A fairytale of a beautiful maiden, the beloved Frost Flower Princess was supposed to be staying in the comfort of her castle masquerading as a cage to protect her from the dangers outside, imprisoned by her own brothers.
That is, until a mysteriou...
* "And let her taste the fires of hell...Or else let her be mine and mine alone."
** Noble Bell College - Bell Tower, Top Floor
The group finally emerged onto the highest floor, pushing open the secret door the gargoyle had revealed. The Bell of Solace loomed before them, its silver surface catching the cold moonlight, shining defiantly despite the chaos swirling below.
"Here we are." Malleus announced, his voice steady as Azul and Idia wiped sweat from their brows, drained from the climb. "The very top floor of the bell tower."
"Finally..." Y/n sighed, relief softening her tone.
"Finally indeed," Vanitas said, exhaling sharply, the exertion evident in his posture as he straightened his dark coat, those intense blue eyes flickering with amusement.
"The Bell of Solace stands out even at night. Look how it glints in the moonlight." Azul's voice cut through the cold air, his gaze drifting to Y/n, who seemed almost illuminated by the pale lunar glow. "Angelfish especially..."
"Now to ring it, wipe out the flowers, and finish this stupid pop-up quest for good." Idia muttered as he stepped forward, only to be halted by Malleus's imposing presence.
"But before we do that..." Malleus's voice was low and deliberate, his protective hand tightening subtly around Y/n's arm. His eyes narrowed toward a figure waiting just beyond the shadows. "We must pay our respects to the host of the party." A dark smirk tugged at his lips.
"Hmph..."
A low hum of tension filled the air as Rollo Flamme stepped forward, cool and dangerous. "At long last, you've arrived. I always knew Y/n would find her way back to me." His voice dripped with possessive scorn. "The greater the villains, the more they insist on parading around. Deplorable." he scorned.
"Heh. Says you," Vanitas shot back smoothly, the faintest edge of a smirk on his lips as he met Rollo's fiery glare.
"So you finally reveal yourself, Rollo." Azul's tone was icy, his stance shifting into high alert.
"You guys hear that? The biggest villain of all is spouting a bunch of deluded nonsense." Idia said sharply.
"'Tis a fine night, Flamme." Malleus greeted, his voice velvet-dark, his gaze never leaving Y/n. The possessive grip on her arm drew a jealous glare from Rollo. "Is our presence not wanted? I was certain it was an innocent mistake on your part when you plunged us underground and greatly injured my beloved Y/n."
"You certainly weren't invited, but I don't mind you here. I show hospitality to even my rudest guests." Rollo's smirk deepened, embers sparking in his eyes. "Only MY beloved Y/n is welcome."
Vanitas stepped forward then, his gaze flickering to Y/n with a rare softness hidden beneath that mischievous grin. "She's quite the prize, isn't she? I suppose we all have our reasons for chasing her." His voice carried a strange mix of protective possessiveness and teasing charm.
As if on cue, the firelotuses bloomed around the top of the tower, encircling the Bell of Solace in a glowing, fiery wreath—a silent signal that the final moment was at hand.
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