#Jeez Malleus dialogue is actually hella difficult to write

[ser3nityst4r]

Eighth Step

The night before the duel, Yuu tossed and turned, plagued by a dream that felt both familiar and terrifying. In their vision, the Queen of Hearts, a figure of regal yet chilling power, paced a lavish garden, her voice echoing with manic glee. Wanting to wake up from this nightmare but also wanting to stay til the end to see how the story plays out, Yuu realized it was awfully similar to a certain movie from their original world. 'A single rosebud out of place, a crumb on the tablecloth… oh, the tragedy!' she boomed, her laughter echoing like thunder through the dream. Her punishments were absurd, cruel, and completely disproportionate to the 'offenses'. A single misplaced teacup led to a servant being forced to drink an entire pot of boiling tea. A dropped napkin resulted in a swift trial and execution by playing cards. Yuu woke with a gasp, sweat clinging to their skin. The dream felt so real, the Queen’s manic laughter echoing in their ears even as morning light filtered through the dorm window.

Unable to tell if that was just a nightmare or a warning from the universe, Yuu went outside the dorm to get a breath of fresh air to clear their head. Amidst the shadows, they see a gorgeous figure with emerald scaled horns atop his head. Its bright, glowing eyes stared back at Yuu. “Hm? I was unaware that someone had taken a liking to this place as I thought it was completely inhabitable.

“Who might you be?” Yuu asked with admiration and curiosity lacing their voice, wanting to know the name of the gorgeous and unique fellow before them. “You really don’t know who I am?” His eyes widen with shock before recomposing himself, finding Yuu to be extremely fascinatingly. He continued, “You may call me whatever you wish for it might be a bad idea on my part if I gave you my name now. When the time arrives, I shall bestow you my name.” Yuu found him to be utterly ethereal and enchanting, especially his lovely glimmering horns atop his head. “Then, I shall call you Tsunotaro/Hornton!” Yuu beamed, their heart racing at getting to meet and give the enchanting person a nickname to call them by. Little did Yuu know, the fae was beyond joyous to have finally have someone to call his friend.

“Ah… It’s getting pretty late and there’s a duel tomorrow, I better get back inside” Yuu said, their voice shaken and mourning over the lost time with the ethereal stranger. “I’ll see you soon, Tsunotaro!” With a wave and sleepy smile, they went back into their dorm as the fae granted them a beautiful sight of fireflies.

'Yuu! Yuu! Wake up! Today’s the big duel!' Grim yelled, his voice brimming with a mix of excitement and fear.  Yuu sat up, the dream haunting their mind. 'A duel… with Riddle?' they murmured, a sense of dread slowly creeping in. Still wondering if the meeting of the strange man with horns was a dream or not. ‘Was last night a dream? I wouldn’t be surprised if it was. After all, how could someone look so breathtakingly royal visit such a shabby place like Ramshackle…’ The hallways of NRC buzzed with the news, the idea of anyone challenging Riddle Rosehearts a source of amusement and disbelief. 'Riddle? That's like challenging a lion to a staring contest!' one student snickered.  Trey and Cater, upon hearing the news, their faces paled. They knew the severity of the situation. Riddle, in his role as housewarden, was ruthless and unforgiving.   'They’re just underclassmen, they won't stand a chance,' Cater added, his usual boisterous energy subdued. Trey nodded anxiously in agreement, silently hoping Ace and Deuce won’t be too injured after this. The duel was held in a grand hall, its atmosphere thick with anticipation. Crowley, the headmaster, stood poised, a stern expression on his face. 'We are about to commence two challenges for the housewarden position at Heartslabyul House,' he announced, his voice echoing through the hall. 'The first challenger is Ace Trappola. The second challenger is Deuce Spade. The current housewarden they have challenged is Riddle Rosehearts. Now, in accordance with the duel rules, please remove the magic-sealing collars.” Ace and Deuce, their faces alight with a mixture of excitement and fear, cheered as the collars were removed, liberating their magic.  'Enjoy your moment of freedom,' Riddle sneered, his voice as sharp as a knife. 'The collar will be back on soon enough.' 'I could hardly believe it when I heard you two intended to duel me,' he continued, his gaze sweeping over Ace and Deuce, disdain dripping from his words. 'Is this a joke?' Crowley, ignoring Riddle’s arrogance, stepped forward. 'The duel will be decided in a single round. Riddle, you have the right to choose the challenge. Now, choose wisely. The consequences of your choice will be entirely yours to bear.' 

Cater approached Riddle to remind him that one of the rules of Riddle’s own farce was that teatime is at 4pm sharp and that it has already been last 3:30pm. “And you fear that I will be late? All the more reason to end this promptly.” The redhead laughed at the possibility.

Riddle, with a smirk playing on his lips, turned towards the students. 'It appears I have little time to waste. Rather than facing my opponents in succession, I will take on both at once.' Crowley, caught off guard by Riddle’s unexpected move, nodded in agreement. 'Very well, Riddle. Proceed as you wish.'  He held up a mirror, shimmering in the dim hall light. 'When the mirror I’ve thrown shatters upon the ground, that is your signal to begin. Ready... Go!' As the mirror crashed to the ground, shattering into a thousand pieces, Yuu felt a wave of dread wash over them. Their heart pounded in their chest, their eyes brimming with tears, a sense of overwhelming fear taking hold. Their heart writhing in cages and oppression, unknown to the reason behind their distress. Yuu’s intuition screamed at them, urging them to do something, to stop whatever terrible thing was about to happen. But the fear was too powerful, blinding them. They couldn’t see the danger, couldn’t comprehend the terrible consequences that awaited them.  'What is going to happen?' Yuu whispered, their voice barely audible. 'What’s so terrifying?'

As the duel began, Yuu knew they were witnessing something more than just a simple magic competition. They were reading the beginning of Riddle's inked pages, a dark and twisted reflection of the Queen of Hearts' tyranny. And in the depths of Yuu’s fear, a chilling certainty dawned: the dream had been a symbolic warning of what was to come. Splash