Asta sighs as he looks out the window of his room in the Black Bull's base. It's officially been a week since the attack of the elves and also the battle against the true mastermind behind the whole thing, the devil Zagred. Though he managed to defeat said devil, with the help of his captain and rival, the nobles and royalty of the kingdom have decided to put the blame for the whole event on him! And also Nero, aka Secre Swallowtail. Still reeling from that revelation.

And why? Because his grimoire apparently has the power of a devil itself! Cause of the dumb horn/Weg thing!? And to make matters worse, Yuno, who himself had been possessed by an elf but managed to remain in control, because of course he did, apparently is also getting flag for the event.

He had learned all this from the Wizard King, Julius Novachrono, who had nearly died and now had the appearance of a preteen, due to apparently planning for this? Anyways, he explained the situation and how Yuno had tried to defend him, only for the nobility to turn on him as well. Now there was going to be a trial to convict the two of being "devil worshippers".

"Don't worry though, Asta. I already made sure to make preparations for both of yours survival. I promise." Julius had told him with a cheerful smile.

"What did he mean by that?" The ash-blonde can't help but wonder. Sometimes he seriously didn't get the man, boy now? "Still, what am I going to do? Not only is Nero getting blamed because of her horns, but now Yuno's also getting dragged down with me!" He thought then notices his grimoire. "Then again, what exactly do I know about my grimoire?" He can't help but ask himself.

"There's a devil inside it, but I don't know any more than that. Besides the fact it grants me the power of Anti-Magic." Asta thinks as he sits down on his bed, his eye then catching on the bird's nest in the window, remembering how Nero, really Secre, would sleep in it. Though she was currently with the Wizard King at the moment. Something about, magic tool research? Something like that...

"Huh?" A sound got his attention. Was that, a horse? He gets up from the bed and looks out his window to see a dark horse-drawn carriage outside...? "What is that?" He questions then grabs his grimoire, plus Magic Knight's robe, then heads out of his room and through the base before heading outside, finding the strange carriage, its door opening as if reacting to his presence.

"Huh? Is this carriage, for me?" He wonders, feeling strangely compelled to enter the mysterious carriage. Checking his stuff real quick, he proceeds to climb into the vehicle, its door shutting as soon as he sat down, then starts moving. As he rides in the horse-drawn carriage, he started feeling tired and slowly fell asleep.

~Magic Knights of Twisted Wonderland~

"Ahh... Dearly beloved... Noblest and loveliest of evil blooms... Your beauty shines above all others! Magic mirror on the wall... Who's the fairest one of all?"

A dark, slightly see-through, carriage pulled by two black horses was seen riding through an equally dark forest late at night. The full moon shining bright in the sky as the carriage made its way

"If true might thou wouldst acquire... Through a darkened mirror, see. To grant thy heart's deepest desire... Take my hand, and come with me..."

He sees a mirror before him in the darkness. Instead of a reflection though, there was green fire that appeared to be burning inside the glass. When the flames subside, an image of a hand then appeared in its place. Not knowing what else to do, he reaches to take it...

"Dancing flames to scorch the future. Frozen ice to entomb the past. Choking vines to seize the azure sky. Do not fear the coming darkness. Reveal to me your true power."

He suddenly found himself in what looked to be a destroyed chamber, crumbling stone and broken glass around him, while before him was a massive creature the size of a bus, growling at him, but he wasn't afraid... On the contrary, he felt, sad? And also a sense of determination...

He steps forward, taking out his sword and faces the giant beast. He knew what he had to do. Thankfully, he wasn't alone as others soon joined him and they all charged at the creature.

"For me. For them. For you. For all of us, time now runs short. Do not let go of my hand. No matter what may come."