The Queen Of Death and Ruins

Phantoms of darkness

I ran like my life depended on it.

My heart was pounding like thunder in my ears, my breath came out in small spurts and my lungs were on fire, begging me to stop. I didn’t know the reason behind my sudden rush but I had the feeling that I was being chased. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw something resembling a hooded figure making its way towards me and out of panic, I clenched my sweaty fists tightly and swung them forward in hope of running even faster before it could catch me. I made a fast turn in the first alley that met me in hopes of losing my pursuer for a bit and I kept running, looking for a place to hide, but I halted to a stop once I reached a dead end.

I cursed my rotten luck and turned around to face whoever was on my tail. I was breathing loudly and a feeling of utter terror consumed me, but I was not going down without a fight.

“Show yourself!” I yelled at the darkness, hoping nobody would come out and this would all be a nightmare. But what I saw next sent shivers down my spine. Cloaked figures hovering just above the ground surrounded me from every direction, their screeches piercing the silence of the night. I had only heard about these creatures before, they were a cautionary tale every Mystic had to hear several times to keep us in check. But seeing them here, breathing down my neck, was sickening. I quickly glanced around me, assessing the situation, and I realized that if I were to escape, I needed to fight. Just as I willed it, light blazed all around me, surrounding me like a protective wall, and I smiled as magic burned through my veins. The feeling was like nothing else I had ever experienced and I relished in the power it provided me. I felt strong and in control as the silver light around me expanded, incinerating the closest figure that stood in its way. The shadow-like creatures screeched even louder and retreated, seemingly taken aback by the powerful blast.

Unfortunately, their retreat didn’t last long. The sound of high heels against the stone ground soon reached my ears and the shadows made way for something, or someone to come through. Recognition struck me and even though I couldn’t see the face under the cloak in front of me, I seemed to know exactly who it was.

Darkness coiled around me like a venomous snake, reaching out to extinguish the light I had summoned. I was in such a state of shock, I couldn't bring myself to fight back.

“How could you?” I yelled, anger, betrayal and fear coursed through my veins like fire.

She pushed her cloak back, reaching for something in the folds of her dress. It shimmered under the moonlight as she pulled it out, and my eyes widened in shock when I recognized the symbols that were hovering around the blade.
She took a few steps forward, closing the distance between us and cackled, that loud, familiar, obnoxious laugh, and twirled the dagger between her fingers.

The shadowy figures surrounded us in anticipation, their twisted features reflecting their dark souls, and sneered. A soft whimper escaped my lips as she held the dagger firmly in her hands, and with one swift move she plunged it in my chest.

****


“Are you ready for your  first day of classes?” Zephyr beamed at me from behind the counter as she poured herself a second cup of coffee. She was the first one of us to get up, seemingly excited to start the day.

“It’s too early for you to be this chipper Z. Tone it down a bit.” Kira came down the stairs, her blue hair sticking out in every direction.

“I wish I could be half as excited as you are Zephyr. Instead all I feel is stress, terror and more stress. You know I changed my shirt twice so far? I keep sweating through my clothes.” I fanned down my armpits, praying this lace black top wouldn’t expose my nervousness.