Chapter Text
Thomas flicked on the light to his bedroom and was about to fall onto his bed when he saw a leather-bound book lying in the middle of it. He frowned and picked it up.
He opened to the first page and saw the words “The King and the Snake” written in flowing cursive. He sat and started to read the messy scrawled writing.
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I don't think it's safe for us anymore. I'm writing this journal in case he does something to either of us. My only hope is that, if that happens, one of us survives to bring this to Thomas.
Thomas, if you’re reading this, that means either J or I are gone and he is not. I hope I get to live long enough to see what you have become but I am sad to admit I do not believe I will. All I can ask is that you read, understand, and believe the words that I am writing and that he won't get away with this. I will start at the beginning.
~~~
It began with the five of us. Logic, Anxiety, Deceit, myself, and Morality. And you, of course. We all had a job to do and we all did our jobs well. Eventually, however, one of us began to look over us and see the imperfections we’ve always had. He noticed J’s scales and my eyes and L’s skin and V’s personality.
He forced J to cover his scales with concealer and I to wear contacts. L was to cover his skin with makeup and V was to be quieter. Eventually, these things became so natural to us that we forgot it was any other way. We forgot that L had grey skin and J had scales and V had a loud, booming laugh. It became second nature to us.
I realised soon after what he was doing. He was erasing us and moulding us into more ‘perfect’ versions of ourselves. I wanted it to stop, but knew I couldn't just confront him. I went to J instead. He told me how he hated the feel of the makeup on his scales and how he felt helpless. I knew I had to stop P but I didn't know how. Knowing I had J’s support, I began to get bolder in my approaches, even up to yelling at P.
J and I escaped to a separate part of the Mind Palace, cutting off contact with the others until the timing was right. We knew we had to save the others but we couldn't just barge in and save them. P had them brainwashed with his magic. He can control others' emotions and has learned how to use that to his advantage if he so wishes.
The only times J and I ever saw them was when you needed us. Other than that, we were over on the other side. It was a bit colder and darker over there, so we adapted. J had to layer more because he is cold-blooded, and my eyes adjusted to the dark easily.
Eventually, I got tired of seeing P try to take advantage of J, so I screamed at him. It was impulsive and unwise, but I couldn't seem to be able to stop myself. He tried to brainwash me into being calm with his magic, so I moved without thinking. I lunged forward, cutting his face, disrupting his concentration and, therefore, his magic. J and I escaped quickly back to the Dark Side, as we had affectionately dubbed our new home.
Every day, P knocked on our door and tried to manipulate us into opening it and letting him in. I knew he had ill intentions so I left it locked. We stayed in the dark, in the cold, in our home. Waiting for the right time to save the others and you from P.
-
The handwriting was different from that point on. It changed from a messy scrawl to the same elegant cursive on the first page of the journal, the pages dotted and some words smudged with watermarks, as if someone had cried on them. Thomas leaned closer to the book, reading intently.
-
They killed him. The King is dead and it's Morality’s fault. I knew he was a monster and wouldn't change.
I should back up and tell you what happened. Thomas, by the time you are reading this, you are an adult and Morality must've told you the story of King, with him as the hero and King as an unstable, abusive person. I knew this day would come and I would give you this journal. I hoped it wouldn't and King and I could be together and live. I know you won't know what he looked like or who he was, however, I believe it is in your best interest to know more about him, as he was once a large part of you all of us, in case Morality does anything to anyone else. I need you to know who we were, who we are.
Name: King
Age: 20
Trait: Creativity
Power: Creation (can summon items out of thin air)
Hair Colour: Brown with white strip framing face
Eye Colour: One eye red, one eye green
Prominent Features: Scars lining his face and arms from battles with creatures in the Dark Side
Favourite Song: Body by Mother Mother
Random Fact: Overprotective and always trying to make others laugh
Name: Janus
Age: 20
Trait: Deceit
Power: Lie detecting, forced truth
Hair Colour: Brown
Eye Colour: Right eye brown, left eye yellow
Prominent Features: Scales covering the left half of his face and along left arm and torso
Favourite Song: Monster by dodie
Random Fact: Always looking out for the wellbeing of others, very good at first aid
Name: Logan
Age: 19
Trait: Logic
Power: Analysing, memory recall
Hair Colour: Brown
Eye Colour: Left eye blue, Right eye grey with bright green pupil
Prominent Features: Grey skin
Favourite Song: His Theme by Toby Fox (music box cover)
Random Fact: Terrible with social cues
Name: Virgil
Age: 19
Trait: Anxiety
Power: Compelling voice
Hair Colour: Purple
Eye Colour: Dark purple (almost black)
Prominent Features: Dark eyeshadow under eyes
Favourite Song: Nothing Ever Changes by Nico Collins
Random Fact: Used to laugh a lot and made tons of jokes
Name: Patton
Age: 21
Trait: Morality
Power: Emotion Manipulation
Hair Colour: Dirty blond
Eye Colour: Light blue
Prominent Features: Scar on his cheek
Favourite Song:
Random Fact: Has the perfect ideal of a perfect family and will do anything to make it a reality
I was not going to add Morality to this list. However, I realised he is just as important for you to know as the rest of us. In the unlikely event that he is gone before you meet him, I want you to know who he was.
Now that you know everyone who is in this story, let's get to the actual story part. I know Morality already told you his side of the story, and I'm not telling you to ignore that. I'm just asking you to hear my side of the story and remember King's side of the story as well.
We had both gone to the Light Side to help with a problem, as we have been doing. Once we were done, however, they ambushed us. Anxiety blocked the exit so we couldn't escape and Logic put handcuffs on me so I couldn't interfere. I had to watch on in horror as they tied him up and Morality began to recite incantations. My beloved King started to glow and Morality instructed Anxiety and Logic to each grab one of King’s arms and pull. The white light grew as my love was pulled into two. Once there were two, they let go of them and the light slowly died. I barely remember what happened next, if I'm honest. I couldn't see much through the tears but I could see Logic and Anxiety uncuffing me and trying to comfort me. I could see Morality talking to one of the younger boys who used to be my King. The other had sat up and shouted that he was there as well. I saw the look Morality had given him and I knew I couldn't leave him to his brainwashing. I stood and ran towards the teenagers. I grabbed the loud one, and a half of King’s crown and ran to the Dark Side, locking the door behind me. I heard someone banging on the door but I ignored it, running further and further into the Dark Side. The boy was confused but started loudly asking me question after question. It seemed like he was asking me every question except who I was and why we were running.
I stopped running and set him down. He stumbled slightly before standing, staring at me with wide green eyes. Seeing King’s green eye in someone else was something I couldn't handle. I broke into tears again, collapsing to the ground. I held the half of the King's crown to my chest and sobbed.
The boy knelt next to me and placed a hand on my shoulder, concerned. He opened his mouth and coughed, before speaking in a raspy, rough voice. “What happened?”
I sucked in a deep breath, trying to compose myself. “You don't need to worry about it.” I wiped the last of the tears from my eyes and faced him. “I'm sure what you feel is more important and interesting. What's your name, young one?”
The boy looked down at his right hand and I noticed a black star in the middle of his palm. “I don't…I think…” He sighed and looked back at me, a wide grin on his face. “Remus! My name is Remus!”
I choked back a sob. Remus’ eyes were wild and excited, reminiscent of who he used to be.
“That's an excellent name, Remus. My name is Janus.” He grinned again and I smiled back.
From that day on, I kept him away from Morality and the others. I knew I couldn't let him kill this part of King, and he surely would. Remus was loud and explosive and expressive and purely dark in the best ways.
After that, I would still leave to the Light Side to help solve a problem. I never saw the other half of King. I assumed Morality was hiding him from me, not wanting him to hear stories about how he truly came to exist.
One day, after I had returned from helping the others with a problem you were having, I heard a gentle and somewhat timid knock on the door. I was very tempted to just continue and ignore it, but something in my gut told me to turn around. I looked through the peephole and saw Anxiety standing there fiddling with his sleeves and looking around fearfully. I quickly unlocked the door and he jumped, looking up at me.
“Are you okay? Did you need something?” I asked.
“Please.” He begged, his voice fragile and broken, as if he hadn't spoken in years. I immediately opened the door wider to let him in and he tentatively stepped through the threshold. He wrapped his arms around himself and glanced around, taking in his surroundings before staring at me. I noticed he was shivering slightly and quickly removed my cloak, moving to wrap him in it. When I first draped it on his shoulder, it fell straight through him to the floor. Both our eyes widened and he started to cry. I quickly picked it up and (successfully) wrapped him with it, before picking him up and sprinting to where Remus and I had been living. I couldn't help but be reminded of the day I first met Remus.
I burst into the living room I had fashioned out of the dark throne room. Remus bounced off the couch in surprise and ran up to us. “What's happening? Who is he? Is he dinner? I'm sure we can make what meat he has on his bones enough-”
Anxiety was shaking so hard, I thought I was going to drop him. He had started to hyperventilate with Remus’ words and was staring at him wide-eyed. “Remus! We are not going to eat him! He is our guest. No maiming, no threats, and no killing. No biting either.” I added after a moment. Anxiety’s eyes flicked back to me when I said Remus’ name, confused. Remus frowned but nodded, moving closer to Anxiety, eyes wide with curiosity.
Anxiety shrank away from him into my chest. Remus frowned. “He looks cold. And scared. Maybe he-”
“I'm going to bring him to my room!” I quickly cut him off, knowing whatever he was about to say was not going to go over well with Anxiety in his current mental state.
“Have fun, J-anus!” He called after us as I moved quickly to my room. I kicked blankets and pillows into a pile under the heat lamp King had made for me and set Anxiety on the pile. He curled up into a ball and half-burrowed into it. I sat on the floor next to the pile and waited, worried. His hand twitched towards me, as if he wanted me to hold it but changed his mind. I reached out my hand and left it hovering over his for a moment, waiting.
When he didn't notice, I asked, “Can I touch you?” He opened his eyes and saw my hand over his and nodded, closing his eyes again. I smiled softly and lowered my hand, clasping his. He shivered and stretched his neck out towards me like a cat. I smiled and set my other hand on his head, carding my fingers through his hair. A small smile appeared on his face and I smiled in return.
I sat there for hours, comforting him. Eventually, Remus opened the door and peeked his head inside. I smiled and waved him over. He tiptoed over without a sound and sat next to me. I wrapped an arm around him and he curled up into my side, closing his eyes. I grabbed a nearby blanket and pulled it over him. He shifted slightly, burrowing into my side before going still. I smiled and kissed his forehead. I looked back at Anxiety and his eyes were open, staring at me. He quickly looked away once he noticed I saw him.
“Did you want a kiss on the forehead too?” I asked. He flushed slightly, the pale pink a drastic contrast to his paper-white skin, before nodding. I leaned over and kissed his forehead. He relaxed into the pile of blankets and I smiled before closing my eyes and falling asleep.
Over the next few days, I encouraged Anxiety to speak and asked him what he thought of any certain thing. It was slow going; Morality seemed to have taught him he was better seen and not heard. As he got more comfortable speaking out, he became more and more solid. The more open and loud he got, the more relieved I was. Once I get the chance, I will have to remind Morality that he almost killed Anxiety.
Months turned into years and they were filled with laughter and healing. Anxiety opened up more to Remus over time and their relationship started to resemble that of brothers. I left the Dark Side occasionally to help solve problems you were having, but I never let Remus or Anxiety leave. Thankfully, neither wanted to, but I knew it was for their safety.
One day, Anxiety followed me to the door as I was leaving to help you. I noticed him before I opened the door. “What's going on?”
“I want to come with you.” He replied, his mouth set in a firm line. I started shaking my head and he quickly continued. “Thomas needs me and I know about Morality now. He can't hurt me anymore. Besides, you'll be there to make sure I'm safe.” I thought for a moment. “I miss Logic.” He finally added. I sighed and opened the door. He stood there for a moment before I smiled at him.
“Coming?”
His face lit up and he scrambled out the door. I followed him and locked the door behind me. We walked to the common room and Anxiety hesitated at the door. I rested a hand on his shoulder. “You can go back if you want.” He shook his head and straightened his posture, giving me a semi-confident smile. I chuckled and opened the door, Anxiety following closely behind.
Morality’s expression soured immediately after seeing me but lit up with a fake smile when he noticed Anxiety behind me.
I noticed a man who looked almost identical to Remus standing with perfect posture, speaking politely to Logic behind Morality. ‘That must be the other twin.’
They both turned when we entered and Logic’s eyes widened when he saw Anxiety. He jolted forward slightly, as if he wanted to run to him but stopped himself. Anxiety waved to him and Morality followed his gaze to catch Logic waving back. Once Logic saw Morality’s eyes on him, he dropped his hand immediately and stared at the floor. I spoke up to distract Morality from him.
“What's the problem we’re having?” I asked. Morality looked back at me and his smile widened almost painfully.
As we conversed on the issue at hand, I noticed Morality’s eyes on Anxiety and Anxiety shrinking into himself, getting quieter and quieter the longer we were there. I frowned and shifted slightly over time to stand in between them, blocking Morality’s vision of him.
“What's your name?” The red one spoke up suddenly. Everyone turned to him, surprised.
“You can call me Deceit. Or Dee works, if you would like. And what can I call you?”
He bowed dramatically. “I am Prince Roman. Pleasant to meet you, Dee.”
I smiled. “Likewise.”
Morality coughed and directed the attention to himself again. “I do believe this problem is solved.” He glared pointedly at me. I made a slight bow and Anxiety waved at Logic again, less enthusiastic than before. He quickly dashed out the door and I followed close behind him. I unlocked the door to the Dark Side and Remus leapt out, tackling Anxiety the second the door opened. Anxiety chuckled and I smiled at the sound, glad being in Morality’s presence had not completely reverted him to where he was a few years ago.
I heard a noise behind me and turned quickly to see the red twin, Roman, staring at Remus. I scanned our surroundings and, after confirming there was no one else around, moved towards him. I bowed slightly and spoke. “Greetings, Your Highness.” He startled and whipped around to see me. Anxiety and Remus looked up to see Roman. Now Remus was the one staring at Roman.
“I apologise for invading your privacy, however, I wanted to know more about you.” He looked back at Remus and their eyes widened. I sighed.
“Would you like to come in?” All of their eyes fell on me again. “You would be able to leave the second you wish. My only stipulations are Morality is forbidden from joining us or knowing how we do things. You are more than welcome to tell him what I tell you. However, I would not, as what I have to say isn't his favourite story.”
He nodded and I smiled and unlocked the door, which had closed and locked as we were talking, as it was created to do.
We led him to the living room and he shivered. I had Anxiety fetch him a jacket and he thanked him graciously. “What do you want to know?” I asked once we were all settled.
Roman’s eyes drifted back to Remus. “Who are you?”
“Why do you look like me?” The twins asked in unison.
I sighed and leaned forward, reaching for Roman's right hand. “May I?” He pulled off his glove and held out his hand and I opened it, only to see a blank palm. I frowned in confusion and he smiled, realising what I wanted.
“Oh!” He pulled back his hand and replaced it with his left after removing that glove as well, stretching open his palm, displaying a black star in the middle. Remus’ eyes widened and he reached out with his right hand, showing off his star. They reached out and clasped their hands together, pressing the stars together. At the contact, their hands glowed brown, glowing brighter and brighter until the light was white and so bright, we had to cover our eyes. Roman pulled his hand back, shaking it and hissing in pain. I pulled his hand into mine and examined it. It was red and slightly shiny.
“Shit.” I pulled a first aid kit from under the couch and pulled out some bandages, instant ice packs, and petroleum jelly.
“Why…?” Roman trailed off.
“One of us tends to get injured quite easily. We have these all over.” Anxiety answered, gesturing at Remus and rolling his eyes.
I turned to Remus. “Bottle of water? Clean water.” Remus sighed dramatically, created a bottle of clear water, and handed it to me. I thanked him and doused a pair of bandages in it, wringing them out slightly. I moved one of the wet bandages to Roman's hand and looked up at him. “This might sting a bit.” I wrapped the bandage around his hand and he hissed in pain again. I pressed the ice pack to the bandage over the wound and wrapped more bandages around it. “Hold that there for a minute. Your turn.” I turned to Remus and he scowled.
“It doesn't even hurt!”
“Your pain tolerance is infinite. You're still injured.” He huffed and let me give him the same treatment as Roman.
“While we wait for that for a moment, why don't I tell you why you have those stars?” They nodded and Anxiety looked away. I nudged him with my foot and smiled reassuringly at him when he looked up. He leaned into my leg and rested his head on my knee.
“You two are twins.” They glanced at each other and back at me. “This is Remus the Duke,” I pointed at the man biting at the loose end of his bandage. “And this is Prince Roman.” I pointed to the man staring at the bandages where the star was. “You two were…” I trailed off. I couldn't tell them they used to be the love of my life. I couldn't tell them they used to be King, until Morality, someone Roman trusts, changed that. “You came to us in a flash of bright light. Roman, you were the first to speak. Polite from the beginning, you said hello before asking anyone anything. Remus, ever enthusiastic, you wanted to make sure you were noticed as well. I brought Remus here to the Dark Side and Roman stayed with the others.”
I noticed Anxiety looking at me funny but I ignored it. I checked the clock on the wall, frowned, and stood abruptly. “I do believe it is time for you to get back to the Light Side. Make sure you change the bandages before you fall asleep and put petroleum jelly on the burn when you change them. The ice pack is disposable, so you can throw it away once it melts.” I noticed a small light flash on the wall by the clock, indicating someone was approaching. “Unfortunately, I don't believe you will be able to return, so I suggest you make what could be goodbye for a while.”
The twins leapt to their feet and embraced each other tightly. “Goodbye, Remus. I will never forget you.”
“You couldn’t get rid of me if you tried. Ask these two. We'll see each other again.”
I escorted Roman to the door and Remus called after Roman as he left. “Goodbye, Prince Roman!”
Roman grinned back at him before turning and walking to the Light Side and I locked the door behind him, barely seeing Morality run up to him and pull him into an embrace.
From that point on, the three of us lived together, myself leaving occasionally to help the others with a problem. I never saw Roman after that. Morality must've hidden him away every time I arrived.
Name: Remus
Age: 18
Trait: Creativity
Power: Creation
Hair Colour: Brown with a grey streak
Eye Colour: Green
Prominent Features: Moustache, black star on right palm
Favourite Song: Joker by Rory Webley
Random Fact: Extremely high pain tolerance
Name: Roman
Age: 18
Trait: Creativity
Power: Creation
Hair Colour: Red-brown
Eye Colour: Red
Prominent Features: Black star on left palm
Favourite Song: Drama Club by Melanie Martinez
Random Fact: Extremely formal upon first interaction
The next time I saw Roman was when I introduced myself to you. However, despite that, I have no doubt he and Remus had seen each other many, many times. I had only met Roman for that short time and already I knew he had the same stubbornness his brother did when he wanted something. They wouldn't be kept away from each other once they knew about each other.
I know I don't have any proof other than my word and potentially the words of the others. But yes, I am telling you that Morality lied to you, and yes, that might be hard to understand and believe, especially coming from Deceit, but you have to remember. Whoever lives to tell the tale, lives to make themselves the hero.