Twisted Reality AU

Chapter 9

Edited 4/15/21

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The weeks were quiet, and with each passing day, the worse Alex felt. He just couldn't figure out why he was in here, why he was such a threat. Everything he's done was for Artime...for his friends. Anxiously, he tapped his foot on the ground, a habit he developed during the weeks in here. Honestly with all his alone time-- thoughts and doubts found an easy way to creep in. Sometimes he was let out for an hour and then immediately put right back again in the room. He was a prisoner to his own home.

Occasionally he would watch the window and the practices outside. Magic wasn't working for him. He couldn't even place a stupid glass spell down. After three weeks in this confined space, the only thing he felt was powerless. Even when he was let out for that hour, Alex obliged and didn't attempt anything. It was odd but there was no purpose anyway. The powerless feel almost hurt as much as his friends. Their cold words would ring back at the worst times, filling more and more doubt into him.

The door creaked open.

"Hey, ready to go?" Lani asked, standing at the door frame. It was his hour out of here and this time, she was taking him to the Museum of Large. At first, three people would accompany Alex until it was just two, and now just one. Even in the beginning, Alex was held in shackles but now they figured he wouldn't attempt anything.

Apparently Lani wanted to organize the flowing bookshelves and tagging Alex along wouldn't be a bad idea. Alex nodded quietly, and got up. It felt like the two were distant ex-friends where neither wanted to apologize. While they walked down the hallway, Alex looked at the ground while Lani kept her eyes forward occasionally glancing sympathetically at him.

"You know, you don't have to put me in here." Alex mumbled. They've had his conversation every single time they checked upon him, but now it sounded like a simple request rather than a demand. Lani glanced at him and then kept walking. It grew silent once more. They reached the room, and Lani began unfolding the 3-D door.

"We will let you out Alex," Lani finally said. She paused to secure the edges of the door poster to the wall. "But only when the others approve it's safe." Alex kept his eyes to the ground, his hands naturally balling to a fist.

"Right." He muttered. Only when the others approve. As if he hasn't been wanting approval his whole life, and now it seems he failed at the one duty assigned to him. He failed so miserably, his own friends had locked him up. Way to go Stowe. . .

Lani pushed the door open, and they both entered into the cooling room. "Alex, be back in half an hour. I'll be at the bookshelves."

"Don't worry. I'll just look around I guess." Alex replied. He shouldn't be here. He should be leading Artime. He should be organizing plans, and stopping threats. Not . . . this. Lani smiled softly and kneeled by the flowing books, already starting with her antics. Alex left her to it and began walking down the vast place, remembering the time he was here with Mr. Today, the man that put him in this position.

Glancing around at all the familiar structures, his mind wandered back to his time with Mr. Today. He was good with words, twisting them to sound as if this head mage role was an achievement. Alex liked the power it gave him and currently with his powerless self, he craved it. Alex made it to the gray shack, feeling around the outside walls while he zoned out in his thoughts. Back when Artime disappeared, people came to him and just made it a living nightmare to him. No one wants me, do they?, Alex thought even though he's had this same conversation with himself many times before. They just come to me when they need me. No one actually wants Alex. They want the Head Mage...

Suddenly he was aware of his surroundings. He must've self consciously walked in the shack and now in the kitchen. It was the cold truth, and how could someone be so dumb to realize. Alex kicked the counter. He's always just used, then criticized upon. His existence wouldn't matter unless he was head mage. It's never been about me----Then from the corner of his eye, something glinted.

In the tiny bedroom of the shack, a piece of silver glimmered. Alex pushed the door open to see his dagger and boots laying by the side. Alex trailed off, grabbing the blade and feeling the dagger in his hands. It felt perfectly balanced in his hand, but how was it even here? Samheed and Lani had told him it was lost at Sea. A rush ran through him. Right next to the bed was his boots, chains dangling. He sat on the bed, and slipped them on. He watched his boots for a minute, and then glanced at the dagger. They were real and still here. Huh. The Others lied. After standing up, he took a few steps with new feelings inviting him. I don't need them, and I never have. I don't need their approval nor I don't need to listen to them, do I?

"Alex! Where are you? You were supposed to return in half an hour." A voice called out. If No one cares about me, why should I care about them?  "Alex! I told you not to go too deep!" Jeez Lani, may as well be my mother..., Alex almost said out loud. He looked at the dagger in his hand, unsure whether to take it. Lani wouldn't like it if he did...

Alex clasped his hand around the handle. He was definitely taking it then. He didn't even notice his surrounding grow even grayer, but then again he was in a literal gray shack. "ALEX."

"Jeez Lani, calm down!" Alex said, exiting the gray shack. Lani was farther down the hallway looking around the crooks of some of the massive creations. Relief only lasted a second before Lani's expression switched to concern. He knew she was staring at the dagger in his hand.

We were just getting you back..., Lani thought. Why didn't Samheed destroy them? "Alex, put them down and let's go back." Lani said. Alex just smiled. He could tell her voice shook slightly and that she had no weapons on her. It was nice to feel in control after the long weeks alone.

"Hey Lani. . ." Alex said as he began to examine the blade. Lani took a step back. She knew Sky was in a similar situation and she was not going to deal with this again. She reached for her pockets and searched around to find nothing of use. "I don't recall when I started taking instructions from you. I mean, that's been my whole life. Just being told what to do."

Alex slowly began pacing towards Lani where she cautiously traveled backward. "I was told I was Unwanted and to be purged. I listened. I was told to become Head mage, I listened. I was told to take care of a whole population of wrecked Mages with nothing while my own brother fought against me. I listened. Now what did I get in return?"

Lani couldn't dare have eye contact with Alex. His voice was threatening enough, dark and almost. . .hurt. Over those weeks Alex was left in that room where he was slowly growing to change...or so she thought. Now he was back at the beginning.

Alex dragged the tip of the dagger through the walls which screeched. "Nothing. I got nothing in return Lani." There was a pause of silence, where Lani couldn't even feel to dare move as if a slight bit of movement would have her dead in seconds.

"That's not true---" The dagger slammed against the wall, interrupting her.

"I don't want to hear it." Alex warned. "I don't like lies Lani. You all ask so much from me only for me to solve it and then leave me alone until the next problem arises." He pulled the dagger out of the wall and gave a long look at his former friend. Then turned his back and walked to the bookshelves. Lani stood where she was watching him only to see him pass the shelves and to the 3-D door. "So I wonder who will come solve your problems now..."

Only when Alex walked through the 3-D door did Lani realize what was happening. "Wait! Alex! Please don't do this!"-- but it was too late. The 3-D door was peeled off and by the time Lani made it to where the 3-D door was, it was gone.

Heyy guys. Y e a h this chapter is short and well-- Alex did end up relapsing. I had a hard time keeping this or re-writing with a completely new plot line but I'm just indecisive like that lol. I also know like the last time I posted was a month back, but I'll try to post more often ;)

If anyone is wondering, This fanfic is going to be around 15 chapters. Enjoy your day :)