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nova1516 · 9 days ago

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A Dreadful Hallow’s Eve Ball

A work for lyranova’s 1k event! Congrats! :D @blackclover-emc

I was hesitant to participate, but then I saw so many lovely works that inspired me to do one as well! I took this opportunity to write about one of the side plots/stories of my next generation au!

Next Gens Featured: Felicity Vermillion, Calix Vermillion, Titaia Vermillion(not mine), Acier Silva II, Argent Silva, Adrius Silva, Adeline Silva, Gin Vermillion, Lune Grinberryall(vaguely mentioned)

Canon Characters Featured: Fuegoleon Vermillion, The Salamander, Nozel Silva, Jack The Ripper

(Background) Pairings: Fuegoleon Vermillion/Bridget Oriel || The Salamander, Jack The Ripper/Nozel Silva

Background Information: A short summary of previous events that affect this story: Felicity and Calix Vermillion were originally commoners from Ylve Village. As children their village suffered a great tragedy, burnt to the ground. The two siblings were the only survivors, and they were found by Fuegoleon Vermillion and The Salamander. The couple eventually formally adopted the children of Ylve. Soon after they also take in Titaia, a fire spirit. Recently Felix and Calix find out the tragedy that struck Ylve was no accident, and Felicity wants to desperately avenge their deceased parents.

Summary: Felicity has an opportunity to learn more about Ylve’s tragedy at the annual Hallow’s Eve Masquerade Ball.

Word Count: 3,905

This story is told from various points of view. Enjoy!

Felicity stared at the letter in her hands, and as she reread it she considered burning it, to destroy any evidence it was ever written.

The neat and pretty words promised answers, answers she’d been searching for for months.

Dear Felicity Vermillion,

It shall be on Hallow’s Eve, at the long awaited masquerade ball hosted by the Wizard King, where I’ll be waiting for you. It is your choice to make my acquaintance, but remember well, if you do not meet with me that evening, I shall no longer provide you with the necessary clues to find out the truth about what happened to your birth parents.

I will be waiting at the tallest tower of the castle’s east wing when the clock strikes for midnight. I will be wearing…a lion’s mask. That should be familiar for you, no?

As I promised, if we meet, I shall answer any and every question you might have, in exchange for the pendant your mother left with you.

Best Regards,

C. Y.

“Catalyst Magic: Flames of Ire.”

Felicity watched as the letter burnt to a crisp, leaving nothing behind except for lingering ashes.

She adjusted the strap of her dress, which had slipped from her shoulder, and walked towards her mirror. She scrutinized her appearance harshly, from head to toe. From her (temporary) blonde hair, just as it had been when she was a child, to her long, vermillion dress, and high heels. The garments felt foreign on her skin, but she pushed her discomfort aside.

She needed answers, and she would be getting them tonight.

The young Vermillion grabbed her mask, a gilded, intricate thing, and put it on.

• ☘︎ •

“Hey,” Calix sauntered up to his older sister, a tired Titaia accompanying him. They were both dressed for the occasion. “Tia told me you went back to blonde! Welcome back!”

“Do not get used to it,” Felicity glared at her brother. “I will dye it back after tonight.”

“What? C’mon keep it for a few weeks at least!” He grabbed her hand and then Titaia’s. “Look! We all match now!”

Titaia nodded along with Calix.

“I’m not keeping it blonde, Cal, and don’t look at me like that, Tia.”

Calix sighed regretfully, and Titaia huffed.

“Children, oh—good you’re all ready.” Fuegoleon hurried down to meet the three Vermillions. “We’re late. Let us—Where’s your father?”

Felicity and Calix shared a look before shaking their heads, and when they looked at Titaia, she shrugged.

“Then where—”

“I am ready, Fuegoleon Vermillion.”

The four Vermillions turned to look at the stairs.

The Salamander, Bridget Oriel, stood in a beautiful ivory and jasper orange attire, and was donned in gold jewelry. He looked breathtaking as he made his way down to meet his family.

Fuegoleon couldn’t help the fond smile that made its way to his lips, as he stared at his lovely spouse.

“Beloved little ones,” Bridget smiled brightly. “You all look truly astonishing!” He glanced at Fuegoleon, narrowing his eyes. “Hm, handsome, dereworthy.”

Fuegoleon gave him a (Felicity would describe it as a stupid, lovey-dovey) smile. “And you look as stunning as ever.”

Calix beamed. “You both look phenomenal!”

“Pretty.” Titaia uttered.

Felicity sighed. “Can we leave now?” She asked, crossing her arms.

“Little One,” Bridget turned to his daughter. “Are you in a hurry, perhaps?”

Felicity nodded slowly, and quickly thought of an excuse. “I just…I’d like to get there before cousin Adrius finishes off all the good desserts.”

Calix and Titaia went tense.

“We need to leave now.” Titaia nodded along to her brother’s statement.

Felicity hid a smile. It worked, as always.

“Alright, alright,” Fuegoleon herded the two menaces out of the Estate. “Let us leave at once.”

Bridget extended an arm to Felicity, and the young Vermillion hesitated for a second before she took it, and they left to catch up with the rest.

Her family’s ever lively presence took a little weight off of her shoulders. Yet the sense of impending doom grew again, this time overwhelming, as they neared the main Castle.

• ☘︎ •

“That blonde hair might fool all of your suitors, but not me, Felicity.”

Felicity turned around, and came face to face with a young woman. Her fetching silver hair was tied in an elegant, popular braided style, and her dress was dazzling. Her mask, matching in silver tones, obscured her eyes, but there was no room for doubt. This was the renowned, oldest daughter of Nozel Silva and Jack The Ripper.

“Good evening, Acier,” Felicity greeted her cousin. “I’d appreciate it if you lowered your voice. You’re right, the tameless men that chase me relentlessly have yet to recognize me. I’d like to keep it that way.”

Acier let out a short laugh. “Of course,” She whispered, and looped their arms together. “As much as I hate being discreet, I’ll do it for you, dear cousin.”

Felicity shook her head fondly. “What about your suitors?”

Acier groaned. “As irritating as ever.”

“You should’ve taken more advantage of the masquerade ball,” She pulled on a loose, blonde strand of hair. “Like I did.”

“And what? Have my hair dyed blonde?”

The two royals laughed, lighthearted.

“It’s good to see you, albeit a bit different than usual.”

“And after so much time,” Acier said, crossing her arms. “You’ve been so busy I barely see you anymore, Felix.”

Felicity averted her gaze. “I…apologize. I know I haven’t been present enough. I’m just busier than usual.”

Her thoughts wandered back to the letter. She glanced at the clock. It read 11:00pm.

“Calix told me,” Acier sighed. “He said you’ve been trying to figure out what really happened to Ylve Village.”

Against her parents’ wishes.

Fuegoleon had promised to reveal everything in due time, but after finding out they’d been keeping the truth hidden, and after her fight with Calix…she’s been more desperate than ever to get answers. That desperation led her to C.Y. a mysterious figure who happened to know a lot about a village that had burnt down two decades ago. (They’d never met face to face. They’d only ever communicated through letters, initated by C.Y.)

Felicity narrowed her eyes. “Calix…That brother of mine never learned to keep his mouth shut.” She sighed. “Look I understand right now is not the time, and that I shouldn’t be going behind my parents’ back, but—”

“I understand,” Acier offered her a smile. “And I know perfectly well that no matter what I say, you’ll end up doing it anyway, so instead of trying to stop you, I’ll help you.”

Felicity huffed. “As much as I appreciate the offer, I don’t want you, or anyone else, to get involved.”

“I wouldn’t get my hands dirty,” Acier supplied. “At least not that much. I could get you the reports.”

“The reports?”

“If you remember,” Acier subtly gestured to the other side of the ballroom. Felicity followed her line of sight and saw two Magic Knight Captains, away from the crowd, speaking between themselves. “My parents, mostly my dad, handled the case of Ylve long before uncle Fuegoleon even heard of it.”

That’s right. Ylve Village had been under Jack The Ripper’s surveillance months prior to the accident.

“You…have access to those reports?”

“Not currently, but I could get them for you.”

Acier and Felicity straightened up when Nozel noticed them staring. Jack turned to face them next, and laughed upon seeing their stiff postures. He waved at them.

Acier waved back, slowly leading Felicity away. “Perhaps we should take this conversation elsewhere—”

“Lady Silva!”

“Fuck.”

Ronnald Vitesse, a member of the Silver Eagles(following in his father’s footsteps), approached the two women.

“Ac—Lady Silva, I’ve been looking for you.” He said sheepishly. “Would you do me the honor of letting me have your next dance?”

“Apologies, but I’m busy right now.” She gave him an unimpressed look. “And I’m not interes—”

“She’d love to,” Felicity interrupted her. “I was just about to take my leave.”

Acier glowered. “What.”

“Great!” Ronnald extended an arm out to Acier, which made the latter take a step back.

“Hey, Felix!”

“Sorry,” Felicity scurried away into the crowd.

• ☘︎ •

As gracious, and tempting, as that proposition had been, Felicity would rather not get Acier into trouble with her parents.

Even if it’d be the safer option, to trust Acier rather than a stranger. It was better not to involve her.

Not to mention, she thought it’d be a waste to let C.Y. get away.

Felicity paused in her step when she came across the buffet table.

Calix and Titaia were staring down the last piece of strawberry shortcake, and across from them Adrius and Adeline were also eyeing the treat.

The only dessert Felicity had been looking forward to…

Felicity had to think quickly if she wanted to get that last piece before them.

Glancing around the ballroom she found the perfect solution.

Her cousin, Gin Vermillion, was standing just a few feet away from them, talking idly with one of the Grinberryall girls, and in his hands was a plate full of desserts.

Among them was a strawberry shortcake.

“Catalyst Magic,” She uttered under her breath. “Spatial Magic: Gateway.”

Gin’s grimoire began to glow dimly as Felicity borrowed his magic. In the blink of an eye the last shortcake vanished through a portal, and landed safely in Felicity’s hands.

“What the hell?” Adrius faltered, shoulders slumping.

“My cake!” Calix lamented.

“Gin.” The three of them turned to Titaia.

“That’s right!” Adeline pulled on her brother’s coat. “That portal looked exactly like Gin’s gateways!”

The four of them spotted Gin within seconds.

Felicity suppressed a chuckle as she hurried away with her cake, successfully getting away with it.

Another great distraction from the imminent encounter.

• ☘︎ •

Nozel observed Acier and Felicity conversing, and saw the moment his niece left Acier with Vitesse’s son.

He sighed. “I will be back in a moment,” He met Jack in a kiss when the latter leaned down. “Go help our daughter in the meantime.”

Jack arched an eyebrow, and narrowed his eyes when he noticed Vitesse prattling on to a very uninterested Acier.

The couple parted ways, and Nozel left satisfied when he heard Vitesse shout in surprise.

He walked around the room until he found Fuegoleon. Fortunately, the man was alone, gathering two cups of wine.

“Fuegoleon,” He stopped to stand beside the fire mage.

“Nozel,” Fuegoleon looked surprised to see him. “Good evening, I thought—”

“Have you taken notice that our daughters have been acting strange as of late?”

Fuegoleon paused and faltered, placing the two glasses down.

“Acier and Felicity.” Nozel clarified.

Fuegoleon’s brow furrowed. “Acier too, then?”

“Only recently, and I believe it’s related to your daughter.”

Fuegoleon sighed. “She’s been somewhat distant ever since we had an argument a few months ago.”

“About?”

“Ylve.”

Nozel stiffened. “You told her?”

Fuegoleon shook his head. “Not everything. I gave her and Calix the photograph of Calixtus.”

“I see,” Nozel crossed his arms. “I assume she’s trying to find out the truth on her own?”

“Most likely.”

Nozel glared at him. “Are you going to do anything about it? She could get in trouble, and drag the others with her.”

Fuegoleon took the glasses again and began to walk away. Nozel followed. “Bridget and I have been surveilling her at home, at the base, and Calix and Titaia are looking after her. They would tell me if anything happened. I have it handled, do not worry.”

Would they tell him?

“Perhaps it is time to tell them the truth.” Nozel suggested, keeping up with Fuegoleon’s slightly faster pace.

“If we do so, they will try to get involved with him.”

“Regardless, we should. C—he’s dangerous, but we’re far stronger. It’s why he’s stayed hidden for all these years. He’s as cautious as he’s a coward. But we could find him with Felicity’s Catalyst Magic, and detain him once and for all. She’s old enough to—”

“That’s a theory, and I’d rather not risk her safety for it.”

Nozel walked faster and got in front of his cousin. “For all you know she could be risking her life as we speak. It’s better to take initiative now and help them find justice for Ylve. We cannot let her do this alone—Even if she’s not doing anything now, she will eventually.” Sometimes Felicity reminded him of himself in his youth, and that worried Nozel.

Fuegoleon’s fists clenched around the glasses. He let them go when Nozel took them, and placed them at a silver tray nearby.

“Telling them…it’ll break their hearts.” Fuegoleon finally receded.

“I know.”

“Let’s tell them tonight. I will speak with Bridget.”

Nozel nodded. “I’ll tell Jack—”

“Gin Vermillion!”

Fuegoleon and Nozel watched as their respective children, being led by Adrius, marched up to their younger cousin, demanding a…dessert?

“Adrius…” Nozel sighed, exasperated.

Fuegoleon let out a short laugh, the tension slowly leaving his frame. “We should defuse the situation before it escalates.”

“Agreed.”

The two captains made their way across the ballroom, heading straight for the young royals. Suddenly a man from the crowd got in their way, and they bumped into each other.

“Apologies, sir.”

“Watch where you’re going.”

The man smiled, and placed a hand over his chest. “My sincerest apologies, Fuegoleon Vermillion, Nozel Silva.” He was tall, almost as tall as Jack, and he wore an expensive suit, coupled with a lion mask that covered the majority of his face, making most of his features indiscernible. “This lowly servant never meant to intervene.”

“It’s quite alright,” Fuegoleon assured him. “Do not fret.”

However, Nozel was struck with sudden familiarity. “Have we met before?”

The man only tilted his head sideways. “I think I would remember if I met a member of the royal court,” He laughed. “I’m just a servant of this lovely palace, that’s probably where you’ve seen me.”

Nozel wanted to ask him to take off his mask, but apparently it was a rule that no one could. Ridiculous.

He didn’t care enough to follow it.

“Take of—”

“I told you! I took this from the table. I did not use a portal!” Gin shouted, distracting Nozel for an instance, and that’s all it took for the mysterious man to disappear back into the crowd.

“Damn it.”

• ☘︎ •

11:45pm.

Felicity paced back and forth between the darkened halls near the entrance of the East Wing. She could still vaguely make out the commotion of the ball downstairs, and that did nothing to calm her racing thoughts.

She was going against direct orders from her parents, and they were just a few rooms away. Moreover, Acier had given her a way out of this meeting. Her cousin could get her the reports, and she wouldn’t need to meet C.Y.

Yet.

She couldn’t let this person get away. They knew too much about Ylve Village. Even if she could obtain answers elsewhere, she needed to meet this person.

He knew her late mother personally, and wanted her pendant.

She needed to know why.

The next passing minutes felt torturously slow.

• ☘︎ •

Bridget huffed. Fuegoleon had either gotten sidetracked or had completely forgotten about their drinks.

“Hey, uncle,”

Bridget brightened up when Argent Silva sat next to him at the Vermillion’s table. “Good evening, poppet.”

Argent nodded and leaned back on his chair.

…

Bridget decided to tease him when he remained quiet for too long. “Wouldn’t you prefer to fraternize with your peers, rather than to accompany an old spirit such as myself?”

“Everyone else is busy, and,” Argent averted his gaze, as a subtle blush rose to his cheeks. “You’re good company, so.”

Bridget felt his heart melt, impossible for a being such as himself, but Argent Silva rarely ever showed an ounce of emotion, and it was being directed at him! He grinned and gently tousled Argent’s hair. “You are great company as well, little one.”

Argent grumbled when his uncle’s claws left his hair messy, but didn’t protest further.

“Gin Vermillion!”

Upon hearing his brother’s voice Argent turned around, and sighed. “…And there they are.”

Bridget looked up just in time to catch a glimpse of his partner and Nozel Silva heading towards the commotion. Abruptly a man, donning a golden lion mask, ran into them.

Bridget frowned. There was something oddly familiar about that man. Yet the fire spirit could not decipher what it was, being a considerably far distance away.

“I told you! I took this from the table. I did not use a portal!”

The man in the lion mask passed unnoticed by the two captains, and just before disappearing into the crowd, looked at the fire spirit straight in the eyes and smiled. As soon as he vanished, his entire presence did as well, as if he never existed.

Bridget stood up. “Argent Silva, go to your father.”

Argent stiffened at the use of his full name, and scanned the ballroom, trying to find whatever it was that alarmed his uncle. “What?”

“I shall not repeat myself. Go, right this instance.”

Argent nodded slowly, and wasted no more time, leaving promptly.

Bridget observed the entirety of the ballroom, and started making a mental checklist, making sure everyone was present and accounted for.

His nieces and nephews were all clustered in the same part of the room, and his children too. His children.

Titaia and Calix, (mainly, only Calix) were now speaking calmly with Adrius and Adeline. Next to them Fuegoleon and Nozel were attending to an anxious Argent. And…

Looking around, he was able to find Acier with her other father.

And.

And…

He marched along the edges and corners of the ballroom, sifting through every crowd, every table, every spot in the dance floor, and yet he could not find…

Bridget stopped in his tracks. He needed to calm down and think rationally. He inhaled, then exhaled, involuntarily letting out a puff of steam. He only needed to find Felicity’s mana and he’d find her.

…

The clock struck for twelve.

Felicity held her mother’s pendant tight in her grip as she climbed the staircase of the tallest tower. Oddly, the torches that were lined along the walls were all long extinguished, and, although it was faint, her magic picked up traces of a spell. Her grimoire was thrumming, sensing this unknown magic. It wanted to absorb it and use it as its own—make it its own. Felicity pushed down the feeling as she finally reached the top.

The tower, like the way up, was dark, and as she examined the room she found she was the only person inside. However, the spell now felt overwhelming. Yet she could not sense a single person nearby.

Had C.Y. bailed on her? But if that was the case then what was it with this spell? Was he running late?

“Remarkable.”

Felicity felt a chill run down her spine at the sudden, unexpected voice. She turned around and saw a man in elegant attire, wearing a lion’s mask.

When had he arrived? She hadn’t heard or sensed him at all.

“You’re,” Felicity scrutinized him. “C.Y.”

C.Y. smiled, and the mere, seemingly innocent, action unsettled her greatly. It felt somehow sinister. “That’s right.”

Felicity held out the necklace. “I’m not going to stall. Here’s the pendant. I want answers.”

The masked man tilted his head to the side and hummed. “Take off your mask first.”

“What?”

“How can I be certain it’s you, Felicity Vermillion?”

Felicity narrowed her eyes. “Fine, but if I do so, you’ll take yours off as well.”

He stayed quiet for a moment, but then laughed. “Very well.”

Felicity discarded her mask and let it fall to the ground. As soon as C.Y. took in the sight of the royal, his smile finally faded away. “Your turn.” She prepared a spell in the back of her mind, one of Acier’s. They were fast and deadly, fitting if the man decided to cross her.

“I suppose now is the best time to tell you my name.” He took the strap of his mask and began to untie it. “C.Y. is short for,” He unclasped the final hook, and the lion mask fell to the floor, next to Felicity’s.

Felicity’s heart sank to her stomach, and her mouth went dry. “You’re—” Her eyes widened as they welled up with tears. She brought the pendant up to her chest.

“Calixtus of Ylve.”

A dead man walking.

Her mother’s younger brother. Her supposedly deceased uncle.

• ☘︎ •

Years ago.

Fuegoleon watched as the children played with Bridget, Adrius and Acier. The fire spirit had Calix on his back as he chased the rest of the kids. Adrius was leading his sister and cousins all around the garden, shouting and laughing.

The peaceful scene was interrupted when Nozel and Jack arrived.

The children cheered when they noticed Argent in his father’s arms. Nozel set down his youngest and watched as he ran to play with Bridget and kids.

“We were able to track down the person who caused the fires of Ylve,” Nozel started, sitting down next to his cousin. His husband remained standing, arms crossed. “However, he managed to escape.”

Fuegoleon clenched his fists. This was the third time he’d escaped.

“Keh, he was working with Katherine Poizot. They both got away.”

“Poizot?”

“Gueldre Poizot’s cousin.” Nozel supplied. “She has permeation magic as well.”

Fuegoleon nodded. That would make sense, and it cleared up a lot of his doubts.

“There’s something else.”

Fuegoleon raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

“We know who he is.” Nozel took out a photograph out of his pouch. “Calixtus of Ylve.”

Fuegoleon’s eyes widened. “That’s—”

“Your kids’ uncle.” Jack said, finally taking a seat next to Nozel. “Apparently he and Poizot had been worshiping some ‘greater being’ that required a sacrifice. That sacrifice was Ylve.”

“We still don’t have all the details, or why he let the children survive, but….”

• ☘︎ •

Fuegoleon came back to the present when Argent approached them. He tried to pay attention to what he was saying, but his mind kept wandering back to that moment.

Tonight they would reveal the truth about Calixtus to the children, and utterly ruin the image of Felix and Calix’s beloved uncle. That man deserved their resentment. However, learning the truth would devastate them. They loved their uncle, or at least, the image they had of him.

“Uncle Fuegoleon?” Argent was glaring at him now. “Are you listening?”

“Fuegoleon.” Nozel urged him to answer.

“I apologize, I was not…” Fuegoleon sighed. “Argent, what happened?”

Argent frowned, very obviously upset. “Uncle Bridget! He was acting strange. I’m worried.”

“Bridget?” Fuegoleon tried to seek him out at their table, but found he was gone. “Where’s—”

“I don’t know! But you’re his host. Can you not locate him?” His nephew sounded desperate.

Fuegoleon placed a hand on his shoulder. “It’s alright. I’ll handle this.” Argent nodded and stepped back, moving to stand beside Nozel.

Fuegoleon tapped into the bond he shared with his beloved.

Bridget, what’s wrong? Are you—

Fuegoleon Vermillion, I cannot find—I cannot even sense our daughter.

The clock struck for twelve.

Fuegoleon snapped his head toward his children.

Calix and Titaia were still talking with their cousins, but paused when they noticed their father’s worried expression.

“Father?” Calix moved to be closer to Fuegoleon.

Fuegoleon grabbed him by his shoulders, as gently as he could. “Where is Felicity?”

End?

This story is open to interactions!

Thank you for reading <3

Bridget Oriel is an interpretation of The Salamander and Titaia is not my original character. They belong to @t-f-t & @funky-sea-cryptid

#black clover #black clover event #black clover halloween meeting event #black clover next generation ocs #black clover next generation au #nodanova’s next gen au #fuegoriel #silvermantis #fuegoleon vermillion x bridget oriel/the salamander #jack the ripper x nozel silva

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