I tighten my grip on Red and land swiftly on my feet as we finally land on a piece of ground. Red takes her hands off my neck and lands on her feet, dusting her beautiful red suit off as well.

"Well, I hope your first impression on Miss Lucile didn't compromise your chances of passing.."

I scoff at Red and raise my chin up high. "Who cares. I've met women worse than her, she's nothing." Red sighs with frustration as she tries to fix her red hair. "She seemed to have taken a liking to your butler." I cross my arms and turn my gaze behind me as I listen to Red.

"And? He's an adult and what he does in his personal life is none of my business." I raise my nose higher up into the air and sniff the odd scent clinging to the wind. "As mature and dignified as always I see." Ignoring Red's sarcastic comment, I let claws sprout from my nails and raise them in a defensive stance.

"What's the meaning of this?"

Red hears my question and stares nonchalantly at me. "Your test, what else?" I roll my eyes when I hear the retort and I growl as I begin to lose my patience. "Then how does this test work?" Red suddenly flies behind me and clutches my shoulders with her dainty hands as if using me as a shield.

"I see you've already studied your surroundings and are already aware of the forest around us. It's not a real forest, it's an illusion meant to act as a maze. Your job is to get me to the end of this maze, alive."

I raise an eyebrow and curiously study the forest again. Of course this time I notice the illusion and I smile as I gain an advantage. "Do you know the way to the exit?" I turn my gaze back towards Red and smile at her nodding reply. "Of course." Just hearing that reply brings a confident smirk to my lips and I ready my killer, werewolf instincts for the run I'm about to face.

"Don't get too cocky, remember that I emphasized alive."

Suddenly realizing what she means, I hurriedly turn my head around and, as expected, I find Wonderland beasts racing toward us. I scowl and turn so my back faces Red. "Get on my back now!" Hearing my command, Red hops on my back and I gently clutch her thighs, so my claws won't scratch her.

I let my wolfen legs take over and I run at full speed. I bare my fangs and howl as I feel adrenaline surge inside my veins. "Where to?" Red raises her finger and points to my left. "It's a long way, are you sure you'll be able to carry me until we reach the end?" Drool slips from my lips and drips down the corners of my sinister smile.

"Like hell this wolf can't!"

Red chuckles at my reply and begins to play with the wolfish ears sticking from the top of my head. "Alright, but you must be careful, the path is rigged with booby-traps." I let out a double howl as I feel the adrenaline grow stronger inside of me. The beasts race faster towards us and I let my tongue fly out of my mouth as I imagine how their flesh must taste.

"No, bad Elizabeth. You are not allowed to kill the beasts, it is also part of your test to see wether or not you treat everyone the same when you protect." I growl reluctantly and shake my head as I dismiss any bloodshed from my thoughts.

"Fine!" I yell out as I jump over a sudden hole.

I must have begun to set off the traps as more and more holes appear out of no where. I swiftly jump over and over again until I'm sure I can't sense any more sudden drops appear. I have to stop for a moment to catch my breath and Red can notice the sweat beginning to drip from my forehead.

"You're getting tired already?" My eyebrow begins twitching when I hear the smart reply. I shake my head and begin to run again. I turn my head around again to check on the beasts, but I notice they're not behind us anymore.

I ignore it for now and focus on my running as I try to get to the end of the maze, but a shadow widens below me and I realize something is about to drop down on me. My eyes widen and I shove Red a few feet away as I see the beasts trying to land on me. I dash away far enough for the beast to miss me and land harshly on the floor. They all growl and ready themselves for a fight.

There's a total of 8 of them and they're all the size of a monster truck. I frown as I realize I won't be able to take them all down on my own, but as I see them scratch the floor, I can tell they want to set their teeth on Red's flesh instead.

Wondering why these animals could be acting so aggressively, I theorize that they've been drugged to be this ferocious. I squat down and touch the ground as I wait for the beasts to charge.

They quickly do and run straight toward Red, I yell aggressively and race in front of her. I block her way and punch the closest beast flying towards Red. He falls back and bares his deadly teeth as he runs again toward me. The others stand back and give the beast room, that's when I realize the beast racing towards me is probably the alpha.

I chuckle and stomp the ground with all my might, an earthquake shakes the floor and splits the ground underneath the beast. At first glance, it seems the animal is dead, but as I walk closer toward the edge I can see my plants tangled around it.

The beast faints from the shock and the plants bring him over the edge. The others growl furiously as they see their leader unconsciously lay on the ground. I smirk as they all race toward me and I bring my arm closer to my face.

I manipulate the air and a barrier of ice blocks their path to Red and I. Taking advantage of their confusion, I race toward Red and carry her bridal-style again. I pant and try to catch my breath as I also support Red's body. "We're almost there! Just take a right here and we'll end this in a matter of seconds!"

I smile and laugh in relief as I force the last bits of my energy to carry me on for a while longer. Unfortunately, the beasts from before come back into view and this time they've found a way to run in front of us. I sped to a halt and stare in awe.

"How did they get ahead of us?!"

I toss Red again on the floor and ready myself for another attack. I sigh and my patience quickly flees my body. My werewolf side urges me to kill them, but as easy as that would be, I can't. Therefore, that's the only reason this is taking so long!

I shake my head and ignore the tempting thoughts as I run toward them again. I flip over them and land skillfully behind. I growl and change my form into something more convenient.

I let my wolfen features fade away and I allow the transformation of the Phantom Of The Opera. I smile with a devious attitude and give the beasts a threatening glare. I open and widen my mouth as I let out a horrid scream, or as the correct term goes, a sonic burst.

The loud frequency that I emit causes the beasts to roar in pain and agony. They all run away and fall easily into the edge I created with my earthquake.

I smile as they all become imprisoned with my plants and vines, restraining them like earlier with the alpha. I then turn my gaze to find Red gawking at me. "Impressed? Hm? Surprised, amazed, bewildered?" I plaster a prideful grin on my face as I walk toward Red to carry her again.

"Just hurry up before more of those beasts spring out of no where." I chuckle as I hold Red in my arms and I race again toward the end of the maze. I finally find it and happily race toward the exit, but a sudden flash of light blinds me and I almost drop Red.

I can tell the illusion wore off and we find ourselves standing in the middle of a dark, empty room. My senses flare up and I can easily detect danger. I shove Red ahead of me and stare her down seriously.

"Run!" My command leaves the woman stunned with confusion and I impatiently usher her again. "I said run! I need you to leave or otherwise you'll just be a burden!" My words seem to strike Red rudely, but nonetheless she nods her head and runs past the exit.

I turn my head around and face the new threat standing in my way. I growl as I notice it's another batch of those beasts, but these new creatures have magical stones tied around their necks, letting off violent burst of magic as they roar.

They all pounce at the same time and rush to happily sink their teeth into my flesh. I hurriedly jump out of the way and raise a hand to let out my own blast of magic, but something odd happens.

I have a hard time summoning any forms and I seem to have lost my train of thought. I shake my head and stare wide-eyed at the beasts as they bare their claws and run straight at me again. I realize the stones they have around their necks must be tampering with my mind and causing me to forget how to use my magic.

I mumble curses under my breath as I dash for the side, dodging another strike from the beasts. I sigh as I realize using my transformations won't be an option anymore. I raise my fists and place my steps into a fighting stance to see if I can fight my way out of this one, the old fashion way that is.

The beasts' eyes twinkle with bloodlust as they launch themselves again at me. I grit my teeth and wait anxiously for how I'll get myself out of this one. The beasts come at me at all directions and dig their claws into my sides.

I scream in agony as they rip and tear at my skin.

I raise my knee and kick one of the beast in his stomach, causing it to lose its balance and fall backwards. I take advantage of the opening and dash for the exit, but the remaining beasts have different plans for me.

One of the foul creatures lashes at my back leg and causes me to trip and fall. I scream as I feel the cut begin to sting and burn. I clench my fists and cross my arms above my head to shield me from the bloodthirsty creature ready to finish me off.

I wait with my eyes closed and after a few seconds, I open them to find an incredulous sight in front of me.

The beasts are all running away with their tails between their legs. My eyes pop out of their sockets as I witness the circle of icicles protecting me, with all their pointy tips facing the retreating beasts. I instinctively turn my head around to find the source of my saving, but I find no one around.

I close eyes and focus on the air around me. A shiver runs down my spine as I notice the sudden drop in temperature. I begin to tremble as I remember the cold touch all over my body when I was lost inside my mist.

I wrap my arms around myself as an attempt to warm my body a little. I hastily rise to my feet and run for the exit to escape the sudden recap of my 'nightmare'.

My legs feel a sudden burst of energy and I find myself racing back inside the meeting room, still drenched in my blood.

I sigh and summon a plant to heal me. A red bush of roses slither their way towards me and wrap themselves over my wounds.

"Well, your time was deplorable and it seems you've brought back the Queen Of Hearts with a couple of scratches, but otherwise you did well."

Suddenly, I cringe when I hear the familiarity of the voice and realize it's my butler speaking behind me. I reluctantly turn around and face Siva with a bitter smile. "Awe, you're too kind." I answer sarcastically and watch Siva raise a hand to his mouth to muffle a laugh. I smile as I see him finally lighten up and I barely miss the death glare piercing my back.

I turn around, and sure enough, it's Ida giving me the stink eye, probably from jealousy. I shake my head and walk towards her with a nonchalant expression again.

"So? Did I pass?"

Pushing up her glasses, Ida averts her gaze and speaks quietly. "Yes, congratulations...b..but don't get cocky! I doubt you'll past the next test, you reckless twit!" I roll my eyes at the comment and I cross my arms behind my head as I lazily walk back to my butler.

The jester leaves an angry Ida burning up in flames, literally.

I watch as Siva bows and politely requests our sudden leave. Red nods her head and sighs with relief as she hears her maid say her warm, bubble bath is ready. I shake my head and stand by my butler's side, he stares down to me and frowns. "What is the matter?" I sigh and walk ahead of my butler, anxious to leave the castle.

"Nothing, just excited to see a certain crazed hatter as soon as possible." Siva nods his head as we make our way back to our carriage, but he unexpectedly hands me a pile of clothing before I can hop into our ride. "Don't tell me I have to change?" I ask the question with annoyed features and Siva nods his head with a dignified expression.

"The Mad Hatter has been kind and loyal to you for years now, the least you can do is not present yourself to his shop reeking of blood." I groan as I realize what Siva means is true and I reluctantly let my hands hover over the clothes as I whisper a spell.

My uniform morphs into the clothes Siva picked out for me and I put on a perfume that he also recently bought for me. I hop into the carriage and sit across from my butler as I cross my arms. "Better?" Siva studies me closely and nods his head in approval. I relax and lean my head against the window.

My thoughts seem to wonder off as I slowly feel my eyelids closing. I appear to be asleep, but the nagging thoughts of danger keep picking at my mind. I find myself once again wondering about the man I saw inside my mist.

His cold, freezing touch and the strange aura he possessed. The mysterious and bewitching appearance that seems to have me captivated. Odd that I can't seem to stop thinking about him.

"Young Mistress, we're here."

Snapping out of my thoughts, I raise my head and curiously look around. I peer out from behind the window and notice the twisted shop illuminating the night sky with its lights. Siva leaves the carriage first and I happily follow behind him.

Holding the door open for me, I past by Siva and gaze at the cafe-styled tea shop. My smile widens more when a silly hat comes into view. "Hatter!" The man raises the tip of his top hat and smiles when he notices me. I walk toward him for a hug, but I suddenly turn to the side when a tea cup is flung over to me. I chuckle as it shatters on the wall and automatically know who threw it.

"You're late for tea! Heehee!"

I shake my head when I notice it's the Hatter's equally crazed rabbit, March Hare. "Now, now, March, you mustn't be rude. You're scheduled to do that in ten minutes..Hahahaha..!" I roll my eyes as both The Hatter and The Hare share a laugh. I walk to a table and Siva takes my coat, hanging it up on a close hook, and sits beside me.

"Elizabeth! It's been two hatters and a half since the last time I saw you, how have you been?" My dear friend brings a tray of tea-ware and serves all of us a steaming cup of tea with a dessert of chocolate cake on the side.

"It's been eccentric, and you?" Hatter sits with his legs crisscrossing on the seat as he joyfully drinks his tea. "Same here, hasn't it Mallymkun?" I curiously look for a certain dormouse as I hear Hatters reply. "Boy! It's been crazier than that! We've recently run out of cheesecake..." My eyes widen and I almost choke on my tea.

"I feel your pain, Mally! I'd kill Siva if he didn't have an extra supply of cheesecake during this sort of situation!" All four us topple over in a lunatic choir of laughter and Siva only sips his tea as he watches our immature antics. "Ahaha..well! I haven't laughed like that in a twinkle's month!"  Laughing harder to the Hatter's strange comments, I wipe a few tears of joy from my eyes.

"Yoooung Mistresssss.."

Widening my eyes to hear such a creepy comment from Siva, I confusingly stare at him. He notices my staring and raises an eyebrow. "What is it?" I tilt my head to the side and frown as I hear his reply. "Yes, what is the hatter?" Sensing a furry paw on my shoulder, I turn my head and find the Cheshire Cat smirking at me.

"Hey! That's my line!" Chess snickers when he sees Hatter lose his composure, or rather what's left of it, and lazily floats above us in his chubby, cat form. "Siva! How's it purring my fellow cat?" I widen my eyes as I hear Chess' odd comment and look confusingly at my butler.

He's frowning and glaring at Chess.

"I am not a cat." I shake my head as Siva clears up the confusion and Malley walks over to Siva. "Oh leave him alone Chess! Elizabeth is here to enjoy herself, not to hear your rude remarks!" The poor cat begins pouting and lands on my lap, I roll my eyes and smile as I begin to pet him.

"What are you even doing here? I thought you were lying around on your tree again." Hatter eyes the cat suspiciously and sips his tea a bit more dignified. "Yes, but when I caught news of Elizabeth's new predicament, I knew I had to rush over and comfort her." I let out a sigh as I remember the newfound problem I have to deal with from now on.

Hatter confusingly stares at me and an awkward silence overcomes us. Chess raises his head lazily and stares between the both of us. "Whoops, did I say something wrong?" I lean back into my chair and continue petting Chess to assure him he didn't.

"Elizabeth? Has something happened?" I lower my gaze and speak without showing any emotion toward Hatter. "I may have done something that has put the district leaders in a fret, and now I have to pass a series of tests to win back their trust..well as the Protector anyway."

Hatter doesn't respond and he places his thumb on his chin to ponder my reply. March, however, begins to stomp his foot against the ground, quite vigorously as if he wants attention. "I have an excellent idea! LET'S CHANGE THE SUBJECT." I chuckle as I see him nervously shake as the mood has now worsen.

"It's alright Hatter, all I have to do is pass a few tests. How hard could it be? I've already completed one for the Queen Of Hearts and it was quite easy." As I lie, I watch the Hatter sigh and nod his head. "I suppose you're right, besides I can entrust that Siva won't allow any harm to befall on you, correct?" Siva sets his finished teacup down on his coaster and stares seriously at Hatter.

"No need to worry about that, I very much intend to keep my Young Mistress safe."

I let a faint smile spread across my face as I take pride in my butler's words. I notice Chess roll his eyes and mischievously grin his trademark smile. "Hatter be a dear and bring over a slice of chocolate cake for me too." Hatter, hearing the remark, nods his head to March and the hare smiles a delirious smile.

"Ooh! How about a cup of tea instead!"

My eyes widen and I notice Siva grab the cat off my lap and throw him on the floor.  I don't understand his actions until the hare giggles and pours the whole pot of tea on Chess, the poor cat then yells as the steaming liquid burns his fur. Chess ends up running around the shop, and his antics cause the lunatic trio to topple over in howls of laughter again.

"Right on schedule March! Precisely ten minutes later! Ahahaha!"

I ignore Hatter's sly joke and face my butler, I raise an eyebrow to Siva and he smirks at my reaction. "What? It was either the retched feline or you." Surprised to see my butler act so rudely, I sigh and raise a hand in the air. I twirl it and Chess' fur dismisses of any traces of tea. He finally slumps to a stop and, out of exhaustion, turns into his human form.

"Well, the sun is setting so I'd better be on my way. Hatter, it was truly a pleasure to see you again." Hatter, March, and Malley recover from their laughing fit and respectively bow before me. Chess composes himself and takes my hand to kiss it. "Thanks for getting that foul tea off me." I smile as I wave goodbye and leave my dear friends behind, but Siva grabs my hand before opening the door.

He takes out a bottle of hand sanitizer and I watch as a drop of it lands on the same palm Chess had kissed a moment before. "Who knows where his mouth has been..." I hold my smile but glare at Siva after his little remark. I shove him out the door and pray that Chess didn't over here, but unfortunately he does.

"Couldn't be as bad as where your mouth has been, you filthy dog!" Feeling Siva tense up from the comment, he angrily tries to walk back into the shop, but I roll my eyes and keep shoving him back inside the carriage. I wave again from my seat and ignore Siva's grumbling.

"That damn cat..! He always finds a way to get under my skin...argh! Till next time you fiend..!" I stare dumbstruck at Siva's loss of composure and wonder why he acted that way toward Chess, well more rudely than how other people usually are.

"Siva? Why did you get so offended? You know Chess is like that with everyone, right? Besides, it's not like you're actually a dog." Siva widens his eyes and stares for a while before a sudden realization hovers over me.

"Wait...are you a werewolf?!" Stunned to have finally figured out what Siva is, I excitedly wait to hear him confirm my suspicion. "Somewhat." I frown when I hear the vague reply and cross my arms from disappointment. Siva notices this, sighs, and removes his white gloves.

I widen my eyes when I watch his nails extend and sharpen at the ends. "Cl..Claws!" I stare in bewilderment and a wave of shock flows over me when Siva's pupils slit. His metallic, white hair begins to grow and surprisingly reaches his waist.

Despite of the sudden transformation, the one thing that really catches my attention are the cat-like ears that gracefully stand on the top of Siva's head and his long, fluffy white tail that settles on the seat.

"Damn! I was wrong! You're a werecat, aren't you!"

Siva sighs and shakes his head as if he's heard those words several times before. "I am a fox, foxes are more closely related to dogs than they are to cats. I do look similarly like one, but that has nothing to do with my origins." I gawk at the new appearance of my butler and I can tell I'm starting to make Siva feel uncomfortable.

"B..but.! Foxes aren't monsters or fairytale creatures, right?!" I place my hands on my head and feel as if I'm going crazy. "No, but I'm a Fox Spirit and closely related to a fairytale creature, since most of my powers are affiliated with sorcery", I raise an eyebrow and question my butler before I confuse myself even more.

"Wait! I thought your race separated themselves from The Kingdoms to create their own independent clans? Why are you still associated with us?" 

Siva looses all the emotion in his features and gazes out the window. "That is a long story, but for now all you need to know is that I serve as your butler and guardian willingly." The response isn't exactly what I was expecting, but nonetheless I comply.

"I apologize for not sharing this with you, Young Mistress, but I felt you would have doubted me if you knew my background." I sigh again for the tenth time this day and rub my temple with two fingers. "Jeez, I've done much more horrible things than your kind has ever done. If anything you should be the one scared of me..." Siva's ear twitches and he widens his eyes when he hears my response.

Then I notice his shoulders begin to bounce as he tries to muffle his laughter. "Ahaha..Young Mistress, how right you are." I roll my eyes and share a laugh with him as we ride back home in the cozy carriage.

However, I suddenly sense danger as I feel a variety of different presences approaching. I look out the window and a strange sight comes into view.

"Ah, it seems we have unexpected guests joining us today, well I guess it can't be helped.." Siva mumbles angrily under his breath and hops out of the carriage through the window.

I poke my head out the window and watch as the carriage leaves him behind, but I stubbornly tell the driver to pull over so I can join the fun too.

I grab my cape and morph my clothes into my uniform as I glide down the stairs adjoining to the carriage door. I smile devilishly as I fly in the air using a simple spell and go in search of my loyal fox.

I find him shooting dark, blue-colored fire from his hands and aims it at our unexpected enemies. As the clouds depart and the moonlight slips through the cracks, I can make out the faces of Siva's opponents.

"Demons, they never fail to intrude on my business.."

I scowl and run faster toward the demons. I stop midair and use my belt to summon a dagger from my vault. The weapon materializes in the air and drops down into my hand. I clutch it and slice at my wrist, blood squirting from my skin and attracting the demon's attention.

I smirk and wave my hand in the air to taunt them. "Take a picture, it'll last longer!" A crazed laugh escapes my lips and my true, hellish self bursts from my seams. Siva notices me and suddenly loses his concentration as his protective nature takes over.

The demons ignore my butler and race after me. I spread my arms in the air and ready myself for the attack, but unexpectedly the demons run past me. I confusingly look behind me and the demons take the opportunity to grab hold of my limbs.

"We are not here to kill you, but our master has ordered us to capture you." A demon on my right speaks as if he was the leader.

"Yes, please don't struggle, it'll only make our jobs harder." A demon on my left adds to the explanation. I growl and, despite their words, begin to struggle in their hold.

"TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF MY LADY AND MISTRESS!" I grin when I see Siva's fox appearance come into view, but the demons skillfully maneuver around him and fly off with me in hand.

Siva scowls and uses his powers to fly in the air and chase after us. I let claws sprout from my nails and slice at the demons' faces. They accidentally let go of me as they try to avoid my attack.

I mockingly laugh at them as I fall in the air and casually wait for Siva to catch me. As if on cue, he does and I wrap my arms around his neck. "Nice timing." Siva lets a prideful smirk spread across his face as we gently land on the ground.

However, Siva and I sense another demonic presence and he readies to fend off another attack. I then catch a whiff of the scent and automatically recognize the intoxicating smell.

"E..Evan.?"

Siva's left ear twitches when he hears the name that slips from my lips. Then I look out into the forest and watch as a familiar man dressed in black, walks elegantly in front of us.

The dazzling, blue eyes and the sly, devilish smirk that I'm so well accustomed to comes into my field of vision and then, I feel my body shove away from Siva's embrace and gently land into Evan's arms.

Siva growls and raises his hand to throw a flame of blue fire toward the demon master. "Siva, stand down. Remember that Evan is one of my allies." Bound by his loyalty, Siva lowers his hand and walks towards us.

Evan chuckles as his soft, pale hand grabs hold of my wrist. He stares at me with a seductive look and licks the wound I made earlier with his hot, slippery tongue.

"Black Rose, I've missed your touch.."