Page 84 of Knot My Wonderland: Part Two
"Impressive," Dee agreed, his temporal devices still humming as they recorded the magical resonance patterns. "The probability matrices have shifted significantly. Success against the Queen now approaches ninety-two percent."
I struggled to catch my breath, the pattern beneath my skin flickering like a candle in the wind. Through the bonds with Heart and Chi, I felt their shared exhaustion—the networked approach had demanded far more from them than we'd anticipated.
"How do you both feel?" I asked, concerned by the strain I sensed through our connections.
"Like we've been wrestling lightning," Chi admitted, his silver patterns dimmed but still pulsing steadily. "But it worked, Alice. We actually managed to channel that much magic without any of us burning out."
Heart's golden energy wrapped around me like a warm blanket, soothing the ache in my magical reserves. "The bonds held perfectly. No dangerous feedback, no uncontrolled surges. If anything, they're stronger now after supporting such complex workings."
I leaned back against Heart's chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat through our golden bond. The exhaustion was bone-deep but manageable—nothing like the chaotic backlash from yesterday's solo attempts. Through our connections, I sensed both Heart and Chi's protective satisfaction at having successfully supported me through such dangerous magic.
"So we're ready?" I asked, though part of me dreaded the answer. Tomorrow we would leave this peaceful pocket dimension and face the Queen of Hearts in her own domain.
"As ready as we can be," Vee replied, carefully rolling up his scrolls of calculations. "The technique will require less energy in actual combat since you won't be fighting simulated corruption—the Queen's blood magic, while more dangerous, will also be more predictable."
Dee nodded, his temporal devices finally quieting as he finished recording the session's data. "The probability matrices show optimal outcomes if we engage within the next eighteen hours. Beyond that, variables begin to multiply exponentially."
I felt a chill run through me that had nothing to do with magical exhaustion. "Eighteen hours," I repeated, the reality of our timeline hitting me fully. "So we leave tomorrow morning."
"At dawn," Heart confirmed, his arms tightening around me as he sensed my apprehension through our bond. ". From there, we'll have perhaps an hour, and that is being generous before she becomes aware of our presence if she has been using blood magic to try to find Alice.”
Chi's tail tightened around my wrist, his silver patterns pulsing with grim determination. The magnitude of what awaited us settled over the clearing like a heavy blanket. Through our bonds, I felt the others' emotions—Heart's protective determination, Chi's fierce resolve, the Tweedles' clinical assessment of probabilities. Each of them had risked everything to prepare me for this confrontation, pouring their magic, knowledge, and faith into our shared purpose.
"We should rest," Heart said finally, breaking the tense silence. "Conserve our strength for tomorrow."
Vee nodded, already gathering his scrolls and calculation devices. "Full recovery will require at least twelve hours of rest. The networked channeling depleted all our reserves significantly."
"I'll prepare a restorative tea," Chi offered, rising with feline grace despite his obvious fatigue. His tail unwound reluctantly from my wrist, though the silver bond between us remained strong, carrying his protective concern. "Something to help replenish our magical reserves overnight."
Heart helped me to my feet, his golden patterns dimming slightly as he felt my legs tremble beneath me. "Can you walk?" he asked quietly, his ruby eyes searching mine.
I nodded, though I leaned heavily against his solid warmth. "Just tired. Not like before."
The walk back to the cabin seemed longer than usual, each step requiring deliberate focus as my body processed the magical drain. The pattern beneath my skin had settled into a steady, if subdued, pulse—no longer the erratic flickering of dangerous exhaustion, but the gentle ebb of resources temporarily depleted.
Inside, Chi busied himself with the kettle, his tail swishing with nervous energy as he prepared the promised restorative tea. The Tweedles settled at the table, spreading their calculations one final time as they made adjustments based on the day's success.
"You should eat something," Heart murmured as he guided me to a chair. The scent of the restorative tea filled the cabin as Chi worked, the herbal blend carrying notes of mint and something that made the pattern beneath my skin hum with anticipation. My stomach rumbled at Heart's suggestion, reminding me that I hadn't eaten since the small meal before training.
"I'll make something light," Heart said, already moving toward the kitchen area. Through our golden bond, I felt his need to care for me in practical ways—feeding me, ensuring my comfort, protecting me from overexertion even now when the danger had passed.
Dee looked up from his calculations, silver eyes assessing me with clinical interest. "The magical resonance is stabilizing more quickly than projected. The networked approach appears to have created lasting improvements to your pattern integration."
"Meaning?" I asked, settling deeper into my chair as fatigue pulled at my consciousness.
"Your magic is more efficient now," Vee clarified, his silver eyes studying the invisible patterns only he could see. "The connection between you, Heart, and Chi has created a magical framework that allows for faster recovery and more efficient energy distribution."
"It's almost like a magical circulatory system," Dee added, his temporal devices humming softly. "Energy flowing between the three of you in a continuous cycle that strengthens as it moves."
Chi approached with steaming mugs of tea, the liquid inside glowing with subtle silver light. "Moonflower and crystal root," he explained, setting a mug before me. "With a touch of fire berries to accelerate magical regeneration."
I took a cautious sip, surprised by the pleasant taste—sweet and cool despite the steam rising from the surface. Almost immediately, I felt the pattern beneath my skin respond, silver and gold light brightening slightly as the restorative properties began their work.
"Thank you," I murmured, wrapping my hands around the warm mug. The tea's effects spread through me like gentle waves, soothing the ragged edges of magical exhaustion.
Heart returned with a plate of what appeared to be small pastries filled with a glowing blue substance. "Dreamfruit tarts," he explained, setting them before me. "They'll help replenish your energy while you sleep."
I took one gratefully, the first bite sending a burst of sweet-tart flavor across my tongue. The pattern beneath my skin responded immediately, pulsing with renewed vigor as the magical food worked its way through my system.
