ALEXiThymiA: Chapter 76: An Unlikely Ally

Chapter 76

Dragon Trials II

An Unlikely Ally

Saturday

Time Until Integration: 1 Month, 28 Days, 1 Hour, 22 Minutes…

It had been a day. Well over a day, actually. Calendar wise she was just on the next day. Realistically she was over twenty-eight hours removed from when she gained Tier III insights and was told that by Tier V, she would be able to make chocolate.

She was a mess, her fingers twitched from lack of food and water. Her mind was so frazzled she felt like it was her first time getting high off of crystals from winning the science fair. She had been up all night, the next day her skin felt tight, her face and hair felt greasy, but it had all been worth it then, and it was doubly worth so now.

In her hands rested the most perfect creation she could have ever imagined creating. Being sixteen she was told of the joy of giving birth to a child, but this had to be better.

Right now she held within her hands something so precious that she just wanted to stare at it in awe for a moment. Then like catching a snowflake she felt part of her creation beginning to melt. Emotional Alexa might have complained that such a beautiful thing could melt at room temperatures, that being exposed to her fingers would be enough to break apart the intricate framework of atoms that made up the prized item. Yet, this wasn’t emotional Alexa, this was rational Alexa, meaning she could do what needed to be done.

Munch.

An Alexa sized bite mark appeared in the giant bar of chocolate that she had just created. A bar of chocolate so light and fluffy that it began to melt almost instantly upon creation. Instantly she felt the all too familiar taste of chocolate melting in her mouth and let out a long slow breath. She had done it.

It had all been worth it, she thought to herself. Everything. The impending integration, the constant lack of emotions forcing her to do well so she could get augmentation crystals. Crystals that were sadly losing their appeal now that I have had a taste of things like Psychic Power crystals, and Tier II Skill crystals. The fact that I could never go back, now that I have had the good stuff. Even the crystal that ultimately allowed me to spawn you, was worth it, oh so worth it, Alexa thought, as she continued to eat at her most prized creation.

Tasting the chocolate, she felt there were areas for improvement, it wasn’t the best chocolate she had ever had, but it was the best one she had ever created. The best one she had ever used her powers for to create.

She ate her masterpiece in silence.

Only after she was done with the whole bar did she create water to wash down her masterpiece with. After she was done eating and drinking she created extra water that she used to wash down her face and hair. The cleansing of her face and hair had a therapeutic effect. Even without feeling emotions, she could feel chemicals being released within her body at the sensation of being clean.

It was amazing to think that with a little bit of food and water, she could feel more alive than she had for the past six hours getting to this point. Still she had managed to get herself to this point thanks to her constant hard work and the dedication of her Dungeon teacher.

“Thank you, dungeon”

Flash.

“Now am I at the right tier to help you create a new pathway to the main room?” Alexa asked and pointed at the room entrance that housed the sleeping dragon.

Flash.

“Okay, let’s do this.”

With that, a complex sixteen atom formula appeared but compared to making chocolate, this formula  was nothing. Still, it took her a few tries, but the overall process was rather easy. In the end, she ended up creating the oddly uniform pentagonal form that looked like a three dimensional star twisting in and around itself.

She created it, and then was instantly met with a system message.

Master Key Created.

Would you like to unlock the dungeon with Master Key?

At that message Alexa froze.

“Dungeon are you a prisoner?”

Flash.

Suddenly Alexa who had spent the better part of a full day sitting on the floor trying to be as comfortable as possible stood up and stared at the wall.

“Dungeon, who is…” Alexa paused, then turned to look at the still slumbering monster on the hill. “Dungeon, are you being held prisoner by that dragon?”

Flash.

With that, Alexa felt that she should give the key to the dungeon. But then a thought for her own perseverance came to mind.

“Dungeon, if I set you free, you won’t hurt me, will you?”

Red-Flash.

Alexa could almost feel a slight twinge of indignation at the flash, but that was fine.

“Good. Just checking.” Alexa said, holding up the key. “What do I do with this?”

The wall that Alexa had been staring at for hours suddenly dissolved, revealing crystalline lattice work of interconnected threads and chains. There at the center of the chain was a locking mechanism that was missing one pentagonal shaped object that looked like it would exactly match the Key that Alexa now held in her hands.

Seeing the lock, Alexa went over and braced her right hand for balance against the giant lock.

Tremble.

Alexa immediately jumped back, never having experienced a dungeon shake like that before.

Silence.

After a second, Alexa realized that he touching the chain likely caused the violent eruption of movement from the dungeon.

“Sorry dungeon, did that hurt?”

Flash.

At that, Alexa felt truly sorry for the creature. Not only was it enslaved, but the chains that bound it clearly caused physical pain to the dungeon. Realizing that, she tried to be extra careful as she approached the lock. Then with very careful movements she gently slid the key into the locking mechanism. Then click.

Minor Tremble.

Alexa paused, just pushing the key into the locking mechanism caused severe discomfort for the bound dungeon. Seeing that this might be a bit, Alexa decided to talk her plans through with the dungeon.

“All right dungeon, I know it hurts, but I need you to be brave. Can you do that?”

Flash.

“Good, on three I am going to slide in the lock and turn it okay?”

“Flash.”

Nodding to herself, Alexa did what her dad always did for Luke and began moving while shouting out “three.”

Click.

Rumble.

Clatter.

Rumble.

As soon as the thick chains became loose, Alexa began pulling them away from the walls of the dungeon.

Slurp.

There was a sickening sound as the chains had been used to bind the dungeon for so long that it had clearly started growing around the chain links.

Tingle.

The chains all but pulsed and vibrated with a form of evil energy. Just touching the chains made Alexa feel like she needed to take another shower, but that could wait. For now, she was helping a friend. Oddly she found the idea of her befriending a dungeon oddly comforting. Maybe it was the way the dungeons could never talk to her that made her appreciate the dungeon’s presence. No, those were bad thoughts to have, thoughts that she forced herself to dismiss.

Clatter.

The first of the chains landed with a bit of a loud clattering sound. Instantly Alexa turned her head towards the dragon, but could already see that some form of silencing field was set up.

“Good idea dungeon.” Alexa said, as she turned from the doorway back to helping remove the chains of binding from the dungeon.

Finally, after a lot of struggle, the last of the chains were removed. At first Alexa wondered what having so many chains would do, if being bound by them was painful, then surely having them on the floor was also painful, right?

Apparently the dungeon once again was one step ahead, for as soon as the chain was fully on the ground, Alexa first felt a dark black form of magic coat the chain, before the chain completely disappeared.

“Teleportation magic?”

Flash.

Alexa nodded. Then looking up at the pulsing walls, Alexa couldn’t help but feel bad for the dungeon. On a whim, she tried Healing magic, but to no avail.

It turned out the dungeon was not alive, at least not in the way that Alexa could use her healing magic with.

On a whim, she tried infusing Healing magic into her Creation magic and was able to see that the magic did manage to stick this time.

Instantly the brightly pulsing lights in the walls, began to dim slightly. Alexa thought that this was a good sign, but figured she’d ask.

“That is helping right?”

Flash.

With that, Alexa continued applying her Creation-Healing Magic blend to the dungeon. Finally after hours of work, the welts and lesions that were once clearly visible were little more than scuff marks on the walls. Alexa tried healing those too, but it seemed that even dungeons get scars.

“That everything?” Alexa asked.

Flash.

“Okay,” Alexa said to herself more than anyone. Then turning to the wall, she asked, “you ready for some payback?”

Flash.

Rumble.

The ground began to shake violently, hesitantly Alexa turned to the main dungeon room, only to see that there were extra privacy wards up. Apparently, the dungeon knew what it was doing, so Alexa didn’t comment. Instead, she just watched in awe and fascination as the dungeon moved things in fascination for a moment. Then shaking her head to break herself out of her stupor, she sat down and got to work creating.

Alexa’s easy to use creation guide to dragon slaying.

Large 80-gallon mixing vat.

60 gallons of Diesel fuel in the vat.

Broken particles of Styrofoam in for texture.

Mix until one gooey gelatinous blob.

“Dungeon can you teleport this over top of the sleeping dragon, but don’t release it until I say?” Alexa asked.

Flash.

Then Alexa watched in amazement as the dungeon made the giant drum that she had spent so much time over suddenly disappear and appear right over top of the sleeping dragon. Alexa knew she had to move quickly, as the gelatinous mixture already looked like it was eating through the container.

Phase two:

Alexa’s surprise.

15 pounds of Iron (III) oxide mixed with aluminum powder in a 1:3 ratio.

Then add in Magnesium as a catalyst.

After this, Alexa felt a bit woozy, but she managed to complete her run just in time.

“Dungeon can you also teleport this over top of the dragon then drop them so they land on the dragon at roughly the same time?” Alexa asked.

Flash.

Then just like before the chemical mixture that Alexa had created was teleported away and none too soon as it already started sparking due to reactions with the air.

Fizzle.

Alexa looked on in horror as the Iron oxide and aluminum powder mixture she had created already started sparking. For a second she thought an errant spark would fall and land on the slumbering giant waking it almost instantly.

“Drop them both. Drop them now.” Alexa said, her voice cold but the emphasis behind her words were not missed by the dungeon who instantly let go of both creations at roughly the same time. At the exact moment Alexa charged into the new entrance they just made in the dungeon.

Alexa had been ready for war, or as close to war as possible. Just charging into the room caused her energy reserves to skyrocket as she felt her Dragon’s Bane and Dragon Slayer titles activate almost instantly. At that moment she felt like she could take down a god, which was exactly what she had to do with the level 53 monster slumbering before her.

But before she could do anything within the room, two things happened simultaneously. First the 80 gallon vat of homemade napalm erupted over the dragons back, splattering its contents over its large neck and wings. Followed by a 4,000-degree Fahrenheit thermite bomb that landed on the neck and spinal column of the great beast.

The flames were so bright that Alexa thought her eyes would burn from just viewing the burning inferno before her.

ARRAAGGAAAHHAHHAAA!!

The dragon awoke almost instantly letting out a terrible roar. Alexa flinched thinking that it hadn’t been enough.

Whoom!

Alexa let loose Arcane Wind Blades.

Thud.

A burning chunk of thermite landed on the ground and continued to burn brightly. Seeing the thermite hit the ground Alexa shook her head. For a moment Alexa was certain this would just be another long-drawn-out fight. One where she would have to spend most of the time running around trying to avoid attacks.

Then the unimaginable happened. The dragon began spraying blood from its neck.

“What?” Was all Alexa could think.

Piff.

Ten Arcane Wind Blades cut into and sliced at the green nature dragon. The beast flailed about and writhed in pain. For a second Alexa figured the beast would turn its full attention on her. But it didn’t the burning napalm was still burning brightly on its back and wings. Meanwhile it was spraying blood to try to extinguish the burning flames on the ground?

At least that is what it looked like at first, as a torrent of green-black blood began spraying from new holes within the dragon’s neck. Only after a moment did the sight fully make sense to Alexa, as she realized the dragon wasn’t trying to put out the flames that it managed to shake off. Rather, the thermite burned so hot that it literally burned a hole right through its neck, before falling to the ground, where it continued to burn brightly.

This was a fact that was confirmed by the fact that a moment later the staggering beast fell forward, its chest landing on top of the brightly burning chemicals.

At that exact moment Alexa felt the all too familiar surge of the energy of her enemies being pulled to her.

Absorber Class Material Found: Would you like to absorb essence of Large Nature Dragon?

“Yes.” Alexa said, and instantly felt the surge of energy fill her. She was greeted by the familiar prompt Asking her if she wanted to put the energy towards her Class, or her Attributes. Stolen powers were no long an option, as she had apparently already stolen all the powers dragons had.

“Attributes evenly.” Alexa said, then dismissed the prompt as she felt alive as a surge of energy filled her to the brim, causing her mind to awaken as she began feeling emotions from everything that had happened over the course of the last day. Well last two days really.

She had freed a dungeon, a freaking dungeon, and she had freed it. Not only that, but she then had the dungeon’s help to destroy its enslaver.

Then there was the fact that she was likely a terrorist, at least if news of what she could create was to get out.

Still, none of that compared to the fact that she managed to slay a dragon. Yeah, she had killed over a dozen of them already, but this was her first level 53 dragon, and she killed it.

Jumping up and down, Alexa let out a whoop of joy.

“WOOHOOO! Science Bitches!”

Flicker.

The dungeon too seemed to be excited by Alexa’s jumping for joy. “In your face Suzy Longworth with your stupid baking soda volcano!” Alexa said, remembering the girl who beat her for the sixth-grade science fair.

At that long-forgotten memory being brought up, Alexa could only laugh at herself. Such a childish thing to remember, but still while she was here, on this emotional high, she would take it.

Finally, after a long moment she took a second to see her recent gains from the time she entered this dungeon.

Creation Magic Tier II -> Tier V

Dragon Slayer (18): All Magic abilities increased by 15% (270%). Magical effectiveness against all dragons increased by 50% (900%).

Attribute Increase (8): All Attributes increased by 10% (80%).

That last one was probably the most impressive, as it meant she was either close, or level 53 dragons had close to if not more than the same power potential as 600 generic augmentation crystals. That would explain why regular crystals weren’t doing it for her anymore. She tried to feel something from them, but now she realizes that she is past the point where generic augmentation crystals are worth it. Ten seconds of normality, or this?

Nothing could compare the two, they were in different stratospheres of amazingness.

Finally, after an hour of watching the dragon burn, the napalm and thermite bombs finally burnt out leaving behind a blackened husk of a once majestic monster.

Smiling to herself, Alexa walked up to the creature and then saw a crystal that made her jaw drop. It was blue in color.

“Magic?” Alexa said, as she picked up the crystal shard and saw that it was indeed a crystal that bestowed knowledge of a magic school of some kind. Judging by the monster it came from, Alexa figured it had to be Nature magic, but she couldn’t be certain.

For a second, she thought she would just have to assume, but then an idea struck her.

“Dungeon, can you identify the school of magic that this crystal offers?”

Pulse.

There was a faint pulse of energy that surrounded Alexa for a moment, before it disappeared. Feeling the energy, Alexa paused.

Then on the wall, strange flowing characters appeared. Only after a minute did Alexa realize this was the language of the Precursors.

Item Classification Teaching Aide. Item: Crystalline Magic School teacher. Magical School provided: Nature Magic. Upon consumption will provide overview of magical school breakdown, along with providing Tier I fundamentals.

Seeing the dungeon’s description of the crystal suddenly made a lot of sense. These were teaching aides. Alexa let that though sink in for a moment, until she realized she truly did have a joy for learning. Then as soon as she had the thought, she shook her head and swore she would never tell her dad that. Then realizing this crystal was basically useless to her, she decided to put this crystal with her other two crystals. Now she had three that she could work with. At that understanding, she nodded to herself and then turned back to the dungeon.

As she did, she saw a door appear.

“Is that the door to the exit?”

Flash.

“Not just the next phase of these trials, but an exit?”

Flash.

Alexa looked at the dungeon for a moment, then wondered something. This was her second of ten dragon dungeons, if that was the case then…

“Dungeon, do you know where other bound dungeons are?”

Flash, flash, flash.

Okay, clearly the dungeon was angry at that, but it did seem to know.

“Do you want to set them free?”

A slight pause, then flash.

“Good, let’s free some fellow dungeons and kill a few dragons while we are at it.”

Green Flash.

Then with that the first door was replaced, as a second more ominous door took its place. Nodding to herself, Alexa walked through the new door, and was instantly teleported across the universe. She didn’t quite know how she knew it was a far jump. She only knew that it was an incredible distance to travel.

Poof.

Then she stepped through the gates to find a large slumbering red dragon. Smiling to herself, she decided to do what she always did.

“Hello dungeon. Do you wish to be set free?” Alexa said, as she created a pentagonal shaped key that resembled a star shaped line looping back in and around itself.

Flash.

“Good, so my friend can talk to you somehow. This will make things easier.” Alexa said, as she quickly got to work.