Chapter Seven: The Forgotten Throne
400 Words
The crimson light spread across the kingdom.
Every rose.
Every tower.
Every stone.
Everything glowed with the same scarlet energy pouring from Alice's body.
She fell to her knees.
The Scarlet Key burned in her pocket.
"Alice!" the Queen shouted.
But it was too late.
The ground beneath the castle began to tremble.
A deep rumble echoed from far below.
As though something ancient was awakening beneath the kingdom.
The Nightmare King's eyes widened.
Then he laughed.
A dark, victorious laugh.
"At last."
The castle courtyard cracked apart.
Massive fissures spread through the earth.
Ancient symbols appeared across the stone floor.
Symbols that had not been seen for centuries.
The rabbit guide stepped backward.
"No..."
Scarlet's tail puffed up.
"The Forgotten Throne."
Alice looked up.
"The what?"
The Queen's face had turned pale.
"A throne older than the kingdom itself."
Another explosion shook the castle.
Suddenly, a pillar of crimson light burst from the ground.
Inside the light stood a staircase.
A staircase descending into darkness.
Far beneath the castle.
The Nightmare King's smile vanished.
His expression became serious.
"She must never reach it."
Without warning, he attacked.
Dark energy exploded from his claws.
The Queen leaped forward.
Their powers collided.
BOOM!
The shockwave sent soldiers flying.
The castle walls shook violently.
"Alice!" the Queen cried.
"Go!"
"What?"
"The throne is calling you!"
Alice stared at the staircase.
She could feel it.
A strange force pulling her toward it.
As though her heart already knew the way.
The rabbit grabbed her arm.
"We have to move."
Together, Alice, the rabbit, and Scarlet raced toward the staircase.
Behind them, battle erupted.
The Queen fought the Nightmare King alone.
Each strike shook the kingdom.
Alice wanted to stay.
Wanted answers.
But the staircase seemed to whisper her name.
Alice...
Alice...
Alice...
At the bottom of the stairs stood a massive stone door.
Covered in roses.
Crowns.
And mirrors.
At its center was a keyhole.
The exact shape of the Scarlet Key.
Alice's heart pounded.
She slowly removed the key.
The door began glowing.
The rabbit's eyes widened.
"You're really the heir."
Alice inserted the key.
The lock clicked.
The giant door slowly opened.
A brilliant crimson light flooded the chamber.
And there, at the center of an ancient hall forgotten by time...
stood a magnificent throne made of crystal roses.
Above it floated a glowing crown.
Waiting.
Waiting for its rightful owner.
- Writer
