The world was no longer the same.
The sky hung heavy with a crimson glow, like ink spilled across parchment, a constant reminder that humanity had fallen. Cities crumbled into ruins, their streets patrolled not by men, but by shadows of fanged wolves, giants, and glass-eyed princesses. They were fairy tales but not the ones humanity remembered with nostalgia. They were raw, unfiltered nightmares from The Land of Tale.
And at the heart of it all stood The Grimm Brothers.
Two men, two conquerors, two gods of stories.
Leo Grimm is the eldest, draped in a coat stitched from the pages of burned books, has hair colored like black ink and eyes like molten amber. He was calm, calculating, a tyrant cloaked in intellect.
Hans Grimm is the youngest, with hair flowing like white pearl, eyes glowing red like a blood moon and a smile that stretches far too wide. His presence reeked of malice, cruelty disguised as playfulness.
Together, they merged imagination and flesh. Together, they made mankind into livestock, feeding the fairy creatures with their dreams, their fears, their very souls.
But a rebellion is about to happen to try to prevent the tyranny of the Grimm's Brothers.
Inside a hidden underground lab, among the last flickering sparks of human resistance, two figures worked tirelessly.
Noah, a gaunt but brilliant scientist, with eyes that had not seen sleep in days, stood before a colossal machine of gears, glowing tubes, and a core humming with violent energy. At his side was Lucianne, a young woman with a sharp mind and a heart braver than most soldiers.
Lucianne's voice trembled as she stared at the machine.
"Do you really believe this will work, Noah? You're talking about tearing people from the past… pulling legends out of history's grave."
Noah adjusted his cracked spectacles and gave a tired smile.
"Humanity has no future unless we borrow the strength of our past. Caesar, Joan, Tesla, Miyamoto… their spirits burned brighter than ours ever could. If we can bring them here, perhaps humanity can stand again."
"Don't we need to try to summon someone first, before we come and face the Grimm's?" say Lucianne with a nervous and a little bit of scared can be heard in her voice.
Noah is standing in front of his greatest creation and might be the one machine that will save the whole human species and kick out the fairytales creature from earth.
"Don't worry, it will… and must work… For Humanity…"
Days later, the two stood inside the great marble palace of the Grimms. Fairy tale beasts lingered in the shadows, their twisted eyes glaring with hunger. At the throne, Leo reclined with cold detachment, while Hans leaned forward, grinning like a wolf.
Hans licked his lips.
"You dare step into our palace, little insects? Humanity already kneels. Why should we even listen to your buzzing?"
Noah did not flinch. His voice rang through the hall.
"Because I offer you a challenge."
Leo raised a brow, amused.
"A challenge?"
Lucianne stepped forward, holding her ground despite the crushing pressure of their presence.
"A tournament. Thirteen of our greatest, humanity's finest warriors, leaders, and geniuses against thirteen of your fairy tales."
Hans burst into laughter, clutching his stomach.
"HAHA! You want stories to fight skeletons of the past? Do you not see? We have already won!"
Noah smirked, the corner of his lips curling with defiance.
"Yes, you've conquered the world. Yes, you have humanity in chains. But… aren't you bored?"
That word cut the laughter short.
Leo's golden eyes glowed with a dangerous curiosity.
"…bored?"
Noah nodded.
"You hold the world in your palms, and yet what now? You drown yourself in a feast of the weak, creatures feeding on sheep. But are you truly satisfied with that? What of the thrill of fighting mankind's strongest? What of testing your fairy tale legends against the true titans of history?"
Hans sneered, but his fingers twitched. The words burrowed in.
Noah leaned closer, voice low and sharp as a blade.
"Or perhaps… the mighty Grimm Brothers are afraid?"
The throne room froze. Shadows whispered. Fairy creatures hissed.
Hans shot up, his grin wide but his voice venomous.
"YOU DARE-"
But Leo raised a hand, silencing his brother. He studied Noah with predator-like focus, then slowly, his lips curled into a thin smile.
"…Very well. Let us indulge this little game."
The decision shocked his younger brother but deep inside of him also can't deny that a blood filled battle to decide which side is better does sound thrilling to him.
"Okay puny human, I agreed with my brother to accept your little challenge."
Hans continued, but his grin returned.
"A game of blood and spectacle. We'll paint the world with the screams of your 'heroes' before devouring them whole."
Leo's voice echoed like a verdict.
"Thirteen against thirteen. First to seven decides the fate of all. Humanity versus fairy tale."
Noah exhaled, gripping Lucianne's trembling hand. His gamble had worked.
Leo ends his verdict with,
"This is where The Stories End."