Chapter 31: Scene 31 – Noble House (of Mirrors) [Episode 1 FINALE]

Amanda knelt in complete darkness. She felt different, not entirely whole. An examination of her body revealed that she was covered in a taut layer of wax. Pinching it between her fingers, she watched as the pale flesh kneaded but did not settle. Her worst fears were unfounded; she could feel her body with damp fingertips. Everything that was had remained; she still had her breasts. A cursory examination of the space between her hips revealed she no longer had anything between her legs; that was a positive development!

Her attention turned outwards, towards the dark world. It could use a little... "[Candlelight]." Pale blue candles burned to life, illuminating the core of the dungeon. The light also induced no small amount of regret in the diminutive wax figure. The wax and yarn table was illuminated, revealing a dark and alluring figure. Novaerator Gaia towered above the table and the tall woman of yarn to her side; her skin was made of black obsidian, and her flesh boiled with magma under the surface of her skin. Her hair was styled into a nest of marble snakes, and glowing orange glasses framed her brilliant, starry blue irises.

"You're awake! Sit at the table, doll." Gaia's voice was lilted into a southern drawl, her snake-hair letting out coos. "Calico told me all about how fun you'd be to play with." It would seem that Gaia was not here for fun and games. Amanda just hoped that she remembered the plan. The plan? Oh, for Divine's sake, Amanda forgot the plan.

"Th, thanks. Um." Amanda squeaked, brushing at her hair. Her voice lacked many of the layers she had before; it was more human. But it didn't have to be. Amanda knew that she could play herself any other way if she wanted. This life is just a role, Amanda. You don't have to do anything. You can surrender to Gaia, and you'll still be employed. She'll treat you well! Like a goddess, even. Oh, dear. You're not a goddess, are you, Amanda?

Amanda tried to push back that voice in her head, inviting her to do terrible things. She knew that giving up was an option. It always was. But Amanda didn't fight several gods only to roll over now. Instead, her nails dug into her waxy flesh. "You're pretty. Snakes, good" Ah, darn. She can't control her silly lesbian brain. "You look nice, Gaia."

"...flattery will get you everywhere, doll." Gaia grinned, toying with her snakes between a black and stone claw. "It's too bad I'm about to crush your little core in my palm and devour you."

Amanda gulped and glanced at Calico. Calico looked away, ashamed of herself. (She should be ashamed.) Amanda thought to herself. (She used me. She made me into a Neverlander. She didn't even ask for permission. Some lover of free will, the hypocrite.) Amanda cleared her throat and spoke up. "I could be useful if you didn't eat me. I'm a good toy."

"You are, or so you say?" Gaia let out a bubbling giggle, lava spilling from between her lips. Amanda winced as it seared her dungeon-flesh. "A good toy does not hide things from her mistress, however. You have something I need." Gaia's claw extended, wrapped in a molten gauntlet of glowing iron. "Give me the Passion Seed. The other gauntlet you hold. I can consider sparing your miserable life once you have handed my artifact back to me."

"..." Amanda gulped. The plan. Remember the plan-- ah! Amanda remembered now. "Right. And I'm willing to hand it over, but. Why don't we host a wager?" Amanda glanced at the cards sitting in front of Calico. "We're still playing Neverlands Poker?" Amanda questioned herself as she said the words.

Amanda shook her head. "No. No, I'm not finished. We haven't resolved all the wagers on the board, Calico." Her eyes were drawn to the four Queens in front of the witch. "You played four cards to demonstrate the four suits." Amanda trembled as both Malice in the room glared daggers her way. "Gaia said... she said that you were the one who would win if we both fell, right?"

"That I did," Gaia snarled, lips perking into a grin and lava escaping between sharp, jagged orange teeth. "You mean to say we've misunderstood this entire game, have we? That we are not playing against each other..." Her attention turned towards Calico, her hair twisting to face her. "We are playing against you. Ah. Thank you for the reminder, doll."

"Just glad we're on the same page." Amanda gulped. "She's got four queens, hasn't she? So we need to play something better than four queens." Amanda played the first card. "I bet half the Earth... the Passion Seed." Plucking the gauntlet from her waxy wrist, Amanda placed it next to a carrow card on the table.

"I also bet half of the Earth." Gaia removed her gauntlet, plucking it off her arm without hesitation and setting it on the table. The table began to sizzle and catch flame, brief contact with the molten artifact more than wax or cloth was rated to handle. Gaia's carrow card was set neatly by the side, revealing itself as another King of Pentacles.

"Then we lose," Gaia stated as a matter of fact, her snakes nodding in unison. "But I see now. This move is our only path towards victory."

"We're going to put everything on the line." Amanda nodded, sweat building on the surface of her wax and dribbling down her cheek. Ah; that wasn't sweat. That was liquid wax. "We're going to bet our future for your own." Amanda placed down one more card, and Gaia followed suit.

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Gaia and Amanda exchanged a glance. Amanda sheepishly held out her hand, and the Malice hesitated. "Please," Amanda sniffled. "I need this right now." Gaia relented, wrapping her gauntlet around Amanda's hand. The wax began to melt when in contact with her heat.

"You tricky devil." Gaia glared at Amanda. "You know I wanted my gauntlets."

"And I'll receive your future." Amanda held her hand close. "Your future as a monster will be mine. You'll have to make a new future... as a Nebulossom."

Gaia snorted with derision. "A Nebulossom in your service. What could go wrong? I should be happy that my first day won't end in failure, at least."

"You defeated the enemy of the world. I think that should be enough for both of us." Amanda's waxen claws stained with black, and Gaia's marble hair crumbled.

"Once you take her memory, you'll be the new enemy of the world. You know that." Gaia growled, the last embers of her magma dying out.

"I'm sure of it." Amanda swayed back and forth, her wax beginning to lose shape. "But you'll have her body. I think that's a fair trade, hero."

"I'll see that it is, you terrible villain. Don't think..." Gaia's stone arm snapped off and fell to the ground, crumbling like the rest of her. "...you've won, Malice."

"Ha. Hahaha. Hahahaha." Amanda practiced her evil laugh, and Gaia joined her soon after, laughing until her last breath and collapsing atop the cackling dungeon doll. Their bodies crumbled atop one another, dust and wax intertwined as their respective candles snuffed out.

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