X No Sekai

o6; Gate of Sins

† 

Oz was being pushed away by the 3rd ALICE, as another huge and gigantic black chain attacked him. He finally regained conscious and saw a blurry figure in front of him. But he can surely make out the shadow of the ALICEs standing in front of him for coverage and protection. They were being attacked by gigantic charcoal-black chains again that appeared from nowhere.

His eyes became blurry, but he can still focus on the ALICEs clearly. The 1st ALICE had her hands outstretched in front of her, as a huge wave of water that appeared from nowhere splashed towards the chains and magically turned into ice, which breaks the chains into pieces. Oz felt the chains that had locked him turned warm and hot now. He felt himself sweating.

Loud sounds were heard as he closed his eyes to take a quick rest. When he opened it back, the 2nd ALICE had just strike lightning at the other chain which broke into pieces. As well as the 3rd ALICE who let out a very big shadow-like trap that trapped the chains inside. Chains were everywhere and charcoal-black. They were outnumbered.

The silver cross was getting intense now, and Oz felt suffocating. “What the hell is happening?” he finally gasped under his raspy voice. He felt his neck. It was as if he’s choking his own self.

Unbelievably, a long line of wind was lit up and all of the chains were burned down to ashes. The ALICEs looked at the direction. Oz looked after their stare and saw another boy with his hands outstretched in front, as if he just let out that whip of wind from his hand. Still blurry, Oz managed to see the whole thing. Then he gasped his last words before fainting. “The 4th ALICE…”

-

The heat was overpowering him. Oz finally wakes up, sweating hard. He wiped his hand on his forehead. He finally saw the black skies of the Xland. But much to his surprise when the face of the 4th ALICE appeared. But what’s worse, the silver cross was heating violently; he wanted it to take off. He touched it and gasped. It was much too hot.

“What’s happening?” he asked frantically, looking at the ALICEs. They were sitting beside him, but still they couldn’t talk and had no answer. Their faces plastered with the same expression – serious and emotionless. Oz can feel his self getting weak again. It was like the cross was taking his energy.

“Haven’t you realized yet?” a voice sounded.

He turned at the sound. And saw Mr. Rabbit for the first time of his adventures, and the second time. Mr. Rabbit was standing next to Oz.

“What do you mean?” Oz asked.

Mr. Rabbit just chuckled. “You have been staying at Xland for many days now, and you are still clueless and have never run out of questions.” He shook his head disgustedly. “You are the trap.”

Oz couldn’t believe what he just heard. He needs to make sure. “I’m the what?”

“Trap. You are the selected one to gather up all ALICEs and it is not an easy task, not to mention, for a traveler like you,” Mr. Rabbit explained slowly. “There is a cycle Xland would have to take. It takes 818 years for the ‘next’ trap to be called. They were usually kids that had been reading the novel ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and have ever doubted about the story. And when they have the book like you have, they will be lead by a black-fur, red-eyed rabbit which is me, to this world.”

“The traps should collect all 6 ALICEs. But not a single trap had made it successfully. Thus, they became…” he was cut off when he noticed the sharp glare of the 4th ALICE at him. He just smiled knowingly. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell him yet.”

“What? Please, tell me!” Oz pleaded.

Mr. Rabbit just shook his head. “You will have to figure it out yourself. Anyways, I am just here to warn you. The further you’ll go on, the further you’ll explore your inner sins.” Then he raised his cloak, signaling for him to go now.

Oz tingled. “Wait! What do you mean my inner sins?”

“You are a sin yourself.” Were the words that came out of Mr. Rabbit’s mouth which made Oz shiver and left in wonder. He looked down and his eye caught the sparkle of the heating silver cross. It was still glowing, but he hadn’t felt the heat anymore. It was as if, he was already numb.

He glanced back at the ALICEs, who were constantly looking back at him, emotionless. Especially the 4th ALICE, whose eyes were intense on him, as if telling him inside something. It wasn’t long before the ground shook under them. Just then, more chains appeared. This time, there was a girl riding on them.

The girl had cold, dark green eyes and was looking down at them menacingly. They have also noticed that they weren’t at the Xland anymore, but in another world again. “Welcome to the Gate of Sins.” A raspy voice came out of the girl.

Oz gulped nervously. What kind of situation have I gotten in again? He thought inside of him. He was about to ask, but he was forced to keep his mouth shut. The ALICEs were already in front of him, ready to protect him with their magical powers.

All the girl was waiting is for the ALICEs to move. Without a doubt, the chains attacked them with the most surprising way. The ALICEs were ready to greet them. It was a surprise when the chains didn’t hit them. Instead they went straight ahead at Oz.

Shocked and unable to move or do anything, he stood there, his expression was scared. He closed his eyes and was getting ready for the hard impact when he felt something hot. He thought it was the silver cross. But much to his surprise it was a ring of fire. He can see the ALICEs had their eyes slightly wide-open in surprise. Oz looked behind him and couldn’t help but feel happy in a very dangerous situation.

It was the 5th ALICE.

Oz felt weird. As the silver cross glowed brightly and was now hot, he couldn’t resist it anymore. He felt his energy draining again. As he stumbled down, he can hear loud strikes of the chains and the powers of the ALICEs. He rubbed his head and tried to glance at the fighting ALICEs. It was nothing but blur. Finally, he lost conscious and fell on the ground. His soul wandered, almost feeling the intense heat around him. It was as if he’s walking on fire.

He glanced around. Everything was pitch dark. Then he saw the girl earlier, riding on the chains. It smiled at him grotesquely. “Welcome to the Gate of Sins.” Then it added not so nicely, which made Oz remember her words. “Sin.”

Finally, Oz couldn’t take it. He needs an answer. “Why does everyone call me ‘sin’? I don’t even remember I committed a sin!”

The girl just smiled wider which made Oz feel uncomfortable now. “You don’t have a sin. Your existence is a sin.” As if answering Oz’s question, she added, “I am Hell Girl.”

Then, the phrase: “Your existence is a sin” have been ringing around his head many times, as if it echoes back and forth. He clutched his head and almost kneeled down, screaming. “Make it stop!” he exclaimed.

Oz heard a very loud crash that he glanced up. Everything disappeared one by one, till he felt that his soul was back on his body. He woke up, the silver cross still glowing brightly and the heat was still intense. But he finally regained conscious. It was all a blur and weird. Everything was flashing so fast, like in a fast-forward mode.

He glanced at the Hell Girl. It smiled at him grotesquely for the last time. And like magic, the chains and the girl herself disappeared. As well as the uncomfortable and eerie place. It turned back to the normal Xland. It was like it was all an illusion. But they knew better. Even the ALICEs were ready to rip her apart.

Oz glanced at the ALICEs standing in front of him, especially the 4th and 5th ALICEs. “2 ALICEs in one meeting.” He said chuckling, trying to break away the weird feeling he had.

The 4th and 5th ALICEs looked at him and seemed to be motioning at Oz that they had learned about him from the very start. He smiled. The 3rd ALICE offered a hand for Oz. He reached out and stood up. The 1st ALICE looked ahead of the way.

“I’m ready for the 6th ALICE.” Oz said. Then they moved forward.

†