Aliss had once again fallen down the rabbit hole. It had become a habit, almost a formality. As always, she landed on a pillar and, without wasting a second, stood up and entered the castle. Everything unfolded the same way every time: no resistance, no obstruction. She passed through the corridors effortlessly and soon found herself before a familiar passage.
In the narrow hallway, she walked calmly, unshaken, without hesitation. One step after another. A door. Then another. Through one of them, she entered a secondary corridor before reaching a small adjoining room.
On a bed lay a young girl.
Aria.
She was sitting upright, motionless, clearly waiting for her visit. Her gaze lifted when Aliss entered, and a heavy silence settled between them. She was waiting—perhaps for words.
Aliss showed almost no emotion. Facing Aria, she was no longer quite a child: she seemed to have grown, now appearing around eleven years old.
— You're remarkably strong, Aliss began in a neutral tone. You flattened the system like a stack of pancakes. It's now gone—condemned to damnation forever.
Aria replied without raising her voice:
— No. Of course not. You can't kill it… but you can still destroy it.
— How did you manage to imprison it? Aliss asked.
— I know how to play, Aria answered simply. I know my cards. Clubs for luck, spades for my weapon, diamonds for protection, hearts to heal myself… and the rest, for the rest.
She paused.
— Once I proved I was a true player, it was already a failure. My third draw—that's when everything collapsed. A real player makes the beast take risks. It gambled everything, and now it's inside.
Aliss watched the girl in silence. She was not surprised. She would not blame her. But one thing remained out of the question.
— This has nothing to do with you, she finally said. But I won't go against my parents. Those called Beauty and Beast. Don't worry—I just threw you out very early, straight from your mother's womb.
Without realizing it, Aliss was already near the door, ready to leave.
— You managed to speak this time, Aria continued. But you won't be able to convince an invincible creature.
Aliss stopped.
— You still haven't understood, she replied calmly. As long as you understand early enough, everything will be fine. Until then, we train. We train relentlessly. I'm sure being hunted your entire life taught you something. And above all, never forget this: never present your parents on special occasions—there's no need. And follow honor.
The door slammed shut.
Aliss found herself alone in the dark corridor. She slid down along the wall until she was sitting on the floor. Fingers interlaced over her knees, she stared into the void.
She sighed.
— It's so… so exhausting.
And yet, she would not escape it. Not so soon. Not so easily. But at least she could smile a little between trials. For her, for now, it was pathetic. Completely pathetic.
Pathetic, this path. Pathetic, this destiny. Pathetic… herself.
After a long moment of silence, a new wave of thoughts surfaced. She straightened slightly and murmured:
— To move forward… I think that's the only thing I learned from standing back up. Does that illuminate? Or does it redefine?
I went from light to the end of all hope. From ignorance to knowledge.
And now I no longer understand anything. I've lost all my possessions…
Another voice interrupted her.
— This world is so… and yet so strange.
Aliss did not react.
— Is all of this really just chance?
— I don't believe it. And yet, I've seen them. I've seen the world apart.
— Without mingling with their wanderings, standing several steps away…
A silhouette took shape.
A rabbit.
He wore a brown-and-gray checkered vest, a white shirt beneath it, and a dark tie. He faced Aliss in the same position she was in, like a perfect reflection.
Silence settled.
Then the rabbit stepped forward and extended his hand. In his palm lay an engraved coin, each side bearing an inscription.
— Fate is played on this coin, he said. What do you say?
Aliss raised her eyes.
— It sounds bad if you're doubting it… but I choose for our fate to be written on the face.
— Then we'll take your throw. We'll let the face decide—heads or tails.
The rabbit tossed the coin.
It rose high. Very high. Then slowly fell, silently, until it was caught in the rabbit's paw.
He opened his hand.
The coin revealed its symbol.
— Just as you sensed, wasn't it? They failed to steal the cage, the collar, and the diadem. But there is hope that it's only the misfortune of a single day.
Another rabbit suddenly appeared, out of breath, speaking through a transmitter.
— Emergency. She didn't manage to escape in time. We couldn't do anything… we lost someone.
Silence fell again.
Aliss closed her eyes.
The coin vanished.
The game continued.
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