The house of hearts

Chapter 13: The Queen of Joker's Song

With the Court of Trials behind her, Ruby entered a new chamber, its opulence and grandeur indicative of the final challenge. The room was adorned with intricate tapestries and shimmering lights, casting an otherworldly glow. At the center of the chamber stood the Queen of Joker, resplendent in her jester-like gown and white hard mask. Her presence was both enchanting and intimidating, as she prepared to unveil her game.

The Queen of Joker's eyes, hidden behind the mask, glinted with a mischievous light. She took her place on a raised platform, her jester's crown and gown accentuating her whimsical yet authoritative demeanor. The air was charged with a palpable sense of anticipation.

"Welcome, Ruby," the Queen of Joker's voice rang out, both melodious and eerie. "You've done well to reach this final trial. Now, you face the Song of Mad."

As she spoke, the Queen began to sing, her voice weaving a haunting melody that filled the chamber. The song echoed with a melancholic beauty, capturing the essence of time's passage and the fragile nature of memory:

"I know what time is, Time is a thief
It'll steal into bed and rob you while you sleep
And you'll never feel it
It pulls off the covers, and rifles through your head
Then you'll wait to find you can't remember what you just said...
It happens to everyone...
Just like the father of my father, time stole his mind
And I can't forget that one-fourth of his blood is mine
I try not to worry

Please don't come for me
I promise I'll be great
Just let me keep what's mine. (let me keep what's mine)
Please don't come for me
If you must then just please wait and let me have some time
(let me have some time)
Please don't come for me
Mind over matter (it don't matter) when you're as mad as a hatter...

It's hard to draw a clear distinction
Who you are, who you were
Through the looking glass, the past and future begin to blur
And no-one can blame you
Well they say the world is what you make it
You think, speak and breathe
And those rules still apply, stuck in a world of make believe
You make the best with what you're given...

Please don't come for me
I promise I'll be great
Just let me keep what's mine. (let me keep what's mine)
Please don't come for me
If you must then just please wait and let me have some time
(let me have some time)
Please don't come for me
Mind over matter (it don't matter) when you're as mad as a hatter...

Off with her head, off with her head...
Paint the roses, paint the roses..."

The song was both beautiful and disorienting, its lyrics weaving a narrative of time's relentless march and the inevitable loss of memory. The Queen's voice carried an air of both longing and defiance, resonating with the theme of madness that permeated Madderland.

Ruby, transfixed by the Queen's performance, realized that the challenge was not merely to listen but to engage with the Queen's game. The objective was clear: if Ruby could touch the Queen before the song ended, she would win; if not, the Queen would claim victory.

With determination, Ruby moved closer, weaving through the enchanting yet elusive melody. The Queen's voice seemed to envelop her, creating an almost tangible barrier that Ruby had to navigate. As she approached the platform, the Queen's mask remained still, hiding any emotion beneath.

The closer Ruby got, the more intense the song became, each note echoing with urgency. The Queen's voice grew more insistent, and the room seemed to sway with the rhythm of the song.

Ruby reached out, her hand stretching towards the Queen. The air crackled with tension as the final lines of the song approached:

"Off with her head, off with her head...
Paint the roses, paint the roses..."

With a swift and decisive movement, Ruby touched the Queen of Joker just as the last notes of the song faded. The melody ceased abruptly, and the room fell silent.

The Queen of Joker's expression remained hidden behind her mask, but a sense of acknowledgment and perhaps even respect seemed to emanate from her. She inclined her head slightly.

"You have succeeded," she said, her voice echoing with a mix of admiration and resignation. "You have managed to silence the Song of Mad."

The Queen's form shimmered, and the chamber began to transform, signaling the end of the final challenge. Ruby, exhausted but triumphant, took a moment to catch her breath. The Queen of Joker's game had tested her in ways she hadn't anticipated, but she had faced it with courage and resolve.

With the completion of the Queen's challenge, Ruby was one step closer to unraveling the mysteries of Madderland. Each trial had brought her closer to understanding the enigmatic world and its rulers, and she felt a renewed sense of purpose as she continued her journey through the whimsical and treacherous land of Madderland.