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Chapter 1 - The Crimson Tyrant

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I couldn't sleep. I didn't really know if it was of excitement or something else, but the memories of what had occurred tonight made me believe that maybe I'm more special than I realize.

I'm a Prefect/Supervisor, harbor secret powers and can have visions. Jesus, do I really not know myself well?

I sat up in bed, fixing the sleeves of pj top. I look out the window, and it's still dark out. Then I eye my bag, now dubbed school bag, where I had put the Ghost Camera in for safe keeping.

"Charlotte..."

The voice was back. I look around the room and carefully slip out of bed, careful not to wake Grim, and approach the center of the room.

"Hello?" I whisper. "Is someone in here?" I scan the room carefully. Not a soul, nor ghost, on sight.

"Here...."

I look behind me to face the mirror just above the fireplace.

"In here..."

I slowly approached it. I feel haziness overcome my mind. But I'm used to it by now. Even if I can't see, I can still use my 'second sight', as I call it for now, to keep moving forward.

The mirror's surface wavered. I lifted my hand. There was light. I touch the glass.

Everything was bright.

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"Hurry and paint those roses red!"

"Huh?" I open my eyes.

"Hurry before the flowers wither!"

"Faster! Faster! We have to paint them all red!"

I watched the scene unfold as several cards scrambled back and forth from the rose trees with dripping paintbrushes and buckets of the crimson liquid.

"This is..." from Disney's Alice! I loved watching that movie as a kid.

I smiled fondly at the memory. I wanted to be just like her: Finding a world of my own where things weren't what they seemed. Nothing could beat the Disney version. There were other versions I liked as well, but Disney's was cool. There'll never be old animation like how it was done back then.

And I'll admit: the Queen screaming "Off with your head" was something I'd get a kick out of yelling constantly when I kept watching it.

"Why do you have to paint the white roses red?" And there was Alice, watching the scene unfold too.

The cards looked at her like she was speaking nonsense.

"Why you ask? The truth is we made a mistake and planted white ones instead!" The Two of Clubs answered.

"The Queen adores red, and if she sees white, she'll take our heads!" The Ace continues.

"Is that true?"

"Yes! Therefore, we're painting them red to cover our mistake!" The Three finished.

Everything started to fade....

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I gasped as I backed away from the mirror, holding a hand close to my heart. It was pulsing rapidly.

"What the...why was I shown that just now?!" I whisper to myself.

Would I...meet the one who is like the Queen of Hearts?!

I heard knocking.

"Who's knocking this late at night?!" I asked.

Grim groaned, half asleep. "Oi, sounds like we have a late night visitor."

More knocking.

"Ugh...is it those ghosts again? They don't know when to quit!"

I shrug soundlessly and crept to the staircase.

I made my way down slowly to the Foyer. Seriously, who the hell could be over this late?!

"Who are you and what do ya want?" I call out, fists up and ready to punch any intruders.

"It's me, Ace. Can ya let me in?" I crease my eyebrows. Ace?! Why's he coming to us? But I hurry and run to open the door.

"Ace?" Grim calls out in confusion. "What're you doing this late...gah! You've got that collar!" Grim gasps.

I cover my mouth with both hands in surprise. Ace came in, a pissed look on his face and the same black and red anti-magic collar Grim was given during the ceremony.

"I'm never going back to Heartslabyul. Starting today, I'm joining your dorm!" He demanded.

"Nani?!"

"I'm sorry, Repeat that again!?"

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We were sitting in the Lounge as I tried calming Ace down.

"That's the same collar that that red-haired upperclassman put on me during the entrance ceremony." Grim paces the floor. "Why do you have something like that on?"

"What did you even do that led you to getting punished?" I asked. Whatever it was I hope it wasn't anything reckless.

"I ate a tart." Ace muttered.

Oh. Okay, so nothing reckless. That's good at least.

"It's...just that?! A-a TART of all things?" I questioned.

"Yea, just that." He confirmed. "I was starving when I got back to the dorms so I checked the fridge and there were some tarts chillin inside! Three whole ones! And so..."

In the kitchen at Heartslabyul, Ace just walked in after Deuce retired for the night.

He moaned in hunger. "I'm exhausted after today. Missed out on dinner too! I'm starving..." he opened the ornate fridge and started rummaging through. "Let's see what's in the fridge... ah, tarts! These look good!"

"There's so many nobody'll notice ones missing!" He plucked one from the plate. "Itadakimasu!" He took a bite. "Wow! This tastes great!"

"Of course they are! Trey doesn't bake tarts that are anything less than divine." A voice answered.

"There's nothing better than this! Not even the ones sold in...." Ace turned to greet whomever came into the kitchen. But his blood ran cold once he saw who it was.

Riddle Rosehearts. The Dorm Leader of Heartslabyul.

"Dorm lead!" Ace quivered.

"You've surely got nerve putting your hands on things that belong to me." Riddle growled, slowly approaching the first year.

"Law of her Majesty, the Queen of Hearts. No. 89: 'One shall not eat a tart without her majesty's permission.' And Tart Theft...if an unforgivable crime! Off with Your Head!"

With a wave of a hand, Ace felt the heaviness of the choker snap around his neck as he screamed in pain.

"...and that's it." He finished.

Grim and I didn't even exchange words, knowing how goddamn stupid Ace was being for pulling something like that. This is the QUEEN of HEARTS we're talking about. You slip up even the tiniest bit, and you're dead. I know MY fairytales, FYI.

"You're both in the wrong, y'know." Grim muttered.

"Isn't sealing my magic for stealing a bit of tart going too far?!" Ace bursted. "For a wizard, it's like having both your arms and legs chained up! And there were three whole tarts! There's no way he can eat 'em by himself! There's got to be a limit to how narrow minded one can be!"

"Sure...I guess sealing you're magic was crossing a line, but it's either the Queen's way or nobody's way. Haven't you learned that?" I sassed. Thanks for the brief history on the Seven, Crowley, but I can take it from there!

"What's with that reaction?!" Ace gawked.

"Could they have, by chance...Three whole tarts could've been for some sort of celebration!" Grim deduced. "A birthday or something. Yours Truly is so good at deduction!"

" 'Birthday' ?" Ace repeated.

"It's pretty obvious!" I back up. "That may explain his actions. But did you at least apologize?"

"Ugh...I totally thought you'd say he was being tyrannical, Prefect." Ace murmured, looking at me.

"Well, sure, but still: eating other people's food is uncalled for."

"You're at fault for stealing his tart in the first place." Grim said. I stood up, deciding to get back to sleep.

"You're apologizing you him tomorrow! And that's coming from me, the Supervisor! He'll probably forgive you if you do." I ordered him, pointing him out.

"Grudges over food are the worst." Grim sighed. "Oh, wait a minute! I never got my tuna cans the Headmaster promised!"

Ace sighed. "Fine. Whatever you say. Just apologize, right?" I nodded. "Well, since it's your idea, Supervisor, you'll have to come with me." He said sternly, looking me in the eye for the first time since he walked in.

"Fair enough." I nod in agreement.

"So, where am I sleeping tonight?" He stood us, stretching his arms.

"Wait, you were serious about staying the night?" Grim asked. "All the rooms but ours are still a mess. Clean one for yourself."

Ace wretched, "I'm NOT cleaning." Then, turning to me, he smiled charmingly. "Eh, Charlie! Lemme stay in your room! I'm slim enough so I won't take up a lot of space, 'Kay?" I felt him wrap an arm around my shoulder.

I decided to humor him, smiling back as best as I could and patting his cheek gently.

Then, I grabbed him by the ear as my smile vanished. He hissed in pain as I hauled him up in the air.

"Don't think you can still try and charm your way into getting on my good side, you. You're staying out here on the sofa, whether you like it or not. Capeesh?" I spoke between gritted teeth. I let him go as he rubbed his ear. He stared at me in anger.

He 'Tch'ed with a "Stingy. But fine, I guess." Rolling his eyes, he plopped on the sofa. "I'll go sleep all by my lonesome on here then. Good night." He turned to face the back.

I sighed as I scooped up Grim and headed back to our room.

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[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

"Charlotte? Can you hear me?"

I'm back in the darkness, but I can make out... a throne room of sorts? But it looked too barren to be a throne room. Maybe a monk's Sanctuary?

"Yea, I can hear you." I call out.

"Ah, we meet again, my dearest." The same figure of light appeared before me but I could see her more clearly.

She had dark hair that almost reached the floor. Her eyes showed warmth and compassion, her smile glowing like an ember. The headpiece was a simple forehead tiara. Made of the finest metals, different colored gems decorated the front and sides with the ever intricate detailing. Her dress, the darkest of blue fit her torso elegantly, a sweetheart neckline blending perfectly with bell sleeves, falling gently from her shoulders. It billowed from the waist down in a mix between a bell and A-line shape. And she held a staff, ornate and thin, a flower blossoming at the top much like a lotus. With small lilies wrapping around the bottom.

"Where are we? This isn't Night Raven."

"No. We are in a place where it shall have great significance soon. For now, you must know by now what happened."

I halted, thinking about what happened at the mine. And how I killed the monster....

"I...killed that thing..."

"No, no you haven't. You only purified it."

"But...what does it mean? What did you mean by that phrase?"

"It's the work of fate. Your actions had triggered the awakening of something in you. Your determination to help your friends and standing up to the monster had led to the light being released. And it's only the beginning."

"Beginning?"

"Of your journey. You hold a great secret that has yet to be known. I can't help you for now but I can guide you on the right path, my child, until you complete what I'm tasking you with." She waved her hand and my necklace started to float towards her, detaching from me. It hovered over her and was enveloped in white light. It floated back to me and clasped around my neck.

"Now listen carefully. In the library, You must find the Grimoire of the Coven."

"A...A Grimoire?"

"It's real, Charlotte. And it has all the answers to what you seek. It can help you. When you find the book, that's when you're training will begin."

"Training?"

"To help you reach your true potential."

"But how will I know where it is?

"Your necklace will guide you to the book. I've placed a spell on your necklace that can help you find it. Just follow your heart, and the answers will be told."

"Okay...I'll find the book. I promise!" I nod. "But you swear, you'll tell me everything once I find it? Everything's so confusing!"

"You have my word, child." She smiled. "Now, go! It's your first day as a student! And you wouldn't want to be late!" She laughed.

"Right! Uh...bye!" I managed to call out before the light swallowed me.

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I sat up in my bed, the dream gone. The early sunlight shined brightly through the window panes, setting a serene tone. Might as well get up and begin our first day!

I hustled to the bathroom, and grabbed my toothbrush, facewash, hairbrush and other things and started to get ready.

Once I felt clean and awake, I made my way to my bag. I zipped open the back pocket in my school bag and concealed my things underneath the flowerpins and bag of stones. Might wanna keep

Those as well. Then again, I might as well keep everything on me. Can't risk losing anything of mine. I double checked and made sure EVERY ITEM I brought was in its place.

Extra shoes, my phone and portable charger, hair ties, pins and brush, bathrooms stuff, my pencil pouch and 3 notebooks, my water bottle, my chapsticks, the Ghost Camera, etc. And...

A handwritten note? I don't remember writing that.

I take it out and read the slightly crumpled note.

"Uniform? What uniform?" I look in the mirror and jump back in shock. I didn't have my sleepwear on. My clothes had changed into something else.

I had a white button collared shirt, with the sleeves rolled up at my elbows. Around my torso was a blue corset, gold buttons and black leather cords decorated the front as well as cinched the back. The signature striped tie was done around my neck, and flowing pants reached my mid-calves. My boots remained the same, and on my wrists were light-blue floral bracelets. My hair was down, in a loosely done half braid at the end.

My lucky hoodie had changed as well! It was a blue cardigan sweater with gold accents on the front and billowing sleeves that cinched at the wrists. I put it on and checked in the mirror.

And to top it off, a blue ribbon wrapped as a headband with bows on either side of my head, the ends trailing down.

"Whoa..." I breathed. I looked so...preppy! And the clothes strangely fit me! I just hope I didn't stick out too much....

I fumbled with my shirt, feeling for my necklace and sighed when I felt the bumpy metal.

I heard pounding on the door downstairs. I grabbed my bag and haul in onto my shoulder.

Time for the first day!

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Ace jolted awake around the sound of harsh pounding on the front door.

"Ugh...who comes pounding at the door this early?..." he rubbed his eyes and sat up, stretching. He brushed his hair out of his face, and felt dust bunnies falling.

"Geh! The place is so rundown, dust comes falling at the smallest rattle! Okay, I hear you! Just stop hitting the door!" He zips to his feet and runs for the entrance.

The door opens and there stands Deuce.

"So you did come here..."

"Deuce..." Ace looked away, not impressed.

"I heard what happened from the other residents. You got collared after you stole the leader's tarts...You're such an idiot..."

"Shut up! I don't wanna hear that from you!...Also, is he still mad?"

"Not exactly....He looked a bit irritated at some of the guys who were late this morning for role call...and three people met the same fate as you." Deuce recalled.