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Ace looked away from the textbook he had been poring over for the last few hours. He had been reading the same passage over and over while not absorbing a single thing he was reading. Ace knew he needed to get some rest for his classes the next day, but he just could not sleep. Not when he had a goal in mind. He rubbed his tired eyes, then glanced over to where Marco was curled up on their bed, fast asleep. His familiar seemed to be sleeping peacefully, but Ace could not help but wonder how long it would last. It was only a matter of time before he was waking up in terror with no idea where he was or who he was with.
Normally, Ace would be next to him to keep the nightmares at bay. But not tonight. They were getting so bad that not even Ace’s presence was enough anymore. He could see how much it was wearing on his familiar. Even if his healing ability helped a bit, Ace could feel the exhaustion through their bond.
Since they had returned to the school, Marcos’ dreams were just getting worse and worse, so Ace had been looking for solutions. From potions to spells to even strange remedies, no stone was going unturned in his search for something to help Marco. Nothing was too much. If it meant his familiar would finally know a peaceful night. Ace would not rest until he had finally rid his familiar of the dreams that were plaguing him. He knew Marco would do the same for him if the roles were reversed. So far, Ace had no luck. But he loved Marco too much to just give up.
His most recent search had led him to his tome of creatures that could cause what Marco was going through and what solutions could work. There were countless beasts that could cause nightmares, but none of them could inflict it long term or at the intensity that Marco was experiencing them. At least that was what Ace thought until he turned his attention back to the book and flipped a few more pages, not really absorbing anything until he came across a creature that jumped out at him.
The name given to it was Wraith. In its natural form, it was little more than a shadow with bright yellow eyes, but it could take the form of the thing that scared its host the most. It feasted upon the fear that it caused in the person, steadily making their dreams worse and worse until they lost track of reality. In the worst cases, it would end in the person dying. But in Marcos’ case, it would not let go of him until Ace passed away and their bond was broken. It had found an infinite food source.
If that was indeed what was causing all these nightmares for Marco, then there was no way he would let it continue to use him. Not when there was something he could do about it.
There was only one solution that the book offered in order to take care of the parasite. An outside influence had to enter Marcos’ mind and drive the creature out. But there was a catch. His familiar had to be unaware of the attempt or it would alert the Wraith. Which would allow it to burrow further into Marcos’ mind to avoid having to find a new host. Ace couldn’t let that happen. Even if it was not what was causing his familiars nightmares, then at least the mage had tried to help him.
Ace glanced over at his sleeping familiar. Now was the perfect time, even if it was just to test the theory. If he waited to probe for permission, then there was a chance Ace would let his plans slip. Then he would lose his chance to help Marco if there was a Wraith attached to him. Ace stared for a moment, debating with himself before finally shaking his head. There was not time to dwell on it. He needed to do it now and hope that Marco understood when it was all said and done.
Ace picked up the book, then made his way over to the bedside. He sat down at the edge of the bed carefully, trying his best not to disturb Marco. The young mage glanced at the book, briefly skimming over the instructions, then turned to Marco. “Sorry... This is going to suck...” Ace took a breath then pressed his fingers against his familiars forehead. Part of him doubted the spell would work. It seemed way too simple for what he wanted to do. Magic was never this simple. Ace felt ridiculous, so he had to be doing something right.
Then Ace felt a jolt go up his arm, freezing him in place. The world then went dark and Ace felt like he was trying to force his way through a briar patch that was actively fighting to keep him out. But the mage refused to give up, continuing to push his way through the barrier. This was for Marco. There was no way he was going to give up. He could do this.
Ace grunted as he finally broke through the barrier, and face planted onto the cold, unforgiving stones. For a moment, he thought he had failed and would have to try again. But as he pushed himself up and got a look around, Ace realized he was not in his room. He was in a dimly lit corridor that was lined with the bars of cells. It seemed to go on forever.
But at least he was in!
Now all Ace needed to do was find Marco and the Wraith. Which seemed easier said than done. Marco could be anywhere in either direction. Of course, the spell would not take him right to his familiar. It was never that easy. So Ace took a breath, picked a direction, then started to walk. The only sound was his own breathing and his footsteps echoing off the walls. He kept his eyes and ears open for any sign of Marco. This entire place was sending chills up Ace’s spine.
Ace heard something skittering across the floor and paused. He turned to look into the cell that the sound came from, then jumped back as something suddenly lunged at him. It was only stopped by the bars of the cell. Ace stared with wide eyes at a kid that seemed to be his youngest brother’s age as they clawed desperately at him. He didn’t understand a single word slipping from their lips, if they were even words at all, but it seemed like they were pleading. For what exactly? Why was something like this in Marcos’ mind?
Ace got his racing heart under control, then pressed on. There was no time for him to linger and trying to figure things out. Who knew how much time he would actually have to search. It would not be the first time the humanoid creatures spooked him. One even manage to grab hold of him and rip his sleeve. But Ace had gotten away before any damage could be done.
Just when he was sure that he was going to walk forever, Ace came upon a heavy metal door at the end of the corridor. He glanced back at the cells and their waving arms, then back to the door. If Marco was anywhere, then he had to be here. Hopefully, the Wraith was with him. Ace took a breath, then reached for the handle, bracing himself for what he may find inside.
It took a moment for Ace’s eyes to adjust to the gloom. When they did, he froze in the doorway as his eyes landed upon Marco. His familiar looked much older here, his arms bound to the floor in chains. It seemed as if he had been there a while considering the welts on his wrists. He was way too skinny, wounds slowly stitching themselves closed with barely a trickle of fire. There was a collar around his neck with a chain that bound him to the floor as well. Ace was sure his legs were bound as well. “Marco...” He managed, taking a step forward. Ace was no longer thinking of the Wraith but the bastard that did this to his familiar.
It took a moment for the Phoenix to even respond. His eyes were dull, glazed over as if he had disconnected from reality. He had a broken nose, but the injury had yet to heal itself. Ace had to wonder if he was too drained. “I think you have the wrong person, yoi.” He said. It sounded like it hurt for Marco to speak. “You should leave.”
“What... Marco, it’s me. Ace!” The young mage said, taking a step forward but stopped the moment he saw how Marco froze. He was waiting for him to hurt him. What was he supposed to do? Ace wished he had done a little more research now. “This isn’t real. You’re--“
A shadow loomed over Ace. “Well... What do we have here?”
Ace turned, coming face to chest with a rather large man with dark curly hair and the wildest eyes he had ever seen. The young mage took a step back, putting himself between the man and Marco. He knew who this man was. Ace had read about him and, even though he remembered little, he knew what he was known for. He was a mad mage who had terrorized the entire world, leveling entire kingdoms and relishing in the suffering of others. Until they captured him and took him to be executed alongside his familiar. Though some suggested that he had gone willingly to his death.
Which was why people still whispered about him to this day, suggesting that he would one day return to continue his reign of terror upon the innocent.
Ace grit his teeth, fighting down his own fear. He forced himself to remember that this was just a terrible dream. Marcos’ terrible dream that would soon be over if Ace had anything to say about it. He was going to get rid of the Wraith. The young mage clenched his fists, his eyes narrowing into a glare. “I won’t let you hurt him anymore.” Ace tensed, waiting for the man to do something. Anything at all. “Go find someone else.”
It was just a Wraith. It did not have the powers of the long dead mage. Ace could take him.
The man laughed. It was a horrible sound that echoed off the walls. “And what do you plan on doing to me, little spark?”
Ace didn’t bother with an answer as he pulled his fist back, pouring all his intentions into the action. Since most spirits were banished with fire and light, why wouldn’t this one be as well? He struck out, sending the fireball he had gathered at the man.
But nothing happened. The man brushed it off like it was nothing, a laugh escaping him. “Is that really the best you can do?” He asked. When Ace tried to prepare another spell to launch at him, The Wraith grabbed hold of his arm. The younger mage tried to yank his arm out of his grasp, but it was no use. The man dragged him close, then pinned him against the wall. Aces feet could barely touch the floor. He could feel the man’s other hand curling around his throat and squeezing. “Pathetic...”
Ace clawed at the man’s arm, trying to kick out with his feet. But it was no use. Dark spots were dancing across his vision as he gasped. If he died here, would he die in the real world? Ace didn’t know, but he guessed he was going to find out. With what little air he had left, Ace said one thing. “I... love you...” If he was going to be killed by the Wraith, then he wanted his last words to be that.
The room filled with the sound of rattling chains. Then blue and yellow flames engulfed it. Ace dropped to the ground as the Wraith released him with a screech, trying to bat out the flames. He sucked in a breath, coughing as he recovered. The teen pushed himself up, ready to help. But his arms buckled beneath him.
His chin hit the stones, then he jolted, his eyes snapping open in the darkness of their room. Ace quickly sat up, ready to cast the spell again to get back into Marco's dream. But he soon realized that Marco was awake. “I--“
Marco sat up and then pulled Ace into a tight hug, burying himself against him, cutting Ace off. “Thank you...” His familiar managed.
“You would’ve done the same for me...” Ace said as he wrapped his arms around Marco in return, squeezing him gently. “Sorry I did it without telling you...”
Marco shook his head, moving away from Ace to look at him. “You did what you had to, yoi. I’m... sorry that I didn’t tell you.”
“You didn’t want to worry me.” Ace concluded, taking Marco’s hands in his. He squeezed them gently. “I would’ve done the same thing, to be honest. How do you feel?”
“I feel...” Marco hesitated a moment. “I feel better.” He eventually concluded. The familiar leaned forward to press his lips to Aces. “I love you.”
Ace was more than happy to return the kiss. “I love you too.”
The following night, for the first time in a long time, Ace and Marco would finally experience a peaceful night. Ace found he could hold his familiar close without fear that he would end up with a new injury. Now he just needed to wait for the finger marks around his throat to heal, then they could put the entire thing behind them.
Even if the memories of the chained Marco and the strange creatures still lingered in Ace’s mind. That was the past, and they had an entire future ahead of them to fill Marcos’ head with good memories.
Ace was determined to.