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Part 10

Ray asks a simple question.

And then makes a promise to you.

"I'll return you to your world."

Your heart aches at his soft words.

.

Chapter 1

Ray: Hey, is it my turn now?

Kiera: For what?

Ray: Can I ask you something? Just one thing?

Kiera: Sure, go ahead. Anything at all.

I spoke blithely, and Ray grinned up at me.

Ray: If you could use magic, what would you want to do?

Kiera: If I could use magic--

(Wow, what a question.)

(I'd like to go flying in the sky, or maybe travel around the world eating every type of cake possible, or--)

A dozen thoughts flashed through my mind, but the one I settled on was much simpler.

Kiera: If I could use magic, I'd like to stop time.

Ray: Really?

Kiera: That's right. If I could stop time right now, we could stay here forever, gazing at the stars, right?

Kiera: It makes me feel sad somehow, knowing that we'll never see the stars again exactly as they are now.

Suddenly Ray burst out laughing, a loud sound that echoed through the empty garden.

Kiera: What? Why are you laughing?

Ray: Oh, man--

-

"You don't have to laugh that much!"

-

Kiera: Hey, you don't have to laugh that much!

Ray: Sorry, give me a sec.

Ray laughed and laughed until tears were streaming down his face.

Ray: You're being waaaay too simplistic.

(Well, maybe I am.)

(But that doesn't change the fact that I wish time would stop right now.)

(I feel it so strongly. Is it so bad to go with what I feel?)

Ray: Besides, are you sure you really want to say that?

Kiera: Why?

Ray: If you stopped time right now, you'd never be able to return to your world.

Kiera: Oh! You're right.

Ray: See, way too simplistic.

Ray laughed softly again, and I frowned down at him.

But when he spoke again, his voice was gentle and free of laughter.

Ray: Don't worry.

Ray: Magic can't stop time anyway.

I nodded silently, still caught up in my thoughts and not sure I trusted myself to say anything more.

Ray: I know we made a deal, and I promised we'd keep you safe. But let me add something to that.

Ray paused, waiting until I looked down to meet his gaze again, and then he smiled.

Ray: I promise I'll return you safely to your world.

.

Chapter 2

His soft, sure voice settled in my heart. His eyes seemed to pierce right through me.

It felt as if we were the only two people in the whole world, and I knew why I wanted time to stop.

Kiera: I know. Thanks, Ray.

Ray: No problem. Hey, tell me about the world you live in.

Kiera: My world?

Ray: Sure. I don't know anything about it.

Ray: And I want to know more about you.

Kiera: Wow, I don't even know where to start.

As I started to talk about the life I'd lived, I remembered what Blanc had said about my world existing in parallel to this one.

Ray looked cheerful and curious as he listened to me speak, yet for some reason his smile made my heart ache.

(The worlds we live in have nothing to do with each other.)

(And when the next full moon comes, I'll have to leave this place.)

I'd thought it was what I wanted, and yet instead of feeling hopeful, I felt afraid.

But I was also afraid of studying these feelings of mine too closely.

So I pushed them away and picked the funniest and most interesting stories I could think of to tell Ray.

---

15 days remained until the next full moon--

(Let's see, the floors are all mopped, so next up--)

I was walking back down the hallway, mop in hand, when a sudden voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

Luka: Found you.

Kiera: Luka!

Luka tromped down the corridor toward me, and stopped in front of me.

Luka: I've been looking for you.

Luka: To give you this.

Kiera: Hmm?

He thrust out his hand, and I realized he was holding a letter.

Kiera: Thanks, Luka! Can I open it now?

Luka: Sure. I mean, it's yours.

Kiera: Oh, right. It is.

Luka smiled faintly at me, and I grinned back at him as I opened the envelope.

Inside I found a letter filled with very neat handwriting.

(Let's see--)

Long time no see, Kiera. Why don't you come visit me on the day you receive this letter?

It's been a while since I've seen your sweet smile.

I'll prepare some delicious treats for you.

Yours, Blanc Lapin.

Kiera: Oh, it's from Blanc!

Luka: What does he say?

.

Chapter 3

Kiera: He's asking if I'd like to pay him a visit.

Luka: Okay. In that case--

Luka reached out and awkwardly pulled the mop out of my hands.

Kiera: What?

Luka: You work too much.

Luka: You push yourself too much.

Luka: I don't like that. So-- sometimes you should take a break.

His words came out all in a rush, yet in spite of his frown I could sense his kindness, and I smiled happily at him.

Kiera: Well, I guess you're right. In that case maybe I will go and see him.

Luka nodded faintly, looking relieved.

Luka: Will you be okay by yourself?

Kiera: Sure. Look, he even included a map!

Kiera: Besides, he lives in the Central Quarter, and that's neutral territory, right? I'll be fine!

Luka: Okay. Have fun.

I nodded to Luka, and ran off to my room to get changed and head off to visit Blanc.

Several hours later--

(Huh? That's weird.)

(This doesn't seem right. Where am I?)

The sky was turning red and orange overhead, and I was deep in the forest.

I could see what looked like freshly growing Magic Crystals all around, and I frowned at the strange tingling feeling I felt when I got too close to one.

(That arrow on that last sign I saw was definitely broken.)

I'd been following signs through the Central Quarter, but the last one had been loose on its nail, spinning in all directions.

(And then I got lost in thought, and as a result I'm now lost in the woods!)

(I hope that turning around will be enough to get me back to where I came from!)

The trees were crowded so close that I'd lost all sense of direction, and it was almost impossible to tell which way the sunlight was coming from.

I crossed my fingers as I turned around and started walking back in what I hoped was the right direction.

Kiera: Wait-- is that--

The trees parted a little, and between them I spotted a tall tower that made me catch my breath.

(If I remember correctly--)

Fenrir: And then they're refined for use in the Magic Tower.

Kiera: And that's the Magic Tower?

Fenrir: That's right. That's where people study magic, to help our country advance.

Fenrir: I mean, it's basically a civic agency that serves Cradle.

The building looked exactly the same as the picture Fenrir had shown me.

The tip of the tower seemed to almost touch the sky, and I stared in awe at the giant Magic Crystals surrounding it.

I felt entranced by the strange, eerie spectacle, and then a sudden strong breeze gusted past.

(What was that?)

???: Alice?

.

Chapter 4

A vaguely familiar voice seemed to drift to me on the breeze, and I turned slowly.

Kiera: Oh!

(But why-- how?)

???: Silence!

Red Soldier: Bow down to the King of Hearts, Lancelot! May glory run crimson through our veins!

Lancelot: May glory run crimson through our veins.

Kiera: Lancelot-- err, King Lancelot?

After his dramatic performance that day, there was no mistaking him.

It was the King of Hearts, Lancelot, and he was standing right there, staring at me.

His eyes were just as cold as I remembered, and his hair was bright blond in spite of the red tones of the setting sun.

His presence was so overwhelming, and so unexpected, that I stood there frozen to the spot as he approached me.

Lancelot: What are you doing in this place?

I opened my mouth and closed it again, at a loss for words.

Lancelot: Speak.

I took a deep breath, and at last managed to speak, but my voice trembled slightly.

Kiera: I was on my way to visit Blanc, but I took a wrong turn somewhere.

Kiera: I got lost in the forest, and-- now I'm here.

Lancelot: Blanc. You mean the White Rabbit.

Lancelot: You are a very long way from your intended destination.

His gaze was so cold that I began to shiver as he stared at me.

Lancelot: Listen carefully. This is the Forbidden Forest.

Lancelot: The residents of Cradle would never dare set foot in here.

Kiera: Wait-- it's forbidden?

Lancelot: If you value your life, never set foot in this place again. Now leave. Immediately.

Kiera: Um-- okay!

I felt compelled to obey, and I turned quickly, hoping I could retrace my steps.

Lancelot: Hmm?

But I stopped again as I heard the sound of several people approaching.

(Now what's going on?)

Those people aren't wearing army uniforms, so they're not with Lancelot. Who are they?)

Lancelot: Disciples? Why are they here?

His voice sounded strained, and when I looked up, I saw a flicker of confusion in his eyes.

Kiera: Um--

Lancelot: I have no choice.

His voice was a soft rasp in my ear, and a moment later I felt his arm around my waist, pulling me toward him.

Kiera: Ahhhhh!

Lancelot: Quiet.

I could barely hear the approaching footsteps over the sound of my racing heart, but then a voice spoke.

???: King Lancelot?

Up ahead I saw several people step out from amidst the trees, their faces almost entirely hidden by the hoods of their robes.

Before I could notice more than that, Lancelot's arms tightened around my waist.

Lancelot: Alice.

I knew something was dreadfully wrong, just from the way he spoke my name.

I looked up at him quickly, afraid to look at the approaching figures any longer.

Lancelot: Hold tight.

.

Chapter 5

The color of his eyes began to change, turning a deep, blood red.

(I remember this.)

It was the same way his eyes had looked that first day, when he'd used magic on the Black Army.

I had no idea what was going on, and I squeezed my eyes tightly shut.

Lancelot: Here we go.

His voice was almost drowned out by the sudden wind that whipped around us, and I opened my eyes again in surprise.

(Oh wow!)

We were standing on the Black Bridge, just beyond the Black Army's headquarters.

(Did we just travel by magic?)

Kiera: But why--

My voice petered out as I looked up into Lancelot's dark red eyes.

A moment later the red vanished completely, and his eyes were normal again.

(I don't really understand what's going on.)

(But I think you just rescued me--)

Kiera: Excuse me--

But before I could say anything more, I heard a sudden shout.

Black Soldier 1: The King of Hearts?!

Kiera: Oh no!

The soldiers guarding the bridge were standing in a row, staring at us in shock.

Black Soldier 1: It's the King of Hearts! Lancelot Kingsley is attacking us! Alone!

Black Soldier 2: And he's taken Kiera hostage!

(Wow, this just went from bad to worse.)

The soldiers all drew their weapons and fell into formation as they approached us.

Black Soldier 2: Kiera! Don't worry, well rescue you!

(No, you've got it all wrong!)

My thoughts were whirling, and I didn't know how to react.

I knew he was the enemy, but I also knew he wasn't there to attack them, and I definitely wasn't his hostage.

At last I found my voice, and I opened my mouth to yell at them stop, but before I could--

Ray: What's all the fuss?

The Black Army soldiers stepped apart as a familiar figure walked toward us.

Kiera: Ray.

Ray: Kiera? And--

Ray: Lancelot?

Ray blinked at us both for a moment, and then he turned his head slightly to speak to the soldiers, never taking his eyes off me.

Ray: Lower your weapons.

Black Soldiers: Yes, sir!

Ray approached us slowly, but he was watching Lancelot now, his expression guarded.

Ray: What are you doing in Black Territory?

Ray: And why do you have Kiera with you?

Lancelot was silent, his face impassive.

Ray reached calmly for the sword strapped to his waist.

He slid it deftly from its sheath and in one smooth motion pointed the tip at Lancelot's throat.

Ray: And depending on your answer-- I may not show you any mercy.