Amidst Time and Scorching Fire (Tedros x Fem!Reader) - Chapter 1
Chapter 1 - Loathing
Summary - Stranded in the unpredictable strands of time, you, a member of the time travelling counsel in your planet, Jelaria, found yourself faced with the beguiling temptress of a mystical land of adventures and princes from an era long bygone at the School for Good and Evil. The problem? Your powers are slowly fading away, along with your chances of returning home. A particular cocky prince certainly did not help your dilemma.
a/n: Warning, English is not my first language so apologies if there are any mistakes
The ballroom reeked of gunpowder and burnt satin. You smirked and waved your hand around to dispel the smoke clouding your vision. "Oh fair lady! Where have you run off to in the smoke now?" You called out mockingly, prowling around the area as your shoes clacked against the marble floors. "Come on, I did not disrupt a royal ballroom to not catch a pesky bugger like you. You've got the entire Counsel of Timekeepers on the hunt for you."
The faint warmth of a hand ghosted past your back and you swiveled around, coming face to face with the primary public enemy of Jelaria: the leader of the anti regime Black Rose, Maulina De Clare. Her red hair, ablaze like a thousand suns, glimmered beneath the light of the chandeliers as she rose her arms. "And yet I evade you each and every time, little mouse. So either I am a truly fortunate sorceress or..." Maulina grinned as thousands of venomous spikes materialized in the air which she sent hurtling towards you. "Or you are an atrocious timekeeper indeed."
You tossed your rifle into the air and yelled "Telerius Incanto!" The air around you swirled as the haphazard cogs of the rifle spun frantically and transformed into a sword. Your pocket watch ticked and with a flick of your finger, the spikes slowed to a halt. You leapt, catching the sword into your hands and sliced through the air. The spikes clattered against the ground, one of them finding it's mark in a pot of lilies. The lilies wilted and slumped to the ground, as black as the husk of a corpse.
Maulina laughed, throwing her head back. "Good reflexes, Hound of Jelaria."
You shrugged, running straight towards the emerald-eyed sorceress. "Eh, I prefer my soon to be title of Sorceress Slayer."
The ballroom grew warmer and a bolt of lighting burst through the roof, searing the roof right off the palace. The marble clattered to the ground while the spot where you had been moments ago was left a charred crater.
You cocked your head to the side, tipping your feathered top hat. "Too slow. Really, you ought to be faster. I was about to snooze from your paltry weather shams."
Maulina snarled and charged at you, a hand that crackled with the arcane outstretched to your face. You whizzed around her, a blur of flesh and clothes, and dodged. "Try again!" You drawled in a sing-song voice. "Time is my domain after all, so I have a ton to spare."
The sorceress cackled. "Foolish girl. You should learn to look around yourself more."
"What-" You glanced up and down, finally noticing the faint rune markings that littered the vast columns. Your eyes narrowed at the familiar lines scrawled in a gossamer-esque manner. Curse runes shimmered around you and you were right in the middle of their circle. Shit-
Using your surprise to her advantage, Maulina pounced upon you. She engulfed your hand with hers and brought her face close to yours. Her breath ghosted over your face as she whispered gleefully. "Try reversing time now."
You scoffed and kicked her stomach, hoping to loosen her grip but Maulina remained as formidable as ever. You gritted your teeth and summoned your powers. Just a fraction of a second and you'd send this cocky insubordinate flying....
The familiar pang of electricity in your hands, the pure unbridled rush of adrenaline and the sensation of your soul floating out its constraint of flesh that that had become second nature to you over all your years as a timekeeper were gone.
"....what did you do?" A shiver ran down your spine. Your power was no where to be found.
Maulina dug her nails into your palm and you hissed, throwing your head back against the floor. Loud ringing rang in your head when you saw sun-gold tendrils of magic sprout between the entwined hands of you and your enemy. "You will be a lone wanderer, never at home, neither lost nor found, neither a victor nor the defeated. You will wander amidst the web of time, another creature swallowed by the mysterious workings of the universe." The witch hissed in your ear.
"Let go of me you bitch!" You tilted your head and bit at her arm. "You do not get to curse me-"
She remained unfazed. "Too late."
The marble beneath you gave way to a swirling portal as you thrashed. "H-how did you do that!? Only timekeepers can open portals-"
"Suppose you'll have all the time in the world to figure that out. If you ever manage to make it back, give the counsel my regards. The Black Rose shall reign again." Were the last words you heard before the portal swallowed you whole. Eras whizzed past you in a blur of colors induced by Maulina's magic. The jolly music of the 1970s, the roars of medieval knights spurred on by thoughts of valor, the ships of vikings clamoring against vicious storms: all sights you had borne witness to. You spluttered and clawed at your throat, desperate to get the air leaving your lungs back inside. "Help p-please-" You choked out before the darkness enveloped you in its harsh grip of an embrace.
--
Tedros hummed jovially, walking along the moss-lined grounds of the School for Good. He watched as countless Ever girls, princesses with hair spun like the finest of silk and faces sculpted with the precise chisel of an artist, sprouted from the ground. They took in deep breaths and twirled their arms around as the scent of the vast field of blossoms wafted around them, filling the air with its soothing caresses.
Chadwick elbowed Tedros' side, wiggling his brows. "Any of them manage to catch your eye?"
The prince of Camelot chuckled. "We'll see at the ceremony, Chadwick." Tedros ruffled his golden hair, immensely aware of the perpetual stares and swoons from the girls gathered at the garden. He preened and flexed his arms as his shirt rippled with his muscles.
"Careful or they might start throwing themselves upon you at any second now." An Ever prince added. "Leave some for us!"
Tedros snickered and walked ahead, holding his head high. "I'll try. Afterall, not just any princess shall be enough for me. She'll have to be the fairest of them all-"
An ear piercing shriek cut through the air, a sound so horrid that even birds erupted from their nests. Some of the girls tittered and swiveled their heads around, features twisting in astonishment. Tedros winced and rubbed the back of his neck. "Was that a stymph? Who let out those things?"
Thump.
An undistinguishable mess of skirts, cogs, scabbards and belts tumbled from the sky before landing haphazardly in the twisted and gnarly branches of the willow tree.
Tedros gawked, rubbing his eyes. Instinctively, his hand found the hilt of his sword: Excalibur which glimmered triumphantly in the morning rays, forged diligently by the Lady of The Lake herself.
"Oh my prince, what is that??" Beatrice, one of the princesses, hurried over to Tedros with the rustle of her skirts accompanying her. Her elegant blonde ringlets fell down to her chest, framing her face and plump lips.
"Do not fret, I shall be able to vanquish any beast from any nook of The Endless Woods." He proclaimed valiantly and brandished his sword. "Show yourself, foul creature!"
You groaned and rubbed your eyes groggily. "...what?" You blinked, the sunlight filtering through the canopy of the leaves stinging your consciousness. "Who in the blasted realms are you?"
You attempted to sit up and ignored the throbbing in your head. Where were you? One minute you were fighting The Black Rose and now....some pretty boy was brandishing his weapon at you?
Snap!
The branch beneath your hips gave way with a sickening twist. Splinters rose into the air, drawing blood from the plush flesh of your thighs. You landed on your butt which sent your daggers and dignity flying out of your grasp and raised your hand, swatting at the leaves tangled in your locks of hair. Your feathered hat fell over your face, obscuring your view. "Ugh....answer my question."
Tedros's jaw went slack for an instant. In front him, there sat a slouched girl dressed in the most ludicrous clothes he had ever had the misfortune to witness. Mechanical parts spun in her hat, filling the air with their unseemly clatter and peacock feathers sprouted from the rim. Her skirt was a collection of haphazardly stitched together rags and an ivory blouse clung to her frame, white frills running down her chest. The prince flushed and felt heat rise to his ears and neck at the sight of a dagger-filled garter belt peeking from beneath her skirts. The black leather and straps swaddled her thigh, the metal of the daggers precariously close to her skin. To top it all of, owlish glasses made from spare bronze gears and bolts sat not even upon her head, but her hat. The princes behind Tedros stepped forward, all summoning their swords and shields. Tedros raised his head, signaling them to halt.
"I'm Prince Tedros, heir to Camelot, son of the great king Arthur. Who are you to dare to trespass onto the grounds??"
Beatrice shuddered and forced a smile. "You. Are you sure you're in the right school? I'm sure you lost your way. Do you have your Flowerground ticket?"
You blinked. Lost was the understatement of the millennia. Which time period had you even wound up in? Was this even your planet, Jelaria?
"No....I'm sure I'm in the right place..." You drawled and stood up, dusting off your clothes. No point in telling civilians about your crisis, especially if they were not citizens of Jelaria.
"Are you sure? Nevers are meant to go there." Beatrice clasped her hands to her chest and pointed a dainty finger to the looming structure. Stormy clouds swirled around the dilapidated obsidian castle, crackles of thunder accompanying the swirling acrid water of the moat. A rusted gate spelled the words 'School for Evil', portraying grotesque depictions of brutes and fair maidens being eaten alive.
You turned around and took in the sights of where you stood. Blades of grass rippled beneath your feet and rainbows sprawled across the skies. Whirling around, you were met with the statues of kings, knights and queens with the words 'The School for Good' in dazzling marble and gold. The polished, sleek white castle stood tall and proud with puke-inducing statues of love littered everywhere your eyes could reach.
School for Good? Nevers? School for Evil? What...?
Oh no.
Of course. You'd just had to wind up in Planet-67AB, as labelled by the Counsel of Timekeepers. Or, as you liked to call it, the planet of fairytale knuckleheads. When was the last time any respectable Timekeeper had even found themselves stranded in this place? Never, what a joke!
You sighed, rubbing your temples. During an ordinary day, a mere swish of your hands would be enough to vanquish yourself away into a portal and wipe out the memories of all these pests. Out of a pathetic desperation, you repeated the motion again. Swish and flick, just like the academy taught. Alas, it was to no avail, the cunning Maulina had somehow managed to seal your powers. "Quite sure." You said curtly.
Tedros' gaze snapped to the blood dripping off the folds of you skirt and the crevices of your shoes. It wasn't your blood.
"You witch!" Tedros growled and swung Excalibur. "How dare you attempt to pull your folly with us Evers? Go back to your school or whence you came!"
The resounding clang of steel against steel echoed through the years of the gathering students and the professors who hurried ahead to break up the fight. In a moment of reflex, you'd pulled out your own sword, slamming it against his weapon. "How dare you." You shot a smoldering glare at Tedros, stepping forward. "What sort of prince are you, raising your hand against a maiden?"
Hushed whispers broke out amidst the clamoring crowd. Had a girl just managed to parry against the Tedros?
The future king of Camelot lunged forward, missing her torso by a hairbreadth. "Oh but you are no maiden, witch. I know a princess when I see one."
You matched his pace, meeting his blade with your own. It was a whirlwind, a dance of the fervent clangor of battle that only two individuals who knew their swords like the back of their hands could recognize as you shoved him back and raised your arms to block his shield from connecting with your head.
You ducked down and aimed a kick at his shins. He rumpled to his ground, a flash of silver dashing past his eyes. A sharp sting burst across his cheek as a thin rivulet of blood ran down his face. He looked up at you, on his knees, red-hot rage brewing in the depths of his cerulean eyes. "Why you conniving, scheming-"
An airy, delict voice cut through the tense atmosphere like knife. "What on earth is happening here??" Professor Dovey, the dean of the School for Good gasped and hurried between you both.
Tedros exhaled a sharp breath, wiping the blood on the sleeve of his tunic. He pointed the hilt of his sword towards you. "We have a Never amidst us, professor!"
You straightened up, dusting off the leaves on your clothes. Your heart pounded, your brows furrowing as you met her gaze. "I...I'm not a Never." You scrutinized Professor Dovey, taking in the curls of silvery hair that were tied up into a meticulous bun and the wand clutched firmly in her hand. A woman of magic, huh? Maybe she would understand your predicament. If this was a school meant for the good, they had to help.
You opened your mouth, armed with the words ready to spill your crisis. A gargled choke escaped your lips, all your sentences stuck in your throat. What?
"No, sorry, what I meant is-" You tried again and hissed as rashes broke out on your hand, pus dripping onto the floor. You quickly tugged your hand back but before you can the words your soul craves to say, a strange sensation washes over you.
Your lips move on their own, your own voice uttering remorsefully even as your mind howled in disarray. "I'm from Gavaldon, I...what's this place?"
No, no, no. I'm from Jelaria, I'm a timekeeper, what even is Gavaldon???? The hell am I even saying!? No, I'm not from here!
Panic bubbled in the cauldron of your chest, overwhelming your senses. Maulina had bewitched your tongue too, twirled your identity into whatever misshapen shape she pleased. No matter how you twisted your neck or strained your throat, your mouth remained firmly sealed from telling the truth.
Professor Dovey smiled knowingly. "Ah, we have a reader in our midst."
A reader? Do people here not read?
You bit back the urge to gape. But if somehow the words forced from your unwilling self could aid you with blending in, it couldn't hurt to go along with it right?
Sensing the tides slowly turning your favor, you sniffled, forcing tears to well up along your lashes. "I..I got attacked by some beast, I didn't mean to frighten anyone, I'm so sorry Professor-" You blubbered, your bottom lip trembling.
Tedros balked, quirking a brow. He didn't care what you said, no reader looked like she'd been traversing through adventures with a sword in hand. But he bit his tongue.
"Oh no dearie, it's okay!" Professor Dovey shook her head vehemently and cupped your cheeks, wiping your tears. "Why don't you head inside the castle? We have begun distributing uniforms and books. You'll understand everything after the assembly."
You hurried away, clenching your fists and deftly hid your sword away. You needed a way to contact your superiors at Jelaria. And fast. Before any of these twats figured out. Tedros squinted, he could have sworn your tears had suddenly gone dry....
"As for you, Tedros," Professor Dovey turned to face him. "It would serve you well to remind yourself of the princely etiquette of chivalry before jumping to conclusions, child." She chided in a motherly tone before walking to the splendorous archway of the ivory castle, summoning the rest of the staff behind her with a gentle flick of her hand to help with distributing materials among the students.
Tedros got off the grass, his hair and ego ruffled in equal measure. "Tedros!" Beatrix cooed and clung to his arm like a leech. "How could she do that to you?? You were just trying to keep us all safe, she was the one who attacked like a wounded animal! And did you see that hideous rash breakout on her hand? She doesn't even seem like a princess!"
He nodded along to her words stiffly, the gears in his head turning a mile each second. His father's words echoed in his head. Be careful of the women who disguise themselves as good or they shall ensnare you in their claws. Pick a woman who is truly good, boy. "Yeah, yeah..."
Chadwick howled in laughter, slinging an arm around Tedros' shoulder. "How did you let a girl send you tripping?"
Tedros scoffed defensively as he carefully extracted himself from Beatrix's surprisingly strong grip, shaking his head. "I just went easy on her, there's no valor in winning against a girl. Besides, let's see who bests all of you in swordplay next, hm?"
Tedros stared ahead, noticing your glaringly obvious form desecrating his view of the grounds. Feeling a pair of eyes glaring daggers into the back of your head, you cast a wary glance behind.
Tedros' jaw clenched when he spotted your face. While he was stuck with crusted blood on his face and mud staining his knees, there you stood with a resolute tilt of your cheek. Gone were your crocodile tears, instead replaced with a pensive glint that foretold a scheming mind.
He dug his nails into his palm. Something was wrong about you. He was sure of it now. There had been a grave mistake, you weren't supposed to be in this school, you had to be a Never. It was as clear as the stars that illuminated the skies each night.
On the other hand, you fumed and nearly considered banging your head against the wall. Where had everything gone wrong? For god's sake, you were an esteemed member of a government for crying out loud! How the hell had you let a witch triumph over you like this? At this rate, you'd be the laughing stock of Jelaria. Along with that, this phoney loverboy just had to try to stir the pot of your misery.
For a split second, your eyes met. A pang of the same emotion rose in both of your hearts, as strong as the strings of the curse that now left your hands bound behind your back, powerless as a stray kitten.
It was loathing.
Pure, unadulterated loathing.
As undeterred as a flame.
--
Amidst the swirling clouds and blinding fog, with a lone tower, a gold pen floated above a stone table. An empty book floated atop the surface and landed down with a resounding smack, kicking up clouds of dust. The pages fluttered open seemingly moved by the invisible hand of the gods themselves. The pen, as sharp as the tip as a dagger, stabbed into the page bleeding ink resembling crimson blood onto the paper.
Once upon a time, an intruder snuck into the School for Good, her heart fluttering like a hummingbird within her. She gathered her skirts and scurried into the sprawling hallways that sent her nerves into a fit.
Y/N wanted to return home and burrow herself back into the warmth of the life she knew. Foolish girl, no one could leave once these esteemed halls welcomed them!
A man emerged from the shadows, his intricate mask only revealing a shred of his hauntingly ice-blue eyes, bellying the glaciers upon mountains themselves.
He watched over the words elegantly being scripted, his mouth curling upwards slightly.
The Storian writing the tale of an outsider the instant she barged in? Curious indeed.