Chapter 250 - Predicament (2)

[Author's Note: I think there are only a few chapters left before this volume ends. Probably only three or two. Including this one on those. Let's end this. Sorry, I have to put this note here but I have to. And also, there would be some disturbing scenes that will happen in this chapter though it would only be like dialogues or something. However, proceed with caution.]

11 days after Alexandra was taken away.

"It has been almost 2 weeks but nothing is happening," The man who was standing beside Mark spoke as she stared at Alexandra who was lying on the ground in the center of a magic circle that they have been using on her for days but still nothing would happen.

"Are you sure you didn't make a mistake? What if she wasn't the one that we are looking for?" The man spoke once again. Alexandra was just listening to their conversation as she laid there, motionless. Even though no matter how hard she tries just to remove these things that are wrapped around her ankles and wrists, binding her to the floor, it wouldn't budge. Nothing would happen.

"How could I make a mistake? I mean, can you feel it? Can you sense the tremendous and huge amount of mana and power that she is wielding? I could never make a mistake," Mark responded as he faced the man in front of him. He looked at Alexandra at the corner of his eyes and saw that she was glaring at him as usual. Even though it has been 11 days that she's here, she has never learned the name of that man that Mark would always be with.

But she could tell that this man was powerful when it comes to magic. I mean, he was the one mostly handling the experiment and Mark would just order him. It was like he was forced to do all of these things because of Mark.

The man hummed before he spoke once again, "But it has been almost 2 weeks but there is only nothing. It doesn't look like we were doing it wrong, it also doesn't look like every time we do it, it would fail. Nothing, there was only nothing. Even though we have done it even when she was unconscious, nothing happens. We're wasting our time and mana here."

Was what he said. Worry lacing his tone of voice. Alexandra figured that they were doing this because they were interested in the power that is hidden in her, like how and what? What power are they talking about? I have been living for 14 years and I don't have a clue about the power that is hidden in me. It sounds like some sort of cliché fantasy book that she has read and heard.

"That is indeed correct. However, I will not stop. Even though it would break her if we kept on doing this. Maybe we should try to hypnotize her, oh wait, that wouldn't work. I did it before but all I got was a head aching in pain for almost 10 minutes and it was annoying. However, if she breaks, then it would be easier. There's no rush though it would be nice if this would end faster," Mark said and he licked his lips then showed the man a grin which sent a chill down his spine.

Alexandra furrowed her eyebrows as her eye twitched. What he said, it bothered her. The hair at the back of her neck raised. Somehow, she was feeling exhausted and hungry. She wants to close her eyes and just go to sleep, then drifts to her dreamland as she escaped the reality she is in. The cruel reality that she is going through. Just let me escape.

Somehow, she has lost all of her hope. It has been 11 days. Even though no matter how hard she looks and thinks of a plan so that she could escape this place, just like every result of their experiment (or whatever they call that), there would only be nothing. She doesn't know the layout of this place, she doesn't know where they are. What if she's in the middle of a sea just like before? What if she's in the middle of a forest? What if she's in an isolated place or area and only Mark knows how to leave?

How will you have hope if there aren't any? Even just a single glimmer of hope that she could grab unto and believe in, there is nothing. Alexandra wasn't much of an optimistic person. This was completely different unlike the kidnapping case before. She has no one here.

Ah, it seems like the words that Mark would tell her almost every day was now starting to affect her. I shouldn't be like that. Yes, it's true that I have no one here aside from myself but I shouldn't give in. I fi surrender myself to them, it seems like I have granted them victory or something. I don't want to lose here.

'Don't lose yourself again.'

Right, that dream. Though at first, I could only recall a few fragments of it and was unable to remember everything, but now I could remember the whole dream. The last one.

A door locked and surrounded with chains that looked quite old and have some cracks on it as if it was threatening or telling her that it would soon be broken and what's behind that door would be revealed. It haunted her but not in a way that you think. She would frequently recall the image of that door and it would be different every time. Even though there was only a small difference, she would notice it and it would bother her.

The cracks have expanded and gotten big. It would soon break and the door will open, she thought to herself.

What's behind the door?

"Maybe we should do something that would make her lose herself. Like if you take something precious away from her, she might go crazy and would lose herself," The man said and turned his head to look at Alexandra whose eyes widened when she heard what they said. What do they mean to take something precious from me? She blinked her eyes multiple times as her heart started to beat faster because of the fear that started to overwhelm her and conquer her system.

"Princess, you like to read, right? Ah, maybe I should take out your eyes. That would be wonderful. I wonder how you would react! Ah, that reaction of yours! Lovely, show me more!" Mark said and he crouched down beside her as he turned around to face Alexandra and something materialized out of his hand. What it seems like a short sword was seen and he pointed the tip of the blade against Alexandra's eyes, in front of her very iris. She closed her eyes on reflex.

Even though she can't see it, she could tell that there was a wide grin in his face. A disturbing and chilling one. She has seen it multiple times and it wouldn't fail to creep her out every single time.

Mark's very existence was creepy and somehow, it disturbs her. To think that such a person like him exists is bothering her. People like him shouldn't be here in this world. However, thinking about it, this was probably because of what he have gone through when he was a child. He was sold by his older sister who was also the one that kidnapped her. He was abandoned at such a young age. That made such an impact on him and that was probably the reason why he is like this.

"What about your hands? I heard that you are quite skilled with your hands, princess. What if I remove it? Ah, that means you wouldn't be able to write and arrange flowers. You won't be able to pour tea anymore, summoning spells would be pretty hard."

But sike, Alexandra was not much of a forgiving person. She understands that he went through so much thus affecting his personality and probably mental health also. The physiology of a human, how their environment, childhood, memories, and such affected them as they grow up.

His voice was a whisper and she was the only one who could hear what he was saying as the man standing near them just watched. She felt the tip of the blade trailed down her skin though it feels like it was hovering over it though she can feel it. Alexandra opened her eyes, her eyes that were once devoid of light, and hope was now filled with fear and anger.

However, what could she do? No matter how hard she resists, nothing would happen. She was bound to the floor, unable to move and lift her body and only her head.

"Please… Don't…" Alexandra said, her voice low and faint. She was trying her best to not make her voice crack. It seems like Mark took pleasure with the expression and reaction that she had given him because he let out a laugh. It's not that kind of laugh you would have when you find your friend's joke funny or the laugh that you will have while watching a comedy show in the living room.

It was a laugh laced with evil and malice. One that is like a psychopath who just found its next victim that he will play with, it sent a chill down her spine and she couldn't help but shudder as she listened to him.

She felt weak and hopeless.

"Ah, wonderful! Your reaction is perfect! Then I shall take your eye out and cut your tong—"

But before he could finish what he was saying, the sound of an explosion was heard and there was a hole on the wall where the sound came from. Rocks came flying everywhere and dust rose in the room. Then it was immediately dispersed by what seems like a wind that was summoned, revealing the people who were the cause of that explosion. Alexandra turned her head to look at them and her eyes widened.

What it seems like 5 people emerged out of the hole and their eyes darted at her.

"Princess!" A familiar voice of a female echoed and resonated inside the room, their eyes met and Alexandra blinked multiple times. They're here. They're goddamn here.

Her father was here along with Diana and other people who came to save her. Somehow, the heavy weight in her shoulders and the fear that overwhelmed her was gone as if it didn't exist in the first place. Relief washed over her as she saw them. The small glimmer of hope that she has let go has now returned to her.