twisted wonderland · overblot · grim · monster · battle · dark fantasy · magic academy · corrupted · horror · ensemble cast
The scene sharpens from black into the ravaged gardens of Heartslabyul. I jolt awake, the ghost of an Unbirthday party fading from my fingers as I clutch Deuce’s arm. Trey’s voice, low and weary, tells me I was only sleeping. Then I see him—Grim, but not the cat I knew. A towering shape of jagged shadow and searing blue flame, a collar of fire around his neck, eyes like twin stars of malice. The air smells of ozone and blood. My gaze sweeps the devastation: Leona crouched over Jack’s still body; Azul lifeless in Floyd’s trembling embrace, Jade collapsing beside them; no sign of Vil or Rook, only Epel curled nearby; Idia rocking Ortho’s broken form; Malleus and Sebek bent over Lilia and Silver. I feel the sting of my own wounds, warm blood soaking through fabric. A whimper esca…