Chapter Text
“Mm…”
Ren opened his eyes as he awoke from his slumber. As his consciousness regained itself, he stared at his surroundings, confusion running through his mind.
“Huh,” he glanced, turning his head around in any direction. “Where am I?”
Everything was dark. He could not see a single thing. His whole body seemed cramped, as if he was stuck inside a small little space. However, it was spacious that he could move his limbs and was wide enough to move himself sideways. The boy reached his palm in front of him as he felt he was touching something. He moved his fingers, a rough sensation tracing on his skin, and his fingernails touched the surface as they made a slight noise. His hand formed the shape of a fist as he tapped on his front.
Wood… Was this a lid?
“What is this? What happened while I was asleep…?” Ren mumbled to himself.
Ren tried to shift his weight and move upwards until he smacked the top of his head against a hard surface. As if he were hitting an object, he shifted downwards for his feet to make a sudden stop.
The boy asked, confused. “What’s going on here? Why am I inside a box?”
“Come on! Open up already, will you!?”
Who said that?
Ren hitched as he looked at his front. “Hey! Is anybody there!?”
“Huh!? Wait, are you awake!?” He could hear a voice yelling from the outside.
The boy banged on the lid using his fist. “Yeah! Get me out of here!”
The person contemplated. “I need to get this open fast… I can sense someone’s coming soon.”
The boy could hear a rattling noise. Were they trying to help him? The raven-haired boy watched as the person struggled while they were trying to get it opened. Ren grew impatient and antsy, wishing it was going to open soon. Before he knew it, he punched the lid. It was then he had a sudden realization.
Ren shifted around till he was on his side before he slammed his shoulders onto the woody surface, as it made a loud thump.
“Come on…!”
The boy slammed himself into it. He saw a hint of light every time he had hit the lid. With one last swing, everything appeared to go white as it flung wide open.
Ren shrieked, falling forward to the ground.
“Ugh…” he picked himself off the floor.
“I figured I sensed something in there! It’s you!”
There was an anthropomorphic animal in front of him as it stared at him with widened pupils. The critter appeared to be some sort of mascot. It had a round head and large blue eyes. The creature also sported black fur, which dominated most of its body except for the white fur from its paws, face, and triangle-shaped ears.
Ren knew the creature very well.
“Morgana…?” The boy looked up in surprise. “How did you find me here?”
“My navigating abilities don’t disappoint, y’know? Finding you was easy.” Morgana said, brimming with confidence.
“Wait a second, why are you in your Metaverse form? You only change your form whenever you’re in there, right? Don’t tell me we’re inside Metaverse?” Ren stared at him as the latter fell silent.
“I… don’t have a clue about why I’m in this form, either.” Morgana squinted.
“Is that so?” Ren raised an eyebrow.
Morgana’s expression turned from proud to a dead serious look. “Listen. When I woke up, I was already in this form, which was odd. That’s when I had sensed something stirring inside this coffin and then I found out it was you when you opened it.”
“Coffin?”
Ren stood up as he turned around from his position. There were several floating black coffins floating in the air, including one that was wide open, which was the coffin that he must’ve been inside of.
He looked at all the coffins, mouth widened in awe. “This is…”
“Freaky?” Morgana finished. “Yeah, it is. But I’m certain that these aren’t shadows. Can’t even call it one.”
“These aren’t Shadows? Then these coffins might have people inside of them like me?” Ren wondered.
“Might be,” Morgana said in response. I don't know if we can get them out. There are too many coffins to open.
“True. If there are people inside, why aren't they trying to escape? “The boy approached a coffin and gave it a slight knock.
“Maybe there’s nothing in them?” Morgana guessed.
“Or maybe they’re asleep.” Ren stated. Why did he wake up if that was the case?
“Guess we’ll never know. How you got that outfit or how we woke up?” The cat-like creature pointed out.
“Outfit?”
Ren looked down at himself, realizing he had been wearing something he did not remember changing into. He was wearing a long, black robe that had a hood covering his black curly hair. It had long, oversized sleeves with gold embellishments printed on it. A similar design was on the hem of his robe. With black formal pants and purple-tipped black shoes that completed the look.
“You look like a witch.” Morgana complimented.
“I look like a cult member,” he stared at his outfit, an uncomfortable look on his face. “What am I even wearing? I don’t remember wearing this at all?”
‘It looks good on you, though,’ Morgana complemented. “All there’s missing is a pointed hat.”
“Who am I? Harry Potter?” Ren said, unamused, before looking at Morgana. “Well, if we’re playing that game, at least I have a black cat that goes well with this outfit.”
“That was uncalled for!” Morgana hissed.
Ren crossed his arms, looking at Morgana in amusement. “You brought this on yourself, Morgana.”
“It was a GENUINE compliment!”
“I know. I know.”
Morgana let out a sigh as he calmed down from Ren’s comments. “Anyway. Do you remember how we got here? I'm not sure if what I'm remembering is correct.
“Straightforward as ever,” he said before he looked up as if he was trying to remember details. I know that I was sleeping and…”
The giant doors creaked open, interrupting Ren from speaking. The two turned their heads toward the entrance.
“Time to grab the goods and… WHAT!?”
There was a creature with eyes like theirs. The creature was a hybrid of many that Ren could think of. It had bluish-gray fur and light blue eyes. It also had light blue ears, almost resembling the shape of a flame.
“Wh--!? Weren’t the students not supposed to be out yet!?” the creature looked in disbelief.
“What is that…? Some sort of tanuki?” Ren looked at the creature with confusion.
“Tanuki!?” the blue creature growled at him. “How dare you call me that! I’m not a damn tanuki!”
“I’m not sure… That thing isn’t a shadow. Morgana whispered to Ren before turning back to the creature. “‘Hey! What’s your deal here, you creature?”
“Speak for yourself!” The creature shot back. “You’re just some student’s familiar and you’re acting all high and mighty?”
“Student…?” Ren pointed a finger at himself. “You mean me?”
“Yes! Yeah! You!” The creature walked forwards to them, making Ren and Morgana step back and formed an attacking stance. “Human! Give me that uniform!”
“Uniform? You mean this?” The boy pointed at his robe.
“Yeah! Give me that, right now!” the creature ordered.
Morgana walked in front of the creature. “You’re about my size! Why would you want a human-sized uniform?”
“Ugh! Annoying AND clueless! I need that uniform to show that I’m a student here!” the creature explained.
“School? This place is a school?” Ren questioned, which made the tanuki annoyed.
“Are you that oblivious!? How are you even a student here? This is a school, Mr. Obvious. Now hand me that uniform!” The creature mocked.
Morgana shouted back at the tanuki. “Were you not listening to what I’d say? You can’t even fit in that unless you can turn into a human!”
The creature growled. “Don’t you dare test the Great Grim! Give me that uniform or else…!”
“Or else what?”
Grim grinned at the two. “Or else you’ll regret it!”
The creature spewed a ball of blue flames that flew towards Morgana and Ren. The two fell back as they hit the ground from where they were once standing, leaving a charcoal black mark. Ren looked in fear as Morgana had realized he made a terrible mistake. As they looked at Grim, a wide and menacing grin formed on his face.
“There’s more where that came from!” Grim was preparing for another attack towards them.
Morgana tugged at Ren’s pant leg, catching his attention as the turned boy turned to him. “We need to go! NOW!”
Ren nodded as they ran to their right side. Almost getting burnt as another ball of flame shot towards them.
“There’s no escape!” Grim ran after them.
“Geez! This guy’s fast!” Morgana yelled as he looked behind to see Grim chasing them at an even pace.
“No good! We’ll have to chase him off our tail somehow!” Ren looked at Morgana, who kept running alongside him.
“You have any ideas, big guy?” Morgana asked.
The boy looked at his surroundings, trying to look for a solution.
Enter the room labeled as a classroom? Nope. Attack the creature? No way.
Ren kept looking around till his eyes met with a gigantic tree, which he assumed was an apple tree. He looked down to see the courtyard.
Wait.
As if a lightbulb went off in his head, he looked back at Morgana. “I think I have one. But you’re not gonna like it.”
Morgana looked at him, skeptical. “What is it?”
“Jump!”
The boy ran as fast as possible before gripping onto the stone banister. He jumped off the railings as Morgana looked at him in shock before following suit, jumping after him.
“Gah…” Ren let out a groan as he hit the ground.
He landed on the grass, but tumbled as he landed. He picked himself up before Morgana landed as well.
“Why would you even do that!?” Morgana glared at him.
“No time to explain. Quick, hide!”
The boy pointed to a random room. The two ran inside before slamming the door shut, making a loud noise.
Ren looked at the room they entered. It was a library, he thought when he saw the shelves of books. The room itself was dark except for the green lanterns so that they could see. There were also several books that were floating around in the air.
“This place is... something.” Ren commented.
Morgana nodded. “Everything about this place feels weird... It’s like all the Palaces we’ve encountered, but it’s not that. Even more.”
Ren walked towards one of the floating books and grabbed it with no hassle. “‘The History of Twisted Wonderland’...?” He said as he examined the book covers.
“Is that the name of this place? A fitting name, if I would say.” Morgana walked to Ren’s direction as he kneeled down so that the both of them could read the book.
The book had way too much information that they could understand, leading them skimming through most of the pages.
“This is... way too much information.” Morgana looked at the book.
“Agreed.”
He skimmed through the book before stopping at a page that caught both his and Morgana’s attention.
There was a section of the history book about beings under the monicker of ‘The Great Seven’.
Ren read a passage of the book. “The Great Seven were beings that once existed in Twisted Wonderland. As ancient as they are, their stories about their time continue to pass on by generation to generation...”
It kept going on about their reign and influence spread throughout the years and how it affected the world of Twisted Wonderland.
“The Great Seven, huh? They sound like a big deal.” Morgana thought.
“Yeah...” Ren turned to Morgana with a worried expression.
“Ren. Is there something wrong?” Morgana asked, noticing the boy’s expression. “What’s the matter?
“Morgana,” he said sternly. “Do you think this is a dream?”
He didn’t want to believe it. But, everything felt off as he sees it. This book, being here, almost felt like Twisted Wonderland existed. Thinking about it, a bit more, there was only one plausible theory. Ren did not like it.
“What makes you say that?” The cat-like creature questioned.
“From this book alone, they labeled Twisted Wonderland as a world of its own.” The boy explained.
“I can see why.” Morgana gave a worried look before nodding in agreement. “I don’t think we’re in your hometown or even Tokyo at all.”
“Yeah. Everything feels unnatural. Like that creature who breathes fire, the floating coffins and book, and your Metaverse form,” Ren could only sigh as he kept speaking. “The name speaks for itself, after all. A twisted wonderland.”
“Maybe you’re right. This place feels like the Metaverse, but isn’t. The fact I have my navigating abilities here is odd on its own.” Morgana thought for a moment. “But is this the case?”
“I just hope this is some dream...” the boy muttered under his breath.
“You’re not the only one here.” Morgana said in response.
*CRASH*
A familiar blue wall of flame shot the doors wide open, causing to Ren and Morgana to fall and slide backwards. As the flames subsided, Grim entered the library as the dim lighting made his appearance much more threatening.
“Found ya.” Grim loomed over the two. “Thought you could get away?”
The two crawled back as the creature continued walking towards them.
“Now, unless you want to get burnt to a crisp, you better do as I say or else I—”
*SLAP* *WOOSH*
“YEOW!” the creature cried out.
Ren and Morgana were sure everything was over for them. Before Grim could even do something to them, a noise cracked throughout the library. They looked at the creature, as he had been wrapped with a smooth, black cable.
“What the-!? That hurts! What gives!?”
“It’s the Whip of Love. Consider what I’m doing, tough love, as you may.”
A tall man walked into the library, as they dragged the so-called Whip of Love, dragging Grim in his direction. The man picked up the creature, looking at him with a disappointed look (as Grim tried to break free from the restraints) as he looked at the boy.
“Ah, at last, I have found you,” the man stepped towards the two, his gaze towards the boy. “I’ve been looking for you. You shouldn’t have left the Gate with no supervision.”
Ren stood up from his sitting position to face the man, who had a serious look on his face.
The man was wearing a mask resembling a crow, which had hid covered his eyes. He was wearing a long black coat with feathers the same color as the coat, as it rested on his shoulders. Underneath his coat, he was wearing a white formal shirt and a black waistcoat with a matching tie. The masked man was tall. He was taller than Ren, whose height was around the man’s shoulders, which he had to look up for. The man looked behind Ren as he met his eyes with Morgana, who was hiding behind the boy. It had caused Morgana to flinch as he glared at him with his golden yellow eyes. (Which he thought was glowing, sort of.)
“My, my,” the man clicked his tongue, making the ‘tsk,’ sound three times. “Not only did you leave the Gate unauthorized, which is not supposed to happen. You also snuck not one, but two familiars with you.”
“Familiar?” Morgana looked at the man.
“This one’s more well behaved, I assume,” he pointed at Morgana, then he grabbed Grim by the ribbon and starred, unamused. “Meanwhile, this one’s been causing a ruckus. A rebellious one, isn’t it? You have broken many rules, young man.”
“Let me go! I’m not their freaking familiar! As if I can serve someone like him- MFGH!”
The man covered Grim’s mouth with his gloved hand as its protest turned into muffles. “That’s what the rebellious ones say. Wouldn’t you mind and keep quiet for once?”
Ren felt a shiver down his spine as the man spoke. “But, that one’s not—”
The man didn’t let Ren finish what he was saying as he continued. “Let us not waste our time any further. The Entrance Ceremony is underway. We must hurry on to the Hall of Mirrors.”
“Hey. You.” Morgana walked out of his hiding spot. “You mentioned something about a gate. What is it?”
“Hm. A pleasant question coming from your familiar,” he turned to Morgana. “The Gate is where you came from. The room with all of those doors. All students must pass through one of those doors if they wish to attend here.”
He followed. “The coffins, as you saw it, can only be opened by using a special key. However, yours was wide open when I got there.”
“Oh, about that...” Ren scratched the back of his head, turning to Morgana, who looked away from them. “Yeah, I don’t know what happened either.”
“Whether foul play happened isn’t something to dwindle on any further. The Entrance Ceremony is coming to a close. Follow me, I’ll walk you there.” The man walked out of the library, with Grim in his possession.
Ren and Morgana looked at each other with blank stares.
“What in the world happened just now? Who was that?” Ren questioned.
“I don’t know. He seems like somebody who knows what’s going on. Let’s follow him just in case. Perhaps he can answer our questions.” Morgana walked to the exit as Ren followed suit. “By the way, thanks for covering for me. Don’t know what’ll happen if we get on that guy’s bad side.”
“It’s no big deal. I would never take a fellow thief down with me.”
The two exited the library.
“So, what is this place?” Ren asked the man as they were walking towards their destination.
The man stopped walking as if he were stunned. As he looked at Ren with surprise. “Oh? I wasn’t expecting that the transportation process to leave you in a daze? I didn’t deem you to be the clueless type.”
“Was that supposed to be an insult?” Morgana grumbled.
“But, don’t worry. For I am grateful, I will answer your question.” the masked man cleared his throat. “This is Night Raven’s College, the most prestigious magic academy in all of Twisted Wonderland. Those students who have the uniqueness of magic attend here to study.”
“I am the Headmaster, appointed to take care of this establishment by the board chairman, Dire Crowley,” he put both his hands on his hips. “If you don’t mind. May I ask for your names? I wouldn’t want to forget such an eccentric student.”
“My name is Ren Amamiya,” he greeted. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“I’m Morgana. Let’s just say I’m his caretaker, of sorts.” The cat-like creature had introduced himself as well.
“My. You two seem to have a very unbreakable relationship. You two seem to trust each other very well and are on good terms. Though, I wouldn’t say the same to this one, however.” Crowley shifted at Grim, to which he could only let out a muffled complaint.
“Say. Headmaster, right? Or Sir Crowley, if you mind? You’re saying that this is a school for those with magic. Are you saying that I have magic?” Ren asked.
“Formal, aren’t we?” Crowley mused. “To answer your question, I am not sure, since I have yet to see what you offer. However, those who the Dark Mirror deems as worthy can attend this school. The chosen students use the Gate that I have aforementioned. They come from all around the world.”
“If my memory serves me correct, an Ebony Carriage should have met you, correct?” He asked Ren.
An Ebony Carriage...
The boy couldn’t recall anything.
The taller man noticed the boy’s silence and patted his curly black hair. “There, there. I know you’re still confused, but I’m sure that you’ll figured it out.” He gave the boy a warm smile.
Ren couldn’t help but feel a sense of comfort from it. Sure, he winced in embarrassment, but it had helped him calm down a bit. He couldn’t help but sense a familiar feeling when Crowley had been speaking to him. Sure, Ren had angered the man, yet he has a bit of a soft side.
It seemed… familiar.
“A Hierophant...” He thought to himself.
Crowley took his hand off of Ren’s head before speaking to him. “Come now, we are almost there. I am quite curious myself where your fate lies.”
As they kept walking, Crowley’s words haven’t left his mind.
Fate, huh?
He had stopped thinking as they had reached the door as Crowley turned his back towards him. “Best of luck to you.”
He wasn’t sure if it was fate that brought him here.
All he could do was walk through the doors and hope.