Not even on Earth did things seem normal that evening. Even in the small town of Elkridge. Everyone was walking, laughing, some of the lights were on, the sunsets were calm, full of orange and lavender. But beneath the hush of that sunset something old awakened. Olivia was at her window, sweeping back her long dark locks to display her left shoulder. The same spot she was all too used to conceal. A red gem there that throbbing low under her skin, like a heartbeat, pulsating, faintly, with a rhythm not her. She found out when she was just fourteen. Her life had never been quite
Not frightened. Because she was not. Olivia had no idea how to be frightened. Not of the darkness, not of the secrets, not even of a vision that plagued her in her dreams fire, black wings, golden eyes and a voice that murmured her name like a promise. Or a warning.
Half a world away, in another realm shrouded by fire and shadow - the chaos of the Demon World beat like a heart. At its heart - Alex. King. But not just of the demons, but the one who harbored within him the precious mix of hellfire and heaven. His eyes - razor-shod - darkened with centuries of battle, betrayal, and power untold.
And yet. Even amid danger to life, and power, he heard something. Something that wanted to whisper his name. Far apart, fragile, a flame on a string of fate heated to his soul.
She is dawning up. Alex whispered. His voice silky, deep, floating in the dark corridors of his palace. A fracture of barrier. And he knew the girl linked to him, the girl with his strength - was finally stirring up the scales.
What she didn't know yet was this:
Her own world was never truly hers.
The Spring Air, the blossoms on trees in Elkridge blooming tiny white flowers, a white perfume of new beginnings, the students scampering from school gates, laughter echoing up, jogging off, looking simply. An ordinary day. The kind that makes you wish ease were possible.
A boy stood nervously by the old oak outside the library with a small box still in his hand. Eyes still glancing over to the girl coming up with a soft footfalls, puzzled smile and hair braided slacking.
"Hi," he tried to make himself speak.
"hi," she answered with a turn of her head. "Okay?
He broke the box open and pulled something out, a ring. A modest one, but sirver, growing winn sincerity.
She is dawning up. Alex whispered. His voice silky, deep, floating in the dark corridors of his palace. A fracture of barrier. And he knew the girl linked to him, the girl with his strength - was finally stirring up the scales.
What she didn't know yet was this:
Her own world was never truly hers.
The Spring Air, the blossoms on trees in Elkridge blooming tiny white flowers, a white perfume of new beginnings, the students scampering from school gates, laughter echoing up, jogging off, looking simply. An ordinary day. The kind that makes you wish ease were possible.
A boy stood nervously by the old oak outside the library with a small box still in his hand. Eyes still glancing over to the girl coming up with a soft footfalls, puzzled smile and hair braided slacking.
"Hi," he tried to make himself speak.
"hi," she answered with a turn of her head. "Okay?
He broke the box open and pulled something out, a ring. A modest one, but silver, glowing with sincerity.
I know, we're kid. I know this is dumb. But I like you. Like a lot. Will you be mine? "
She blinked. Just once. Then smiled.
Before she could say -
With invisible claws sever, and darkness. Silence. A flash.
As though a Reality Tear had ripped them.