ALEXiThymiA: Chapter 106 Realizing The Trap When You Are In It

<<<<Author's Note: Again sorry for the confusion for those that read the first version of yesterday's Chapter 105. I made some changes to the end of it, which allowed me to expand this chapter out into its own version. Thank you all, sorry about the confusion, also thanks for the great feedback that I hope has helped to make this story better overall>>>>>

Chapter 106

Realizing The Trap When You Are In It

Tuesday

Alexa had known something was off, her analytical skills were going wild with data points that she was essentially leaking mana. Even the way her spells and psychic powers seemed to have little to no effect on the minotaur, she had known something was off. She had felt it, even the way her own body seemed to be able to absorb energy the same way, but then the way it all seemed to unweave around the minotaur, there was something there. Even the fact that her normal psychic strength, which was enough to normally lift over four tons was almost ineffective against the minotaur.

So many different things didn’t add up.

But now thanks to the comments of this cold elven leader, things suddenly made a lot more sense. Alexa stared at the newcomer and instantly her Perception perks let her realize a few things about the elegantly dressed woman before her.

Tall Elven Princess Portia Eclipsion (Summoned Aspect): Level ???, Status: Healthy, Disposition: Intrigued

Seeing her status, Alexa realized why the minotaur had been so impossibly high of a level. As the minotaur was likely allowed to scale based on the people that were gathered. If this person was any indication, then Alexa realized that the Orcs too should also have their own warrior who was supposed to be on par with this Portia.

Also, reading the name of Eclispion caused Alexa’s mind to race as she remembered Yolandara, who only yesterday, well and earlier today, tried to entice Alexa over to her faction. Seeing this princess, Alexa saw a faint resemblance to that under leveled warrior, but this person was clearly far older and more powerful.

Just watching the way this elven princess moved, sent waves of fear down Alexa’s spine.

Alexa turned her head to run, to see what she could do to escape. The exit was right there, as Alexa had solved the dungeon.

“Mother look…” An elven boy said, as he spoke Alexa reflexively analyzed him, and almost choked when she read his description.

Tall Thin-Half Human-Half-Elven Teenager: Kelvin Mackie: Level 56, Status: Healthy, Disposition: Curious

Seeing the boy’s name, and his description, Alexa felt her heart begin to pound in her chest. She tried to take in a deep breath to calm herself, but was once again caught off by the fact that her body was stopped from healing naturally. It was almost as if the Regeneration, and Healing magic were paused or slowed down so much that they were all but non-existent on her body.

Yet, looking at the elven boy, the similarities were striking. The boy, or rather teenager if the description was to be believed, was tall and thin just like Mr. Mackie. The only difference being that this boy was lighter of hair like his mother, also he had pointed ears sticking out. Granted these ears weren’t as sharp or pronounced as regular elven ears, but the link was there.

Seeing the boy, Alexa realized something, this was hisson, it had to be. The name, the look, the appearance, everything. It was his son. Then a thought filled Alexa’s mind that

“What? Oh, so you did manage to actually complete this dungeon.” The elven princess, Portia, said. As she got closer, a pedestal for her also appeared. “It is so odd to find someone who knows what to do. Tell me, how do you know how to solve dungeons?”

With her words, Alexa felt a wave of force strike her mind, instantly her mind understood this questioning for what it was, a mental attack, a compulsion. Her Mind Shield¸ and Indomitable Soul powers flared up in her mind. Also she felt her body drawing in more of the energy from the attack that was being unwoven. Alexa also realized that the power of the Command was also likely being affected by the same magical dampening effect that her spells and powers were being subjected to. That is why this attack, this compulsion, was ultimately able to be resisted. Though the thought to answer was there, her mind was able to wrestle its way free from answering completely.

“What are you talking about?” Alexa asked, pulling up her good left hand to her head in an attempt to look like she was fighting off the compulsion. At this point Alexa was all for feigning weakness. Not that such an act was particularly tough, as she was still in bad shape. While the broken rips were mostly out of her lungs and her lungs had mostly healed, the bones were still misplaced, her right hand was still burnt down to the bone, her muscles were still drained and in pain from electrocution.

The elven princess just stared at Alexa for a moment.  Then after a long moment that felt like she was being stared down by an unstoppable monster, the elven princess paused.

“Well then come on. This dungeon is cleared for us.” Portia said, as she sauntered over and grabbed her own glowing crystal.

Seeing the crystal Alexa remembered the two that she had, the two that were still flowing through her mind and body at this very moment. Then she remembered the wall of texts that she and apparently all of the other summoned aspects here were seeing.

Candidate has reached the true purpose of this dungeon. Please take your rewards and let the next candidate try.

Note: You can still use this dungeon to connect you to your “Trials of Ascension,” but all other functionality provided by this dungeon is no longer available to you.

Dungeon Runner (14): All Attributes increased by 1% (14%).

Skill Unlocked: Runic Mastery (Tier VI): 609%

Psychic Power Unlocked: Rune Channeling (Apex)

Rune Channeling: You can detect, disarm, arm, or otherwise alter Runes in your immediate area.

Seeing the new powers and the skill she unlocked, Alexa didn’t know if this was the dungeon helping her? If these were the normal rewards for the person who actually completed the banishment ward for the minotaur, or what. All she did know was that these combinations were perfect for her. Realizing the powers and abilities she had been given, she tried to focus on the world around her.

As should have been expected, Alexa felt a lot of different power sources around her. Overlapping ward systems were over her, holding her down like being buried under layer after layer of wet blankets. Realizing this, Alexa paused as she tried to contemplate what to do.

The first thing she did, was mentally remove herself from under said blankets. This was the equivalent to getting out of a moving stream or current that was quickly pulling you down river. By removing herself entirely, she made it so the flow around her existed, and would still impact the other elves, but for whatever reason she was now immune.

Tickling, tingling.

Instantly, Alexa felt the signs of her once repressed Regeneration, and Healing powers picking up their pace as both powers began to knit together her skin at a rapid pace. This rapid healing had a few immediate effects on her body. Most notably, her ability to breath comfortably was almost readily apparent. Fortunately, Alexa made sure to keep her body hunched over the same way it had been. Even going so far as keeping her healing right hand tucked tight in her left armpit for protection. This way the others couldn’t see her skin and bones beginning to knit themselves back together before their very eyes.

“So what do we do?” Another female guard asked. Looking at her, Alexa let her eyes do a quick scan, to get a better understanding of what she was up against.

Elven Royal Guard Tarinsa (Summoned Aspect): Level 138, Status: Healthy, Disposition: Confused

Seeing the guard and her exceptionally high level, Alexa could only wonder to herself what level the Elven princess was. Knowing that the elven princes was likely well above 138 did make Alexa feel a little better for not wanting to tangle with her. Thinking back the highest level monster Alexa remembered seeing to this point was Magdala the dragon, which sat at level 197, realizing that this elven princess was even higher of a level than Magdala caused Alexa to pause.

Just how high of a level was this elven Princess? Was she 200? 201? 300? There was no way of knowing what level this monster of an elf was. Thinking back on her confrontation with Magdala, it had only been a chance that she was able to even survive that.

“Grab your crystals, we will have to go to the next stage and set up our coordination from there.” Princess Portia said.

“What about here?” Tarinsa asked.

Portia just shook her head. “We are going to be forced to move. Might as well take our fellow Dungeon Runner with us.” Portia said, as her eyes gleamed in that magical way that Alexa knew meant she was being scanned.

Alexa thought about running, but she held no doubts in her mind that the elf before her was faster, stronger, and capable of ending her existence in a heartbeat. The fact that Alexa hadn’t been killed yet, meant they were up to something. Either they wanted knowledge, or…

“What about the girl?” Kelvin asked.

At the question Portia turned to the boy. “Do you like her?”

“What? No…I just…” Kelvin said, as his emotional state showed that he was clearly embarrassed.

“Don’t worry, son. We are not orcs. We are not so barbaric as to discard a perfectly good weapon. No, we will take her with us, and indoctrinate her at the next stage of the Trials.” Portia said.

At that the boy’s ears perked up. “We are leaving here? Our home?” He asked, a tone of shock filling his voice.

“We have to. You received the title and the stone just as the rest of us have.” Portia said.

“This?” Kelvin asked, holding up the stone.

“Don’t take it now, it will incapacitate you.” Portia said.

“I will be fine. If this human can do it…” The elven teenager’s voice trailed off as he channeled energy into the crystal. Instantly the crystal began to melt into the glowing liquid that coated his hand. At that, the boy looked on at his mother, the elven princess with a look of defiance at first, that quickly trailed away to pain and then a complete loss of consciousness. Alexa watched as the boy’s eyes rolled back in his head, as he collapsed to the ground.

Seeing her son drop to the ground and begin to spasm, Portia just shook her head. “Foolish boy.”

Then turning to on of her soldiers, Portia first gestured to the warrior, then to her son. “You there take him. Everyone else do not take your crystals until we get to the next zone and have a spot to rest.”

At that there was a smattering of head nods as everyone agreed. The warrior that was called out stepped forward and picked up the skinny teenager in a delicate princess carry.

Once he was picked up, Portia turned to Alexa and then gave a Command, “you there, follow us.”

Alexa once again felt the Compulsion hit her mind, but she let it wash over her mind as she just used the attack as a way to refill her reserves of energy. Her reserves were mostly filled at this point, but only now that she realized how to sidestep the wards that were in place, did she truly feel like she could make a getaway. It was still early, honestly, she had only spent an hour most on this stage of the Trials of Ascencion, arguably one of the fastest trial stages she had to endure to this point. Going through the portal to complete stage eight wouldn’t be too bad from a time purpose, but she was only now beginning to truly feel the relief of her forced exhaustion to begin to dissipate.

Also, she didn’t know what this elven version of indoctrination was, but she did not like the idea of her mind being forced away from her. Still, she decided to go along with this farce for now. Alexa knew that trying to back out now, would only cause problems, besides if her brother did his part, then Alexa wouldn’t have to worry about this next stage.

As they neared the portal, Portia took a step to the side and glared at Alexa. This meant that Alexa would be the first one through the portal.

“Go on.” Portia said.

Alexa looked confused for a moment.

“You are to wait for me on the other side. If you run, cackle, let’s just say you will not like the repercussions.” Portia said, in her Command voice, all but daring Alexa to run.

Alexa for her part nodded, trying to portray a broken hopelessness to her actions. In a way she almost wished that her emotionless state was still in control, as this would be far easier. But then thinking about it, she realized that such a state would likely come across as defiant. For this to work, Alexa needed to appear cowed, which she could only do, if she was portraying emotions, like she was currently.

With a reluctant step forward, Alexa entered the portal and stepped through to the other side.