Alice x Sleeping Beauty: Book 5 Chapter 2

## Verse 1

"Congrats on making it past the **first round**!"

"As you may have noticed..."

"The theme for this Colosseum is **elimination**!"

The air was filled with jarring squeals from the puppets as the world transformed into a strange space where different types of **bedding** floated.

"Why?! Why can't I sleep?!"

Having acknowledged the girl who was throwing a **tantrum** on an especially large bed as her next enemy, Alice tightened her grip on her sword.

Sensing Alice's intent, Sleeping Beauty swooped down to attack.

 I can't sleep! Not with this headache...

 I'll push through somehow!

 ...There's nothing I can do.

## Verse 2

**Sleeping Beauty (Reality)**

It's weird. I think I forgot how to sleep.

If it was anything else, I wouldn't care

But forgetting something this important really hurts.

## Verse 3

**Alice (Library)**

In this world, the strength of one's desire becomes their power.

Only now do I recall what I was taught long ago.

## Verse 4

**Sleeping Beauty (Reality)**

If you fail to get enough sleep, nothing will go well that day.

Not even a nap will help, because you'll still feel sleepy all day long.

## Verse 5

**Alice (Library)**

Were these beds created by Sleeping Beauty's desire?

In that case, the strength of her will must be...

## Verse 6

**Sleeping Beauty (Reality)**

I don't want to cause anyone trouble.

That's why I slept more and more.

And in the process, I realized all my problems would go away if I kept sleeping.

## Verse 7

**Alice (Library)**

Consumed by desire, you'll be killed by your own shadow.

But if you don't awaken your desire, you'll be killed by Sleeping Beauty.

Which will you choose?

## Verse 8

**Sleeping Beauty (Reality)**

A shower of blood poured from Alice's chest.

Warm and refreshing.

Maybe now I can sleep soundly.

## Verse 9

**Alice (Library)**

I hear another voice in my mind, tempting me to succumb to desires.

But so long as there is even a sliver of hope, I can still move forward.

With that determination, I made the pact.

## Verse 10

*Before*

"Guuaaah!!"

Alice regained consciousness just as the Sleeping Beauty was consumed by her own **darkness** and transformed into a monstrous figure.

With vacant eyes, she attacked indiscriminately.

Anything resembling a will was no longer found within her human form.

"That power is misguided..."

I sought to acquire the power to meet that person through an alternate path.

"So please, lend me your strength."

In response to her plea, radiant **letters** enveloped the girl's body completely.

 If only this power were mine...

 The most useless person is the one sleeping.

 You won't bother anyone that way.

 So go sleep your worthless life away.

*After*

"Her power is dangerous, but... it's pointless unless I confront it."

Alice darted through the **thorny** onslaught with skillful precision.

However, one of the **tentacles** flung out past her defenses and squeezed her body tightly.

"I still have this."

Despite being ensnared by the tentacle, Alice remained calm.

Utilizing her dexterous **tail**, she broke free from its grip on her, and voraciously tore out the Sleeping Beauty's throat.

## Discordant Poem

[Combat Report No. 1462780]

Inciting ALICE\_F vs CINDERELLA\_F.

There are signs of NIGHTMARE metamorphose in SLEEPING\_BEAUTY\_A's mental waveform. Continuing observation of the situation.

[Combat Report No. 1462781]

SLEEPING\_BEAUTY\_A nightmare metamorphose confirmed.

Initiating transfer of detailed combat logs for NIGHTMARE and EXTEND specimens to information sharing terminal IP9021 as per schedule.

[Combat Report No. 1462782]

ALICE\_F has eliminated SLEEPING\_BEAUTY\_A.

102% EXTEND rate achieved.