Twisted Wonderland: Glorious Masquerade - Let the Bell of Solace Ring

Chapter 3-7: That Distinctive Ring

Later in the night, all the students are in the lecture hall of the Noble Bell College.

Grim lets out a yawn of exhaustion.

Briar notices this and asks, "You feeling tired, Grim?"

"Yeah. I'm beat after puttin' on that big show. I just wanna go to my room and pass out," Grim says.

Trinket also lets out a yawn.

"You tried too, Trinket?" Tanzanite asks.

Trinket nods in response.

"You must wait. One of the students here asked all social participants to assemble in this hall," Malleus says.

"I think all the students from the other schools are here too. Perhaps they're going to give us our schedule for tomorrow?" Azul says.

"You have a point," Jasper says.

Just then, everyone comes to a halt to hear the ringing of the Bell of Solace, earning everyone's attention.

"Huh?" Everyone reacts.

"Is that...the Bell of Solace?" Sebek asks.

"It must be. There's no mistaking that distinctive ring," Silver says.

"Strange that it's ringing at this time," Sereia says.

"I quite agree, Sereia," Riddle says, "I thought the bell only rang at morning, noon, and night. And the nighttime bell has already rung. So why is it ringing this late?"

Azul catches something at the corner of his eye, "Hm? Is there some sort of flame in the corner of the hall?"

The others turn to where Azul is looking, and they see multiple flowers blooming on the wall. The flowers are red, orange, and yellowish in color, and have darkish stems and leaves. They almost look like they're on fire.

"...Looks like a flower, actually," Idia says.

"You're right. They look like flowers, but almost like... fire... I've never seen them before," Briar says.

"And where did they come from?" Tanzanite adds.

"There weren't there a few minutes ago," Jasper says.

Soon, one of the Royal Sword students says, "Oh look, there's a bunch of pretty red flowers by those pillars. I don't remember them being there when we first arrived."

Another student says, "They're beautiful. I've never seen anything like" but as soon as he comes in contact with one of the flowers, "—hrk!" he collapses on the floor.

Everyone is shocked to see it, some even scream in fright from the display.

"Uh, did that guy just touch the flower and collapse?" Idia asks.

Soon, another student feels dizzy, "What's happening? I'm getting...dizzy..." and collapsed too.

"Urgh..." Another student says.

Soon, many students begin collapsing after touching those mysterious flowers.

"The students near those flowers are fainting, one right after another," Malleus says.

Briar notices, "What's more, they're spreading!"

The others look to see more and more flowers blooming around the students and around the lecture hall. Soon, the entire room is being engulfed by these mysterious flowers.

"And more flowers are popping up at an alarming rate!" Jamil says.

"I dunno if it's just me or what, but... I'm feelin' kinda lightheaded..." Ruggie says, feeling light headed.

But Azul also says, "Ugh... It's not just you. I'm having a dizzy spell too, it seems," And feels dizzy, "It appears that the people closest to the flowers are fainting the fastest."

"What a sinister glow they have. It's enough to give me pause," Malleus says, "Is it possible...? Am I actually frightened by these tiny blooms?" and starts to feel strange and looks down to see them climbing on him, "Hrk?! The propagating flowers are climbing up my legs...!" and feels dizzy, "Urgh... What...is this?"

Briar notices this and rushes over, "Mal, what's wrong?"

Malleus answers, "Strength...fading... The more they cover me...the fainter I feel... I fear...I may...be..."

"Mal, wake up, we need to go," Briar says, and tries to move him, but Malleus begins to feel light headed, "Please, get up! Mal! Mal!" and tries to pull him away.

But Malleus begins to collapse on the floor.

'Tsunotaro, please get up!" Briar cries and tries to hold on to him as she flowers begins to approach her.

Silver & Sebek cry out, "BRIAR!/MALLEUUS!"

"Are you both all right?! I'll get these flowers off immediately. Sit tight, please!" Silver says.

Sebek shouts, "Ghastly plants! How dare you swarm our liege. Begone and wilt!"

Silver and Sebek work fast in removing the flowers off of Malleus and to get Briar away from the flowers.

"Thank goodness," Briar says, relieved.

Malleus regains himself as well, "Silver, Sebek... You came through for me."

"Thank goodness you both are here," Briar says.

"Please step back and allow us to handle this, Malleus. Briar, stay close to Malleus. We'll handle this," Silver says.

"Alright," Briar says.

Sebek turns to the weeds, "Mere weeds dare to harm the great Malleus and his dear friend? My magic shall obliterate you!"

And casts his magic on the plants to destroy them.