Blade of Wonder

	Voices sang in a paradox chorus in a sea of molten black. Petals of colour streamed round and round, dancing to the verses that reverberated in this space. It was lonesome yet crowded, the feeling of oneself in a crowd of strangers. Relaxation fell with the sense of unease melting away from a heart of conflict. From the forefront of the infinite choir, a woman’s voice silky and familiar bleed through the echoes. Her message a simple command, neither forceful or demanding.

	“Join us in soothing melody. Let me take away your agony. Let me chase away your harm.”

	Once the request was made, something tried to obey. A new voice tried to break through the countless others to join in the singing. Its will pushed and stressed to become one with the chorus, wanting nothing more but to be part of it. But as the voice managed to strain a syllable, lyrics did not manifest. The grating screech of metal upon metal drove a knife between the harmony of the voices. The black rainbow speckled cracked and caved away to a canvas of binding blankness. The burning white ripped away at the sea as the metallic scream continued without pause until all faded away to nothing. As the noise of metal subsided as the sole voice realised its mistake, the woman spoke once again, just as softly as before.

	“Don’t worry. I’ll still help you. Sit back and let me come for you.”

	The bright light faded away to lush green dotted with warming sun rays. From an enigmatic dream, a woman in red awoke in a bed of blue pansies. Her platinum hair splayed out across the green beneath like the roots of a tree. Her pale diamond eyes groggily focused at the still tree canopies above. As recollection and control returned to her body, she jerked up with force, her hair following like spindles of gold. The pansies that surrounded her all turned their petaled heads towards the awakened woman. The woman in red stared back, perplexed by the lively flowers. As she reached to touch one of the blue flowers, all uprooted themselves. Standing on their naked roots, they ran and dispersed in each and every direction, seeking bush or fern to hide.

	Now alone, the woman rose to her feet with the caution of a scared rabbit. She took in her surroundings but found no refuge in its sight. Trees twisted, twirled, and twined into absurd knots and bows. The grass underneath changed in checker pattern with shades of green neatly sitting next to each other in uniform squares. Not a wind whistled with the leaves in the leaves above. The woman in red was alone, but yet her senses itched. In the back of her head itched the fear of predation, contrary to what the soothing dream implied. Something was coming to collect her, but what the collector was was a mystery. But by the mounting dread that plagued her, that was a mystery she was better of never solving.

	With fear of becoming prey guiding her, the woman marched through this curving wood. But as she made way past alien vegetation, realisation struck her mind. For what reason was she in this queer land? How did she end up here? What did that dream mean? And most worrying of all, why can’t she remember anything before that dream? But despite this, she could at least still remember one thing. She took comfort with knowledge of her name. Alix Grimm. But to why she could remember that yet nothing else caused nails to drag across the blackboard of her head. Her head produced a pain that pulsed with constriction. The first throb burned with a cruel heat that couldn’t be cooled. The second throb pressed and constrained the mind that would never untighten. The third then spilt the pains in two before passing. The aches begged Alix to hold her head in her hands, desperate to find some relief. But once the third throb passed, all was normal again.

	During her time of anguish, Alix stumbled across a sound. The gentle washing and running of water that babbled. She walked towards the new noise to find at last a creek. Its waters crystal clear to show the uniqueness of its bed. Stones in the shape of dies, jacks, spinning tops and more that belong in a child’s toybox blanketed the creek bed. Odder still was the direction of the running water. Defying what Alix recalls of her time in school, water always ran downhill. But in this instance, the water ran up hill. Confusing and intrigue gripped Alix, but at the same time was a noise. The singing. The singing echoed from behind and grew closer. But it did not bring the sense of calm as they did in the dream. No, a new sensation ran through Alix’s body. The animalistic instinct to run. With fear lightening her feet, she ran with the climbing creek.

	As she tried to escape the bodiless chorus, something else pierced through the air. The chime of something metallic came from the top of the hill the creek climbed. The chimes were like that of a wind chime if a bit distorted like it was submerged. Something drove Alix to chase that drowning ring and hurried towards the top of the hill. But as she hurried forth, a new voice spoke from behind that stopped her in her tracks.

	“A woman’s intuition rarely comes misguided. However, the reason for your struggle comes as woefully unprovided.” a sly woman spoke.

	Alix begrudgingly turned around, only to find another oddity. Floating in mid-air was a smile, its teeth as white and pure as snow with an aura of a snide conman. Alix froze with her stare affixed to the disembodied grin.

	“Outsider for definite with a reaction so bewildered. Is this image so deranged it composes your mind so splintered?”

	Alix shakily held her hands above her chest. “Flying dentures. I did not need to see this.”

	A laugh escaped the floating mouth, “My question answered so directly and honest. Your reactions betray you, and your visage not modest.”

	Alix took a moment to process what the mouth recited, then a blush grew on her cheeks along with irritation. “There is nothing wrong with my dress! I am dressed modestly. I think.”

	“I have seen compatriots with similar fashion. Bosoms exposed, both full of passion.”

	Filled with both embarrassment and resentment, Alix turned away from the smile and continued up the hill. But as she took a mere few steps, something soft wrapped around her head and eyes. Alix stopped and pulled the object off from her face to her surprise to find a fluffy tail. It was long, puffy, and two-toned purple stripes marked up the distinctively feline tail. Letting the tale pull back to its owner, Alix turned around again. Before her was a catgirl in a grey frilly dress adorned with many pink bows. Her twin braided hair was mostly grey with a quarter of her bangs a light pink and cat ears matching her hair’s colour sat on the top of her head.

	“Storming away with a temper will not pose a benefit. In this forest you need procedure, or at least clever wit.” the catgirl said.

	“You make it sound like you're much of help.” Alix said with her hands on her hips. “Instead of just rhyming at me, can you actually help me?”

	“Help can be subjective, but what is your objective?” the catgirl replied.

	Alix sighed, knowing that she could not answer that really. All she is going on is the fear of a chase and the call of a chime.

	“Never mind. Just, leave me be, okay?” Alix asked.

	The catgirl cocked her head. “This area is not hospitable to lone strangers. Company is the best prevention of danger.”

	“Is this place really that dangerous? Odd looking sure, but…” Alix looked to the distance behind the catgirl. A shadow lumbered in and out of sight, appearing and disappearing behind trees at random. A chill ran up Alix’s spine. “Actually, maybe having someone with me won’t be such a bad idea. What’s your name anyway, and what are you?”

	The catgirl smiled warmly, “A wise decision to avoid conflict. I’ll exempt you from redundant edict. Madeline is who I am and a Cheshire Cat born. Kind with beauty adorned.”

	“Madeline. That’s a nice name.” Alix said with a smile. “I’m Alix. Nice to meet you.”

	“Alix, what a pleasant name. Rightly fitting for such a dame.” Madeline replied.

	“Yeah, thanks.” Alix then looked back up the creek. “Hey, do you know what’s at the top of his hill?”

	“A puddle of not much regard. Why bother with that screeching shard.” Madeline said as she shrugged.

	Alix turned back to her, “Screeching shard? You mean that metallic sound?”

	Madeline’s face jumped in shock before relieving to a laughing grin. “If you heard its call then by all means go. But be warned, it will be a path you must follow.”

	While laughing with her teeth shining stark white, she disappeared as she appeared to fade out from reality. With the strange Cheshire gone, Alix was alone again. But not for long as the singing loomed behind her in the forest. With a manic dash, she ran to the top of the hill, nearly falling into the creek on several occasions. At the head of the hill was a break in the forest. Open baby blue sky filled with clouds the shapes of animals and toys. Passing by was a cloud in the form of a gangly dragon. It looked out of place in Alix’s eyes, an oddity to the harmless white silhouettes of pets, farm animals, and exotic creatures known for beauty like peacocks and flamingos. After cloud gazing, the sharp chime of metal snapped back her attention. From the middle of a large pond that sat in the midst of this bald patch of the forest, ripples emanated out from the centre. A sheen of silver glistened under the gentle ripples as if cutting the rays of the sun.

	Curiosity took Alix again in its vine like grasp, drawing her into the clear waters. The actual depth of the pond was deeper than what the water’s surface showed. What looked like only a few mere inches turned out to be a foot drop. Trick by the water’s reflection, Alix drowned her black dress shoes with carelessness. Despite the cold of nipping her toes and the water dragging the ends of her dress, she walked towards the shine. The chime grew louder with every step closer, and so the singing in the distance fell more and more to discord. The chorus broke and became nothing more than worried voices talking over each other as Alix came closer to the shine. Then, Alix found the source. Beneath the water’s surface was a knife.

	Then came a heavy rustling from the trees. The loud thumps of trees falling ran up from behind Alix with the voice drawing ever closer. But a calm overtook Alix. She could hear the danger behind her, but as she bent over to reach for the knife, nothing seemed to phase her. With a hand submerged, she tried to pick up the knife, but it still seemed out of reach. She submerged her arm in the hope to grab the knife, but it still seemed out of reach. As the voices were upon her, clumsiness played its trick. Alix fell forward. Falling into the pound, Alix found herself actually sinking into a dark blue abyss. As she fell, she looked behind and could see the sunny sky distorted and murky from the depth. From the portal of sun Alix could see a shadow. Something gangly with a long neck and eyes that glowed a bright yellow. The figure stared back at Alix for a moment before it disappeared. What came to pass over was the shadow of something winged that flew over like the wind.

	As the sun soon disappeared to blackness, Alix turned around to face the abyss that swallowed her. But as minutes passed as she sank, she noticed something outlandish. She could breathe. Her sense of calmness of before left as she tried to justify how she could breathe underwater. Further still, why she couldn’t feel water pressure as she was sure she was sinking for quite a while now. As she grasped for answers, the sound of singing came back into earshot. But not the chorus of countless voices like before, but a set amount and quality. Women singing in a cheery “Lalalas” guided Alix’s descent. Then the glimmer of lights of every colour waved and beamed back and forth. The pleasant murmurs of festive and gleeful music reverbed through the water making it sound all the more whimsical.

	The visage of kelp forest covered sea floor begin to appear out from the blackness below with the faint glow of orange luminescent flora. Daintily she landed on the sandy floor upon a grey rock. Her red dress fell behind her like a plume of flower petals that gently rested again and drifted in the light sea current. She took a moment to look around, finding schools of fishbones swimming by being chased by a shark that looked like an inflatable pool toy.

	“This place must really be fit for either children or the deranged.” Alix said to herself with a sigh.

	“Talking to one’s self is usually a sign of insanity.” a voice said from below. “Do you need help?”

	Alix hopped off the rock and frantically looked around. “Who said that?!”

	“I did.” the voice said again.

	Alix stared at the rock where she swore the voice came from. “A-A rock?”

	“No no, below the rock.” the voice said again. “I’ve been stuck here for a few days. Hey, if you help me out I might be able to help you out.”

	Alix tip toed her way back to the rock and tried to lift it. With some effort, the rock lifted up and over to show an amorphous grey puddle underneath. The puddle rose from the crater, forming into something womanlike. Seashells made a headband that went across the top of its head and starfish covered what would be its bosom. A refined face and features became apparent as the womanly creature smiled at Alix with green eyes.

	“Thank you so much!” the woman cried in joy as it lunged forward for a hug. “I thought I was going to be stuck under there forever!”

	“N-No problem.” Alix said as she wearily leant back. “Hey, you don’t stain, right?”

	The grey woman broke her hold on Alix, “No it’s fine, I can keep myself from getting on people. Anyway, thank you very much, Miss. I will finally be able to go see the concert!”

	“Concert?” Alix asked.

	“Surely you heard the music? The Walrus Pageant always has great music and performances that can be heard all around!”

	“So that’s what those lights and sounds were…By the way, um, what’s your name?”

	“Mariana. I’m a Dorome”

	“Mariana, I’m on the lookout for a piece of cutlery.”

	“Cutlery? I don’t think you’ll find a spare kitchen cabinet down here Miss.”

	“No, I'm just looking for one thing. It was a very shiny knife.”

	“Well I don’t know anything about a knife, but I did find something shiny the other day.”

	“Close enough I guess. Where did you find it?”

	“At the concert. The carpenter had something really shiny that he was keeping as a prize for the pageant.”

	Alix then turned her head to the sound of music. Darting by Mariana, she ran up a hill that came to the edge of the kelp forest. Down below she could see colour towers of swirling pastel that was capped with huge shells. A fairground filled with aquatic life. Schools of fish swam like flowing rainbows while mirrors reflected the shimmering lights coming from a gorgeous amphitheatre out to the abyss above. Alix stood in silence as her eyes twinkled back the beautiful rays.

	“It’s gorgeous…” Alix said to herself.

	A loud sigh came from above and to her right side. Looking up into the kelp, Alix could see Madeline sitting on a bowing length of kelp.

	“To treat yourself as a third party is either insanity or narcissism. Does your ego require chastity or your state of mind needs criticism?” Madeline asked.

	“I don’t need any help in either my ego or my state of mind.” Alix said, frumpily putting her hands on her hips. “But I could use some help in understanding as to why I’m not drowning and how an entire sea is in a pond.”

	“Wonderland has no need to justify such trivialities. It would be as if questioning one’s mortality.” Madeline said as she crossed her legs and waved a hand. “It simply is and always was. But you, I wonder, why it wants with no pause.”

	“Wait, what wants?” Alix asked. “The only thing I want right now is that knife and a way out.”

	“One of those requests is logical, but the other an odd urge. What drives you to pursue in a space submerged?” Madeline asked, grinning all the while.

	“I can’t help but get the feeling you’re toying with me again. Didn’t you say before you would help me?” Alix asked.

	Madeline laughed, “A mind unused is a mind wasted. And as of right know your mind is in dire need to be tested. You already chose your path to follow that chime. But don’t look now, here comes that sedimentary slime.”

	Alix looked behind and saw Mariana running up to here, holding up a skirt of what looks like shifting grey clay.

	“Miss! You could at least wait up for me!” Mariana said with a pout.

	“Sorry about that, I just wanted to see where the music was coming from. Then I ran into that cat.” Alix said as she pointed to where Madeline was.

	“Sorry Miss, but what cat?” Mariana asked.

	Alix looked back to the bowing piece of kelp to see nothing there. A grimace of a smile escaped Alix as she felt toyed with again.

	“Thanks for making me look like an idiot you stupid cat…” Alix said under her breath. “Well, never mind that. We should probably get to that pageant right?”

	“Well of course Miss. Everyone would be flocking to see the carpenter’s wife perform in the competition.” Mariana’s eyes light up in realisation. “That reminds me, you wanted that shiny thing, right? Well, you need to win the singing competition to get it, which means you need to beat the carpenter’s wife.”

	“Point being?” Alix asked.

	“Well, can you actually sing?” Mariana asked.

	Alix was poised to answer, but her mind drew blank as to one way or the other. She didn’t have a clue if she could sing or not. With a nervous chuckle to fake confidence, she answered, “Of course I can. I’ll just win the contest and get the knife.”

	“Once again Miss, don’t know anything about a knife.” Mariana said.

	“Never mind that. Let’s get a move on to that pageant.” Alix said as she pointed towards the bright lights in the distance.

	“Well sure thing, but do you even have a name to enter with?” Mariana asked. “You never mentioned yourself having a name.”

	“Oh, I’m sorry. My name is Alix.”

	Mariana smiled. “Nice to finally know your name. Let’s hurry up, the mermaids and nereids sell such nice trinkets and the decorations are amazing!”

	Alix followed the Dorome girl out of the kelp and towards the pageant grounds. The close they got, the louder the sounds of orchestrated music and the whimsy of the pageant goers became. Passing by two Mersharks holding tridents and dressed in sea shell armour, the two walked through the swimming crowd of the pageant. Alix’s heart fluttered from awe of the beautiful blending of pastel and lights that gave the pageant a heartbeat of magic. Her face as a light with astonishment and Mariana smiled on as she guided them to the amphitheatre. As the crowd headed through the entry ways to the stands, Alix stood in wonder of the stage. Artfully made of etched and carved wood showing the scene of the little mermaid of when Ariel leaves the sea. Beautiful white draw curtains were studded with aqua stones in the pattern of whirlpools and waves. Something in Alix called for her to get onto the stage.

	“Hey, Alix? You okay? You’re zoning out.” Mariana asked.

	Alix wiped her eyes as a few tears of slender escaped her. “Yeah, i'm okay. I just never seen anything so beautiful before.”

	“The Carpenter is maddeningly skilful at his craft. With a little bit of old ship hull and some stones he can make something like this.” Mariana said. “Anyway, we should seek the carpenter’s wife. She’ll be in charge of organising the contest.”

	“Where would she be?” Alix asked.

	The soft and thunderous notes from a female singer’s voice flew by from behind the stage curtains. Alix and Mariana made their way down the stands towards the stage. Walking around the side, a man stopped them. All he wore was a pair of red overalls and a tool belt filled with chisels, a mallet, and dangled a tenon saw.

	“Can I help you?” the man asked.

	“Hello, Carpenter. My friend here wished to speak with your wife about joining the singing contest.” Mariana replied.

	The Carpenter raised a brow. “Wait. Someone actually wants to compete this time? Why didn’t you say so! Come this way.”

	The Carpenter merrily lead the two backstage with a spring in his step. Alix gave a raised brow as she followed.

	“Most don’t bother to try and compete against the missus. But if you think you’re good enough to try and beat her I would love to see!” the Carpenter said.

	“She’s that good?” Alix asked.

	“Where have you been? Under a rock? His wife has an amazing singing voice.” Mariana said.

	“That’s rich asking me if I was under a rock…” Alix said. Then, the chime came to her ears again. Without a doubt, she heard the knife. “Say. I heard there was a trophy. Where is it?”

	“You’ll get it if you win, don’t worry.” the Carpenter said.

	The three passed by stagehand Mermaids and Nereids that were busy with final preparations such as erecting set pieces and cleaning the stage. The three then came to a Mermaid powdering the face of a busty golden-haired Selkie. She caught the Carpenter out of the corner of her eye and smiled.

	“Hi, again hubby. Here to wish me luck?” she asked flirtingly.

	“Actual I’m here with a surprise. I have a woman here wanting to be in the contest.” the Carpenter said.

	The Selkie shooed the Mermaid away and swam towards Alix. She examined her from head to toe and smiled. “Well, at least you look the part of a performer. Your dress is simply to die for.”

	“Oh, why thank you.” Alix replied with a smile. “And your hair looks fantastic.”

	“I know, right? Those Merrows are wonderful makeup artists.” she said cheerfully. “Nice to meet you, Miss. I am Ana Sofia, I hope you prove to be some challenge for me.”

	“Alix. And I hope to be a challenge.” Alix said.

	“Well it’s only us two, so think of it as giving each other a performance. Now you and your friend best relax as I sing my little heart out. I don’t plan to let hubby’s handiwork go to waste on a weak performance.” Ana Sofia said with a teasing sway of her hips.

	A pink Merrow in a beret swam up to Ana Sofia, “Madame, we’re ready for you.”

	Ana Sofia gave a glowing smile and a wave goodbye, “Ciao.”

	She then swam to the centre of the two large curtains before they began to draw. The wild applause of the crowd rushed forth as the announcer introduced her and the song she would perform. To Alix’s surprise, in this place, the works of Jack Lawrence still went far. Ana Sofia began to sing “Beyond the Sea” in her with her powerful voice. Her voice was clean, soothing, and never dropped a note. Her voice was well suited to sing such a timeless love song, and her face was glowing with delight as she performed. The band that played the backing music complemented her soft and delightful voice to give the entirety of the performance a smooth and serene feeling of allure. With her last note, the song was over, and she was met with the wild applause of the audience. She took a bow and swam back behind the curtains as they drew close again. She swam back into the arms of the Carpenter, tackling him over and giggling contentedly.

	“Did I do amazing or what?” Ana Sofia asked while she hugged and nuzzled her head into the Carpenter’s chest.

	The Carpenter stroked her hair and chuckled. “Yeah, you did, as you always do. Now, we got a treat next of having someone perform for us.”

	The Selkie continued to pin her husband to the floor as Mariana and Alix stood there. With an awkward cough, Mariana turned to Alix, “You should get ready to do, well, whatever you’re going to do. I’ll be cheering on for you back here.”

	Alix smiled and nodded, “Thanks. I’ll be sure to do my best. Whatever my best is anyway.”

	The beret-wearing Merrow from before swam to Alix. “Mademoiselle, you’re up.”

	Alix waved to Mariana as she walked to the centre of the stage behind the curtains. Her heart raced and was a flutter. Something in Alix was accustomed to this feeling of nervousness and anticipation. Then the curtains drew open. The large crowd filled the amphitheatre stands with various monstergirls of aquatic nature. Krakens, Scylla, Mershark, and much more waited patiently for their human woman guest. The Nereid announcer swam down to Alix’s side and held a conch shell next to her like a microphone.

	“It’s been a while since we had a competitor try to rival Ana Sofia. Tell us all your name and what you will be singing tonight.” The announcer said.

	The lack of skittishness confused Alix as she stood in front of the large crowd. A showman’s smile and a twinkle of playful cockiness lit her eyes. “Hello and good evening everyone! I am Alix Grimm, and I hope you give me just a warm welcome as you did for Mrs Ana Sofia.”

	The crowd responded to her energetic introduction with welcoming cheer. The announcer chuckled as she brought the shell mic back to herself. “Well, as you can see we are more than welcoming for fresh talent, but one question remains Miss Alix. What is your performance tonight?”

	“Habanera.” Alix replied without hesitation. She didn’t know why that specific song from Carmen came to mind, but it flew off her tongue without a thought.

	“Oh, a classic now? Well, we all can’t wait to see you perform. Good luck Miss Alix.” the announcer said as she swam away.

	The lights dimmed on the stage, and the audience grew quiet. Alix knew this moment. The seconds before a performance. The seconds where anything can fly by inside your head as a distraction. But a focus kept her in check as if done time and time before. The stage was not a foreign land by a local place of familiarity. The orchestra then began their opening lines for Habanera, and from nothing, Alix knew what to sing. French lyrics flowed from her like a river of velvet. Her voice spot on for every note and annunciation in the song’s lyrics. He body naturally paces about the stage, acting out what Carmen herself would be doing for the scene despite the lack of other actors. Alix was in her own little world for the duration of the song. After four or so minutes, her performance reached its conclusion. She took a bow, and the amphitheatre exploded in applause and accolades.

	From behind the stage, Ana Sofia swam up to Alix in tears. She hugged Alix with all her might as she blubbered away incoherently. The Carpenter and Mariana walked up to Alix’s side.

	“What my wife is trying to say is that she has never heard such a divine voice.” the Carpenter said. “I have got to be honest Miss, I did not expect that to come out of you.”

	“No kidding!” Mariana said. “I had no idea she was that good!”

	“With any rate Miss Alix, if you managed to put my wife to tears I think the winner of the pageant is clear.” the Carpenter said as he raised a shining silver trophy in his hands. It was shaped like Mermaid singing on a pedestal.  “Congratulations!”

	Alix accepted the trophy happily. She looked out to the cheering crowd again and bowed. She briefly closed her eyes to stop herself from tearing up. But when rose from her bow and opened her eyes, everyone was gone. She called out for Mariana. She looked around and found no one beside her, and all was quiet. The stage she stood on was also altered. No longer in an undersea amphitheatre but in a decrepit old theatre building. Red fabric seats laid in disarray and the red carpet laid up to the stage was torn and dusty. Alix then looked to her hand where she held to the trophy. Instead of a trophy she now held a knife.

	The knife was quite bigger than what would be considered normal for a regular kitchen knife. The sides of the blade were etched in floral vines, and the shining edge of the blade shimmered in a rainbow like oil on water. The handle was made of clean ivory, and the entire thing didn’t feel heavy at all despite its size. A sense of contentedness filled her with now being in possession of the knife, but she couldn’t understand why. With a few swings, the knife audibly diced the air and gave a subdued chime. It was as if she just reclaimed something that called for her, and now had no intention of letting it go.

	Then they came. The voices. They no longer sang their queer melody but were speaking. Hushed urgency and caution carried on their nonsensical words. Worse yet the voices were coming from right behind Alix. She turned around to see a dark void behind drawn red moth-eaten curtains. Then she saw them again. The eyes. The baleful yellow eyes. They drew ever closer as something massive headed towards Alix. A part of her wanted to stay still, but something else compelled her to do the opposite. And the opposite was more compelling. She ran. Dashing off the stage, she ran towards the exit of the theatre. From behind with the voice also came the deafen thumps of massive feet. They fell with so much force they rattled the aged halls of the theatre, causing dust and bits of old plaster to fall from the ceiling. Then came the crunch of old wood splintering under unearthly weight.

	Alix came to the door leading to the outside, but it was locked. With her free hand, she tried to tug and pull on the door handle, hoping it would either give or break the workings of the lock. Loud animal like breaths came from behind as the force that chased Alix drew nearer. Then a foreign instinct took over. With the knife in her right hand, she slashed at the door. To her surprise, the door fell in twain. Light flooded the open aperture, and Alix dashed out. As she did, a booming voice came from behind.

“STOP!”

	From the doorway, Alix unwittingly jumped from a height. Below she could see the fast approaching canopied of dark purple trees. Bracing herself, she plummeted through numerous branches before falling into an oversized cushion. Alix felt exhausted and began to slip into sleep. But her rest was cut short once she felt weight sitting by her on the cushion. She lazily opened her eyes to find Madeline sitting cross-legged next to her with that condescendingly wide grin on her face.

	“Rest in a time like this is for the dead. Or perhaps you want to wish for a coffin to be your bed.” Madeline said tauntingly.

	Alix then shot up in her seat, “Where am I?” she asked while frantically looking around.

	Out of reflex she then pointed her knife at Madeline. Madeline flinched back but then looked down at Alix with a huff. Pointing the knife down with a single clawed finger, she coughed to clear her throat. “While threat may not have been your intention, pointing such a warped blade at me will not relieve tension.”

	Alix noticed what she’s done and pulled back her arm, hiding her hand at her side. “S-Sorry. I-I didn’t mean to-“

	“The one time I make a visible display of help, and this is my repayment? I should just foot you a bill on a piece of fine parchment.” Madeline said with a grin.

	“You put this cushion here?” Alix asked. “H-How did you know I would end up here?”

	“Women’s intuition and a touch of guess work. But I fear now of something that continues to lurk.” Madeline said in thought.

	“Something that lurks, huh? You mean that thing from the stage?” Alix’s eyes widened as pain spiked through her head. A slideshow of memories flipped through her mind. Bright lights, an immaculate wooden stage shined gold and a crowd of well-dressed people. Then another memory came by. Something lurking in the back of the stage behind the red curtains. Something with glowing yellow eyes. Alix opened her eyes again, disturbed and confused.

	“Iris?!” Alix cried. “What?! Who’s Iris? What did that mean?!”  Alix frantically looked to Madeline again. “You know what’s going on, tell me what’s happening?! Why does my head hurt when I try to think of anything from before? What did those visions mean?”

	“I am a resident of Wonderland, not of your mind. But how a mind changes Wonderland is an interest of mine. I’ve seen your performance, brought from years of practice. Without a doubt, you’re a seasoned actress. But I caught a glimpse, a vision. A force causing your mind to be in a state of derision.”

	“The voices. So you know of them too?”

	“At our first meeting, even I could not be caught unawares. That coming choir with foreboding fanfares.”

	“So you did know something was chasing me. Wait, I am so confused. Why do you act so nonchalant despite knowing about that thing?”

	“I am not its desire, it is you to face that fire. But I do see something interesting in your strife. Your affinity for that knife.”

	“Huh?” Alix reflexively looked back to her right hand. The knife was firmly held in her grasp. “What about this knife?”

	“Think lass, why do you want it? To what purpose can it have a benefit?”

	Alix stared at her reflection on the blade’s steel. “I don’t know. I just wanted it after I heard the chime.”

	“If that blade spoke to you then it has an edict. And in the end that blade will draw you to a verdict.”

	“What does that even mean?”

	Madeline stood up from her soft seat with a coy laugh. “Such a rarity for my eyes to find. A woman with a light but is partially blind.” She turned to Alix with a wide grin. “To fill you in on topography, this is the forest before the Castle of Red. Continue forth to find my friends, and they will make sure you are not misled. Especially the one who dresses rather floral. When you meet her, mention the name, vorpal.”

	With that, Madeline jumped off the huge cushion. Alix scrambled to see her on the other side, but in her usual fashion, Madeline disappeared without a trace. With a sigh of frustration, Alix herself climbed down to the leaf covered ground bellow. The deep maroon leaves crunched underfoot as she walked down a forest trail in what seems to be the twilight hours of the day. But the colour of the trees made little sense as earlier Alix recalled being in a forest rife with green.

	Out of the corner of her eyes, Alix could see odd movements in the underbrush of this sunset forest. It wasn’t huge like the force that chased her but slithered and skulked like a serpent. Although she was thankful it wasn’t the voices following her, the sound of slithering didn’t help ease her paranoia. But popping out from a nearby bush was a rose. Abnormally large and gave a pungent sweet aroma akin to honeyed milk. Curiosity caught Alix, and she cautiously walked towards the flower. Alix bowed over to breath in the sweet smell of the rose. The inside of her head went fluffy and light with bliss, making her completely oblivious to the slight rustle of dried leaves at her legs.

	In a flash, a green vine wrapped around her waist and hoisted her into the air. With a scream, Alix was pulled off into the forest, flying by trees as she drew closer to women giggling softly. With a sudden jolt, she stopped. Looking around, Alix could see that she was in a place covered in green vines dotted in roses. Girlish giggles came from below Alix, and below she found a group of monstergirls. Four Tentacles stood before her, all coloured a pale green and red with various hair styles. Their limbs sheened with an unnerving wetness and the countless appendages that filled with cuffs of their arms writhed in mesmeric sway. They all giggled as they examined their catch.

	“She’s a cute one.” the short haired Tentacle said. “Shame she’s no man though.”

	“Very disappointing indeed.” the ponytailed Tentacle said. “But we can still get fun out of her, right?”

	The Tentacles all agreed, leaving Alix there nervously chuckling. “H-Hey. No need to do anything rash. I was just on my way to a friend’s house.”

	All the Tentacles cocked their heads.

	“What friend lives out in this forest?” a longhaired Tentacle asked.

	“You best not be lying to us Miss.” the one in pigtails said.

	“N-No! I have nothing to gain from lying to you.” Alix pleaded. “Honestly I was on my way to a friend’s house.”

	“Well then Miss, why are you going to friend’s house all the way out here?” the ponytailed one asked. “This place is watched very carefully by the Red Queen, and she makes sure nothing goes amiss in her land. It is not usual to see an uninvited guest.”

	“Enough of this talk, I want to have some fun!” the shorthaired girl yelled. The other two yelled in agreement.

	The ponytail one shrugged her shoulders. “Well, I’m inclined to agree with my friends here. Talk isn’t really going to get us anywhere, and it has been a while since we had the chance to play with another girl.”

	The other girls began to snicker devilishly as some of their limbs elongated and moved towards Alix. Alix started to panic, her mind being unfortunate enough to picture what these girls were planning to do. In her struggle, she thrashed back and forth from the vine that gripped her. As her panic made her more and more desperate, her right arm became free. In her struggle, she managed to nick the vine with her knife. But instead of cutting, the blade passed through the flesh of the vine, with it trailing a red cloud. The vine immediately dropped her as an audible female gasp filled the area. The four Tentacles looked to Alix with fright as they shivered.

	“D-Did she just cut a tendril of the Red Queen?!” the ponytailed one asked with a quivering voice. “But that wasn’t blood! What did you just do?!”

	A low womanly laugh filled the rosy grove as more vines began to encroach upon the four girls.

	“W-Wait! Have a little mercy your highness!” the shorthaired one pleaded. “Why do you want us?! Take the human!”

	The laugh became somewhat slurred and drenched with lust. Four rose covered tentacles darted towards the girls, wrapping around them in lewd bondage.

	“Your highness, come to your senses, please!” the pigtailed one cried.

	“We were supposed to have the fun! Not have fun upon us!” the longhaired one yelled.

	With a sudden jolt and lewdly maniacal laughter, the four Tentacles were pulled into the depths of the forest. The rose covered tentacles in the area all disappeared to the underbrush as the screams of the four girls faded into the distance. Alix picked herself up from the leaf covered ground. A shiver ran down her spine at the thought of what might be happening to those four girls. But in the end, she was thankful they were the ones to be toyed with and not here. But an odd sensation filled her. A dim warmth, and a dim chime. She looked to her knife, an odd transparent red clung to the.

	She stared at this odd cloud that sat on her knife, her mind going blank at its sight. A wry smile cracked on her face as her eyes glazed over. Her arm slowly brought the blade closer and closer to her face. Her tongue inched towards the cloud of red on the blade as hot breaths caressed its steel. Before her tongue met the pale red, clear thought came back to here. Pulling the knife away and shaking her head, she felt repulsed by the urge that took her. But as repulsed as she was, something deep wanted that red. To partially satisfy that desire, Alix cleaned the knife’s edge with her fingers.

	To her surprise, as it touched her skin it seemed to absorb into it. The skin where the pale red touch felt hot and sensitive to the touch. After cleaning off the blade, a little cloud of red rested on her thumb. With grim curiosity, she gave it a lick. Despite having no odour, it tasted sweet with a hint of rose water. Another shiver ran down her spine, this time with rolling pleasure. He knees buckled and her eyes glazed over once again. A craving ran through her mind. Cut more and get more of this essence. But as soon as the thought came, it passed, leaving Alix confused and sickened with herself.

	‘What on Earth was that about?’ she thought to herself. ‘I’m no stab happy assailant or impulsive deviant.’ She took another look at the immaculate blade. ‘But why did that feel so…delicious?’

	Her attention was then drawn back to her surroundings. In the middle of a maroon forest with no sense of direction. A sigh escaped her as the realisation of being directionless sat in. When she was pulled off the trail, she was somewhat doped and couldn’t tell what direction was where. Knowing that staying put was both useless and dangerous, she picked a direction and started walking.

	Minutes felt like hours as she made untraceable progress through the woods. The trees were less whimsical than the last forest, with their trunks being typical of large trees. The only thing amiss was the leaves that cascaded from above. The leaves looked like regular maple leaves, but images covered them like a hodgepodge of papers. From what Alix could guess, there was a repeating template the images came with. A picture of a building at twilight, a coat of arms with a unicorn and lion upon a read backdrop, and the back of a theatre ticket. The ticker portion read the performance as “Carmen”, and the date and time being 31/03/17 at 19:00.

	Alix stared deeply at the odd leaf collage before pain split in her head. She dropped the leaf as she fell to her knees, desperately gripping her head. Her eyes locked onto the leaf as the noise of a bustling crowd filled her head. A cocktail of emotions swam through her. Nervousness. Joy. Fulfilment. Then nervousness again. Finally, an anchor of anxiety levied on her shoulders and sank in her stomach. In a desperate bid to make the feeling stop, she plunged the knife into the leaf. Then again. And again. Before long she was feverously stabbing the stray leaf like a needle in a sewing machine before one last plunge. Unexplainable tears had left her eyes before she shut them tight. In the dark of her head, she saw it. The eyes. The big glowing eyes. Opening her eyes again, she looked over her shoulder to see something huge moving in the woods. The bustling sound of a crowd turned to that of the voices. Fear gripped Alix as she darted away.

	She sprinted through the forest, no longer caring for direction but only want to be away from the voice. As she ran, she eventually smelled something in the air. She smelled tea. Instinctually she followed the aroma, hoping to find someone of help in this forest. But to her surprise, she didn’t find a person, but persons. Deep in these woods was a cottage. Its walls painted a baby blue and its roof tiles as maroon as the leaves. In the front of the cottage was a small group of people having a tea party at a table with a parasol. It was three women, one dress in a pink sleeping gown with mouse ears, another in a fine red velvet waistcoat and white rabbit ears, and the last in a large green hat with fungi gills under its brim and a floral suit.

	The three didn’t pay any mind to Alix as she jogged her way up to the table, short of breath. An awkward silence fell between them as Alix gasped for air. The three peacefully continued to drink their tea as Alix stood there. Confused, Alix pulled over the last remaining chair at the table and sat down, hoping this would gain their attention. To her dismay, it did not. The Mousegirl looked as if she was going to fall asleep in her seat. The Rabbitgirl’s eyes darted all over as loud thumps could be heard as she tapped her rabbit-like feet. All the while the woman in the hat calmly sat with eyes closed as she sipped to.

	“Uh, hello?” Alix asked meagrely.

	A light chuckled came from the woman in the hat. “Salutations party crasher. What can we, I mean, I, help you with?”

	“Whatever it is I hope it doesn’t take too much time.” the Rabbitgirl said. “Tea time is only meant to last for another ten minutes then I must get back to my duties.”

	The Mousegirl cutely yawned.

	“I was told to see someone who dresses in floral. My best guess is that it would be you, Miss.” Alix said.

	The woman in the hat opened a sultry eye at Alix. “Oh? And who might be your messenger?”

	“A Cheshire by the name of Madeline?” Alix said.

	“Madeline?!” the Rabbitgirl yelled. “That tardy tabby is twenty minutes late! What the devil has she been doing?!”

	“No so loud…” the Mousegirl said with droopy eyes.

	The woman in the hat opened her other eye and looked to Alix with a smile. “Oh? Under what circumstances have you been associating my friend with?” She took another sip of her tea and put the teacup and plate on the table. “It is rare for her to point people in my general direction.”

	“Well, I would have gotten here sooner, but some weird girls nearly made me a tentacle play thing.” Alix said with a shudder.

	“Oh? You ran into some of the Queen’s kin?” the hatted woman asked. “How in the blazes did you get away? They don’t let their marked playthings escaped once the Queen shows them a target.”

	“Well, I was going to get to that.” Alix said with a sigh. “A lot of things happened today, or, whatever can be counted for as lapsed time in this maddening place. Madeline told me to tell you something when I met you.”

	“Oh? And what is it?” the hatted woman asked.

	“She told me to mention the name ‘Vorpal’.”

	The Rabbitgirl gasped as the Mousegirl turned her tired eyes to Alix. The hatted woman’s face went from coy to stern as she heard that name.

	“For what reason would she tell you to mention that to me?” the hatted woman asked. “I can see you’re an outsider, so you have no idea of the connotations that name possess. But not even Madeline would tell people to mention that name without good reason.”

	“Exactly. So what is it? Why would that cat tell you to say that?” the Rabbitgirl asked. “And make it snappy, tea time is over soon.”

	Alix could see no other clear way to explain than to simply show. Lifting her right hand from her lap, she laid her hand and knife on the table. The Rabbitgirl and Mousegirl gasped at the sight while the hatted woman looked at the knife in pondering thought.

	“This knife is only the start of the weird things that have been happening.” Alix said. “Something huge with countless voices is chasing me, and my memories are muddled. Is there anything you can do to help? Madeline seems to be very indirect or evasive about this.”

	“Not evasive, she’s treating this like a game.” the hatted woman said. “I didn’t expect anything less from her. But you girl, oh dear girl, what did you get dragged into?”

	“Huh? That’s what I’m asking you.” Alix replied. “I don’t have a clue as to what is going on here. Madeline said you can help, but now you are saying you don’t know?”

	“I never said I didn’t know.” the hatted woman said. She gave a sigh before picking up her teacup for another sip. “Now, what did she exactly tell you?”

	“What do you mean?” Alix asked.

	“What did she say exactly to point you in my direction?” the hatted woman asked again.

	“Oh. Uh. ‘Continue forth to find my friends, and they will make sure you are not misled.’ I think that’s what she said.” Alix replied.

	The hatted woman took another sip of tea. “Is that all? Madeline that is awfully cruel.”

	“What do you mean?” Alix asked.

	“Agatha, tea time is nearly over, and I can’t be late for my delivery.” the Rabbitgirl said as she looked at a gold pocket watch.

	“You’re going to have to be more patient for the time being Ophelia. Madeline has found another mess that needs my hand.” the hatted woman said.

	“I’m sorry to intrude.” Alix said meekly.

	“Don’t be my dear, now come with me. We have much to discuss. Ophelia, please wait around for me.” the hatted woman said.

	“I don’t have time for this!” the Rabbitgirl replied.

	“Then make time.” the hatted woman said as she got up from her seat and headed to the front door of her home. “Miss, follow me.”

	Alix followed, feeling a scowl of discontent coming from the white Rabbitgirl. Following the woman inside, Alix was pleasantly surprised to see the interior of the cottage was rather normal. Delightfully furnished with varnished wood furniture with specimens of queer fungi lined a bookcase in jars. The woman showed Alix to a leather coach with a leather recliner opposite to it. The woman took her seat in the recliner and gestured for Alix to sit on the coach. Alix took her place, and the woman pulled a pair of glasses from her cleavage. Once putting the glasses on, she crossed her legs and looked at Alix with a gentle smile.

	“Before we begin, allow me for some introduction since we skipped that entirely.” the woman said. “I am Agatha, a clever Mad Hatter. The two others you saw outside were my friends Ophelia, an autistic March Hare, and Dorothy, a narcoleptic Dormouse.”

	“Isn’t that a bit rude to introduce your friends like that?” Alix asked.

	“But I did not lie, did I? Lying would be a greater since than failure to uphold pleasantry.” Agatha said. “Even in Wonderland, absolutes are absolutes no matter how distorted. Now, can you tell me your name and what you are honestly?”

	“Easily. I am Alix Grimm, a human.” she replied.

	“If that were all you wouldn’t be here. Tell me. What else is there about you?” Agatha asked as she tapped the rim of her glasses.

	Alix’s head pounded as that question forced her to try and remember. “I don’t know. Everything is off. I can remember odd titbits of trivia like who made a song and the like. But memory, before I came to this place, is a blank. But not just a blank, it forcefully hurts to try and remember. Then the stuff about theatre makes no sense. I have no idea how I got here or why.”

	“So selective retrograde amnesia. Now that’s interesting.” Agatha said. “But at the same time nonsense that you have it.”

	“What?” Alix said with wide eyes. “What do you mean it’s nonsense? How else can you explain this?”

	“Because you hold the means to cut through that fog that clouds your mind.” Agatha said. “Let me retrace my steps. Is there anything specifically that catches you off guard about these theatre related matters?”

	“You mean other than everything?”

	“Being smart with me won’t get us anywhere, dear. Only I have permission to be witty in this house.”

	Alix took a moment to think. “Iris. A name came to mind a while ago. Iris. And behind the curtains of a stage, those same glowing eyes stared at me. Smaller this time like they belonged to a person that a creature.”

	“Same glowing eyes?” Agatha asked. “You’re holding out on me, dear. What else is there.”

	Alix shuddered. “Something is following me. It speaks with so many voices I swear it is infinite. And it’s huge with glowing eyes. No matter where I go, it seems to follow.”

	“Infinite voices you say? Interesting.” Agatha said as she scratched her chin. “Hmm. But the last thing I want to touch upon. That knife, where did you get it?”

	“I first saw it in a pond in a green forest after I heard metallic chimes. Then I won it in a singing pageant under the sea. But it was first a trophy before it became a knife again and I somehow went from that underwater amphitheatre to a decrepit indoor theatre.”

	“I see. So is it safe to assume that this knife was calling for you?”

	“I guess so. That would make the most sense. Wait, no, that doesn’t make sense. How can a knife call for someone?”

	“Because what you hold isn’t just an ordinary piece of fine cutlery you would find a kitchen drawer. Even by the standards of Wonderland, these objects are exceptional. Once there was a sword that went snicker-snack, carried by a son that walked through the mimsy borogoves. On that day, the sword went snicker-snack once and fell the Jabberwock that guarded the Tumtum tree.”

	“Miss, this sounds like gibberish.”

	“Long past history all sound like gibberish to the many, but to the few it is clear. Wonderland came to be when the Tumtum tree was freed from the Jabberwock, allowing its roots to burrow deep into the land. The Vorpal became from blade to blades when it shattered as it cut off the head of the Jabberwock. The nonsense blood of that beast nurtured the tree and in turn the land. The blades then scattered throughout the land, guarding the land in secret.”

	“Miss, I still do not follow at all. I’m holding a guardian of Wonderland?”

	“In a sense. A blade on its own is mighty, but it still requires a wielder.”

	The idea clicked in Alix’s mind. “I don’t want to be this thing’s wielder! I just want to get home!”

	“But you don’t recall what home is. You need to first figure out what is your home and then decide on what you must do. But from what you have told me, you have a time limit. Figure out what your past is and figure out why the knife picked you. All of this is bound to the theatre, the creature, and that blade.” Agatha then glanced at Alix’s right arm. “And I would be quick about it. The knife seems to accept you.”

	Alix looked at her right hand, and fear dashed up her spin. Silver spindles branched from the etchings on the blade and wrapped themselves around her hand and lower arm. Tiny red rose buds began to sprout along these metallic shoots like a wild garden.

	“H-How do I get it to stop?!” Alix cried. “Please! You must help me!”

	Agatha pondered for a moment before nodding. “Madeline did say for me to make sure you are not misled, but this matter is becoming outside my expertise. Matters regarding such intimate knowledge of Wonderland are only known to one person. The Red Queen.”

	“The Red Queen?” Alix asked.

	“The Ruler of Wonderland. A descendant of the very Tumtum tree that made this land long ago. My friend Ophelia has an appointment within the Queen’s castle. I’ll have her take you to see an audience.” Agatha then took the hat off from her head. It came off with an audible pop as a fine dust of spores left the gills on the brim of the hat. “Put this on for a moment.” She said as she handed Alix the hat.

	“What am I supposed to do with this?” Alix asked.

	“Put it on. It will give you a change of perspective that will get you inside the castle.”

	Alix reluctantly put the large green hat on her head. It was surprisingly soft and not heavy at all, but the spores that fell from the gills were a nuisance. Her noes itched wildly before forcing a mighty sneeze. In an instant, she shrunk to the size of a tiny mouse and the hat swallowed her up. Agatha picked up the hat and placed it snuggly back on her head while giggling at the tiny Alix.

	“Now you’re ready.” Agatha said.

	Alix pouted before she heard something outside. It was the voices again. She panicked as the sound of large stomps came beyond the cottage walls.

	“It found me again!” Alix cried.

	Agatha raised a brow as a knock came from the front door. She gave a sigh as she stood up and walked to the door. “I will be just a second.” With that, she walked outside. Mumbled talking was heard from the outside as the voices persisted. Then the voices went away before Agatha walked back inside with Ophelia.

	“Seriously, who was she?” Ophelia asked.

	“Don’t mind that now. I need you to do me a favour.” Agatha said.

	“Oh really? What?” Ophelia replied.

	Agatha then pointed at the miniature Alix.

	“Well she’s adorable but what do you want me to do?” Ophelia. “I’m already three minutes late so holding me up even more is going to make the Queen irate.”

	“I want you to sneak her inside the castle.” Agatha said.

	“What?! The Queen will have my backside for that!” Ophelia cried.

	“Not if you’re smart about it. Just get our friend here to the trophy room, and she can find her way from there.” Agatha said. “C’mon. The next time you come around, I’ll sneak you a special mushroom soup.”

	“Deal.” Ophelia said with a nod. “The Queen has had me running laps, and I haven’t had time to relax at all. Anyway, how exactly do you plan to get little Miss inside?”

	“Hide her in your bosom.” Agatha said flatly.

	Alix and Ophelia were shocked from her suggestion.

	Alix shivered from the thought, “Y-You’re not suggesting that you have her put me-“

	“In between my boobs?!” Ophelia cried.

	“The Trumparts will not bother to check there, and your bosom is big enough. Here let me help unbutton your vest a little.” Agatha said as she grabbed Ophelia’s vest.

	Ophelia shrieked, “Why must you do that?! My heart wasn’t ready!”

	“You’re a March Hare, act like one.” Agatha said as she walked over to the couch and picked up Alix. “The trophy room is right before the throne room, you can’t miss it. Also, while your next to Ophelia’s bare skin, try not to nick her with that knife. I shudder to think what it might do to a pent-up March Hare.”

	“S-Sure. I don’t want to nick anyone anyway. Felt way too strange.” Alix said.

	With a delicate hand, Agatha opened Ophelia’s vest and pulled back her left bra cup. Alix slipped between the smooth pink fabric and the soft nude of Ophelia. A raging blush fell across Alix’s face as she was forced to carefully hug Ophelia’s breast.

	“Hang tight in there. Ophelia moves quick, and you might be slightly jostled.” Agatha said. “Now hurry on Ophelia. Or else the Queen will have her way with you.”

	Ophelia sighed. “No need to tell me twice. I’ll see you soon.”

	After an open door and a friendly fair well to Dorothy, Ophelia began her mad dash to the Castle. The constant jolts up and down scared the daylights out of Alix, fearing that in one moment her grip could slip and send her flying out of Ophelia’s breasts. The loud thumps of Ophelia’s heartbeat and the stomps when her feet touched the ground were all that Alix could hear. But after a while, the sound of crunching leaves made way to the solid impacts upon stone. The murmurs of passer-bys became audible as Ophelia presumably made her way towards the Queen’s castle. Ophelia eventually came to a stop as two female voices shouted “Halt”.

	With nervous rushed chatter, Ophelia talked her way past the guards as was given entry to the castle. The creak of large doors was thunderous to Alix’s little ears. After a few minutes of slowed walking, no doubt watched by the guards of the castle, Ophelia tapped her chest.

	“Hey. We’re almost there. Be ready.” Ophelia said under her breath.

	“What did you say?” A Trumpart guard asked.

	“N-Nothing. Just a cough.” Ophelia replied.

	The footsteps continued until only two sets remained, no doubt one guard hanging around for duty. With the one guard still around, Alix feared she might not get the chance to slip away to the trophy room. But in Ophelia’s jitteriness, she tripped over her own feet and slightly stumbled. But the stumble was enough to take Alix by surprise and slip inside the rabbit’s bra. In a panic, Alix tried to grab onto anything for grip, only to accidentally slash Ophelia with the knife. Ophelia gave a subdued shriek, trying not to let the Trumpart guard be aware of her discomfort. But as Alix gripped onto Ophelia with all her might, Ophelia’s heartbeat began to race again. Her skin quickly became warm to the touch, and anything that lightly brushed her skin caused her to shudder. Worse still, that pale red began to seep from the knife and bleed through her clothes.

	The Trumpart guard looked to Ophelia with worry as her cheeks became bright red and her breaths deep.

	“Hey, are you okay?” the Trumpart asked as she lowered her spear. “You can’t meet the Queen if you have a fever. Think of her health.”

	“D-Don’t worry. This isn’t a fever.” Ophelia said. “By the way, are we close to the trophy room?”

	“Yeah. It’s just down the hall here.” the guard replied. “You know the Queen is going to be cross with you being this late.”

	“I-I know. I just had to deal something with a friend.”

	As Ophelia continued to walk, more of the pale red leaked through and spilt down Alix’s arm. Alix herself could feel her body become hot and her mind begging for more of the red. It was a struggle to keep her mind on track as Ophelia finally entered the trophy room with the guard. And at that instant, Ophelia lost her patience. Ripping her vest open and tossing her clothes to the side, she pounced upon the unsuspecting Trumpart. Once tackled to the ground, the Trumpart had no way of stopping the unyielding advances of the March Hare. With wet kisses and the further ripping of the Trumpart’s uniform, the Trumpart yelled for help before being smothered by Ophelia’s bosom. As this discourse continued, the door to the trophy room closed and the door to the throne room opened. Swiftly, two green vines covered in heart shaped roses shot towards the two. The vines wrapped around them, treating them like finely bound presents before being yanked back inside of the throne room.

	From the pile of Ophelia’s clothes came a sneeze, and in an instant, Alix became full sized again. But she didn’t seem to notice this, as she was busy drinking the globs of pale red from the blade. The rosy coloured cloud tasted so sweet and made her feel so contented and pleasure she paid no mind to where she was. So hot and bothered she was a hand slipped between her legs as her eyes rolled back. Then realisation snapped back to her mind. She froze in place like a statue, sickened and confused as to what she was doing. She pulled the knife away and quickly stood to her feet and looked around. The trophy room was a large room with numerous glass cases that stood upon a white and red tiled floor. Huge windows lined both sides, showing the outsides of the castle and letting in a midday sun.

	How on Earth it’s midday again escaped Alix, but at this point, she knew questioning something that remarkably trivial was pointless. She walked up to the door to the throne room and tried to open it. The massive red doors refused to budge even a millimetre, all the way lewd sounds could be heard on the other side of the door. Alix took the moment of calm to look about the various items held in the many cases. Some of which looked like bizarre knickknacks. A hobby horse with flaming eyes. A plush doll of a Cheshire Cat. A red and white chess set that moved on its own. But out of the many trinkets that lined these cases, there was a picture. Alix stared long at the framed photo, absolutely befuddled by its meaning.

	It was a cast picture from a performance. Right in the middle was Alix in the same red dress that she wore, and by her side, a figure blurred out in black but eyes yellow. A small gold plaque on the wooden frame read “Royal Opera House: Carmen, 31/03/17”. Anxiety rolled over Alix as she took a step back from the picture. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a newspaper kept in one of the cases. An edition of The Telegraph featuring an article on the Carmen performance. It spoke in high regards, but a segment crushed Alix.

	“While the overall performance of the night was a spectacular success, many critics can’t help but notice a stiffness with Alix Grimm’s performance of the titular Carmen. As we mostly come to know and love Carmen as flirtatious, Alix’s performance could be described as more conservative than expected. While without a doubt Alix Grimm is a superb vocalist, she still bears the marks of a greenhorn to the art that is made clear with her acting.”

	Alix could feel her heart trying to escape her chest after reading the closing end of the article. She couldn’t understand why that made both sense and nonsense at the same time. Without a doubt that is her in the picture. Without a doubt that was her, she was talking about in the picture. And without a doubt, there is no identical twin of herself running around. This was her. This was her work. Her life work was immortalised here in both picture and print. But the impression was one she didn’t wish to have set in stone. Called a euphemism for an amateur. Her head began to split again as she fell forward, catching herself on the edge of the glass case.

	She could hear the applauds. The countless compliments she received on that night. Her fellow actors cheering on a successful evening, but one voice was distinct. Familiar, silky, and womanly.

	“You did amazing tonight! I just know tonight will be your big break! I know it!”

	The words felt warm and sincere but did nothing against the cold wall of defeat her soul laid against. Hiccups and tears began to escape Alix as she slinked down the side of the case.

	“It is not uncommon for a woman to be overcome with emotion. But be warned, tears in Wonderland can lead to oceans.” Madeline’s voice said from behind.

	Alix slowly looked over her shoulder to see Madeline laid atop a long glass case casually.

	“What do you want?” Alix asked as she bit back tears. “I’m not exactly in the best of places right now.”

	“Neither is Ophelia, look at her tension. Although I think that is cured with thorough stimulation.” Madeline said with a giggle. “But innuendo is not why I am here. I can see that realisation is coming near.”

	“You can say that.” Alix said as she picked herself up. “I just don’t get it. But I partially do. I am at a loss. Why am I here?”

	“Going scatter-brained now is not a viable position. Especially with a knife that seeks you for possession.” Madeline said as she lazily pointed to Alix’s right hand.

	“You knew about this!” Alix yelled. “Why did you say nothing?!”

	Madeline sighed. “What good will that do in the state that you were? It would throw you mind into more of a stir. There is time and place, and place and time. Just like my speech that goes in rhyme. You need realisation to support the weight of knowledge. Anything more and can lead to damage.”

	“So you left me in the dark for my own safety?” Alix asked as she wiped her away her tears.

	“My anadiplosis leaves little room for doubt. And I tell you the fruits of your strife are about to sprout.” Madeline said as her tail pointed to the throne room. “Go now and face the Red Queen. But know that her temper is not serene. As an entity closest to the heart of Wonderland, nearly all go by as she has planned. She keeps order in what would be chaos. Do be careful to not be drawn to a loss. There is always method in madness. Always remember that and you won’t succumb to blindness.”

	“So she will help free me from this blasted knife?” Alix asked.

	“That is neither for me or her to decide. Something bigger acts as its guide.” Madeline said.

	“Wait, what does that mean?”

	Madeline grinned as she vanished into thin air, leaving Alix alone again. The doors to the throne room burst open as Ophelia, and the Trumpart from earlier were flung out of the chamber. The smell of sex wafted by Alix’s nose as she walked up to the gaping door. The gave a worried looked to the naked Trumpart and Ophelia. But their expressions bore depraved fulfilment as they twitched on the floor. The inside of the throne room was a beautiful place. A rainbowed flower garden circled all around, and the ceiling gave way to a cloudy blue sky. But sitting in a huge through made from a tree sat something familiar. It looked like a Tentacle girl Alix saw from before, except white and red with a floating Queen’s crown atop her long red hair that faded to white. Hearts went done the middle of her bare white body, and she wore a fine red fabric and white fur collared royal garb.  From the throne stretched those green vines with roses that burrowed into the floor below and hid into the gardens of each side. The Red Queen rested her cheek in her hand as she watched Alix approach.

	“Are you the one that gave me that nick a short while ago?” the Red Queen asked.

	“I-I am. I’m sorry your highness, but those four girls scarred me.” Alix said with a curtsey.

	The Queen waved a dismissive hand, “Pfft. Those four were a good enough outlet for it. Granted I am sure they won’t be walking for a few days after having all their holes filled, but they are of strong kin. They’ll be fine.”

	Alix shuddered at the thought.

	“But in regards to what happened to my messenger and guard. Am I correct in saying you had a hand in that as well?” the Queen asked.

	“It was an accident. Ophelia tripped, and I accidentally sank the blade into her breast. The pale red stuff just poured and poured and-“

	“Stop.” the Queen said as the doors to the throne room slammed shut. A tentacle ran to Alix, picking her up by the waist. Another tentacle shot for her right arm, holding it and keeping the knife bound. “It has been a while since I’ve seen a Vorpal blade appear before me, let alone cut me. What an excellent little monster you will become.”

	“B-But I don’t want that!” Alix cried. “I just want to go home! I’ve had enough of all this!”

	The Queen pouted. “Well, you’re no fun. Most outsiders who come to Wonderland come due to the rumours of the whimsy and pleasures this land can offer. Screaming you want out is rather, odd.”

	“Please your highness. I have been chased for so long now. A chorus of voices tied to a creature with baleful yellow eyes is coming for me.” Alix began to break down in tears. “All the while I’ve been forced to learn of memories ripped from me and agonisingly spoon-fed back, just to relive the horrid feelings that come with them. I just want out. I want that thing to give me back my memories and my hand to go back to normal.”

	The Queen cocked her head at Alix. Then grinned. Then laughed. “Do you honestly think one entity is doing all that? Do you think I am the one responsible for all of that?”

	Alix looked at her with shock in her eyes.

	“Stupid woman.” the Queen said as she shook her head. “I keep order in this land. My reach permeates through every strand of Wonderland. I have seen you appear. I’ve watched you perform. Anything that isn’t obstructed from view I have seen. But even with the power I hold over in this domain, there are some things I can not tamper with. Memory for one, and the pairing of a Vorpal blade to a suitable wielder.”

	“B-But who does?” Alix meekly asked.

	“Who who who. It’s always bloody who.” the Queen said annoyed. “You’ve talked to that Mad Hatter. Think about it. Knowing how that Cheshire has strung you along so far, something must have become clear to you so far.”

	Alix did as she was ordered, and took a moment to think. Going back to what Agatha and even what Madeline has said, there was only one thing she could think of.

	“Wonderland itself.” Alix said. “If no one is doing this. It has to be Wonderland itself.”

	The Queen clapped condescendingly slow. “Well, aren’t you quick for a woman on the verge of another breakdown.”

	“Another?” Alix asked.

	The Queen laughed softly. “At any rate, Wonderland has plans. It had a plan for you ever since you were tossed in here so carelessly.”

	“Tossed in? Someone threw me in here?” Alix asked.

	The tentacles brought Alix closer to the Red Queen, making her stare into the Queen’s red eyes.

	“You are not the only new arrival that has gained my attention. Your experience is merely one side of a coin.” the Queen said. “Let me ask you something. When you first met the Cheshire, why were you not put off by her appearance?”

	Alix tried to think of a reason why, but in the end, hazard a guess. “Because in the past I met her kind before?”

	The Queen smiled. “Not bad for a stab in the dark. The idea of a monstergirl is not strange to you. It doesn’t scare you, or perturb you. You know what monster kind is. But let me tell you a not so secret secret. The kin of Wonderland exist outside of Wonderland. Cheshire, Mad Hatter, Trumpart, Jubjub, Jabberwock. All live and die with some never seeing their blood’s origin. But despite this, all have the capacity to call forth a door to Wonderland if need be.”

	“Jabberwock? I thought the Jabberwock is dead?” Alix asked.

	The Queen’s smile widened. “Looks like someone got a good history lesson. The Jabberwock is long dead with its blood the food of the Tumtum tree. The Jabberwocks that exist as monstergirls are merely one last jab at the dead beast for holding the Tumtum tree hostage. A beast of infinite voices turned into vivacious women. Cute joke isn’t it.”

	“Then what’s chasing me?” Alix asked. “Infinite voices are what’s been chasing me. But if it’s not a Jabberwock like of the one of old. Then what?”

	“Well,” the Queen said as she lazily brushed away her hair, “that’s for you to figure out.”

	More vine tentacles appeared from the bushes and slowly encroached upon snared prey. Alix struggled as she saw them come closer from the corners of her eyes.

	“Stop! What are you doing?!” Alix cried.

	“It has been fun watching your little game of cat and mouse, but I do think it may be dragging on long enough.” the Queen said. “All the best of wishes to you to be sure. After all, I genuinely mean no harm.”

	The numerous tentacles wrapped around Alix completely, only leaving her frightened eyes exposed.

	“Till we meet again, Miss Alix.” the Queen said in a kind tone. “Oh, as a funny last bit of information. If it wasn’t for Wonderland, you might have been turned into a Cheshire Cat by now. In the end, you should be thanking this place really. Much more an honour to become a Vorpal Blade than a lowly trickster cat. Ta ta sweetie.”

	The Queen sweetly waved goodbye as Alix’s vision faded. The twist and slather of the moving vines eventually echoed to nothing as the sensation of constraint left Alix. She felt weightless as she now freely fell into a black void. She looked to her now free right arm, almost a complete silver cord bouquet with numerous rose buds dotting each wire. Against the stark black, the flower buds and wire on her arm looked somewhat beautiful. Drifting down in the void, Alix had time to think on all that’s happened. At the end of being guided along by others, she truly found herself in a position with no real control. Then she remembered the news article. It was the same again. Despite best efforts, she was put on the track of mediocrity in her eyes. A big break, just like the voice said, fell flat. She now felt nothing. Her mind ran blank as she listlessly fell.

	Like a feather, she eventually fell to ground softly. Under her back was polished and waxed floor board, akin to that of a stage. She stared up to the black above, unwilling to move or try anything. She just laid there. That was until the sound of high heels walked towards her.

	“Being catatonic is not the way forward. Surely something in your mind must have bolstered?” Madeline’s voice asked.

	Alix turned her head and stared up at the grey and pink haired Cheshire Cat. Her face was more solemn than her usual quirky self.

	“Is this what you were like before you arrived? A lifeless body needing to be revived?” Madeline asked. She went on her knees and rested Alix’s head on her lap. “Memory can be more often than nought a curse. Leaving some better, but most for worse. But now is not the time to surrender. You mustn’t die out like a cinder.”

	Alix reached to Madeline’s cheek with her left hand. “I didn’t think you would care. A stranger that could have turned me into one of yourself if given a chance.”

	Madeline held Alix’s hand in hers. “I can not deny the nature of my being. But even I know the cruelty of unfeeling. Your steadfast mentality deserves conclusion. And for that, I offer no delusion. The road has been long for good reason. But to lay down now would be treason. You had to come to terms with reality that has been altered and offered. But you still need to pass with one final hazard.”

	Alix faintly smiled. “Had to come to terms with reality, huh? I couldn’t do that outside of this place, what made you think I can here?”

	“Wonderland chose you to be one of the Vorpal. With that, you have a tool to settle your quarrel. Rise up and finish what has been set in motion. Provide your own closure on this journey of confusion.”

	Alix took another look at her right arm. That idea echoed in her head. Provide her own conclusion. Over and over she was told she had the tool to settle things, and it was only then it settled in her mind. She arose to her heat and stood alone, a force of assurance now propping her up.

	“The Queen said that descendants of Wonderland can come to Wonderland if desperate enough.” Alix said. “So all that matters now is to meet the person who brought me.”

	Loud crashing footsteps came out of the inky black before Alix. The voices began to echo and speak, and the glowing eyes peered through the dark. Alix stood defiantly against her pursuer.

	“I’m done running then. I caved into my weakness once before, I won’t do it again.” Alix said as the outline of the creature came into sight. It was huge and spindle, with a long neck and a head with bare teeth and fleshy whiskers. It was like a dragon, but mangy and slim. Alix knew that this was the Jabberwock. Its eyes stared down Alix, but she did not budge. “You are the one that brought me to Wonderland. You set in motion everything that’s happened to me. Why? Why have done all this to me? I at least deserve to know that much.”

	“To save you.” The Jabberwock said with a voice ringing with a chorus.

	“You call this saving me?” Alix asked. “Because of you, I had to relieve hell all over again. Because of you, I have become aware of a dark desire that resides within me because of this damned knife!”

	“You were not supposed to be broken away from me!” The Jabberwock yelled. “Something tore you away from your care. We were meant to sing the pain away. But you disappeared! I told you to stay put, but you went ahead and wandered about Wonderland by yourself!”

	“And who has that to blame?!” Alix yelled. “From everything I’ve learned, under no normal circumstance was I meant to be here! I had no idea what you are because Wonderland itself wanted me!”

	“You’re spouting nonsense!” The Jabberwock yelled.

	Alix pointed the Vorpal Blade at the Jabberwock. “I speak nothing but the truth. Nothing is a bigger sin than a lie! And besides, I see beyond this fog of mirrors now. Jabberwocks don’t exist as your form anymore!”

	Alix then sprinted towards the Jabberwock. The rosebuds that covered the wires on her arm bloomed one by one, leaving a never-ending trail of rose petals in their wake. The Jabberwock bellowed out Alix’s name over and over again in increasing agitation. With a weighted slice, Alix stabbed the belly of the beast. A low rumble filled the area as the Jabberwock’s voice slowly changed. From monstrous and livid, it became a familiar velvety female, whimpering, and scared. The illusion of the Jabberwock shrank and changed to something more humanoid.

	“You’re such an idiot. Such an impulsive idiot.” Alix said with tears in her eyes. “Iris. What on Earth made you think this was a good idea?”

	The black surround broke like glass and the shards lifted to the sky. The scenery became that of the twisted green forest Alix first found herself in. The Jabberwock’s appearance finalised. It was a woman with short blonde hair and blue eyes. Purple dragon wings sprouted from her back, and her hands and feet looked like dragon claws. It was indeed a Jabberwock, just one in a two-piece black dress. It was Alix’s closest friend and fellow opera actor.

	“Alix… I’m so sorry.” Iris said with tears streaming down her face. “I just wanted to make you better. You didn’t move or say anything for so long.”

	Alix then pulled the Vorpal blade from Iris’ chest. The pale red covered the blade and was syphoned by the tiny roses. Alix licked the pale red from the blade, sending waves of pleasure crawl down her spine and making her knees quiver. She accepted the fate that fell before her but drew some comfort in knowing she ended it herself. Both Alix and Iris fell to their knees, propping each other up by their chests. Alix could feel Iris become hot and her breathing becoming depraved.

	“In that respect, I think you succeeded.” Alix said with a grim chuckle.

	“But what are you now?” Iris asked. “I honestly thought I was going to die when you just stabbed me. But I’m not bleeding blood. But I do feel a bit, uh, bothered now.”

	“I have become a monstergirl as well now. A Vorpal Blade.” Alix said. “I’m now a supposed ‘guardian’ of Wonderland now.”

	“But will that stop you from going back to opera?” Iris asked.

	“No. I don’t think so.” Alix replied.