Chapter Eight: The Crown of Roses
372 Words
The ancient hall was silent.
Alice stared at the crystal throne.
It was more beautiful than anything she had ever seen.
Thousands of scarlet roses were carved into its surface.
Above it floated a crown of crimson crystal.
The crown glowed softly.
As if it were alive.
Waiting.
For her.
"No..." Alice whispered.
"I can't be the heir."
The rabbit guide stepped beside her.
"The throne disagrees."
Scarlet the cat jumped onto a nearby pillar.
"For once, he's right."
The crown suddenly pulsed with light.
The entire chamber trembled.
Ancient symbols illuminated the walls.
Alice felt a strange warmth spread through her chest.
Memories flashed before her eyes.
A woman laughing.
A crimson garden.
A little girl running through palace halls.
A mother placing a silver locket around her neck.
Alice gasped.
They weren't dreams.
They were memories.
Her memories.
Tears filled her eyes.
"I remember..."
The Queen.
The castle.
The Scarlet Kingdom.
She had lived here once.
The crown descended slowly.
Hovering before her face.
"Alice," the rabbit said quietly.
"The kingdom needs its heir."
Far above them, another explosion shook the castle.
Dust rained from the ceiling.
The battle was getting closer.
The Nightmare King was winning.
Alice looked toward the crown.
Then toward the staircase.
If she accepted the crown, everything would change.
Her life.
Her destiny.
Her future.
The crown glowed brighter.
Suddenly, a terrible scream echoed through the chamber.
The Queen.
Alice's heart stopped.
"No."
Another scream followed.
Then silence.
Complete silence.
The rabbit's face turned pale.
Scarlet flattened his ears.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Alice clenched her fists.
"I'm done running."
The crown burst into brilliant light.
The roses on the throne bloomed.
Ancient magic surged through the hall.
Slowly—
The crown settled upon Alice's head.
The moment it touched her—
A wave of crimson energy exploded across the kingdom.
Every rose blossomed at once.
Every mirror shimmered.
Every citizen felt it.
The Heir had returned.
Far above, the Nightmare King looked toward the castle.
For the first time...
He looked afraid.
And deep within the shadows of the throne room, a mysterious figure opened their eyes.
A figure sealed away for centuries.
A figure who whispered only three words:
"She has awakened."
- Writer
