Before this chapter starts, here is a small intro to another character!

Classique:Classic of Vampireverse. Village Messenger, travels wherever he has to in order to give the message. Has strict moral values and if he is sent a message for something bad(like a scheme) he reports it. Loves to travel. Nice, caring, strong believer of justice and looks to help others. DO NOT mess with him. He is stronger than what messengers are said to be. Close friends with Azure, Encre, Orion, and Rufous. Would love to help them any way he could. Is quick with his messages jobs and loves puns, but don't make his job a joke or you'll have a bad time. Wears a cloak like the Undertale Riverperson to conceal himself for the secret message jobs. Fun fact:Secretly keeps a sword Rufous smelted for him in his cloak in case of trouble.

Now let's begin!

Four hours later, Rufous POV

I wake up suddenly and get this bad feeling. I'm sure someone knows that feeling. The feeling that something is wrong but you don't know what yet. Like sensing a storm coming before it starts. That tense oh shit feeling where you don't understand it completely, but know it is not good. It sends a chill down my spine. It wasn't just one feeling of this, it was two. And something told me it had to do with my friends. I look outside a window and it was still dark out. I light a candle to look at my clock. 4 AM. Doesn't hurt to check. I should be opening my place at 7 anyway. I carry my candle back to my room, putting on a jacket and then heading over to Encre and Azure's house they share. 

The door was open. 

Never a good sign. I look closely at the condition and telling by the marks by the door frame where the locks of the door would go, it was broken open. Not good either. I go inside and feel something crunch under my feet. I glance down and it was a leg of a kitchen stool. I use my candle to light the other candles and find an absolute mess. Items were knocked over and broken, Azure's sword was bent and his armor laid across the floor like debri, dented and torn. I see blood scattered across the floor.

"Encre? Azure?"I call

I wander around, searching and hoping to find them.

"It's me, Rufous! Are you guys okay? Hello?"I say

There is no answer. And they are nowhere to be found.

Crap.

I didn't have to question who took them.

"That stupid Charles creep!"I mutter

That guy was getting way too touchy over time with my friends. Right from the start. I should have smelted them an iron door, those are harder to bust open. I thought Charles would have known better after I beat him to a pancake months ago, but stupid people stay stupid. Now, I have to find some clues that would help me locate them. I gotta find them and get them away from that guy before that creep repeats what he did to Encre. Just that was bad enough. 

I find a note in Azure's dented helmet.

"If note is found, Someone, most likely Charles, took Encre or me or others or all of the above and left. In case of that, don't be a lone wolf and try and solve it on your own with your stubborness.(Looking at you Rufous). Check bottom drawer of kitchen in top right corner. Open vial outside and go from there. Stay safe!-Azure"

He's one to talk about staying safe. Heh, he knows me well. That's my buddy Azure alright. Now, time to listen to him. Can't be stubborn or do it alone.

I go to the drawer and find a small vial. It was shaking violently in the drawer. I pick it up and it starts to bubble. I go outside and take the cap off. It fires strange liquids like a cannon into the night sky and explodes, decorating the sky with different colors. I stand there and wait for something else to happen that I can go from. 

Within seconds, the explosion was over. And only moments after that, I hear wings flapping. I look around to see Jasper and Fallacy flying with Suave in their grip over. They set Suave down and land. They look at me, almost in surprise to find me there with the vial. Fallacy takes a small step back. I smirk. He remembers our last encounter. But I take my smirk off quickly, this is serious. Suave approaches me.

"You fired the emergency alert vial?"He says

"Yep. Exactly what this note I found in Azure's helmet told me to."I say, showing Suave the note

He takes it and reads it.

"Oh dear......I thought that idiot was gone...."He mutters

Jasper comes over to me.

"What's going on?"He asks

"I wish I knew, kid."I say

Fallacy looks at the house, then at me.

"So, I'm guessing the note is true? Which situation is it?"Suave asks

"Encre and Azure are gone. But there's plenty in that house to show it wasn't a nightly walk or a willing change of plans in the middle of the night."I say

"Seriously? Gone?"Fallacy says

"Don't believe me? Go on, take a look inside. I can garuntee you that they are not there sleeping peacefully like they're supposed to."I say

Fallacy goes inside. Suave holds Jasper back.

I feel a tap on the shoulder. I turn and there is a spirit of an elder warrior, still wearing their armor. He stares at me, then smiles.

"You're Rufous, aren't you? My grandsonny's friend?"He says

Shoot....A grandfather! Probably Azure's! He says being a guard runs in the family!

"Yes, sir. I am."I say

"Where is my grandson? Is he okay?"He asks

"We're trying to find him. We will ensure that he is okay."I say

"Ah....Was he taken?"He asks

I nod.

"Okay...I'll try to help. But his memaw has come back like Encre's granny did. When she comes, make sure to make that point clear or someone is getting the chancla from her like someone gets he cane whack from Encre's grandma."He says, then flies off

Then another grandfather appears, covered in paint.

"Encre's gone too? From that crazy fella?"He says

I nod.

"Oh he is so dead! Well, after they get the chancla and cane..."He says, then soars off

I look at Suave and Jasper.

"Looks like you met most of their grandparents."Jasper says

"Yea...."I say

"What do you know exactly?"Suave asks

"Well, a few months ago, Charles came to this village. Encre came to warn me about him and I got to meet Charles. Charles interrupted our conversation, getting way too touchy with Encre. Encre made it clear to Charles to stay away by flipping him into the ground, but that didn't click in his stupid head. So I dropped an anvil on him until he stopped. You would think that any person with common sense would take that as a stop sign. Well clearly he doesn't because he went and attacked Azure with his own sword in his own home! I beat the hell out of him but clearly that wasn't enough because now he took them! Ugh! I should've killed that creep when I had the chance!"I explain, getting frustrated with myself 

"You're right, they're not there. Come on. We'll figure something out."Fallacy says

He picks me up while Jasper picks Suave up. We go to his castle and once inside, start trying to plan. I get approached by two grandmothers.

"Who needs a whacking?"They ask

"A dude named Charles."I reply

"Oh goodie! I've been wanting to do that since he took Encre the first time!"Encre's grandmother says

"Let's go plan!"Azure's grandmother says

"Ya! With our friends!"Encre's grandmother says

The two grandmothers run off to do their own planning.

"Who is Charles?"A voice asks coldly from behind

I turn and there is Poussière. I look up at him and he gazes back at me, completely unaware of the situation.

"A crazy guy that those two want to teach a lesson. As well as Fallacy, Jasper, Suave and I."I reply

"What the hell did that guy do to piss all of you off?"He asks

"He took Azure and Encre."I say

He didn't need any other details or explanation.

"Okay, sign me up! He's gonna die!"He says

"Got it."I say, then start to walk away

He taps me on the shoulder.

"But what exactly has he done?"He asks

"Come on, I'll explain."I say, leading him into a room

He nods and we sit down. I explain what Charles has done and he was not happy.

The next morning, I got an idea.

"There is no way he got far with the two of them on foot. He had to have rode something."I say

"And? How does that help? He could be anywhere then."Poussière says

"But there must be trails! We just gotta look for it! That's what I'm gonna do!"I say

"I'm coming with."He says

"Wait, but I thought-"I begin

"It's cloudy, not sunny. I'll be fine."He says

I shrug, nodding. He grabs me and we fly back to the village. It was like a ghost town. Nobody was coming out. It was one of those moments where you think It's quiet....Too quiet.....

One of the neighbors came out. Poussière hides behind a tree.

"We saw the trouble in Encre and Azure's house! Be careful! The culprit could still be near! Don't stay out long!"He says, then runs inside

Well I'm investigating it so I will stay out long. 

Everyone shuts their doors and windows, even the blinds. Nobody is looking outside.

Works for us.

"You're all clear dude."I say

Poussière comes out and starts to sniff the air.

"I smell blood......Azure's blood."He says

He goes to their house and sees the condition. He climbs out a back window, hopping out behind the house. I follow him and he finds a blood trail. Then a small pool.

"He was laid here for a bit. Not long, but a good while."He says

I step over the pool of blood and bend over the ground where the trail stopped.

"And here is a wagon trail!"I say, pointing to the prints of wooden wheels and horses leading away

"Woah....You were right."He says

"Of course I was. I deal with stupid people on a daily basis as a blacksmith."I say, recalling all the weird requests I get

Some like:"Can you smelt this wooden wheel?" No. Then that's just using firewood. Or:"Can you make a dirt sword for me?" Dude. Dirt. Really? Yeah, lots of weird requests.

"The trail is heading east and telling by the space of hoofprints, I'd say he was in a hurry."I say

We follow the trail, but then it goes onto a rocky stone and concrete path. The trail disappears.

"How come it disappeared?"He asks

"Because stone is harder to make marks on than dirt. If it had rained recently and the road or wheels were wet, then there would be a trail. But it wasn't so we're tough out of luck."I explain

"But I still smell Azure's blood strongly."He says

He sniffs a few times and runs to the right of the path. 

"HOLY SHIT! THIS GUY SHOULD BE IN HELL!"He shouts

I run over to see what he found and my fists clench, my soul dropping.

There was a hand with cuts all over, gripping onto a note. Poussière could not look. I am wearing my blacksmith gloves so I reach down and pick it from the hand. I unfold it and it was double sided. On one side it said:Guard boy is being bad, here's the consequence =) while on the other, it says He is heading east, then will head north.....Wants to "test us". Encre is very- before getting cut off. I get even more worried for the both of them.

"Never in all my life have I seen such horrible acts. And I'm a vampire."Poussière says

"You and me both. But hey, now we know where he may head."I say

"Let's report back to Fallacy."He says, picking up the hand

I nod. 

"But do you want a minute? I got an idea...."I say

He nods. I give him some space and think, sitting on the side of the path.

Noon comes and goes. I glance over and watch him clean the blood off of the hand. Then he holds it as if he was holding hands with someone.

"We will find you, Azure."He mutters

I think on my idea, then nod. I stand over the road where the trail ended. Maybe I could try something new. Poussière steps forward.

"I suggest you stay back."I say

He nods and steps back. 

I put on my blacksmith goggles or glasses and take some tools from my belt. I use one of my tongs(look images up, they are bigger than the kitchen tongs) from my belt and put a lighter in the center where I would pick something up from. I flick the lighter to make it start and have it burn into the ground gently. I walk while doing this, like walking a dog. I stop and look at the trail that has revealed itself.

"That was cool!"Poussière says 

I smile.

"Nothing stays hidden forever."I say

I hear footsteps. I turn my lighter off. I turn around to see two tiny skeletons running over.

"Rufous!"They shout

I recognize them.

"Guys?!"I say

I kneel down and they run right to me, hugging me tightly.

"Bad monster has them....."Tiny Azure says

"Crazy monster is using them...."Tiny Encre whispers

"Wait, who's them? Are you guys really Encre and Azure?"I ask

They look like them!

"No, sowwy. We are just failed tests on them. But we came to get them help!"Tiny Azure says

I notice he is also missing a hand.

"He wanted to make copies of them.....To have more fun he said.....And to get you off track while he keeps the originals."Tiny Encre says

Poussière comes over and kneels down.

"Fwend! Good monster!"Tiny Azure shouts, hopping up to Poussière

"I'm....A good monster?"He repeats

Tiny Azure nods.

Poussière smiles.

But once Tiny Azure touched the hand, his missing one grew back.

"How far did you guys run?"I ask

"Dunno....Very far....Have been running since sunrise....."Tiny Encre says

I look up and see the sun is a little past noon position. Dang it. That means he has more than a few hours ahead of us.

"Let's take you both to safety."I say

Poussière grabs us all and flies us back. By then, the two tiny forms of my friends had fallen asleep in my arms. 

We land to find a very ticked off Fallacy, Suave and Jasper standing in the room. Suave sees Poussière holding the hand and covers Jasper's eyes while obviously back the urge to puke at the sight. 

"Ummm....Hey?"I say

"Where were you?"Jasper asks blindly

"Going to look for clues."I say

"Why didn't you tell us? You should keep us in the loop of knowing what's going on."Suave says

"You guys were busy with your own meetings."Poussière says

"And why do you have that Poussière?"Fallacy asks, looking grossed out himself

"It's a clue that we found along a trail. It has a note. See?"Poussière says, taking the bloody note from the hand

Suave drags Jasper out of the room.

"Suave are you okay?"Jasper asks

"I can't take that horrid sight!"Suave says

"I'll get a can!"Jasper says

"Thank you, M'Lord!"Suave says, sounding ill just from the sight

"Was that really necessary?"Fallacy asks

"Oops."Poussière says

"What does it say?"He asks

"Two things. One is by that jerk and the other seems to be from Azure. It mentions Encre but gets cut off."Poussière says

Fallacy takes it and reads both sides. He looks ready to blow. 

"Fallacy! You may make your behavior inconsistent at this time! You will not get the cane!"Encre's grandma shouts

He fist pumps the air and then runs off. I could hear him yelling all kinds of things.

"Gwamma? Falwacy?"Tiny Encre says, waking up a bit.

"Did I just hear my tiny grandson?"Encre's grandma says

"Gwam!"Tiny Encre cheers

His grandmother comes in and starts crying from joy.

"Wait, did you tell her yet?"Tiny Encre asks, looking up at me

"Tell what?"She asks

"Ma'am, this is not your actual grandson. This is just an experiment's result."I say

"He dares experiment on my grandchild? Ooo, he's in for a big whacking now!"She snaps

She steps closer and scoops Tiny Encre in her hands.

"Gwam! Gwam Gwam!"He cheers

"Yes, it's me, dearie."She says

"No cwy, Gwam!"He says

"I'm not crying, I just have something in my eyes."She says

"You wiar! You have tears in you eyes so you ah cwying!"He says

"Smart boy. Now, listen. Everything will be okay. Granny's gonna come and kick that crazy monster's butt. You know why?"She says

"Gwam Gwam wocks."He says

"Yes, Granny does rock. But she will come because she loves her grandson."She says

"I, er, he loves you Gwam Gwam."He says

That was so freaking adorable.

"Now, Granny and her friends are gonna go plan, okay? You be good, okay?"She says

"Okay!"He says

She places Tiny Encre back in my arms and leaves. Azure's grandma comes in and repeats this cycle. It was just as adorable. Azure dozed off in my hands when he got returned. Encre starts to doze but then Fallacy calmly comes back.

"You feel better now?"Poussière asks

"Yeah...."He says

He looks now at the tiny skeletons in my hands.

"Are....Are those.....?"He says

"Them? No. Experiment results of them? Yes. They came running to us from wherever they were kept, saying they were running since sunrise."I explain

"Can I...?"He asks

I hand them over, knowing he was gonna ask that. He holds them gently, looking at them with wonder. Tiny Encre smiles at him.

"So we're closer to finding them....That's good..."He says

Tiny Encre sits up.

"Oh! Hello."He says

"Hewwo."Tiny Encre says with a grin

"You alright?"He asks

"Yes, I'm with good monsters now....."Tiny Encre says

He looks to Tiny Azure.

"Wake up fwend."He says, nudging his friend

Tiny Azure wakes up.

"Sowwy, Encwe. I was checking on them...."Tiny Azure says

"How are they?"Fallacy asks

"On the move again. Crazy monster doesn't want to stay in one place for long. They are already at 3rd hiding place...."Tiny Encre says

"He pwans to go to fourth at midnight, but wants no witnesses and will only take his favorite. Whateva that means. The other will be left to die, he can't have any witnesses he says."Tiny Azure says

"Has he hurt them?"Poussière asks

Tiny Encre and Azure look at each other.

"Dude, your holding the proof of that."I remind him

"Ya, but is it worse?"He asks

"He has been....Having his fun with them.....He has hurt Azure more than Encre. Azure fights him off more, making the cwazy monster angwier. He is not nice when angwy."Tiny Azure says

Poussière does not look happy with that. Tiny Azure whispers to Tiny Encre and they nod. Tiny Encre tosses Tiny Azure to Poussière, landing on his shoulder. Tiny Azure starts hugging him, which kinda made him happier.

"Rufous!"Suave shouts

"Coming!"I say, running out of the room

I reach this room that looked like a lab and my forge.

"What's up?"I ask

"I've seen the damage he could do to souls so I got an idea. Maybe we could work together to make a soul tracker? I'll make chemicals to detect it and you make a container for it."He says

I picture it and nod. 

"That's a good idea! I'll get to it!"I say, putting my glasses back on

We get to work and experiment through the hours. I made a sturdy pole with a claw at the donut-shaped structure at the end. Suave place the 12th test vial in the center. We take it for a test. He hides behind a wall and I walk around. The chemical changes color the closer or farther I get. I reach him and it turns the correct color when I lift it near his soul.

"It works!"He says

We high five.

"What are you guys doing?"Jasper asks

"We invented something to detect even the faintest of souls!"Suave says

"Ooo! That will help us find Encre and Azure right?"He asks

We nod.

"That rocks!"He says, hugging us

We smile.

"Oh ya, Rufous, there's someone at the door asking for you."He says

I lift my glasses higher up and nod. I dust the ash from failed tests off of me. I open the big grand doors and am surprised to see who was on the other side.

"There you are, Rufous! I've been looking for you everywhere! Literally!"He says

"Classique! W-What are you doing here?"I ask

"I have an important message for you and this was one of the places they said you might be. And you know how I am with important messages."He says

"From who?"I ask

"Our friends. Azure, namely. And since he gave me the message through a basement window and sounded weak, I'm worried. What's going on?"He says

"It's a bit of a story. Come on in."I say

"Okay."He says

Charlos hops down from the ceiling as soon as I shut the door.

"Who is this, Rufous?"He asks

"Classique. He's a friend, Charlos."I say

"Sure, just a friend. I'm gonna go tell Poussière and Fallacy of this news!"He says, turning to a bat and flying up the stairs

"So about that explanation."Classique says

I explain everything I know to him. He nods, understanding it all.

Poussière and Fallacy come down.

"You're Classique? Their friend?"Fallacy asks

Classique nods. They shake hands with each other.

"Does he know the situation?"Poussière asks

"Rufous explained it to me."He says, holding my hand

I feel my face burn a bit.

"I'm guessing you're Fallacy and Poussière, their close friends?"He says

"Yes...."Poussière says

"Azure told me if I can't find Rufous to find you both. So this makes things easier. I have a message from him. I'm assuming you all want to hear it."He says

The grandmas come sliding down the railing and join.

"Oh dear...Ma'ams, you may want to get your cane and chanclas."He says

They sigh and start heading back upstairs.

"Yes, we do."Fallacy says

"The message is that the favorite has been chosen. Encre is being taken elsewhere....For more fun and tests. Encre's soul is bent worse than last time. He may not....last.......Help him....End message."He says

"Do you remember where he was?"Poussière asks

"Pfft, course I do. They're my friends and I remember every message sender in case of responses or prank messages."He says

"Do you have a weapon?"Fallacy asks

"Always do."He replies

Charlos looks at him confusedly. He chuckles and opens his cloak to reveal a sword in a sheath.

"Since when?! I never knew messengers could have weapons!"Charlos says

"I have had this for a while now. Nobody has said I couldn't."He says

I recognize it.

"That's the one I gave you...."I say

He shuts the cloak, seeming a bit embarrassed. He nods shyly.

"I really liked it."He says

I smile. He grips my hand tighter.

"M'Lord! We have a way to help find them!"Suave says, running up from downstairs with our invention

"What the heck is that?"Poussière asks

"It's a soul detector! I made chemcicals to detect the materials that make up a monster soul, no matter how weak! Rufous made the containment for it."He says

(It looks like a metal detector basically)

Charlos looks at it in amazement and curiousity. 

The grannies arrive.

"Well, let's not waste time! Let's go!"Fallacy says

"I'll watch over Jasper!"Charlos says, running upstairs

"They're up to no good....."Poussière mutters

"They're preparing areas to keep Encre and Azure with warm welcomes and to help them recover."Suave says

"That's actually nice."Fallacy says

We go outside and Classique puts me on his horse with him. The grannies turn to spirits and fly with the vampires, Fallacy carrying Suave with the detector.

Classique rode ahead, leading everyone to this abandoned house miles away from everyone and everything. I hop off and kick the door down. Suave comes in with the tool, swaying it around to try and sense something. 

"Downstairs."He says

We go downstairs into this huge basement that had blood and scratch marks everywhere. Suave could not handle the sight. He hands me the detector and ran right back out. I look around, stepping around carefully.

"Azure? Azure? Are you here? Can you hear me? Say something, please."I say

I see piles and piles of towels and blankets in a corner. I thought not much of it. Crazy guy must be coming back to clean up later. But then the detector went nuts when I got near it. I realize the piles were just a wall to block me from that corner. It's hiding something. I set the detector on the clean stairs and run to the corner. I dig through the piles and find Azure. 

My poor friend! He was beaten and cut all over. Even a bite on the neck. His shirt is slightly lifted to reveal his spine. I check his soul to see it bent and dented. It looked as cripples as a leaf, giving slow, weak beats. He is holding something in his hand tightly.

"Azure...."I mutter

He jolts,opening an eye. His eye-light is so faint and weak that it could hardly glow enough to be seen.

"N-No m-m-more. No more.....Please....."He pleas softly

"Azure, it's me. It's Rufous. I got you. It's over now."I tell him, hugging him close

"Clear!"Multiple voices yell upstairs

"W-What?"He says

"They're checking the other rooms to make sure there are no dangers."I say

"What are you guys doing here? You should be going to get Encre....Not me...."He says

"We're here for you, Azure. We are not losing you either."I say

"Rufous?"Poussière calls

"Down here!"I shout

He comes down the stairs.

"S-Safe?"Azure stutters

"Yes, you're safe."I say

"Dear moons! I can see why Suave ran out, Fallacy. It looks like a Blood Moon happened down here from one person."Poussière says

Azure tries to sit up.

"Easy, Azure. Take it easy."I say

"P-P-Poussière?"Azure stutters

"Azure!"Poussière gasps, running over and hugging him, practically snatching Azure from me

Poussière turns onto his back to protect Azure from hitting the hard floor. He holds Azure protectively, but a little bit tighter.

"EEP!"He yelps

"It's okay, I got you, Azure. That jerk Charles won't hurt you. Are you okay? How do you feel? What did he do? What tests? What-"Poussière says

"Don't overwhelm him with questions. He just woke back up."I tell him

He nods, then sees blood trickling down from a cut between Azure's eyes.

Azure holds him tighter with his arm, though still held something in his only hand with all that he could. Azure shuts his eyes.

"I'm safe.....Safe......Safe....With you."He mutters

Poussière nods. Azure sank back unconscious. 

Poussière looks at me, then shrugs. He licks the blood from Azure's wounds. Every last one. He mutters something. Then he sees the bite mark and get annoyed.

"He's mine to mark....Not Charles!"He mutters

"Well now is not the time to mark him."I say

He looks at me, as if forgetting I'm there.

"I don't think you have the grandparents blessing so unless you want to get the chancla, I suggest ya don't."I say

"Right...Wait. His soul is getting weaker! Let's go!"He says

He gets up and runs up the stairs with me following.

"There's my grandson!"Azure's grandma cheers

"What ha-?"Fallacy begins

"No time to talk!"Poussière says, flying away

Classique helps me onto the horse and we head back. When we got there, Poussière already had Aure in a bed Charlos and Jasper set up. Tiny Azure hops up and hugs Azure, disappearing. Suave works on reattatching Azure's hand, putting the arm in a cast. Suave notices the item in the other hand. He pries it out of Azure's hand.

"Another note...."He mutters

Suave unfolds it.

"He is going north with Encre to get on a boat by sunrise. That boat is leaving for another kingdom....To return Encre to the king he was set to marry while having his own fun with Encre."Suave says

"It makes sense now.....Azure was the one who helped Encre escape from there so it is logical that they would want to get rid of him. And Encre must only be spared because someone else, that king wants him. And I know that's one of the last places Encre wants to go."I explain

"Well, what's the plan now?"Encre's grandma asks

"We stop that."Jasper says

"Uh, they are probably setting sea now. Here comes the sunrise."Classique says, looking out the window

Tiny Encre starts shaking.

"What's wrong sweetie?"Encre's grandma asks

"They're trying to hypnotize him...."He says

"No...."Fallacy and Suave mutter

"But he is resisting it."Tiny Encre says

"He did say he will always love a different king."Poussière says

"Really? Who?"Fallacy asks cluelessly

Jasper facepalms.

"You, Father!"Jasper snaps

Fallacy's face burns up.

"What do we know about that place if we're gonna go there? Don't want to be sore thumbs."Suave says

"I've been there plenty of times. The king is an idiot but is very strict. He only allows his people to wear green or yellows. Heck, I have to change the color of my cloak or I'll be arrested! All the guards wear stilts in their armor to look taller, so they aren't that good at chasing or stopping crimes. The king is already on his 3rd husband....which would be Encre if this succeeds. He has executed the last two because they were too artistic for him. And with Encre being a painter I don't see that ending well....Even though the king marries men, he has them wear dresses, so don't be expecting to find Encre in a suit or something. That's what I know."Classique says

They look at him in shock.

"He's a messenger people."I say with a roll of my eye-lights

"I get places. Oh! And there are plenty of safe places to hide out. That kingdom has a lot of rebels that want to overthrow that king. If you go to certain places and say you want to take the soon to be queen, they'll let you stay or help you out."He explains

"Alright, so what do we do?"Jasper asks

"You, kiddo and Charlos can stay with me and help Azure recover. Poussière too."Azure's grandma says

"I'd love that."Poussière says, sitting beside Azure's bed

"I'll stay to help."Suave says

"I'll go to help guide you."Classique says

"I'm coming too."I say

"I'll come to give updates on his condition."Tiny Encre says, hopping in my pocket

"You know I am."Fallacy and Encre's grandma say

Everyone figures out what they'll do. 

"Okay! Operation Safety from Crazy is a go!"Encre's grandma says

We head out, flying or riding north to the docks. By the time we got there, it was noon. Hopefully we get there in time. We're coming bud, you'll be safe soon.

Encre's POV

I slowly start waking up. I feel that I'm in a bed, but my soul is aching. It hurts from what Charles did. I got a feeling that I am nowhere good. I open my eyes, coming face to face with King Lampost.

"Why hello my Sleeping Beauty.~"He says with a wink

What the? Oh no! Not him! What am I doing back here?! 

I sit up quickly.

"Don't worry, you're safe with me. This time no freaks like vampires will take you."He says

"Are you g-gonna k-k-kill me?"I ask

"No, marrying you will hurt the vampire king more. Because you're alive, but out of his reach."He says

Right. Let's see how long that lasts.

"Also, I made you conceal yourself more so you're not easy to spot or to take."He says

What?!

"You look beautiful though."He says with a smirk

I look down and see I am now in a yellow dress with a thin yellow fabric mask across my face. It was thinner than a tissue but seemed to conceal my face anyway.

"Now that's settled, I must speak with my guards on the wedding plans."He says, leaving the room

I frown. I don't want to be here. He's just setting me as the bait for a trap again.

I check my soul and see why it's aching. Not just emotionally but physically. It is twisted more than a twisted spiral noodle. And that is not good. 

THUMP, THUMP, THUMPITY THUD!

I look to see that after 3 failed attempts, a rope hooked onto the window. I get up and go over. A bunch of women are at the bottom of the rope with the exact same clothes.

"Come with us and you'll be safe from him! Quickly!"They say

I happily slide down the rope and land on the ground. I smile at them. They circle around me and guide me to the streets. There, the group only grows bigger with more people joining for protection.

"We're rebels to that king. He's a big jerk. You don't really wanna marry him, do you?"One says

I shake my head.

"Well that's good. Now come on, we'll take you some place safer. And the law here is if he doesn't have a lover by the time the sun goes down, he has to end his reign and let someone else rule."Another says

I get taken to this shack. Inside it had the appearance of a bar, but one push of a lever and it switched to a fort with an arsenal.

"You guys weren't kidding!"I say

"Yep! So you're just gonna sit here and we'll protect you! You stay here until sundown, then we'll help you go wherever you wanna go!"They say, putting me in a seat

"Ummm, okay. Just a question....Are there other clothes than these?"I ask

"Why?"They ask

"Well, I'm not a girl....."I say

"Right! Keep forgetting our king is into guys!"One says

"Sorry, we don't have anything else. Hard to get any other clothes besides these around here."They say

"Without getting into trouble."Another says

"O-Okay..."I say

A few hours pass.

It's very quiet. Nobody is talking. There is a knock. Someone shushes the cricket chirping in the corner. 

One of them take a knife and hide it behind their back before opening the door slightly.

"Let's take you out of the open."One says, taking me to a reinforced room

I sit down on the counter, the only place I could sit. Then I listen in on the conversation on the other side of iron doors.

"Hello? Who are you and what do you want?"One of them ask

"Hello, buddies!"Another voice says

"Classique! Welcome! Are these your friends?"She asks

"Yes."Classique says

"Come on in!"She says

I sit there quietly. I hear a lot of footsteps before the door shuts.

"So, how is the rebellion going?"Classique asks

"Nearly complete! We just have to wait until sundown!"The rest cheer

"Wait...But that means by the law that the king has nobody to marry."Classique says

"Yep! And he doesn't! We got him!"She declares

"Really?"Classique asks

"He's behind the iron doors."She says

"Fallacy, go get my grandson."I hear Gramma say

"With pleasure."I hear Fallacy say

Before I could move, the iron doors burst open and in a blur, they shut again. But I'm still in the room and Fallacy is in front of me. I feel my face warm up a bit.

"Beautiful...."He says

My face burns up a bit more.

"F-Fallacy..."I say softly

He wraps his arms around me and lifts me up.

"Eep!"I squeak

"And so adorable."He says

My soul, one that was slowing down from the aching pain, started beating faster. 

He puts me down so my feet touch the floor, but I feel shaky so I grip onto him. He smiles and looks at the girl that came to guard me.

"I'll go."She says

She shuts the iron doors behind her.

Click.

She locked us in! My soul begins beating even faster. 

Fallacy doesn't seem to mind it though. He lowers my mask that was as skinny as a veil from my mouth to below my chin. Then he absolutely ambushed me with kisses. He kisses my shoulders, arms, my cheeks and directly. My face burns more than it has in months. My soul keeps going faster. It's getting to a dangerous speed, aching at each beat.

"F-F-Fallacy, p-please don't-aaah!"I stutter, but get cut off

He found a spot on my neck that the mask doesn't cover, so he kissed it and made me cut myself off. Then he shut me up in my yelp by kissing me, except I felt his tongue slip in. I jolt and my face burns even more. 

He must've realized what he did because he pulls back quickly. I've never experienced this before. He turns me to my side, pulling me close. I shake and could hardly stand. I'm so dazed with my face burning and soul pounding. He starts to lean in again to kiss my cheek again but I stop him with a hand. I feel him rest a hand on my cheek gently. His touch only made me even more flustered.

"F-Fallacy, p-p-p-please s-s-stop. If you don't, my soul might snap it is beating s-s-so fast."I stutter

"Aww, but I haven't gotten the chance to mark you again.~"He says

I glance at him. He gives me puppy eyes.

"Pwease? Can I mark you, Love?"He asks

Still dazed, I comply.

"I guess so....."I say, my hand slipping

He takes the mask off of me, setting it on the counter. He looks closely and carefully along my neck. Then he bites down.

"Aaaah! Fallacy!"I cry out

He digs them in. I couldn't help but cry. He shifts and allows me to cry into his shoulder. 

There is a bang on the doors.

"What's going on in there?! Fallacy! You better not be trying anything stupid with my grandson!"Gramma shouts

He licks the blood from my neck.

"I'm not."He says, putting a hand on my neck to finalize the mark

I wipe my tears.

"I'm alright, Gramma...."I say, though my voice shook a bit

"Alright good.....I think it's too early in your relationship to give great grandbabies anyway.~"She teases

My face burns more.

"Gramma!"I shout

I hear her laugh. 

Fallacy smirks.

"Too early,huh? So that's a possibility?"He says

"Sh-Shut up!"I stutter

"You're so cute, Encre."He says

That was the last straw for my soul. It hit a beat and hurt. My body shut down.

"E-Encre?"He says

I try to grip onto him, but could not feel anything to grip.

He peeks down my dress and sees my soul.

"Ooooh dear."He says

He takes off his cloak and puts it on me. Strangely, this one was bigger so once he got it on me, he was also able to wrap it around me like a cloak burrito. Like someone making a blanket or towel burrito. Then he ties the mask around his wrist.

"Technically I'm wearing yellow."He mutters

He scoops me up.

"You're gonna be okay, Love."He says

I smile a bit. Then I tuck my face into the cloak. It seems cozy.

"Someone please tell me it's sundown!"He shouts

"It sure is!"Someone says

"Can someone let us out then?"Fallacy asks, holding me close

My soul starts to slow, but each beat was crushing itself. I cover my coughs the best I could with my hand, not wanting to ruin Fallacy's cloak. I hear the click of it unlocking. The doors open.

"Why is my grandson a burrito?"Gramma asks

"Explain later, we go home NOW! Thanks for the help, rebels!"Fallacy says, carrying me out

He does not wait for anyone. He took off flying faster than he ever has with me in his arms. Plus, he never dropped me. He lands on a balcony and runs inside. I could see tears in his eyes.

"F-F-F-F-Fallacy...."I stutter, struggling to speak

"Save your energy, Encre."He says

He lays me in bed and yells for Suave. Suave comes in quickly.

"Oh dear. M'Lord, go stick with your son. I'll call you in when he is ready."He says

Fallacy leaves.

"Okay, Encre. Just relax and think happy thoughts. Happy thoughts, okay? Go to your happy place."He says

I say and do nothing. I just shut my eyes, losing touch with everything. Last thing I saw was the tiny test result of me hopping over and fading once touching me. I got a bit more energy now.

Azure's POV

I remember everything that happened. Everything I was put through. The pain, the fights, the tests. All of it. But then I recall what Encre was put through. He was put through more painful things yet Charles hid it better.

"That king is not getting Encre so easily. Not a single king or anyone is. Nobody will be able to save you. Not when I inject this. You can say goodbye to the world until I find you, Encre. As soon as you shut your eyes after sundown, you'll be gone until I give the antidote."Charles had said

This was followed by Encre screaming in pain.

"Encre!"I shout, sitting up from bed

"Azure!"Poussière shouts with joy

I look at him. He hugs me with my Grandma out of joy. I look outside and see that it's dark out now.

"Where am I?"I ask

"You're safe now, Azure. You're here. You're safe. We got you. Nothing to worry about."Poussière says

"Says the one worried sick about him."Charlos and Jasper say

Poussière's face burns up.

"Poussière, we'll need to talk later."My grandma says

I notice Fallacy nervously pacing.

"Actually, there is something to worry about. Fallacy, sir? Where is Encre?"I ask

"He's across the hall getting help from Suave."He replies

"Did you guys catch Charles?"I ask

"No, we can't find him."He says

"Way to abandon us, dude!"Rufous says

"I had to be quick to help Encre in time."He reasons

"Azure! You're awake!"Classique exclaims, hugging me

"Yep. But now I got to focus on helping Encre."I say, climbing out of bed

I stand shakily but my knees start to buckle. Poussière holds my hand to support me.

"Suave is already helping him."Jasper reminds me

"Then I'll help both of them by figuring out how to hunt Charles down."I say

"How could he help things?"Charlos asks

"Besides pleasing us and giving us a chance to whoop his ass?"Encre's grandma asks

"Because he injected something into Encre that only he has the antidote for. He-"I begin

Suave enters.

"Sir....I untied his soul but....It has stopped beating."Suave says

"Suave, Encre is not dead. Charles just injected him with something to make him appear dead. Charles has the antidote though."I say

"Oh thank the heavens and stars!"He sighs with relief, holding himself tightly

"So, how do we find Charles?"Charlos asks

"One minute."I say

Encre's grandmother hands me a cane and I use it to limp down the hall. I get one of the chalkboards on wheels and wheel it back to the room. I erase all of Fallacy's sentences.

"We use his stupidity against him. He may be crazy, but he is crazy stupid."I say

They nod, sitting and eager to listen.

Do not worry, Encre. You'll be free soon.

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TBC