Destructive Memories

I hope you can all forgive me for being totally lazy. My writing has suffered greatly for it :(

15. The Vorpal Sword and the Blind Madman

Alice covered her face with her hands, hiding herself from the smoldering heat. She had forgotten about the fiery barriers that separated the territories. As the two walked through the blazing forest, Alice was content with thinking about Blood's disability.

I wonder how long he's lived like that, living off of Elliot's support.

Ace followed close behind, his grip tight on the sheath of his sword. Alice had guessed the reason they hadn't been attacked was probably the appearance Ace carried. The mask really was a part of his face, that much she realized. The cloak that was stained with brown and red billowed behind him, and his sword was as menacing as his deadly smile. They had been walking for a long time, and Alice was patient with Ace in telling him she was going to lead them to the Hatter's.

" Hey Alice, can I hold your hand?" Ace asked, startling her out of her thoughts." Uh, I'd really appreciate it if you didn't," she replied. " Aww, come on. Please," Ace asked again." Fine," she huffed. She felt Ace's hand slowly slip into her palm.

Why does this always happen to me? If he gets to kidnap me and hold my hand, I should have the right to ask simple questions..

Alice looked up at the mask-face man." Hey Ace, can I ask you something?" He laughed at her question." I don't know, can you?" he responded. God, why does he keep doing that!

" I don't want it to offend you, but why do you have a mask for a face?"

Ace stopped moving, turning his attention to the ground." I wear it because of Mr. Peter. He cut my face a long time ago and it left marks over my eyes. When they finally healed, I didn't want to show anyone so I sewed the only mask I had to my face." He started walking again, his hand still intertwined with hers." It took a really long time because the needle I was using started to go bad cause' of the blood rusting the tip, but I managed to make it work."

Alice stopped in her tracks this time while her heart sank with pity. What would Peter do to Ace to make him sew a mask to his face? " Ace, can.. can you take it off?" she stuttered, trying to make a complete sentence. Ace smiled, making Alice unsure if she should continue the conversation." It really hurts to, but I can take it off if I want to," he replied. Alice felt her heart disperse with misery. Ace was a lot of things. He was a klutz, he was annoying, and he was a fool with no direction, but nobody deserved to have to do what he did.

" Ace, I know that it's wrong for me to ask, but.. is there any way you would take the mask off for me?"

" Well, I guess I could if it's for you," he replied. He turned away from her, his back facing her front. From behind, Alice saw his hands come up to his face, his gloved fingers spreading around the mask. Slowly, he pulled away at the mask, and Alice tried as hard as she could to hold back her vomit.

As he pulled the mask away, skin clung to it like glue, tearing off as blood trickled down his cheeks. Alice looked closer and saw tiny holes on his face, assuming that was were the needle punctured his skin when he had sewn the mask on. Caked on blood that had dried from previous removal was there, along with what looked like a burn mark that outlined his face in the shape of the mask. But that wasn't anything compared to what his eyes looked like.

He turned around to face Alice, noticing her horrified expression." Are you scared?" he asked, a devious smile spreading over his features. Alice, holding back her screams, swallowed her fear and walked closer." Ace, why did Peter do that to you?"

She reached out to touch his face. His eyes were surrounded by black, like someone had punched him as hard as they could." Ace.. can you even see me?" she asked, scared of his oncoming answer." No. I can't see anything the way you see it. I hear things and remember them as they were, mostly since it hurts to look at anything," he replied. Alice grimaced. Why did you do this to yourself Ace, there was no reason for this!

As he readied himself to put the mask back on, Alice grabbed his arm." Don't put it back on. It'll only.. make things worse." Ace continued with reaching up to his face, but Alice held on tighter." I have to put it back on or people will see. I don't want them thinking Mr. Peter is a bad person," he said innocently. Alice's mouth dropped to the floor." Ace, just listen to me and stop trying to put that thing back on. Nobody cares if Peter's a bad guy or not, and if you keep trying to cover up something that he did then you really are just some pawn." She snatched the mask away from his grasp." When we get to the Hatter's, I'll clean it for you. It won't look nearly as bad as it does now."

Alice sprinted away through the burning thickets while Ace took his sweet time behind her, thinking over what she had said.

Thank you, Alice.

The fiery border was behind them as they stood in the clearing that lead to the mansion. Alice didn't know why, but for some reason, her veins were pulsing with.. excitement? Ace had locked hands with her again after she had taken the mask away, and now the two were coming closer to the crumbling gate. " Onee-san! Onee-san! Where have you been? We missed you!" the gate keepers announced, pouncing on her in a hug that may have rivalry against Peter's. Excitement covered their hooded faces, until they saw Ace.

Dee jumped in front of Alice and moved backwards, pushing her away from the knight while Dum appraoched Ace with both of the boys axes in hand." Why are you here, outcast?" Dum snarled at him.

That's odd. Gray said the same thing about Ace. About him being an outcast.

Ace smiled, his black and bruised eyes adjusting to the new voices around him." Protecting Alice, what else?"

Red lightning flashed as Ace drew his sword and parried Dum to the ground, dashed past him and kicked Dee in the throat. The boy fell backwards, his grasp on Alice released. Ace took her by the hand and pulled her close, his sword drawn and ready. Dum was at his brother's side, trying to pick him up without causing more pain." All of you, stop!" Alice cried. She needed them to help each other, not fight each other.

Hey brats duit! Saoire Alice fein!

"Huh, what was that?" Alice thought out loud, hearing the strange foreign voice. As if on cue, Elliot came running out of the crumbled and broken gates, his gun pointed at the disturbance." Alright, I don't care who started this fight but I'm ending it! Blood is trying to rest and when you all start a pointless fight I have to-

" Elliot, what is causing this disturbance on my territory?" a smooth glassy voice asked.

Fola! Cad e ata tu? Ni feidir leat a bheith amach anseo gan mo chabhair!

Elliot lowered his gun and ran to the voice's side. Blood was standing by the few remaining bars of the long rusted gate, clinging to them for dear life. Even from a distance, you could hear Elliot's cries of "are you crazy" or "what's wrong with you" without any problems. Once Elliot's rantings were over, he slowly walked over to the confused group, gripping Blood's hand tightly in his.

" Blood! I need to talk to you!" Alice stated, totally distraught by the fighting twins and mask-man. Following her voice, Blood found his way to her direction, his blue(almost white) eyes staring intensely at her." Boys, end this fruitless fight immediately. The Princess has come back for a visit, I presume." Alice nodded, still holding tightly to Ace's arm.

Blood beckoned to them, and Elliot turned around and led Blood back to the mansion. The battered twins followed, but not before snatching Alice away from Ace. As the three walked away, Alice looked back to see Ace just standing there. She motioned for him to come follow them, but he simply shook his head.

I'll wait out here, he mouthed.

Alice suddenly looked scared without her scarred protector, but continued to walk with the bloody twins." Onee-san, why are you with the outcast? Do you owe him a favor?" Dee asked. Alice shook her head." No. I uh, well.. yeah. You could say that, but I agreed to it on my own so don't worry," she replied. Dum looked at her with glassy red eyes." Is it about the "role" your going to play?" they asked in unison.
Alice looked at them, horrified." Does everyone know about that?" They nodded.

As they passed the gate, Elliot guided them back to the once beautiful, now tragic, tea party area. Blood sat in the same chair again. Alice did the same. Elliot stood on one side of Blood's chair while the twins stood on the other, watching Alice's every move like hawks. The wilted roses made the mood sad, even more than usual.

"Boys, you may leave. Elliot, you may also leave as well," Blood announced. Elliot's face turned scared stiff." But Blood, don't you have to show her something? I'll have to take you there, won't I?" Blood's face was disapproving." Elliot, I want to talk to the Princess alone. That's not hard to understand, is it?"

Elliot left without a word. Blood's face turned back to a half-smile as he glanced around her Alice." Princess, where exactly are you?" He held out his creamy white colored hand, and Alice leaned forward and touched his palm with her fingers." Right in front of me, like everything else in the free world," he said in a monotone voice. Alice leaned away, trying to read the poker face Blood was wearing.

She let out a deep sigh." Something wrong, Princess?" Blood asked smoothly. Alice didn't bother glaring at him, knowing it was pointless and a waste of time. Looking at his silky white face, Alice could feel her heart pounding with sadness." Blood. You shouldn't talk to Elliot like that. In case you hadn't noticed, Elliot takes care of you the way a father takes care of a son, and he and the twins are the only ones who care about you." Alice spoke low, in case anyone.. unwanted.. was listening. Blood smirked, and it took Alice a moment to realize he had moved his chair closer and was now sitting next to her.

" Alice. May I?" he asked, reaching his hands out halfway towards her." Uh.. sure. I don't mind," she replied.
Slowly reaching in, Blood's cold hands pressed against her cheeks. His long fingers trailed up the side of her face, tracing and outlining her eyes, nose, and mouth. He twisted his fingers through her brown locks and curved down to her collar bone. His thumbs graced past her long lashes, and he suddenly pulled back from her face." You are the exact same as before. How did that happen?"

"It's only been 3 years for me, so I haven't aged at all," she replied." I see, but I'm sure this little chat isn't why your here. Am I right?"

" That's right. I need to talk to you about a rumor I heard. About a certain.. weapon. You wouldn't happen to have it, would you?"

Blood let out a low chuckle." So you've finally come for the Vorpal Sword, have you? I was wondering if you were meant to have the prophecy bestowed upon yourself, and it's seems I was right," he added. Another smirk jumped across his face. He stood up, and spreading his arms apart, he slapped his hands together loudly. A clap rang through the garden as Elliot came running to his master's side.

" Elliot, show us to the cellars. It's time the Vorpal Sword came out of hiding," Blood announced. Elliot's face instantly lit up like child who had been praised. He took Blood's hand and started leading them away from the garden, and Alice quickly followed behind them. " Where are we going?"

" I've kept the sword hidden away in a cellar for almost 10 years, but the time for it to once again see daylight is drawing near. And who better than the weilder to see it first?" he questioned. Alice just followed without answering, wondering how Blood moved so gracefully while his eyes failed him horribly. Through the twists and the turns of the burnt, broken maze, the tree stopped at a large concrete warehouse. Elliot let go of Blood's hand and went to the door. Locks and chains strangled the door, every inch bolted down and all the windows boarded tight and nailed down.

Elliot went around the back, and a clinking metal sound echoed through their ears. He motioned for them to follow and went further inside. " Princess, will you guide me to the chamber this time?" Blood asked, his eyes focusing as though they still worked. Alice's fingers twisted into his as she led him on the path Elliot had taken. They entered the tattered shambles of the warehouse, Alice's eyes dilating to the darkness. " Over here," Elliot called to them. Alice squeezed Blood's hand tighter, telling him she herself was having trouble seeing where she was going. Following his voice, Alice found her way next to Elliot, who was standing in front of a long rectangular case." Ready?" he asked." Go on," Blood's voice cooed through the darkness. A clicking sound was heard as Elliot unlocked the latches and flipped open the case. Looking closely at the form, Alice saw the shape of a sword wrapped by a navy purple clothe. Elliot picked it up and grabbed Alice's free hand, led them out of the warehouse and back the tea party area.

Sitting Blood down in his chair, Elliot knelt down beside him. Holding out the sword covered in clothe, he beckoned Alice to come closer. Doing as told, Alice numbly moved towards them, her body cold with anxiety. Elliot's fingers graced over the clothe and pulled it away to reveal a magnificent sword.

A handle of solid steel attached itself to a blade of pure silver. Small blue stones rimmed the side of the sword and a yellow glint reflected when held up to the sun.

Taking it out of his hands, Alice held the blade upright. It was surprisingly light for it's length and cut through the wind with ease. " Alice, you are the true wielder! Blood, it's really her!" Elliot's voice jumped up an octave as he lifted Alice off the ground and spun her around the garden." You say that, but I still can't believe it. Me? A hero? Like anyone would ever believe that," Alice said coldly. Blood laughed silently to himself." The stones don't lie, Alice. And if you refuse to believe me, then look at them yourself."

Alice stared at him, puzzled, until Elliot put the sword to her face." The stones on the sword show the rightful owner, and that's you Alice! You'll finally tear that wretched monster to pieces!" Elliot said gleefully, continuously spinning around with Alice in his arms.

" Gah! Put me down Elliot! Put me down!" Alice shrieked. Elliot came to an abrupt stop and placed her back down." Sorry, I got carried away," Elliot stammered. Alice huffed out a smile, and glanced over at Blood, who was looking away from them. Following his gaze, Alice's eyes were led out to the flaming woods." Blood, what do you hear?" Elliot asked curiously. Blood stood up harshly, gripping the sides of the chair to keep from falling over. Elliot rushed to his side and put his arm around Blood's waist." Make haste, Elliot. Spirale bianca Cornuto. They're prowling the territory. Get everyone inside now," Blood snapped.

" Alice, follow me!" Elliot called as he pulled Blood away from the chair and towards the house. Alice followed them, but Elliot seemed to be getting farther away every second. Alice slung the sword over her shoulder and ran to catch up with them, but it was no use. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ace still standing outside the gate. Her breath staggered as she ran to pull him inside the gate." Ace! Come one," she cried, reaching out her hand to him." I am forbidden. The Hatter doesn't want me inside," he replied. Alice glared at him and grabbed his hand. " He said it was fine, so come on already!" she tugged him along and ran for the door to the mansion.

" Alice! Hurry!" a voice called down to them. Looking up, Alice saw Blood and Elliot sticking their heads out of a window. One of the highest windows, in fact. Alice staggered up the stairs that started at the entrance of the mansion, hurtling through the doors and bolting them shut behind her." Onee-san! You made it!" Dum cried.

" We were about to go find you but-" Dee stopped when his eyes found Ace.

" Outcast, know your place. Boss doesn't want you here and neither do we," they said in unison. Alice wouldn't stand for this. She inched closer to him, her arm locked in his." Well I do, and you can either accept that, or we'll both leave. Your choice," she said triumphantly. Dum moved closer, him arms spread out." But Onee-san! That's not fair!" he cried.

" Life isn't fair," she replied. She trudged pass the awe-struck boys and up the stairs, Ace's arm still locked with hers. "Hey Alice, why are you fighting for me?" Ace asked, a wicked, childish smile over his face. Alice sighed." Because you would fight for me, even if I didn't want you to," she replied." Come on, we better go tell Blood your here."

" Whatever you say, Alice."

So these are the translations to the foreign stuff Elliot was saying to the twins and Blood~

1. Hey you brats! Leave Alice alone!

2. Blood! What are you doing? You can't be out here without my help!

Spirale Bianca Cornuto - Spiral White Horned