how beat up must you become for you to realize your inferiority?!”

Stop telling me things I already know.

Cater opened his mouth to reply…but the words Riddle later on yelled were enough to render him silent.

“YOU ARE NOT THE DORM LEADER ANYMORE, CATER! …Let that sink in!”

Riddle let go of with a huff, turning his back on Cater as he released him from his unique magic. He didn’t look back—not even once.

“…Make sure to clean this mess up before dawn,” was all that he said before he disappeared into the dormitories, leaving his companion more broken than he’d ever been.

(…No. He wasn’t just broken.)

(He was shattered.)

The truth was that Cater had always known just how little he mattered.

He’d always been aware of it. Why else were his interests and desires so easily thrown in the trash way back then? Why else would he overcompensate for all that he lacked through faked smiles and obscure relationships?

He had always drifted through life aimlessly, convinced that anything he’d hold dear and appreciate would be just as easily abandoned and forgotten. His identities have been acknowledged and rejected in the same sentence, in the same breath, and endlessly, he’s always had to just live up to what was expected of him.

Cater…never really had anything significant to hold onto. He didn’t have anything that breathed purpose into his entire existence.

“When I became the leader of Heartslabyul…I thought that was it…” he muttered to himself in his lonesome, eyes devoid of any light and life. “I was wrong… I was wrong again…but…”

…Why?

Why can’t I still find it in me to give up?

Memories resurface.  Cater remembers witnessing the suffering of the Heartslabyul students subjected to Riddle’s anger…

He remembers the students’ tears as they cried in front of him and Trey. He remembers the pity, regret, and uncertainty flash across Trey’s face. He remembers Riddle’s frustration, remembers how that mature yet immature dorm leader couldn’t understand just what it was he was doing wrong.

He remembers his heart swelling in a rare emotion of hurt as he watched all this unfold.

(It wasn’t perfect, but Heartslabyul was all that he had right now.)

Shaking, he willed himself to stand up. A reckless, almost desperate, yet determined look becomes apparent in his viridian gaze.

“…Split Card.”

 One clone was all that he could muster at that moment. But it was enough.

The other, newly-spawned Cater looked at him blankly, the disdain in his eyes expressing all that there was to be said. Yet he paid no heed to this. Instead, he limped forward, heading off to God knows where.

“Stay here and take my place,” he said, finally, not giving his clone even so much as a glance, like he couldn’t even bear to look at himself anymore. “I’m going to…go and prepare for my final challenge to Riddle.”

It took a while before he disappeared from sight entirely and completely. The second Cater continued to stare blankly at the direction he’d gone to until familiar footsteps came into earshot, prompting him to look to his left and meet a warm, amber gaze.

“Cater! You’re injured!” Trey Clover yelled as he ran towards where he was. Calloused hands clasped his face in worry. “What…what happened? Why is the garden in such a mess? We have to tend to your injuries before we clean up…”

Lies. You know exactly what happened… You’re just pretending you don’t.

The current Cater could barely keep himself from scoffing when his companion’s fingers suddenly interlaced with his, catching him off-guard.

“Hey… I’m always here for you, okay?” Trey said so gently and tenderly that…he almost believed that concern was true. Almost.

“I’ll be alright, Trey,” ‘Cater’ said, smiling as he tilted his head. “I’ll be alright…”

The first drop of blot thus resonated from an unforeseen future.

Chapter Text

“This is bad, this is bad… I’ve gotta paint the roses red!”

Seemingly stuck in a scene that has happened a thousand times before, the current Cater rushed through Heartslabyul’s rose maze, magical pen in hand. Every movement of his was frantically animated, making it almost look like he was deliberately playing the role of an irresponsible senior who was cramming with a certain task—and honestly, that most likely was true, because the expression on his face was anything but panicked.

“Oh, watch out,” he said to himself in a sing-song tone as he pointed his pen here and there. An array of magic then spread to the roses he was aiming at while he continued to smile a practiced smile. “Any paint splatters, and it’s off with my head~”

A few days had passed since the previous, disastrous showdown his true self had with Riddle. Said version of Cater hadn’t returned nor given him a hint of his whereabouts throughout the time that went by; not that it mattered because, considering how the current Cater could feel his magic pulsate from within him, he was fairly sure his creator was still alive. And that’s what mattered the most.

But I can’t believe no one realized that I’m not the real one, the light orange-haired clone thought to himself anyway, stopping momentarily from his task of painting the roses. He then murmured lowly, “Some friends you have, Cater.”

A rustle could then be heard from not too far from him. Suddenly becoming alert, Cater quickly turned to look behind.

“…Ah, it’s you guys,” he said as soon as he recognized who he was with. His usual smile etched itself onto his lips. “Do you all need something?”

Standing behind him were Ace Trappola and Deuce Spade, the two freshmen whom he caught being up to no good during the welcome party. Following closely to them was a tall, glasses-wearing, sandy-blonde fox beastman who was, in turn, holding a…cat-like creature with flaming ears in his arms. Cater’s eyebrows raised after seeing the last two members of their ensemble, in particular. He hadn’t met those two yet.

“What are you doing with that?” the one named Ace answered his question with another question, curiosity riding on his tone as he looked at his senior’s magical pen. Cater afterwards smiled cryptically in response to this—but he wasn’t smiling at the wittiness of the freshman’s quip, but more towards the fact that the ginger-haired boy was now adorning one of Riddle’s signature collars on his neck.

“This?” He waved his pen. “Obviously, I’m painting the roses red.”

Deuce seemed flabbergasted by this, evident in the way his reaction contorted to one of utter confusion. “Eh?” he managed to let out. “Why would you do that…?”

Cater couldn’t help but laugh at his junior’s reaction. That was so cute!

“Let’s put that aside for now, shall we?” he suggested as he pocketed his pen without breaking eye contact with any of them. Then, he turned to face them completely while crossing his arms. “You were the freshmen that busted the 10,000,000 madol chandelier yesterday, right?”

Upon hearing that, Ace shook his head. “We’re never living that down, are we?”

The current Cater then pointed at him once he’d finished murmuring his complaint.

“And you’re the one that added more to the punishment by stealing the dorm leader’s tart last night!” he cheered, relishing in the way Ace’s expression soured after he realized he was being singled out. “I feel so lucky getting to meet the notorious newcomers first thing in the morning~”

I’d understand if they were punished for the chandelier, but the tart? Cater thought to himself as he still maintained his shady smile. Riddle, you are seriously so over the top…

What could he do to help these freshmen cheer up? He had just the splendid idea!

“Hey, hey, hey! Let’s take a selfie!” he said while pulling out his phone from his pocket. He turned to look at the other member of their group tentatively. “You can join as well, erm…”

“Yeou Gumiho,” Deuce answered his unspoken question for him. That must be that freshman’s name. How unique!

“Okay, Yeou, feel free to join as well! Make sure everyone’s face fits in the camera screen!” Cater then posed so that they could take a selfie through his phone’s front-cam. “One…two…three…SMILE!”

The camera flashed as quickly as a white rabbit, and soon the diamond-etched senior was rambling.

“Can I put this on Magicame?” he cheerily stated, having no intention of listening to his companion’s replies despite asking them for their permission. “I’ll make sure to tag your names, don’t worry~”

“…I’m Grim and Yeou is my henchman!” the cat suddenly spoke up. Cater was used to seeing such crazy things happen, though, so he wasn’t at all that surprised.

“Okidoke, upload finished! Anyway…” The current Cater then jabbed a thumb at himself as he continued to speak. “I’m your senior, a third-year by the name of Cater Diamond. Ace and Deuce met me during the welcome party at Heartslabyul. You can call me Cater.” He later winked at Yeou. “Or Cay-cay, if you want.”

A silence ensued within their conversation after that, but it was eventually broken by the third-year turning away and fixating his gaze on the roses yet again.

“As much as I’d love to talk to you more, my good fellas, the unbirthday party is in two weeks!” He began pointing his magical pen at the unpainted roses once more. “I don’t want my head cut off for being late, no thank you! But what if…” he afterwards turned to look at them, a devious smile on his face. “…you help me with painting the roses red? You might get extra brownie points from Riddle if you do~”

Of course, when Cater said that, he’d meant it in such a way that these freshmen didn’t really have any other choice but to agree with his plan. No was not an option. As such, their Operation: Paint The Roses went forth, with the freshies struggling as they either released color-changing spells or painted the roses manually, with the current Cater happily explaining a few of Heartslabyul’s rules as they did their jobs.

It almost felt like the good old days again…

Their brief moment of peace was broken shortly after, however, when Cater realized that Ace didn’t bring an apology tart with him. Pity welled up inside his heart as he hesitantly pointed his magical pen at the baffled first-year.

It wasn’t his fault. Ace just didn’t know the rules yet… But for now, he had to do what must be done.

“Rule number 53 of the Queen of Hearts’ Law dictates that ‘one must always return what they stole,’” he said gravely. “You are not allowed inside the dorm because you broke that rule... So I’ll have to kick you out fast, lest Riddle learns about you being here.”

The freshman’s face contorted into a rageful expression. “Wh-what the hell?!”

I’m sorry. But it’d be easier for you to be punished by me than him.

With a heavy heart, the current Cater then used his Unique Magic to overwhelm the freshmen with sheer numbers. It didn’t take a genius to know who would win such a one-sided fight—of course, the first-years ended up having to retreat from the Heartslabyul premises, looking betrayed and battered by the beating they’d just received from the person they helped in the first place.

(It must have been painful.)

As he watched them leave, the viridian-eyed boy’s eyes clinched as a pained grimace spread across his face. Tears began to well up in his eyes when he remembered that they were having such a good time together just earlier. His hand clenched around his phone that contained the photo they took just now…

God, he felt awful.

“—I’m sorry, I had to do it… I… I…” He slumped onto the floor, embracing himself uselessly in a futile attempt to give himself comfort. What little magic within him was slowly dissipating bit by bit… He was only a clone, after all.  “I’m sorry. I will help you soon, I promise. So I—” Cater choked, breaking into a full-on sob. He was feigning an image of happiness earlier, but now cracks in his facade were showing. “I’m so…so sorry…”

The tears that fell to the ground as he wept were reminiscent of his heart’s second blot, and it rippled in the hopelessness that resonated deep inside him.

This would continue on until the day of his imminent reckoning.

Chapter Text

Despite being someone who craved genuine connections and companionship, Cater Diamond had always been one to keep others at arms’ length. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate company or value friendships; rather, he simply figured that nothing in this world would last forever. Expecting bonds marred in impermanence to live longer than that was just begging for the impossible.

How did he arrive at this sort of conclusion, you might ask? Well, Cater’s backstory isn’t really that sob—he and his family simply had to move countless times when he was younger because of his dad’s work as a banker. The friendships he had made never lasted as a result, no doubt because of the distance in not just physicality, but also in the eventual numbing of the young boy’s heart. It was just…easier to cease from expecting, rather than desire needlessly for things that could not be.

(As such, the irony of the diamond-adorned soldier’s actions were ever apparent in light of this.)

What was so special about Heartslabyul? He’d already established the futility of attachment a long time ago, so why was he clinging so desperately onto the delusion of a former title? Of yet another temporary sense of camaraderie? What did he stand to gain from wringing himself out like this?

I feel like I might disappear, the current Cater thought to himself as he walked towards his next class in magical pharmacology. The energy he’d expended earlier to kick out the ‘Heartshackle’ combo had heavily impeded his functionality for the rest of the day. Thankfully, his original self wasn’t one to form deep connections with others, so maybe no one would be suspicious about the sudden change in his demeanor— 

“Cater? Are you alright? You look sick.”

—or so he thought. The clone inwardly groaned when he heard that certain someone’s voice. This man had the worst timing, he swore it to the Seven.

“....Oh, Trey-kun? Whatever do you mean?” Cater's response came out smoother than he anticipated, a practiced facade of nonchalance masking the turmoil churning within him. Trey, ever perceptive, narrowed his eyes as he approached his fellow third-year, clearly unconvinced by the dismissive tone.

"You're pale, and you're sweating. Plus, you've been acting off since this morning. Did something happen?" Trey said while placing a hand on the orange-haired boy’s shoulder. Cater could tell that his concern was genuine; his voice was even laced with a hint of worry, and his sights never left Cater not even once as the conversation progressed.

That’s what made him so unbearable.

Suppressing a sigh, Cater forced a casual shrug. "Just a bit tired, I guess. You know how it is with all these classes and assignments piling up, and the upcoming unbirthday."

“...I see. You should take it easy, Cater. Don’t push yourself too hard,” his bespectacled companion said after a pause. Somehow, his choice of words made it seem as though he had an inkling about what was going on behind the scenes...but the clone found himself to be not at all worried about that.

It’s Trey, after all. He’ll hesitate to take action because this is related to Riddle.

In the end, everything still plays out to his convenience.

The day thus continued on with the current Cater just barely getting by, making it through the onslaught of classes with what little strength he had left. Unfortunately for him, however, Trey wasn’t the only one he had to look out for—there were still a select few out there who were observant enough to notice the discrepancies in his behavior.

(And one of those select few was Malleus Draconia.)

As the day wore on, the current Cater's exhaustion only seemed to deepen, weighing heavily on his shoulders like a burden he couldn't shake. By the time PE class rolled around, he was running on fumes, his movements sluggish and his mind clouded with fatigue. He couldn't even feign a smile on default anymore. 

Dragging himself to the outdoor training grounds, Cater eventually found himself surrounded by his classmates, each engaged in various physical activities under the watchful eye of the instructor. Had Vargas gotten sick of flying exercises or something? he thought as he scanned the area, hoping to find a quiet corner where he could blend into the background and avoid drawing any more attention to himself.

However, fate had other plans in store for him.

As Cater shuffled toward the edge of the field, he caught sight of two familiar figures engaged in a hushed conversation beneath a nearby tree. Malleus Draconia, with his regal bearing and piercing gaze, stood in stark contrast to the whimsical figure of Lilia Vanrouge, whose playful demeanor belied the wisdom hidden beneath.

His heart stuttered as he realized they might have been discussing him. The thought of being the subject of their scrutiny sent a shiver down his spine, igniting a familiar sense of unease that he struggled to suppress. Usually it wouldn’t be a big deal for him to parry away such intrusive thoughts, but now…

Forcing himself to adopt a casual air, the clone approached the pair, his steps slow and deliberate. "Hey, Malleus-kun, Lilia-chan," he greeted them, hoping to deflect any suspicions they might have about his current state. His signature, snaggletoothed smile was once again etched onto his face. “I didn’t know our classes would share PE today.”

Malleus regarded him with a cool detachment, his golden eyes betraying nothing of his thoughts. “Diamond,” he acknowledged with a nod, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity. “I was not aware we would share classes either.”

Lilia, on the other hand, flashed his fellow bandmate a mischievous grin, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “My, my, what brings you to our humble gathering, Cater? You seem a bit... off today.”

Cater forced a laugh upon hearing that, hoping to mask the unease churning in his stomach. "Just a bit tired, that's all. We have an unbirthday party coming up and all.”

The briar prince arched an eyebrow at that, his expression inscrutable. “A party? I see.” The brief pause that followed that particular statement made the diamond-adorned student worry if Malleus was offended that he wasn’t invited to a Heartslabyul event. He didn’t expect his elusive companion to utter his next words at all. “…But, I must say, you seem more fatigued than usual. Is everything alright?"

Cater's heart pounded in his chest as he struggled to maintain his composure. Malleus was concerned about him? The Malleus Draconia? That made him feel simultaneously happy and fearful for some reason.

“I’m fine, really~” Cater insisted, forcing a smile despite the knot of anxiety tightening in his chest. He made sure to make his voice sing-songy so that he could be convincing. “But I didn’t realize you were so worried about me, Malleus-kun! Could it be that you care about me after all?”

With that, Malleus turned away from him abruptly, prompting Lilia to shoot his liege a knowing look. The Diasomnian dorm leader was adamant to not reply to that question, and after a few beats passed, their small group’s conversation eventually drifted to other topics. Cater couldn't help but feel a sense of relief mingled with apprehension. 

I convinced them, right? There’s nothing to worry about, right?

The clone’s thoughts kept alternating between one and the other as the day continued to haplessly proceed, and soon enough, it came to an end. The moon began to hang over the sky, hailing the descent of the evening breeze.

Now, after such a tumultuous day, dinner was akin to heaven for Cater. Save for the typical, heavy ambiance that plagued Heartslabyul for weeks on end, he was just glad to be able to savor a delicious meal. After that, he later on retreated to the sanctuary of his dorm room…and only then did the emptiness inside him return. And increasingly so, as with each passing hour, the weight of his secret grew heavier and heavier, a constant reminder of the charade he was forced to uphold.

Sinking onto his bed, Cater let out a heavy sigh, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. He glanced at the time on his phone, noting the late hour. Somehow he hoped that the original Cater would return soon—if a clone like himself felt so fatigued after expending that much magic, what more for the actual spellcaster?

Pursing his lips, the clone tossed and turned on his bed before eventually jumping out of it. A certain fire lit aflame in his eyes.

I’ll try to look for him. Maybe we can discuss the plan a bit more, he thought as he stealthily made his way out of the Heartslabyul dorm and ventured out beyond the mirror.

Making his way through the silent corridors of Night Raven College, the current Cater's steps quickened with each passing moment. He’d already checked the many various hiding spots within their school, but to no avail. It seems that, wherever it was his original self was honing his magic at, it was beyond his reach.

“I should’ve known this would be a futile effort,” he muttered to himself as his steps hastened. “Now I’m at risk of getting scolded by Riddle because I left the dorm outside of curfew…”

The Heartslabyul dorm leader often made the rounds to check each dorm room and see if the students were really inside and not gallivanting about who knows where—around this time, Riddle was probably still checking the first-years… If he was quick enough, Cater could still make it in time. Probably.

As he reached the courtyard, the diamond-etched boy’s gaze swept over the familiar surroundings, searching for any sign of his counterpart despite the uselessness of this action. His heart sank in disdain nonetheless when he realized the courtyard was deserted, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight.

Just as he was about to run past the area altogether, a flicker of movement caught his eye. It was then that he found a solitary figure standing at the edge of the courtyard, illuminated by the pale light of the moon.

It was Malleus Draconia, his regal form silhouetted against the darkness, neon green orbs floating within his vicinity. He looked so ethereal that Cater almost mistook him for an illusion, a trick of the light.

He was stunning.

Trepidation in his steps, the current Cater found himself approaching Malleus, captivated by the mesmerizing green orbs of light swirling around the dragon prince. They danced in the air like emerald fireflies, casting a soft, ethereal glow over the courtyard. That, coupled with the rarity before him, was perhaps the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen his entire life.

“…Malleus-kun, those lights... they're incredible,” Cater remarked, his voice filled with awe as he reached out to touch one of the shimmering orbs. The recipient of his statement seemed surprised by the sudden interaction—clearly he had been so lost in his own thoughts that he didn’t notice his acquaintance’s footsteps.

Usually, anyone who would speak to him as candidly as that would be reprimanded for their rudeness; however, Cater Diamond was a different case. He was a welcome intrusion, and Malleus regarded him with a faint smile, the moonlight catching the few stray strands of his hair. “They are a manifestation of my magic,” he explained, his voice carrying a hint of pride, while still sounding soft all the same. “A reflection of my connection to the natural world.”

Cater's eyes sparkled with curiosity as he watched the lights twirl and dance around Malleus. “It's beautiful,” he murmured, a sense of wonder filling his heart.

For a moment, they stood in silence, enveloped by the tranquility of the night and the gentle hum of magic that hung in the air. Cater was entranced still by the floating lights, whereas Malleus quietly looked on at his companion, a ghost of a smile tugging at his lips. In that instance, the ex-dorm leader felt a sense of connection with his former colleague, a shared understanding that transcended words.

It was…strange. He hadn’t expected to find such an apparent sense of solace with Malleus Draconia of all people. They were far too different for that to have been possible.

(And yet it happened…almost as if it were a mere dream…)

As the clock struck midnight, reality came crashing back with sudden clarity. Cater's heart sank as he realized he couldn't afford to linger any longer. He had a responsibility to his counterpart, a duty to ensure that their plan to save their beloved dorm would not go to waste.

"I... I have to go," he said abruptly, tearing his gaze away from Malleus and the enchanting lights that surrounded him.

Malleus, in turn, regarded him with a pensive look, his expression unreadable in the darkness. "Very well, Diamond," he said softly. "Do be careful."

With a heavy heart, Cater nodded in acknowledgment before turning on his heel and disappearing into the night. As he hurried back to Heartslabyul, he couldn't shake the sense of melancholy that settled over him, a bittersweet reminder of the fleeting moments of connection he had shared with Malleus.

But duty called, and he knew he couldn't afford to dwell on sentimentality. With each step he took, he steeled himself for what he would face in the next days to come—and all throughout, he tried to set aside the sense of dread welling up in his chest.

(The third drop of blot thus emerged from the unknown.)

Chapter Text

Riddle could still remember his first encounter with Cater Diamond as if it had happened yesterday.

He had been reading a book all on his lonesome at Heartslabyul’s lounge that day, minding his own business as he acclimated to life at the dorm. No one dared approach him—he’d already established to his peers earlier on that he was out of their league, someone they could never hold a candle to. And he was perfectly fine with that.

“I’m already halfway through memorizing the Queen of Hearts’ rules,” he murmured to himself, flipping through another page of the thick hardback he held in hand. His forehead creased as he continued to peruse its contents. “And once I’ve gone through it all, I shall…”

…challenge the current dorm leader and reform Heartslabyul for the better. These were but a dash of the daring ambitions that swirled from within Riddle Rosehearts on that fateful day, each one more plausible than the last. He was, after all, a prodigy in magic and academics both, hailing from a family that had constantly molded him to become the best. No one else was more deserving of becoming the prefect than he was; he swore it upon his pride as a mage.

“Oh, Riddle-kun! Good morning—you sure are being productive on this wonderful day~ Kudos to you for that!”

The rosehead nearly jumped out of his seat once he heard that upbeat voice. Instinctively, he turned to glare at the source of it, but instead his eyes widened when he saw who was before him. In lieu of a berating remark, he nodded his head courteously as he closed his eyes.

“…Prefect Diamond,” he acknowledged, shutting his book closed. He then opened his eyes and stared straight into the eyes of the smiling man in front of him. “I was merely studying on Heartslabyul’s rules, just as any student of our dorm should. I hardly deserve your praise.”

“Haha, you’re too humble, Riddle-kun! And excellent, too. Heartslabyul is truly fortunate to have someone like you in our dorm.”

Back then, Cater Diamond was the one who was bequeathed the uniform of the rose-adorned dorm leader uniform, and it suited him immensely. His hair was much longer, styled in such a way that his little crown nestled perfectly upon his head, and it was tied loosely at the back as well, a tad reflective of his lackadaisical stance in leading those under his rule. There were no pins scattered onto his light orange locks, and his bangs were parted just enough for it to frame his ever-smiling face. Riddle would be remiss if he didn’t think he wasn’t beautiful.

The radiant gem at the heart of their dorm—the Diamond of Heartslabyul. Such was Cater’s moniker and the acclaim that it beheld. It was precisely what made Riddle both admire and detest him.

“…I shall accept your kind words, Prefect,” he murmured in response, tone slightly low. “Heartslabyul is also lucky to have someone such as yourself as its dorm leader.”

Cater's easy charisma and genuine warmth made it difficult to harbor any ill will towards him. He also possessed a complicated Unique Magic, which was evidence enough that he was a powerful mage... Riddle knew this. But on the other hand, he couldn't shake off the feeling that Cater's leadership lacked the firmness and discipline that Heartslabyul desperately needed. He was far too lax, far too amicable towards even their most mischievous students. And that…that was unacceptable.

As the then-prefect continued to chat amicably, Riddle found himself nodding along, unable to fully express his inner turmoil. He often darted his glance at the throne located at the center of the lounge, the throne that he often saw Cater seat himself at. It truly suited him when he was seated there… Riddle could admit that much. After all, he admired Cater's ability to connect with everyone in the dorm. He was a good king.

But as good a king as he was, he still has many shortcomings, the rosehead thought as he eyed the way his senior prattled on about the upcoming events in Heartslabyul. What he’s doing still isn’t enough. Surely, if I told him right now just what it is he’s missing, he’d get a clue, but…

Riddle remained determined, steadfast in the mission he had given to himself. He would fulfill his ambitions and challenge Cater for the leadership of Heartslabyul someday—that was a fact that could never be denied, a verdict that could never be overruled.

Sure, as he looked at Cater's smiling face, he couldn't help but wonder if his desire to reform Heartslabyul was truly for the better. Perhaps there was more to leadership than just rules and discipline, after all. Maybe Cater's approach, though unconventional, was exactly what the dorm needed…

“Silence! This is all because you broke the rules!”

Riddle flinched as a daunting memory resurfaced in his mind. He clenched his fist.

That’s right. He shouldn’t be complacent.

(There was only one choice he could make to solve this predicament.)

“Off With Your Head!”

“A-AHHH!”

There, in the center of their dormitory’s lounge, stood Riddle, regally adorning the uniform of Heartslabyul’s prefect, his expression stern and unyielding as he administered his Unique Magic onto a fellow student for breaking one of the Queen of Hearts’ rules. The student, a first-year with a crestfallen look, stood before him with a bowed head, whimpering and shaking pathetically, their anguish falling on deaf ears.

The current Cater and Trey looked on helplessly as they stood not too far from the scene, their hearts heavy as they watched it all unfold before them. They were the ones Riddle had instructed to bring this student before him…and despite their reservations about their dormhead’s leadership style, they knew better than to rebuke him for it—for Cater, it was because he knew it would amount to nothing, and for Trey…well, he had a far more personal reason for leaving Riddle be.

“Dorm Leader, I…I’m sorry… I didn’t know that such a rule existed, I…” The student sobbed as he prostrated himself on the floor. “Please give my magic back… We have an important magical…aptitude test tomorrow…”

“No.” Riddle’s decision was unwavering. He glared down at the first-year mercilessly as he tapped onto his shoulder with his magical staff. “You broke the rules, and you shall pay the price. Now, get out of my sight and reflect on what you’d done.”

The student then weakly got up and scurried away, all the life draining from his face as he felt the full weight of the collar embracing his neck. Cater couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt as he observed. He had once held the position of dorm leader, yet now he found himself powerless to protect his fellow students from Riddle's disciplinary actions.

If only I could get into contact with the real me, he thought to himself as bit his lower lip. The Unbirthday Party is already set for the day after tomorrow…

Sensing his troubled train of thought, Trey placed a reassuring hand on Cater's shoulder, silently conveying their shared sense of pity and frustration. The viridian-eyed one returned his gaze, smiling wryly even though his companion’s action only made him feel worse.

Nothing Trey did could quell the turmoil resurfacing from within the clone—after all, even though both of them shared the same guilt of being unable to do anything as Riddle trekked this destructive path, Trey would still choose the friend that mattered more to him than anything else.

“Don’t look at me like that,” he wanted to tell him. “You’ll choose Riddle anyway.”

But as usual, Cater didn’t say anything. Even as a mere clone, he couldn’t perform anything beyond what the real Cater would most likely do. He was limited.

And even if he wasn’t, Trey was unreachable regardless.

After what happened yesterday evening, Cater whiled away quietly at the library, lost in his own regrets. It had been so hectic ever since he’d returned to the dorm after his late-night rendezvous with Malleus—he hadn’t even been able to thank the prince for his company, and it’s almost been a week since that fateful meeting.

“…But there are more pressing matters anyway,” he whispered to himself as he aimlessly returned the book he held onto the shelf. His brows furrowed and, feeling a little helpless, he lightly banged his head upon the bookcase in front of him. “And that bastard Cater still hasn’t come back yet…”

Just as he was about to punch the bookcase in frustration, a certain exchange halted his impulsive behavior. Not too far from him, Cater could hear familiar voices arguing about…something. What that something was, he didn’t know yet.

And that’s precisely why he had to find out.

Stealthily getting himself at the edge of the case, he peered at the scene taking place right beside the tables adjacent to the bookcase he was hiding behind. There he saw a certain, collared ginger and a certain green-haired man, of whom were seemingly engaged in a heated debate. Not afar from them was Deuce, Yeou, and Grim.

The ones who are talking are…Ace and Trey? The clone thought as he was swept by confusion over the sight unfolding before him. He pursed his lips nervously. What’s going on…?

“—Riddle thinks being bound by rules is for one’s own benefit,” the bespectacled of the group said in a grave tone, crossing his arms. “He was raised in such a strict way and became a leader despite that…so he believes that his way is what’s best for everyone. He’s only doing what he thinks is right, and he’s only doing what he believes is good for the dorm…”

“And you think that that validates his actions? Seriously?” Ace replied, his tone of voice carrying a shade of annoyance. Trey fell silent to that, but it didn’t take long before he could compose himself and speak up once again.

“Ace, listen. I understand why you might think he’s a tyrant. And I get that his method of leadership is…incorrect,” he remarked, his voice wavering and his expression pained. “But on my part, I… I can’t bring myself to tell him off. I saw how he was raised, and it was partially my fault why our friendship got severed and…” He then closed his eyes as he massaged his forehead. “I can’t say anything against him… Not to him, not to Riddle.”

Cater already knew that, but hearing it straight from Trey himself still made his heart ache more than it was supposed to. He hung his head low while a shadow slowly cast itself over his eyes.

“So this…” he muttered under his breath as he smiled emptily. “…is the full extent of a genuine bond.”

How utterly pathetic and ugly.

(But still, he envied it.)

It’s time.

At this point, Ace's frustration had now become palpable, and his next words were laced with a raw emotion that cut through the air like a knife.

“You’re just making excuses! You’re letting your guilt and your fear control you,” he snapped, his voice tinged with anger, disbelief, and disappointment. “You’re so caught up in your own turmoil that you can’t even see the pain that the dorm leader’s causing, let alone the suffering of your other friends like Cater-senpai!”

It’s time to go.

Trey flinched at Ace's words, his expression becoming all the more pained as he absorbed the full force of his junior’s accusation.

“Ace, I… I know you’re right,” Trey admitted, his voice barely above a whisper as he struggled to find the words to express his inner turmoil. “But I can’t just abandon Riddle. He’s… he’s been through so much, and I can’t shake the feeling that I’m the only one who truly understands him.”

“You idiot, all you’re doing is enabling him!”

Enough dilly-dallying, Cinderella.

“You probably didn’t even notice that Cater-senpai’s been there, listening to you being an absolute moron this whole time!” Ace yelled as he pointed towards where the clone once was, confusion later on clouding his face when he realized that no one was there. “…Huh? Wait, I could swear that he was…”

At that moment, Trey felt a foreboding sense of dread well up from deep inside him. He walked towards the direction Ace was pointing at, gulping slowly all throughout.

“Cater…?” he muttered unsurely as he glanced behind the bookcase. Then, his gaze shifted downwards and his heart quivered at the sight before him.

A puddle of blot lay where Cater once stood.

(The fourth of many, many tragedies to come.)

Chapter Text

Cater Diamond had always dreamed in cinders, burning brightly at first, only to simmer down into charcoal black in the end. The effervescent glow of the flames he saw could only ever be remembered in memory—but to him, they seemed to have lasted for an eternity.

How truly odd, for someone who denounced the notion of permanence so.

The dream would start just as any fairytale would; heralded by a simple “once upon a time,” sparks would make the flames arise and the tick-tock sound of a clock would while all its time away as Cater rushed against it, always working on a deadline, always rushing but still getting distracted by sweet niceties anyway. Friends. Family. Love. It was all a farce, and yet he yearned for it pathetically, even though he knew he was running on borrowed time. And as a result, he suffered.

First, the pain of loss.

Second, the pain of guilt.

Third, the pain of hope.

And fourth…

The pain of trust.

(The blot…)

(…never lies.)

There was only one thing left to do once the pain had consumed his soul: he had to fulfill his mission before the flames were reduced to mere cinders, before the clock struck midnight…but at the end of each recurrent dream, Cater wondered, had he ever succeeded?

“I never did,” he alone answered his self-imposed query as he rose from the ashes he laid upon. A shadow was cast over his viridian gaze, reflecting the obscured state of his weary mind. “But this is reality—not a dream, not a fairytale.”

(That’s right. He wouldn’t fail this time around.)

Bloodied in blot and pure loathing, the once red, diamond-shaped mark below his right eye was now tainted in black—black like the darkness that indwelled him, black like the gaping abyss in his heart.

The floor clacked to the sensation of a solitary glass slipper meeting asphalt as he then walked to the awaited Unbirthday Party, now ready to face the final trial.

Cater was nowhere to be found since he mysteriously disappeared yesterday. All that was left to indicate his sudden disappearance was the blot left behind at the library, and…that honestly wasn’t a good sign. Trey had tried desperately to get a hold of him since then—calling his phone, looking for him all over the dorm, and asking their classmates and acquaintances if they’d seen him, but all of his efforts were to no avail. Cater was simply…gone. There was no hint at all as to where he ran off to, and that frustrated Trey to no end.

“You’re so caught up in your own turmoil that you can’t even see the pain that the dorm leader’s causing, let alone the suffering of your other friends like Cater-senpai!”

Ace’s words from their previous confrontation resurfaced in his mind as it raced with thoughts about his missing friend. Trey wound up furrowing his eyebrows in frustration as a result; after all, it was true. He noticed that Cater was behaving oddly ever since the last time he challenged Riddle to a duel, but he cast his suspicions aside out of consideration for his wayward childhood friend… And look where that got him.

Cater… Just where are you? he lamented. I’m sorry. I said I’d be there for you, and yet I…

“—Trey-senpai. Trey-senpai!”

The bespectacled vice leader of Heartslabyul abruptly opened his eyes upon hearing that loud voice, freeing himself from his unsure train of thought. He then looked up at the person standing before him, red-irised eyes meeting his amber gaze.

“Ah, Ace…” He forced a smile onto his face as he gently regarded the first-year. “Have you brought the mont blanc we made? It would be great if Riddle finally forgive you today.”

That would be one worry crossed off the list.

“Yeah, duh!” Ace replied in a matter-of-fact tone, afterwards jabbing a thumb towards his right. “Deuce, Yeou, Grim, and I were planning to give it to the dormhead. Could you come with us?”

“Of course.”

Despite his worries about his friend’s whereabouts, Trey had a responsibility to Heartslabyul as the vice dorm leader. He was in-charge of the final preparations for the Unbirthday Party, and not even being Riddle Rosehearts’ childhood friend would exempt him from the prefects’ rage if the party venue, food, and programme had been less than perfect.

Likewise, he had to ensure that Ace’s apology would go smoothly as well. He owed it to both Riddle and Ace for it to be so.

Shortly after reconvening with their fellow companions, one of the Heartslabyul dorm members bellowed an announcement, indicating that the most important person in the party had arrived.

“Announcing our dorm leader! The Crimson Ruler! Dorm Leader Riddle!”

“Dorm Leader Riddle, hip hip hooray!”

With all the pomp and circumstance befitting his title, Riddle made his entrance, his expression stern and his demeanor strict as he surveyed the gathered students. It didn’t seem to matter to him at all that they were cheering for him—that was simply how it was supposed to be, after all, and they’d have hell to pay if they didn’t cheer as they should’ve.

“Hm. The roses are red, the tablecloths are white…” the crimson tyrant said whilst surveying the venue with a watchful eye. “…A perfect Unbirthday Party.’

As the object of all his guilt and affection walked towards the center on which he stood, Trey couldn't help but feel a twinge of apprehension—this intensified all the more when Riddle afterwards directed his gaze to him, his gray eyes boring into the vice leader’s amber ones with a seething intensity.

“And I trust that a mouse is asleep within the teapot?”

“Yes.” Trey willed himself to look at ease. “The jam to put on its nose at the right time is also ready.”

“Good. As expected of you,” Riddle remarked, a ghost of a smile tugging at his lips. One could tell that he still beheld affection of some sort for his childhood friend from that look on his face alone…but this expression of his faltered immediately right after, when he noticed the absence of a certain someone from their party. “…Wait a second.” The tone in his voice became serious as he continued speaking, “Where is Cater?”

“He…he’s preparing a special surprise for you. That’s why he’s running a little late.”

“That doesn’t excuse his tardiness.” The rosehead tapped his heels on the grass impatiently, irked by this apparent form of disrespect. “I wanted him to see for himself just how much Heartslabyul has flourished under my rule… Tsk. What an irresponsible predecessor I have.”

Trey’s heart sank as Riddle barraged Cater with an onslaught of disdainful commentaries—he’d tried to cover up his friend’s disappearance by lying that he was off preparing a surprise, but it seemed as if his attempt to help had only made things worse. Cater would now have to face punishment once he returned…

(That is, if the Cater they knew would ever return at all.)

“…Putting that aside, is that not the freshman tart thief standing behind you, Trey?” Ah, the awaited question was finally brought up. The green-haired student darted his eyes at the group of collared students not too far from him, giving them a meaningful look. “Do you have some business with me, Ace Trappola?”

“Yes! Erm…”

At Trey’s cue, Ace approached Riddle, the aroma of the mont blanc he held wafting through the air. Deuce, Grim, and Yeou the Ramshackle prefect followed right after him, waiting with bated breath for what would transpire next. The blue-haired, spade-adorned student, in particular, was shaking like a leaf even though he wasn’t the one holding the tart.

Riddle's gaze fell upon them as they drew nearer, his piercing gray eyes narrowing slightly as he took in the scene before him. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded, his voice carrying an edge of authority.

The ginger then stepped forward boldly, holding out the tart with a lopsided grin. "Dorm Leader Riddle, we made this mont blanc tart as a token of apology for the one I accidentally took. I hope you'll accept it and forgive us."

There was a tense moment of silence as Riddle regarded the offering, his expression unreadable. Trey held his breath, hoping that their gesture would be enough to placate the strict dorm leader…

…but unfortunately for him, the worse came to worst, and it seemed as though this course of action had angered the crimson ruler even more.

“A mont blanc?! I can’t believe this!” Riddle angrily stated, crossing his arms indignantly. He furrowed his eyebrows at the flabbergasted first-year, the disappointment now apparent on his face. “According to No. 562 of the Laws of the Queen of Hearts, ‘One must not bring a mont blanc to an Unbirthday Party’…” he clenched his teeth as he continued speaking, “You’ve violated an imperative rule! How could you do something like this?! The Unbirthday Party is now utterly ruined!”

“N-Number 562…?!” Deuce exclaimed, almost disbelieving.

“Does he have them all memorized or something…?” Yeou queried. The foxtailed man hugged Grim closer to him even more as he narrowed his eyes at Riddle. This was probably the first time Trey had ever heard him talk.

But that wasn’t the issue here! Something had to be done—and quick!

“Riddle—I mean, Dorm Leader,” Trey stammered as he tried to maintain his composure. “My deepest apologies. I was the one who suggested that they make a mont blanc tart. This is all because I only committed 350 of the Queen of Hearts’ rules to memory—”

“The issue doesn’t lie in the fact that this dastardly tart was made!” the crimson leader immediately interjected, taking the tart from Ace’s hand. “The problem is that you brought it here—” he continued as he then threw the tart onto the floor, face all red with anger. “—and today of all days! You’ve disgraced the name of our renowned dorm! What do you have to say for yourself?!”

At that, Ace's frustration finally bubbled up; his patience had reached its limit as he witnessed Riddle's loyalty to such ridiculous rules even in the face of a sincere apology. He clenched his fists, his expression shifting from surprise to anger as he stepped forward, his voice rising with each word.

"You moron!" Ace shouted, eliciting a number of gasps from the students around him. "We came here to apologize, to make amends for a mistake, and you're turning it into some kind of absurdity over a tart? Is this really what's important right now? Are you crazy?!"

Trey watched on as a mixture of horror and concern flashed across his features. Meanwhile, Riddle's gaze hardened at Ace's outburst, his jaw clenching as he bristled at the challenge to his authority. "How dare you speak to me in such a manner, you clueless freshman," he seethed, his voice low and dangerous. "You will show proper respect to your dorm leader."

But the heart-adorned student wasn't backing down. "Respect is earned, Dorm Leader," he shot back, his tone defiant. "And right now, you're making it awfully hard to respect someone who’s being such a big baby over a freaking tart."

“What did you just say?!”

The tension in the room reached a breaking point, and the air was thick with the weight of the confrontation.

“Throughout my entire tenure as Heartslabyul’s leader, no student has been held back or expelled from our dorm! Here, I am the one with the highest marks, as well as the strongest!” Riddle flung his cape back as he defensively retorted Ace’s statements. His breathing was becoming more and more ragged, and his left eye was even twitching. “That makes me the most correct! All…all you have to do is follow my rules without talking back!”

Everyone fell into a stunned silence as they witnessed the infamous crimson ruler plummet into a downward spiral. It was a difficult sight…but also, very, very expected.

It was always destined to turn out this way.

Down…

“I—I’m not cutting your heads off because I want to! YOU KEEP BREAKING THE RULES AND LEAVE ME NO CHOICE!”

…down…

“Why the hell are you pinning the blame on us? Haven’t you considered that you’re also at fault—”

“SHUT UP! SHUT UP!” Riddle screams, face completely reddened by his rage. He was absolutely livid. “ALL—ALL WAYS ARE MY WAYS! IF YOU DON’T DO AS I SAY, IT’S OFF WITH YOUR HEADS!”

…he falls.

Broken. Shattered onto the ground like the fragile little king he’d always been.

(Cater supposed that made the two of them.)

“How wonderful it is to finally witness your fall, Crimson Tyrant.”

Just as yet another silence was about to grace the venue of the ruined Unbirthday Party, a certain someone’s entrance managed to ensnare everyone’s attention once again. All eyes were now on the sole constituent who was late to the party; the former king of their dormitory, the once-renowned Diamond of Heartslabyul—

“…Cater…?” Trey muttered disbelievingly, eyes widening once it finally registered who exactly he was seeing. A short-lived sense of relief welled up inside him, only for him to notice the ooze of blot and the tainted rags his friend now adorned. Something was terribly, terribly wrong.

“Sorry for being late, everyone,” Cater greeted as an empty smile traced his face, a thread of blot cascading down the eye above his now-black diamond mark. It almost seemed like a tear. “As you know, miracles take a little time.”

[Art by hanadahajime_]

From the kind and friendly prefect they knew before, to the peppy yet reliable senior they came to know a year after. The Cater of the present was no longer any of those people—he had become something far more sinister than they had ever hoped to imagine. The abyssal darkness that plagued his steps and the glasswork, blotted monster following close behind him was more than telling.

“Cater…overblotted….” Riddle murmured, an expression akin to horror and concern spreading across his face. His earlier outburst was now left in cinders as they faced this current situation, and his gaze was fixated on Cater and Cater alone. “How did this happen… I… I simply…”

Without warning, Cater rushed forward with a ferocity that sent a chill down Trey’s spine. In one swift motion, he had seized Riddle by the collar, lifting him effortlessly into the air, his fingers tightening around the dorm leader's throat with a vice-like grip.

The courtyard fell into a cacophony of panicked screams, the air wrought with tension and fear as everyone either watched in shock or ran away from the scene because of the sudden turn of events. The Heartslabyul vice leader cast a protective arm before Ace, Deuce, Grim, and Yeou, protecting the freshmen by instinct before he could even get a grasp on what was happening.

“Cater, stop!” Trey called out, his voice filled with desperation. But alas, his pleas fell onto deaf ears.

(Whoever that was in front of him, it was nobody but a mere shadow of Cater’s former self.)

Riddle struggled against his attacker’s hold, his face turning red as he gasped for air, his eyes wide with fear and confusion. “C-Cater…you…” he managed to choke out, his voice strained.

“I’ve always longed for this day to arrive,” was the blotted being’s sole reply, his expression twisted in rage and elation as he grinned at the dorm leader, his grip only tightening further with each passing moment. “Riddle-kun, you know I love you, right?”

“Ca…ter…”

“I love you, and I love Trey…” Black tears began to well up and fall from Cater’s eyes while he still maintained the crazed grin on his face. His grip on Riddle tightened, but it quivered all the same. “I love everyone in our dorm. Heartslabyul is everything to me…”

An intense, dark energy then began to emanate from the broken former king as he continued to weep and laugh and sob and smile.

“…so I had to do this! To protect you all!” he exclaimed, stifling a cry. “Cay-kun loves you all so, so much…it drove him into madness!”

As the suffocating darkness continued to swirl around them, Trey knew that they were facing a threat unlike any they had ever encountered before. And with each passing moment, it became increasingly clear that they were all in grave danger.

But what could possibly be done?

Before an answer to that question could even be found, the darkness soon plagued their entirety, leaving nothing at all to be seen, felt, or heard. Pure nothingness was all that remained.

In the chaos of the courtyard, amidst the darkness and despair, a figure stumbled through the shadows, barely clinging to consciousness. It was the battered and injured clone of Cater, the one who took his place as he furthered his dark magic. His vibrant eyes were now dulled with pain as he struggled to stay on his feet.

He had to get help. He had to save everyone!

With every step, his strength waned, his body battered and broken from the ordeal he had endured. His existence was a mere byproduct of his caster’s spell after all, and the original’s magic was slowly being consumed by blot bit by bit… His time was running out. He might not even make it.

But despite the pain coursing through his veins, this Cater pressed on, driven by a desperate need to seek help for his friends, for Heartslabyul, and for himself.

It almost took an eternity for him to bypass the mirror leading into Diasomnia. Usually, such a detour would be no big deal, but his current state made his journey fraught with peril as he ventured into the depths of the thorned dormitory within Night Raven College.

“There’s an intruder! A student of Heartslabyul!” A certain mint-haired Diasomnian announced as the clone staggered right past him. “You shall not enter! Human, listen to me!”

“Malleus-kun… I have to…” the orange-haired illusion breathed. “…I need his help…I…”

With the last vestiges of his strength fading, Cater collapsed to his knees, his breaths coming in ragged gasps as he called out for help. He wasn’t even able to make it past the castle’s gates, nor was he exempted from the panicked and concerned assistance he received from the Diasomnia student who tried to stop him from entering earlier.

“Diamond? Why have you come here?”

Almost instantly, a figure emerged from the shadows that lay before him, tall and imposing with eyes that seemed to pierce through the darkness itself. It was none other than Malleus Draconia, the feared and revered dorm leader of Diasomnia—and yet, as feared as he was, the gaze in his eyes was nothing short of worried as he looked down at the state of the man before him. The pungent smell of blot does not escape his senses, and it merely adds on to his worries.

“Malleus-kun… please,” Cater pleaded, his voice barely a whisper as he reached out towards the towering figure before him. “I… I need your help.”

The fae prince knelt down before him, embracing the clone without much thought. The expression on his face was pained, almost as if just seeing Cater like this was enough to make his heart ache.

“Tell me,” Malleus urged, his voice gentle yet tinged with urgency. He could sense the desperation in his companion’s plea, the weight of whatever burden he carried heavy upon his shoulders.

The clone took a shaky breath, his body trembling with exhaustion and pain. “Cater…overblotted. Everyone in Heartslabyul is in danger…but it wasn’t supposed to be like this… We…” He hugged Malleus desperately, weeping into the fae’s arms. “We didn’t mean for it to end up this way!”

The prince of thorns held Cater close, offering what solace he could as the clone poured out his heartache and regret. His heart ached at the sight of his suffering, the pain etched into every line of his face a testament to the turmoil raging within him.

“It’s all right,” Malleus murmured softly, his voice a soothing melody in the midst of chaos. “We will find a way to set things right. You have my word.”

With a gentle hand, Malleus guided Cater towards the safety of Diasomnia, the shadows enveloping them both as they disappeared into the darkness. Inside, the flickering green candlelight cast dancing shadows upon the walls, the only sound the echo of their footsteps upon the cold stone floor. The mint-haired student from before remained at the lounge, having been instructed by his liege to brief Lilia about what happened.

But just as they reached the sanctuary of the dorm’s extra chambers, a sudden chill swept through the air, the darkness around them thickening with a sinister presence. Malleus’s senses tingled with foreboding, a warning whispering through the depths of his mind.

“Diamond,” he said, his voice low with concern as he turned to face the clone. But before he could utter another word, Cater’s form began to waver, his body trembling as if caught in the throes of a violent storm.

And then, without warning, Cater collapsed to the ground, his form dissipating into a puddle of blot that stained the floor with its dark essence. Malleus’ mouth hung agape in shock, his eyes widening with a mixture of horror and disbelief at the sight before him.

“Diamond!” he cried out, his voice echoing through the empty chamber. But it was too late. The clone was gone, consumed by the very darkness that had threatened to consume him from within.

In the eerie silence that followed, Malleus stood alone amidst the shadows, a certain feeling marred in the abyss resurfacing from the depths of his heart.

(The fifth blot. Just two more until this tragedy comes to an end.)

Chapter Text

Even though it was an occurrence doomed to blur as time passed by, Trey still remembered the first day he met Cater clearly.

It was during his first night at Heartslabyul, when he had scarcely enough time to get used to life at Night Raven College. The entrance ceremony had been intimidating, filled to the brim with different people with different backgrounds and personalities, with the likes of the celebrity Vil Schoenheit and the fae prince Malleus Draconia among their batch. Trey recalled feeling terribly out of place back then, like a fish out of water, and he almost began to question how he even managed to get a letter from this esteemed school. It just felt utterly…surreal.

Naturally, Trey was still all over the place when he finally arrived at his assigned dorm. His eyes darted to and fro as he observed his surroundings, from the garden and the rose bushes expertly arranged all throughout the space, to the building of the famed dormitory itself—everything was on-point, designed just as the Queen of Hearts herself would declare, and that alone was enough to calm the clover-adorned one’s nerves somewhat. It was close enough to home for him.

The next challenge, however, lay in the room assignments for their fellow first-years; Trey had already heard from his acquaintances that rooming with a stranger was hell in and of itself. He’d heard it all: tales of arguments about cleanliness and proper hygiene, misunderstandings that ended with the other walking out of the door, and even the inevitable events of getting locked out of your room accidentally and staying locked out because of your roommate’s spite…

Truly, a fated match between two who would share their quarters was simply as rare as a four leaf clover, and despite bearing the same name as that symbol of luck, Trey wasn’t all that sure the odds would be on his side at the time.

(But they were.)

As he navigated the corridors, Trey eventually reached his assigned room. With a deep breath, he turned the doorknob and stepped inside, and there he found that the room was cozy yet stylish, adorned with touches of the Queen of Hearts' signature flair. His amber eyes scanned the space, his mind racing with thoughts of how he would decorate his share of the chamber, all while he pondered over who his roommate might be.

Hopefully, they’ll be nice, at least… he thought as he went to his side of the room, sighing. He really didn’t want to be involved with anyone troublesome.

Just as he was about to set down his bag, the door swung open once again, and in walked a light orange-haired student, a red diamond etched under his right eye, his arms laden with boxes and bags. Trey's heart skipped a beat as he took in this person’s appearance—whether it be the cheeriness splayed in the fellow’s viridian eyes, or the snaggletoothed smile he immediately gave Trey, there was something about him that immediately put the boy at ease.

"Oh, hey! I'm Cater," Cater's greeted as his face lit up with recognition., setting down their belongings. "I saw you at the entrance ceremony. Looks like we're roommates!"

Trey couldn't help but feel a surge of relief at Cater's warm demeanor. Despite his initial apprehension about rooming with a stranger, he had a good feeling about this. “…Hey, I'm Trey,” he said, finally, offering a friendly smile.

As they began to unpack and settle into their new living space, with Cater yapping out some small talk that eventually deepened into more mutual conversations, Trey felt a sense of camaraderie growing between them, like two pieces of a puzzle finally finding their match.

In that moment, he realized that maybe, just maybe, luck was on his side after all.

“T-Trey-senpai! Dorm Leader Riddle might die at this rate! We have to do something!”

As the urgency in Deuce's voice pierced through Trey's disorientation, he snapped fully back into the present, his senses sharpening with a rush of adrenaline and urgency. Conflicting thoughts about his affection for his roommate and his loyalty towards Riddle swirled in his mind as he sprang into action, his mind racing for a solution to the dire situation unfolding before him.

"Cater, stop!" Trey's voice rang out desperately for the second time, cutting through the chaos of the scene. The overblotted being was still holding the Heartslabyul prefect in a vice-like grip, and it made Trey shudder when he realized Riddle wasn’t moving anymore. The ominous darkness that was slowly creeping up on all of them wasn’t helping either…

Pointing his magical pen at his corrupted friend, Trey channeled his magic with a fierce determination. A surge of energy pulsed through him as he directed it towards Cater, aiming to distract him somewhat so that he would let Riddle go.

A surge of power erupted from the clover-adorned one’s pen, manifesting in a green burst of light that enveloped its target. The overblotted being recoiled, their grip on Riddle loosening momentarily as they staggered back, caught off guard by Trey's sudden intervention. Taking advantage of this, Trey rushed to Riddle’s side, immediately taking the younger man in his arms, patting his pale face softly.

“Riddle. Riddle,” he called in a shaky voice. “Please be alright…”

"̸̣̩̝̘͗̾̽̔S̵̙͇̈̄̎̽̄͛o̴̰̩̘̘̔͒͋ ̷̹̑͌̿͗̑̑i̷̡̻͔̺̦͆̔n̵̮̘͖̎̋͜͝͠ ̴͉̭̳̼̜̖̍ț̸͆̀̈́h̵͐̓̓̇͜e̴̼͉̪̮͑̽̊ ̷̙̺̝̊̚ͅȩ̴͙̰̥͇͚̈͋͂͆ñ̶͖̝͕̟̘̭ḍ̸̡́̃,̶̼̖̦͚́̓̒͠ ̴̙͐͊̎̈́́̍ẙ̶͙͎̘̇͑̓ͅò̸̘͐͝ǘ̶̢̝̓͝ ̴̳̥̰̳̳̃͛̓͘͜s̷̙̽̏̊̌t̴̪̹͔̰͉̅ï̷̢̺̹̠͓͇̔͗̄l̴͍̥̇͝͠l̴̝͈̙̳̐̆̄́̄͜͠ ̶̜̖̲̀̈c̷̝͚̤͕͙̭̀͂͌͂̆̈́h̸͚̏̈̿ö̷̢̲̺́̓̂͜͠o̸̎̏͠s̸̢͊̓̾̑͝ẻ̸̤̣̥̗͌̽ ̸̛̱̖͎͉̞͕̒̆ḣ̷͖͔̺̟̰̍ḯ̴̧̡̪̞̈́̄̅͒m̸̖̅̈́,̶̰̠͂̈ ̵̡͇͚́͝h̶̺̬͔̯̔̐̍̈́̓u̶̪̹͊̊͌͠h̶̲̎̐̎̾̍ͅ.̵̧̹͌̽̽̀̀̂.̴̤̠̺̖̅̐̀̒͛.̴̢̬̝͕̎́͜͝"̸̥̯̜̏̃͊

Trey's heart jolted with panic at the sound of Cater's distorted voice, tinged with bitterness, sadness…and deep, unadulterated loathing. Gulping, he turned to face his friend, his eyes filled with fear and worry. This worry only intensified when the freshmen he protected earlier ran to shield their leaders from the entity before them, in an act that was nothing short of foolish bravery.

"̶̨͉͓͐Ī̶͙̦́͜ͅ ̶̩̩͕̠̋̄̽ͅͅd̷̘̲̳̙͂͒́͘o̵̦̠̎̀͐̅͘n̵̘͌'̴̯̮̮̲̍̅̈́t̵̨̼̠̐ ̷̥͉͎̫̂͊̈́́̎͜͝ų̸̧͇͎̫̆̃͆́̄n̸̛̘̑̉̅d̵̨͔̥͓͉̀̾̅̆̔͛ȇ̵̮̺̜̭̯͓͂̑̋̑̕r̷͔̼̀͛̒̕s̴̗̥͈͇̅̌̄͝ţ̵͛ȧ̴͓̪̹̂̀́ñ̵̡̬̜̼̲̈́͌̌͒͜͝d̶̢̮̈.̵̱̹̠̭͌̒.̴͔̦̤̇̍̿͘.̶͔̮̣̲͑͋͆̎͝ ̷͍͔̀͒͗̍İ̸̩͘ ̴̡̛̟̪̹͕̌̾̒d̴̢̡͇͚̟͍̀i̶͇̰͍̣͎̇̇̎̈́ḑ̷͆ ̸̥̄e̶͈͎͓̫̅̕͝v̶̦̮̻͚͑́͒̾̉e̵̖̫̍̎̇͠͝r̷͎̆͆͛͘̚̚ỷ̴̧̧̮̼̮̖̋̚t̶̨̢̠̤̥̯͐h̸̝̣̥̾i̵̞̰͈̼̘͝ṇ̶̨͓͍̇̓́̈͘ḡ̴͕̪̱̱͇̌̾͒̿ ̷̜͕͐͛b̶̩̫̹͇͈́̒̕e̷̪̻͒c̶̹̟̞̟̰̮̾͋̀ȃ̶̰̞́u̵̲͍͙͔͐͊s̴̲͉͓̮̭̏̀̎̉̈e̷̡̮̓́̓͊̀̓ ̸̰̺͎͙̄̆͝I̸̳̖̩͓̋͗̈̉̚͝ ̴̡̲̝̳̙͑l̷̡̢͖̲̝̎͘o̴͇̤̭̣̐v̸̡͚͉̠̍́͆ͅẹ̸̐͝d̵̳̜̜̓̎ ̵̡̤̝̗͚̙͌͠ỏ̶͇̥̔͋̓ú̵͉̈́ŕ̷̟̩̿̚ ̵̛̦̭̩̞́̊́̌d̶̪͚̳̜̎̆͊̔̕͝ͅo̴̻̅̄ṛ̷̛͇̩̝̫̙̐̉m̴̨̦̗̺͈͋͊̍̈́.̸̪͖͉͐̀̊͝.̸̢̢̞̦̮̒͛̓̓.̴̹̜̯͑ ̶̢̠̳̥͈̬̃̆͂͒͌̈Ŝ̶̺͔̇̋̊͝ǫ̶̆ ̶̮̠̙͉̉͜ẁ̶͔̬̬͙̂͠h̸̝͔̤́͗͐͂͝y̶͇̞͉̐̈́̓͗͗.̸̰̲̖̈́̔.̵̡̝̖̫̳͙͒͗̊̌́.̶̦̱̰̪̈́̋̒?̷̱̰̟̤͖̝͌͠͝"̵̬̂̒̔̒  

The glasswork monster that followed behind Cater growled in pleasure as the blood residing within it filled up bit by bit. The corrupted mage himself began to recover slowly from the recoil it experienced earlier, his face gritted in pain and betrayal as a shadow glazed upon his teary eyes. Tarry blot flowed achingly along the torn, ragged cotton fabrics he wore, his diamond-embroidered frills and ill-fitted sleeves stained and filthy.

The sight of him like this made Trey’s chest swell in pain.

“Cater, please,” he said softly, his voice pleading. “I didn't choose anyone over you. You and Riddle—you’re both important to me.”

"̷̺͖̩̥̾͋̕̚̚L̶͈̖͊͒̆͗́̚í̵͉͇͖͉̱è̸̫̞̩͉̲̄͛̆̈s̴̲̖̺͒̿̔̄̋̅!̶̨̢̙̹̫̹̾̿̄ ̴͈̱̭̟̌̿̒͘Ȧ̵̡̛̞͙̟̥l̸̛͚͍̬̿̍͆̕͠l̶̯̓̂́̿͋͜ ̷̧̱̗̯̺̲̑̎l̶̢̧̫͖̑į̵̛̭͎̍̆́̀͝ę̶̨͔̓͑̂̊͘͠ș̷͙͊́̀̑!̴̜̩̿̚̚ ̴̢̬̥͛Ả̷̩̭̤͍͜l̶̨̻̀́̀͒̄̚ͅl̶̗̼̖̮͚̉̇͗́ ̸͍̍̕͜͝y̷̨̻̜̫̚o̶̭͓̻̊́̿̏͘͝ụ̵͙̟̲̰͔̾̒́͊͌ ̷̨̡͇̬̙͑̏̀̀͑ȅ̸̦v̸̥̂̓̍͠e̸͇̲̯̖̯̙̋ṟ̶̞̿̈́ ̷̢͖̑͋́̾̔̕ḓ̶̠̳̏́͗o̴̢̜͕̺͔̫͛̒͐͊ ̷̪̓̋̓̑̓į̵̳̬͓̋s̸̼̠͙̪͙̉ ̵̡̺̤̇͝ļ̵̔͂̕í̴̧̡̻̳̭̓͐͑̍e̸̮͑́̄̕͝͠!̴̭̦͛́͝"̵̥̰̃͒̀̕  wept the tainted one in reply, his words less aimed at Trey and more at himself. He then screamed in remorse as he hugged himself uselessly, his face already dirtied by blot-like tears. "̶̡̺̺͓̬̰̍̿̚Ä̷͕́A̴̡̜̥̣͂̉̈͘͘A̴̲̩̹͗̋̕͝Ą̷́̊Ä̸̤̥̪̮͔͕̩́͒̂͛̈͂̈́͌Ą̶̬͈̭̰̝͙̮͍̲̃͊̔̎Ȁ̴̧̰̗̫͔͓͎̝͔̫̈́̿̄͂̀͗̈́̋̕͜͝A̶̗̪̥͎̖̮̭͙͋͠Â̵̺͎̟̰̻̈́̅̌̈͛̂̈́͜͠A̸̛̤͖̱̺̭̯̿̒͛̓̏A̷̼̐͆̃̄̿̎̚Ä̴̟͕͉́̏̏́̚̕Ả̴͔̠̮̥̹̖̣̭̻͚̼̋̚Ḁ̷̞̫̹͍̈͛̊͌͊͒Ǎ̴̧̖̱̩̟̮͔̭͍̎̌͘Ȧ̵̡̢̨̨̝̣̳̱͙̮̔Â̶̼̙͉͉̊͑A̷͓̝̻͋̈́̅̈́H̷̬̩̜̄̒͒̌̍̂H̵̛̭̟̓̅̌͐͑̇̂̃H̶̫̳͉̹̞̰̏͆̒̽͛̐̈ͅH̴̨̨͍̭̘́̎͐̄̈̂̈́̿͝͠H̵̫̳̜͊̽͗̊̉́́͘͝Ḩ̷̫͓͚̟̭͂̿̊͝!̴̢̲̱̣̦̝͎̑̂̀̿̒̃͘ͅ"̴̨̛͔͓̭̼̩͍͙̭̎̊́̏̉ͅ

The air crackled with tension as Cater's tortured cries echoed through the garden, mingling with the fearful murmurs of the onlookers. Trey's heart ached with every anguished scream, his hands trembling with the weight of helplessness. But even then, the fear over what’s to come overwhelmed him more as he hugged Riddle tightly, watching in horror as the glasswork monster’s blot had slowly reached its very brim…

Just as the darkness threatened to consume everything, a sudden surge of ominous energy erupted from the depths, enveloping the garden in an aura of malevolence. The air grew heavy with dread as shadows twisted and writhed, feeding off the fear of those who dared to witness. A path paved by bushes of thorns cleaved through the hallowed gardens of Heartslabyul, and from the depths of the abyss emerged Malleus Draconia, his imposing figure cloaked in darkness as he stepped forward with an aura of foreboding. With a gesture, he summoned forth tendrils of neon-green flamed magic, each one pulsating with his raw magical power.

“Diamond…” he declared, his voice resonating with severity and a hint of sadness. “Your torment ends here.”

As the fae prince’s presence loomed over the garden, a chill ran down Trey's spine, his grip on Riddle tightening in fear. Sensing the same thing, the first-years inched closer to their leaders, equally as wary. All throughout, the neon-green flames danced ominously, casting eerie shadows that flickered across Cater's contorted form.

The overblotted being’s twisted laughter echoed through the garden, a mockery of sanity lost to the abyss. “Ah, Malleus Draconia,” he sneered, his voice dripping with venom, no longer as distorted as before but chaotic all the same still. “How fitting that the dorm leader of Diasomnia should come to witness my ascension. Have you come to congratulate me?”

Malleus' eyes narrowed, a mixture sorrow and finality flashing across his face. “Diamond,” he spoke, his voice carrying a weight of anguish and longing, “I did not wish for this outcome. But I cannot stand idly by and watch as you succumb to darkness.”

Cater's corrupted form then pulsated with dark energy, his gaze now filled with madness and despair. “You cannot understand, Malleus,” he cried afterwards, too abruptly different from his earlier show of arrogance, his voice cracking with emotion. It was like his remorse and his loathing were at war with one another deep inside his mind. “You are too different…too different from me… The darkness in me consumes everything it touches! Even... even you!”

“I know of this darkness all too well,” the prince declares nonetheless as he manifests a neon flame into his hand, gaze directed at Cater, unwavering. “That, I assure you, Diamond.”

As the tendrils of neon-green magic lashed out towards Cater, the corrupted mage countered with blasts of dark energy, each clash sending shockwaves through the garden. Trey and his company could only watch in awe as the two powerful sorcerers engaged in a battle that seemed to defy reality itself.

(But, of course, Malleus was on a different league entirely.)

The prince’s movements were fluid yet calculated, his magic swirling around him like a protective cloak. Meanwhile, Cater's attacks were wild and unpredictable, fueled by the chaotic energy of the overblot. With each strike, the ground trembled, and the air crackled with electricity. The air was so thick with tension that the witnesses of this battle couldn’t help but feel as if they were being suffocated by its intensity.

Suddenly, Malleus unleashed a barrage of spells, overwhelming Cater's defenses and driving him back. Then, once the overblotted being and the monster behind him had recoiled enough that they couldn’t counter with an attack, the Diasomnian uttered the following chant in a low voice, raising his staff as neon-green orbs swirled all around him—

“Spin the thread of disaster in this spinning wheel of fate…

For I, the King of Abyss shall bestow it upon you… Fae of Maleficent.”

The very fabric of reality seemed to warp and bend to his will as the spell took effect.

Cater's corrupted form convulsed as if caught in a whirlwind of agony. The dark energy surrounding him flickered and waned, unable to withstand the force of Malleus' magic. With a final, anguished cry, the overblotted being collapsed to the ground, the monster behind him dissipating into a cloud of dark mist as it roared in rage.

(It was over.)

As the last traces of the overblot faded away, Trey and his companions felt a sudden wave of exhaustion wash over them. Their eyelids grew heavy, and their limbs felt like lead. One by one, they succumbed to sleep, their bodies slumping to the ground in peaceful repose. Only Malleus remained standing, his gaze fixed on Cater’s unbreathing figure before him.

Trey fought against the overwhelming fatigue, trying to stay awake long enough to understand what had happened.

“Ca…ter…” he murmured for the last time as the relentless darkness pulled him into its embrace, his consciousness fading away. The person he was calling for did not reply, having already been devoured by the consequences of his self-destruction.

A silence then fell upon the wretched scene, the former garden of roses now reduced into a plethora of thorns. This quietude, however, was broken by the faint sound of Malleus bristling against the wilted grass as he walked towards Cater, kneeling beside him thereafter.

“…I wished I had arrived sooner,” Malleus muttered, his voice barely a whisper. He then clutched the mage’s lifeless hand and planted a mournful kiss at the back of it. “But I have fulfilled your wish, Diamond.”

Once upon a time, in the land of roses’ embrace,

A rare diamond adorned the space.

His brilliance shone, a sight to behold,

In the fae prince’s heart, a story untold.

From afar, the fae prince glimpsed his gleam,

Enthralled by the diamond's mystic dream.

Yet barriers, like shadows, held them apart,

Their connection tethered, but to start.

Through veils of illusion, hope did rise,

A chance to bridge their vast divides.

But alas, shattered dreams left the prince dismayed,

As he faced the darkness, his hope betrayed.

“The blot never lies,”

the thorned prince uttered in despair;

“The blot never lies,”

he said, his heart in disrepair.

The sixth blot then fell onto the cursed ground,

the seventh yet to be seen, nary a sound.

In this final chapter, the prince's story shall glean

all of the truth, that has yet to be seen.

Chapter Text

Malleus’ dreams had always been woven with thorns, each one serving as a sharp reminder of the futility of his desires. These barbed threads once made false promises with their deceptive allure, benignly hinting at the existence of something beautiful beneath the pain… Yet, as time passed, the thorns merely embedded themselves deeper, leaving behind a trail of prickling pain and bitter memories in their wake. The fleeting moments of happiness became entangled within the thicket of the prince’s mind, their brilliance fading into the shadows of regret. And though the sting of those thorns remained, Malleus couldn't help but hold onto the fleeting glimpses of the radiance that he should have found within his dreams.

After all, what more did he have to hold on to?

Born as the sole heir to a royal line threatened by humanity as well as time, the horned fae never had what the majority referred to as a “normal childhood.” Such a thing had never been possible, even if one were to consider the differences between human society and faerie culture. Be it the love of a mother and a father, the comfort and fun brought forth by one’s peers, or an opportunity to share one’s joys with another…Malleus could never have that. Even if he were to have a simple semblance of those novelties, they would never be enough still. Nothing could ever be enough.

The emptiness within him was just too much.

So much so that it made him wonder how ironic it was that this nothingness that indwelled him was the sole thing that made him whole; that this abyss of his was the greatest epitome of his power, that he was perhaps doomed to remain in the darkness no matter where he might go.

(But still…those who’ve lived in the dark yearn for the light, don’t they?)

Just as he was in his dreams, Malleus was no different in his reality. The threads of thorns that comprised everything that he knew of were insufficient to dull his desire for something more, something permanent. Something that will never leave him be.

…As such, it didn’t take long for him to make his decision. Alongside Lilia’s insistence, Malleus set forth to Night Raven College, accepting the invitation carried off to him by a bird as dark as night, the carriage leading him to the place where his thorns would unravel and begin anew.

(Except that changes rarely ever happened immediately. That much, he already knew.)

Malleus had already expected his reputation to precede him when he first enrolled at the college. His status as a long-lived fae prince, his family's legacy, as well as the supremacy of his magic all but ensured that whispers and rumors would trail him wherever he went. Everyone he met, save for a few eccentric souls, would regard him with fear, assuming the worst of him without even knowing him truly. It had even reached an extent wherein he would not be invited to parties or meetings he was supposed to be at.

“Lilia says that those humans had merely forgotten, but I am certain they did this on purpose,” he once murmured to himself as he walked near the courtyard, the ancient stones beneath his feet whispering tales of the college's long history. He glanced at the old well, the apple trees, the wisp of white clouds in an otherwise blue sky. “After all, how many times had they neglected to invite me? This is outrageous.”

Lost in his thoughts, Malleus thus nearly collided with a certain student who appeared out of nowhere—and needless to say, such an occurrence was a rarity. Usually, students would hightail away from him the moment they noticed him coming their way.

And so, there were only two probabilities at play here. It was either that this person was simply an airhead, or…

…this ‘accidental’ meeting was, in fact, intentional, the Diasomnian thought as he narrowed his eyes at the person in front of him. His arms were crossed and his lips were turned into a frown; yet still, he had it in him to observe his offender.

The figure before him, clad in the night raven college uniform, stood with an easy confidence, their posture relaxed despite the tension in the air. His long,  light orange hair caught the sunlight, casting a warm glow around him as he met Malleus’ gaze with a friendly smile. Meanwhile, his eyes, bright and lively, held a spark of mischief as if he knew something that Malleus didn't… 

And, of course, one couldn’t forget the magical pen held within his uniform’s chest pocket, its red gem indicating the dorm he belonged to—after all, this man was none other than Cater Diamond, the newly-appointed dorm leader of Heartslabyul.

“Whoa there, Malleus-kun! I didn’t see you there, sorry ‘bout that,” Cater chuckled, his tone light and teasing. “You seem to be in deep thought right now. What's on your mind?”

Malleus's frown deepened at his fellow first-year’s casual demeanor. He and Cater had shared classes over the past few weeks, and…his opinion of him wasn’t a good one. The diamond-adorned boy was too pushy for his taste; always talking to him, always asking questions, seemingly as if he was prying for information. That didn’t bode well with the prince, especially since he wasn’t used to such closeness from another person.

Not to mention this man is in the same club as Lilia, he wallowed whilst leaving the student’s question unanswered. Plus, in lieu of replying, he just continued to give him an unimpressed glare as he continued to ruminate. And his position as a dorm leader means I’ll have to deal with him more, too… How bothersome.

Just disappear right now. Disappear!

“Er, Malleus?” Cater called, slightly sweating from the attention. He scratched his cheek nervously. “Did I say something to offend you? Sorry.”

Huh?

The Diasomnian’s eyes widened upon hearing that. It seemed to be a genuine apology. How…surprising.

(What should he respond to that? Was there really anything to say?)

Too shocked to reply, Malleus only responded with silence. Cater thus took this as a go-signal to continue what he had meant to say, albeit hesitantly.

“Well, me talking to you might be irritating and stuff, I get it. But…we’ve interacted before already, and we’ll have to deal with each other more since we’re prefects,” he continued as he urged himself to smile a strained smile. “So I thought we could try to get along better? Like, I could send you a message when we have an upcoming meeting, or we could just…hang out?”

A beat passed. Malleus still wasn’t replying. This then prompted Cater to get straight to the point.

“So, er—” he tried to say, brows furrowing earnestly. “Could you give me your Magicame username? So I can add you!”

An even more deafening silence befell them. Malleus shifted uncomfortably, avoiding Cater's gaze as he searched for a response. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and hesitant.

“I... don't have Magicame,” he admitted, his cheeks coloring slightly with embarrassment. “And... I don't have a phone either. I... broke it a week ago.”

Ugh. Was this what Lilia talked about? The… “someone asking for your number or username” thing? Malleus could hardly even believe that anyone would have the gall to approach him and actually ask that of him…yet now that the opportunity to befriend someone was staring at him right in the face, his phone just had to get broken when he fell into a fit of rage last week. What awful timing.

As he continued to flounder over what else to say, the Heartslabyul dorm leader suddenly broke into laughter, breaking the tense atmosphere. The ebony-haired fae felt a surge of indignation rise within him at Cater's reaction, but he couldn't deny the twinge of amusement that accompanied it. This human’s laughter was…adorably infectious, and despite himself, Malleus found himself finding his expression quite endearing.

“That's the most interesting excuse I've ever heard!” the diamond-adorned student exclaimed between laughs, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes. Malleus's pout deepened at Cater's reaction, but he couldn't suppress the small smile that tugged at the corners of his lips.

“I wasn't making up an excuse,” Malleus insisted, his tone defensive.

At that point in time, Cater’s laughter had gradually subsided and was soon replaced by a warm smile. “No worries, Malleus!” he cheered, eyes crinkling in delight. “How about we go get you a new phone? We can go together after classes.”

The prince hesitated, taken aback by this human’s offer. It was a kind gesture, one that Malleus hadn't expected from someone like Cater… Surely, he wasn’t saying this just for his own advantage…?

Despite his inner reservations, Malleus found himself nodding in reluctant agreement. Little did he know how much that decision would change things for the state of his heart.

Thus was the beginning of their unlikely acquaintanceship, with Cater helping Malleus attend their meetings, or just giving him company in general. They weren't friends per se, but that was also the closest thing Malleus had for friendship.

And back then, it was more than what he could ever ask for.

In the midst of their conversations and shared moments, Malleus found himself reflecting on Cater's presence in his life. Throughout the passing of time, he couldn't help but see the Heartslabyul dorm leader as a rare gem amidst the sea of students at Night Raven College—a diamond shining amidst the darkness of uncertainty and isolation.

There was just something about Cater that set him apart from the rest, something that drew Malleus to him like a moth to a flame. It wasn't just his infectious enthusiasm or his willingness to lend a listening ear; it was the genuine warmth and kindness that radiated from him, illuminating even the darkest corners of the prince’s heart.

(But even then, nothing could’ve prepared Malleus for the cracks hidden beneath Cater’s façade.)

One day, as they walked together through the college grounds, the topic of Silver's impending enrolment came up. Lilia had mentioned it to Cater, apparently, and driven by his own intrigue, the diamond-adorned human thus inquired Malleus about just who this ‘Silver’ person was.

Malleus paused, considering how much to divulge about Silver. After all, the aurora-hued boy was not just any ordinary student; he was Lilia’s adopted son, as well as an apprentice knight who had been tasked to protect the Draconian heir over the course of his studies. While it would be alright to mention the latter half of that information sequence, the same couldn’t be said about the first part…”

“Silver is... a knight-in-training from my homeland,” Malleus began cautiously, choosing his words carefully. “I have known for almost the entirety of his life, and he is someone I trust implicitly.”

Cater's eyes widened with interest upon hearing that, sensing that there was more to the story than the Diasomnian was letting on. “So, like a bodyguard? At such a young age?” Cater prompted, eager for more details. “That’s pretty impressive! Though I don’t think that you of all people would ever need protection…”

Malleus nodded in agreement. “I agree. Still, I have nothing against Silver enrolling as a student here. It would be a good chance for him to learn more about society beyond Briar Valley.”

With that, the Heartslabyul dorm leader’s curiosity was piqued even more, and he couldn't help but ask more questions. “What's he like? Is he as mysterious as you?”

The fae prince couldn't suppress a small smile at Cater's question. He found it adorable whenever he was addled by his curiosity like this…

“In some ways, yes,” he admitted once a few beats had passed. “Silver has always been a quiet child, you see…but he's also fiercely loyal and incredibly talented. I have no doubt he'll be sorted into Diasomnia once he officially enrolls here next year.”

“Such confidence! But, er, you’ve known him since he was a child?”

“Hm. To be more specific, Lilia and I have known him since he was a wee baby.” Malleus then closed his eyes as he chuckled fondly at some of the few fond memories he had. “While I don’t have as close of a relationship as he and Lilia do…perhaps it wouldn’t be remiss to say that they’re the closest thing to family that I have.”

As the horned fae spoke those words, he couldn't help but notice the subtle change in Cater's demeanor, the quiet way a certain emotion flashed on the human’s face. There was a flicker of envy in the man’s viridian eyes, quickly masked by a forced smile. It was a fleeting moment, but Malleus caught it nonetheless.

What was that just now?

Malleus furrowed his brows, puzzled by Cater's reaction. He couldn’t shake off this sinking feeling that he was supposed to point out something about what he noticed—but what was even there to say? He knew of many things, but when it came to matters like this, he didn’t know what to do… And so, he just stayed silent as he stared at his companion dead in the eye. A tension in the air thus emerged, a palpable sense of unease that lingered between them.

This soon dissipated when the diamond-adorned student eventually spoke up.

“You must have some wonderful memories with Silver and Lilia,” he remarked, his tone carefully neutral. “It's…nice to have someone you can call family.”

Not knowing what to do about that suspicious statement, the Diasomnian prefect nodded, acknowledging Cater's words with a thoughtful expression. He could sense the underlying longing in Cater's voice, a yearning for the kind of familial bond that Malleus had mentioned earlier…and frankly, he couldn’t understand. Didn’t Cater grow up in a family of his own? Didn’t he also have a plethora of friends inside and outside their college? Why did he sound so…envious?

And why did that make Malleus feel so awful deep inside?

“...Yes, it is,” Malleus agreed quietly, his gaze drifting to the horizon. “I consider myself fortunate to have them in my life.”

Cater's smile wavered slightly, a shadow passing over his features before he quickly masked it with a cheerful façade.

“Well, I'm glad you have them,” he later said, his tone as cryptic as ever. Malleus would later realize the truth behind this odd behavior; and alongside that, he would come to know that some things are much more than what they seem, and that diamonds—as invincible as they might seem—are also bound to shatter.

That realization arrived more belatedly than he’d desired.

It was on the eve of the Heartslabyul dormitory’s turnover ceremony, not too long after the new academic year started. Cater had been challenged by Riddle Rosehearts a few weeks ago in what seemed to be an outrageously one-sided battle…and despite the diamond’s powerful unique magic, he stood no chance in the face of a spell that could literally nullify an opponent’s magical power. The match had already been decided the moment Riddle delivered his signature spell, “Off With Your Head.”

…And Cater’s fate was decided right there and then as well, apparently…but Malleus didn’t know that back then.

That dreadful day, the fae prince had simply waited for his friend at the doors of the rose-adorned dormitory. He’d foolishly hoped to provide some comfort—perhaps even ease the burden and humiliation the human had to endure over the course of this ordeal.

(Yet he hadn’t expected his presence to only worsen things instead.)

“Diamond, I didn’t come here to congratulate Rosehearts. I came here for you.”

He remembered his own desperate words…

“…For me, you say…”

…and he remembered the coldness he had received in return.

“Yes I…wanted to comfort you. I understand that this must be very difficult for you, and–”

“Why,” Malleus remembered the way Cater looked at him, the way his eye twitched, the way his lips quivered against the turmoil of having to keep up a smile even in that situation. “Why would you think I needed comfort? Am I feeling bad? Awful? You don’t think I’m happy?”

He remembered the way his friend’s expression eventually switched to one that expressed both anguish and anger.

“…I don’t want to receive any pity from you! Not from someone as lucky as you.”

He remembered how that was the first time he’d ever seen Cater so empty.

As Malleus helplessly watched as Cater walked away from him back then, a myriad of emotions swirled within him. He couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the former Heartslabyul dorm leader, whose façade of cheerfulness was beginning to crack under the weight of his own insecurities and disappointments.

And yet Cater's words echoed in Malleus's mind, each one hitting home with a resounding truth that left him feeling unsettled. He had never considered himself to be particularly lucky, despite what others might think. In fact, Malleus often felt burdened by the weight of his responsibilities and the expectations placed upon him as his family’s sole heir, as well as the prejudice that inevitably came along with the power he was naturally born into.

(Perhaps that was why he didn’t chase after Cater on that fated day. Perhaps, in a way, he’d also been hurt in the same way he had unknowingly hurt Cater—and perhaps, just perhaps…the both of them deserved to have this pain fester within them forever, until their imminent end finally arrived.)

Thus, their friendship ends. From then on, Malleus began to regret, and he began to yearn.

As the days passed and the next school year began, Malleus found himself increasingly preoccupied with his former friend’s well-being. Making use of his position as Diasomnia’s prefect, Malleus observed Cater's interactions with a newfound vigilance, noting the subtle changes in his demeanor and behavior. It seemed as though despite the passage of time, the events of the previous year still weighed heavily on Malleus's mind, having left a lingering sense of unease and regret within him.

His worries were not unfounded, of course.

There was something different about Cater this year, something that Malleus couldn't quite put his finger on. Beneath the façade of confidence, he could still sense the lingering shadows of this human’s past struggles, the echoes of his pain still reverberating through the halls of Night Raven College.

It was during one of their shared PE classes that Malleus’ suspicions were confirmed.

As he observed Cater's movements that day, he couldn't help but note the sluggishness in his steps and the clouded look in his eyes. It was as if the diamond-adorned student was carrying a burden that he couldn't shake off, dragging himself through the day with a sense of resignation.

Malleus turned to Lilia right then and there, his voice barely above a whisper as he voiced his concerns. “Don't you think Diamond is acting a little odd today?”

The Diasomnian vice leader thus regarded Cater with a thoughtful expression, his magenta eyes scanning the auburn-haired human with a keen gaze. "Hmm," he mused, his voice tinged with curiosity. “Now that you mention it, there does seem to be something off about him…but I can’t pinpoint what exactly it is.”

The two of them thus continued to watch from afar, their suspicions growing with each passing moment. There was a tension in the man’s posture, a heaviness in his demeanor that spoke volumes about the struggles he was facing.

Malleus couldn't shake the feeling that Cater was hiding something, something that threatened to unravel the fragile peace of Night Raven College. He tried to pry about it during the conversation they had thereafter, but as expected, the viridian-eyed third-year deflected his queries like his life depended on it. It would take more than just a mere conversation to make him open up.

(Yet despite that, when the opportunity to unravel Cater’s secrets finally arrived, Malleus found that he was unable to say anything.)

That night, in a mere semblance of serendipity on the very same courtyard where they’d first affirmed their friendship, Cater found his way to Malleus again.

The prince remembered that evening so clearly—he remembered everything.

He remembered the surge of conflicting emotions in his chest; he remembered the way the diamond had stood before him, illuminated by the soft moonlight, his viridian eyes reflecting the swirling lights around him. He remembered how, in that moment, Cater seemed almost ethereal, a vision of beauty that left Malleus breathless.

He remembered the way his trepidation mingled with curiosity as the object of all his desires drew closer, his steps hesitant yet filled with a quiet determination. He remembered the pull he felt towards Cater, the longing to reach out and touch him, to draw him closer and lose himself in the depths of his gaze.

He remembered the way the diamond-adorned human reached out to touch one of the shimmering orbs of light, and he remembered the way he found himself captivated by the very sight of Cater’s smile. He remembered how he had always been proud of his magic, how the sight of Cater's wonderment at the manifestation of his power still filled him with a sense of pride unlike any he had felt before.

He remembered how he realized that there was something about this human—something that drew him in like the pull of the world’s gravity. Despite their differences, despite the barriers that stood between them, despite the thorns and cinders of secrets that kept them from each other, Malleus couldn't help but feel a sense of connection with Cater, a shared understanding that transcended words.

In that moment, as they stood together beneath the moonlit sky, Malleus remembered how he felt something he couldn't quite name. It was…a longing, a desire for something more, something he had never known before.

(He wanted Cater, more than he had ever wanted anything in his life.)

But as they stood together in the quiet of the night, Malleus knew that he had to tread carefully. He couldn't risk revealing too much, couldn't risk scaring Cater away with the intensity of his emotions.

And so, he smiled softly at his most precious diamond, his heart aching with longing. In that moment, as they shared a silent understanding beneath the stars, Malleus knew that he had found something special, something worth fighting for.

Something he could never protect.

Reality reverts to the tragic present.

Malleus gazed at his love’s seemingly sleeping figure as he lay in a coffin laden with thornless roses. Cater’s eyes were now closed, remnants of the blot that had consumed him long gone from his mortal body. His lips were pale, and every crevice of his body was irrevocably devoid of life—yet, in spite this, the fae prince still wanted to think that his gem was merely in a deep slumber other than death’s. All he had to cling unto was this futile hope.

“My love,” he called, his plea unheeded. “My…Diamond.”

He leaned forward towards the dead man’s face, his eyes lidded. Wordlessly, he pressed his lips onto the other’s, the touch between them soft and cold and lifeless. Malleus breathed, and Cater didn’t. His kiss was never reciprocated, his ache was never soothed, and the only semblance of life within that room of mourning was the prince of abyss himself who was now weeping mirthlessly.

Fairy tales always made it seem like true love’s kiss could resolve everything, but it didn’t work this time.

“I understand now,” he murmured softly as he pressed his forehead onto Cater’s, his tears falling onto the man’s cheeks like death’s touch. He smiled wryly. “My love…is unreturned. My hope had merely been an illusion.”

(Everything was just an illusion.)

(So why couldn’t he let go of him still?)

It was then that Malleus slowly began to rise from the depths, his eyes empty and devoid of any purpose. Lethargically, he summoned his magical staff and willed all of his magical power into this singular moment, placing all of his battered hope into this meager attempt to turn back time. Orbs and flickers of neon green light began to swirl around him, intensifying all the more as the seconds passed by.

“For me, for them, for yourself…” he chanted, his voice wavering with desperation and sorrow. The light swirled around him like a mournful melody. “We are all running out of time.”

Cinderella, you have to hurry.

Time itself seemed to ripple and twist at his command, bending to his will as he sought to rewrite the cruel fate that had befallen his beloved. Reality trembled, and then it shifted—leading back to the very beginning, in the hopes of finally, finally setting things right.

(Except that it doesn’t.)

“Alright! Attention please~! Welcome to Heartslabyul, freshies! We’ve prepared a welcome party for all of you who were sorted into our dorm!”

The buzz of the jittery and nervous freshmen was all that could be heard within the gardens of the Heartslabyul Dorm that night. Hooded figures of all shapes and sizes gathered around the tables laden with food and dessert and tea. They muttered such and such to each other, just as any sane person would after witnessing such a chaotic entrance ceremony.

Cater looked on as all this unfolded, smiling to himself at the sight of these new students. All the trouble he and Trey went through to make sure this party went off without a hitch sure seemed worth it…

Now, all he had to do was socialize and get to know these fellas well! And what impeccable timing, too, as the viridian-eyed third-year easily managed to catch an interesting conversation right at that moment.

“Hey, are you a first-year, too? Whaddaya think happened to that monster that was going wild at the entrance ceremony?”

“I don’t know.”

“What about we sneak out and go check it out at the Headmaster’s Office—”

Oho? Trying to skip the party, huh?

“—YAY!” Cater interrupted the two freshmen’s conversation, abruptly placing his arms over their shoulders, startling them. “Mr. First-Year with Spiky Hair, you’re quite the daring one, aren’t you? Your seniors did their utmost to prepare this event and you’re just leaving~?”

“J-jeez! When did you get behind me?!”

He watched in glee as the heart-adorned student stuttered and buffered because of him. Meanwhile, the other student—who had dark-blue hair and was marked facially with a spade mark—was as stiff as a brick. How cute!

”By the way, if you’re not present at the welcome party, Riddle will have you lose your head, y’know~?” the older of the three said in a teasing stone…although what he said wasn’t a lie at all. Upon taking the hint, the red and blue first-years began nodding vigorously, their smiles nervous.

“O-of course, I’ll just stay here, Senpai! I’m so moved by this, uh, wonderful welcome party!”
“Y-yes! Exactly.”

Hearing this, Cater smiled even wider, hugging them tighter.

“Good, good! Now pull yourselves together! Your reliable Cater-senpai worries about you! Though, now that I think about it, I haven’t caught your names yet…”

The first-year who’d suggested leaving the venue was the first to reply, having regained his composure already. He pointed at himself, grinning. “The name’s Ace Trappola!”

“And I’m Deuce Spade,” replied the other seemingly more uptight one, bowing his head slightly. Cater nodded in acknowledgment.

“Nice! My name’s Cater Diamond~!” Upon introducing himself, the third-year finally let them go. As expected, they were quick to move a little farther away from him. He chuckled a little because of this. “If you have any troubles, feel free to approach me and Trey Clover! Did you guys have any questions?”

Whenever Cater asked that in the past, the students would usually reply with queries about the dorm quarters or the rules, but…it seemed as if Ace had a more unique question in tow.

“Erm, about the dorm leader… Riddle Rosehearts, was it?” the red-haired freshman began, being very obvious with his attempt at fishing information. “He seems rather strict. Any tips on how to deal with him?”

He truly hadn’t seen this coming. Cater smiled in an attempt to mask his uncertainty.

“If you just follow 810 rules at all times, he won’t behead you~!”

“A-all 810?! That’s crazy!” Ace’s panic and disbelief was palpable. “No sane person would be able to deal with all that daily!”

That was true... But rather than dwelling on the topic, Cater instead chose to sneakily change it into something else entirely, because just how could a third-year advise a new student to  simply “suck it up” when pressured to that extent?

Something of this degree couldn’t be solved through mere conversation. A far more drastic measure had to be taken.

Cater was more than willing to continuously take that risk.

(The first blot thus dropped from a destined future.)