The Curse of The Dark Hades

Chapter 2: Dreams - Alexander Radcliffe

Alex faded in and out of consciousness, feeling like he was high on drugs.

His murky vision brightened abruptly, and he groaned, not wanting his drugged state to end. He drifted back into the bleak canvas of his conscious, and let sleep overtake him once more.

Alexander Radcliffe. A voice echoed.

Alex jumped. The first thing he noticed once he opened his heavy eyelids, was that he wasn't anywhere near the places he'd known all his life. It was a black nothing, like he was watching the universe; like he was the universe. Watching from afar, he knew this was the life gods lived.

Alexander. The voice called again.

Who are you? Alex yelled into the void.

Geez, youngster, no need to yell, I'm not deaf! The voice said, its tone laced with pain.

Sorry... Alex said. Who are you? He asked, saying it in a more normal volume.

I'm no one to be your concern. You will find out soon. I'm here to warn you that my arch-nemesis, the Dark Hades, who is the head of a organisation bent on destroying this world- The voice was cut off.

What? Why? Alex asked, surprised. It's not every day you find out your life is in danger and a random stranger is telling you that this weird psycho guy is trying to kill you and destroy the world.

Stop interrupting me, young man. As I was saying, the Dark Hades is trying to destroy the world. I know this might be a bit too overboard to be asking for help with saving the world, but you are one of the twelve that will be the only hope of the world surviving. The voice sighed.

What do you mean, one of the twelve? Alex asked.

No, no, no. I have said too much already. The voice took on a nervous note, and disguised it poorly. Let me show you what will happen if you and the others fail at saving this world.

But I don't want to know- Alex yelled, but it was too late. His vision of the black, quiet universe he spoke to the voice in slowly faded, and was replaced by bright, burnt strokes of colour. The world before his eyes transformed from the dark night with unlimited depth, to the cracked, permanently sunset coloured ground.

Men and women alike were dressed in burnt, dirty rags, and their expressions were pained and pleading. Alex felt his body appear in slides. He took in his surroundings, noticing for the first time that a black obsidian throne was placed smack-dab in the clearing.

The voice's owner appeared beside Alex, wearing a black cloak and his back facing Alex.

Do you see? This is what will happen if you and your accomplices don't succeed. Dark Hades will have what he wants and rule the world.

But... why me? What happened to me that made me have to lift this burden? Alex asked.

I'm sorry, child, but the moment you were chosen by the meteor's red shard, you had the responsibility of saving the world from Dark Hades' clutches. The only way you can save this world is to journey to Boston to find the first one who can help you. The voice replied, a hint of sadness seeping into his tone.

I have already told you too much. The voice became sharp, cut off. But remember, Alexander, you will choose to be good or evil. This choice rests on you. I will always be by your side, watching. Goodbye for now.

The cloaked man turned around, the edge of his cloak swirling in the dusty, dry wind, his hood tilting back a little, allowing Alex to catch a glimpse of what lied beneath.

Alex sucked in a staccato breath. It couldn't be. That person was dead, wasn't he? The whole family saw his corpse, and he cried the whole time in his funeral.

It couldn't really be Uncle Austin, could it?

But it was too late to ask; the cracked landscape faded until Alex's eyes opened to see his room.

He stared at the ceiling, thinking of what the supposed Uncle Austin said. He twisted his head to the side, deep in thought.

On his bedside table, lay a delicate piece of paper Alex's mother used to write a note. Alex snapped out of his thoughts and propped himself up on his elbow.

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Hey Alex, I found you lying under a tree last night in the park. I hope you're alright, just rest more, okay sweetie?

By the way, I wrote this note to tell you I and your dad will be away for a while, still unknown yet, but it will at least be two or three months. I transfered some money for your food fees and some extra for your inconvenience into your bank account already. Don't spend it all at once, okay? I and your dad won't transfer more, so watch how you spend that money.

I hope you're independent enough to be at home alone for a while. Don't throw any wild parties, okay? ;)

-Love, Mom

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Alex stared at his mom's note, contemplating on what to do. His mom and dad were gone, which left him free to his own desicions.

Should he leave to Boston or ignore the strange man's words?

His feet carried him to the front of his computer and he automatically entered in the URL for overseas bus ticket sales.

Well, that made his desicion for him.