Reborn from the ashes

                 RUBYCARD & CARDAVEM

        You and I are like a HOUSE OF CARDS.          We were built from the ground unsteadily,          But we hold BALANCE and immense STRUCTURE.          If anyone tries to knock us down,         Our cards will surely unfold. 

@cardavem·

     “There are rumors of a cactuar hiding on the grounds, but I have never seen it… have you?”

Conflict weighs heavy on a mind too tender yet for the wrong of this world. Being sheltered in the external bureau facility proved to be suffocating at times, tiresome in unimaginable extents. Freedom was but a fleeting taste whenever they visited Akademeia, a craved sentiment with naïve thought that once properly inscribed would be invigorating and restorative after a decade of isolation.

Soon, that idealised reality shattered in hundreds of fragments upon being faced with the truth. Never a fan of unrealistic theories of folie de grandeur from other classmates that more often than once beg the question if they’ve gone nuts as he may have been, the blond expected to be treated with a degree of respect befitting basic human norms. Alas, he couldn’t be any more delusional.

Everywhere he went, a haze of ill sentiments and biting whispers too rude to quantify caused his body to tense uncomfortably until he returned to the intimacy of his room where prying eyes would see him no more. His stomach turned in ways beyond his comprehension at the reminder that Class Zero is to live in this institution from now on. Thankfully, the blond could count with his twin’s undivided comfort that only he knew how to assuage his troubled heart without the necessity to explain himself.

“You’ll figure it out. And I might too.”

Attention monopolised by his soothing tone, Ace removes slightly the arm draped over his eyes from where he lays to look at his blood brother. Finding sanctuary in someone else permits a wider spectrum of knowledge of said person, at least that’s what the cadet learned. Even if we are to see them as family, we are different. It’s just the two of us. As far back as he remembers, it has always been that way with the promise that whatever may happen, they will be together. A huff abandons his lungs with the raise and fall of chest honed with many years of military training.

“Again with that.” Ace complains, hands pushing unto the soft mattress to sit by his brother’s side. It comes without question that they share similar thoughts and sentiments, byproduct of their sensitive hearts. For some unfathomable reason, encouraging and comforting as his words may be, there is always something lacking that causes a sense of uneasiness to Ace.

Instinctively, his hand finds the other’s. Mirrored fingers move by inertia in a weak, linked hold. The warmth and reasoning behind such intimate action brings a smile to Ace’s face before azure meets azure. “You will too. Don’t you remember? Every step on the way, we’ll be by each other’s side.” Needless to say, he’s loath to even consider leaving him behind and watch him drown in the sea of darkness that his feelings convert into sometimes. No matter how dark, Ace promised to stay by his side–– for his darkness doesn’t scare him, just like his brother isn’t scared of his own.

“It doesn’t matter how long it takes, or if we’ll tread this road at a slower pace. There is no point in rushing towards a future without you.” Slender fingers give a soft, reassuring squeeze to the others’, smile ever growing. “We’ll do this. Together.”

@cardavem ⭑ 

  A faint thud pricks the cadet’s gentle interest from his novel. He steadily peers over his reading glasses feeling somewhat relieved to see his brother amble through the doors. A quiet gaze trickles after his mirrored half, noting the the nettled expressions displaying on his kin. Ace did not need to utter a single syllable for Spade to recognize his dismal behaviors. He silently coaxes his brother to retire beside him, a hand patting twice on the firm mattress. Once Ace settles into their shared space, he flails dejectedly.  

 While his brother’s umbrage began to bruise, Spade faintly coos at his disgruntled entrance. “You’ll figure it out. And I might too,” a thumb laps onto his tongue before he turns to a new page. Once he found a proper end point in his studies, he secures his book shut and places it on the night stand. He exhales warmly from his nostrils as his glasses were removed promptly. It’s tough being elite figures of academy. But from the transition from the bureau to a brand new social environment proves to be more of a challenge than what they originated.

Upon their arrival to the magic academy, rumors escalated quickly about the becoming of Class Zero. Gossip rambles from every common area filled with students and they all had the tendency of spreading ruse like wildfire. However, among all the cadets who dons the crimson colors, the twins were the prime appeal. Time and time again, Ace can be found fuming  in the grey areas of his emotions when the someone banters on their kinship. Spade, on the other hand, strives to see past their tedious remarks by ignoring all except when he is summoned. The chatter about the infamous pair is too much of a distraction around his milieu. 

To pacify Ace’s deafening silence, Spade simpers into his direction to only observe his brother’s cloudy response. There was a time where Spade knew no one else, but Ace. Even beyond the womb of their unnamed mother, they clenched onto this ideology that family is always first and nothing would be able to sever their bond. As long as he could even remember, they always end up sharing the same concepts, aspirations, and subtle interests. During their time imprisoned by the bureau, the training had proven to be quite rigorous and tiresome for the pair. Still, Ace was always there to encourage him with kindle spirit. Spade is the very first person he sees everyday and it always ends in hushed whispers bidding each other a good night. If Spade didn’t know any better, he would say Ace was his soulmate duplicated in his own blood. 

Spade positions himself to let his legs drape off the edge of the mattress. For a moment he wonders what would happen if one dies before the other. The very thought about death was nearly indigestible, but it was the reality of their world. Once one feats his last breath, the memories will be wipe cleanly from the others. Golden locks draws his head downwards, only to shake lightly at the the cursed thought. While lost in his reflections, he is interrupted by the cool touch laces their hands together. Spade blinks towards his brother’s congenial smile which radiates warmly on his face. 

❝ I will become Agito. I will sound the knell to shake all the world. ❞

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@etamarella

♡ ——-; The mind could forget, but the heart will always remember. Haunting of a massacre, the smell of churning flesh and blood mixed with gunpowder and ash filled the dark abyss surrounding her as a crack formed at the sound of a gunshot and suddenly, the terrifying shadows came crashing down and she soon realized it was protecting her from a chilling sight. A village was under siege, unarmed civilians were being gunned down like animals and even though she could not recognize a single face, her heart yearned for them, their names dancing along her tongue but never forming.

It was then she saw a woman with dark blue haired that mirrored Machinas – her face blurred but she was rushing toward her screaming for Rem and Machina to run and hide before being shot in the head. As the blood seeped from her head, the blur upon her face was diminishing. Overwhelmed, Rem began to scream until the night sky greeted her above and she could feel tears rolling down from her eyes. Panting, she stared disorientated, trying hard to remember exactly what she saw and who the people were. Her heart was still a frantic mess, beating crazily within her chest as she attempted to catch her breath.

‘…A nightmare?’ She thought silently. It felt too familiar to just be a nightmare. Sitting up, she cupped her knees and buried her face within it, still wanting to cry as she realized why it was these terrors were triggered. Machina was still missing after his angry outburst and she found herself alone. It was then she felt a hand rest upon her shoulder and it startled her. Quickly, she jumped at their touch and turned to face them, her face a complete mess of tears. With eyes so full of sorrow, she stared at Ace, his expression stoic but there was something warm within his eyes as he stared down at her.

“…D-did I wake you?” She tried to shrug off her demeanor as nothing, again trying not to worry anyone. “…I’m sor-“before she could utter an unnecessary apology he said, “Nothing’s gonna hurt you.” This stunned her, silenced the words she was about to speak and once again,she looked back up at him. This time her true feelings were displayed upon her face as a few more tears rolled down her cheek.

Without a moment’s thought, she placed her hand upon Ace’s and gripped it – depicting just how much she needed his compassion in this moment. She didn’t want to speak, knowing that most of the time lies had left her lips. She did not want to put up a facade in this moment. Closing her eyes, she sniffled and whimpered as she finally let out the weight on her chest after so long. 

It was requested by Aercia that Ace would take out all the cadet’s  and reevaluate each individual's performances when it comes to  unnatural fiends. The first to accompany him the evaluation  process was Nine and Rem.  Their first request was to defeat a  spawn of flans who only appeared at nighttime just near the outskirts  of capitol. The team made their way to the pinpoint location and set  up a camp to wait for nightfall.  

After everything was prepared for camp, everyone went off their separate  ways to preoccupied themselves. Nine went off to do the doltish things  he was best at such as hunting game or chucking his spear down in  valley. Ace retreated to his studies in near a campfire to keep warm.  Lastly, Rem went inside the tent to rest before the mission and to shield  from the frosty air. 

It was nearly time to commence the mission. Nine was finishing getting  into warmer attire down by a nearby river and Ace was taking inventory.  He sat down with a book in hand and documented their journey thus far  until he was interrupted by soft whimpers. 

To hear the cries of his comrades always plagued a sense of guilt on the blond’s conscious. He had no control over the feuds and  hardships of the past, but somehow, he felt the unnecessary twinge of deprivation driving into chest. Ace parts his lips to say  anything to calm her nerves, but the air was deafening as her weeps clashed against his reasoning. Instead, he stood from the rock he was planted on and strode quietly to meet his companion in the tent. 

Digits skimmed over the plated armor on her shoulder and his weight  did not go unnoticed. To  his surprise, her eyes were red and salty tears were streaking down familiar zero’s face. Just by watching her weeps  nearly cracked his forbearing features, but Ace remained ever still  even against the frigid air.

It was getting late after his small interaction with a dear friend, Namine. She had fallen asleep closely by on the sofa after their lengthy chats of their travels, and naturally Ace assumed it was time to mosey to his next destination. Before he took his leave, worn hands brace around his crimson mantle and shuffled it off his neck. Ace then drapes his mantle onto her shoulders and brushes her blond tress behind her ear.  “Good night, Namine. Sleep well,” he spoke softly.