Chapter Text
It was probably Rui’s own fault. Maybe it was something he just forgot or he bumped into his table by accident, setting one of his works in progress. But either way, it was all his fault.
Most likely. Then again, he didn’t really know. What he did know was that he was currently staring up at an unfamiliar ceiling in an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar room. Which really set off alarm bells in his mind.
The room was small and cramped. It was also much, much messier than his own at home with books that should have been on the shelf lying on the ground and stray plants that were taking over the walls. Multiple vials and beakers of sorts were tipped over on what Rui would call a workbench and things that should have been hung up on the wall were instead leaning against it.
Sitting up again to look at his surroundings, Rui found a monocle on the bedside table. It was only then that he realized his vision did seem slightly blurry after all in his left eye. So he put it on like any rational person would. Finally he could see more than a meter in front of him. An improvement.
He looked up to find himself face to face with a mirror. Rui’s first thought was that he would have to have a talk with the owner of this room so he could examine the type of madman who puts a mirror at the foot of their bed. His second thought was about how much he resembled his middle school self. He definitely felt bigger than a middle schooler, in fact, he felt bigger than a high schooler which is what he was last time he checked. But his hair, shoulder length with a half up-half down hairstyle. Oof. A painful reminder at the least. And his eyes too, jeez… When was the last time he looked this tired?
He examined his face, poking and prodding at it with his fingers. He looked old. Well, not old. Probably twenties to be exact. But it was definitely older than he was used to. It was… quite the sight to say the least.
He was about to get out of bed when a loud knocking accompanied by a loud voice startled him. “KAMISHIRO RUI, OPEN UP!!”
Rui opened the window and leaned out of it, looking down at the person at the door. “Tsukasa-kun?”
Tsukasa looked up. “You dare address me with such familiarity!? How insulting!!” He unsheathed his sword and pointed it at him. “Never mind your execution tomorrow! Come down here so I may slit your throat myself!” Rui couldn’t focus on his dear friend’s words however. Not when his appearance was so jarring.
His golden hair was styled completely differently, he was much taller than Rui remembered, he had a scowl tainting his face that was made to smile, his eyes were dark with the things he had witnessed, and he wore a knight’s attire. Well, the last part wasn’t too peculiar for Tsukasa but it was certainly new.
At some point, Rui had managed to drown out Tsukasa’s words, now just staring down at him, taking this older version of his friend in. All of it was just so strange. Wait.
“Did you say ‘execution,’ Tsukasa-kun?” Rui asked politely.
“You will address me as Sir Tenma, Kamishiro!!” Tsukasa fired back.
“Then, Sir Tenma,” He corrected himself, “Did you say ‘execution?’’
He nodded. “Yes, the king has found that exile simply is not a suitable punishment for your continued persecution of the Light Kingdom!” He said it as if he’d practiced it all morning. Rui smiled at the thought of this knight pacing around his room and repeating lines just as his Tsukasa would.
As confusing as it was, Rui wanted to see this odd dream out. It was the only thing he could do, after all. “Let’s get going then!”
“...what?” Tsukasa looked dumbfounded. But before he could say anything further, Rui had already made his way downstairs and to the front door. He opened the door to be met with Tsukasa’s still dumbfounded face.
“Well?” Rui asked, egging him on. Tsukasa still had to look up to meet Rui’s eyes, as always.
Tsukasa cleared his throat. “Right, uh–” He got out handcuffs from somewhere in his armor and handcuffed Rui. Odd.
Rui looked over at Tsukasa. “Tsukasa-kun”–Tsukasa coughed–“Sir Tenma, may I ask what time period we’re in..?”
“Well, the year is 2024–”
Rui choked before looking at Tsukasa with his mouth agape. “I’m sorry???” He had figured this was a fantasy medieval times setting.
Tsukasa gave Rui an annoyed look as he was interrupted. Rui took this as a sign to shut up. Tsukasa yanked the chain holding Rui’s wrists together and started walking. Rui had no choice but to follow.
Rui looked around, breathing in his surroundings. The forest Rui lived in was truly ethereal. Birds sung along with the songs in the wind. The forest itself seemed to be teeming with life and energy. Rui looked in front of him, catching a small glimpse of Tsukasa’s sour face. The pace that Tsukasa had set them on was fast. A little faster and they’d probably be running fast as a horse.
“In a hurry, are we?” Rui asked, breaking the silence.
“Shut up before I take it upon myself to cut out your larynx,” Tsukasa stated.
Rui smiled. “That’d be the second time today you’ve threatened to put that sword to my neck.”
“I’m not taking any chances.” He looked towards Rui with an expression that made Rui’s heart drop, “Especially not with scum like you.” Rui thought Tsukasa would have spat on him but instead he turned his head back around and pulled Rui along.
Rui opened his mouth again. “May I ask what I’ve done to make you hate me?”
Tsukasa simply scoffed in response without answering. He supposed he wouldn’t be getting much out of Tsukasa. However, it seemed a long way until they got to their destination and Tsukasa was his best bet.
“Answer me,” Rui ordered. The harsher tone made Tsukasa jump. Hm . “You’re scared of me?”
“No. Of course not.” Perhaps in this universe, acting wasn’t Tsukasa’s strong suit.
“I doubt that.” That made Tsukasa’s eye twitch. How fun.
Tsukasa thought for a bit. “Didn’t I tell you to shut up?”
“Yes, but I also doubt you’d kill me.” Rui knew for a fact he wouldn’t—
Tsukasa swiftly turned around and brought Rui down to his level before pressing his cold blade against Rui’s throat. “Trust me. I’m eager to get rid of a magic born thing such as yourself.”
Rui felt Tsukasa’s blade press into his skin before he sheathed it back in its scabbard. The blood droplet rolled down his neck, soaking into his clothes.
Perhaps Tsukasa would kill him.
Tsukasa yanked on his handcuffs yet again. “Now get going.”
“Tsukasa-kun.”
“What?” He looked back at Rui annoyed. He’s stopped correcting him. Perhaps he’s decided it’s not worth it anymore.
“How much longer until we get there?”
“What are you? A child?!” Tsukasa answered through gritted teeth, “A few more hours. We should probably find shelter, it’s getting late already.”
They sat together under the comfort of a tree with low branches. Tsukasa had been trying to light a lantern for the past few minutes to no avail. He looked at Rui expectantly before going back to lighting the lantern. Tsukasa cursed under his breath with every failed flick of the match.
Tsukasa broke the silence. “Rui.”
“Yes?”
“Put me out of my misery already?” He nodded towards the unlit lantern. Words echoed through his mind. Magic born . Yes, that’s what Tsukasa had called him earlier.
Tsukasa was waiting for an answer.
Rui supplied one. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Don’t be stubborn, Rui.”
“You keep calling me Rui,” he pointed out, “I thought I was Kamishiro.”
…
“I’ll light the lantern myself then.”
Rui looked at Tsukasa. “Don’t be like that.”
Tsukasa didn’t look back. “Don’t be like what?”
A flick of the match.
“That,” Rui said.
Tsukasa scoffed, “You’re too vague.”
Another flick.
Rui narrowed his eyes at him. “You’re playing dumb.”
“I’m not dumb.”
Flick.
“I didn’t say you were.”
He ignored him, saying, “You’re the dumb one here.”
Flick .
“Just tell me–”
“Shut up, you fucking sorcerer!”
Rui shut up.
Tsukasa finally lit the lantern, sighing and leaning back against the tree.
Rui looked down at the chains on his hands. Was he really a criminal? Of course, he knew nothing about this world. About this world or who he was before he woke up. He knew nothing. He didn’t even know the person sitting across from him. The person sitting across from him, that he knew for a bright attitude, now looked at him with disdain. How much had changed? What exactly had changed?
“I’m sorry,” Rui apologized. He wasn’t sure what to do besides it.
Rui woke up the next day with the worst headache of his life. He didn’t even notice he’d fallen asleep. He wanted to go back to it. That peaceful darkness that surrounded him in warmth.
Tsukasa kicked his side. “Wake up, sorcerer.”
“What? Not even ‘Kamishiro?’” Rui complained, groggily.
“That was my mistake to call you that. You don’t deserve a name.”
“Right.” Rui got up.
As they walked, Rui noticed Tsukasa kept glancing over at him. A flit of attention his way. Maybe even a small turn.
“Is something the matter?” Rui asked.
Tsukasa looked at him straight. “You’re different.”
“Is that so? We’ve met before..?”
“No, but– You’re just off. You’ve no idea what’s going on, do you?”
Did he know? Did he really know anything? “...No. I don’t”
“You’re being executed.”
Rui scoffed, “Well, I know that.”
“ Beheaded ,” Tsukasa emphasized.
“Yes, I’m aware.”
“For crimes you didn’t commit.”
He could have guessed so. “Yes, that sounds right.”
“Like your parents.”
What?
Rui couldn’t help his surprised response. “My– My parents are dead?” This is a dream, isn’t it? Why are my parents dead?
Tsukasa looked at him confused, like it was common knowledge. “Did you wipe your pain away with your magic? Isn’t that dangerous work?”
“I– Uhm, yes I– I suppose it is, yes.”
“You’re a fool of a sorcerer.” They walked together in less than comfortable silence. Rui’s thoughts ran so fast he couldn’t make a single one of them out.
Tsukasa seemed to notice. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing, I’m fine.” But the world felt like it was spinning and his mouth was starting to grow dry. His parents were dead? Executed, no less? This felt all too real. This fabricated setting.
“Still… wouldn’t it be pointless to wipe your memory of their deaths? Since they aren’t here?” He looked genuine enough to deserve an answer.
“Oh, well… They say ignorance is bliss..!”
Tsukasa looked at him with a seriousness on his face. “But you’ve never said that.”
“You keep saying these things like you know me,” Rui pointed out.
“Well,” Tsukasa hesitated and clicked his tongue. “I wish I never did.”
After several hours of walking, Rui was dragged into a village. In the distance, a castle loomed over the citizens. The clouds seemed to part just so you could have your eyes on it, looking up at what you cannot have. Rui noticed Tsukasa tense at the sight. Perhaps he felt the same.
“Come on,” Tsukasa called. “We have places to be.” Rui dragged his feet, slowing them down.
“Sir Tenma, I was thinking–”
“...hate it when you do that…” Tsukasa muttered.
“–if you could remind me of how we met?” Rui looked at him wide eyed and curious.
Tsukasa sighed. He looked down at the ground as he walked, as if the stone paved path would whisper the answer to him. It didn’t. “We met in our teens.”
“I said how not when.”
“I’m getting there!” Tsukasa snapped at him. “Anyways, you’re lucky I don’t mind telling long stories. I was to begin my training soon. And you were some… village boy.”
“Some village boy?” Rui tilted his head in question.
“Did I say you could commentate?! Continuing, I had always wanted to be a knight. A dazzling savior for those to look up to. My sister and I loved the knights of this kingdom. But most of all we loved The Knights of White. Charming and cunning and sharp. They were at the front of every battle. Everyone adored them and everyone wanted to be one of them. Especially me! And so I did!”
“Isn’t this story supposed to be about the both of us?” Rui needed him back on track before this dream ended. They say inspiration could come from anywhere, so perhaps this dream would spark some.
“How many times will I have to tell you to be patient? We met… when I was trying to train on my own.” He took on a more solemn tone. “I was deep in the forest, swinging away with some sword without a care in the world when I got hurt. I was left on the ground with a five centimeter gash on my forearm, staining the lush green grass red. I was so scared.”
Tsukasa looked up at him.
“And then you came.”
“And then what did I do?” Rui asked, a small smile on his face.
“Well,” Tsukasa huffed a little, “you healed me. I’d never known magic users could do that. Y’know, they’d bring all the townspeople out. To watch.”
Rui raised a brow. “Watch what?”
A small pause.
“The execution.” Rui could see the sadness in his eyes. “The second time I saw you was when they killed your parents. You… Your eyes were all wide, as if you could barely believe it.” His voice cracked as if he were the young Rui he saw that day.
Rui couldn’t help but be saddened. “Ah, I see.”
“I think we’re here now.” They had made it to the middle. What Rui could assume was town square. There was a clearing amongst all the people. In the center was something Rui had only ever read about.
Rui’s head was pushed into the bottom of the guillotine with great care from the knight.
He could feel Tsukasa’s hand running through his hair. “I’m so sorry, Rui…”
He wanted to say it was okay, but he couldn’t.
“Rui…?” Tsukasa called again. There was a small crackling in his voice.
He whispered, “Yes?”
“I’m sorry… for everything I’ve done…” For some reason, the apology didn’t feel like it was meant for him… Like it was for more than the night and day before.
Rui braced himself as the blade above him fell down.