OK folks, I've got good news! I have decided on how this story will end and have made some plans on the last few chapters. I'm thinking that it may end at around chapter 20 with two parts for the epilogue. The ending is kinda sad but happy at the same time but I won't give full details! Just be prepared for what may come. I also decided that I will focus on this story all the way until it is finished; so updates may be more frequent.
However, I need more input for some battle scenes amongst the other characters. I have a few ideas but I'd like some suggestions for cool battle scenes. I'm open to any suggestions and will take them into consideration. Just be sure that they aren't too graphic; this is rated T for a reason.
Other than that notice, enjoy the chapter! It's a bit lengthy and suspenseful in the middle.
Alice in Wonderland II: Underland's Champion
Chapter 16: The Battle Part One
"Is everything ready?"
"Yes, yer Majesty…"
Mirana is silent as she gracefully sweeps through the hallway to look outside the balcony. She gazes down at the courtyard and sees a large army, both red knights and white knights, neatly assorted into ranks. Highly appointed officers were inspecting each soldier while the commanding officer was giving a speech regarding their duty to their nation and to their queen. Behind the army, various creatures are spread out assembling their own armor. Amongst the creatures were Bayard, the Tweedles, Uilleum, and Thackery. Mallymkun and McTwisp were watching the scene alongside the White Queen.
Mirana gazes at her loyal soldiers and smiles softly. Then she gazes out into the distance, directly at the rising sun behind a dull cloudy sky. The atmosphere was cool and signaled that it may rain. However, the queen was certain that it wouldn't even sprinkle; at least not at where they were going.
"Are you sure that this is the best idea, Your Highness?" McTwisp asks as he hops onto the elegantly designed balcony to look over the army better. Mallymkun stands beside the queen's hand and rests the tip of her neatly brandished sword on the cement. She was wearing a simple red and white outfit with very little armor. McTwisp had his normal outfit since his only task was to declare a temporary talk between the leaders if it was deemed necessary. "Remember what Alice asked about-"
"I am aware that she wanted to do this task alone, McTwisp…" Mirana cuts off patiently. She gives the rabbit a firm and grave look. "But after Chessur told me the events of what he has witnessed… It's not an option anymore. It is obvious that my sister and Stayne are planning something with Alice. I do not know much about how Iracebeth uses her black magic, but it's too much of a coincidence that her attacks happen right after one another- they're being watched. And that means that they know that Alice and Tarrant are coming. I have no doubts that they are planning something gruesome to end them both quickly…"
Neither the mouse nor rabbit knew what to say after that. The silence that lingered was uncomfortable due to what they knew would come. Suddenly Mallymkun says something. "Say, where's Chessur anyway?"
"I told him to keep an eye out for Alice, Tarrant, and the Bandersnatch." Mirana says calmly. "He will stay with them until we arrive as backup."
Unbeknownst to everyone, the White Queen has secretly ordered Chessur to keep an eye out on Alice and Tarrant while they went to look for the Looking Glass. She strictly ordered him never to reveal himself unless it was an emergency and if it required his assistance. Every time the feline returned, he reported to the queen about the heroes' whereabouts and their status. The recent two attacks had alarmed the White Queen and she knew that there was more to the events than usual. She vividly remembered a similar situation that Tarrant had experienced years ago that nearly resulted in suicide. She was just grateful that Alice quickly reacted to Chessur's advice. She was also a bit embarrassed to learn of their encounter with Lust Bugs and how… Semi-intimate they would have been had the Bandersnatch not intervened. She knew for a fact that Lust Bugs were extinct since her parents' rule and found the attacks too coincidental to be ignored. Mirana knew that Iracebeth and Stayne would be too occupied by killing Alice and Tarrant to attempt any ambush. She then decided that her friends needed help. Within a few short hours, she decreed a battle against the Red Queen.
No one said anything for a short while. Suddenly a short gust of wind blows through their bodies. Mirana inhales deeply at the cool sensation and closes her eyes while Mallymkun stumbles from the force and McTwisp merely straightens his coat.
"… Ready for battle, I see…"
Startled, the trio turn their heads only to see a certain blue butterfly casually sitting against the balcony. He was facing the group but his eyes directly looked at the grey sky as he smokes from a pipe.
"Absolem!" Mirana looks surprised. "I didn't think you'd be here to fight along with us…"
"I'm not…" Absolem says coolly. He exhales smoke before he pulls something out of the large sack resting on his lap. It was a large parchment; one everyone was greatly aware of.
Absolem was almost amused by how startled the trio look when sudden realization hits them.
"Ye found a way to alter Alice's fate?" Mallymkun asks, nearly jumping from excitement. She hobbles over to the butterfly while Mirana and McTwisp quickly move closer to the butterfly. They wore wide smiles as they wait expectantly for him to say something.
Absolem, however, was still firm. They didn't know whether if this was a good or bad sign; the butterfly was very good at hiding his emotions.
"I have…"
"Well, out with it then!" McTwisp could barely hold back his relief as he fidgeted in his spot with a wide smile on his face. "What needs to be done?"
"… It depends on how much you value Alice…"
"Hmm?" Everyone pauses and stares at the butterfly in confusion. Suddenly his eyes display an emotion that they haven't seen him wear before- sadness.
Absolem sighs deeply. "… I need you to listen to me very carefully…"
:)(:
"Your Majesty! All men are appointed and accounted for, ma'am!" The commanding officer says once he finished his speech. He turns to his queen once she walked out of the doors with McTwisp, Mallymkun, and her Lady in Waiting by her side. He pauses when he sees the looks on their faces. Mallymkun looked unusually upset about something while McTwisp and Mirana's expressions were very grave. "Are you feeling all right, Your Highness…?"
Mirana snaps her head up to stare at her commander before she nods. She puts on a brave look as a knight helps her onto her white stallion while Mallymkun jumps onto Bayard and McTwisp joins the other creatures. She says nothing for a while as she glances at her soldiers before nodding her approval to the commander. The commander then proceeds to work while her Lady in Waiting quickly walks up to her and places a hand on her arm.
"Are you sure that you're up to this, dear?" Elizabeth asks worriedly. She overheard the White Queen's conversation with Absolem and was aghast by what he said. "You know that you don't have to be there to witness anything that you don't want to see…"
"No…" Mirana firmly shakes her head. "If what Absolem says is true… Then I want to be there for Alice… This may be my last chance of ever seeing her again… She is the closest thing I have to a friend besides you, Elizabeth…"
"I understand…" Elizabeth squeezes her hand comfortingly. "And I wish I were there to give my regards to Alice… The poor child…" She shakes her head sadly as she remembered helping Alice get ready for the Crystal Ball. That would be the only time she would ever see the blonde. "Good luck, dear… And be careful…"
Mirana nods before she looks ahead and gently beckons her horse forward. The stallion lets out a snort before he struts ahead with the soldiers following behind in ranks. As they march out of the gates with the citizens and councilmen watching, Mirana's thoughts are on Absolem's words and what they mean. They haunted her on a new possibility.
She wasn't even sure if it was the right choice based on how he described the details. After all, Wonderland exists because of Alice; without her, it means nothing!
So it truly does depend on what the outcome of the battle is. Although Mirana will gladly choose to save Alice (as she is sure that her friends would also choose her life above anything else), she wasn't sure of what Tarrant would do when he finds out.
For when she tells him of their other choice, his heart would be broken…
:)(:
Alice, Tarrant, and the Bandersnatch could feel the atmosphere turn dark as the sky turns different shades of gray. They didn't know if it would rain, but the rumbles they heard from a long distance and the cool wind flowing through their bodies suggested that it was a high possibility. They slowly approached the ruins of Crims and grimace slightly at how dreadfully off everything was. Portions of items that didn't even belong to certain rooms were scattered and several antiques were developing rust or mold. It felt like at this point, anything could pop out as a surprise attack.
For the first time since her return to Wonderland, Alice felt afraid.
She knew what would come… And it would come soon.
Tarrant senses Alice's hesitation and laces his fingers around her own to give her a gentle squeeze. Alice looks up at him with sparkling blue eyes. His eyes shine green and he gives her a brave smile. She forces herself to smile back at him before they both march ahead with their hands still entwined.
The area was unusually quiet save for the soft howls of the wind. The sky turns a bit darker and makes the atmosphere look even more unsettling. Alice could hear her own heartbeat as she looks around cautiously with her two companions close by. Now that they were at their destination, it was time to face their ultimate challenge. The only question was where are Stayne and Iracebeth?
Were they perhaps… Wrong with their assumption? Had the duo truly abandoned the castle for ruins?
"Hello?" Alice calls out loudly, trying her hardest to hide the uneasiness in her tone. She slowly unsheathes her Vopal Sword and holds it tightly in her hands. "Iracebeth? Stayne?"
Her voice echoes around in the ruins. There was no sound even as the trio looks around. The Bandersnatch sniffs before he growls in frustration and shakes his head, finding nobody nearby.
"We know that you're both here!" Tarrant's voice suddenly calls out roughly. Alice stares at him in surprise as he releases her hand and unsheathes his sword. He steps forward and glares around the area with red eyes. "Show yerselves!"
Again, there was only silence. The trio noted that the wind blew a bit harder but ignored it as they began to wonder if there really was anything in here.
"Is there anybody here…?" Alice mutters quietly. She glances at the Hatter for help.
"I'm here…" A voice says tauntingly. The unexpected response makes the trio jump and they tense. Tarrant stands before Alice protectively as he glares at the area. The Bandersnatch strangely looks confused before it lets out an aggravated growl. The duo glance at it in confusion. "What?"
"Such a shame… I didn't think you'd point a weapon at your allies…" The voice says again, sounding amused and disappointed. It was somewhat distorted, but the trio immediately recognized who it belonged to. They lower their swords and sigh in aggravation.
"Chessur! You damn furball! Ye almost gave us a heart attack; stop hiding and show yourself!" Tarrant yells, looking furious.
In response, Alice suddenly sees a shadow forming before her before it takes the shape of a floating cat. The familiar wide smile made her both relieved to see a familiar face yet irritated by how her friend scared her at the most inappropriate time.
"Ye cowardly git… What are you doing here?" Tarrant growls. His eyes flash a dark red as he tries to hide back his rage.
Chessur hesitates at seeing the milliner's look before he smiles a bit uneasily. "Her Majesty requested that I join you here while she and her army catch up."
"Catch up? After I told her specifically that I wanted to take this journey alone?" Alice asks, looking somewhat offended yet relieved at the same time. Suddenly realization hits her. "… She sent you to spy on us during the whole trip, didn't she?"
Chessur failed to hide back a guilty smile. "I wouldn't call it spying; I'd say it's more like a checkup…"
"Damn cat!" Tarrant suddenly lashed out at the feline. Chessur barely manages to dodge the sword's blade and stares at the milliner with a slightly fearful look as he lowers his ears. "You have the nerve to show yer face to us after what happened? You saw the curse take place and did nothing to help us?"
"I gave Alice advice on how to save you and herself!" Chessur counters. "At that point on, there was nothing I could have done!"
"Then what about the incident with the Lust Bugs?"
Chessur, being the mischievous being that he was, couldn't resist the urge to tease the duo. "I make it a point to never watch people when they-"
"Don't ye dare say it!" Tarrant shouts.
"… Get to know each other better…" Chessur winks at Alice, who was blushing at the memory. Tarrant looked equally as embarrassed but he was still infuriated. "Besides, the Bandersnatch fixed the problem without any problems, so don't fret so much…"
Tarrant looked like he was about to decapitate the cat had Alice not interfered. She sighs deeply. "It's all right, Chessur… I think Mirana had the right idea in letting you watch over us. Had she not, then the curses would have…" She shivers at the thought. "… Anyways, I'm starting to think that we may need backup. Iracebeth and Stayne must have been planning to ambush us."
"But wouldn't they have done that by now?" Tarrant asks uncertainly. He still looks upset and irritated with Chessur but calms down as Alice tries to ease the situation. He lowers his sword and pinches the bridge of his nose. "Alice, lass… I don't think there's anything here… We could be wrong…"
"But where else would she have hidden it, Tarrant?" Alice demands. She could feel tears brimming in her eyes at the thought that her theory had been wrong and that she had been stalling. At this rate, her family could be already dead! "Where else in Wonderland would she be able to go to that would hide the Looking Glass?"
Tarrant could see the distress on his beloved's face and forces himself to calm down. He sighs and places a hand on her shoulder. "Alice, don't worry… We will find them. I promise."
Alice says nothing.
Suddenly a dark chuckle erupts and shatters the silence. Startled, the four heroes look around for the source as the chuckling grows louder. Tarrant and Alice hold their swords tightly while the Bandersnatch growls. Chessur disappears between Alice and Tarrant as a shadowy being emerges from behind two large walls. The shadow reveals herself as Iracebeth. She doesn't stop chuckling as she lazily taps the tip of her gold and black wand on her palm.
"How touching…" Iracebeth murmurs as she looks over the duo. Tarrant and Alice are surprised by her new appearance. She wasn't wearing a colorful dress that represented her nobility. Instead, she was wearing a blood red dress covered by a tattered black cloak. Her hair was now black and elegantly flowing past her shoulders in small curls. She has dark eye-shadow and lipstick over her much paler face. Her eyes were as fierce, confident, and dark as Alice remembered them. She looked like someone that just recently escaped from an asylum.
"I knew that you two would end up together…" She sneers and clicks her tongue. "You two make such an adorable couple. But it's too bad that it all ends here now…"
Alice snaps out of her surprise to glare at the Red Queen. She went straight to the point. "Iracebeth… Where are they?"
"Who?" Iracebeth lazily inspects her fingernails with a smug look on her face.
"My family. I know that you must have found them by now. Otherwise you wouldn't be here facing me alone…"
"My, for a young warrior, you're smarter than you look." Iracebeth smirks a bit as she gazes at Alice. They exchange a staring contest before Iracebeth sighs. "But I digress…" She then snaps her fingers.
Suddenly black smoke erupts just a few feet away from the group. The smoke begins to take the form of several bodies huddling together while one tall form hovers over them. As soon as the smoke fades away, Alice's eyes widen when she sees her family and the Ascots chained together and shivering as Stayne sneers at her.
"Lovely to see you again, dear Champion…" Stayne mocks her as he bows low. "I enjoyed our last dance together…"
Tarrant growls threateningly while Alice's attention was solely upon her family. As soon as Margaret opens her eyes and looks around the new scenery in confusion, her eyes widen when she sees Alice. "Alice!"
"Alice!" Helen cries as she tries to remove the cuffs on her arms and ankles. She looks both relieved and worried to see her youngest daughter alive, but hesitates when Stayne points the tip of his sword at her.
"Now, Alice. As a heroine, you know how this works…" Iracebeth says coolly. Without warning, she shoots dark substance at Tarrant and the Bandersnatch. The duo yelp in alarm while the curse forces them to freeze in their movement. Tarrant had dropped his sword in the confusion.
"No!" Alice shouts as she rushes over to her lover. However, Iracebeth points her wand threateningly at Alice and makes her stop. "Don't bother; they'll stay in that spot until we finish some business…"
As she continues pointing her wand at the blonde, Iracebeth begins to circle around her. "You see, dear Alice… You've been a thorn at my side for as long as I can remember. Even as a little girl, you've managed to foil all my plans to rule Wonderland. Your persistent determination and cleverness have gotten you far, I will give you that. You even managed to kill my most loyal servant. Your alliance with my sister and her people was an added bonus, not to mention the rewards that came with it…" She smiles naughtily as she glances at Tarrant. Alice says nothing but flushes a bit at the implication.
"Regardless, you are still a threat to me. And I destroy everything that I deem as a threat. However, you are far too valuable to kill." She smiles a bit darkly at Alice. Suddenly dark substance begins to flow around Alice and constricts her like binds, preventing escape. "Therefore, I am giving you a generous offer. Join me, Alice. Join me and I guarantee that you, Stayne, and I will create a perfect world together. Depending on how hard you work, I may make you as my personal vizier, but we can discuss about promotions later."
Alice's eyes grow big. "Join you?" She surely must be joking- after everything that the Red Queen has done, she expects Alice to join forces with her? "You must be mistaken! I came here with the intent to stop you from destroying our worlds!"
"I figured that you'd say that…" Iracebeth smiles again before she turns her focus onto Alice's family. They flinch as she walks towards them. "I have decided that regardless of what you choose, I will have a Kingsleigh alongside me during my rule…"
Alice's eyes flash in confusion. However, her eyes widen in horror as both Stayne and Iracebeth suddenly turn to Margaret, who was shaking and whimpering as she cradles a crying Stefan. Iracebeth points the wand threateningly at her forehead while Stefan kneels over closely and begins to pull Stefan away. Margaret and Lowell put up a fight to keep the baby until Stayne successfully snatches the wailing infant into his arms. "NO!" Margaret cries, reaching out for her child while Lowell holds her back desperately.
Alice could feel dread seizing her heart as Iracebeth and Stayne suddenly stand up and turn to face her. Stayne struggles a bit with the crying infant before he smirks at Alice. "It's either you as our partner, or little Stefan as the heir to the Red Queen's throne."
"Alice, please make him stop!" Margaret wails desperately as Lowell and Helen hug her tightly. Helen makes soothing shushing noises while Lowell was trying to hold back tears. The Ascots hold Hamish close to them as they tremble.
"Leave my nephew out of this!" Alice yells, her eyes suddenly flaring from anger. How dare the witch use the innocent child as a source of blackmail against her? "He's only a baby! He hasn't done anything to you!"
"No, but he is the youngest Kingsleigh. He will no doubt make a fine heir when he grows up, just like his dear auntie." Iracebeth makes a show to pinch the infant's cheek, making Stefan squirm and whimper. She ignores him as she focuses on Alice. "Alice, it's up to you. Either way, I will win this argument. Now, either work for me and I'll spare your family's life. Refuse, and Stefan will grow up never knowing of his true heritage."
Alice didn't know what to think. If she joins forces with Iracebeth, then she'll be forced to destroy so many innocent lives. She knew that Mirana would be on the top of that list and she would never forgive herself after everything Mirana has done for her. At the very least her family would be safe, but for a very high price. On the other hand, if she refuses, then Iracebeth would kill her and the whole family and raise Stefan to be a ruthless killer. The image of her innocent nephew growing up to witness so many horrors broke her heart.
She took the moment to look at her allies for help. Despite being in his frozen state, Tarrant's eyes were panicked and helpless. The Ascots waited anxiously for her response. Helen, Lowell, and Margaret were all staring at Alice with wide eyes, almost afraid of her response. Alice felt her heart sink at seeing Margaret's tearful look; she was afraid for her child's survival more than anything else.
And where in the world was Chessur? Especially when you needed him most?
Suddenly Alice feels the binds around her tighten. She squirms in discomfort and drops her sword from surprise.
"Oh, and while you think about your choice, keep in mind that the longer you think, the tighter the binds will become. They will constrict you until you lose your breath and perish from the lack of oxygen. Upon your death, I will take Stefan as my child as the final answer. So think quickly."
Alice glares angrily at Iracebeth as she tries to breathe. As the constriction worsens, she found it harder to breathe, least of all think.
"Alice, make up your mind!" Iracebeth snaps.
"I'm trying!" Alice manages to wheeze out. Soon the air was almost squeezed out of her and her vision turns white before a flashing blue light erupts. She feels something pulse through her entire body before the binds completely release her. She gasps for air as her vision returns. She looks up to see Iracebeth and Stayne stepping back in surprise as the black magic completely dissipates. Tarrant and the Bandersnatch snap out of their frozen stances and hastily run up to the blonde.
"Alice, are you all right?" Tarrant scoops Alice into his arms as he holds her tightly. He whispers incomprehensive words to her as he hugs her closely. Stayne hastily holds his sword up when the Bandersnatch snarls at him viciously.
Tarrant finally pulls away and stares down at Alice strangely. "Your necklace is glowing…"
Alice blinks before she looks down and sees that the Flower of Elixir was indeed glowing. It shone a radiant shade of blue before it faded. Everyone stared at it in wonder for a moment before Tarrant realizes something. "The Flower of Elixir responded before to your poison and protected you from it… It must have sensed that you were in danger and protected you again!"
"Poison?" Helen asks loudly, sounding worried and suspicious. The look that Alice shot at her mother signaled that she would explain later.
"That thing repels dark magic…" Iracebeth mutters darkly, looking a bit annoyed. In Stayne's arms, Stefan stopped crying to look at his aunt with eyes full of wonder. "I almost forgot about it…"
Tarrant instinctively pushes Alice behind him. He picks up his sword and points it threateningly at the Knave and exiled queen. "Release the lad, Stayne."
Stayne sneers as he held the baby closer. He was about to deliver a snippy comment when suddenly an arrow impales directly at his arm. The Knave shouts out in pain and throws Stefan up as he clutches his bleeding arm. Alarmed, Tarrant drops his sword to catch the infant safely in his arms. Stefan squeals from the sudden movement but begins cooing as soon as he saw Tarrant. His eyes flash in curiosity while Tarrant smiles at the infant, as if telling him that everything was fine. Alice smiles in relief and hugs Tarrant's arm tightly as she looks over her nephew. Stefan smiles widely upon seeing his aunt.
"What the- WHO JUST SHOT AT ME?" Stayne demands as he looks around angrily for the source and carefully pulls the arrow out. He hisses in pain from the lingering effect. Baffled, Iracebeth also looks around hastily when she realizes that they may not be alone.
The silence is instantly shattered when various creatures let out roars and surround the ruins. White knights and red knights alike hold their spears up as they watch the bewildered villains carefully. Amongst them, Mallymkun shouts triumphantly from Bayard's snout as she points her sword up. Chessur appears beside the Tweedles with a confident smile on his face. The Kingsleighs and Ascots look around the army with astonished eyes.
Alice stares at everyone in bewilderment. How had they caught up so fast in less than a day when it took her and Tarrant about three days to reach Crims?
Her musing went away as soon as she sees Mirana marching up with her stallion. Two soldiers gracefully help her down before she silently walks up to Iracebeth with a steely look on her face. Iracebeth barely held back a sneer.
"Hello, Iracebeth…" Mirana greets softly.
"Hello, Mirana…" Iracebeth says stiffly.
"Iracy…" Mirana murmurs as she gives her sister a sad but firm look. "Please, we have been at war for too long already, dear sister. Please don't make things harder than it is already…"
"Don't even try, Mirana." Iracebeth glares hard at Mirana. She points her wand at Tarrant and Alice. "Besides Alice, you have also caused me so much trouble; the only difference was that you started all this! The crown should have been mine! I am the eldest!"
"Iracebeth, it doesn't matter what lineage takes over first…" Mirana frowns. "Father may have had his own reasons for choosing me, but you cannot blame me for that. This battle shouldn't even be over a simple title; I don't want to fight against the only family I have left. I was merciful enough by pardoning your execution; I know that exile may not have been pleasant, but there was nothing else I could have done!"
"I don't care for your pity," Iracebeth growls. "Mummy and Daddy have always favored you over me for the sole fact that I was… Different." She hisses angrily. "You don't realize what it's like, knowing that you were cast out from those you love because of something that you cannot change. Knowing that my younger sister was the symbol of perfection while I had dreams and head that are considered abnormality in society… You don't have a damn clue!"
Mirana looked a bit surprised from the emotional outburst. However, Alice was almost flabbergasted. For the first time since she has met Iracebeth, Alice felt small compassion for the witch. She too had felt like an outcast amongst the nobles because she had dreams and made choices that were frowned upon.
"However, that's in the past, I suppose…" Iracebeth shrugs as she fingers her wand and examines it. "The difference this time though… Is that I'm going to put more effort into proving myself to everyone. To show you all what I'm truly capable of…"
She says nothing more as she suddenly spins around with her cloak flowing behind her. The knights around her point their weapons at her cautiously as she walks a few paces away before turning back to the White Queen. Mirana's eyes widen and she steps forward.
"Iracebeth, don't-!"
"Antiqua Majores,
Fortissimi iuvenes,
Fortissime domitores,
Meam audi invocabis,
Concede mihi vestra sapientia
Et vestra potentia accideret"
Iracebeth begins speaking in a foreign language that Alice had heard before, but was unable to decipher it when she notices that the entire area was enshrouded by darkness. Thunder shook the area and several people shout in alarm as lighting shoots barely meters around the witch as if they were protective strikes. At the same time, dark smoky substance was swiveling around her body as she continues her chant.
"Concede mihi vestra potestate,
Ad abstergendam omnem illis
Qui audent impugnare,
Mutare figura mea
Ad illud cuiuslibet creaturae,
Quod implet cor cum tanta formido
Et habet talia distincta pluma."
The wind almost knocked Tarrant and Alice down from their feet. The Bandersnatch stood before them to avoid letting them be blown away thanks to his weight. Stefan was whimpering in fear despite that Tarrant and Alice try to calm him down. The knights shield Mirana while others hastily pull the chained Kingsleighs and Ascots out of the way. Stayne remains transfixed as he stares at the Red Queen with wide eyes. The wind swirls around her form and soon she began to take an entirely different shape. From behind the smoky substance, the lightning's strikes allow the heroes to see her small humanoid form grow larger and take a more monstrous form that held recognizable lizard-like features.
"Majores, devolvat tuum verum potentia
Meam dimittet interioris martyr,
Istum ut demolirer nem,
Ac me nosse me!"
The final phrase was spoken by an entirely different tone. This voice sounded like a variety of voices was speaking all at once, but the leading voice was more sinister and feminine. The heroes shiver and watch in horror as the smoky substance transforms into a pillar of fire. The pillar shoots up into the dark sky before massive balls of fire plummet to the ground. Upon impact, various forms of demonic beings stand up and let out inhumane screeches as they observe the area around them.
"At last…"
Everyone froze at the voice and slowly turned around to look at where Iracebeth was. Their hearts stop and they stare at horror and fright.
Tarrant suddenly feels like he was watching a nightmare… A nightmare that he had witnessed so many years ago…
Those huge snakelike eyes…
The stained fangs and claws…
The shining scales…
She had taken a form that looked similar to the Jabberwocky…
… Only with this form, she looked even more horrifying. Her scales were as pitch black as the night. Her eyes were literally glowing yellow; the other bright source excluding the hellfire happening around the army. Her body is more muscular and her claws are metallic and shone under the fire. Her tail had sharp blades and spikes as well as around her demonic face. She let out a demonic screech and the smell of her breath made the blonde and milliner's stomachs turn from revolt.
"… I have taken a new form… A powerful form that will guarantee my new rule for a new era…" Iracebeth took pride as she observes her body and magnificent sharp wings.
"… Iracebeth…" Mirana's horrified voice was so soft; it was barely above a whisper. "… What have you done…?"
The dragon tilts her head to sneer at the White Queen. "I am about to show you true power, dear Mirana. Power that only you could never dream of having…"
She then turns to Alice and Tarrant, who were frozen from shock, horror, disbelief, and fear. Stefan was crying in the milliner's arms. "As my first degree, I challenge Underland's Champion to a duel. Just me and her with no interferences. I want to be the last thing she sees before her life fades from her eyes… And then once I'm rid of everyone else who opposes me, I will claim Stefan as my rightful heir and rule all of Underland…"
Sudden concern for her nephew's life overrode Alice's common sense. She narrows her eyes and tightens her hold on her sword as she steps up from behind an astonished milliner. To everyone's horror, she confidentially and firmly replies, "I accept your challenge, Iracebeth. Either you, or I, or both will perish in this battle. However, I will personally make sure that regardless of either outcome, you will never be the supreme ruler of our worlds."
The dragon didn't have an expression, but the response in her eyes looked rather pleased. She opens her wings and let out a loud demonic cackle while her fiery demon soldiers slowly approach the bystanders and wait for her command. With a snap of her fingers, they are let lose. "We shall see about that, little Champion…"
She suddenly leaps into the air and disappears over the clouds, leaving Alice confused about what just happened. Suddenly the blonde sees a fiery demon approach her with fangs at the ready and she hastily dodges his attack with a strike to the skull.
The battle has begun.
Wow, I didn't think the chapter would take this long. Guaranteed, the encounter with Iracebeth and Stayne could have been better but I couldn't think of anything else. Also, if anyone can guess as to what the solution Absolem said in saving Alice's life is, I'll do a request picture on DeviantArt for free. However, there is a limit. Someone must guess it completely right before it's revealed in the next few chapters and the art must be something in my power to do. Don't have me do something completely outrageous; just PM me about it and I'll see what I can do.
And as for the spell Iracebeth said, it's Latin so here's the full version in English.
"Ancient Ancestors,
Strongest of Warriors,
Bravest of Conquerors,
Hear my call,
Grant me your wisdom
And let your power befall,"
"Grant me your power,
To wipe away all those
Who dare to oppose,
Change my form
To that of any creature,
That fills a heart with such dread
And has such distinct feature,"
"Ancestors, unleash your true power
Release my inner martyr,
Destroy this munity,
And take me to my final destiny!"
I hope everyone likes the update! Keep up the support; this story's almost done!