Alice, oh Alice.

Wake up Alice.

The darkness gave away to as her vision began to clear. The alley was dark and eerie, the blood splatter on the walls and bricked ground did not help at all, but this didn't bother her... oh no it surely did not. Ecila was accustomed to places like these, this was like home she did not know true peace and beauty aside from decomposed corpses. Taking a second to understand that she was not in the plain world anymore she turned her attention to the darkness beyond her.

"Where are you cat?" The question caused the darkness to concentrate at the center and slowly the Cheshire's body formed with a grin. "Oh, there you are, so why have you brought me to this place?"

No, oh no I did not bring you I wished to speak to Alice.

"Well, as you can see she is not here it is just me, sorry to disappoint," She said and turned around only to look down the same identical alley with the same identical cat.

Why, she is here she is always here

The Cheshire began as it landed on the bricked alleyway and began it's slow walk towards her.

She is all around you, you can't get rid of her and she cannot rid herself of you as well. Only thing to do is blend and grin, until then there won't be an end.

Stopping at her feet the cat sat and stared up at her.

But do tell her to watch her step or she shall fall, these people know the way just as well.

"What? What does that even mean?" Her question went unanswered as the cat began to fade, "oh, how I truly hate your riddles cat."

Good, hate is in order for you to do your job. But don't worry Alice knows the words of a Cheshire Car.

With that the cat faded and the rest of the dream began to fade.

It's about time you learned too...

---

The bump jolted Ecila awake from her slumber, quickly looking around she realized she was within a carriage and the road they were travelling has gotten rough. So rough that the rocking kept her thoughts away, which was probably best. Reaching into the small pocket at the front of her light blue and white dress she pulled out the small note filled with quickly jotted down information. Her day was a rushed and confused one.

She was asleep for no more than three hours when the sound of a loud commotion and the beckoning of her name awakened her from the cot she slept on. Father had sent his servants to fetch for her in order to prepare her for some sort of journey that she was not informed of. On his orders she was forced to dress and pack within an hour and jump into an awaiting carriage to which the driver was to give her the small letter the King had written to update her of the situation as she was on the road. Unfortunately she was too tired to do anything else besides fall asleep and that was exactly what she did once she spent thirty minutes within the carriage. Now awake it was time for her to know what was going on.

Quickly reading the note she sat there for a few seconds taking it in. Apparently she was being sent to Ascavaia a nearly lost kingdom with a dying King to prove herself worthy of being the next heir, to which every other kingdom is competing for as well and being one of the farthest kingdoms the other kingdoms had an advantage explaining the rush in this journey.

"Now we know," The familiar voice came from beside her and turning slowly towards the figure she realized it was none other than the Mad Hatter.

"Hatter, what are you doing here? And why?" Ecila's voice came out hoarse but that was a side effect of coming back from her reality.

"Why, I am to see to your safety young lady what else?" With the tip of his hat he smiled his ever so wicked smiles.

"Safety? Is this journey to be dangerous?"

"Anything revolving politics is dangerous and I am to make sure you do nothing too bad." The look in his eyes revealed to her that he had no intent of keeping her in check, unsure if that was a good or bad thing she continued.

"You said we, did you get a note as well?" She asked looking down at the note which was now crumpled in her hand.

"No, I read that one of course. You were in your world so I decided to read it, I was just surprised as you were I simply had more time to get ready... unlike you." The comment got Ecilia to glare at him before dropping it and reaching down beneath the seat the only area within the carriage that was dark. A large mouth with two inch fangs appeared from the darkness and swallowed the note before disappearing once more.

"Oh, look we are almost there," The Hatter said as he peered out his window, doing the same thing Alice watched as the carriage traveled over a stone bridge that joined a land of dark forests to a land filled with farmlands. The large river at the bottom of the ridge looked mighty ferocious, if one would to fall into that river would be mighty unfortunate. The carriage brought them to farmlands which at first looked as normal as any farmland, but with further inspection Ecila noticed the spikes with chopped off heads surrounding the farmhouses.

What wonderful decorations.

The farmland gave way to a large village filled with all the worst the world had to offer and the entire area seemed to be covered in filth. The village was truly an unpleasant one and the stares of the individuals they passed was none other than sadness of evil intent. She knew this was a dying kingdom but she didn't expect something like this, this was interesting.

"Oh looky you are enjoying this," The Hatter's comment caught her off guard and all she could do was stare at him for a minute or two before realizing what he meant. Looking down at her hand she realized she was gripping her left wrist so tightly that her nails embedded themselves into her skin drawing blood. Know this was her subconscious keeping Alice at bay she sighed and pressed her back to the seat and stared up at the ceiling of the carriage.

"I doubt I'll be able to win a kingdom acting like Alice..."

"Oh, sure you can, everyone loves Alice and Alice loves everyone just not in the ways everyone prefers. Love and hate both opposites of each other and yet both are the reasons why people reach certain accomplishments." At first he was responding to her but halfway through he began talking to someone else, himself.

Ignoring him Alice simply looked out the window at the corner of her eyes; the carriage was now slowing down and once it came to a stop the driver began talking to someone. As the carriage started up again Ecila watched as they passed the guardsmen that the driver must have spoken to then a large marbled wall that seemed to surround what she assumed was the castle. Watching soldiers train and the carriage pass large, bulky structures she assumed they were in the military section of the castle. Only passing another set of marble walls and fortifications did the carriage stop. Straightening up Ecila watched as a maid accompanied by a royal soldier open her door.

"Welcome Princess Ecila Liddell," The maid greeted with a curtsy and the soldier with a bow.

"Ah, yes hello to you too maid and soldier," She responded as she began to disembark only to have the soldier quickly move to her to help her out of the carriage. With a pat on his head as her form of thank you she made her way to the maid, "are you my guide?"

"Oh yes ma'am, this way if you would please," The maid answered but she didn't move until the Hatter took his position beside her. "I will be showing you to your rooms so you may get ready for the welcoming dinner the king has prepared," The maid informed them as they made their way across the large courtyard with a large fountain at the center of a U-turn stone road.

Getting to know each other over dinner, how pleasant I wonder who shall be the first to choke on their meal...

The castle itself was four stories accompanied by four ten story towers at each four corners, the paths that led to the sides and back of the castle had cherry blossom trees to either sides, and the castle itself seemed to glitter from the sun hitting what seemed to be large gems that decorated parts of the castle that was to stand out. Once they passed the large white gold double doors they were welcomed by the staff that greeted them in a royal manner. Ecila couldn't help but to picture them headless as they walked pass them and went up the main stairwell that circled the walls of the foyer which the ceiling appear to reach the highest floor. At each floor there was a set of double doors which she assumed lead to the rest of the floor but they passed each floor and only stopped when they reached the third floor.

"This will be the floor where you will be residing in," The maid informed then nodded at the two castle guards that did their job as door openers.

What a pitiful job.

"The bedrooms on the left are for the princesses and the ones on the right are for the princes," The corridor they were in was long and filled with decorated doors on both sides, it seemed to be endless. When they reached the fourth bedroom the maid stopped and stood beside the door beckoning her in, "this shall be your room and I will show your bodyguard to his room."

Glancing at the smirking Hatter Ecila nodded and placed her hand on the doorknob. Taking a deep breath she turned the knob and walked into her dark and unknowing future, oh if she only knew how unprepared she would be. This was the castle of a dying king after all, everything wasn't as it seemed.

Just how I like it.

"Wolfe," his father began, "Remember to act like a noble man."

Wolfe looked at his father and nodded. They stood near his carriage a hundred feet from Castle de Deutschland. It was massive in size. And like all things built by Wolfe's grandfather, people got lost in the castle. Stairs that went nowhere; doors with no rooms; rooms with no doors; trapdoors. It had everything that you normally not find in a castle.

Wolfe's father then turned to Schaden, Wolfe's bastard brother and his appointed guardian. "Son, keep him well," he said. And so, the teary eyed father saw his sons depart from Deutschland, to a land far away. He was sad; Wolfe knew no politics and was 'touched by the Gods' (insane); Wolfe's father thought as the carriage moved, Lucky bastard. I was going to kill him myself. Now I won't see how he dies.

---

Two mornings later the carriage had traveled many miles of rough terrain. Deutschland was many days travel from King Avre's kingdom; which meant they had to pay no 'taxes'. Wolfe looked outside. It was just early morning. The rays of the Sun barely reached the carriage through all the dead trees. The Forest of Longborough, home to saints and rapists alike.

As they moved on one could hear screams of men, women and succubi alike. Wolfe grinned and tried to find out what was happening. "Keep your head inside," warned Schaden. Wolfe scowled and ordered the carriage to be stopped. "I want to see what's happening," said Wolfe and stepped. "Fine, whatever. Don't get killed," said Schaden and flipped the page of his little red book.

Wolfe walked towards the sun which still had difficulties lighting the area. It had been only a few minutes since the sun crept up from behind the mountain in the distance. As he moved, a large dog, head reaching Wolfe's abdomen, emerged from the shadows beside him. The dog had large fangs instead of teeth; it's mouth dripping with saliva. "Do you really need to find out?" the dog asked. "I'm bored. Schaden is no fun. He just stares at his little red book all day. Doesn't even know how to read," he replied and moved on.

The screaming meanwhile continued just ahead; a woman's voice. The trees were beginning to give way. Finally he and the dog reached a lonely house. The door was open; but since he could not see the door itself, it might as well be nonexistent. "A demon lives inside," the dog said and transformed into a Draugr. Draugrs were undead beings who could control an element of nature. Each Draugr could control whatever element he wished, but only one at a time. The former dog opened his palms and a fireball enveloped his hand. "A demon lives inside," the dog warned again.

Irritated by the illusion, the draugr, his mind created he willed it to disappear. And disappear it did. Wolfe needed no protection. The scream engulfed his thoughts as he stood at he door. Suddenly the screaming stopped. "Please, do come in," said a raspy female voice from inside. Wolfe walked in. Inside a man moved a large spatula in a drum of boiling oil. Inside the drum sat a woman it seemed. She has no skin. Wolfe noticed a heap of skin, some fresh, some rotting, lying near a corner. Half eaten bones, with some flesh on them, lay on a table.

The man continued stirring the oil. The flame below was white. The woman spoke, "Hello brother. Remember me? We used to play together; then Uncle used to play with me alone in his room; remember me, brother Grimm?" Wolfe bared his teeth, "And then you used to scream," he said. The woman smiled. Wolfe sat down near the flame. As Wolfe and the woman talked, the man occasionally stopped stirring to carve out some flesh from his hand and dropped it into the drum for 'flavoring'.

---

Schaden continued to read his little red book. Twenty days ago they had left Deutschland. Finally they were here. The carriage was now slowing down and once it came to a stop the driver began talking to someone. The number of guards had increased. Wolfe waved at one who looked like a friend of Wolfe's did. The genuinely surprised guard decided against waving back.

The carriage stopped and the driver announced that they had reached the castle door. Ahead of them another carriage just started moving. The moment Schaden and Wolfe stepped out, their carriage moved ahead into the parking area allotted for the princes and princesses.

A maid and a butler stood before them. Schaden removed Wolfe's overcoat, handed it over to the butler and turned his attention back to the book. "Do you even know what's written?" asked Wolfe, his voice low. "Whatever," replied Schaden. The maid waited for the banter to end before leading them away.

The castle itself was four stories accompanied by four ten story towers at each four corners, the paths that led to the sides and back of the castle had cherry blossom trees to either sides, and the castle seemed to glitter from the sun hitting large gems that decorated parts of the castle. Once they passed the large white gold double doors they were welcomed by the staff that greeted them in a royal manner. Wolfe greeted them while Schaden somehow managed to remain engrossed in his little red book while dodging obstacles.

As Schaden and Wolfe walked pass them and went up the main stairwell that circled the walls of the foyer which the ceiling appear to reach the highest floor, Wolfe wondered what lay in store for him. At each floor there was a set of double doors which he assumed lead to the rest of the floor but they passed each floor and only stopped when they reached the third floor.

"This will be the floor where you will be residing in," The maid informed, then nodded at the two castle guards that worked part time as door openers. Her speech seemed calculated, as if everyone was ordered to say the same thing.

"The bedrooms on the left are for the princesses and the ones on the right are for the princes," The corridor they were in was long and filled with decorated doors on both sides, it seemed to be endless. When they reached the fifth bedroom the maid stopped and stood beside the door beckoning him in, "this shall be your room and I will show your bodyguard to his room."

"You want this one?" Wolfe asked but Schaden and the maid had already left. He walked inside.

It was far too early in the morning for anyone to be awake, and only the biting cold of the early dawn kept the young man from drifting back into the world of dreams. For the hundredth time in that hour alone, the teenager yawned massively and ran a hand through his unruly brown hair. He and another man were standing in front of a black carriage, the silhouette of the castle behind them, barely visible through the thin coils of fog that drifted through the air. Both men were cloaked in capes, the older man’s in royal purple and the teen’s in a dark brown that was the exact same shade as his knee high riding boots.

“Now Hansel, you must remember your purpose in Ascavia.”
The older man advised, pulling at the folds of his cloak. His hair was gray in some spots, and beginning to thin out. Though he had yet to grow a beard, it was obvious that age was starting to creep up on him. The teenage boy, Hansel, had a mischievous and carefree smile hanging on his lips. As he listened to the man though, his smile slipped a bit.

“Wait, who are you again?” He asked, tilting his head slightly to the side.

The older man heaved a sigh, shooting Hansel an almost exasperated look, as though this was something he had to deal with constantly. “I’m your father Hansel. The King of Ashwood.”

When he heard that, Hansel laughed and shook his head. “Sorry about that Father. You know I’m really forgetful.”

His father smiled a bit too, but the expression didn’t seem without effort. Forgetful wasn’t even beginning to describe Hansel’s rather fragmented memory. Something was definitely broken in his son’s brain. The King just had no idea what it was.

“Like I was saying, Hansel,” His father tried to pull them back on topic. “Don’t forget what you’re supposed to be doing in Ascavia.”He eyed his son meaningfully. “I want either you or Gretel to secure the throne. So that means be on your absolute best behavior, alright?” As he said the last few words, his eyes drifted down towards Hansel’s belt, where a wicked looking knife sat sheathed.

“But Father-!” Hansel was about to protest, but he could tell from the stormy look on his father’s face that an argument would go nowhere. Even if he talked about how relishing it was to stick a knife into a person’s stomach and watch the blood flow out like a river, it wouldn’t do him any good. His father was dead set against violence. He backed off, letting his attention instead greet the empty grounds. Aside from the carriage, the black horses and the patiently waiting driver, they were alone. Someone was missing. Who? Oh yes, his sister.

“Father, where’s Gretel?”

The King had returned to absentmindedly smoothing out his cloak, but when he heard Hansel’s words, he looked back up. “Oh, Gretel is leaving in a separate carriage later. I thought it would be safer if you two went individually. You’ll meet up with her later at Ascavia.”

“Ah, I see.” Hansel grinned again before opening the door to the carriage and setting one foot inside. “Well, I think I’ll be off now Father. Take care, alright?”

Realizing that the time for departure had come, the driver got into his seat and took the reins of the horses. The King gave a slight wave as the carriage rattled down the paved road. He wondered if he would see Hansel again. Then again, was that really Hansel that was leaving him? Ten years ago, his son had been an extremely sweet boy who wouldn’t have hurt a fly. After returning from the woods though, Hansel had changed. He was still as sweet and carefree as ever, but he had developed an affinity for violence and blood and he could become explosive and dangerous without warning. He definitely suffered from some sort of mental breakdown. There was no other explanation for his forgetfulness and constant mood swings. The King didn’t know what happened in the forest so many years ago, and he had never dared to ask. But whatever it was, it had changed his two sweet children into cold-blooded murderers. He couldn’t relate to them anymore. It was this reason that prevented the King from shouting one last goodbye before the carriage turned the bend in the road and was completely out of earshot.



Ashwood was roughly three-quarters of a day’s distance away from Ascavia. A relatively short trip compared to many of the other Kingdoms. The minute that Hansel settled down into the velvet seats at the back of the carriage, he had succumbed to sleep. Last night he had gotten only two hours of sleep, spending the rest of the evening jostling around with friends in the castle’s supposedly haunted basements. When his eyes opened again, he could not remember exactly where he was or even who he was. That wasn’t an uncommon development though. Hansel had learned after years of the same experience to simply sit around and wait for his mind to sort out the puzzle pieces and come up with a coherent explanation for his situation. Sure enough, after sitting silently for a few moments and bouncing along to the rhythm of the carriage, Hansel managed to recollect enough of his memories to understand that his father, the King of Ashwood, had sent him along with Gretel to another Kingdom. Unfortunately, he couldn’t remember for the life of him why he was being sent there. All he could hazily recollect was his father’s statement earlier that morning. ‘Don’t forget your purpose’. Well, he had gone and done exactly that. Forget what he was supposed to be doing. Fortunately, Gretel would remind him soon enough. Wait, where was Gretel? Oh right, she was coming in a separate carriage as a safety precaution.

With his memories assorted back in place, Hansel grinned and crossed one leg over the other. The small window to his left was covered with a velvet drape, and he moved it back slightly. Outside, it was well into the afternoon and the sun was making its journey towards the west. A golden light pierced the window and he had to squint his eyes to make out his surroundings properly. The carriage was going at a fast speed, and he could just make out the blurry outlines of trees lining both sides of the road. He craned his neck, looking to see what was up ahead. It was just the same stretch of trees and road. It appeared as though they were nowhere near their destination.
Hansel leaned back into his seat and squirmed a little bit to get comfortable. His normally unruly brown hair was even more tousled as a result of sleeping, and that combined with his huge grin gave him the appearance of a madman. So when the driver stopped the carriage a few minutes later to see how his charge was doing, he did a double take.

“Oh, M-Master Hansel. Y-You’re awake.”

The driver, whose name was Peter, was a nervous and fidgety man who always steered clear of the children of the royal family. He had heard that both the son and daughter were mentally unstable, and it seemed as though this young man in the back of his carriage fit the description that was flying around the castle. Peter deeply resented the fact that his colleague Brent, who was originally supposed to be making this trip, somehow fell ill the night before. As a result, he had been left with what he felt was a risky and dangerous job. In the time that Hansel had been sleeping, Peter had nervously checked over his shoulder every twenty minutes in fear that the boy would wake up and do something horrid. Now that he was awake...

“Yes I am!”

Hansel replied cheerfully, stretching his long limbs and grinning. “Where are we right now?”

Peter had heard about Hansel’s horrible memory, so he was well prepared with his answer. “W-Well, Master. We’re h-headed towards the c-city of Ascavia. I t-think it’ll be a little l-longer until we arrive though.” He wondered if Hansel would throw a fit at the idea of having to wait any longer. To his surprise though, the teen simply nodded before leaning forward abruptly and asking excitedly,

“Hey, what’s this Ascavia like?”

Hansel had a burning curiosity to figure out what this Kingdom was like, as either he or Gretchen could certainly rule it one day. Peter started slightly at the question, unsure how to answer. He had resided in Ascavia for a few years when he was still a young man in his twenties, and didn’t know a lot about the city. However, he could tell that Hansel desperately wanted an answer, so he decided to give it a go with his limited knowledge.

“Well, Master...”



Two hours later, a black carriage with uniformly black horses and a very small and fidgety driver pulled up at the grand gateway to the Ascavia palace. When the vehicle clambered up the road, all the guards snapped to attention, eyes fixed keenly on the doors of the carriage. Peter, nervous as always, hopped down from his seat and scurried towards the carriage doors. Hansel watched through the window with some amusement as the man tried to open the door and lost hold of the grip. He was grateful for the extra time though. It meant a few extra seconds for him to prepare himself to look and act the part of a proper Prince.

When Peter did finally manage to yank the door open in a rather undignified fashion, Hansel rose from his seat and clambered out of the carriage, cloak bundled up in his hands. As he stepped out into the evening light, he calmly rose to his full height of over six feet and stared at the guards in front of him. He offered a small smile, though nothing near his usual mischievous one.

“Where is my sister Gretel?”

His tone was light, but also direct and forceful. It was clear that he wanted to be answered immediately. One of the guards bowed and muttered towards the ground, “She is yet to arrive, Prince Hansel. Perhaps while you wait, we can have you situated in your designated bedchamber?”

“What a kind offer, but no I’ll have to decline.” Hansel replied as politely as he was able to. He couldn’t muster this guise for much longer. What he really wanted to do was flee from here, or better yet, slay these talkative guards.

His hand twitched, reaching for the knife, but he thought better. Rather, he diplomatically said, “I think I’ll wait here for her.”
With his mind made up, the Prince settled down in a spot near the gate. The guards and Peter, realizing they could do nothing else, headed their separate ways. The guards back to their posts, and Peter back into his carriage to commence the long ride home.

It was way too early for anyone to be awake, as Gretel was wearing an long white dress that goes down to the floor as the maid tried getting her to wear some ballet flats. "Y-You have to wear shoes madam!" The maid said quite scared as Gretel gave her an creepy smile before she attack, last thing you hear is her screaming for Gretel to stop.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


“Gretel!Stop it!.” Her father cried as he walk in to find his youngest child, next to the bloody maid who was already dead for telling her what to do. Her dress was cover in blood as she held an knife, one she use fairly often as she look innocently at her father, but there is nothing innocent about Gretel. She lost all innocence when her father abandon them long ago as children in the woods. She never forgave her father for what he has done to them as she drop the knife next to the lifeless maids body as she stripped out of the dress and into an new one, that was white and blue. It went down to her ankles as she slipped on some blue ballet flats as she followed her father outside. "I never liked her anyways.."She said softly as she look at her father from the corner of her eye. "Where's Hansel?" She asked as her father nervously ran an hand through his hair. "He's already gone..I thought it would be better if you two get there in separate carriages..You’ll meet up with him later at Ascavia."


Gretel narrowed her eyes as she frown at him. Her father nervously stare at his daughter. He knew she was way more difficult to handle then Hansel. She could one minute be fine, then the next she would hold an knife towards your throat as she threatens you.

Don’t forget what you’re supposed to be doing in Ascavia.”He eyed his daughter nervously. “I want either you or Hansel to secure the throne...that means that you need to be on your best behavior, alright?” He said nervously as he beg her with his eyes not to do anything crazy, like killed others or threaten them.

Gretel bit her lip as she put an innocent look on her face. "Of course father.." She said sarcastically as she turn away from him, rolling her eyes.

“I mean it Gretel!”Her father said annoyed.

“Yeah, I know father.” Gretel said smirking before opening the door to the carriage and setting one foot inside. “Well, I think I will be going now father. Goodbye.”

Realizing that the time for departure had come, the driver got into his seat and took the reins of the horses. The King just stare as the carriage rattled down the paved road. Hopefully Hansel gets the throne, he's too scared if it was his daughter. Did he really wanted Gretel to return? Ten years ago, his daughter had been the sweetest little girl that was so innocence and caring that wouldn't hurt anyone. After returning from the woods though, both his children had changed.

Gretel may have the innocene act going on, but she had developed an obsession for violence and blood and she would become dangerous without any warning. She's also obsessed with fire, which frightens him since she barely notice if she burn herself or not. Hopefully she hasn't brought her lighter with her and actually listen to him for once in her life. But this is his daughter he was talking about, she never listen to anyone except for Hansel. No matter how much of an monster she is, he will always love her. Plus its fault that his children are like that, he left them in the woods alone, just because his wife told him to.

The King didn’t know what happened in the forest so many years ago, and he had never dared to ask his children. But whatever it was, it had changed his two sweet children into cold-blooded murderers, Gretel the most out of the two of them. He couldn’t relate to them anymore. It was this reason that prevented the King from shouting goodbye to his daughter before the carriage turned the bend in the road and was completely out of earshot. 

Ashwood was roughly three-quarters of a day’s distance away from Ascavia. A relatively short trip compared to many of the other Kingdoms. Gretel sigh as she play with her lighter, her father told her not to bring it but she never listen to him. She close her eyes as she lay down, yawning. She didn't have much sleep last night since she was having nightmares of that awful day with the evil witch that tried to eat her and her brother. Ever since what happen, she would never touch,see,or hear anything to do with sweets. If someone dare to eat some in front of her, well she would kill them. If someone was to force her near them, she would kill them, and if someone even dare talking about dealious sweets at all in front of her, well I think you already know what will happen. She close her eyes as she slowly fallen asleep, this time she wasn't dreaming at all, which she was grateful for, meaning she won't have any nightmares and can finally sleep without waking up screaming like always.

When her eyes opened again, she saw the driver, what was his name? Ah Steven, staring at her nervously as he said stuttering. "W-Were here m-m-madam" As Gretel flash him her smile that scares most people as Steven look anywhere but at her as she gotten out and look around for Hansel. She saw him as she walk over to him.

"Little Red, Little Red, are you awake?"

Scarlet lifted her eyelids, revealing her dark gray irises. She found herself staring straight into the darkness, broken only by a pair of malicious, glowing red eyes. She caught a glimpse of gleaming ivory fangs. She did not scream. She did not try to run away. She only blinked, and said:

"What red eyes you have."

At once, the eyes and fangs dissipated, and Scarlet caught sight of the pink light of dawn filtering though the trees and streaming into her room through a half-opened window. She sat up and ran her hands through her lengthy black hair. She blinked again and looked towards the floor. There was the wolf, her wolf, sitting placidly by her bedside. A large pool of blood was on the floor in the middle of the room, and bloody pawprints led to where the wolf now sat. There was no carcass in sight. Typical. With a soft smile, she rose out of her bed and took her crimson hood of the wall. As she tied the string aorund her neck and let the cloak fall about her shoulders, she spoke to the wolf without looking at him, gazing at her reflection in the mirror instead.

"I haven't summoned you. It's odd to see you here when I haven't summoned you. Yet you have woken me up. Why is that?"

The wolf seemed to chuckle, blood dripping from its exposed fangs. "That imbecile huntsman wouldn’t have done it. You do remember your duty in Ascavia, don’t you, Scar? I took the liberty of making sure that you aren’t late. No need to thank me.”

She gazed at herself for a moment in the mirror, processing what the wolf had said. “Oh,” she breathed. “I had almost forgotten.” She blinked her gray eyes once more and turned from the mirror, stepping in the middle of the room, right in the center of the blood pool. She crouched down and touched the crimson liquid with the tip of her index finger.

“Oh,” she whispered, half to herself. “How beautiful.”

---

The wolf had gone to fetch the huntsman, and then he disappeared. Scarlet boarded the carriage just in time to see the huntsman scramble into view and hop inside, next to her. Quincy was his name, and he was a rather amusing fellow.

“Good morning, miss,” he greeted her, tipping his hat to her. He signalled to the driver to go. As they rumbled down the woodland road, Quincy whistled a tune. Scarlet laughed a little to herself.

“So tell me, Quincy,” she began. “How was your wake-up?”

He sighed mock-dramatically. “Oh God, it was horrid. Do you realize how freaky that pet of yours is?”

Scarlet laughed again. “How many times do I have to tell you? He is not my pet. Only my servant for a time.”

“How long of a time?”

“Long enough.”

---

After what seemed like an eternity, the carriage rumbled into view of the castle, grand gates and all. It was here that her fate lay. The horses seemed to pick up speed as they approached. Scarlet noticed two people by the gates. “Halt by the gates,” she ordered the driver, who obliged.

The carriage drew to a stop and Scarlet looked out the window at the two. It was a young man and a young woman, obviously siblings. She concentrated. If one had looked close enough, one would have seen a bloody red tinge come to Scarlet’s gray eyes. The Spying Eyes. As she looked again at the two, she saw them differently. Killers. She smiled softly. It appeared they had something in common already.

“Scarlet, what are you doing?” Quincy hissed behind her. “Saying hello,” she murmured in reply.

“Hello there,” she called out to the children, the red tinge dissapearing from her eyes.

Hansel didn't like waiting. Absolutely hated it in fact. He leaned further into the gate, the sharp black metal piercing into his back and causing a thoroughly uncomfortable sensation. He wiggled slightly, allowing the pain to pass through his skin and settle into the small of his back, where it was cushioned by the heavy folds of his vest. How long had he been waiting like this? He didn't know, but one thing was certain. Peter had rattled his carriage down the road a while back, and many of the guards had abandoned their positions at the gate as the sun settled further and further into the west and day gradually became blanketed by the darkness of oncoming night. How much longer would it take for Gretel to arrive? It seemed as though she surely wouldn't arrive until the night was full-fledged. Impatient, Hansel began wiggling again. When this movement wasn't enough to relieve him of his agitation, he detached himself from the wall and started pacing. The more he paced, the greater the agitation and frustration inside his mind. Finally, after a few minutes, he decided that, if Gretel could not arrive in the next few minutes, he would take his anger out on the nearest person at hand: namely the unfortunate guards a few steps away.

As though some sort of fate had willed it, a carriage pulled up at that moment. Hansel could tell immediately from the great tree carved into the carriage side on the right side of the door that it was, indeed, a carriage from the Kingdom of Ashwood. That meant only one thing: Gretel had arrived. As he waited for his little sister to come out of the carriage, Steven nearly fell as he clambered out of the driver's seat. Knowing he'd have to wait even longer, Hansel wanted to push the man out of the way and open the door himself. This driver was nothing but a hindrance after all. Maybe Hansel should just get rid of him. Before he could make up his mind though, Steven had somehow managed to untangle himself off the ground and leap with uncommon speed to the carriage door and open it. A second later, Gretel appeared. With her blue-white dress, ballet flats and porcelain like face, she didn't seem like a killer. Yet Hansel could smell that there was blood on her. He grinned immediately, crossing the few steps towards her and slinging an arm over her shoulder.
"Do you know how long you've kept me waiting Gretel?"

He asked playfully, rubbing her shoulder vigorously with his hand. As he did so, he caught the whiff of blood again coming from her skin, and his grin broadened.

"Oh, it seems as though you've been at it again. Who was the unfortunate victim this time?"

Hansel knew that it was probably one of the unfortunate maids that attended to Gretel. All those girls never seemed to last more than a month in his sister's murderous hands. The minute one of them made even the slightest mistake, she would find herself with a knife in her throat and a premature visit to the god of death-whomever that may be.

As he fussed around playfully with his sister, another carriage pulled up on the same road. Hansel glanced at it out of the corner of his eye. It was from a Kingdom that he didn't recognize-or maybe one that he just couldn't remember. From inside, he could barely make out the silhouette of a girl with a red hood. How strange. She appeared to be staring intently at the the two of them, and he instinctively moved a bit closer to his sister. A silly move really. Gretel didn't need anyone to protect her. In fact, out of the two, she was definitely the one more capable of killing. After all, if his memory was to be relied on, it was her that pushed the witch into the oven all those years ago.

The door to the mysterious carriage opened, and Hansel's playful grip on Gretel's shoulder turned a little tense as the girl inside stepped out. She greeted the two, and while her 'hello' seemed to be kind enough, he wasn't about to let his guard down. Still, two could play at the same game.

Hansel grinned his usual cheerful grin, and laughed.

"Hi! Who are you?"

Gretel chuckled at her brother as he sling his arm over her shoulder. "I'm sorry for keeping you waiting Hansel.." She said softly as she smirked.

"It's seems it's been Grace this time, father gotten a nasty sight walking in on me.." She said giggling as she stare at her brother. She frown when his playful grip on her shoulder turned a little tense as she look where he was looking to see a girl, a girl with a red hood. She smirked as the girl came over and greeted them with an 'Hello there' as Gretel smirk widen as she look the girl up and down, she clearly didn't trust her but she was the kind of girl who liked playing games with others as she wave at the girl.


"Hello, what's your name?" She said sweetly, as she smiled innocently, but there is nothing innocent about her, in fact people are so gullible now a days, they think she wouldn't hurt a fly, but clearly she could kill you in seconds. She love being two different people, one who use to been the sweet innocent girl, now the bloodthirsty killer who would love to bathe in an tub of blood like always.


She tilted her head to the side as she waited for an answer, while pulling her brother closer to herself, in case the girl will try anything foolish as to try to harm one of them. She was growing impatience like always but she will control it, since she isn't an heartless killer no more, oh no she is now the sweet little Gretel that she want the others to believe she is. Until she leaves this place, she has to act like the old Gretel who wouldn't hurt a fly, though it be difficult since her love for killing others. But she loves acting, making people believe lies, when clearly they have two killers close by.

Aladdin looked down at the golden lamp, carefully tied to the tan sash around his waist. He had been careful to keep it hidden from others' sight, but seeing as he was in the middle of the desert with no towns anywhere nearby, it seemed safe. The genie still owed him all of his three wishes. As much as he wanted to, his logical reasoning told him that wishing to be in the kingdom of Ascavia already. His father had always told him that sometimes one had to work for himself to achieve great things. Then again, Jafar had always used the staff that was now hidden among what little cargo he had on the back of his horse. He'd been right to question his father and finally rid the world of him.

It was just too bad that the Sultan's guards had seen him in the act and somehow uncovered just who he was. Street rat? Perhaps, but it was his choice to live the low life. His father was just too overbearing, so obsessed with taking what he believed was his rightful place.

The young man sighed, looking at the monotonous sand. As much as he loved his homeland, it could no longer be home. He had been banished, all of his power and wealth taken away. The Sultan could have his way, but Aladdin still had hope. Ready or not Ascavia, the multipersonality and wealth lusting ex-prince was coming.



"I wish I knew more songs," the young man mumbled to himself. "No, that was not an actual wish." He looked down at the lamp, which had started to glow but then quickly faded back to its normal color.

You could always talk to me, Ailesh chimed in. I'm very entertaining if I do say so myself. Of course, you're great too... I guess... Not really.

"Oh shut up Ailesh. If you want to sing though, please do. I'm bored- ooh look at that!" Aladdin was sure that he had finally reached Ascavia. Maybe it was the dark forest that gave it away, or the sight of the castle in the distance. Or his mind (and Ailesh) were just so desperate to see humans again. People were not always the best company, but they did have shiny objects and food. Man, did he love food! Beetles, eggs, a chicken head or two...

A loud growl brought him out of his day dreaming. "Rajah! We will be there soon and then you can have some food," Aladdin snapped at the large tiger walking beside his horse. The black and orange creature snarled at him, but then returned his gaze to the dark path ahead of them.

Within no time, they were on the outskirts of the town. The ex-prince looked at the farms surrounding the road he was on. If it hadn't been for the spiked heads posted on the edge of each farm, two of which Rajah attempted to eat, he would have turned right around. But this seemed like a lovely kingdom. If only there was more sand.

Look on the bright side, less sand, more blood! If the castle is filled with mirrors, I might just be in paradise.

Once Aladdin, Rajah, the Genie, and Ailesh arrived at that castle, all were impressed. The four story castle was nicely guarded by the four towers at each corner. "I am here as a prince sent from the kingdom of... Flori," Aladdin told the guard, using a word he had heard a foreign traveler once use. Don't say anything, he warned Ailesh in his head. The guards looked at each other. After a few moments, albeit reluctantly, they let him pass through the gates and into the heart of their kingdom.

Look at all of the swords and people! I should just kill them all once we secure the throne. Ailesh was not the type of man to think of future consequences. He was more of an in the moment thinker.

Aladdin dismounted as a maid came over to him. He removed the bag with the staff in it and slung it over his shoulder. He bowed to the maid, trying to be polite. It was funny- she seemed nice enough and was certainly pretty, yet she lived here, in a kingdom where decapitated heads was the norm. "I will be showing you to your room," she said softly. That being said, she started off into the castle itself, her head down and her steps quick. He followed her with confidence, glancing at a trio of what were surely other candidates speaking with each other, before realizing that she was waiting for him. "Rajah, come," he said simply to the tiger who was about to wander off. He followed the maid into the foyer, and then up numerous flights of stairs, which could have easily been eliminated for him, before arriving at the large doors guarding the third floor.

"All of the princesses and princes will be residing on this floor. The princes on the right and princesses on the left." She nodded to the two door openers, one of whom seemed to be asleep while standing up. The small lady cleared her throat rather loudly. "I'm sorry for this."

You had better be you little-

"Ailesh... No matter, as long as I get to see my room." If that were me, those doors would be open in a millisecond. The sleeping man awoke then and quickly opened his door. The other man sighed and opened the other half. Both bowed to Aladdin and the maid as they passed through the doorway, into a large hallway with doors on either side. It seemed never ending, which both worried and intrigued him and Ailesh.

They did not go far, as his room was the second one on the right. Well, at least he wouldn't become lost so easily. He thanked the maid, then turned to enter the room. She cleared her throat in the same soft manner that she had spoken with before. "If I may, have you a bodyguard?"

He turned back and nodded to her. "Yes, but he doesn't need a room and neither does Rajah." Aladdin turned away again and opened the door, entering and allowing Rajah to slowly slink into the room before closing the door.

Cayla stepped out into the early morning chill. The long grasses and trees surrounding the stone castle were wet with raindrops, and it seemed that more rain was to come. Cayla pulled up the hood of her heavy cloak to fend against the cold. Her husband, Roland, soon stepped out to join her, closely followed by Jacob, her servant and bodyguard for this journey to Ascavia.

"Are you sure you wouldn't rather take the carriage, darling?" Roland asked after a moment, breaking the silence.

"Are you sure you wouldn't rather come with me, sweetheart?" Cayla replied with a grin. "In any case, Ascavia is only three days ride from here. That carriage seems too fancy to actually use," she said with a laugh, looking at the gaudy, gold encrusted carriage. She kissed her husband, mounted up on her horse, and motioned for Jacob to do the same. As soon as he was on his horse as well, they trotted out of the courtyard, the horses' hooves loudly clacking on the cobblestones. As they reached the gates, she turned and gave Roland one last wave. She was glad that she could do this to prove her love to him.

However, as they left the capital and the rain began once more, her thoughts began to turn sour. Why did Roland send her to do this instead of coming himself? He said he could not abandon his "Responsibilities" but what responsibilities did he, as the third and youngest Prince of Gaerin really have? What did he have to do that couldn't be taken care of by someone else? Was he perhaps trying to get rid of her? At this thought, Cayla began to scowl, anger apparent on her face as Jacob watched worriedly. Perhaps Roland had been enchanted by that witch again and was getting rid of her so he could marry the enchantress? If so I will kill her this time. I should have eliminated her the first time, but if I get the throne of Ascavia for my Roland, that can be taken care of. Now pure hatred was brewing on Cayla's fair face and Jacob became alarmed.

"My.. Milady?" he said in an uncertain voice. Cayla's violent train of thought was broken off as she looked at her bodyguard with surprise. Seeing the look on his face, her expression softened. She gave a quick, slight smile and focused once more on their journey. The day went by quickly, as well as the one after, the weather going from cold and rainy to warm and dry. Cayla's moods swung wildly during their travels from absolute joy at the idea of pleasing her husband, to depression that he wasn't there, to rage at the thought of competition for his love, to determination that she would prove her love. By the time they entered the land of Ascavia, Jacob was convinced that Cayla would snap before they even reached the palace. However, the closer they came, the calmer she seemed until all of her previous emotions were completely hidden behind a mask of calm.

At the sight of the city, Cayla was disappointed. She had heard it was bad, but she didn't realize it was this horrid. She noticed all the filth and the apparent poverty of the people. Could this nation even be saved? Despite this, Cayla was determined to win it in any case at any cost. What can I do to win some points here, she thought, wanting to make a good first impression. At the sight of three filthy, hungry looking boys, Cayla called out, "You three, come here please!" Seeing that she was talking to them, two of them ran off, but the third stayed still, panic in his eyes. She turned and grabbed a loaf of bread and some cheese that they hadn't eaten on the trip out of one of the bags. Cayla held the food out to the boy with what seemed like genuine compassion on her face. The boy tentatively approached, took the bread, and ran as fast as he could, never looking back. Cayla straightened and watched him go, but notice a smile or two directed at her from the few people on the street.

Cayla and Jacob proceeded to the castle, her face still a mask of calm as they reached the gate and she stated her name, title, and purpose. The guards let them in and Cayla immediately noticed a small crowd of people, perhaps the other princes and princesses? She dismounted and handed off her horse to a groom, nodded to the two men and two ladies, and proceeded inside with a maid who told her she would guide Cayla to her room. The castle was large and impressive, with many rooms and large halls. The maid, Cayla, and Jacob quickly climbed the stairs and they proceeded to the third floor, where two guards opened the doors, revealing a long hall with countless doors.

"The bedrooms on the left are for the princesses and the ones on the right are for the princes, this shall be your room and I will show your bodyguard to his room." She showed Cayla to the second room on the left and was about to scurry off with Jacob objected. "I would rather stay with milady, if you would. I am supposed to watch out for her, you know."
The maid gave a sigh and said, "As you wish. I will have a cot brought up."

Cayla and Jacob entered the large room as the door closed with a soft click.

Scarlet had never seen such cheesy acting in her life. It almost made her laugh aloud to see the girl smiling like an sweet, innocent little child. Scarlet didn't need the Spying Eyes to tell her that there was something seriously off about the girl, whatever her name was. Someone she obviously couldn't trust. Instead of laughing her head off at the almost comical acting, she brightened her smile and answered the girl's question. 

"Why, my name is Scarlet. Scarlet St. Lucas. But, you can call me 'Little Red' if you wish. An old nickname of mine. Long story. May I ask your names?"

The boy, while a bit more sincere looking than his companion, was also obviously not what he seemed. Scarlet felt a twinge of amusement. These two, whoever they were, while she was unable to trust them whatsoever, would most certainly be amusing to observe. 

Hansel resisted the urge to roll his eyes when Gretel slipped into her cute and sweet facade. Or rather, what she thought was her cute and sweet facade. In reality, Gretel was such a horrible actor that even a blind man would not have been fooled by her attempts to disguise her murderous nature. He never bothered telling her this though, because he feared that she might cut his head off out of anger. Family bonds could go only so far in the face of a murderous girl's rage. He didn't feel like dying yet. So he let her go on and believe that she was fooling everyone. He never bothered though. No, Hansel believed that staying true to himself was the best approach in any situation. Besides, in his nineteen years of experience, he had come to realize that disguises could take one only so far in life. Sooner or later, the truth was bound to slip out. It was an indisputable and incontrovertible law-like gravity. What goes up, must come down. What stays hidden must be revealed.

The girl in front of the duo introduced herself as 'Scarlet St. Lucas', but Hansel didn't like that name. It was much too stuffy and uptight. Little Red sounded so much better. He briefly wondered where in the world a girl like her could have gotten such a childish nickname. What was she exactly? He surveyed her for a few seconds, taking in her stature, her dress, her seemingly pleasant mannerisms. Well, if she was acting, she was certainly twenty times better at the art then Gretel would ever be. When she bothered to ask their names, Hansel didn't even hesitate twice to respond. After all, there was no harm in Scarlet figuring out who the two of them were.

"Me, I'm Hansel. Hansel Lorraine. And this,"

He reached towards the side and scooped his little sister into the nook of his elbow, pressing the back of her hand against the underside of his arm. He knew that she didn't like it when he did that, but for the sake of appearance, she would lay off scolding him for a while.

"This is my younger sister Gretel. Right, Gretel?"

To the innocent bystander, it seemed as though Hansel was asking a rhetorical question. In reality though, he was asking Gretel for real. It wasn't unusual for Hansel to completely forget who he was-and who his sister was as well. He had paid a price to earn his skills as a hunter and assassin. That price had been his memory function. Something was definitely broken inside his head.

Scarlet blinked. The boy's, Hansel's, question seemed odd. Like he was asking for real. Maybe he was just jesting. Maybe not. Either way, Scarlet was weirded out by the two. But in different ways. The girl, Gretel, was obviously sick, twisted, perhaps even manipulative. Not to mention a terrible actor. She was the kind of weird that made Scarlet unsure wether she wanted to die laughing or die hurling her guts out. She was sure the wolf would die laughing, thought. Hansel was a different weird. The kind of fascinating weird. It made Scarlet curious. She wanted to know what was going on inside his head, what his quirk was. Either way, the pair certainly was very entertaining. Scarlet would be most interested in observing the brother and sister in the future, testing them, perhaps. 

She tilted her head at the two and gradually regained that faint, distant smile of hers and blinked. "Well, it was lovely meeting you two. I look forward to conversing you in the future." With that, she sat back in her seat and motioned to the driver, who proceeded through the gate. Quincy was fixing her with the weirdest look, as though she had two heads. She just laughed softly and fixed her eyes on the magnificent palace ahead. 

Ecila Liddell?

Ecila stood within her room, she hadn't taken a step after entering and closing the door behind her. She simply stood there with her eyes closed and the loud beating of her heart that was slowing. She simply clenched and unclenched her fists as she stood there in the wonderful room fit for a princess. She pretended for far too long. The calm before the storm.

Just as her heart slowed down and her breathing evened out she shoved the dresser beside the door over onto its side and began yanking out the drawers and flinging them across the room until every last one was detached from the dresser. Walking into the closet she began pulling and tearing each piece of clothing that the maids placed in their in case of lack of clothing, once she was done there she made her way to the bed. At the bed she pulled off each bit of sheet and pillow once bare she shoved the mattresses off. Jumping on each mattress she began sinking her fingers into them and tearing at them like some savage dog. At the window she pulled off the curtains and replaced them with multiple layers of the torn blankets, even torn it made the room dark if not for the tears the room would have been in complete darkness. Slowly losing her stamina she walked in front of the full body mirror. Staring at herself, the mirror showed a small framed wild looking girl with wilder hair but what she saw was only Alice. Punching the mirror jagged pieces crumbled to the red carpeted floor as well as her body. She simply sat there in the dark room... she snapped yet again.

That's my Ecila...

At the corner of the room a small figure made its way towards Ecila, stepping into the ray of light that penetrated the blankets Cheshire was revealed, "Well, look now what you have done."

"I didn't think it would hurt...," Ecila mumbled as she stared down into her lap where her hands gripped a large piece of glass tightly.

"Hurt? How so?" His words seemed to echo in her head, his voice always echoed.

She tightened her grip causing the glass to cut deep spilling blood onto her dress, "This place hurts... my eyes. It's so ugly, I thought I would make it better."

"Oh, my dear but you must understand this place is not like wonderland," The cat said as he slowly walked beside her then jumped onto the top of the mirror to look down at her, "Here everything is so uptight, straight, right..."

She remained silent as she held the glass, he simply stared in the silence hoping no one heard the noise she made. Who was he kidding he could even hear the blasted noise and he was nowhere near. Sighing he continued, "I shall get the hatter, he shall help you dress that wound and choose a dress. You must look presentable."

At those words she dropped the glass and looked up at the spot where the cat was a moment ago. All that was left was a tail and that soon disappeared as well.

The door creaked and guffawed as Wolfe pushed it out of his view. It's sight sickened him. Doors always meant surprises and this wooden piece of covering was no different. His room was not proper; it was a disaster. As the door ran behind the wall to hide itself from the princely demon, Prince Wolfe Hertz Grimm walked in.

One leg fell before the other as he slowly paced about the room, soiling the red carpet. The carpet had to go, yes sir. It was a disgrace, even if it was beautiful. Wolfe fell on his knees and touched the carpet; pure Arkansas silk it was. The finest one could find this side of utopia. Smooth to touch but strong enough to bear the incessant tugging by Wolfe's clenched digits. Wolfe's posture straightened slightly as he began to roll the carpet, when something grabbed his attention like a blood does to a vampire or cheese to a rat; or death to Wolfe.

The stench was macabre at best, abhorring at worst. A mixture of dead rotting sewage rats and the putrescence of rancid food, Wolfe deduced. The source was the green hideous vase, an old Vesuvian era delineation encompassed the width of it. Inside it the former legatee of the quarters, a dead rat and his ill-fated piece of cheese.

Wolfe's legs moved again, covering the epigrammatic distance between the carpet's brown tainted edge and the vase whilst dodging the rusty iron bed. His feelers danced gracefully and with one fell swoop the vase was out of the small window, glass crashing. Next to the window stood another slammer, perhaps to a balcony. He'd have to look into it later.

The rolled carpet stood majestically beside the supports of the double-bed, like a faithful red silken soldier. The bed looked indecent, showing its painted legs; paint showing its age and the effects of the corruption that lay waste to the land of Ascavia. On the bed slept two red sheets, in all likeliness hiding the begs that gave men nightmares. A measly yellow stained white pillow adorned the sheets.

Sighing, Wolfe looked around. A lonely chair stood, barely, near the nightstand. It was diminutive and rusty, jagged edges protruding it's green back cover. One of it's legs was in desperate need of a wooden leg. Its hands made of yew and colored blue, even a slight rub would send splinters in Wolfe's hands.

The nightstand was in its prime, new and shiny. Now that the vase that had christened itself on it had left, it looked beautiful. A design swept across the red being. Star and contrasting, when the room confronted it, the design remind him of the blood vessels of a Draugr. The design marched in some places, danced and drove in other part. It had to go, Wolfe decide and groaned.

"Master, is there a problem?" a raspy, creepy voice spoke making the follicles on Wolfe stand. Wolfe swiveled to face the woman. She was fair, old and boils embellished her face; her stature small and bent, much like her nose. She had the eyes of a Draugr, thin, long and red.

"No," Wolfe's moved across her body. She wore a blue blouse and red ankle length skirt. The blouse greased up from hours of work in the kitchen; her skirt torn in many places, showing off the red sores on her epidermis. A black liquid oozed out from the crevice near the knees.

She looked down. Her foot missed kissing the ground because of a pair of brown broken slippers. Her right hallux was missing and the left one half-eaten. "Do you not like me?" her lips shifted, dodging the leaking pus.

"No," he said the saddened creature left. Stupid creatures of the dark...