Chapter II: Bright White

I still remember having two eyes.

The one I still have no longer works.

Oh, well.

Back then, I was a knight, called Kevin Regnard. My Chain, Albus, was also a knight.

We were the White Knights.

I didn't get Albus legally…perhaps things could have turned out differently if I had, or if I hadn't bothered with Chains at all.

Of course, different isn't always better.

I remember the family I served. They were lovely. Especially the girl…

She was sweeter than lollipops…

Mmm…lollipops…

Ahem! Anyway…

I failed them, I regretfully must admit. It was all quite tragic, really.

Then that white-haired, royal pain of a witch took my eye – which hurt very much – and gave it to her damnable pussycat.

I still have nightmares about those moments…Emily says I'm silly because of them.

I'm not silly!

I'm just…me.

B. Rabbit says otherwise: she calls me "the Clown."

I don't mind that comparison: it fits the new me. I don't know how often I smiled before I lost my sight of seeing, but I certainly can't stop smiling now!

My lady Sharon believes it's because of a sort of everlasting sugar rush. That makes sense, I guess…

Mmm…sugar…

AHEM! Pardon me…

Sharon is my new charge. I won't fail her. I won't fail anybody else again.

Albus may be gone, but I still wield the power of a deadly chain, whose name and being suit me just fine: the Mad Hatter.

Mad Hatter is also my nickname.

It was my Mad Hatter that helped me destroy the craven little kitten who stole my eye.

To say that that felt good would be a gross understatement; it was like drinking pure chocolate…

Mmm…chocolate…

Huh. My lady is right: I do have a short attention span.

Oh, well.

I may not see much of anything anymore, but I will not abandon My Lady, my friends, or my new family. Especially My Lady. Sharon is a sister to me…maybe even more…

I'm not sure yet, you know.

I am called Xerxes Break, for my experience with the Will of the Abyss has left me "broken," and those who cross me are also left broken, in more ways than one.

But, in my heart of hearts, I am still the One Knight, bright white.