Chapter 203

Alex trudged down the bustling streets of the Phoenix Dominion, his thoughts heavy. The air here always seemed charged with tension, as if a fight could break out at any moment. And it often did. Over the past few weeks Alex had intervened more times than he cared to count, using his subtle mastery of fire manipulation to defuse situations before they escalated.

But the constant chaos was draining. Every corner of the Dominion seemed like a powder keg, ready to explode at the slightest spark. Ability users, unbound by discipline or consequence, clashed daily in the streets. For many, these fights were a way to prove their strength, to take revenge after awakening etc. but to Alex, it was an endless cycle of destruction.

He glanced around the plaza where yet another battle had left its mark. Craters marred the stonework, scorch marks painted the nearby walls, and debris from shattered stalls littered the area. Despite the destruction, people moved on quickly, accustomed to the chaos. Workers were already repairing the damage, their efficiency unnerving.

"Every day, it's the same thing," Alex muttered to himself, watching as two ability users squared off in the distance, their powers flaring ominously. "No natural enemy, no balance, no place to vent. This isn't a society—it's a disaster waiting to happen."

Eva, his ever-watchful AI companion, chimed in. "Records confirm no evidence of animals awakening abilities since the onset of Cosmic energy rise. Without natural enemies to counterbalance humanity's newfound powers, conflicts like these are inevitable."

Alex sighed. He had read about worlds where spiritual energy kept things in check, where animals and plants evolved alongside humans to maintain equilibrium. But here, on earth, it's not the case, humans have manifested ability naturally so far, but he believe soon, even animals and plants will soon awaken. Here in the Phoenix Dominion, the imbalance was stark. Every fight seemed to tear the fabric of society further apart.

"This place isn't sustainable," Alex murmured. "They're playing with fire, and one day, it's going to burn everything down."

Leaving the Phoenix Dominion behind, Alex made his way south into the territories of La Corona. The difference was immediate and chilling. Unlike the chaotic energy of the Dominion, La Corona was unnaturally orderly. Cities gleamed with meticulous cleanliness, their streets laid out in perfect symmetry. People moved with a precision that felt almost mechanical, their expressions blank and subdued.

As Alex entered one of the main cities, he couldn't shake the eerie feeling that hung in the air. It was too quiet, too controlled. The people seemed like shadows of themselves, their individuality stripped away.

"La Reina's influence runs deep here," Alex observed, his eyes scanning the crowd.

He parked himself in a small café, ordering a drink as he continued to watch. The patrons moved with clockwork efficiency, their conversations muted and devoid of emotion. Even the barista who brought his drink seemed unnaturally precise, her movements almost robotic.

"Eva," Alex said quietly, "log these patterns. Something's off here."

"Already tracking, Alex," she replied. "There's a synchronization in their actions that suggests an external influence. It's possible La Reina's mind control extends to every facet of their lives."

Alex frowned, sipping his drink. "And the mentalists?"

"Reports indicate they're marginalized or confined to specific zones," Eva said. "However, there are rumors of secret enclaves where mentalists resist her control—albeit under constant surveillance."

The waiter returned to refill his cup, his hand trembling slightly. Alex seized the moment to ask, "Where can I find a library or somewhere people gather to talk freely?"

The waiter froze, his gaze flicking nervously to the side. "The La Reina Memorial Library," he said in a low voice. "But… open discussions are not encouraged."

Alex leaned back, his mind racing. This wasn't just control—it was oppression masquerading as order.

Over the following weeks, Alex delved deeper into the heart of La Corona. Every interaction, every observation added to the picture he was building. La Reina wasn't just a leader; she was a god to her people, her name spoken with reverence and fear. Her mind control abilities didn't just bend thoughts—they erased dissent, leaving only unwavering loyalty.

Some accepted this rule with open fanaticism, while others lived in silent fear, their every action dictated by the unseen hand of their ruler.

One evening, Alex struck up a conversation with an elderly shopkeeper. The man's voice was flat, his words repetitive. "La Reina keeps us safe," he muttered. "Protects us from chaos. We serve her willingly."

"Doesn't it feel… restricting?" Alex probed.

For a brief moment, something flickered in the man's eyes—a hint of the person he might have been before La Reina's influence. "There was a time… we had choice. But choice brought unrest. Now, life is… simpler."

Alex walked away, his chest tight. This wasn't just control—it was the systematic erasure of free will.

One morning, Alex wandered through the central market, his gaze drawn to a vendor selling trinkets emblazoned with La Reina's emblem. "You seem to love La Reina," he remarked casually.

"She is our light," the vendor replied, his face alight with fervor. "Without her, we would be lost."

Alex hid his frustration behind a polite smile, purchasing a small amulet before moving on. That night, he sat alone, compiling his findings into Cognichip's storage.

"Eva," he whispered, "analyze the methods she's using. How does she maintain this level of control?"

"La Reina appears to amplify brainwaves at specific frequencies," Eva explained. "This creates a resonance that enhances suggestibility, effectively overriding independent thought. Those with natural resistance, such as mentalists, are less affected."

Alex pondered her words, his mind racing. La Reina's control was a masterpiece of manipulation, terrifying in its efficiency.

"This place," he said quietly, "it's built on fear, not trust. Power like hers… it's not just dangerous—it's dehumanizing."

As the city lights glimmered outside his window, Alex felt a growing resolve. He won't challenge La Reina directly—that has never been his method. But he could observe more, prepare, and perhaps, in time, find a way to raise the mental resistance of her people.