𝙋𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙤𝙪𝙨 ➾〚 Wilbur Soot x Reader 〛✔

Chapter 1. ― A Sign of Things to Come

CW: Depictions of nightmares

Song: Vide Noir by Lord Huron

"And here is our endorsement for the election!" Wilbur announced proudly, leading a stumbling drunkard up to the microphone of the podium. I watched the scene with a building sense of worry, sweat beading on my forehead as the frazzled man with goat-like horns confusedly asked the current President what to say.

"Oh god..." I mumbled to myself whilst fiddling nervously with my hands. A bad habit I hadn't been able to break yet. The tension on the stage became more and more evident to the audience, the air thick enough that you could cut it.

"Democracy is overrated," Schlatt began when he had finally collected his thoughts enough to speak. "You think you need a President? I'll be my own President!"
The men on stage all attempted to calm Schlatt down and stop talking but to no avail.

"I'll run myself!" He boomed before Tommy grabbed the microphone from his hands and wrapped up the speech.
Being dragged off the stage, he called out to the crowd one final time,

"Schlatt 2020!"

After the rally, Wilbur and Tommy took off to discuss the election and what they should do about their now growing opposing parties.
Of course, I was as concerned as they were, but I knew the pair would just shoo me out if I attempted to sit in on their conversation. Men are like that, I suppose, even more so men in politics.
I'd been a part of the newly independent country of L'manberg for a few months now, lending my services in blacksmithing to a much-needed upgrade in their armoury. While I worked on swords, axes and bows for a country just now getting back on its feet after a taxing war, I became fast friends with its two young leaders. I'm not a very extroverted person, so I find that Tommy can be loud at times and difficult to handle, but I respect his courage and unwavering determination. We managed to bond over several long sessions practising bowmanship in the light fog of the morning.
Tommy was a rock, someone for me to see as a little brother, as a possible apprentice in my much-beloved craft of bow making.
Then there's Wilbur.
On most clear nights, the two of us would sit on the roof of the Camarvan and gaze at the stars together, just chatting and drinking in the beauty of the infinite expanses of the universe.
I would recite the names of the constellations and stars, explaining their stories fondly. I enjoyed Wilbur's company the most out of everyone I had met since moving to L'manberg.
He was charismatic, kind, bold, a man wise beyond his years and with such yearning for change; everything that the leader of a great country needs.
As I contemplated my time in L'manberg, the sun dropped below the horizon and I found myself drifting into a deep sleep.

The heat was unbearable.
My eyes flew open and I was immediately struck by the beautiful shades of red and orange, giving off a warm and inviting glow.
I stood up from where I had been lying on the grass and dusted myself off. My gaze followed the inferno to the billowing plumes of smoke that rained ash and soot on the charred ground. It was chaos, but it was mesmerising. The flames flickered and moved as though they were alive, roaming in tandem to construct an alluring dance with no rhythm or rhyme. The embers ravaged the structures which I recognized as L'manberg, their supports now crumbling as the sea of flames licked at the mostly wooden buildings.
I'd been inhaling smoke for a while now, just standing in awe at this cruel act of God, and I started coughing violently. The place that I had just barely started to call my home now resembled the pits of hell, an everlasting fire scorching and decimating anything of purity. Such damnation, such judgement cast upon this land.
I looked around to see if I could find any sign of people trapped or injured nearby.
And then I saw him.
A lone figure stood in the centre of the pyre, arms raised to the sky as he revelled in the incandescence of such glorious destruction. I knew at once that this man was to blame for the pandemonium. I approached him cautiously, noting the long, ragged trench coat which covered most of his body and a familiar beanie covered a head of dark locks.
My heart froze as he turned to face me, a wild grin on his face. He'd replaced his glasses which I'd once seen as erudite with eyes filled by delirium and insanity.

"Wilbur..." I whispered hoarsely, my voice cracking pathetically as I spoke.

"Isn't it beautiful, Y/n?" He cooed, grasping my hands with his larger ones, "this carnage that we've caused! Long will history remember us. Our L'manberg, forever an unfinished symphony."

Terror split through my heart and I began to scream desperately at the top of my lungs. My cries of anguish filled the air until my throat became raw and no sound came from my mouth. Tears of loathing trickled down my face, dripping into my open mouth. They were salty, but I welcomed the taste. Any sensation of flavour makes up for the depravity of the soul.

I shot up from my bed drenched in a cold sweat. My clothes clung to my body and I pushed my damp hair back from my forehead.
A dream, it was just a dream. A horrible dream, mind you. My own personal Abaddon.
I let out a shuddering breath and glanced at the light pouring in the window. Morning time. The announcements for the election will be happening soon. I scrambled out of bed and hurried to get ready to go see Wilbur and Tommy before the results were announced.

"Wilbur! Tommy!" I called out, tripping slightly as I ran after the pair.
At the sound of the commotion I was causing, they turned to see me, a smile immediately spreading on their faces.

"Hey, woman!" Tommy yelled, "here to see the start of our second term?" I grinned and ruffled his blonde hair playfully, moving my attention to his taller companion.
Wilbur's warm chocolate eyes met mine and I couldn't help but think of the mania they reflected in my nightmare.

"Good luck you two, and stay safe, okay?" I requested seriously, my hand now resting on the brunette's shoulder.
Wilbur let out a deep, melodious chuckle at my worries.

"Do you really have that little trust in us, my dear Y/n?" The older male smirked and shook his head lightly before starting up the stairs to the stage entrance "watch my eyes when I announce that POG 2020 has the majority."

With a wink, he was gone, Tommy following not too far behind.

My heart sank in my chest.