X No Sekai

o23; Farewell

† 

Oz felt like he was walking on the darkness. He looked around, and saw nothing but pitch-darkness. Then he heard a familiar voice calling his name. There was a light bright ahead. He quickly ran towards it, reached out his hand…

And he woke up. He heard his mother calling his name over and over. “What is it mom?” he called out. Then, he couldn’t believe it. He was finally back! He almost felt like jumping in joy. Oz smiled at himself and touched his T-shirt and looked down. The silver cross wasn’t there and its chains aren’t choking him anymore. He touched his right cheek. The X wasn’t there anymore, too.

He still wore his clothes before he entered the wacky Xland, and he’s okay and doesn’t have any bruises. Then, he heard her mother told her from the kitchen, “Come inside and at least get something to eat for snacks. You’ve been sleeping there for hours!”

Oz gasped. So the long adventure in Xland was only hours in his world. Questions and wonderings popped up his head and he felt dizzy. But he shook his head and rubbed it. Then he felt something dropped. When he glanced on his right, it was the book his mother gave him when he was real little. The novel of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and the book that gave him all the adventure.

He smiled at it and felt like staring under the leaves of the tree that he’s been sitting at, shading himself from its huge branches. Oz closed his eyes slowly and sighed. At least he was relieved he finally came back here, but also worried of the rest of the ALICEs – who died and sacrificed, just for him to go back here.

“Things aren’t what it seems, huh…”

“Oz! You have visitors,” her mother called. Oz sat straight up, unable to believe his ears. Probably just my cousins, Oz thought, resting his head on his hands. “Who are they, mom?” he called. But his mother didn’t reply.

(Now go click on the YT vid and play the background song: Fire◎Flower – Nico Nico Chorus)

A shade of shadow told Oz that they were already there – at their backyard. Oz glanced up lazily up ahead… and couldn’t believe his eyes and gasped. “Wha—” he choked, but no words came out. Oz wanted to cry and be happy at the same time. He glanced up at them one by one.

“Hello, Oz.” the 1st ALICE – Shin greeted him. The rest of the ALICEs peeked behind Shin and grinned and smiled at Oz. “Long time no see, right?” the 2nd ALICE – Natsuke chimed. “You’re finally back, I’m so happy for you,” the 5th ALICE – Erin and 6th ALICE – Sakura said at the same time. The 4th ALICE – Ryu, grinned at Oz. “Yo.” The 3rd ALICE – Aroh, waved Oz a hello.

They couldn’t hide how much happy they are and how they scared and made Oz shocked about it, as they only laughed in front of Oz.

“No way?!” Oz managed to scream.

~

Nearby, they didn’t saw Mr. Rabbit, standing. Smiling at them knowingly. I am glad you finally made your way back here, Oz, he thought. Then he lowered his hat and turned around, walking away from them. He transformed back into a black-fur, red-eyed rabbit and hopped along the big oak tree Oz found before he entered Xland. Then Mr. Rabbit jumped in the hole – which sent him back to the Xland.

Then, Mr. Rabbit changed back to his normal form as he took a step forward. He passed the 1st ALICE’s territory, and at the 2nd ALICE’s property. He stopped by to wave at the Cheshire cat, who was purring and licking her fur on top of the branch. She saw Mr. Rabbit and waved lazily at him. Then, Mr. Rabbit left her alone – and entered through the 3rd ALICE’s land.