The moment the white light swallowed all three of them, the world around changed completely. Endless white stretched in every direction. No sky. No true ground. No trees, no mountains, no rivers. Not a single living thing existed here. The silence was so absolute that even the sound of their footsteps echoed sharply with every step they took.
Only the endless, furious clash between the three broke the stillness.
Alice stared around in shock, spinning round and round as she tried to make sense of this alien place.
"This… what is this place?" Her gaze snapped to Celestia. "How did you create this dimension, Celestia?" she demanded, bewildered.
Celestia offered only a faint smile, steadying her breath after expending so much power. "It's a long story. And I'm not inclined to tell you. If you're so desperate to know… find the answer yourself."
Alice's expression darkened instantly. She ground her teeth until the scrape was audible. "Insolent little—"
Black aura exploded from her entire body. Without giving the sisters a second to breathe, she surged forward at impossible speed.
"Dark Spheres!"
She raised both hands, and dozens of shadowy orbs filled the air, tearing toward Elowen and Celestia.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Elowen darted sideways. Celestia leaped back, lifting her right hand and firing beams of pure light.
Boom! Boom! Two dark spheres shattered on impact.
At the same time — Slash! Slash! Elowen's blade moved in a blur, cutting every orb that came near her. Flashes of white and dark magic lit the void, and explosions thundered without pause.
Boom! Slash! Boom! Slash! The roar of clashing power and ringing steel tore through the silence.
Their fight grew more desperate by the second — every ounce of strength thrown into the struggle. Slowly, the flawless white floor began to scar. Wherever Alice's magic struck, black splotches spread, as if darkness itself was eating the dimension away. The walls curved inward under the repeated blows. The sharp smell of burning hung in the air, thin smoke drifting through the void — but none of them paid it any mind. There was only one thing that mattered: defeating the enemy.
Alice raised both hands once more, gathering a far greater mass of dark magic.
"I will kill you both!"
She hurled one massive sphere after another.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Elowen and Celestia kept moving — dodging, shattering, blasting them apart — but Alice would not stop. She meant to end them here.
Elowen met her glare. "Don't you dare. I will see you turned to dust, you witch."
Alice bit her lip until blood ran — and vanished.
Celestia's eyes flew wide. "Elowen!"
Alice appeared instantly right before her, a tiny dark sphere forming in her palm. She lunged to drive it straight into Celestia's stomach — but Smack!
Celestia caught her wrist in both hands, her grip iron‑tight. "Did you think I would lose focus?" she asked, staring straight into Alice's eyes.
Alice thrashed, yanking her arm again and again — but Celestia would not let go. White light gathered in her palm, brighter and brighter — then Boom! She released it full into Alice's face.
"Arghhh!" Alice's scream echoed across the void. Her skin blistered and smoked.
In that same instant, Elowen charged, her light sword raised high — but before it could strike, Alice kicked out with all her strength. Bang! Her heel slammed into Celestia's stomach.
"Ugh!" Celestia lost her grip, flying several meters before hitting the white floor hard. She curled over, gasping for air, the blow stealing her breath.
Alice scrambled back — but not before Elowen's blade bit deep. Slash! It sliced through her calf. Red blood welled and dripped onto the pristine white ground. Alice hopped back, clutching her leg.
Elowen turned at once to her sister. "Celestia! Are you hurt?"
Celestia took a long breath, then slowly pushed herself up, rubbing her sore stomach. "I… I'll be fine. Just winded. Thank you."
Elowen nodded, tightening her grip on her glowing sword. Her expression hardened. She stepped forward, slow and steady, every movement sure and unshaken. Her eyes never left Alice. She raised her blade high — ready to fight until one of them fell.
Elowen tightened her grip on the light‑forged sword, her gaze sharp as she tracked every shift of Alice's stance. Without hesitation, she surged forward, breaking into a sprint.
"Haah!"
She swung the blade with all her strength. Pure white light sliced through the empty air — Slash! But Alice took one quick step sideways, dodging cleanly. The blow met nothing but void.
Alice bit her lip, vividly recalling how that very light had burned her flesh. I cannot let that blade touch me… If I try to catch it like an ordinary sword, my own hands will shatter.
She raised one hand at once, dark spheres swirling into existence before her palm.
"Dark Spheres!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
They streaked straight for Elowen.
"Elowen!" Celestia's cry rang through the white void. Seeing her sister in danger, she moved instantly, lifting both hands. White light gathered at her fingertips and launched forth — Whoosh!
Boom! The collision sent a shockwave rippling across the dimension. Shards of pure light sprayed in every direction, some striking Alice herself.
"Ssshh!" Her skin hissed and smoked; burns blazed anew on her cheek and arm.
"Useless!" Alice screamed in fury, shielding her face. She slammed her foot down hard — Bang! — and a black magic circle flared beneath her. Darkness swelled to obey her… but the circle flickered once, twice, then vanished entirely.
Alice stared in disbelief. She tried again, pulling shadow magic to her — and again the circle faded, as if the dimension itself had swallowed it whole. Her face twisted into a snarl.
"Why… why can't I use my power?!" She ground her teeth until the veins stood out on her neck.
Celestia spoke calmly, her voice cutting through the rage. "Did you forget… you are in another world now?"
"ARRRGH!!" Alice howled, her scream echoing endlessly. Even with her power suppressed, she refused to yield. She stalked toward them, every step burning with fury, shadow still clinging to her frame. She raised both hands once more, hurling sphere after sphere without pause — Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Elowen charged to meet them, her sword blazing. Slash! Slash! Every swing cut a dark orb apart. Behind her, Celestia wove beam after beam of light, destroying what slipped past — Boom! Boom! Explosions filled the void.
They fought as one, seeking any opening to strike her down — but Alice was too fast. Time and again, just as a killing blow seemed certain, she slipped away at the very last second. The clash dragged on, with no sign of ending.
......
Meanwhile in Wonderveil…
The bright sky began to darken. The sun sank below the western horizon, and moonlight slowly spilled over the whole land. The air grew crisp and cold. Knights lit lamps around the great shelter hall. Though the war was over, a heavy tension lingered.
The search parties sent to find Princess Elowen and Princess Celestia had brought no news. They had combed the abandoned mansion, the dead forest, the main roads, and every other likely place — but the princesses were still missing. Their disappearance remained top secret; only those who had fought on the battlefield knew. They had strict orders: tell no one until their fate was certain.
Inside the shelter hall, knights kept watch as usual — guarding the gates, handing out food, patrolling the grounds. Soon one knight fresh from the battlefield approached his comrade on duty. He lowered his voice.
"I need to tell you something."
The other knight looked serious. "What is it?"
"Princess Elowen and Princess Celestia… they're gone."
"What?!" He nearly shouted. His companion clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Shhh! Keep your voice down. We cannot speak of this to anyone."
The guard nodded quickly, glancing left and right to make sure no one overheard. "Is the fighting over at least?"
"It is. But they vanished — along with Alice. We're searching everywhere."
The guard sighed deeply. "If that's so… if you want to swap places and join the search, I'd be glad to. You're needed out there more."
Before they could say more, a calm voice came from behind them. "Why are you two standing here?"
Both knights jumped and turned sharply. Ashveil stood watching them.
"Lord Ashveil!" They saluted at once. "Good evening. We were just reporting on conditions outside — all is secure."
Ashveil nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on the newcomer. "Weren't you at the battle? Why are you here?"
The knight froze. "I… what? No, of course not, my lord. If I'd been fighting, how could I be here?"
Ashveil did not reply straight away. He studied the man's face for a long moment. "You could have ridden back. Besides… do you think I don't know every knight assigned to the front and every one posted here?"
Silence fell. The knight could not speak; cold sweat trickled down his neck. He knows every face? Impossible…
Ashveil met his eyes. "You're wondering how I know. Because I see them nearly every day. I study every record. I know exactly who is meant to guard this hall. No one else should be here… unless they are an intruder with designs on the people."
His tone stayed soft — but every word carried weight. The knight shook his head quickly. "Lord Ashveil, I am no intruder. No traitor. I have been on duty here since dawn."
"Since dawn?" Ashveil raised an eyebrow. "Then tell me — what meal was served today? Those distributing food would know."
The knight went rigid. He had spent all day on the battlefield; how could he know what had been cooked? Seconds passed before he let out a quiet breath. "You are right, my lord. I came from the front lines."
His comrade gasped, then spoke quickly before things worsened. "He only came to report! The war is over! The princesses are well — they simply ordered us to keep it quiet. They fear traitors may still be within Wonderveil."
Ashveil relaxed slightly. "I see. That is good news. I wish to see them at once."
"We cannot," the knight said firmly. "They have only just returned. They are exhausted — it would not be right to disturb them now."
Ashveil considered, then nodded. "Very well. I shall send a letter to Elowen. I will also inform Charles."
The two knights exchanged a look. One stepped forward. "Lord Ashveil — please say nothing of this to anyone yet. It is the princesses' command; we are only following orders."
Ashveil gave a faint smile. "Of course. Their wishes shall be respected. I look forward to seeing them soon." With that, he walked toward his office, his footsteps fading into the distance.
When he was gone, both knights let out long, shaky breaths.
"That was too close…"
"Yes. Thank the stars he believed us."
Yet their relief did not last. They knew this lie only bought them time. If Elowen and Celestia were not found… sooner or later Ashveil would learn the truth. And then there would be no more hiding the secret that Wonderveil's two princesses were gone.
The next morning in Wonderveil…
Sunlight spilled over the whole land. Dew still clung to the leaves, and a cool breeze swept through — fresh and sharp after the previous night's battle. Birdsong rang out from every direction. People in the shelter hall woke one by one; some prepared breakfast, some cleaned up, and children laughed and played as if the war had been nothing but a bad dream.
But not for the knights. Before the sun had even fully risen, they were back at their search for Princess Elowen and Princess Celestia. They had dared not continue after dark — the woods around the abandoned mansion were too dangerous, and poor light would only risk more lives. Now, with the sun bright overhead, they hoped to find some clue at last. They rode out in every direction — into the forests, along the riverbanks, up into the mountains, and down forgotten roads. Though hope grew thinner by the hour, not one of them would give up.
Elsewhere, in a small room…
Charles still slept soundly in his bed.
"Hmm…"
He stirred, his breath coming short, as if something heavy pressed against his chest. He tried to draw a deep breath — but it felt harder than it should.
"What…?"
He lifted his head — and his eyes went wide.
"Nyx…"
The great blue-furred cat was curled fast asleep right on top of him. Charles gave a faint, weary smile. He moved very carefully, trying not to wake the beast — but the slight shift made Nyx's ears twitch. Slowly, the cat opened his eyes.
"Mmm?"
"I nearly suffocated," Charles said. "Thank goodness I woke up when I did."
Nyx looked down at himself, then lowered his head. "Sorry… I didn't realize I'd grown so heavy."
Charles chuckled softly. "Not heavy… just very big."
Nyx huffed gently and hopped down from Charles's chest. Charles sat on the edge of the bed, breathing easier.
"Have Princess Elowen and Princess Celestia not returned yet? Are they still at the battlefield?"
Nyx shook his head slowly. "Alice is a witch — and no ordinary one. This fight… it will take time."
Charles nodded. He too was worried for the princesses. Before they could speak further — Click. The door swung open. Charles jumped as Ashveil stepped inside without knocking.
"Apologies," Ashveil said quickly, holding up both hands. "The latch gave way."
Charles let out a breath. "Good thing I was already dressed. You'd have had quite a shock otherwise."
Ashveil gave a small smile, then looked at them both. "I have news. Princess Elowen and Princess Celestia have returned from the battlefield."
Charles's face lit up. "Truly?"
"So the knights report," Ashveil confirmed. "They also gave strict orders: tell no one. According to the guards, the princesses are safe now at the palace."
Charles beamed. "I can't believe they're back! I must go see them."
Ashveil shook his head gently. "The knights say they are exhausted. We must wait for word from them directly. For now, letters are all we may send."
"Of course," Charles agreed.
Nyx, sitting near the door, looked bright too. "I never thought they'd be back so soon. I cannot wait to see them." He hopped down from the bed.
Ashveil turned to him, curious. "May I ask something? I was told you dislike being touched. Why is it you let Charles hold you — and even sleep on him?"
Nyx paused, as if searching for the answer himself. "I… I do not know. But… Charles is the first human who ever held me."
Ashveil sighed softly. "That hardly seems fair." He looked at Nyx's soft, thick fur with clear envy. "I would love to stroke you too. You look so very warm."
Nyx purred a little laugh. "Don't look so glum. I'm going to walk around the hall for a while." With that, he padded out, his tail swaying lazily behind him.
Charles turned to Ashveil. "I want to write to Princess Celestia. I hope she is unharmed."
"I hope so too," Ashveil said. "Though my letter is for her sister. Come — let us write to them both."
Charles smiled and nodded. "Yes."
They left the room at once, heading for the small study to write to the women they cared for. Both smiled, believing the princesses were safe at home at last.
They had no idea… that Elowen and Celestia had never returned to Wonderveil at all — and were still trapped in another dimension, fighting for their lives beside Alice.