The Hourglass

Chapter III.

The skull roared maliciously and charged towards me. I had to act, fast. With my intuition in place, I decided to use magic against the creature. However, I wasn't manage to say anything nor etched any runes but I found myself lose consciousness for a few seconds where I ended up in a dark pit that was full of anger and despair. I couldn't decipher where this hatred came from but for a very brief moment in time, I was spirituality pulled out of the building and deep into a vision where I was quite surprised when I saw two people. That's Amelie. And the other- is that me? The vision took place inside Amelie's wooden cabin and I could see Amelie narrowed her eyes as she looked at the girl.

Amelie: Marzia, sweetie..Please! Listen to me! You can't do this!

Marzia: Don't call me that! I hate it, I hate you!

Amelie: You don't mean that, this isn't like you!

Marzia: It isn't? How would you know?! You never took the time to know me- only father did and now he's dead! They took him from me and now he's dead! They should all fucking burn for what they did!

Amelie: You can't do that! Marzia! That's not the way. It won't bring him back and it won't make you feel any better.

Marzia: I don't care! Get out the way or I'll burn you too!

Amelie: I..Alright..go.

Blinded by anger, Marzia stormed out of Amelie's house where she slammed the door behind her. Amelie fell to her knees, tears started to stream down from her eyes to her cheeks as she weeped silently.

Amelie: Marzia..

The vision ended abruptly and I was face to face with the skull creature once more. My heart somehow ached, perhaps it was the remnants of Marzia's rage and despair. The feeling was mixed with years of pain and guilt over my own parents' death and the idea of summoning something dark.

Julius: What the hell is that?!

Before I could reply him, I heard Amelie's voice in my head.

Amelie: What the hell indeed!

Amelie? You're in my head!

Amelie: Well, the brush I gave you? It also gives you telepathy, a way for me to keep in touch with you no matter where you are.  I must say, I didn't expect it'd be as entertaining as this!

Then, as my focus came back, several black tendrils bursted from the underground and tightly coiled around the skull's arm and legs. The skull choked as another tendril wrapped around its neck and squeezed with its immense force. Subconsciously, I somehow felt an invisible force doing the same to me.

Julius: No! You shall not have her!

Julius's staff began to glow brightly, waves of light bursted from it where it streamed towards my direction, only to be deflected by its effects. Julius was then flung backwards, his head hitting hard on the wall, rendered him unconscious.

No, I can't breathe!

The last thing I saw before I lost consciousness were the black tendrils tearing the skull's head apart, following with the rest.

Amelie: Sleep well, sweetie.

----

Sometime later when my consciousness returned, I realised I was no longer on the cold stone floor. I slightly opened my eyes to realise that Julius was carrying me with his muscular arms.

Jasmin: W..Where am I?

Julius: Ah, you are awake! That's good- I was worried.

I glanced around at the buildings nearby, where each were more desolated and derelict than the last.