Shadow Slave/// Oldest Dream

Wake of Ruins studied the young man before him, frowning. If Klaus's report was accurate, then the state of the world was far worse than anticipated.

North America. A wasteland. A Category Five Gate had opened there, swallowing an entire continent in its wake. The land was uninhabitable, forever lost.

South America. Barely clinging on. Mostly abandoned due to its proximity to the gate, with only a handful of settlements in the far south, desperately holding on. The world's food supply depended on them now.

Europe. A graveyard. It had been inhospitable long before the Spell reshaped the world, but now? Tens of Category Four Gates. No Category Five, true, but was that really any better? It was no longer a place where humans belonged.

Only Asia, Australia, Africa, and Antarctica remained—the last strongholds of civilization, forming the four remaining quadrants of the world.

Wake of Ruins exhaled, placing the report down. He turned his gaze to Klaus. "You have my gratitude, Smiling Man. Your mission is successfully completed… But tell me, why do you want information on this man?"

Klaus, seated across from him, chuckled lightly, exhaling a curl of smoke. "Personal business," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "Very personal."

Wake of Ruins studied him for a moment. Someone's going to die.

Klaus wasn't known for restraint or mercy. His reputation spoke for itself. His title is whispered with both fear and disgust. Wherever he went, chaos followed.

"Don't make too much of a mess," Wake of Ruins warned, voice calm but firm. "The government considers your skills useful, but there is a line. Don't cross it." He leaned back, shifting the conversation. "Your contribution points will be transferred. You can convert them into credits or—"

Klaus waved a hand dismissively. "Send twenty percent to my account. The rest—donate it to orphanages and hospitals."

Wake of Ruins stilled. He regarded Klaus carefully.

Of all the things the Smiling Man was known for—his brutality, his unsettling humor, his unnerving enjoyment of violence—his financial habits were the strangest. Most of his wealth didn't go to himself. It went to hospitals. Orphanages. The outskirts.

For a man infamous for butchering and mutilating his enemies, it didn't make sense.

"And why?" Wake of Ruins asked, voice measured. "I've always been curious. Why give it to strangers?"

Klaus's expression shifted—just slightly. He leaned back, the cigarette burning low between his fingers, and for the first time in the conversation, his voice was quiet.

"I didn't exactly have a childhood," he murmured and sighed, rubbing his forehead before forcing a grin, though this one lacked its usual sharpness. "Children are supposed to smile and enjoy life, Saint Cor. Do you think so low of me? That I'm incapable of kindness?"

Wake of Ruins studied him.

Beneath the mocking, the cruelty, the laughter that never quite seemed sane… it was Klaus who was taking most dangerous of missions, most of the time.

"I do not," he said finally.

Klaus grinned, the sharpness returning, and in the next blink, he was gone.

Wake of Ruins exhaled, glancing at the lingering trail of smoke.

____

Klaus appeared in the garden, inhaling the crisp, fragrant air. The place was like a bewitching little forest, a patch of paradise hidden away from the horrors of the outside world. Exotic plants sprawled in every direction, their vibrant colors illuminated by the soft golden glow of lanterns hanging from twisted branches. The scent of night-blooming flowers lingered in the air, mingling with the distant sound of music drifting from the mansion.

It felt... peaceful.

He walked up the stone path, stepping onto the porch of the grand estate. With a casual push, he opened the door and stepped inside.

The living room was alive with its usual chaotic harmony.

At the bar, a heavily tattooed man leaned against the counter, sipping lazily from a glass of dark liquor. Diego—his tattoos told a lifetime of stories, each marking a moment of blood, survival, and loyalty. His shaved head and sharp blue eyes gave him an intimidating presence, the kind of man who looked more at home in a criminal syndicate than in a mansion like this. But Klaus knew better. Beneath the rough exterior, Diego was family.

He was talking to a woman Klaus didn't recognize, his deep voice carrying a casual charm.

Across the room, curled up on the couch, was Tatiana.

She was... mesmerizing.

Golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, her deep green eyes locked onto the pages of a book as she absentmindedly listened to music. She wore a sleek black gown, the fabric hugging her hourglass figure in a way that made her seem more otherworldly than human—like some ancient, seductive goddess lingering in the mortal world.

She didn't look up when Klaus entered. She didn't need to.

Near the center of the room, a card game was in progress.

Noah sat cross-legged on the carpet, his dark skin glistening slightly under the light. His upper body was bare, his short black hair tousled from the hours spent lounging around. He absentmindedly flipped a card between his fingers, his dark eyes scanning the game with practiced ease. Across from him was Isaac, slender and deceptively innocent-looking, his brown hair slightly messy, green eyes filled with mischief as he carefully stacked his hand.

Klaus smirked.

Isaac was cheating. Of course, he was.

"You might as well hand over the cards, Isaac," Klaus drawled, closing the door behind him. "I can smell the dishonesty from the entrance."

Isaac's lips curled into a playful grin, twirling a card between his fingers. "Accusations, accusations," he mused. "No proof, no crime."

Diego snorted. "He's been stacking the deck since round one."

Noah sighed dramatically. "You let him do it?"

Diego shrugged, swirling the liquor in his glass. "Entertainment value."

Klaus chuckled, shaking his head.

Tatiana finally turned a page, speaking without looking up. "Welcome home, Klaus."

The words were simple, but there was warmth in them.

Klaus exhaled, rolling his shoulders.

"Yeah," he murmured and glanced at the woman sitting with Diego, with irritated look as he removed his coat.

"And who's this?"

The woman flashed him a smile, attempting to appear charming and polite.

"I'm Penelope, pleasure meeting you, Mr. Klaus. I live here."

Klaus didn't even spare her a glance, his face twisting into an expression of annoyance as he muttered under his breath.

"Of course, you do…" he murmured. "And before you go tattooing her name all over your body, Diego, think, my friend, think… Anyway, pleasure's mine, love."

Penelope's smile faltered, her eyes flickering in confusion before they widened in realization.

"You said they were your sister's names! I'm leaving."

Diego, looking utterly flabbergasted, jumped to his feet and chased after her.

"Wait, Penelope! I can explain!"

Klaus rolled his eyes, settling into a chair beside Tatiana with a wicked grin on his face.

"Of course, you will."

Tatiana couldn't suppress a chuckle as she shook her head in amusement.

"How's Europe?"

Klaus let out a long, dramatic sigh, looking up at her.

"Not welcoming enough."

Tatiana raised an eyebrow. "Really? Klaus, all of us are masters. Why aren't you challenging the second nightmare?"

Isaac, with a playful grin, chimed in, leaning back in his chair.

"Yeah, never thought I'd see the day when you'd be the weaker one. I mean, you found the nightmare seed. Why not challenge it? You could have joined us."

Klaus took a slow sip of bourbon, his gaze lingering on Tatiana with mock concern.

"I'm waiting for the right time… and the right seed... Not to mention, i was laying foundation for my ascension." He waved a hand dismissively, clearly uninterested in their endless talk of nightmare seeds. "Forget that. How's your boy, love?"

Tatiana narrowed her eyes suspiciously before tossing her book at him. It stopped mid-air, hovering just inches from his face.

"You know I can beat you now, right?"

Klaus chuckled darkly, raising both hands in surrender.

"Oh, of course… Apologies, dear. But you do realize you'll never catch me, right? Anyway, if you're really itching to torture that bastard, you can always ask for big brother's help. I've got some special expertise in that area."

Tatiana groaned, then reached out and snatched the book back from the air, continuing to read with a scowl on her face.

Diego stormed back into the room, his voice rising in exasperation.

"Klaus! You narcissistic, obnoxious bastard! Why'd you do that?"

Klaus leaned back in his chair, an overly exaggerated look of innocence on his face.

"I'm just saving your body from another name that'll end up as a one-night stand. Like, it's pathetic… hehehe," Klaus snickered, his grin widening at Diego's fuming expression. "And, by the way, this is also my house, little brother."

Diego stared at him in disbelief, his jaw twitching as he tried to think of a comeback. Meanwhile, Klaus raised his glass, savoring the moment.

"You know," Klaus continued with a wicked smirk, "you should really start picking women with less… commitment issues."

Tatiana couldn't help but snort at that, even though she was trying to stay focused on her book.

"Honestly, Diego," Klaus said with mock seriousness, "You've got to stop acting like your love life's a soap opera. We're all just trying to get by here."

Tatiana shook her head, lips curling into a smile despite herself.

"Yeah, but leave the drama to the professionals," Isaac added, winking at Klaus.

Klaus raised his glass again in mock toast. "Exactly. After all, someone's got to keep the family entertained."

Diego's frustrated groan echoed in the room, but Klaus didn't mind.

Noah threw his cards at Isaac's face in pure disbelief and frustration.

"Fuck this shit!"

Isaac burst into laughter, dodging the flying cards with ease. Klaus, watching the chaos unfold, smirked as his mouth curled into that ever-familiar amused grin.

Noah, still fuming, grabbed the nearest bottle of whiskey and took a long gulp. "Anyway, what do we do about the traitors? We showed them goodwill, and they still stabbed us in the back. Something needs to be done, Klaus."

Klaus leaned back, a wicked smile tugging at his lips as he tilted his head slightly. "Well... They can always beg for forgiveness, return everything they stole—which just so happens to be a ridiculous amount of credits—" He paused for dramatic effect. "Or... there's also Plan B."

Tatiana glanced up from her book, frowning. "And what's that?"

Klaus's grin widened as he stretched out lazily. Then, with deliberate slowness, he dramatically declared, "A war."

That got Diego's attention. He set his glass down with a grin. "Now that's something I'll definitely enjoy."

The room suddenly fell quiet as they all turned to Tatiana, their gazes expectant. She looked around in confusion before realization dawned on her.

Her eyes widened. "No way! I'm not seducing Jason! There's no fucking way I'm getting anywhere near that disgusting rat!"

Isaac, ever the little shit, smirked playfully and added in mock concern, "But that's where your expertise lies, sister dearest. You could just—let's say—have the easiest time in killing him."

Klaus, who had casually picked up a book, was already smiling in quiet amusement. Tatiana shot him a sharp glance. He merely raised an innocent eyebrow.

"I didn't say anything," he said smoothly.

She groaned and kicked the table in frustration. "You don't need to! And why are you taking his side!?"

Klaus took a sip of his drink, rolling his eyes. "Because I feel deep, deep pity for any man who doesn't give you what you want, sister dearest."

Tatiana let out a frustrated shout. "When will you stop treating me like a brat?! I'm not a brat!"

Klaus tilted his head, his grin widening. "Years of life experience tell me otherwise."

Isaac chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh? And you're a walk in the park?"

Noah leaned against the bar, exhaling sharply. "Anyway, we're going with the plan. But—" He paused, looking at Tatiana, "—you don't need to go after Jason. He already has someone he likes. I've looked into it."

Tatiana raised an eyebrow. "And?"

Noah grinned. "That means you only have to remove his right-hand man. As for Jason himself..." He turned toward Klaus. "Want to hear the part that will really please you?"

Klaus's smirk turned devious as he leaned forward. "Oh, I'm listening."

Noah's grin widened. "He's in love with that someone... Not just lust... But also love."

For a second, the room was silent. Then Klaus let out a delighted chuckle and stood up, clapping his hands together with a bright, almost too pleasant smile.

"Oh... To be young and in love... at the time of war..." He sighed dramatically. "How very tragic."