The Crimson Throne

Elaine almost forgot that the servants' lives held little value to this world's aristocrats. Their masters kept them alive as a convenience and discarded them when they deemed their services unnecessary. These men were strangers to her, and she had no obligation toward their well-being, but watching them march unquestioningly into a fate worse than death bothered her.

"Is there a way to keep most of my escorts intact while traveling through the portal? Requesting substitutes after reaching the capital would be too troublesome for me." Not wanting to sound too caring, she created a plausible justification.

"There is," the magician replied. "All your men need to do is look straight ahead and follow the person before him. Do not get distracted by..." He deliberated for a moment. "Let's call them creatures."

"Creatures?"

"Yes, milady. The creatures are inhabitants within the portal," he explained. "No one knows where they came from and what their purpose is. Most people cannot see them, though sometimes, they would appear in front of unsuspecting victims, crafting illusions and luring their targets from the group. No species are immune. Even the elves and fairies will lose their companions if not careful."

Elaine could feel the hairs raised on the back of her neck. The book did not mention most of this information. It gave her bits and pieces of the danger, such as the deliberate preparation before each trip and troops counting their men afterward, but never revealed the reason.

What about the original Estella? She traveled through the portal several times. How could she not have this knowledge?

Maybe Estella did not care enough to ask.

Elaine pinched her forehead, which she repeated more often since arriving in this world. She then looked at the two dozen men standing behind her carriage. "Did you all hear what he said? And do you know what to do?"

"Yes, Lady Estella," they answered in synchrony.

"Good. Do not make me waste my time requesting your replacements." Still worried, she turned back toward the magician. "I would like to buy another crystal. You can put the tab on my father's account."

"As you wish, milady." The magician bowed. He would never refuse an excellent business opportunity. "And to whom, may I ask, will the crystal be for?"

"My guard." She pointed at Cecil. Elaine was no saint. She could bear losing her entire entourage, but not Cecil. She needed him by her side to protect and complete her purpose, not wander inside a magic portal.

"Of course, please provide me a strand of your hair, mister guard."

Cecil nodded. He plucked a few strands from his golden locks and passed them to the hooded magician.

"Thank you." Another crystal appeared in the magician's palm. He placed the hair strands on top and bit his finger, trickling down a drop of blood. Red blood stained the crystal's surface, and Elaine could see it vibrating with tiny cyclones forming above. The crystal engulfed everything in seconds and returned to its transparent color, leaving no trace behind.

"The process is complete, though I believe this object is rather wasteful on him." He handed over the crystal to Cecil and walked back to the other magician before Elaine could question his words. "We will now open the portal. Please prepare yourself, milady."

One of the cloaked magicians pulled out a small decorative box while the other mumbled an enchantment, morphing the box into a prismatic-colored key. The chanting magician took the key and plugged it into thin air, rotating it clockwise.  

A sudden calmness filled the atmosphere while the earth started grumbling. Then, a small rift appeared behind the key and rapidly spread everywhere. White fog seeped through the crevices, tearing them open like a savage beast breaking outside its cage. The fracturing air transformed into tiny shards and shattered to the ground, revealing a giant oval-shaped mirror with its edges surrounded by carvings of mystical beasts. Colorful mists clouded its surface, preventing others from glimpsing inside.

"Proceed through the portal, and you will reach your desired destination." The magicians gestured at the mirror. "And please remember to look straight ahead. Do not interact with the creatures or let them interact with you."

"Thank you for the warning." Elaine gave them an appreciative smile and closed the window. "Let us depart," she ordered.

"Yes, princess." The coachmen whipped the horses and steered the carriage toward the misty entrance.

Minutes passed, yet all Elaine could hear was the rustling sound of her dress against the seat and an eerie silence. Bursts of luminescent light blazed through the dark curtain, creating several small, bright corners within the carriage. No longer able to contain her curiosity, she sneaked a peek.

Outside, a white tunnel stretched from one endless side to another, with no horizon in sight. Veiled by an iridescent fog, Elaine almost could not distinguish Cecil's silhouette riding beside her. The carriage was not soundproof, yet she could hear no sound from the galloping horses or the rolling wheels.

What are they riding on top of?

"Haha,"

Elaine's ears perked up. Was it her imagination, or did she hear children's laughter? But how could children be present in the portal?

"Hahaha,"

This time, Elaine knew she did not mishear. Instead, she heard not one but many children laughing. The laughter continued for several seconds, growing louder and closing in on her location. Then, all of a sudden, they came to an abrupt stop. Tiny handprints and many dark, unblinking eyes crowd the window, staring straight at her.

Elaine felt her heartbeat accelerating and her body frozen in place. She tried opening her mouth, but no word came out.

"Big sis, why don't you invite us in?" a young girl's voice inquired.

"I've never seen someone like you before. What are you, big sis?" another girl giggled.

"You are a foreign soul. You are not of this world. But why can't we look into you? Why can't we understand you? How peculiar, how peculiar," several children began speaking. Their voices smashed together into a high-pitched symphony.

"Please, big sis, let us in. We will show you wonderful things. If you don't let us in, you will die a horrible death. LET US IN! LET US IN!" The voices became darker and more threatening, banging relentlessly on the window and trying to force their way into the carriage.

Elaine closed her eyes and covered her ears, hoping to drown out the frightening screams.

Go away. Go away.

Knock, knock.

Two small sudden knocks quieted the screams and released Elaine from her nightmare.

"Milady?"

"Milady, are you alright?" It was Cecil's voice. She had never been more relieved to hear from him.