Before being petted into a coma (and it was kind of disturbing to see the monstrous cat on its back, hind legs spread and twitching uncontrollably, and tongues, plural, lolling out of its mouths), Luciella managed to give Raki the information she had promised.

Beyond the forest, past the Queen of Hearts' castle, laid the way to Raki's home.

Oh, and watch your guts, she had added.

It didn't mean that his trip was without incidents as he walked into an argument between two women tossing insults at each other.

"Bobble-head!"

"Piece of shit!"

"Dust-eater!"

"Shithead!"

"You have dirt on your face."

"KYAH!" the elfin-eared woman broke the argument to frantically wipe her face.

"Ah! I win!"

Raki wisely decided not to get involved. He had a seriously bad feeling about these two.

Finally the castle came into view. It was odd to say the least, since it looked like it was made of playing cards. Huge playing cards. How the hell didn't that castle crumble at the first gust of wind? And how the hell could he get in? The path he had been following ended straight into a wall, no door or drawbridge in sight.

"Is anyone there?" Raki shouted tentatively.

"Of course there is." someone said just next to him, spooking Raki to no end. Turning around, he saw a tall man with spiky silver hair, somewhat reminiscent of the March Hare, and a face that screamed 'pretty boy'. He was wearing regal white clothes with red heart-shaped motifs and red trim, and a crown with three…

"Are those human hearts?" a freaked out Raki asked incredulously. "And they're still beating!"

"Oops, sorry, wrong crown." The man changed his headpiece for another crown with three pink hearts that blinked alternatively. "I am Isley, the King of Hearts." he introduced himself.

"Well, your Majesty, I was wondering…"

The King didn't leave him time to finish. "Of course, you seek power."

"Huh?"

"Becoming strong is not that easy. Once you have power, you can lose it again as well. And above all else, you might even need to sacrifice you own life for that power. Do you have this kind of resolve?" In a dramatic display, Isley drew a sword and swung at Raki's head, stopping a mere inch from beheading the young man.

Raki didn't move, though it was more because he was trying to understand what the guy was talking about, than manly determination to protect someone precious to him.

Isley failed to notice and nodded approvingly. "Good, you…"

"Your Majesty, I don't want power." Raki interrupted tiredly.

"You don't?"

"No."

"Not even a little?"

"No!"

"Oh come on! Do you have any idea how many times I've rehearsed that speech? How long I've been waiting to use it?" Isley looked pleadingly at Raki, who somehow felt bad for him. It felt like he had deprived the King of a badass moment.

"Maybe I should demonstrate my skill." Isley suggested. "Surely the sheer grace of my flowing moves will convince you. And I've been wishing for a gratuitous shirtless scene too, so it's like, two Awakened with one arrow."

Raki turned green as the King unclasped his cloak.

Desperate to avoid being flashed yet again, and by a man this time, Raki promptly clarified the reason for his presence. "Actually your Majesty, I would just request your permission to cross your castle."

()()()()

Author note : I think you've all guessed who the arguing duo are, which is a shout out to the lion and the unicorn (though in this case, I could also have used Rigaldo (lion) and Isley (centaur)). And boy, did I have fun with Isley and his 'power' speech here! Next… the Queen of Hearts arrives.