Thanks for reading! Enjoy!

Chapter 12: Wonderland

"My lord! My lord, King Argon!"

"What?" the King groaned, straightening himself out in his throne. Having fallen asleep, the King's counselors had just entered into his throne room.

The throne room about the size of a cathedral, it actually looked just like one. With the high ceilings and dozens of chandeliers hanging down from it. The room was a cream color with six large rectangular windows set in each side of the walls. Anyone who stepped into the throne room would be able to get a full view of the Land of Nothing's vast Plumeria Forest.

King Argon's throne being placed in the center of the massive room, there was also a large yellow rug that led right up to it (King Argon had issues walking on his floors. Everywhere he went he would place a rug down so not to scuff or ruin the perfect marble surface).

"My lord, pardon the intrusion, but we have urgent news from our scouts. It would appear the ogres are planning a full frontal attack of the nearby village. They also appear to be targeting your castle, too."

"I thought we already dealt with that," King Argon yawned, waving his hand dismissively at them. "You fools spoiled my nap to tell me an ridiculous thing like that?"

"My lord!" another counselor spoke up. "Please! If we don't do something the ogres will slaughter everyone in that village and continue on to the next."

"Ugh!" he moaned. "Fine! Go and collect all children available. Bring them back here and prepare them for battle."

The counselors surprised to hear such an order, King Argon flashed them a dark look causing them to scurry away.

"… And ye're positive that is a way out of the Land of Nothin, Absolem?

Tucker having snuck out of the house an hour after Emily had left, he ventured back down to the tavern to speak with his friend, Absolem Rickman.

Absolem was a big man with thick black hair, deep-set green eyes, and a clean-shaven face. He was a gardener who kept King Argon's gardens neat and tidy. Taking in a long inhale of his cigar, he then exhaled the smoke in Tucker's direction.

"Well?" Tucker said, searching his friends face for an immediate answer.

"I can't say for certain," he said in a deep voice. "Magic in this land is hard to come by nowadays, but I do believe that specific rabbit hole can lead to another land."

"Have ye tested it out?" Tucker asked urgently, his eyes bugging right out of his head.

Absolem started to laugh.

"What would be the point in that? I mean, if I were to send someone or myself through, and I did manage to get to another land, how would I inform someone of my success?"

Tucker slumping back in his creaky seat, he snatched his cup of gin downing it all in one gulp.

"Don't lose heart, Tucker," Absolem continued. "For I have faith that the rabbit hole is magical."

"Hmph," Tucker replied gruffly.

Setting his cup down upon the wooden table, the tavern door then burst open. All chatter and singing instantly coming to a complete stop, all eyes turned to see four of King Argon's soldiers standing in the doorway. Wearing serious expressions on their faces, they stepped right up to the counter.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Land of Nothing! I fear I have some very grave news to share with you! It appears the ogres plan a surprise attack upon this very village, along with King Argon's castle. In order to protect our land and ourselves, it is by order of the King that all able children come to the front."

The silence was then broken by shouts of outrage and anger.

"How dare he use our children!" the people screamed.

"Is he that much of a coward that he must use children to defend himself and his land!"

"SILENCE!" the soldiers boomed; however, it was futile. Nothing could silence the angry villagers.

The tavern growing rowdier and rowdier, Tucker quietly got to his feet. His thoughts on his wife and daughter, he was trying to think of a way to get past the soldiers without being caught.

"Sneak through the back."

Tucker looking to Absolem, who was smoking his cigar with an amused look on his face, Tucker remained where he stood for a few more seconds.

"And ye?"

"I'll see you at the rabbit hole."

Tucker giving him tiny smile, he quickly made his way behind the counter and out the back door.

It hadn't taken Tucker long to get back to his cottage. The moon giving him enough light to see, he slowed his pace to a trot as he got to his porch.

"Emily!" he called, looking in the kitchen and living room. Where was she?

Finding she was not in the bedroom either, Tucker just scratched his head dumbfounded. Surely she couldn't still be outside? His heart leaping up into his throat at the thought of her being out in the forest, the sudden sound of voices turned his attention over towards the front door.

"Open up!" a male voice shouted, as he pounded on the door. "By order of the King open up!"

Tucker flinging open the door, his eyes fell upon two soldiers.

"Good evenin, gentlemen. What can I do for ye?"

"By order of the King every able child must be taken to the castle tonight."

Tucker trying to keep his expression blank, he had started to clench his left hand into a tight fist.

"Is that so? Well, I'm afraid there is no child 'ere."

The two soldiers not looking at all amused by Tucker, the taller of the two took a step forward, which made Tucker take a step forward to prevent him from walking through the door.

"Sir, do I need to remind you of the consequences of disobeying direct orders from your King?"

"Do whatever ye wish with me, but ye ain't taken me daughter anywhere," Tucker growled in a low voice.

The soldiers looking at one another, both starting to grin cruelly, they then proceeded to draw their swords.

"You must have the brain the size of a walnut, sir. To disobey orders from the King," the tall soldier snorted. "And you call yourself a citizen of the Land of Nothing, you're disgusting."

Tucker was not afraid, nor deterred by his words or their swords. Standing his ground, he was prepared to feel the ends of their blades stick into him.

"Stanley!"

All three men turning their attention out towards the yard, all three watched stunned as Emily stood there with a wide smile upon her face.

"E-Emily," Stanley stuttered, swallowing thickly.

Stanley's hands beginning to tremble as Emily continued to stare at him; his sword then fell out of his hand with a loud 'clank' on the porch. The other soldier trembling as well, he then let out a loud cry charging straight for her.

"Matt!" Stanley tried to shout; however, it came out as only a faint squeak.

Emily crossing her arms, Matt came to a sudden halt. His sword raised high into the air, he just stood there: frozen. His eyes darting around his head, Emily silently stepped up to him.

"You poor man," she cooed, stretching her hand out to caress his face. "I feel very sorry for you. It pains me to see a man with such a solid head on his shoulders acting so irrational. Fear and anger can lead one to do silly things, and make senseless decisions." Lowering her hand from his face, Emily then placed her hand directly on his chest. "And such senseless decisions could cost you dearly."

Without any warning, Emily then thrust her hand into Matt's chest. Tucker and Stanley staring opened mouth at the scene unfolding before them; Matt remained as still as a statue, his eyes bugged right out of his head as Emily slowly attempted to pull his heart out.

Emily was finding ripping the man's heart out quite difficult. It wasn't the feeling of guilt, but the lack of strength she was quickly finding she didn't have. For Emily this was a new beast. She had practiced ripping out animal's hearts such as, deer, rabbits, coyotes, foxes, and raccoons, but she had yet to attempt it on a human.

She could feel the man's heart thumping wildly in her hands, along with the veins that were pulsing into it. There was also a smell wafting from where she had struck him. It was a combination of blood and sulfur. Emily's innards twisted in disgust as she could feel the veins ripping out of his heart as she continued to pull; Matt finally let out an agonizing cry. His cry was nothing Emily had ever heard before. Letting out a shaky breath, trying to keep her hand from trembling, she finally with one last great pull thrust it out.

Matt at the same time fell to the ground: looking as pale as the moon. His eyes having lost their glow, they were now staring up at the dark sky with a glazed, lifeless look.

"What have you done?!" Stanley finally spoke up in a shout. "What kind of sorcery is that?!"

Emily staring mesmerized at the heart in her hand, she took a glance over at her husband, who stood trembling from head to toe. Placing her attention once again upon the heart, she again surprised both men by squeezing it. It took less than thirty seconds for it to vanish from her hands. The only trace of it having ever been there was the grey dust now in the palm of her hand.

Matt lying on the ground with lifeless eyes, Stanley felt a surge of rage rush through him. This giving him a jolt, he snatched his sword back into his hand: charging straight for Emily.

"I wouldn't, Stanley."

Emily in the blink of an eye was now in front of him. Before the man could react, Emily had thrust her hand into his chest. Now that she knew what to expect it was more than easy for her to rip Stanley's heart out.

Letting out a loud gasp, Stanley stared with his mouth open at his heart in her hand. Expecting her to just crush it just as she had done to Matt: Emily made no such move. Instead, she placed the heart up to her lips, saying in the smallest of whispers:

"I order you to kill, King Argon."

Stanley's expression went completely blank as his green eyes turned a sickly grey color.

"Yes, my lady," he said in a monotone voice.

Emily placing his heart close to her chest watching him go with a slight smile on her face, she then turned her attention back to her husband.

"Is Cora alright?"

Tucker did not respond.

"Oh, Tucker," she sighed, casually walking over in his direction.

"Ye ripped his heart out…" he murmured, sweat streaking down his face. "How on God's good given earth did ye do it?"

"Magic," she replied, taking slow steps on to the porch. "Every night when I went out was to master my magical abilities. It took some time, but I think I have finally honed my skills."

Coming to a halt directly in front of her husband, Tucker did not move a muscle, although his legs were trembling slightly.

"W-what are ye goin ta do with that?" Tucker asked, pointing at the heart.

"I'm not going to crush it, Tucker. No, I had no idea how valuable a human heart was up until now, in fact I had no idea I could control Stanley with it."

Tucker was looking even more horrified than when he had witnessed her ripping the men's hearts out.

"That is dark magic, Em, and now ye have been swallowed up by it."

"Oh, not this nonsense again!" she said, her face twisting in annoyance. "I'm still me, darling. All that is different is I have power now."

"No." Tucker's voice rose sharply. "No, you haven't been the same. Ye're not that young happy bride I married all those years ago. Ye have been angry and spiteful for quite some time. Ye allowed those feelin's ta fester inside of ye, and when ye acquired yer magic all those emotions exploded out: producin' a dark shadow of what use ta be me beloved wife."

Emily for the first time found herself speechless. It was true what he had said. The reason she had been able to advance so quickly was because of her feelings of hate and jealousy. That being said, she was furious that Tucker would dare say such a contemptible thing to her. What did he know?! How could he possible understand her feelings? How could he understand the feeling of never being wanted by his own parents? She had been forced to watch her father spiral down into a world of darkness, which finally consumed him into taking his own life. And her mother, the mother who she remembered as wanting all things luxurious, and not giving a damn about her own families needs.

Not realizing red sparks had started to shoot out from the tips of her fingers, Tucker abruptly caught her wrists: holding her firmly. The sparks instantly dying away, Emily kept her cold gaze fixed upon him.

"I have enacted a spell, Tucker. A spell that will consume this land and be reborn anew. You and I will be the King and Queen, and Cora will be a princess." She let out a content sigh. "Oh, it shall be wonderful! We won't have to worry about living day-by-day, constantly fretting about where our next meal will come from. We will have everything we could ever wish for."

"Wish! That is where all this trouble started! Ye should never 'ave touched those damn apples! And now look where we are!" Tucker yelled, his temper finally erupting out of him.

"You're just afraid of having all that power," she stated calmly. "There is no need to fear, my dear husband, for I can teach you and Cora magic as well. Speaking of which..."

Emily attempting to get into the house; Tucker used his massive body to block the door.

"What are you doing?"

"Ye're not goin in there, and ye're not goin to speak ta Cora. I don't want er gettin involved in this, and I don' want er to learn magic. That is why I have decided ta flee this land and seek shelter elsewhere."

Emily snorted, once again attempting to get through, only to have Tucker hold out his hand to keep her still.

"I've already told ye I had planned ta leave, and I have made me final decision. I well take Cora with me."

Emily's brows furrowed as she pressed her lips tightly together.

"And what does Cora want to do?" she finally asked. "Did you even bother to consider what Cora felt about the situation?"

"No, I did not bother ta ask er, for I can see the answer in er eyes. She is afraid of ye, Em. The magic ye possess frightens er. I, too, fear it and what it would do ta Cora if she ever got a taste for it."

Emily remained silent, staring hard at him.

"I will ask ye once, Em. Will ye come with me and Cora? Will ye leave this place behind, and your magic ta be with ye're family?"

There was a still silence between the two as they stared at each other. It was almost as if all of Mother Nature had been listening in on their conversation, for even the noisy wind had fallen dead silent.

After three minutes went by, Emily then surprised Tucker by backing away. Although her expression was blank, her eyes held a sorrowful look in them. Without a second glance back, Emily walked out of the yard: disappearing down the dark road.