Ch.7: Wonderland 2
As one could expect from a fall into a different world, Darius was left unconscious after entering Wonderland.
Upon awaking, Darius didn't see the colorful Wonderland he was accustomed to, but a dark cave, illuminated by streaks of sunlight reaching through crevices high above.
Darius took note of a large doorway, marked with a stone heart on it's arch, and two statues of knights on both sides.
Darius noticed a pair of footprints leading into the doorway, and upon closer examination, found that they belonged to Alice.
Fearing for her safety, Darius entered the Doorway.
After entering, Darius was met with a hallway with beautifully illustrated paintings on the walls, each with a plaque.
One was of a knight preparing to deliver the killing blow to what appeared to be a king, the plaque read:
"Slayer of the King"
Another painting depicted the same knight in what appeared to be a wedding ceremony with the Red Queen as his bride. The plaque read:
"Beloved of the Queen."
A third painting depicted the knight sitting on a throne, the plaque read:
"Savior of Wonderland"
The Ace of Hearts
With the events on the paintings as his evidence, Darius assumed that he had entered a crypt built for the great Wonderland champion, The Ace.
Darius explored further into the crypt.
Darius discovered a room at the end of the hall that appeared to be a museum of sorts.
Various items were held in ornate glass cases, but one in particular caught Darius' eye.
A perfectly crafted sword, with a heart shaped hilt.
The sword had a plaque at it's base, it read:
"The Heartbreaker"
Sword of The Ace
Darius left the museum and continued onward.
Darius then came to a large cathedral like room, with a massive statue of The Ace at it's front.
The cathedral was quiet, and even Darius' light footsteps echoed loudly.
Darius found Alice kneeling at the base of the statue.
Out of respect, Darius kneeled next to Alice, and saw that she was placing a offering of flowers.
"He was the first." Said Alice
"The first of what?" Replied Darius.
"The first human to enter Wonderland. He, in a way, paved the way for others like him to discover this world."
Darius looked up at the statue, and met it's downward gaze.
Darius thought for a moment, on the topic of how much of one person can change a world, truly a remarkable feet for one man to achieve.
"He fought with honor, which for a time, was absent in Wonderland." A voice said behind Darius.
Alice and Darius stood up and turned around, seeing the Queen of Hearts.
"My deepest condolences for your loss." Said Darius.
The Queen looked down, a clear look of sadness on her face.
"He was more than a champion to the people, he was....."
The Queen paused.
"My king."
A tear came down The Queen's face.
Alice, who shared The Queen's sad expression, placed her hand on The Queen's shoulder.
"Though I did not have the honor of meeting him, I know from his achievements that he was a brave warrior, and kind husband." Said Darius.
"Yes, he was. He gave me this trinket from his adventures on Earth."
The Queen showed Darius a necklace she wore on her neck.
It was of the Hindu God, Kali.
"Hindu?" Darius thought.
"Hindu?"
"India?"
"Moreaux?"
"The Ace?"
Darius came to a shocking realization.
PIERRE MOREAUX WAS THE ACE.
In that moment, the full story became clear.
Moreaux, along with his close then close friend,Dr. Roxford, found a entrance to Wonderland in a cave in India.
At first believing Moreaux to have gone insane, Roxford admitted him to Lambeth Asylum, which he is head doctor of.
Roxford soon learned that Moreaux had really found a different world, but kept him incarcerated under insanity in order to find a way to enter Wonderland himself.
Moreaux somehow learned how to enter Wonderland from his cell, though only for a short time, and in his adventures to Wonderland, he defeated The King Of Hearts and took the title of The Ace.
Moreaux was experimented on by Roxford, and lost his ability to enter Wonderland at will.
Moreaux's fate is unknown, but he is presumed to be currently held in Dickens Metalworks, where Dr. Roxford is close to opening his own door to Wonderland.
A jolt of energy surged through Darius Vigorously.
"We must return to Earth at once!" Darius said energetically.
"Is something the matter?" Asked Alice.
"I believe I have solved the mystery, and in order to save Wonderland and Earth, I must return at once!"
Alice, beginning to understand Darius' energetic demeanor, turned to The Queen.
"Your majesty, may you please?" Alice asked The Queen.
"For Wonderland, of course." Replied The Queen.
The Queen lifted her scepter, and from it a red energy radiated.
The energy formed a ball around Alice and Darius.
Fearing for Alice's safety, Darius wrapped his arms around her.
When the energy dispersed from around them, they found themselves in Darius' study.
Darius sent Alice to her room as to not arouse suspicion, and called for Miss Goodway.
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