Watercoloring painting by - me. I apologize, it seems my printer bleached all the colors.

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*(Y/n) JOINED THE PARTY!

Once the glorious golden gates closed behind you, your adventure has truly begun.

Solidarity was prospering lovingly between Kris and Ralsei, as you accompanied them together to secure their well-being. The three of you even managed to practice on a hand-made dummy. How intriguing!

However, you kept your calm and demeanor nonetheless. You are an adult afterward - and it's in your duty, not only as a counselor but as a pledged adult to guard them safely in this journey. But you never doubted their will-power to be courageous. The budding, etiquette boy - Ralsei, proved himself to be the generous person who lived as if he was the sunshine that only radiated from the best aspects of those he met; their flaws entirely invisible to his gaze. Meanwhile, Kris was the same fish in the cool shallows, never the hawk who hunts above, like Susie.

Speaking of the sturdy girl - You, Kris and Ralsei strolled through "The fields of Hopes and Dreams" in search of her.

"I've never seen such a scarlet forest before." - You took a deep breath; the rejuvenating scent of trees mingled with the breeze. The whisper of the amorphous magenta leaves dancing in the air, reconciling you in a harmonizing yet sundry feeling. Regardless, You allowed the forest's rhythm to soothe you.

"It's an open meadow of sort... And in all honesty, it's quite big, so we have a long road ahead of us."

Just when you were admiring the beauty of this forest, Kris took your attention by pointing at the approaching body. A monster run-up to the three of you, attacking.

*Ruddin drew near.

What seems like a beady-monster, wielding a dagger, was descending his unwelcoming look at you three. But the most noticeable factor that underlined his appearance - were the turquoise diamonds on his body. This ambivalent diamond was ready to fight.

"Alright, everyone - get ready for our first actual fight!" - Ralsei proclaimed as he and Kris lined up and prepared. But you, instinctively, stepped forward, almost shielding the two younger lads with your body.

"If any physical aggression shall occur, I will take them upon myself." - you said, as your soul - the culmination of your being, was now an open target.

"Miss, be careful - you'll have to avoid his attacks." - Ralsei called out for you in the back; you watched as Diamond-shaped bullets were being launched at you. Even they were based on the diamond card suit. But holding your body lower, you swiftly twirled away to avoid those bewitching missiles. Skipping and weave in opposing circles, your body went through the nostalgic feeling of you dancing once more, as you slowly glided from side to side. You seemed to manage the situation.

"Magnificent, miss (Y/n)! You're a natural! H-have you done something alike before?" - Ralsei called once more, while Kris proudly clapped to you.

Few more Diamond Cutters were propelled towards you, this time, your full focus and expectations were directed towards the battle. Swift twirl and jump, your legs tripped as you tried to do an Assemblé. "There is no need to wield our weapons. Kris, Ralsei - I think it's your turns to do something!"

Ralsei nodded - "Kris, try defending us or convince the darkner - I can gather some tension. Now, If I use my pacify spell..."

*Ralsei casts pacify.

With a glowing light and relaxing aura from the boy, Ralsei flung his spell upon Ruddin, exhausting him to stop. Which, surprisingly, worked. Ruddin was utterly swayed as he skedaddled away... but he definitely wouldn't forget your face.

"It worked perfectly!"

"Great job you two." - you faced them, feeling breathless for a second due to your rapid movements to avoid the attacks. "I'm glad that you didn't require to attack in response with your... um, weapons? Like Kris, you have a sword!"

"Indeed! Just remember, fighting is unnecessary in this world..." - Ralsei looked down, a rosy blush dusted his cheeks after your kind words. "Even if fights can turn extremely dynamic and dangerous - I believe we should try our best to not threaten others physically!"

You hummed, understanding Ralsei's point of view. You clearly agreed with them two - but you didn't dare to relax. Fearing what kind of strangers you might meet in this world, you thought better to take precaution. And since you wouldn't let any creature harm Kris, Susie or Ralsei - you were ready to step in.

"You're absolutely correct, Ralsei. However, if an interrogation with a monster went uncontrollably bad - don't hesitate to draw your weapons in defense, okay? You and Kris shouldn't let your guard down."

Ralsei nodded while Kris saluted you with respect and understanding. "Yes, miss (Y/n)!"

"Great. Now let's go. We still need to find Susie... and we've been here for a while now."

Just when the two pre-teens drew their weapons off, they heeded your command by sprinting forward and taking the lead. But you stood still. You remembered that you aren't empty handed - there was a weapon with you the whole time as well. You pulled it out, inattentively, only for your memories to be suddenly kindled once you stared at it.

*It's a familiar knife.

You shook your head and ran after Ralsei and Kris.

"Ho Ho Ho! If it isn't my favorite people!" - a familiar voice called out once you met the fellow darkner standing in the way. It was Lancer, the same kid that you trashed his bike accidently - "Psyche, you guys aren't even in my top five."

"Lancer where's Susie?" - Ralsei enraged towards him

"You mean the purple girl? I've seen her! But you fools are too late to stop me."

Your counselor's instincts were switched on. You knew that guise on Lancer - the look of mischief and misbehavior of a child who has done some misconduct. "Care to explain what have you done?"

"Hah... ha, um." - Lancer tried to laugh only to shake upon seeing your threatening gaze "She beat me up so I ran away."

Taking in mind Lancer's words, the three of you moved on. Through the meadow and grassy fields, the delta warriors worked together while you - a grand Guardian, shielded them protectively. It was a glorious adventure right up until you found a rocky pathway with iron fences.

"Ugh, open up you stupid door!" - you heard a distinctive voice from the end of the lane; signaling for Kris and Ralsei to stay behind you, they silently obeyed and took a position just in case. Taking each step slowly, you made no sound, as you glanced to whom this voice belongs to. You were met with a knowing purple figure kicking the gates.

"Susie!" - you called out.

In which the female turned around with surprise, only to huff in realization - "Ugh, great. It's you guys."

"We were ever so worried about you!" - you ran to her, recalling how she would skip lesson and you would be sent to find her in school hallways. "You know there are obstacles and monsters in here... How did you go throw the blocking spikes?"

But Susie refused to look you directly at you, her dark hair covering her eyes. "I walked passed them."

"Oh... um, I see it was no obstacle for you then?"

"Yeah but this door... sucks." - Susie folded her arms; She clearly held a sour spot to you. Seeing you around her was rare and only meant that she was in trouble. Although you always tried to be companionable and understanding, having frequent meets with the School Counselor was never a good sign. You were the only person who acknowledges her case of immoral behavior. Thus, she restrained to even communicate with you at school.

"Ahem..." - Ralsei and Kris stepped in "The door will open once we solve the puzzle over there!"

"Neat. You'll do just that." - Susie smirked.

Ralsei frowned - "Um, sometimes proceeding will take all 4 of us."

Ralsei carried on with his invitation for Susie to help them out, but of course, The taller girl would only brush them off by telling him and Kris to work on their own. Kris was starting to get worried as they tugged your arm for help.

"Susie," - you interrupted "If you won't accompany your fellow colleagues - you may not see your home so soon as you'd want."

"Do I HAVE to stick with them?" - the remoteness had begun as Susie chalked it up to her loud bickering. "We're not at school right now, Miss (L/n) - If I don't want to stay around those losers then I shouldn't. Or would you still lecture me as a kid?"

She tried to screamed obscenities at you before storming, but you knew the direct approach better than anyone. Yes, she was hot-headed and could be explicitly impolite - but that didn't allow you to get out of hand just because of a mere teen. You thoughts tinkered on a more honest answer to Susie, but after many encounters with her behavior and rages - you knew taking the easy road would suffice.

"Listen, you don't have to take my requests as a school counselor nor should you take these actions as some sort of school project... But we need to get out of here and proceed to search for an exit." - you sighed trying to keep your voice low, as Susie's attention was now directed at you "What about you joining us so we can race back home faster? I promise you if you'll help us, your past suspensions at school will be dismissed at my discretion?"

Susie narrowed her eyes at your offer. She was expecting an immediate scolding from you, but your motherly expression didn't dare to raise your voice at her, even when she was in her worst moments. "You really want me just to be a goody-two-shoes, don't you?"

"I just don't want us to fight Susie." - a gentle smile graced your lips.

Susie stared at you, feeling guilty, before sighing. "Fine. So... uh, just tell me what should I do."

"Yahoo! Susie is back on the Team! Cue the fanfare!" - Ralsei clapped with joy as tension abandoned Kris.

*SUSIE JOINED THE PARTY!

Much To her displease, Susie the violent tormentor, is now your ally. Consisting a group of four people, you all worked intensively on solving puzzles and searching a path to your next destinations. You'd eventually face more creatures known as "Darkners" who would either try to attack you or block your path. It seemed like no problem - Kris would stay on guard, Ralsei would pacify, while you got used to avoiding the attack as if you were dancing. The real conflict in here was Susie. She would immediately jump into fighting.

"As heroes, we have the power to make a peaceful future." - Ralsei would repeat to her. But Susie would heed no warning as she continued to swing her ax.

You continued your bizarre adventure, feeling more determined until you met the comical spade-fella: Lancer - "Well, flip by flapjack."

"Young man, watch your profanity!" - you called, really not knowing what that means in card-terms.

"E-excuse me, miss, It won't happen again- just please don't tell my dad."

"Man, the power of the Counselor sure compels you." - Susie whispered, relating to Lancer's situation.

"Um, what I meant to say was: The CLOWNS are back in town-"

"Stop... Just stop talking." - Susie walked to the front, facing Lancer, while The three of you stood your ground not knowing if you should take Lancer's childish behavior seriously. "First of all "Ho ho ho?" - like what is that?"

"It's my evil laugh... you like it?" - Lancer looked up at her, his blue tongue sticking out. Kris was now worried he would never see Lancer alive again.

"You sound like a baby Santa Claus." - The purple-monster burst into laughter, as she took threatening steps towards the blue kid. She was using her powerful and dominant figure as a weapon to mentally scare anyone in her path, showing her gleaming sharp teeth. But it wasn't your first time seeing her so - you knew her tricks.

"Now, Let's start with the part..." - She picked Lancer's smaller body "Where your face gets bit off!"

"Susie." - you called out.

"Urg!"

"What did I tell you about threatening your fellow colleagues with the same tricks?"

"No- He's not my "colleague", You can't-"

"Oooh! Ok, I get it!" - Lancer proclaimed loudly, his silly grin wider than ever "Thank you, guys!"

"Wait, What?!" - Susie was getting angrier.

"It was kind of you to teach me how to be a bad guy! And with an evil laugh at that!" - Asking Lancer to sit is like trying to tell a fire not to burn. His eyes smile was beaming, his every muscle needs to move, to dance, to jump. He chatters and observes giggles and jokes.

"Hey, I wasn't-"

"And now...!" - he hopped from Susie's robust grip, before calling more guards and darkners. "You're going to be thrashed."

The four of you stared in surprise as a crowd of several darkners were behind Lancer, who was mimicking Susie's laughter before shouting - "Merry Christmas"

Kris clapped in approval. But Ralsei, in response, was very presentiment due to the amount of enemies - "Um... guys, this isn't a warming situation to celebrate about.

You silently stared at Susie, narrowing your eyes at her. She shrugged - "What? It was an improvement for Lancer?"

*A board of Jigsawrys blocked the way.

"Alright, I'm taking the lead per usual!" - Starting the battle, you stood in front of the teens, your presence blocking any attacks "You three in the back - hang on tight!"

Kicking your leg forward with pointed toes and flexed calf muscles, your taller figure pivoted in a revolving turn with a sharper precision that before. The entirety of soul began advancing in movement with purposeful clarity and absolute control, as with each poised stride you took, you avoided more and more launching attacks.

"There's three of them attacking at once - Kris, Susie, let's try defending or convincing them" - Ralsei called out for his companions to get steady but Susie only launched her Axe

"You think acting here will help? We'll be here forever. Take that!" - A sudden violent swing was launched at one of the Jigsawrys by an ax, making them only more violent and fast.

"Kids, you're not helping." - you were thrown off your balance as a bigger amount of magical bullets came straight towards you. For a split moment, your mind was so concentrated on the attacker, that you didn't grasp the few bullets conducted at your legs. "UGH!"

You became restless; your pain seared through the rest of the group. Perhaps the Jigsawrys' puzzle pieces were blocking you, and perhaps they were injuring - but the amount of health-points that you obtain was none of your worries. What worried you were the health of the trio.

"Guys, C'mon, just a little more!" - Ralsei called, trying to fixate on his spells, which not always functioned. And after long convinces - he managed only to collect tiny amount of tension and focus. Alas, more diamond-shaped missiles came towards you, as you saw more Ruddin's joining to help the Jigsawrys guys. They were surrounding you all and throwing you off your equilibrium.

"That can't be good." - you hissed, seeing how much damage were you taking not only upon yourself but upon your team as well. Unfortunately for you - Kris, Susie, and Ralsei had less immunity to pain than you as it was noticeable that they were fatigued already.

The battle was cut short.

"Take the Grand Guardian!" - one of the Ruddin commanded loudly to his army, forcing them to march towards you.

"The who?" - you backed off, every muscle craves relaxation as blood courses miles of veins. With adrenaline running through you, you were ready to run - though You were wouldn't know where to since your brain is too fried to analyze the options within your current surroundings. Lastly, an encircling chain of bullets enveloped you, knocking you to a macrocosm of void.

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And then there was darkness. Black as night shadows on deep waters.

Within the inmost depth of the Card Castle - whispers and chattering were spreading wide. Darkners and monsters were murmuring to each other as if their talk were sinful to assert aloud. The colloquy of Lighteners was spreading far and wide as the Darkners were now worried of what might come to them.

But a certain Ruddin, a diamond-shaped Ruddin who first-hand faced the Lightner was crying the following words aloud: "I've seen them, I've seen them, My King! Warriors from the world of Lightness in their own might and luminous presence!"

He trembled like an infinitesimal leaf on the feet of the Great King of Spades, but the Ruddin continued: "But that's not the issue, your Majesty - The Grand Guardian of those young warriors, a Human! I tell you - A human! Her ability and prevalence in battle is absolute - her swift movements and steps is one of a dancer, she proclaims she never fought... but I've seen her soul! It is monstrous! It's murderous, abhorrent!

"S h e ?" - a wide, horrendous grin was spread across the cold-hearted King, as his mind ran amused.

The word spread fast. And although the rumors of the returning knight was drifting afar, the whispers even reached the deepest corners of a spacious prison. A chamber with no exit - a circus with no visitor. Now, even a certain imprisoned Jester chuckled upon the perception of the 'dancer' Lightener arriving to this world.

*It seems fun shall be starting soon.

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Watercoloring painting by - le me.

This chapter was a chaos to write.

I apologize if the story seems boring as of now - but bear with me, we have to understand why the characters are behaving the way they are. The chapters won't be a complete copy-paste of the gameplay. Also, the king is a creep.