Shattering the Clock

"Come on Rosalix!" Shia yelled.

Daylight had given way to the night, and that was when the city came to life. The neon lights blinked and flashed, advertising stores, restaurants, and clubs. Crowds were coming out and swarming through out the districts. Tourists were being taken in by the flamboyant atmosphere and vibrant energy of everything. Rosalix and Shia were walking around the club district after spending the afternoon in the shopping district. Shia treated Rosalix to a various assortment of new clothes for when she leaves Dusk City, she also got her some beautiful accessories despite Rosalix's protests. Even though she didn't enjoy crowds so much, Rosalix was having more fun than she thought she would.

Shia knew of a popular dance club that served food, so they would go there for dinner and fun. Rosalix hated to admit it, but she loved to dance, she never took formal lessons since they cost so much, so she learned through reading books. Rosalix also developed an interest in singing and learning how to play instruments. Though she always had a tough and hard to approach personality, she had a soft side for creative activities. To her, there was something magical in creating something new through the imagination. It was like there were no limits to her imagination if she found the right methods. On their way to the club, Rosalix took in the essence of Dusk City one last time. 

The bright lights flashing and blinking, making shadows dance along the streets. The endless stream and merging sounds of rushing cars and people continues to move around her as a blur, it gave Rosalix a sense of tranquility and calm, she always took walks at night just to think or relax. The rising buildings that touch the sky, metal hands attempting to touch the stars that are blocked by the clouds. Lastly, the most beautiful part of Dusk City, that most people argue about is the moon. The moon is huge and a blinding white with a blue tinge, craters decorated it's once smooth surface. Rosalix loved looking at the full moon the most. When it was full, the moon looked like a pearl, a precious stone of unparalleled beauty. Coincidentally, tonight was a full moon as well, Rosalix took this as a good sign.

"Rosalix! We're here!" Shia yelled in excitement.

Rosalix looked and saw the destination. It was called "Dreamland", the outside of the building was a simple black building with windows on what appeared to be multiple floors. On the roof top, there were lights coming out of it so there must have been windows on the ceiling. The lights were various bright colors such as pink, purple, red, and light blue. The lights showed the silhouettes of people already inside dancing and mingling. Rosalix bet that the outside was simple because the interior was more extravagant. The line in front of it was endless.

"How long are we gonna be in that line?" Rosalix asked, already second guessing whether the night would turn out well.

"Don't worry!" Shia replied, "I'm friends with the owner and he owes me one so he's letting us go in for free without the wait."

"Okay, then lets go." They walked to the front doors where a man was standing in front, making sure people didn't try to sneak in. Shia showed him a card, possibly the proof that they could go in, and the man let them in. His gaze lingered long on Rosalix and it made her uncomfortable. She mumbled a thanks and moved in behind her friend.

"Isn't this place amazing Rosalix!!" Shia yelled over the blaring music. In the center of the building was a dance floor. Exact replicas of it were hovering in the air as well with bridges attached to the other floors. Waiters with trays of food were walking around the socializing and dancing people. Rosalix tried really hard to not bump into anyone so as not to attract attention, but when they came in, some people were already starring. Again, Rosalix felt extremely out of placed with all the stares.

"Shia, I don't think I'm going to be able to handle all the stares." 

"Well, of course their going to stare, you look great that's why." Shia had dressed Rosalix in a short, black miniskirt with silver chains dangling around her like overall straps. She was wearing a tight, cropped shirt with no straps or sleeves. It had a deep plunge and it was black with red trimming. On top of it, she wore a sleeveless, high collared vest that ended at her waist. It had a zipper in the shape of an arrow and white crosses on the front with red trimming as well. She even bought her a new pair of leather, knee-high boots with laces that reached the top and fishnet tights. 

"It's nice, but I don't appreciate the attention." She said. "You look great too."

"Thank you!" Shia bought a light blue cocktail dress that accented her eyes with a white cardigan and cascading fabric flowers on the dress. She had white high-heels with straps and lots of blue jewelry. She was definitely getting attention from all the single men.

"Lighten up! We're here to have fun, not get guys." Shia grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the dance floor. The music got louder and they began to dance. Rosalix had danced with Shia for awhile until she felt someone tap her shoulder. She turned to look and see who it was. It was a tall man with dark, red hair pushed up. He wore sunglasses, which Rosalix found strange, and she could vaguely see a pair of beautiful, gold eyes. He was wearing leather pants and black boots, and a matching leather jacket with red accents. He wore a red bandanna around his neck with black markings and a black cross on it. His skin was the color of a fresh book's page. Rosalix had never been particularly interested in boys, or been left awestruck by a person's looks, but when she saw this man, she felt something warm inside of her stir. There was something familiar about him.

"Who are you?" She asked in a breathless whisper, so quiet that she wasn't sure if he had heard her. The man smiled, and leaned closer into her, close enough that his lips nearly touched her ear, and he whispered back in a sweet baritone voice of silk: "My angel, the time has come. The nightmare must begin"

He leaned back and looked into her eyes. The mysterious man mouthed to her silently: The clock has been shattered. As soon as that last word escaped his lips, the sound of breaking glass echoed deeply. All heads turned towards the source, it was from the window on the roof directly above everyone. People moved away to avoid the rain of broken glass, everyone but Rosalix and the man. Rosalix looked up as well and saw the figure of an object fall. She once again faced the man to ask more questions, but he was no where to be found. Before whatever was falling towards her could squash her, she jumped backwards. When she landed, she felt something in her hands, She found a key and a pair of earrings, without any proof, she knew it was from that man; and she also knew, that he has knowledge of her past. 

With a heavy thud, what landed in front of her was a creature that belonged in hell. It's front was similar to that of a rabid canine, but it had the wings of a bat and a trail of scales along it's back, which became the tail of a rattlesnake. It's fur was black as midnight and it's scales were also black, but it had splashes of red that looked similar to blood spatters. The monster;s eyes were an angry red and it revealed it's sharp teeth. All the people inside screamed and quickly tried to escape through the doors, for fear of being it's prey. However, the beast did not pay any attention to the others, instead it's unwavering gaze never tore off of Rosalix. 

"Rosalix!" Shia screamed. "Get away from that thing!" 

"Okay!" She was about to make a run for it until the monster made a grab at her. She easily dodged it despite how quick it was. Suddenly, she heard a voice in her head, it echoed inside of her and whispered: Expel this demon with your gifts. Rosalix recognized it as the voice she had always heard in her dreams. She decided to do something absolutely stupid, she stopped thinking and listened to the voice.

Close your eyes and relax. She did, and felt her fear disappear. Wait for it to charge. Suddenly, the beast lunged at her, Screams were let out by people as they thought Rosalix would be eaten. It's mouth opened wide, ready to bite on her. Now, jump on it and destroy your enemy, She obeyed, and out of no where, a scythe produced in her hand. The moment she was directly above the creature,  she opened her eyes, which looked as if they were glowing, and brought the blade down on it. It cut the monster in half and it's body began to disintegrate into ashes. As she landed, no one in the building made a sound, they were all scared and dumbstruck at what they had just witnessed. The scythe disappeared from her hand and Rosalix looked around her surroundings, everyone was looking at her like a monster as well, even her friend Shia. Rosalix knew that nothing would be the same anymore.

A few moments ago    

"This place is crowded." A man with bright red hair said, he leaned against one of the railings on the second floor of the building. He and another man, one with royal blue hair and eyes were hanging around observing Rosalix. People moved around them as if there was a barrier separating them from the crowd. The flashing lights created severe shadows on their faces. Stationed in various other places were their other friends. It was the same group who had been tailing Rosalix since this morning. 

"It's a dance club, it's suppose to be crowded." The blue haired man replied.

"Yeah, I know. So what are we waiting for, this seems like the perfect opportunity to get her."

"No, we can't move yet. Those devils are still watching, they know were here, and they know that we too are aware of their presence. It's just a matter of who will make the first move."

"Sure, but is it really necessary to keep her alive, why not just kill her while she can't retaliate?'

"Idiot!" The man hit his companion on the head. "By doing that, her powers will activate, and then she'll think we're the enemy."

"Damn, didn't have to hit me that hard." He looked down at the dance floor and noticed someone approaching Rosalix. "Hey, it's one of those devils!"

"What!?" His companion yelled. He pulled out a communication device and gave his orders. "Everyone be alert! The enemy has made the first move!"

"It looks like he's saying something to her." 

"Can you see his lips? What's he saying?"

"No idea?" The sound of breaking glass was then heard. "What the hell?"

The monster landed right where Rosalix had been standing. "Damn! It's a Demon! By the looks of it, it's a Level 3!" The man with the blue eyes yelled again to the others. "Everyone! Get all the civilians out now! Me and Fernando will take care of it..." His voice trailed off as he observed Rosalix jump over it as it lunged at her. When he saw the scythe appear in her hand, he knew that her power had been triggered. Her swing was too fast even for him to see. When the Demon dissolved, all had fallen silent.

"Hey, Samuel?" Fernando asked. "What should we do now?" Samuel was clueless as to how to fix this. This public display of her power has complicated the entire mission. Damn, he thought, it's all because of those devils!

Above on the rooftop.   

"You really made a mess of things didn't you?" A figure on the rooftop asked. The group of seven who had also been tailing Rosalix were discussing the events that had just unfolded. The bright full moon illuminated their bodies and casted their shadows along the roof. Sirens of police officers could be heard from the streets below. Howling wind blew through the night, like an echo of the beast's roar.

"Of course I did." It was the same man with the red bandanna that Rosalix had just spoken to.

"Did you give her the items?" Another person asked, this one was leaning over the window and observing the chaos below in the building.

"Yes, I made sure." The man started walking to the window to view Rosalix as well. "After all, those were her's to begin with." He smiled, a gleam of mischief in his eyes.

"Now that her powers no longer remain dormant, Demons will always be going after her. Those so called 'Guardians' will not be able to handle her very well either." He extended his arms outwards, making his shadow look like he had devil wings. "Now then, the tragedy from five years ago will continue! Let the games begin!"  

Author's Note

Please offer any criticism, regardless if it's good or bad.