[b]Adila![/b]

“Well, well, well.” Eupheria steps out from behind the Caduceus, and it’s just as freaky as it was the last time. She’s back to the black bodysuit and the writhing, neon silks draped loosely over her, and the big floofy cyan-and-black bow in her magenta hair. Her lights (and Alina’s gold) spin in wild wheels around her head. “It looks like you figured it out! Congratulations! Those doors are where every one of you losers are going to go— all except for the lucky winner. That would be the first princess who comes and touches my hand, by and by.”

She holds out one perfect hand, even as the Caduceus hums, and inflicts in the hearts of every princess here the wish to hold that hand, to have their wish come true, to [i]win.[/i]

[Eupheria has inflicted the Location Stat: [i]I’d do anything to win.[/i]]

But you? You are a good girl. And you know that if you dive for the Caduceus... well, you’ll get turned into a plush doll, probably. Or muzzled and locked in a cage. But if you wait just a moment, and let all of your friends make a big distraction... then [i]you can win[/i]. You can dive for the stick and then you’ll have [i]all the power in Hyperborea.[/i]

And then you’ll get headpats! [i]No one will be able to deny you headpats![/i] You can make Dandy and Iron Star happy to share you! You can let Adila I stay out of your head and eat hot noodles in the Bazaar with you! All of that will be possible once you hold the Caduceus!!

Behind you, there is chaos. Half a dozen princesses are stampeding down the corridor, but all you need to do is whimper and stand aside and wait just a moment. The minute Eupheria is distracted enough... pounce.

***

[b]Mittens![/b]

You [i]have[/i] to win. Once you win, you can have a perfect world with your family. Faces seem to float in front of you, almost impressionistic, allowing you to imprint whoever tugs your heart most on them. You can have that perfect day, you can be safe while outside your doors the world changes daily— but you and yours will be safe forever and ever.

Then... something shakes you, not all the way out of it, but enough to dull that need to a muted roar in the back of your head. Around Eupheria’s head, her tainted lights spin merrily... and one gleams perfect, shining Gold.

You can’t win this except by Eupheria’s own rules. If you try... she’ll just use the power of Gold, and she could keep it going for as long as she wanted. You need to take her hand and make your wish, because otherwise... how can you fight someone who can become invincible with a thought?

That’s what you’re thinking when Helya effortlessly elbows you in the stomach on her way down the corridor, slamming the wind out of you and bouncing you off the door frame.

***

[b]Kathelia![/b]

This is the most terrifying thing. You are watching six princesses (and Adila I, honorary princess) charge down the narrow corridor. Hornet is going over everyone’s heads using her Extraordinary Rotational Backpack, but Ninian is clinging to her ankles and trying to claw her way up. Helya just slammed Alina in the gut so hard that she nearly punted her right back through the door, but she has a silk sash wrapped around one wrist as Tashanna tries to reel her in. Old Adila and Azora are on the floor, having a cat fight at the end of the corridor, and Old Adila is screaming about how only she can be trusted with that power. Jessamine, meanwhile, is at the back of the pack, but preparing to make a mighty leap over everyone’s heads!

You glance back over your shoulder at Eupheria and your Adila, and notice the tiniest little wiggle of Adila’s haunches. She’s planning to pounce. If you distracted Eupheria, she might have a chance!

(But you shouldn’t let her. She can’t be trusted with that power! She’d make a silly wish. Only you are smart enough to undo these curses with a carefully worded wish! You need to figure out a way to stop all of them!!)