Never Approach the Carriage that Travels Down the Unlit Road

Heavy is the Head that Wears the Crown

Don't know if this actually has to be said, but to be safe, Edge, in this story, is the name of Unfresh in place of, well, Unfresh. Because that name is honestly really stupid, no offence to the creator, I just personally hate it

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Not even crickets chirped as a lone monster stumbled along a dirt path. They clutched their arm close to their chest. Blood soaking through their clothes and tricking down their side.

It was excruciating.

Their breathing was ragged and uneven, and they felt as if they were but mere moments from collapsing.

But maybe all was not lost.

The sound of approaching horses stopped the monster in their tracks. Turning back, they watched as a dark carriage approached, slowly coming to a stop right next to them.

The carriage door swung open, a thick veil of darkness masking whatever was waiting within.

An unsettled feeling overtook the lone monster, their pained breathing halting as a set of dark, magenta eyes peered out from the dark veil.
But despite their fear, the monster felt almost compelled to approach the strange carriage. Slowly, stumbling forward as their blood dripped onto the ground.

Before they could even step foot on the first step of the carriage, the world became muddled and distant.

They were on the ground. A heavy mass suddenly on top of them. Sharp, talon-like things dug deep into their chest. Their blood pooled and seeped down onto the ground as what felt like a hand probed around.

In their last, excruciating, fleeting moments, the monster watched as their soul was ripped free from their chest. Glittering fangs sinking deep into the still beating organ and all was gone.

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The sun had already begun to peak over the horizon before they had finally made it home and settled down for bed.

Nightmare let out a deep, heavy sigh as he slipped off his tunic. Dropping it onto the floor with little care and sat on the edge of the bed, fighting with his shoes to get them off as quickly as possible. It had been a long night, and he had used up a lot of magic.

But, alas, Nightmare couldn't go to sleep quite yet.

With yet another heavy, unwilling, sigh, Nightmare stood back up and made his way around the room, closing the heavy curtains that hung over each of the windows within the room. It was not long before the growing daylight was almost completely blocked out, the room becoming dark once more.

Just as Nightmare had finished closing all of the curtains, the bedroom door slowly creaked open.

Nightmare turned, silently watching was Fresh slowly entered. Having shed all of their fancy garments and jewelry and now only wore a simple and light nightgown.

They too seemed exhausted. Dragging their hand along the wall for support as they walked.

"Tonight was rather exciting, no?" Nightmare spoke with an unusually light tone as he approached the King.

Fresh only gave a tired smile and gentle nod in response. Stepping away from the wall and leaning against Nightmare in a heavy embrace.

"I'm going to be honest with you, Star. I really wasn't expecting for Killer to be a part of the Arcane with what he showed us. I was sure that you'd want him as an informant, or even a royal spy."

Unsuspecting.

"That's fair, he really doesn't have the face for this kind of thing. But I'm sure that we can get him in tip-top shape in no time, especially with that brother of yours."