Twisted Reality AU

Chapter 8

Chapter Edited on 4/15/21

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At first, it was just a high pitch whine.

Alexander Stowe was alive.

Slowly, his vision blurred from the darkness into a room....not his. Before he could even get in touch with his surroundings, he repulsed and stumbled off the bed into the concrete floor where he threw up whatever seawater was in him until it was all just bile.

His body felt weak while his mind was in a whirl like a massive hammer was pounding on his forehead. His whole body shivered in cold sweat despite how hot he felt, and his stomach wouldn't stop twisting and turning, risking he would throw up nothingness again. The edges of his eyesight were smudged and yet everything he saw was just so diluted.

Where was he?

He leaned against the wall, noticing a bandage wrapped thoroughly through over his wound, and yet he could still see crimson blush on the gauze. His forehead pounded, while his whole body rejected to focus on where he was. Any movement immediately sent dizziness to his head. He felt so physically terrible, that after a while, he forced himself back asleep.

. . .

Streaks of Sunlight spotted his face, forcing his eyes to open. It felt to be a new day.

Eventually, his sight cleared up and he managed to look around without getting the feeling of pins everywhere. The room was long, with just a bed and a small window. . . and the door. Alex slowly crawled towards it and checked the doorknob. Locked.

Things didn't go his way after all...

Perhaps he could pick the lock with his dagger. Alex reached for his pocket only to notice his robe wasn't on him, along with any weapon he had. "No no no no..." Alex trailed off.  His eyes quickly darted across the room.

He searched the room as much as his body would let him but there aren't many places a robe could hide. The feeling of vulnerability hit him. It had been weeks of victories and never did he realize that he could have got hurt. That THIS could have been an outcome. After checking the room a second time, he stepped back and scanned everything. "Idiot!" he exclaimed, pressing his hands against his temples. He began to pace around the room.

Why didn't he think about if Eagala attacked him! This situation would have been completely avoidable, he thought. Now, he was somewhere unknown with everything that assured him, stripped away. "Stowe, how could you forget! You're head mage, you have to keep Artime safe..! You can't mess up like this again!" he chided to himself quietly.

This feeling was threatening, trapped in a room with absolutely no control over anything and his throbbing head wasn't helping. Alex stopped pacing, forcing himself to calm down. Out the small window, was few familiar features. The same lawn, and pathway.....he was in Artime.

What..., he thought trying to make sure his mind wasn't playing him. Why would I be locked in my own building?. His mind was too blurry to really make out reasons. Could one of his own people bring him here...? No! No one would have. He's done so much good for Artime, no one could be against him.

His surroundings caved in as Alex slowly melted to the floor. He couldn't help but feel terribly disappointed in himself. Whatever the case, he was still trapped in here without anything. It was still unclear to him why or who left him in here but the feeling of dread took over that. He managed to kill Eagala but is Artime really safe? Silently, he swore to himself to never let his guard down and cursed himself for messing up that venture with Eagala. "I have to get out...." he whispered as he slowly brought his knees in.