Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It had been a while since Macaber had visited Wicca. After his sister had disappeared, with no clues as to where she might’ve gone to, he hadn’t known what to do. Wicca held too many memories, and he had to process what that mask meant, what Sera’s intentions potentially had been. The longer he thought about it, the more certain he was that she wouldn’t have wanted him dead or gone. If she did, she could’ve done something more fast-acting, like locking him in the Well of Sighs.

He wasn’t certain why she’d given it to him, but ultimately her goal wasn’t harm. He was certain of it.

But now, with Chionos’ note in hand and rumors of the Witch Queen returning to Strix after months of absence, he had to see what was going on. And so, he knocked on the door of the fortress, greeting the young witch who opened the door and requesting she let his sister know he was here.

He wasn’t certain how she’d react to him losing his mask – Stars, he really hadn’t seen Sera in ages, even with their immortal life spans – but he hoped she would at least hear him out. But when he entered the throne room and saw her sitting on the throne, framed by her loyal ravens, all those thoughts left his head like Sera had given him another mask.

She looked terrible. Others probably wouldn’t be able to spot it, but she was his little sister. He saw the slightest tremor in her hands, disguised as impatient tapping on the armrests of her throne, the dark shadows under her eyes hidden with makeup, the frown on her face that was caused by pure exhaustion. Stars, what had happened to her?

Her eyes widened as she saw him, and her lips curled into a sneer. “Decided you’d rather be weak than keep my gift, Macaber?”

He heard the barely disguised panic in her voice. He wondered if she remembered what he looked like under his mask, or if she just recognized him by his clothes. “I decided I’d rather not be under mind control and at risk of dying, sister.”

She blinked in surprise. “I… I never wanted-”

She broke herself off, looking away and biting her lip. Macaber softened. “I know you didn’t want me dead, Sera. If you did, you’d have done something else. And that isn’t why I came here today. I wanted to check on you.”

He had to admit, she was a master of masks. She drew herself up with a little laugh, letting her posture relax slightly, resting her chin on a well-manicured hand, her legs crossing. From the cruel queen to the mean little sister, she played every role well.

“Check on me? What for? I’m perfectly fine.”

But not well enough. Macaber stepped closer to the throne.

“You’re not, sister. And even if you were, you were gone for months. Where have you been? Where were you taken to?” He asked, voice soft. Even if they were alone, he wouldn’t risk it. Sera’s position in the court had to be precarious at this moment to begin with, and he would not be the reason she was overthrown.

She blinked rapidly for a moment. “I simply took a vacation. Is that a crime? You’re so uptight, as always, brother. I thought you’d mellowed out, with the rumors about that lover of yours.”

He didn’t raise to the bait. Sera always lashed out when slightly driven into a corner. “Then why do you look so exhausted?”

She gritted her teeth. “You’re far more annoying without that mask, do you know that?”

He bit his tongue, but… “It was far easier to talk to you with it on, as well.”

“Excuse me?” She hissed. “What gives you the right to speak to me like that?”

“Come on, Sera, I’m trying to ask how you are when it’s clear you’re not doing well, and all you do is lash out!” He snarled in response. Her eyes widened.

“You want to know what I think happened?” He said, lowering his voice. “You were taken by someone. I don’t know the details, and I don’t care. You were imprisoned by them, and something happened that caused a bunch of witches from the edge of Fantasia to know your name. You took one of them in revenge.”

Sera had grown pale, but at the last sentence, she shot up, grabbing his collar harshly. Her nails dug into the skin of his neck, stinging, drawing blood. “Who told you that? How do you know that?” She hissed, her voice almost inaudible, desperate. Her fingers, still curled into his flesh, were trembling harder than before.

“What does it matter to you?” He said. His nightmares curled around the room in response to his agitation. Stars, he used to have an easier time controlling them. At least they would also mute the conversation to any curious witches – this was none of their business. “What happened, Sera? How did people know your name? Was it Disturbia’s fault?”

She threw him away from her. “Don’t you dare speak her name! Not here, and especially not to me!” Her voice was shrill.

“So, it was her fault. What did she do? How did she get that out of you?” He shouted, desperate to get to the source of her panic.

“She brainwashed me!” Sera screamed finally, the sky darkening in response to her panic, thunder rumbling in the distance. Macaber blinked in surprise, a harsh laugh leaving him without his intent.

“How is that different than what you have done? Both to me, and to others? Did she just want to control people, like you, or did she have another reason? One that would be easier to forgive!”

He slapped his hand over his mouth, eyes wide. Sera’s mismatched eyes were wide as well. It was dead silent in the throne room.

“I didn’t mean…” He croaked.

He was interrupted by a soft sniffle. His eyes widened as Sera’s eyes watered, her lips trembling. She tried to take a deep breath to compose herself, but it didn’t work. Macaber stepped forward as tears started to flow over her pale cheeks, hesitant but opening his arms regardless. He didn’t know if she wanted him to hug her, after all-

Sera fell into his arms with a sob, burying her face in his shoulder like she hadn’t done since they were very small. She didn’t say anything, and Macaber didn’t force her to. He just let her cry, let her have a safe place for her emotions for possibly the first time in centuries. Why had she given him a mask that could control him? Why, if not to prevent him from leaving her? If not to keep him in her life?

He blinked a few tears out of his eyes. What a pair they were.

Eventually, Sera seemed to be able to breathe again, pulling away and wiping her eyes. Macaber took a handkerchief out of his pocket, handing it to her. Her mascara wouldn’t stain it, after all.

“Sera?” He tried. Her shoulders raised a little, her body tensing. He decided to leave it be, for now. He could ask her about what had happened later. “Do you want to go to Insomnia with me? We could have a sleepover?”

Away from prying eyes and ears, he didn’t add. He knew she heard it anyway. He was lucky Nils had decided to travel around after Chionos had left.

“The witches… I need to stay here. Show that I am- that I can still lead them.” She whispered, arms curled around her torso. She looked so small.

“Then I could stay here?” He asked, desperate to help, to not let her slip away. She hesitated. His heart was in his throat. Her eyes, mismatched and reddened, looked at him. The green seemed even brighter than usual.

“Okay.”

Chapter Text

Sera had taken him to her rooms, holding her head high while they passed the witches of her court. Macaber tried to look around for… something. He didn’t know what Disturbia had looked like, and he suspected Sera would’ve thrown her deep into the dungeons, but he tried to see what the other witches thought of his sister after her months long absence.

Some tried to talk to her, some looked at her with confusion and slight suspicion when she couldn’t see them anymore. More than one looked at him with confusion as well, as if he was crazy to be here.

“Your majesty, the human prisoner needs-”

Sera scoffed. “Of course she does.” And she continued walking.

The human prisoner. Well, at least he knew where Disturbia was. He looked at the witch who’d spoken, and she seemed hesitant about what to do. He didn’t know what to do either. On one hand, a human prisoner needed more supplies than a witch, or a faery. On the other, if he spoke now, it would undermine Sera’s position in her court even further. He’d be damned before he caused that.

And so, Macaber raised an eyebrow when the witch looked at him, and kept walking as well. They passed the closed doors that led to the staircase to her rooms, two Heartless Knights stationed in front of it. They opened the door as Sera drew near, bowing as she passed. Their empty helmets stared at Macaber as he followed her, before they locked the doors again behind the siblings. Sera seemed to deflate as they did, fragile again.

“Well, you still have some nightclothes here.” She said as she walked up the stairs. “Lucky, since I wouldn’t lend you some of mine.”

“I don’t think your nightclothes would suit me, anyway.” Macaber replied with a slight smirk. Sera rolled her eyes with a scoff. For a moment, she seemed like his little sister again.

The two of them changed clothes. It was always night in Wicca, but Macaber had arrived after dinner, to ensure that Sera wouldn’t be busy with court matters. The sheets were the same as ever, soft and warm. It was quiet in the room, but Sera’s breathing was too irregular to be asleep. Macaber hesitated briefly.

“Sera? Can I ask something?”

She didn’t respond for a moment. “That depends on what you want to ask.” She said, voice haughty.

Asking about Disturbia wouldn’t get him anywhere right now. “Why did you give me that mask? You had to have a reason, and it wasn’t the one you told me when you gave it to me. I know it didn’t make me more powerful. I know that it did made me… different.”

“Different? You have always been different, brother.”

“Sera, please. If you don’t want to answer, don’t answer, but please don’t deflect. Not about this.”

She was quiet again. He thought that would be the end of it, but…

“You’re right. It did make you different. More suggestible, less emotional.”

He bit down the instinct to lash out. Less emotional? Did she really want that? Could that mask have been avoided, if he had been less emotional in the first place? If he had been more ruthless, like she had been? If he had joined her crusade to conquer Fantasia?

Sera’s voice was desperate when he didn’t respond. “You were drifting away from me. I could tell you didn’t approve of my plans to conquer Fantasia, and you’d have hated me eventually. I- I couldn’t lose you. You’re my brother.”

Macaber sighed. “It made me act so different, though. Was it worth it? Was I even still your brother?”

“You didn’t act like yourself, yes. The mask made you more suggestible. I knew it would do that. It was strange, at first, having you agree blindly to everything I said. I knew it wasn’t you. But I would rather have you in my life like that than not at all.”

“Even though it was barely me at all?”

“Of course! You have a partner, don’t you? Word has it that you met them while you were still wearing that mask. Do you question them as well, question if they love you or just the version of you with that mask?”

“You know, Sera, I did. You know I don’t love like other people, not like that. He doesn’t either. And I did wonder if he would still enjoy my company without my mask.” Macaber said, tone harsh. He felt Sera curl in on herself at his words. He sighed.

“But he did. He still does. You asked how I knew about… your new prisoner. I knew because of them. Their name is Chionos. The Witch of Ice and Frost.”

Sera shot up. “Your partner is one of those witches? Do you have any idea what they did to me?” She snarled.

“No, I don’t! You don’t want to tell me, and Chionos didn’t know! He’s been at Insomnia this whole time, only returning to the Five Kingdoms after he lost his magic!” Macaber snapped, sitting up as well. “He sent me a message to let me know he was safe but needed to stay there for a while, and asked if I wanted to try to find out what you did to Disturbia, since her girlfriend is worried!”

“Don’t you speak that name!” Sera said, voice shaking. “And give me that note!”

“Why? What happened that scared you so much that you can’t even hear her name?”

“Damn you, Macaber, give me the fucking note!” She screamed. Lightning flashed outside, illuminating the room. She looked terrified. He hesitated, but stood up, fishing the note out of his pocket and giving it to her. He knew what she’d read.

Dear Macaber,

I’m hereby writing you that I arrived in the Five Kingdoms safely. As it turns out, everyone lost their magic. The royal family managed to break it. Us Grey Witches are being punished by rebuilding the kingdoms, since we are the ones that ruined them.

Except for Disturbia. Apparently, your sister took her with her. I don’t know everything that happened between them, but everyone knows her name now. Not Strega. Another name. Her girlfriend, the former Witch of Death and Spirits, is worried. Could you try to figure out what happened to her?

Also, feel free to visit. It would be interesting.

Love, Chionos

“Everyone knows.” She croaked, crumpling the note in her shaking hand in her distress. Macaber hesitated, before gently laying a hand on her shoulder. “And what does he care about that Witch of Death.” She muttered.

“Chionos thought of the Grey Witches as his family.” Macaber replied, scooting a little closer. Sera’s eyes were closed, as if denying everything. “Sister. I know you’re keeping her in the fortress. I know you, and I know you wouldn’t have taken her, especially from her girlfriend, unless something serious happened. You said she brainwashed you?”

Sera bit her lip, trembling slightly. He softened his tone. “I don’t want to force you, Sera. But… I’m worried about you.”

Her mismatched eyes flitted to him, before she took a deep breath. And finally opened up.

She spoke of a new witch in her court, one with too many eyes and a mysterious smile. She spoke of the curiosity that bloomed into something more. How Evilina had betrayed her – and Macaber clenched his fists as she spoke of the coup – and how only Mimisia had voted for Sera to remain Witch Queen. How Mimisia had brought her somewhere, a dark and gloomy castle. Castle Obscure. How she had said it would be a safe place for her, since she had nothing to go. Macaber had interrupted her at that, promised her she would always have a place in Insomnia. That she was his little sister, for fuck’s sake, and he would never turn her away even if he was cross with her.

Sera blinked her tears away and took a shuddery breath, continuing.

She told him Mimisia had been lying. That she had only brought Sera to Obscure to give her to one of the other witches, how Mimisia saw herself as their father. How Obscure had been terrifying for her, the shifting corridors and walls making her unable to orient herself and find a possible way out.

She told him, with shaking hands, about the Witch of Madness. How Mimisia had orchestrated everything just to be able to give her to the witch. How she had an aura of static magic, maddening, scrambling Sera’s thoughts until she didn’t know what to do anymore. How it was difficult forming a thought, let alone think of a way to escape.

How the Witch of Fate had come, and broke her spirit even further. She whispered haltingly about the futures she’d seen, the ruin and devastation she would cause with her conquest. How she hadn’t been able to handle the exhaustion, the futures, the Witch of Madness’ constant aura. How she had succumbed to the static. How Evilina had joined her in that room later on, to be kept by the witch as well.

How Atrophea had told everyone her name, Serafina. How that was the only name she heard. Macaber shuddered at the violation. Sera kept her name close to her chest, only ever telling it to a select few that she decided she trusted enough.

“And then, the magic broke.” She said, softly. Her face was hidden by her long, red hair.

She told him about waking up from the spell, along with all the other people that had been brainwashed – “Dolls, she called us,” – and seeing the witch that had caused it in front of her, defenseless. How she hadn’t been able to resist. How she’d lunged forward and attacked her, how she had thrown lightning bolts at the girl.

How she’d demanded the king of the Five Kingdoms let her take Evilina and the former witch. How she’d threatened war to get him to agree, a war with a kingdom she technically no longer ruled. She spoke about the journey back. About arriving in Strix again, locking the women up and demanding respect.

She fell silent. She’d told him everything.

“Fucking stars, Sera.” He said, astonished. “I’m- I don’t know what to say. That…”

She let out a little laugh, fragile. “I thought you’d be happy that I’ve gotten a piece of my own medicine.”

“No.” He said, fierce, grabbing her shoulders and making her look at him. “Never. Not like this. I wouldn’t wish mind control on anyone, and you’re my sister.”

Sera’s lip trembled a little, but she nodded. He let her fall close again, hugging her tight. Stars, she’d been in Obscure for months, and he didn’t know. Could he have gotten her out? Could Chionos have? He would never know.

“I knew she had a girlfriend. I didn’t care. I just wanted her to be punished, to hurt like she hurt me.” Sera said. “And I can’t let the witches know anything of this. They’ll cast me out again, Macaber, and Wicca is my home.”

He shushed her gently, running a hand through her hair.

“Be glad your witch didn’t know I was there, Macaber, or I would strike him down as well.” She muttered. He laughed softly.

“I have a feeling you’d like them, sister, I’ll not lie.”

She sighed, pulling away. The two sat against the headboard of the bed, leaning a little against each other. “I suppose you want to see her? To satisfy Chionos’ curiosity?”

“If you’ll allow it.”

“She’s not leaving. I want her in the dungeons of Strix until the day she dies.” Sera hissed. “But I suppose you can let her know her girl is asking about her. It would be more agonizing, I think, to know that you’re wanted somewhere you can’t return.”

And he couldn’t help but feel relief at her words, at the faint glimpse of the cruel Witch Queen that she used to be.