[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/72bEcUi.png[/img][/center]

As the group rushed past the pieces of regenerating armor, Gaia took a moment to cast a spell of entangling vines, binding the various pieces in place and preventing them from reforming. With safe passage earned, the group advanced up the stairs. Miko’s Super Map continued being indiscernible jumbled due to the magical anti-scrying wards placed over the castle, though it did consistently show the staircase symbol on the map as they traversed up it.

The group passed by a couple of floors until they finally reached the top of the stairs to the final landing, where a lone wooden door waited. Lily, knowing how dangerous the place was now, cautiously shot a single lightning arrow at the door, only to sigh in relief at the revelation that it was not trapped like the rune-enchanted door at the bottom floor.

[color=fff200]”Ok, I’m gonna try opening it,”[/color] she informed the others, and carefully pushed on the door: it opened, revealing a lavish antechamber. There were fancy chairs and sofas alongside the side walls, and paintings depicting Wonderlandians including the unforgettable Queen of Hearts herself alongside her court. There were even a couple of stone busts of the monarch, a cold glare engraved on them.

However, what most grabbed everyone’s attention was the [url=https://i.imgur.com/YByngpO.png]strange being made of red ribbons[/url] guarding two wooden doors at the back: it’s two white masks, each depicting the theatrical expressions of comedy and tragedy, were facing each other and conversing, before they both turned to look at the group. The coiled red ribbons of the being then stretched as it stood up from a slouch, towering over the Mahou as it revealed its formidable size.

“Greetings, guests!” The happy mask on the right first spoke.

“Great, intruders…” The sad-looking mask on the left then spoke.

“I am Tweedledee, and my depressed friend over there is Tweedledum!” Said Tweedledee on the right.

“No, I am Tweedledee, and you’re Tweedledum,” said Tweedledee on the left in turn.

“I always speak honestly, while he always lies!” said the happy Tweedledee.

“That’s a lie. I only speak in truths, while he always speaks in falsehoods,” said the sad Tweedledee.

“The left door is safe and sound, the right door leads to certain death!” Said the happy Tweedledee.

“You got them mixed up,” said the sad Tweedledee. “The right passage is the one that leads to the Queen’s chambers, the left passage is the one that definitely kills you.”

Then the two pointed at a plate on the wall between the two doors. Lily read the contents aloud:

[color=fff200]“You may ask a single question from the guard before proceeding, and not another. Magic won’t be allowed. Signed, the Queen of Hearts.”[/color]

Lily puffed her cheeks in annoyance.

[color=fff200]“Magic won’t be allowed,”[/color] she repeated the message in a mocking impersonation of the queen, and blew a raspberry. 

[color=fff200]“That’s rich coming from her. And what's stopping us?”[/color] She looked back towards the others.

[color=fff200]“Didn’t the Mad Hatter also try this puzzle stuff before? Maybe we could just blast our way through with that hammer, right?”[/color] She asked, pointing at Alex’ newfound weapon.

The strange being didn’t seem to react to Lily’s words, and simply stood there, the two masks eerily shifting as it waited. Alicia, having listened to the two, had felt her Light magic respond to the happy mask's words. However, at that moment Alicia saw a sinister grin from the happy mask before it resumed its jubilant facade, with none of the others wiser: Alicia couldn't be sure, but she got a feeling that Tweedledee and Tweedledum knew about her Light magic. Did it lie knowing it would be discovered? Or was it somehow capable of fooling Light magic users with false lies?

Lily suddenly came up to Alicia.

[color=fff200]“Alicia? Is something wrong?”[/color]

[hr]
The Jabberwock gasped as Mayra sang back, the power of song seemingly affecting the sky-blackening beast more than might have been logical, giving the spunky dragon girl the opportunity to launch Magical Dream Princess high up into the sky. Like a shooting star that whimsically bobbed and weaved, the pastel-colored magical girl avoided and deflected the onslaught of vorpal blades as she flew, leaving a trail of rainbow-colored sparkles behind her, eliciting a cry of frustration from the giantess, followed by more singing:

“One, two! One, two! And through and through
      The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
      HE WENT GALUMPHING BACK!”

The Jabberwock’s fiery gaze turned brighter. The rain of blades intensified, and so did the drain on MDP’s mana as she protected herself from the enchanted projectiles, already enhanced as it was by Wonderland’s ambient magic. As blades turned to balloons and streamers and plushies, the strain of magic crept higher and higher. She could get close, but she would only have enough time to cast one spell before her mana ran out: she would need to make it show-stoppingly wondrous.

[hr]
The queen was pleased by the positive reception her newest cleaving had brought upon the Mahou. She then summoned a chair and teacup from a portal, and sat down with a steamy serving of Earl Grey as she observed the newly separated two selves battle the guardian of the mirror.
Of course, the beast, prepared to battle Mahou, was a dangerously strong monster. The queen believed it made for a worthy opponent for Freya and Shelyn to prove themselves, and thus an entertaining match for the Queen to enjoy.

After a while, the beast had been taken down, with both Freya and Shelyn now sweating from the exertion that came with victory, their breaths ragged. The Queen agave a graceful clap of her hands to the two, an approving smile on her lips. She approached Freya, and elegantly summoned her Storyslayer. She slowly lifted it up, and then brought it slowly to rest over her left shoulder, and then her right. She then performed the same gesture to Shelyn.

“Very good. Freya and Shelyn, as a reward for your chivalry and courage, by my royal decree you are from henceforth to be named as the Freya, Princess of Spades, and Shelyn, Princess of Clubs, respectively.” She then let her Storyslayer disappear with a flourish, and brought the back of her hand up close to her mouth. “Once we are done with Our mission, you shall be given land, wealth, servants, and glory as befits nobles, to rule as my Vassal Princesses.” She glanced at the other Mahou. "The same boons shall be given to others who prove themselves worthy."

She then turned to Mariette, having missed the conversations she had secretly kept with Mika and Su, walked over and lifted her chin with a gentle finger. “Now then Alice, the next mirror is ready for you~” she spoke softly to her.

[hr]
“Understood,” Viper responded, and closed communications. Chloe and the Ossiarchs went to town on the flower monsters, scything them down like a reaper at a field of wheat. The magical spores that permeated from them did not affect the undead-like abominations, forcing them to defend themselves weakly with spiky roots and sharp leaves. However, the forces only incurred a single casualty over the countless encounters across the city. Of course, the mundane populace began to panic as skeletal nightmares walked the streets and battled botanical beasts. As the weeding went on, Chloe would notice that there was a slight shift in the colors of Penrose: the more brighter colors like red and yellow would start to dim. Also, she would notice that there were subtle glints of light in the air, as if microscopic mirrors were floating around...