ALEXiThymiA: Chapter 121 The Devil's Disciple

<<<<Update:  This chapter has been updated to have a new title applied for Alexa's first recognized killing of a monster over 100 levels higher than her own.>>>>

Chapter 121

The Devil’s Disciple

Friday

The more they moved together, the more Alexa saw a distinct issue with the way Ryelifa was moving. Her whole aura seemed off,  as it looked like she had at one point been covered in a wound that had been left to fester and seemingly rot on its own. Looking at the wound, Alexa sent out a faint trail of Healing magic, not much, just enough to do a quick scan for vitals. As soon as she mentally connected her healing magic to the wound, she discovered something there had not been healing done, not really. While the wound was clearly sealed, it seemed that acceptance rather than healing had happened.

Seeing the monster before her, Alexa knew that she was going to have to deal with both Ryelifa and the dragon. The only problem was, while she felt she would be able to take on both individually, she did not overestimate herself enough to take on both at one time. But there was something she thought might work. This plan would take both precision and guile. The most glaring form would be for her to call out the innate superiority that all elves seem to have. Even Ryelifa, who was admittedly not the worst of elves still had her own air of superiority. The way she seemed to speak as if humans were beneath her. The moment her lackey was pronounced dead, it was apparent that she thought herself too far above the idea of both going below ground and seeking the aid of humans. In fact, Alexa was fairly certain that if she hadn’t come along the old elf would have been more than happy to have stayed within the partially destroyed building and waited for elven reinforcements to find her.

Even now, with Alexa following behind her, Alexa noticed the slightly annoyed glances she kept giving Alexa. This was good, as it meant Alexa could exploit this aggravation as a weakness.

Finally, after they were well away from the cameraman and still a fair distance from the dragon, Alexa decided that now, this faint clearing out in the middle of a one lush field that was now surrounded by broken and toppled over buildings. There in an open patch of ground, Alexa stood tall and stopped.

Sensing that Alexa had stopped, Ryelifa harumphed as she turned around, derision on her face as she looked ready to scold Alexa.

“What is it?” Ryelifa barked angrily.

“You have succumbed to the black, sold yourself to become immune to the darkness within you. You have cursed yourself and your line” Alexa said, invoking the known phrases that would spark anger in humans, words that had to have originated outside of Earth. Words that likely had their origins with both the elves and the orcs alike, even the dragons seemed to despise those that used the black of Death and Necromancy magic.

Hiss.

“You dare accuse me of Necromancy?” Ryelifa said, her words denoting anger, but her true emotions denoting denial.

“I do, I can see it on you. That wound you suffered should have killed you, yet here you stand perfectly fine, thanks to the darkness that infuses you.” Alexa pressed, her words cold and calculated to get a rise out of the arrogant elf, and that is just what they did.

“Careful. I would challenge you to a duel if…”

“I accept.” Alexa said, her words catching Ryelifa flat footed.

Whoom.

A deep hum filled the area, as rubble and debris began to be pushed away in an effort to make way for a golden dome of light that began surrounding the two combatants.

“But, how?” Ryelifa asked, panic filling her as she looked around wildly trying to understand what had happened.

What she didn’t know, what she couldn’t have known was this was the effect of Alexa’s title kicking in.

First Royal Duelist: You were the first winner of a royal duel for your planet, as such you are able to challenge anyone regardless of rank differential to a Royal Duel. Conditions: Challenges are limited to duels conducted on your home planet.

In her mind, Alexa felt the title flash, just to make sure this was what she wanted to do, to use. By using this, title she could duel anyone and not be afraid of anyone’s interference. While she still would have to deal with the great dragon capable of dealing miasma damage later, she would no longer have to worry about a dagger in the back from this backstabbing elf. With that thought out of the way, a series of system messages began to appear before Alexa and Ryelifa.

Royal Duel.

As a means to settle massive battles in an easier manner, a Royal Duel can be declared. Where two combatants leading different army factions can choose to fight on behalf of their army.

As this is a Royal Duel certain conditions must have been met.

First one side must have challenged the other opposing forces to a duel.

Second a noble of higher rank must accept the challenge on behalf of their subordinate.

Third the rank of the two nobles cannot be more than one rank difference between the two combatants.

In this case we have Ryelifa of the Dragon Slayer party challenging Alexa Thyme of the Thyme Faction to a duel. Ranks have been discarded due to Titles owned by the challenged party.

Conditions met for a duel.

Before the duel begins, there will first be three phases known as the wager. Before the actual duel commences, followed shortly by resolution.

The Wager Phase I: This is where the first party who demanded the duel will state their intended goal for the outcome of the duel.

Ryelifa paused, lip quivering for a moment as she read the text and then realized it was for her to decide what the stakes were. Thinking about it for a moment, Ryelifa calmed herself and thought rationally. “Fine then, it seems you leave me with no choice. The goal of this duel will be to the death, and all your factions’ assets will be handed over to me.”

Flash.

There was a flash of light, as the system seemed to record the directive given by the challenger.

The Wager Phase II: This is where the second party states the terms and conditions of the duel along with what she wants her intended goal of the duel to be.

“The duel will be conducted only through magical means. As for what I want, I want the same. I want you dead, all of your assets and that of your factions to be turned over to me. I also want it so your followers will not hinder, harass, or harm anyone of my faction, nor not my faction by name.” Alexa said. This being her second time through this ordeal, she felt she had a bit more sway on what she could get away with. It seemed that the accused party had a bit more leeway in these deals, as they only had the one time to barter or negotiate.

Also, just like before, she knew it was imperative that she limit this to only a magical contest.

Another flash.

Once again, there was a flash of light, and once again the focus shifted from Alexa to Ryelifa.

The Wager Phase III: This is where the aggrieved party has a chance to back out of the duel if they find the conditions to be too much.

Ryelifa paused for only a moment, thinking about this, she realized that it made no difference if she ceded conditions after her death, what did it matter that her assets would go to Alexa, when she was dead, all of these traitors would be found out. Realizing she lost nothing in this exchange, Ryelifa accepted.

“I accept.”

NOTE: Since Alexa Thyme has taken on the Royal Duel on behalf of the Thyme faction, no further actions can be taken against the Thyme faction either directly or indirectly by the Dragon Hunter faction for a period of one solar cycle.

No further changes have been offered. The Wager period is now over.

Flash.

There was a bright flash as the dome covering the two seemed to momentarily intensify as it went from nearly clear, to a smokey hue that seemed hard to pierce.

The Duel: After a three count, the two combatants will attempt to disable, force a submission, or kill their opponent by any means possible through the chosen medium. The chosen medium: Magic.

Note: As arbiter of the duel, no physical attacks, or assistance from outside sources will be allowed.

At that both contestants nodded their agreement to the terms presented.

Then just like last time a timer appeared before everyone.

3, 2, 1…

Flash.

Almost as soon as the timer had ended Ryelifa was already summoning forth giant blue walls of energy. Just viewing the magic, Alexa realized that these walls were an Illusion, as she already knew they were an Illusion, most of the magical power of the spell was already negated. Similarly, her psychic power: Magic Disruption, along with the innate powers of her Absorber class were already letting her pull apart the power and recycle the energy in a way that her body could use.

Alexa seeing the construct, realized the spell for what it was, giant walls with spikes on them were being constructed and slowly made to squeeze Alexa. With Illusion magic, her mind would ultimately be the reason why her body succumbed to pain, her will fusing with the Illusion magic in a way that gave the perceived damage a tangible form on her body. It was almost borderline psychic phenomena, but not as it was far more versatile.

Alexa herself attempted to mirror the same spiked wall design, although unlike Ryelifa’s she had an Illusionary layer, over top of a real Creation  magic generated spikes. Here Alexa made sure to use her Mana Weaving skill to its utmost, trying to make it so obvious that Alexa was using Illusion magic that Ryelifa didn’t even try to counter the actual attack that the Illusion magic was concealing. Additionally, Alexa also infused her created spikes with Arcane bursts of energy, giving the surface that much more of a pain filled spike to it.

However it appeared that Ryelifa herself either inherently recognized the ruse that Alexa was herself using and attempted to copy, or she came to the idea all on her own. In the end, the reason for the act didn’t matter, what did matter was that Ryelifa did attempt to infuse the power of Death magic into her spell, all but proving that she was in fact cursed. Of course, this being a Royal Duel, even if others were around, they would be unable to witness the act in person. That was one of the benefits of declaring a duel, while a body slain by Death or Necromantic magic would still show signs of damage, they could be cleared up by burning the body.

Crunch!

Ryelifa’s magic formed and compressed that much quicker than Alexa’s. If this was a duel of equals, then Alexa would be dead. Similarly, if Alexa wasn’t possessed of such refined will, if her class had been anything other than Absorber, which let her see through the main force of the Illusion magic immediately, she would have been dead. As it stood, there was still a slight wince and a dash of pain, as Alexa felt the sharp sting of black miasma fill her body. The Illusionary black poison tipped spikes were allowed to become manifest, heightened by the layers of magic being woven together. Still Alexa had one last card up her sleeve that also prevented this attack from fully taking root.

Protection of Life (12): Death Magic Resistance +5% (60%), Necromancy Magic Resistance +5% (60%)

Thanks to her title the main part of the attack against her, the Death magic was mitigated, but Alexa could see the way magic from two different schools could be woven together to create a synergistic approach. This was where weaving two different magics from two different schools was very critical.

Bleh.

Blood and pain flooded her body as open puncture wounds appeared in giant holes around her body. Holes that didn’t go away, still the pain was good, it was sign that she was alive.

Feeling the burning from within, Alexa smiled as the energy from the different components of the spell began to break down and dissolve directly into her bloodstream, instantly awakening her mind and flooding her body with endorphins.

Cackle.

Alexa cackled, as she felt the full extent of this master Illusionist fill her body. While there were obvious pains it was nothing she couldn’t handle, at least that was what she told herself as she continued building the blocks of a similar prison around Ryelifa.

***

“DIE!!” Ryelifa shouted, seeing that her first layer of dual woven illusionary spikes were already being melted away by the protective layer of Alexa’s resistances, and her innate ability to absorb energy.

Then there was a slight pause as Ryelifa stared at Alexa who had gaping holes in her chest, back, arms, and legs. Ryelifa stared on in horror as the girl before her just smiled wildly as blood began to ooze from her lips to the ground. “What, what are you?”

Ryelifa stared on in horror as the monstrous girl just stood there, not even trying to deflect the attacks. Looking around, Ryelifa saw the attacks that this girl was attempting to create. Attacks that were crudely created Illusions that even an amateur should be able to see through at a glance. Yet, looking at them, Ryelifa did find her mind pausing, as she wondered how this creature from such a backwards planet could have stolen the sacred hunting art of the Dragon Hunters. While it was crude, barely of the fourth Tier, no where near enough to work on her, she could see that there was a bit of knowledge there, some form of deeper understanding.

Seeing that she was at no real danger from this, as she clearly realized that she had magical mastery, that if she had wanted to, she would be able to not only resist these Illusions, but also take over them and use them to attack this apparent member of royalty. Realizing that if this was the best the girl before her could do, she would press to find more answers.

“Tell me, where did you learn this sacred art? Who dared instruct a nobody like you?” Ryelifa demanded, her voice etched with the power of command, granted by those who had earned the Enchanting Voice distinction, better still Ryelifa had heard the words of monarchs and true royalty of the system. Using her Mimicry, she now laced her words with that very source of power and command.

Ryelifa paused, waiting for an answer.

“Well?” Ryelifa commanded.

Cackle.

The girl with stigmata just laughed, a dry slow tone that denoted nothing but derision.

Gibberish.

Hearing the girl speak, it was clear that the human before her was speaking in that hard to understand language of the lesser, English. “Speak to me in the proper tongue or be silent.” Ryelifa demanded, her tone brokering no argument as she continued to use both her class power and Illusionary magic to further cement her words.

“My instructor is Alexa Thyme!” The bleeding unclassed human girl said through blood-soaked teeth. As she spoke, she smiled brightly, a clearly feral grin crossing her features. Then just like that the Illusion around Ryelifa began to close in. Shaking her head, Ryelifa held out one hand to grab hold of the lesser school of magic and take physical control of it. The minute she did, white hot pain began to explode up her arm. Instantly she realized the trap, the Illusion was just a false layer, one designed to be dismissed and ignored. The real threat lay in the dense layers of metal glowing spikes that lay just underneath. In an instant, Ryelifa tried to reach out, tried to take control over the magical construct, even without knowing the other schools of magic, her Tier IX should be more than enough to take control over this spell, yet there were multiple sub-elements woven into it so intricately that Ryelifa was momentarily shocked by the complexity of the spell. That pause, that momentary hesitation was enough.

In a second burning hot spikes sunk into and through Ryelifa. In an instant, she went from minor discomfort in her arm, to burning hot pains throughout her body. It had been a mirror of her own trap. She is mocking me, Ryelifa all but cursed internally as fire erupted in her brain. The second after her body died, she felt an intense surge of pain and confusion, as a distant voice called out to her over the distance of the cosmos.

“Come to me.”

Hearing that voice, a sliver of fear ran down Ryelifa’s spine as she knew not what waited her.

***

The Resolution: This is the time when the terms of the duel are adhered to.

The winner of the duel: Alexa Thyme.

Victory Conditions: The Thyme faction will gain all assets owned by Ryelifa and the Dragon Slayer party that she was representing.

Special Victory Conditions: As this was the second Royal Duel observed on your planet by two opposing factions, rewards for the winning side have been awarded. Reward: Rank increased to highest rank of contestants (if applicable). Title awarded.

Seeing the messages appear in her mind, Alexa let out a long slow breath. She had done it, better still she had managed to take out the troublesome elf before the two of them would be forced to work together. Alexa, still bleeding stalked off to the side of an abandoned building, hoping that the dome of the duel was not witnessed by the dragon. Everything seemed clear for the moment, but that was all subject to change at a whim. Not wanting to tempt fate she made her exit.

Only once she was clear, did she give herself a moment to rest. Then thinking back on the duel, a smile crested Alexa’s face as she realized the most important thing about the duel, something that she would be able to brag about to her brother forever.

“My name is a killing word.”

Then thinking about it for a second, she paused and realize that this wasn't quite accurate, as it was just a name she killed to, not technically the correct thing.