"Kara!"

The rune for Kara appeared and everyone walked through. They all ended up half a mile away. There was a small park to their right. There was a high gate at the other end to make sure nobody fell off the edge of the city. There was a pair or swings, a large sandbox, and a jungle gym. One of the swings gave off a creaking sound, telling anybody how old it really was. A small girl with short redish-brown hair sat on the loud swing. The group walked into the park alerting the young girl. Jumping off the swing, and twirling around to face them. Small blue eyes captivated them.

"Alice...?"

Tomoe gasped

They all stiffened. How could this small child be Alice? A certain memory then crossed Sylvia's mind. She placed her hand up blocking them from getting any closer to the young child.

"So Alice, you fell into the darkness... I am disappointed."

The young child looked hurt, as did everyone. The young girl nodded with sadness but then shook her head in determination. Alice held up her left arm revealing the Lotis bracelet. Sylvia had given her. Everyone became quite puzzled at the circumstances. Alice wanted to say something it seemed but did not have the voice to do so. Just then the young child whirled around to a tall figure who was chuckling. No one could make this person out. The shadows blocked their views. A hand shot out grabbing the child. Kyou moved to try and get Alice but she disappeared before he could. Sylvia didn't like this.

"Tomoe, use the words to light up this place."

"Uh... right... Rajei!"

The rune for Rajei appeared. A huge light shot out revealing the person in the shadows. The figure hissed and blocked the light from totally reaching her face. As the rune for Rajei disappeared a small orb of light remained. It showed the figure's face. They all gasped.

"Alice?"

Kyou questioned.

Finally smirking, Alice reached out and crushed the orb of light with her hand. Once again darkness blocked Alice from their sights.

"How nice of you all to come see me. Did you come here in hopes of saving me?"

"Alice!"

Kyou screamed.

"Why are you being this way?"

Fuji questioned.

A laughter erupted from the shadows that laid before them. It sent shivers down their backs.

"Don't kid yourselves. You all made me the way I am today."

No! That isn't true.

Alice grunted. So that side of her was still awake.

"I understand now."

They all turned to Sylvia for further explanation. The rune for Pasa was beginning to fade. The truth of the situation had been laid out before her. Alice knew this fact. She had to dispose of the old woman before she revealed the whole situation to the others.

No! Don't hurt Nyozeka! Don't do it.

"It's alright Alice..."

Huh?

"Ramito."

"Riiya!"

Fuji commanded.

The rune for both words appeared. Riiya produced a shield to block the attack from Ramito. Kyou grabbed his bow and pulled an arrow.

"Alice, I do not wish to fight you!"

"Fool. You either will fight or perish. Personally I would go for the perishing."

Darva laughed in the background. This was far too enjoyable. The other Lotis masters would fall at the hands of one of their own. Then Darva would claim Alice's body and return to full power. With the last of the Lotis masters gone, no one could stop him from conquering the world. His plan was absolutely perfect. Words truly were powerful.

"Jata!"

The rune for Jata appeared. Alice's jealousy took the form of a horrible looking Maram monster. Alice smiled. The creature hid within the shadows. Alice smiled as she saw it move so freely within the darkness. Alice used the Maram power to make the shadows grow. The group was pushed up right against the gate. That's when it attacked. It went straight for Tomoe. Kyou tackled her to the ground. Pain ripped through his back. The attack had grazed him.

"Iru!"

Fire shot towards the monster and right above Kyou and Tomoe. It withdrew before the fire made a hit. The attack however had knocked the gate out. They needed to be careful or they would fall off the city. The creature came at them again.

"Riiya!"

Kyou used a barrier to block the attack.

"Rajei!"

Once again Tomoe called upon the Lotis of light. The shadows were pushed back revealing the creature. It hissed at the intensity.

"Jeta!"

Fuji had a net cover the creature. As the light began to fade, the creature began to regain power. It instantly tore out of the net. It made its way to Kyou in an instant. Kyou didn't move or budge. The monster punched Kyou, and its hand came out through the back. A spiritual hit.

"San!"

Kyou could feel it. All the pain and jealousy Alice had carried around inside of her. It's no wonder why the Mara was so powerful. With the power of the friendship Lotis, Kyou felt her pain.

"Sakua!"

The Lotis for understanding dissolved the Maram monster. Everyone looked in shock. Kyou had grown stronger than both Tomoe and Fuji and Sylvia knew why. She then took a step in front of Kyou when he collapsed to the ground holding to his chest in pain.

"Na Sadaru Lotis Ran!"

Huh?

Sylvia appeared in front of Alice. So this was the Alice in the inner heart. She was relieved to see the older woman was okay. She ran over to her. Sylvia embraced the girl. She the cupped the child's face raising it to meet hers.

"Never forget Alice where your true strength lies."

Alice's eyes widened in surprise. It was then that Sylvia was pushe dout of Alice's inner heart.

Nyozeka! Wait!

Sylvia then noticed that this Alice was grunting in pain.

"What did you do?"

They could all see the anger surround her.

"Grandma, is there any way to get her back to normal?"

Sylvia didn't answer. The rest was up to the real Alice that was buried deep inside herself.

She said that my true strength... Don't forget your true strength. Where have I heard that before?

"Dara!"

"Shibi!"

Sylvia was doing the best she could. However, Alice was much more powerful than Darva. Kyou couldn't help at the moment because he had taken on Alice's pain in order to defeat the monster. Fuji and Tomoe were still too inexperienced. Alice had to help out from inside.

"Alice you an do this!"

Huh? Nyozeka? Wait! Alice... That's right! My power lies in Rangu and Kara. That's what the real Alice tole me. Rangu!

The outer Alice screamed in pain. Everyone watched as light erupted through the Maram runes on her arms. Darva appeared beside Alice. It was then that a huge light erupted blinding everyone. The light resided a little but they were still forced to shield their eyes to see. For a second they could see Alice back to back with herself. Then a second light erupted. The two Alices flew apart from each other. One landed in front of Darva, the other Kyou caught in his arms. The light vanished, and both Alices struggled to stand. The one on Darva's side collapsed.

"Disari!"

"Ka...ra!"

Darva used this chance to escape with the other Alice. Sylvia placed her hands on Alice's shoulder. Jut then Kyou grunted in pain.

"Kyou must still feel your pain."

Tomoe became angry.

"Tomoe no!"

Sylvia warned.

"I hate you Alice!"

The force of her sister's words caused a huge wind to pick up. It became so strong it knocked Alice off the edge. Kyou tried to move fast enough but Alice slipped through his fingers. The last sight of Alice added to the pain he was already carrying. The last thing Kyou saw was the life leaving Alice's eyes.

"Alice!"