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“I’m begging you, Malleus-sama! Please, please return back to your usual self!”
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“Please forgive me, Malleus-sama. ”
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Malleus’s eyes fluttering open, casting an eerie glow in the dimly lit room. The echo of Silver’s pleading voice from the dream clung to the corner of his mind like a vice, unwelcomed and persistent. His eyes swept over the grand hall of the dormitory, eventually catching sight of that familiar glint of silver hair among the sea of slumbering students.
Slowly, he rose from his throne, his movements slow and silent, aside from the faint click of his heel against the stone floor. The sound, barely audible, seemed to echo loudly against the stillness he had woven over the school.
As Malleus approached, his gaze remained fixed on Silver, scanning the boy’s body for a flicker of movement, any sign that he had awakened. But Silver remained still, the only movement being that of his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.
Malleus’s green eyes lingered momentarily on Silver’s face, half-expecting to see the defiant glare and resolute frown from their encounter in the dream. But of course, there was no trace of it now.
He had not expected such defiance–least of all from Silver, whose loyalty had always been as steadfast as the sunrise. For him to stand against him, his prince, in that fragile space bordering reality and dream… That had been quite the surprise.
And yet, as he now stood over Silver’s slumbering form, he realized that he couldn’t truly be surprised by the events that unfolded. Because that was how Silver was. Stubbornly loyal and righteous, even if it meant going against someone he cared for.
“ Yes… that is exactly how he is… ” Malleus couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle. To think he had been angry at Silver earlier in the dream.
Kneeling down beside Silver's still form, Malleus reached out a clawed hand, smoothing down a stray strand of silver hair, an old habit he used to do when Silver had been much younger.
And for a fleeting moment, Malleus was taken back to Lilia’s small cottage that was tucked away in the forest of Briar Valley, the scent of the wildflowers, the small hand that clung to his hand, and aurora eyes that looked up at him with innocent trust.
A faint smile crept up on his face at the memory. It had almost been like yesterday when Silver had been but a small toddler running around and climbing into his arms.
As Malleus moved his hand away, his gaze shifted and he caught the faint glow coming from beneath the folds of Silver’s dorm blazer. Malleus’s eyes narrowed slightly, the corners of his mouth now dipping into a subtle frown as he regarded the glow.
“Ah, yes… How could I forget,” he reached down and eased the fabric aside to reveal the source: a delicate gold necklace with a crowned-shaped pendant. Its light pulsed gently as he scrutinized it. It was faint, practically invisible, but he could sense its resistance against his magic.
“Now where could he have come across such an intriguing artifact?” Malleus murmured as he lifted the pendant to take a closer look at it. He would have disregarded the necklace as nothing more than a regular piece of jewelry had it not been for the fact that it had played a hand in allowing the trio and the perfect’s familiar to slip away.
After a small staring contest with the inanimate object, magic began to pool in Malleus’s palm as he directed his focus on the small charm. He supposed that it mattered very little where the necklace came from.
Regardless of its origin, it was an annoying thorn in his side. And while he did feel a bit reluctant to destroy something belonging to Silver, it would be best to get rid of it.
Only… it resisted.
The dim glow that surrounded the crown pendant intensified almost instantly, pushing against his magic. Malleus blinked, faltering in his attempt before he furrowed his brow and tried again, pouring more of his magic into this attempt. But the pendant held firm, its glow unyielding to his magic.
“...How stubborn,” Malleus muttered under his breath, frustration underlining his voice. It seemed that this nuisance wouldn't be disappearing anytime soon.
Finally relenting, Malleus dropped the necklace, letting it fall back onto Silver’s chest. His eyes narrowed as his gaze lingered on the object, silently debated his next course of action.
If he couldn’t destroy the necklace, then perhaps he could weaken it–isolate it from the other students. With his decision made, Malleus slipped his arms beneath Silver and lifted him effortlessly.
And as silent as a ghost, Malleus carried him towards the far end of the dormitory, passing numerous hallways until he found himself ascending the spiraling staircase that led to the dormitory’s secluded tower.
The tower had been a homage to the Witch of Thorns, a replica of the fabled tower described in her legend, but it had fallen into disuse. The journey upwards was unhurried as he climbed the tower, the air around them beginning to thicken with magic–so much so that it almost felt suffocating.
Reaching the top, Malleus pushed open the wooden door to the secluded chamber. He rarely frequented this area of the dormitory, but everything was the same as he remembered. The room was sparsely furnished, with only a bed draped in dark velvety fabrics being its centerpiece.
Stepping inside, Malleus passed by the thorn-like carvings adorned on the stone walls, their design curling elegantly towards the ceiling. The room was a bit dusty, but that wasn’t anything a cleaning spell couldn’t fix.
Malleus crossed the room, careful to not disturb the sleeping boy as he gently lowered Silver onto the bed. The mattress dipped slightly at the sudden weight, causing Silver’s head to loll gently to the side and his hair to spill like moonlight on the dark fabric.
Not quite satisfied, Malleus adjusted the pillow underneath Silver’s head and made sure to straighten the fabric before he gently draped the blanket over Silver, tucking him in as he used to when the boy had been younger. How nostalgic it felt doing it once more.
Now content with the arrangements, Malleus stood up and stared down at Silver before his attention was torn away by that familiar, and annoying, glow from the pendant.
His hand twitched, almost tempted to make another attempt at destroying it, but he held himself back.
There would be little to no point in trying again when the result would be the same. This solution was hardly a solution to the bigger dilemma he faced, but it would have to do. For now at least.
Malleus let out a fond sigh, his clawed hand finding its way back on Silver’s head to smooth the other’s hair.
“I’ll let you play the knight in shining armor a little while longer, Silver,” Malleus murmured, a hint of affection threading through his voice, “And when you’re finally done playing…”
Malleus’s voice was softer now, barely above a whisper as his eyes traced over Silver’s peaceful face.
“When you realize that even the bravest of knights must rest eventually… I’ll be here. Waiting.”
Straightening himself, Malleus cast one last look at Silver before turning to leave. The door closed behind him with a low echoing thud, and almost immediately, thorned vines began to creep along its surface.
As he descended the staircase, he paused mid-step, tilting his head as he felt the slightest ripple in the air. It seemed that someone had entered uninvited.
How rude.