The next few weeks went by both fast and slowly as they could. The girls made it their mission to be besides Charlie at all times, from after class to passing between periods. They kept sharp eyes out for any Diasomnia students and would turn the other way if they saw those familiar green vests. They weren't taking ANY precautions.
Charlie managed to calm down after her visit with Malleus and instead focused her energy into the reconstruction of the Ramshackle Dorm. It went by smoothly, much to her surprise. After weeks of construction, and living under Vil's roof, the day finally came. Ramshackle Dorm 2.0 would be revealed.
They took off the blindfolds to reveal a glittering and newly refurbished Ramshackle dorm before their eyes.
"Nyaha! The Ramshackle Dorm is back!" Grim smiled.
"Amazing....!" Rebecca smiled, speaking for all the girls. "I'm glad we are all here for the reveal!"
"Eh, I'll kinda miss Pomefiore..." Evelyn shrugs.
"Ah, staying there during the whole renovation is suffering on its own!" Grim sighed. "Vil's yelling at me made my ears bleed...."
"That's cause you keep sneaking sweets when it's midnight!" Odette points out.
"And he had to give you 'treatment' after each bath you took~!" Felicity snickers, renewing the mad look Grim had when he was drenched in water, even the brushing of his fur and when he yowled didn't hesitate to make her laugh at his pain.
"Yeah....but my fur is now sleek and shiny!" Grim shook his coat out.
"Hey! Charlie!!" The brunette turns to see Kalim and Jamil approaching.
"Guys!" She waved to them. "Here to take the tour with us?"
"Of course!"
Vil opens the front door of the dorm for them to enter through. "Welcome, girls! We can't have this house warming without you five present."
"Come on in! The touch ups are amazing!" Epel urged. Charlie and Grim walk in first, followed by Evelyn and Odette, Felicity and Rebecca Ms then Kalim and Jamil.
"Charlotte!!!" The three main ghosts smother the girl with whisky hugs and she laughed as she hugged them back.
"Hey, guys! Long time no see!" She laughs as Grim tries to recover from the jump scare.
"It's good to have you both back! And with more new faces!" The three ghosts look at the four new girls and they smiled, politely waving back.
"We were worried sick when you wouldn't return!"
"Please don't make us worry again! We wouldn't know how we'd cope without you two here!"
"Hey, we're alive and that's all that matters." Charlie smiled as she assured them with a gentle smile. "Besides, someone would have to try way harder to get rid of me than they could. Lest they wanna end up being dead~!" The ghosts chuckle in response.
"Come, come! There's much to see!" The ghosts took her hands and arms as they led her into the Lounge, making the others follow after.
"Zaaaaaaaam!! Lookin' swanky already!" Grim smiled.
"We mainly worried so it the roofing and floors when the attack from STYX happened, but they paid for everything that was destroyed and repaired it as you made Idia 'promise'." Vil chuckled.
"We were able to maintain the shower and kitchen, and we replaced all the water heaters with new ones. So now you've got hot water for all the appliances in the bathrooms too.
"Yep! I'm gonna get used to living like this!" Felicity nods with a smirk.
"Glad to see you girls like it!" Kalim smiled. "It would've been better if there was a big chandelier..."
"Hey! The cost of a chandelier alone is way more than what the VDC would reward us with. Get that idea out of your head!" Jamil hissed.
"But what about the rooms?" Evelyn asked.
"Ah! For that we've prepared something special for each one, even Milady's! Go and see!" Rook urges.
One by one, each walked up the stairs til Charlie found her room, the door handle marked by a blue and yellow bow. She twists it and opens it up.
"Que Bella!" She mused. "It looks so homely!" She spins around in the center of the room. "I'd hate to hear how much this would cost!"
"Well, the plumbing and renovations used up more budget than we expected. The room...well..." Vil flicks his pen, making it go back to how it originally looked.
"Huh?! What happened?!" Grim jumps.
"The room was really an illusion created by this magic projector." Vil motions towards what looked like one of those old school spinning globes teachers would have on their desks.
"Just turn this on and even the modest of rooms will look expensive." Vil taps the arrow top on the frame and the room morphs back into the luxurious one Charlie walked in on.
"Back in the day, CG effects weren't as advanced as they are now. And magic projectors such as this are essential in the movie and show industry. This was second hand bought from someone I know. I hope you like it, Duckling."
"It's more than okay, Vil." She assured. Downstairs, the doorbel buzzed.
"Huh? Who could that be?" Felicity ponders. Everyone made their way down the halls and back to the Foyer.
Charlie opens the door to reveal ADeuce.
"What's up? Ramshackle Dorm's fully renovated! Congrats!" Ace greets.
"Dang! Both inside and outside look so chic and neat!" Deuce steps inside.
"Man! When we first came here, there were still dust bunnies falling from the ceiling and now it's all clean!" Ace sighed at the memories.
"We have a celebratory tart from Trey to commemorate the day!" Deuce hands Charlie a Raspberry and Lemon tart on a star-shaped platter.
"Oh that's so sweet!" She giggled.
"And we got some party-sized snacks and juice from the school store to share!" Ace held up a plastic bag packed with the mentioned food.
"Awesome!" Grim leapt for the bad but Odette swiped it and help it over her head just as he pounced.
"Nu-uh! No snacks in the clean halls! Go to the kitchen if you want one!" Odette took the bag.
"Ah, a little get together! May I join?"
"Headmaster?!" All eyes went to the doors as Crowley walks in.
"Y-You're back!" Deuce stutters.
"Geez, stop scaring us like that! You're gonna gimme a heart attack!" Ace puffed.
"I apologize! But if anything, you're only dress king yourselves out." Crowley says.
"Sir, what are you doing here?" Charlie asked.
"Well, first I just want to see how Miss Tyler, Dupree, Lawson and Chu are settling in?" He looks to the four girls behind her.
"We're all good, sir! Loving the new dorm!" Felicity winks.
"And what else?" Charlie looks back.
"Well, with the Matter of STYX having finished, I just wished to see if the dorm leaders were doing alright. And...someone has come to say something...." He looks over his shoulder as Idia walks in, clutching his arm nervously.
"H-Hey...Hey there...." He greets meekly.
"Okay...maybe we should all go to the lounge and talk there. It's getting pretty crowded in the foyer." Charlie urges. Everyone nods as they made their way to the new lounge. While others took a seat or decided to stand, Odette went to the kitchen and locked away the sweets so Grim wouldn't get to them, much to his sadness.
Crowley explained that when he got taken by STYX, he was taken to the Land of Dawning and was met with the Ministry of Education and Magic, interrogated about overblots in the recent months. Even he wanted to know why it kept happening so soon, He was only trying to do his job (even if it was bullshit), but to hear that Idia was the cause behind the invasion sent him into an even bigger wave of anger. The glares directed at Idia didn't help him as he nervously apologized.
Thankfully, with everyone back safely, things went back to normal with the matter dropped as well as any charges....much to the chagrin of everyone but Idia present. But upon request by himself and his parents, Idia would be allowed back into the school as result of this and wouldn't be sent to jail and face trial.
"And that's not all! We've a new transfer student I'd like to introduce!" Crowley smiled.
"New transfer student?" Grim perks up.
"Long Time no see, everyone!" A familiar boyish voice spoke as someone entered from the hall.
"I'm Ortho Shorud! And from now on, I'm a student for class 1-C of Night Raven!"
"What?!" The boys shout.
"But...aren't you an android?!" Epel asked.
"Well yes, but the correct term is now magical humanoid!" Ortho corrects.
"Wait, can a humanoid even enroll?!" Ace asked.
"Actually, Ortho Shroud is not fully human." Crowley corrects. "But he is known to be the very first magical humanoid that contains his own self consciousness."
"So then...he's like an AI?" Odette guessed.
"Almost, Miss Dupree! I posses any and all human emotions even when o originally had an artificial consciousness and personality before...but during the fights...those shocks of lightning changed something within my circuitry. It felt like a bug entered my system and...gave me a heart!"
"Okay...I've no clue what he's talking about but whatever it is, it just mean something cool!" Kalim said.
"That's right. I don't really get it myself. Nii-San and I don't know what exactly caused the change, but...with some persuasion from my creator, my brother,...He allowed me to enroll in the school as an official student! The situation may be a coincidence, but there could be a higher reproducibility with future research and this sort of thing can contribute to future magic engineering!"
"Ortho....That's so cool!" Chalrie smiled as she stood and knelt in front of the bot. "You're such a wonder..."
"Thanks...Nee-Chan!" Ortho smiled as he hugged Charlie.
It surprised her that he called her his big sister, but she smiled and hugs him back gently as Rook spewed the praise of renaming Ortho as 'Monsieur Wonder'. Yet under her fingertips, she swore she could feel a small pulse....
"This entire institute, Ignihyde included, has many a student who wishes to work in the magic engineering field. And Ortho's creation and rebirth will serve as a catalyst for future research, I'm sure of it!" Crowley smiled.....before spewing to himself about the Shroud family still paid for any damages to the school and gave a hefty donation for any expansion of the grounds as an apology, plus the fact that they made Crowley enroll Ortho as an official student.
"Of course..." Jamil rolled his eyes.
"But it still a win-win on both ends: everything is repaired and we return safe and sound, and we agree to drop all changes if they don't attack us again...." Vil shrugs.
"Anyways! Because Ortho is a humanoid, his exams and classes that he is to take are rather different...but he is still a first year like Miss Luchessi and the others, so please treat him well." Crowley says.
"Wow...first five girls who came from another world and a magical beast, now humanoid as a classmate?! What's next!" Ace smirks.
"Well we are a pretty quirky group and there's nothing wrong with that!" Deuce smiled.
"No matter who joins, they'll help me reach the top!" Grim spouts, but no one humors him.
"Welcome to our group, Ortho." Charlie smiles.
"Thanks, Charlie-Nee! And thanks for helping me and my brother!" Ortho smiled. Chalrie looks up and over his head to see Idia murmuring to himself.
"Please don't mind me....I'm just an insect....!"
"Ugh....so much for greetings..." Ortho sighed. "Oh wait! There's a gift for you, Nee-Chan!"
"Another gift?" Charlie looks up and then looks to the girls who shrug in return.
"H-Here...." Idia pushes up a big cardboard box. "I thought it'd be nice if we could all...play some games here...."
"What's in it?" Charlie open sand holds up a game system.
"No way! The Wonder Link Game console!"
"What's WonderLink?" Grim asked.
"One of the latest stationary game consoles! It got sold out almost immediately when it launched!" Deuce answers.
"It's my own personal apology for what I did to the dorm... if you don't like it...I'll just sell it online or something...." Idia murmurs.
Charlie waves over Felicity and has her hold onto the game console as she approaches Idia. He flinched when he sees her approach but she doesn't do anything to him. Doesn't slap him, doesn't yell at him....but instead takes his hand in hers.
"You're learning to let go of the past....it won't be easy, but you're showing great change in doing it. And as long as I was able to help....I can learn to look past this incident and be a friend to you." She smiled. Idia looks away nervously, feeling the tips of his hair grow pink from the close proximity she was at. But he felt his blush skyrocket when he felt her lips on his cheek. He froze, not sure how to respond.
"We've already got the points maxed up for the game store! So we can get up to ten games!" Ortho smiled.
"Awesome~!" Ace sang.
"We downloaded three additional games, so...we could try it if you like?"
"Yeah! C'mon, Charlie! Let's boot this baby up!" Grim smiled.
"Okay, Okay! We'll get it set up!" She chuckled as she held onto Idia's hand one last time before letting go, leaving him to pass out on the couch, steam pouring out his ears.
"I will take my leave. I've noticed an abnormal amount of paperwork at my desk upon returning. Now, girls! I hope you behave yourselves in the new dorm!" Crowley says. "And, uh...Grim?"
"Yeah?" He turns back.
"How do you feel now after returning from the Isle of Lamentation?"
"Well...other then the fact that I'll get hungry soon, I'm feeling pretty good! Those tests they ran showed no abnormalities! I'm tougher than you think!"
"Yes, you got a lot of care for the blot...I assume. I was a little worried about the results...but I'm glad that you....no, your and Miss Luchessi came back alive. In fact, I'm glad all of you got back safe and sound....until then!" Crowley bows and takes his leave.
"Huh...weird..." Evelyn says as she scoots up to Charlie, who was watching him leave.
"Yeah, it's like...he didn't think you'd come back or anyone else...." Rebecca whispers. "Pretty sus if you ask me..."
"We can worry about that later." Charlie urged as she turns back to the boys who have setup the game console. Vil immediately sees the three games he and the others have tried during their stay.
"I thought it's be nice if we could play them together again." Ortho chuckled.
"Well, last I recall neither you or Idia played them once!" Vil chucked but Idia, sitting up smiled sheepishly.
"We know the hidden stages and found secret bosses in hard mode."
"Then care to show us?" Odette asked.
"Yeah! Screw the tutorial shit! I wanna see real gameplay!" Felicity smirks.
"Could we see Star Rogue? Looks pretty neat!" Grim asked.
"Of course! You should see my brother when he does infinite meteor mode! If you thought hard mode was bad, you ain't seen nothin' yet!"
"Ugh....my hands are gonna be so sore...."
"Oh c'mon, Nii-San! Normal mode's good and all, but you gotta show them what you do!" Ortho urged.
"Eh....Okay!" Idia sat up as everyone surrounds the couch or sits down as they watch Idia play. The screen boots up to the title screen but Idia was shaky as he pressed start. He wasn't one for having elope watch him, but after Vil taunts him by saying he can quit and be the loser, Idia took the bait and focusing in, he starts. Dodging lasers and meteors, gathering gems to boost up the laser attacks and take down any enemy ships with ease.
While half of the group was amazed at his skills and kept cheering him on, the others were rather surprised at how effortlessly he could play the game like it was nothing, while Grim fainted from his dizzy he was getting.
"So what's next after this?" Charlie asked.
"We could do 'The Hydra's Counterattack'." Ortho offered. "Unlike Star Rogue and it's co-op feature, Hydra has six players."
"Hell yeah, I wanna duke it out with all you pansies!" Felicity cackled.
"Yeah and let eat something!" Grim shouts.
"Charlie? Can we?" Ace looks at her.
"Sure! But any crumbs that get on the floor you eat!" She says.
"I'll go and cut the tart! We may not have enough for everyone present...." Deuce frets.
"Let me do that. And some tea." Jamil offers.
"I'll get he skittle boiling!" Evelyn nods.
"Kalim! Help with plates and utensils?" Rebecca asks.
"Sure!" He nods back.
"Glasses anyone?" Felicity smiled.
"I brought some homemade apple juice if that's okay!" Epel smiles. As everyone began to chat, eat, drink and play on the game console and TV, Ortho shared a look with Idia.
"Hey, Nii-San!"
"Yeah?"
"Remember that dream we've always had of inviting people over to our house and play games with us? Well...we got to be invited over to someone's place and play games and make friendship...so we got our wish!"
"Well...this is different....I mean, it's not like we're at home in our room....these guys aren't friends and the dorm isn't Charlotte's real house! The school Ow the rights to all lands and building so...that's kind of a loophole!"
"Ugh, Nii-San, can you let go of all logic for once...?" Ortho sighed. "Well...regardless, let's see how well you do with a racing game against miss Tyler. According to her, she doesn't lose to anyone, physical games or video!"
"Oh did she now~? Alright...let see who's got game!" Idia rolled up his sleeves with a smirk.
"Don't blame me if she kicks your butt!" Ortho teased back.
Idia, Ortho, Epel, Ace, Deuce and Felicity took the six controllers to start the Hydra's Counterattack game.
Charlie held up her white bandanna as a flag. She held it up. "Ready....set....battle!!" She threw it down as screams and shouts startled rambling up.
"Man, to think that Grim almost ate up Ortho's memory card....if he did, we wouldn't be where we are now..." Vil, hanging back with Rook, spoke as he watched everyone play or eat.
"True...but this miracle is one that was what it wasn't." Rook alluded.
"What do you mean...?" Vil looks to him.
"The Lord of the Underworld was someone of hard work. He likely found a way to returning living souls that floated mysteriously into the land of the dead."
"So...you think Ortho's real soul is imbued into the memory card?"
"Yes...Milady had the same theory: the memory card isn't just a component...it houses Ortho's real soul itself. He....They had so much faith in their brother they wanted him to live the life he deserved and reach for the light due to sheer will and trust. Those wishes and emotions they feel are real...they've finally reunited...and will make the best of their future."
"Indeed...I hope they do...." Vil smiles as he looks at the smiling faces of Idia and Ortho, warmth in his heart as the smiles and laughter echoes on....
—————————————
The day passed by in the blink of an eye and before long, night had fallen. The game console was turned off, everyone cleaned up the messes and said their goodbyes.
It took some time for the other girls to find their rooms close by Charlie's but once done, they smile and settle in for the night, their bags with their belongings unpacked and unloaded.
Charlie smiled as she bid them good night and went back to her own room, her pajamas warming her up as she closed the door behind her. She saw Grim napping at the door of her bed, dreaming about something.
I chuckle, seeing him dream so deeply. Looking around the room, I see that all of my belongings that I took with me were back where they belong. Even though the secret compartment in the floor was sealed up, I managed to find a new one through a compartment in the nightstand and hid my grimoire and personal things there. It wasn't what I was used to but in time...I would...
I felt my eyes go to the Mirror, instantly hoping Mickey would be there...just as I thought of it, the mirror lit up and I heard knocking.
"Hey! Hey! Hello?! Charlie...you there??" I smile and hurry to the mirror, seeing Mickey's face appear from the mist.
"Mickey!"
"Ah! Charlie! Good to see you! For a moment, I was worried since you tried to go find your roommate...you haven't come back since...! Did you find him?"
I nod with a smile.
"Good to hear!"
I could hear Grim stirring behind me but a thump and a shriek told me was up.
"Ah! What's going on?! Not those armored guards again!!" He freaked out.
"Grim, its okay! We're not under attack!" Charlie chuckled. "But hey! Now that you're up, you can see Mickey!"
"Mickey? In the mirror?..." Grim looked up in the mirror only to look confused. What are you talking about? I don't see anyone there! You sure it's not your third eye acting up again?"
I look at him confused. "Huh? Grim can't see him??" I turn back to see Mickey, but to his confusion, he couldn't see Grim either!
"Charlie? Is someone else in the room with you? That your roommate?"
"Yeah!"
"Well...I can't see anything else except for you....and those other people in the back."
"Huh?" I turn around and see the girls up and awake with wide eyes.
"Charlie!"
"You didn't tell us Mickey was here!"
"I didn't...." She looked at them.
"Oh! Are these your friends?" Mickey smiled.
"Yeah." Charlie smiled, but turning back to the others, she frowns. "You guys can see him like me right?"
"Yeah." Odette nods.
"But Grim can't! And vice versa!" Charlie said.
"Huh?!" Felicity looks down at Grim who has decided to nap on the floor instead of getting back up to the bed. "They can't see one another?!"
"Yeah, but we can see them just fine!" Evelyn nods.
"By the way....did any of you girls see a moving sofa, an ottoman that looks like a dog and a nutcracker in here?" Mickey asks, but the girls shake their heads no. "Huh...weird....but it's okay. It's just cool to make more friends even in dreams! Oh by the way! When you were gonna, I saw someone in the same room inside this dream!"
"Who was it?" Rebecca asks.
"Someone with...silver hair and really odd eyes...he left in a flash that I never had a chance to ask for his name... to be honest, I was kind of surprised that I could see someone else other than you girls! I wish you could come through the other side of the mirror and we could see each other!" Suddenly, the sound of an alarm clock rings. "Oh! I guess that's my cue to leave. Well...till next time...Charlie and friends...!" With that Mickey started to vanish into the mist and the mirror went dark. Leaving all five girls to stand there in the room.
"Huh...weird...." Evelyn murmurs. "We see him and he can see us...but Grim and Mickey can't see one another...what does it mean...?"
"Maybe it's a world of dreams on the other side?" Felicity shrugs. "Charlie what do you-?" But she paused seeing the semi-frightened look on the brunette's face and they all swarm her.
"Charlie, what's wrong??" Odette asked.
"Silver hair....odd Eyes....it can't be....!" She shook as she spoke.
"Wait, you know who Mickey's talking about?" Rebecca asked. Charlie nods, gulping nervously.
"It's one of Malleus' guards...Silver....!"
All five girls tense at the 'M' name, fear icing their veins.....they could only imagine what this will lead to after what transpired days ago....
~Meanwhile...~
Lilia leans back in his seat with a sigh, "Finally! That STYX invasion has died down...."
"Yes. The racetrack and fields have been refurbished, so the Equestrian Club will be back up and running." Silver nods. "Riddle's hair color managed to go back to red so he's faring well."
"Thank Lord Malleus! All is solved with peace!" Sebek smiled. "All students will kneel before him to express gratitude!"
"Sebek, stop yelling! You'll disturb Malleus! He's still in mourning." Silver hissed. Sebek covers his mouth as their eyes went up to Malleus, seated on his throne high above them in the lounge. They could sense he was thinking as well as feeling somewhat sad. It chilled them, remembering what happened when he asked for alone time with Charlotte only for her to run away, screaming bloody murder. It made them afraid to bring up the subject around him, trying to ignore it for many days. But they knew deep in their hearts, it was bound to come back....
"Malleus?" Silver asks carefully.
"Hm? Oh...I apologize for being silent." He seemed to snap out of his stupor of thinking.
"Malleus? Are you sure you're okay? You keep zoning out..." Lilia asked.
"Milord! Have you grown weary of sharing your power with these commoners?! No! It must be that Luchessi girl! She is the problem behind-!"
"Sebek." Malleus' voice went deathly cold as he stared him down. Sebek stood straight as he stopped talking.
"Sorry, My Lord! I-I was rambling! F-Forgive me for the incessant words!" He bowed.
"Malleus, please stop sulking." Lilia stood up with a sigh. "We know you want Her to come back, but...if she doesn't remember, then...maybe it's best to let the past go.....maybe it's time that, well...you should move on. You are the heir to the throne of the Valleys of Briars. We cannot let the trauma undo you." Lilia saw the unease in his eyes and approached him... "Malleus, I'm not asking you to be angry with me, I just want you to listen to me. Is it really worth going towards the future if you keep staying stuck in the past? Astraea wouldn't want this from you....!"
Malleus stayed silent as he let Lilia talk, but his mind stayed upon Charlie. How she looked and talked so much like his beloved. It made his heart throb just at the memory. He was DEFINITELY sure she was Astraea! If this wasn't a sign from fate, then what else could it mean?! He already lost her... losing her a second time would doom him to a life of loneliness....
A chime sounded from Lilia's phone and he taps it to wake it up, seeing it was a message from his online friend NekuraSamurai.
"A rather strange nickname...is he your comrade?" Sebek asked.
"Yes. But it's more of an online friend." Lilia chuckles. "He hasn't logged in to play as of late...I got worried that he may hace paused playing because of real life reasons...but I'm glad to see he's back!" He taps on the message reading it aloud: 'Wanna pay the new stage update tonight?' "....Oh right! It's one of the more high class missions that was to be added in our game! Of course!" He types back his response: 'Roger That. It's been a while since we've gamed together so I'll be there!'. He hits the send button.
"Father, make sure you don't stay up so late all the time." Silver frets. "A lack of sleep will do a number for your health."
"It's alright, hahaha! I've retired from the front lines long ago. I don't need to stay in perfect condition all the time!" Lilia laughs. "Besides, I've you three with me!"
Sebek started to fret about Lilia's health, praising and shouting as usual.
"Still, I can't stay this active all the time. At least take some strain away from this old man and fly freely in the future. That's all I ask." Lilia smiled.
Malleus, however thought back to the conversations he has had with Lilia back in the formerly destroyed Ramshackle dorm as well as the students returning from STYX, the old fae's words echo in his head as well as the faces of each person....
"Now I think we should pray to the stars so that everyone returns home safe and sound.....I've prayed many times to the stars myself before.....but this may be my last time....And time is running out..."
"A Human life is as thin as a silk thread on a spinning wheel; it can be easily severed by the steel blade. But because it's a fragile and weak existence, it is made stronger, weaves a beautiful history with others by bonding together, overlap with each other to create a masterpiece. Such is the life of a living being called human....."
The last face to cross his mind was Charlie. But soon Astraea's face overlapped with hers, their smiles and their eyes matching as one and his eyes opened. He looked at his hands as he shook.
"Human life is as thin as a silk thread on a spinning wheel; it can be easily severed by the steel blade...." He repeated to himself.
"Huh? Did you say something Malleus?" Lilia looks over.
"No....No, I didn't...." Without another word, he stood up and walked away from his seat and down the steps to the hallway. He could feel three sets of eyes on him, but he kept moving forward, walking and weaving down the halls without stopping. Soon he came across one particular wall that was left blank, save for a giant tapestry decorated in blue fabric with silver and gold stars. He lifted up the corner with ease and underneath was a wooden door. He unlatched it and opened it wide enough for him to slip inside. Once he closed it, he let go of the breath he had been holding, panting as if he was running for his life....until he started to chuckle...which turned to laughter...rather dark laughter.
Straightening himself out, she stood tall as he looked around the room. Save for a few dark windows, before him anchored to the wall was a portrait of the young woman he so loved. Dressed in a beautiful ornate gown, the hues of blue accented her supple and light skin. The hints of gold which made her eyes shine like the stars. A small tiara was placed upon her dark hair as a small, seemingly sad smile painted her rosebud colored lips.
Malleus approaches the portrait and ran one finger lightly over her face. "Oh my dear...don't look at me that way...You have only to suffer this separation until we reunite once more, now and forever. I WILL have you back!" He seethed as his hands clenched, the candles surrounding her painting alighting her features to seem more ethereal than she looks. "And I promise you...I SWEAR...no one will keep me from you! ....Whoso ever tries to take you away from me...will face a fate worse than death...!"
With a flick of his hand, the candles were snuffed out, wisps of smoke curled, leaving his eyes to glow in the dark, filled with hidden desire and fury......