Chapter Text
Date & Time: unknown
Wonderland
Up-close and within sight, the Jabberwocky was a lot bigger than you expected, its wings stretching up into the clouds above. It looked a lot like a frilled lizard, except the frills were spikier towards the edges instead of rounded. The devastation surrounding the creature was evidence enough for its destructive tendencies – long stretches of trees burnt into charred stalks, the ground black with soot. The Red castle was visible in the distance, where there were less storm clouds and the sky seemed clearer and brighter.
“How close do you think we have to get before I get promoted?” you asked Stephen.
“No clue,” he replied. “Let’s go.”
You both moved closer, soot turning your shoes black.
“Shouldn’t it be hotter if there’s a fire?” you said as you moved to hide behind another charred tree.
“I don’t think-”
The Jabberwocky turned around and it was definitely not breathing fire.
“Lightning?!” you whisper-shouted. “The dragon breathes out lightning blasts? And here I was thinking a fire-breathing dragon would be bad, but lightning? Really?”
The trees on its other side which were earlier yellow-green were now black as the ones surrounding you. You were starting to regret volunteering.
“That was unexpected,” Stephen said in a mildly amused tone.
You resisted the urge to smack him upside the head.
Instead, you continued on your quest to reach the final rank, wherever it was supposed to be. Barely a few hundred feet left now between the lightning-breathing dragon and you. You moved closer still. You hoped Stephen was following. You were too scared to look back – if you did, you knew you would never move forward again.
The beast stomped around in a circle, then settled into a more comfortable (probably) position, its eyelids drifting shut. Cute. Almost like puppy behavior, but still scary, especially ‘cause you were a sitting duck in your depowered state. (You missed Dr. Armani.)
You jumped, startled, when Stephen moved up behind you and placed a hand on your shoulder.
“Stephie, warn me before you touch me, man,” you said, hand flying to your chest, trying to calm your heart. You felt like the poor thing would’ve given out by the time this whole ordeal was over with. “I’m a bit jumpy right now.”
He murmured an apology in response, which you acknowledged with a nod. Then you continued walking, reassured now that you knew you weren’t alone (not that you ever doubted that Stephen would ditch you, but the subconscious mind is a paranoid bitch and it wanted to be held, consoled and comforted).
About two hundred feet left approximately.
You kept moving forward, darting from tree to tree.
Less than a hundred feet now.
You saw something in the periphery and stilled. The hooded hunter.
“Is that the figure you mentioned?” you heard Stephen ask, his voice right behind your ear.
“You can see them now?” you whispered.
“Yeah.”
The figure watched you both for a moment before turning to watch the dragon. Following their gaze, you found the Jabberwocky fast asleep, its breathing sending the unsettled soot into the air with every exhale. The hooded figure walked –no, floated– over to the sleeping dragon and when they were close enough to touch, the figure set down the watch on the ground, stepped back and before you could react in any way, swung the scythe down on the watch.
The watch shattered with a distinct, ringing clink sound and silver light flashed before a fifty-foot radius circle appeared around the dragon, its lines silver; the entire circle seemed to be etched with spells.
You stepped closer and closer to the circle till you were standing at its edge, then shared a glance with Stephen. “This must be the last square.”
“Too close,” was his reply.
You agreed.
You pulled the Three of Diamonds’ dagger from where you had tucked it into your waistband and stepped into the circle, eyes fixed on the dragon. Levi flew into the circle after you and settled onto your shoulders. You mentally thanked the cape of loyalty, grateful for the comforting presence in this stressful situation.
It was eerily quiet for a second.
Nothing happened.
Another exhale from the dragon’s snout.
The soot blew onto your feet – some of it settled on your shoes and pants, and the rest drifted back to the ground.
Another second passed.
Then the world flashed white before the entire circle glowed silver-white and a distant bell tolled.
A warning.
The dragon rose from its slumber, twin murky golden eyes blinking open to stare right at you.
The hooded figure vanished in your periphery, leaving you alone in the circle with the dragon.
The bell continued to toll in the distance, the ringing sound soon becoming background noise as you focused on the main threat, the dragon you were sharing the circle with.
You tightened your grip on the dagger with an exhale, then replaced it back in your waistband.
Maximum effort , your brother’s voice sounded in your head making you smile despite the current situation, calming your racing heart to a steadier beat, soothing your fears and giving you courage.
Levi billowed behind you in the non-existent wind.
You took a deep breath and with all your faith, you raised your dominant arm up, bent it at the elbow, shut your eyes, exhaled, and at the same time as you opened your eyes with a steady inhale of breath, you drew out your sword of fire.