ALEXiThymiA: Chapter 38: Return to Bottomless Gorge

Chapter 38

Return to Bottomless Gorge

The return to Bottomless Gorge was somehow less climactic than Alexa had anticipated. Of course, she felt nothing while entering, but it seemed as though the dungeon had forgotten her entirely.

As soon as the three entered the dungeon, Alexa began her ritual. Despite never having done so in front of others before.

“Hello dungeon, I don’t know if you remember me or not. But you made a special floor for me the last time I was here. I was wondering if I could take my friends there later.” Alexa asked.

Alexa made sure to speak to the densest patch of mana in the area. But nothing happened after she spoke. There were a few factors that Alexa figured might be impeding her communication with the dungeon. The first factor was that she had her friends with her. The second factor might have been that she was just at the entrance of the dungeon, meaning she had not gotten deep enough to find the true consciousness of the dungeon.

“Do you always talk to dungeons?” Gina asked.

“I think of it as a courtesy. Sort of like the amoeba thanking the host they go into. Or on a much smaller scale, thanking the world we live on.” Alexa said.

Gina who had been about to comment, suddenly realized there was likely some truth to the statements. Also, it never hurt to be courteous, especially when she herself feared this impending situation.

“We will go through a set of all five green floors first. This way both of you can see the traps. Then we will go through a set of yellow floors. Then through to a red floor.” Alexa said.

At that Gina took in a deep breath, but then paused before asking.

“We can avoid the death trap rooms, right?”

“You two can. In fact, I would prefer it. That way the crystals from those rooms will be mine. That said, if you wish to join me on a trap room, I wouldn’t mind splitting all rewards.”

“Right, so typical loot rules. You get half of the rooms you solve or help complete. Then you get your chest at the end.” Julie stated succinctly.

Alexa nodded, while Gina looked a little nervous.

“Don’t worry, we won’t leave you. In fact, that was why I was hoping to get the dungeon’s attention.” Alexa said.

“Yeah, you said something about a special floor?” Gina asked.

Following Alexa as she made her way down the first green hallway.

“Yes, when I first came into my powers. I needed a place to practice, so the dungeon created a field for me to practice in.” Alexa said.

Then Alexa was in her element, and she began pointing out everything in the safe room. The purpose for the safe room. In a trap dungeon, this room was designed to show the different traps one could find within the floor. On a fighting dungeon, there would likely be one of the weaker monsters, then pictures of what the boss monsters of the floor looked like hanging from the walls. Since this was an evolved Tier II dungeon, there could be monsters and traps by the time they got to the red floors.

The two girls paid attention to all the details that Alexa gave like it was gospel.

She was clearly the more experienced of the three, and never spoke patronizingly to Gina, which she was thankful for. Instead, she just shared knowledge that was pertinent and most importantly could save her life. Julie was bored, wanting to go ahead already and see the rooms. But she held in her patience when she saw how nervous Gina looked. Finally, they went through every trap and condition the floor’s show room had to offer.

“Any questions?”

Julie, cut in. “I think that was a good run down. We should probably go in, to help everything sink in.”

With that, Gina who had been trying to find a stalling question, nodded her agreement.

Then with that they entered the dungeon.

With trembling legs, Gina entered her first Tier II dungeon. She had of course gone on a Tier I dungeon, once. There she had several elite guards with her, the guards would go through clear a room. Then let Gina take all the crystals. They even did the same for the trap room. Gina herself had not seen the trap room and felt that it was likely a lie that her Mind Reading crystal came from the room in question. But it was offered to her, and after the most excruciating hour of her life, she was officially a pre-awakened.

The reason her parents wanted her to be a pre-awakened, was so they could try to get her a class that could heal her failing heart. Of course, the entire experience had been terrifying for Gina, but she did have it officially documented that she entered a dungeon, made a run, and on her first run, she got a psychic crystal. Of course, Gina also consumed the other crystals she earned, but that was a painful process that was pushed out over the course of weeks.

Hearing the way Alexa spoke about these crystals, it seemed that she likely knew some secret to consuming them. Some secret that made it, so they were not painful at all. In fact, to hear her talk about crystals it almost sounded like she… Well like she enjoyed them for whatever reason. But who could enjoy them?

Whoosh.

As soon as they entered the dungeon, Alexa became a whole other beast. A whole other sexy, monster who stalked passageways, keys, and traps.

“Head straight across.” Alexa would say, pointing to an exit at the far end.

Gina for her part only paused once. She watched to see Alexa run up walls to find secret vents with keys. Why she went to that vent on the right, versus the one on the left, Gina had no clue. Then she ran across the room to open a wall safe, on the opposite wall, where a crystal was.

Then she was back at the front door, waiting on Gina to make it across the room.

Alexa didn’t say anything, she didn’t need to. That stare on her face was enough to let Gina know she had messed up.

“Right.”

Julie for her part had also gawked but was in better overall health and able to cross the room in three fourths the time that Gina had.

With that Gina made it a personal note, to never get stuck gawking.

The next room was much the same. “Make your way around the office cubicles, turn left then run down the main pathway.” Alexa said, this time pointing to a long circuitous route around the office cubicles. Gina was just about to go without a care, until Alexa gave the warning that sent shivers down her spine.

“On the yellow floors there will be a mimic. But don’t worry, I will remove it before it becomes an issue.” Alexa said.

“There are mimics?” Gina asked, but soon found herself having to sprint to keep up with Julie.

Even still, despite their going on path, and Alexa having to make multiple jogs across the floor, Alexa still finished the floor at the same time as everyone else.

“Good job. This is good practice.”

“Pra, practice?” Gina got out, as sweat was pouring down her face. Gina made a mental note that she needed to be a lot more active with her new heart, especially, if she wanted to keep up with her.

“Yes, when we get to yellow these rooms will be timed to release poisons or other irritants. Best to establish good habits now.” Alexa said.

When they got to the next intersection, Alexa said. “You two can wait here for a moment, while I enter the side passageway.”

Gina was all too happy to place her back against the wall and rest.

Gina wasn’t tired, not truly. She also knew that if she was going to do these nine more times, then she would need to take her breaks when she could.

Julie for her part just stared down the tunnel for Alexa.

Gina tried to look, but her vision wasn’t the best and the dungeon itself seemed to fade away entirely a few hundred paces away. Alexa on the other hand seemed to be able to take in the complete layout of every room from just a simple glance.

Clink.

“Alright, let’s go.” Alexa said, not thirty seconds later when she got back from the side room. The clinking of crystals was the only sign she had gone to the side room in question.

Over and over the trio went.

Then finally after what felt like hours but was only fifteen intense minutes of running and stopping, they got to the prize room.

Alexa’s chest was the largest, this only made sense as she had clearly done most of the work. Julie and Gina got consolation chests, of one crystal each.

This normally wouldn’t be worth it, but first off, these crystals were +2 crystals. Secondly, the way Bottomless Gorge was designed, one could theoretically stay in indefinitely.

The trio rested for a minute, making sure to grab some water and food. Alexa made sure Gina ate and drank. Then after a few seconds to rest, Alexa said the one word that would end up resounding in her nightmares that night.

“Ready?”

Then before the two had a chance to protest, she was already leading a brisk pace down the next hallway, then the next.

Finally, Gina found a bed and was so overjoyed that she began sprinting for it.

BOOM!

Only for Alexa to cast an arcane orb of death at the bed.

A bed that suddenly jumped up in pain and began bleeding everywhere.

Seeing the bed, that was clearly not a fluffy bead die and bleed out before Gina’s eyes went to show just how much of a nightmare dungeons truly were.

“Sorry. These are rest floors. There is a tea spice in the kitchen that you are supposed to get to sprinkle over top of these to neutralize them.” Alexa said.

“That is a trap?”

“The reward for the floor. Those beds are quite comfortable once the mimic is killed.” Alexa said.

Gina blinked, her mind trying to rapidly process what was being said. “That is a reward? We are supposed to what? Sleep in that?”

Gina again looked at the white bed that was now bleeding out very real looking red blood that stained the sheets and blankets.

“When you are tired, it will feel amazing.”

“When?” Gina questioned.

“When.” Alexa said, nodding her head.

Gina for her part, just followed. Honestly by the second time through, with the routes mapped out, the entire thing was simple. Go into a room. Let Alexa tell you where to go. Run like a chicken with your head chopped off, then run a little faster so the walls didn’t get you. Let Alexa run around wildly, then meet her at the end. Simple.

“Dungeon, my friends are tired. We are about to enter the red dungeon floors. Can you please give us my floor?” Alexa asked.

Gina half thought Alexa was crazy. She had of course heard about spiritualists talking about the life of dungeons. That at their cores they were all sentient. But to hear Alexa continue to talk to this dungeon like it was alive, was a bit unnerving. At least that was what Gina had thought, until she felt the presence of the dungeon.

She of course couldn’t see anything, but she could feel an immense pressure building up in the room around them.

“What’s that?” Gina asked, as she suddenly wondered if Alexa had somehow summoned ghosts to this reward room.

“You felt it, that’s good. The dungeon seems to remember me. I think it will give us my floor.” Alexa said.

“Your floor?” Julie asked.

“Yes. Remember, I said it created one for me.”

“Do you honestly think a dungeon can remember you from that long ago? It has been weeks.” Gina shot back.

“It seems to remember me. I think I got its attention when I blew up its mimic.” Alexa said.

“Right, and you think it will be forgiving of that?” Julie asked.

“Yes, we were supposed to kill it. I just did so differently.” Alexa said, before walking forward.

Badump, badump.

There was a moment of fear, as Julie and Gina both looked at Alexa and how she went ahead to the red floor.

“Wasn’t she supposed to say ready, or something?” Gina asked angrily as she hightailed it through the tunnel before the dungeon decided to separate the three of them.

As she followed, she was met with a wave of texts. Texts that she instantly dismissed, as she tried desperately to find her friend. Her friend who was literally the only reason she had survived this long.

Gina didn’t know what she expected from a red dungeon floor. Let alone a red dungeon floor entrance. Suffice to say, she had not expected the room that she found herself in. Well room wasn’t the right word. Rather than a staging room, that had been replaced by a large magical forest that seemed to stop as soon as the entrance to the house floor began.

“You kept it, thank you dungeon.” Alexa said, bowing to the forest.

Her face was still emotionless, but it was clear this meant a lot to her. Gina was about to ask what had happened, when she saw Alexa pull out a few seed packages from her backpack.

“What are those?” Julie asked.

“Watermelons, blueberries, grapes, and flowers.” Alexa said, pouring the seeds out into her hand then hurling them high into the air. Then once the seeds were up, a gentle breeze caught the seeds and began spreading them wildly.

Alexa did this process five times before her seed packets were exhausted. Then she focused her will, and the seeds that had been dormant on the ground all began to sprout up.

“Don’t we need bees to pollinate the flowers?” Gina asked.

“Normally, though I sort of cheat.” Alexa said, as she focused on the plants a little more intently. Then to everyone’s shock, well everyone but Alexa who was stone faced, the plants all began to bloom.

Seeing the giant watermelons growing on the vine, Gina grew excited. “This is awesome!”

“I figured we could use this place as our base of operations.” Alexa said.

“No, I totally never want to leave now. Can I,” Gina said, gesturing to the watermelon.

Alexa nodded.

“Yeah!” Gina said, as she plucked the still growing plant from the vine. Then proceeded to roll the large object.

Laughter.

Julie just laughed.

“What? The stupid thing is heavy.” Gina said.

Julie still laughing went over and plucked up the watermelon. Julie was about to take it inside the house when Alexa stopped them.

“Wait.”

With that one-word Alexa put on a serious face, as she entered the house.

“Okay, it is safe to come in.” Alexa said, gesturing for the two to come in.

It almost felt like Alexa was welcoming them into her house. Then Gina figured, in a way this kind of was her house, as the dungeon seemed to keep it just for her.

Alexa pointed at a counter by the sink, where Julie placed the watermelon.

“So, let me show you around. The water in the sinks works. All the traps have been made dormant, and the bed is still dead.”

“Still, dead?” Gina asked.

Alexa just nodded, then sat down on the big fluffy monster. But to Gina’s surprise, the bed just stayed still.

“This is likely the most comfortable bed you will find.” Alexa said, patting the bed.

Hearing that Julie went over and plopped down onto the bed, making snow angel imprints in the comforter. Not wanting to be outdone, Gina ran and dove onto the bed. Instantly, she felt her tired and weary muscles begin to relax.

“Oh, please say we don’t have to leave here?” Gina asked.

Hearing that, Alexa just smiled. “No, in fact I think I should do a few runs by myself, while you two rest.”

“Is something wrong?” Julie asked, feeling from their bond that there was something Alexa wasn’t telling them.

Alexa for her part, clutched her backpack to her chest tightly, then took a deep breath.

To Gina this was the most emotions she had seen Alexa show, since she met her. “There is something important I want to tell you, to tell the both of you. I honestly don’t know if it will change the way you two view me or not. But I need a moment to collect myself, if that is okay.”

Gina and Julie both looked at Alexa, then to each other, trying to figure out what she could mean.

Then in unison, they both nodded. “Sure.”

Hearing that Alexa smiled, it was the fake smile that Gina had come to interpret as her wanting to convey true emotion.

“Let me do a quick run. Then I will be back to show you why I love dungeon delving so much.” Alexa said.

She said the word love, and Julie could tell that she actually meant it. At least when it came to this topic.

Hearing the words, the two just nodded.

“Thank you. I just need a moment to collect myself first. I’ll be right back.” Alexa said reassuringly.

To Gina and Julie there was no problem, the exit was right there. If anything happened, they could always go out on their own. Also, it seemed that the dungeon seemed to listen to Alexa, meaning she should be able to get back. Gina was more than exhausted, while Julie had also been nearing the limits of what she could do.

They both nodded, as they watched Alexa leave through the red door to go to another red floor.

The moment she left; Gina collapsed into the bed.

Julie stayed sitting up for a moment, staring at the portal.

“What is it?” Gina asked.

“Nothing, I just…” Julie began, as she stared at the portal for a second longer. “I just got the feeling that something bad happened.”

“Well yeah, our free ticket to crystals just left. But I trust her, she will be back.” Gina said, trying to be reassuring. But she was so tired, that she just found herself lying back and letting her consciousness fade as she found her body sinking further into the bed.

“Yeah, it’s just that I felt something between our pack.”

“Probably just her going to a different floor and severing the connection.”

“Yeah, probably.” Julie admitted, but there was only one problem. Even here, even eleven floors deep in the Bottomless Gorge, she could still feel the connection to the other eighteen members of her pack. Julie tried to shake the feeling, and eventually after a few moments forced herself to lie down in the massive bed and soon found her own consciousness fading away.

Neither girl was awake when the TV in the living room suddenly came to life and showed Alexa in what looked to be the battle of her life.