[ALEXIMUS]
"When the gates fall,” An imposing voice rang. “A man of golden brilliance shall descend from the sky and usher forth a time of great change."
The booming voice resonated in Aleximus's head, sending several abstract images flashing throughout his mind. He was dreaming, but it felt different. Not like a nightmare, but reality.
"A duel shall mark the final hour of respite."
Two figures -- one black and one blue -- clashed with each other on a blood-soaked battlefield. One was masked, yelling hurriedly as he brought his blade down upon his white-haired opponent.
In a flash, the white-haired opponent released a burst of energy from the tip of his sword and obliterated the battlefield.
"The caged ram of Verglas seeks the stars, but the fiery sun and cold moon oppose him, sparking an oldfangled debt,"
Fire engulfed the dreamscape, ripping through the ground at dangerous speeds until it all crumbled away and revealed a bright full moon hanging overhead. Standing before it was a green-haired man wearing a long winter coat. Etched on his back was a rustic symbol Aleximus had never seen before: Two crossed axes covering a ram's head.
The scene faded once more and dimmed in lighting. Aleximus found himself standing in the center of an archaic throne room.
"Those forsaken by time,” The voice continued as six shadowy figures appeared. The throne room broke apart into separate platforms where each shadow stood at different elevations. “...Shall seek vengeance upon the newcomer and his apostles.”
A dark and sinister energy echoed from their bodies and flooded the room like thick oil.
In the very middle, the leader -- a Masked Man -- took a seat on his throne, which floated far above the rest. Hanging above his head was the portrait of a black-haired woman with two curved horns.
The stage shifted again in a flash of red and black light. Aleximus now floated in an empty white space before a thick blueish book. Its pages flipped open and flew by swiftly until they reached the very end of the book. Cautiously, Aleximus approached and peered at the image in the middle. It was almost blurred, but Aleximus recognized the person.
"Jace..."
The pages of the book were set ablaze by an amalgamation of different color flames. "And when the air turns to fire..!”
Aleximus gulped, noticing that deep inside the flames, a dove fluttered around, as if trapped.
“The son of destiny must accept his fate!!"
BOOM!
Aleximus awoke in a cold sweat. “Huff… Huff…”
“Ow…” a voice moaned from below him.
Aleximus squinted, second-guessing what he had heard. “Down here,” Jace’s voice whined.
On the floor near Aleximus’s bed, Jacender was sprawled out and his facial features were humorously caved in. His nose -- or where it should have been -- was non-existent. Instead, across his face ran a red streak.
Aleximus looked from Jace's face to his extended leg. “What the..?”
"Ah... Oww...." Jace stood, feeling for his nose.
"J-Jace?!" his brother realized. He jumped out of his bed and winced. “Did I kick you?”
Jace tried speaking but realized it was futile. Cartoonishly, he reached into his collapsed face and pulled his lips, eyes, and nose out one by one. "Hyi Hwus Gus Twyna Hwake Hyu Hup...!"
"Wake me up...?" Aleximus asked.
That dream he had felt too realistic. It was almost as if someone forced him to see images he couldn’t look away from.
"Sorry, Jace. I must've accidentally hit you on reflex."
He clutched his chest and steadied his breathing, but his heart wouldn't calm.
"I... It's alright," Jace bleated, "Must've been some nightmare to get you all riled up like that, huh?"
"Yeah."
Aleximus closed his eyes and recalled the image of Jacender’s face printed in the large book. "Some nightmare..."
Jacender realized something was wrong the moment his brother hadn’t chastised him over his comment. Aleximus was never this shaken up. For him to not lash out meant that he wasn't okay.
But, before Jace could ask any questions, the door to their room swung open.
"What the heck is going on in here?!" their uncle hollered. “I heard something crash! What was it?!”
The boys hugged each other with terror. "Ah! Huh? A noise..?” Jace stammered. Does he mean when I fell?
“Uncle Matsuda, Jace--" Aleximus started.
"SSH!" Matsuda commanded. "Do you want Anna to wake up before everything is done!?"
But you were the one being loud! They thought in unison.
They then noticed their uncle’s crayon-doodle kitchen apron. He wore it over his usual purple kimono which added a humorous air to his actions, but the boys didn't dare laugh. His stern expression warned them against it.
"I’ve been planning this day for the past six months! Do you know how hard it was to grow vanilla beans?!”
“Don't ruin this day..." he warned them. A dark glint of purple shone in his eye with his next words. "Or I'll ruin you!"
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