A.N. - Before we start, I drew some concept art for Lux and Felix's face. It cam be found here: Just get rid of each ( and )
(http)( .com)/(user)/(Chukabu00)/(media)/(Mobile%20Uploads)/(LuxandFelix).(jpg).(html)
Okay, let's go... number 11.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The labyrinth is an alternate dimension created by Lux as a way to store things, imprison criminals, and even venture within when she wants to be alone. It takes the appearance of a three dimensional cube suspended in an abyss of eternal night dotted with stars and cosmos.
It was an interesting kind of beautiful, Felix explained, having been in there several times before.
The labyrinth itself was a gravity-complex cube with an unknown number of combinations and rooms, passages and routes that could be changed at the architects will. Even Lux does not know the complete layout of the labyrinth, but she can change the layout and properties at her will and leave and enter will no effort. This is what makes the labyrinth effective, since there is no way in and out, just endless permeations of pathways.
According to Lux, keeping humans in the labyrinth is much more taxing than keeping objects or just herself within it. Accordingly, the more humans within the labyrinth, the harder it is to maintain since its existence runs solely on Lux's magical abilities. However, due to her magical stamina, Lux can keep someone in the labyrinth with little effort for days at a time.
"I can only manifest nightmares in the labyrinth where I control its setting. I will place you within the labyrinth, and Felix and I will counsel you through the hallucinations as it happens. If anything goes wrong, we will remove you immediately."
They all nod in agreement, understanding the process they will undergo. There is still uneasiness in the air, as each one was extremely nervous about undergoing the process. Physical pain heals, but mental pain can last forever.
"Alright then, Erza will be first," said Lux, and the three stood up. Erza was acting the most brave in that moment, though she quaked with fear inside.
Before them, a magical circle appears and then an archway to the labyrinth. Lux kindly motions for her to walk through which she does. Lux and Felix follow before the portal seals shut.
Erza is immediately taken back by where she is. Looking up, she sees the night sky and gorgeous arrangement of stars casting a glow on the white labyrinth. The labyrinth itself is made of ten foot white walls and floors, doors, hallways, and strange passages all entirely in the same white color. There are openings that go deeper into the cube-shaped labyrinth and hallways going across the surface.
It was mesmerizing.
"Alright!" yelled Lux, who was standing on a white platform hovering above the labyrinth, "It will begin, feel free to move about wherever you need to go. We will keep an eye on you the whole time."
Erza looked up at the two partners standing like game makers, intimidating in a way. Erza kept a brave face the whole time, but Lux and Erza know she was petrified.
"Just remember," said Felix, "You are Erza, and you know what is true."
Erza nodded before turning and walking, first slowly, then with a little more self confidence. She found an entrance into the internal maze and decided to enter it, straight down into a small ten-by-ten room with six different pathways. Strangely, once inside the internal room, it was just as bright as the outside. It was almost like the walls were letting off light and keeping it in a futuristic tone of endless white.
All the while, Erza was amazed that Lux had created such a world. In a way, it was almost a dream land.
Erza kept walking, feeling the headache come on again. She leaned against the wall and placed her fingers on her temple.
"My head hurts-" she began to say, feeling the pulse and throbbing in her head.
"Alright," said Lux, and when Erza turned around, she was surprised to see that she was still alone. Yet she could hear Lux's voice so clearly. Where was it coming from?
"You are sensing the change in reality. Use that, Erza," came Felix's voice.
Erza just nodded and kept walking, concentrating on her headache and how it shifted when she changed rooms. So far, she was doing quite well.
However, Lux and Felix could tell that Erza was beginning to feel the side effects of delirium. Lux was inflicting delirium on Erza straight through her soul, and ability associated with the Valkyrie Soul. However, Lux can only control one soul at a time, unlike her father who had no limit.
"Erza," came Felix's voice, "Remind yourself who you are. It will help."
Erza stopped moving and leaned against the wall, gripping her arm. She was trying to terribly hard not to lose herself. "My name is Erza, and I control reality."
"Good," said Lux, "Keep going."
Erza kept walking, but could tell that her vision was getting hazy and she was having difficulties staying upright.
Then, from nowhere, she heard the sound of a gunshot and saw before her, in another room, a child fall. She had never seen him before in her life but she felt her heart shatter when she saw him fall. He was shot in the head and another man was standing there with the gun.
And then, Erza completely lost her connection to reality. In an instant, she had transformed into armor, purgatory armor, in order to confront this murderer. She was enraged that someone had done that to a child, and she was not able to stop it. That was what was most frightening, not being able to save his life.
"Erza!" came Lux and Felix's voice. Just as Erza was about to attack the murderer, Felix had grabbed Erza and held her arms behind her back as she yelled.
"He killed the child! Let me go, I need to do something, I must have done something. Why?" she yelled in a furious rage. She tried to pull her arms from Felix's grasp, but he was too strong, inhumanly strong. He must have augmented his strength to keep an armored Erza at bay.
"Erza, snap out of it," said Lux, holding Erza's face, "That was a nightmare," she yelled.
Erza just snapped then, and let her defenses go. Her head was low for a moment before she looked up into Lux's golden eyes.
"I'm alright," said Erza, "Maybe. I just… don't feel alright. I feel like I might faint."
"That is okay," said Lux. Instantly, another portal opened and Lux walked through followed by Felix, and set Erza on the ground to sit. They were no longer in the labyrinth, just the inside of the barn, the comforting environment.
Natsu, Gray, and Lucy were there instantly to help.
"Is she okay?" asked Gray.
"She will be fine," said Felix, letting go of Erza and standing.
"But she did not respond well," interjected Lux. "Unfortunately, she failed her first trial."
A.N. I don't really know what to write here now...
