Alice of Nightmaren Sacrifice - The First Alice (Story)

Alice of Nightmaren Sacrifice was an old story written back in 2012, based on the picture video I had created back in 2011, which itself was based on the Vocaloid song Alice of Human Sacrifice.
It introduced an alternate universe referred to as the Mirror World where the characters would have edgy alternate versions of themselves living there, and if the two versions of them were in the same universe, the original one would begin to get corrupted.
Ramel and Scath were the only ones to have chapters written for them, as the third Alice was a guest character belonging to someone else.
Being written in 2012, there was little to no Drimare lore back then as these characters were still associated with the NiGHTS series. Instances of "Nightmaren" have been replaced with "Drimare" for consistency, but the writing is pretty much the same, so you can get the authentic 2012 Jay fanfic experience.
==Summary==
While trying to have a normal uneventful day, Ramel gets disturbed by Darah, who lures her into following her into a mysterious door in the dark forest. A door that holds a mysterious world inside.
==Alice of Nightmaren Sacrifice - The First Alice==
===Chapter I – A normal day===
The sun was shining bright as its soft light warmed up all of the forest. The grass danced to the rhythm of the wind, and the little Nightopians opened their house's windows.
Yes... Another peaceful morning in the land of dreams... No cloud was in the sky, no dreamers were around, and no Drimare were to be seen. Nightopians were shy creatures, and they rarely, almost ever left their little homes if someone was around.
Experience had taught them that some of the dreamers weren’t as gentle and kind as they appeared to be and those Drimare should be avoided as much as possible. Not that all of them were bad, but it was better not to take any risks, all those Nightopians knew that some Drimare really enjoyed eating Nightopian meat for breakfast…
At that time, all of the Nightopians were outside their homes, doing their daily chores while playing cheerfully, until suddenly one of their biggest fears appeared… An actual Drimare. 
The Nightopians panicked while they rushed back to their homes, although, this Drimare had no plans of attacking any defenceless Nightopians, she simply passed by, ignoring the squeals of the screaming creatures and their existence alone.
She was a female Drimare, with dark tan skin, fiery orange eyes, and a sandy blonde hair almost as long as her body. Her clothes had a style that remembered the ancient Egypt style, as her hands, feet and chest were covered in old looking bandages. She wore white, almost grey pants with a golden belt and her brown hat was ripped at its only tip where her hair was flowing freely. 
Her name was Ramel, though she was called many other names by those who knew her well. She wasn't anti-social but she often had the temper of someone who woke up in a really, really bad mood.
During the mornings on the Forest, Ramel always enjoyed taking a walk alone by the trees. Everything was calm until those annoying Nightopians started making all noise, which was something that she seriously hated.
Actually, everything worked to annoy her, a feature that other Drimare thought to be rather... Interesting. After walking a little, she stopped and rested under a large tree whose branches danced freely...
"Peace and quiet" or so she thought.
A few minutes passed by, and Ramel noticed a strange sound repeating itself over and over again, something that sounded like giggling. At first she ignored it, but it quickly got on her nerves, she got up and glared at the side. Apparently it came from the bushes.
"Stupid Nightopians" She thought "They're so loud in the morning..."
As soon as she got to the bush, the thing that was bothering her apparently was…Nothing at all! Or at least, the thing wasn't there anymore… Maybe someone was playing a prank on her... Unacceptable! Another bush behind her started to shake, followed by the sound of more giggling. She rushed to the bush, moving it to the side and behind it there was a little Drimare girl, she just looked at the elder and smiled.
- Hi! – She said cheerfully.
She was about the size of a very young human dreamer. Her skin was a really pale blue like a ghost, her hair was long, and pitch black, and her big round eyes were blood red coloured and her large pupils were a deep black colour, easy to get lost in. All she wore was a long pure white dress with sleeves longer than her own arms, nothing was covering her feet, and her horns resembled the shape of a bow on the back of her head. 
Ramel sighed - Darah, what are you doing here?
The young Drimare smiled innocently – I saw you taking a nap under that tree, so I
decided to play a little with you! - She curiously covered her mouth with her hand - Actually... I have something to tell you. Do you want to hear it? –
Ramel frowned – Darah, please. I'm not in the mood for you right now. - This made the young girl pout a bit.
- No?
- No! You know I never trusted you before! And you know exactly why.
- All I wanted was to show
you a special place that I found… - The young Drimare smiled sadistically asher head slowly tilted to the side.
The mummy looked curious at her and sighed. - What place is even that? 
Ramel always knew by experience that every time Darah attempted to invite others to any "special" place, it meant that she was up to no good. Ramel never trusted the little girl's appearance. Even if she looked harmless in the outside, she was an mischievous backstabber on the inside.
- What place? – She repeated and felt that once again her curiosity was going to get the best of her but she couldn't avoid listening to the girl's soft voice. 
- Well… - Darah continued with a smile – It's an imaginary place, a dream world inside our dream world, but you don't want to go, so… 
- Is it dangerous? Or do you just want to get trouble?
- I don't know… I've never been there before…
Ramel glared at her - And I assume you want some company to test your idiotic murdering games.
- This is a different game… Destiny has called for you. - She let out a short giggle, sort of like a hiccup.
- Very funny. - Ramel groaned - I'll go see your stupid place then! To see whatever "destiny" has in store for me!
===Chapter II – The door===
They both walked through the forest, Darah floated almost like an elegant spirit, occasionally pausing to dance around some trees while humming some song and Ramel walked behind her, mumbling some words to herself, with complaints containing expressions such as "Waste of time" and "I should have stayed home."
The trees grew larger and started to become closer to each other, covering the calming morning light that became less and less visible as they walked deeper into the forest. Certain memories wandered on Ramel's mind and she quickly realized that they were in the Memory Forest, or a darker version of it. Ramel wasn't afraid of the forest, but of what could be in it. The Drimare weren't the only dream creatures out there, some looked like big ferocious animals, while others resembled small innocent creatures that could be deadly if they so desired. Like Darah for example. 
Ramel wondered how the ghost girl was so calm and fearless. It was like she had been in that same forest more than a million times, not caring about the strange sounds that followed them. Ramel was brave, but even she would be afraid of face that forest on her own.
They walked for what seemed to be hours and the younger Nightmaren suddenly stopped walking and mumbled.
- It’s here... I have found it.
Right there, in the middle of the forest, there was a door. It was a tall wooden door just standing there, nothing in front of it, nothing behind it, just a door. Ramel lifted an eyebrow and looked at it.
- What’s this? – She asked
- It's a door.
- Yes I can see that. You made me come here, all this way, just to see a door?
- No but… - Darah mumbled but was quickly interrupted by Ramel
- That’s it! I’m tired of your little games! I’m going back right now! 
She looked around her, the trees looked the same, and so did the paths. There was no light nor sun, this uncomfortable atmosphere made Ramel confused, forgetting where she even came from or where to go back, she even forgot how she could fly! She was lost… No doubt of that. 
- Well this is just great! – she said – Where do I go from here?! I'm lost and this is all thanks to you, Darah! 
The little ghost girl remained neutral and mumbled – Me? What did I do?
- You brought me to this place just to see a door!
- But this is the door that leads to the other dream world…
- That’s impossible! Those kinds of doors only exist in the Dream Gate! They aren't allowed anywhere else!
- Oh but you must believe me! Just open it. - The little girl smiled sweetly
- It’s NOT going to work! Even if it did, why should I be the one to open it?! - She walked closer to the girl, grabbing her collar - It's part of plan, isn't it? 
- Oh, pretty pleeease? - She giggled and looked up at her.
- No.
- Just a peek?
- No means no!
- How do you plan on leaving this forest then? You'll be lost forever.
- I will find my way out! I always
- Aren’t you curious about the door?
- Negative!
- Not even a little?
- NO!
- So stubborn... Fine. I will go alone…
She walked to the door, opened and entered it, quickly disappearing on the other side, just like a door from the Dream Gate. Ramel stared at the door, dumbfounded. “How is that possible?!” she thought. Curiosity got the best of her, she walked towards the door, and entered it.
A whole different world was in there, not a dark, scary, mysterious world like the forest she was just on. It was a huge garden, full of white roses who slowly became blood red when she approached them. She was so distracted with them that she didn’t even notice Darah and the door disappearing behind her.
It took her some seconds notice she was alone, where did that manipulative ghost girl walked to? Where did the DOOR go? Where should she go from there? There had to be a way out of this weird garden, not to mention this whole world all together.
Luckily, sitting on rock, there was a Drimare, he was silent and motionless and he looked extremely familiar. He appeared to be a teen, with dark brown skin and had darker hair, though he only had his left horn, that was a light greyish teal colour, while the other one was missing, leaving an awkward hole on the back of his head covered with hair. 
He had his chest covered in bandages and only wore short black pants. He had both of his eyes covered with white bandages, as well as his right arm, like it was hurt, despite the fact that he held a long staff in his hands. Ramel got close to him and waved, getting no reaction from him. Was he blind...? 
- Iron...? What are you doing here? - She asked, making the boy gasp startled, quickly pointing his staff at her.
- I...Ron...? Who is that? - Ramel backed away slowly and sighed.
- I apologize. I probably mistook you for a boy I know…
The Drimare got up, still pointing the staff at her, she noticed he walked barefoot - What's your business in here? - He asked coldly.
- Well, where do I start? I was forced to come here by a ghost girl who just disappeared while I was looking at those roses. Perhaps you saw her pass by?
He lifted an eyebrow and frowned - I cannot see, so I did not.
- Oh. - She stared at the side. That answered one of the many questions that flew around her head. - Basically, I'm just lost. I'm not from... This world actually.
He looked surprised at her and put down his staff - An Alice...?
- No, it's Ramel.
He smiled softly - This was probably a big misunderstood! That... Iron of yours... Could he perhaps be my Alternate?
- What is even an Alternate?
- I'd explain but I wish to go straight to the point, but you must be really confused right now!
- I'm used to it.
He stared confused at her but shook his head - Right! - He stood silent for a few seconds and faced her - Did the roses change, dear Alice Remal? - He had a soft voice.
- It's Rah-Mel. Ramel. - She stared at the roses once again - They went from pure white to blood red.
He grinned widely - Oh, so you have finally arrived! - He held her hands tightly - We've been waiting for so long!
Ramel pulled her hands away from him and continued - You have the wrong person, I'm sorry.
- Oh, but you must be her! The red Alice of the Spade! My name's Aeron and welcome to the Mirror World! The subconscious of the Drimare mind!
- Mirror World? Subconscious? Alice? Hum, no. Sorry, Aeron, but you are mistaking me for someone else. I’m not Alice.
- Nonsense! The red Alice of the spade… You’re the red Alice!
- I don’t care about that now! - She looked around - The door I used to come here just disappeared and… I don’t know where I should go to leave.
He pointed to the right, and she just wondered how he knew which side was which. Maybe she just wasn't used to seeing blind Drimare on her daily basis.
- You should visit the village… - He spoke, knowingly - The Drimare who live there seem to be nice, just a bit crazy. They seem to dislike me, I don’t know why…
- Yes... I wonder why... - She rolled her eyes.
-You can ask for help but I strongly advise you to stay in this world.
- May I ask why?
- Such is the prophecy. Now go.
She rolled her eyes - Fine. See you later Iron... Aeron?
- You wish.
He smiled darkly, why would he want her to stay? What prophecy? Something was not right. She walked to the village, maybe there she would be accepted…
===Chapter III - The Village===
So the Drimare in the village were supposed to be nice... They glared at Ramel as she walked by. She felt unwanted in their little town, almost like she was a wanted criminal. Didn't they ever hear of newcomers? The village had little houses, shops, restaurants, and a bit everything one could expect.
Elders stared suspiciously at her while children would stop their tagging games to walk away from where she passed. These things didn't bother her though, she had enough of that in her own normal world. She just walked to some shops, yet no one would be willing listen to her questions and complaints, ignoring her presence completely. 
She walked out of another shop and a certain place caught her attention. It was a shop just like all the others, yet it seemed abandoned, compared to all the other shops that would seem inviting if their keepers were kind enough to look at you in the eye when you asked for something. Ramel shrugged and walked towards it, noticing a sign that read "s…in tre...ment... ...p" as most of the letters were blurred out, lost to time. Ramel sighed, knocked on the door and walked inside. 
There was a small dark corridor with a really dim light and she felt a strange smell, as if there was something dead in there with a mix of blood and mold. She reached for the wall with her hand and gasped, quickly regretting it. The walls were actually covered in the skins of various creatures, such as Earth creatures like wolves or tigers and actual dream creatures like Animal and Regular Drimare like herself. 
Ramel backed away but felt something or someone behind her.
She slowly stared back and a girl stood motionless while smiling insanely at her. She appeared to be a teen with dark grey skin and blonde hair that was dirty with some dry blood. Her white horns curved to the side then up and her eyes had a deep violet colour. She wore a sleeveless dress and shoes, both handmade with the same kind of skins that hanged on the walls. Thought a most distinguishable feature was in her arms where several large sewing needles pierced through her skin. The girl let out a childish giggle and stared wide eyed at Ramel.
- YOU LIKE IT?! - She asked loudly, startling Ramel.
- It's horrible... - She mumbled.
- WHAT WAS THAT?
- It looks fine! I was just passing by and I have to go now.
- I DIDN'T QUITE CATCH THAT. - She walked closer to Ramel and frowned.
- IT LOOKS FINE!
- IT'S HARD TO LISTEN TO YOU! - She yelled - Literally. I'M DEAF!
Ramel stared at the side, feeling disgusted. Of all the village inhabitants that could have willingly spoken to her, it just HAD to be the insane deaf girl with the needles stabbed in her arms. Ramel groaned some words to herself and looked at the grinning girl. It wasn't like she had any better choices. She had to know something that could help her! It wouldn't hurt to try, she hoped. 
Taking a deep breath, Ramel looked sternly at the girl - HELLO. I AM NEITHER FROM THIS TOWN NOR THIS UNIVERSE, BUT I NEED TO GO BACK! A BOY KEPT CALLING ME ALICE BUT HE IS MISTAKING ME FOR SOMEONE ELSE. I NEED TO GO BACK TO MY WORLD! DO YOU KNOW HOW I CAN DO THAT?
The girl stared at her with a cheeky smile and grinned - An Alice...?
- MY NAME IS NOT ALICE!
The girl giggled and jumped happily - IT'S ABOUT TIME! THE PROFECIES ARE BECOMING TRUE! You must be Remilia's Alternate, right?
- I don't know who that is. - She said, disgusted by the needles in the girl's arms moving as she bounced.
-YOUR MIRROR! Too bad. I'm going to miss her though.
- What do you mean?
- YOU KNOW! We only die when our Alternates die! I hope my alternate is an Alice! I'm TIRED of being around!
- I might be familiar with your... "Alternate"... Her name is Zelly...  You seem similar an-
- I KNOW WHAT HER NAME IS! - She grabbed two large needles and started stabbing the skins that were hanging on the wall - I want her to DIE! DIE! DIE!
- ... Why would you want that?
- Being a Mirror is the worst thing ever, you know?! DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH BULLCRAP I HAVE TO TAKE FROM HER MIND?! SO MUCH PRIDE AND SELF-LOATHING! SHE REFUSES TO DENY HER FLAWS! Then BOOM! She's suddenly crying alone in her room for whatever stupid meaningly reason. TOO MUCH EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS FOR ME THAT I DON'T CARE ABOUT! I JUST RANDOMLY START CRYING AND I'M LIKE "WOO SHE'S AT IT AGAIN!"
- I'm... Sorry for that?
- NO NEED TO BE SORRY, ALICE!
- MY NAME IS RAMEL! NOTALICE! RAH-MEL!
- AND I'M ZELA! NICE TO MEET YOU! - She grabbed Ramel's arms and rubbed them - Your skin is so soft... How do you do that?!
- … I have to leave! Me being some Alice is just a coincidence! - She pulled her arms away - Do you know how can I leave this world?
- Why would you want to leave? - Zela grinned widely
- I actually have a life, unlike you pieces of the subconscious.
The girl gasped - AS MUCH AS I FIND THAT TO BE OFFENSIVE... - She stabbed a needle on the wall and stared into a void with dull eyes - You have a point.
- I'm glad we have an agreement.
Zela stood silent for some seconds then stared at Ramel with the same dull eyes - But you can't leave. You can enter but once you're in, you'll never be able to leave. EVER. AGAIN! - She grabbed her needles and quickly threw them at Ramel who
quickly dodged them in a swift move as they hit the entrance door. - YOU HAVE TO DIE TOO! DIE! - The girl shouted - IF YOU DON'T DIE, SHE WON'T COME AND I'LL CONTINUE TO BE STUCK HERE!
The mummy girl gasped scared, and ran away from the place, she noticed the shop's title probably said something like "Skin Treatment Shop", which made no sense to her at all unless it meant that the girl was going to skin her alive and wear her like a jacket. Zela quickly opened her door and stared maniacally at her - YOU CAN RUN BUT YOU CAN'T ESCAPE YOUR DESTINY, ALICE RAMEL!
Some inhabitants of the village stared at Ramel but she didn't reply to the insane girl and proceeded to walk away, some Drimare stared terrified at her while others held some weapons in case the so dangerous Alice Ramel would come to attack them.
She ignored them and continued exploring the small village, and just like before, the inhabitants stared maliciously at the mummy looking Drimare, something just wasn't right… Ramel started to think that maybe she really was a problem in that world, everyone she talked to, seemed to be satisfied by the fact that she was some "Alice", so why did everyone look so down on her? She didn’t even ask to enter that world in the first place, did she? As soon as she returned home, that ghost girl was going to get it!
As she passed by, she felt like that the Drimare were trying to kill her only by using their stare. Ramel started to freak out when they started to get in bigger groups, holding swords and torches. She quickly went from walking to running. And at that same time, the groups started to run after her. Luckily, more than half of them were Earth Drimare, which meant that they couldn’t fly, but she could! She flew to a dark yet colourful forest that stood on the other side of the village. All the Drimare from the group stopped like they didn’t want to get any closer to that mysterious forest, leaving Ramel a bit confused.
An Elder Drimare, whose appearance resembled the one of a mayor got in front of the group and shouted:
- Let her go! She won’t ever come back from that cursed forest… No one can! DISAPPEAR FROM OUR VILLAGE, RED ALICE! DON'T YOU EVER COME BACK WITH YOUR BLOODSHED OR WE WILL KILL YOU!
The group cheered and Ramel looked around. Wait… She couldn’t leave the forest!? How was that even possible? She just got there and the village was right in front of her! She tried to walk back to try to explain everything, but her face hit what seemed to be an invisible wall of some sort, separating the forest from the village, and that seriously meant no good! Why did she have to accept the ghost girl’s invitation in the first place? Curse that curiosity of hers!
Ramel didn’t have that much time to think about complaining, after all, she did have to find a way to not only leave that forest, but to also come back to her original world, but she just couldn't help feeling mad. Groaning, she proceeded to walk into the forest. Where else could she go?
===Chapter IV – Forest of wonders===
Ramel walked on a path through that mysterious forest on her own. All in it was screaming "Twisted Wonderland" as some of the trees bent in the strangest ways and their leaves were coloured in the most peculiar colours while the trunks had either polka dot or plaid patterns on them. The grass was in bright green and pink colours and the forest had some sort of a light red fog, worsening the atmosphere.
It was dark, and Ramel felt alone. Yet she was brave and knew how to control herself when trouble and stress came to her. The most important thing was not to freak out. She looked around herself, noticing nothing but the twisted trees surrounding her and the bright orange paths leading to various directions. She kept on walking and suddenly a fast beam of light in the distance quickly caught her attention.
She stared at where it came from while wondering what it was and pouted, as the unusual light was nowhere to be seen. She kept on walking and the light appeared at least three more times until when she occasionally stopped, she noticed it was the reflection of something bright.
Confused, Ramel wondered if it was really worth it to follow her imagination and curiosity again, since the last million times worked in nothing but trouble. Well, she couldn't get into any more trouble than she already was, now could she? It didn't matter to her. She silently went to check on the light, hiding behind some trees. Who knew if that wasn't a trap for the dangerous Alice Drimare?
She looked over a bush and gasped when she saw a sword carved in a rock, more specifically, her saber sword, with a brown handle and a silver blade. It seemed to be what reflected the bright light that mocked her eyes. Next to the sword there was a small envelope, coloured in a pale red colour and a red symbol of a spade on it.
Ramel picked it up and opened it, only to be greeted with a small piece of paper only with "To 1st Alice" handwritten in a blood red colour in it. Ramel turned the paper to check the back but there was nothing in it, it was certainly disappointing but at this point, she wasn't surprised. 
If this wasn't her sword, then it had to be an exact copy of it! She went to grab the handle but let out a painful scream as she felt a burning pain in her right hand the moment she touched it. Ramel had nothing but bones and rotten skin in her bandages forearms and hands but the pain was just too much for her to bear.
She quickly removed the bandages, only to find a red spade symbol on the back of her hand... Or what was left of it. Almost as if it had been branded on her hand with a burning metal.  The symbol still let out some steam, painfully stinging what was left of her nerves.
Ramel pressed her hand against her chest, hoping that the stinging would fade, which it did shortly. Ramel noticed the envelope with the letter moving a bit as a small breeze blew through the forest. Ramel held it and noticed the first letter she had picked had changed a bit. On the back of it, a new message appeared, written in the same blood red colour.
"It's time."
Ramel stood silent "Time for what?" She thought. She stared back at the sword, feeling like it was silently calling out for her, taunting her lack of courage and her ways in life. She tried so hard to ignore it, but her will was out of her reach. Once again, she grabbed the sword, and took it off the large rock where it had been stabbed on. The pain on her hand was no longer felt, being replaced with a burst of energy that spread all around her body, she felt stronger, more powerful, more... Alive.
A wide grin covered her face and in a quick motion, she sliced the tough rock that had imprisoned her beloved sword in two. She laughed loudly and insanely. Oh, such was the joy that this had brought to her! She thought of visiting her beloved village friends, she bet that they would be DYING to see her once again! She let out an uncanny laugh, which could be considered something unexpected to see on a grown adult Drimare like herself, not to mention just a bit scary.
Now to find her way back... She longed to see pain and agony in those who wished her dead, but as much as she smashed those trees that mocked her with their colours and patterns, she couldn't seem to find her way back. Groaning, red with rage, she stabbed her sword in one of the trees and shouted mad when it got stuck on its yellow and green trunk.
Ramel tried to pull it out, not noticing the thorny vines that slowly wrapped around her legs, slow but steady. She felt a strange sensation on her legs, and as soon as she noticed the plants, she quickly tried to kick them off with her feet while still trying to pull out her sword. But it was no use in either way. The vines crawled all the way up to her hips and more plants appeared to grab her arms.
Her stubbornness was what doomed her when she insisted on continuing to try to pull her sword out as the plants quickly got control of her arms, her legs and her torso. She struggled to escape but it was pointless as she could barely move, similar to a fly when it gets stuck on a spider's web. Her arms tried once again to reach for the sword, but the thorns stabbed her and pierced through her skin, filling it with cuts. And before she noticed it, the plants were turning her upside down and she gasped. There was no way that she would end like that!
She strongly shook her body, but that only made the thorny plants rip and pierce her skin even more. A strange thick green liquid followed by a strong smell started coming out of the plants... Ramel was experienced in medicine and quickly recognized the strange liquid as being poison. She felt numb, which was to be expected. That poison wouldn't kill her, only make her fall unconscious while the plants would feed on her body.
She struggled no more, her eyes slowly closed and her body stopped moving. She mumbled something as she slowly fell asleep and the plants covered her face…
The red Alice was gone, nowhere to be seen and never to be remembered ever again…
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