The Upheaval of Mystics

Prologue

Nicholas Scott blinked rapidly, attempting to clear the spots in his eyes from the strobing lights as he entered the club. A strange tingling sensation spreading across his body making his hairs stand up on end. It was opening night at yet another night club, this one obnoxiously called Starlight, and they always pulled out all the stops, blowing smoke up every 'VIP' that deigned to make an appearance, the staff dressed so impeccably they looked like the 3D models you find in high-end shopping malls.

Nick hated these events, but he hated the constant badgering of his family more should he fail to 'uphold the family name' whatever that meant. They cared far more about what people thought about the beloved Scott family than he did but being the oldest son and shining star he was forced to occasionally entertain them to get any semblance of peace in his life.

Nick quietly slipped around the photographer lining people up to take shots of everyone dressed in their finery, jewels and precious bracelets sparkling. The enchantment placed upon the club provided each guest with a softly glowing aura of twinkling lights, intended to look like stars against the pure black crushed velvet that lined the walls. The lights pulsed in time with the music, a bass filed track of several songs mashed together into some new Frankenstein's monster that passed for a club remix in this place.

"Well, at least the name makes sense now" he muttered to himself as he tried in vain to wave away the twinkling lights around him to no avail. Huffing, Nick headed towards the bar waving a hand to bring up the AR display and peruse the menu of overpriced and ridiculous named drinks.

"Sapphire Blue, Diamond Water, Dragons Blood, Tears of Midas?" Nick frowned as he pondered what sick bastard would harvest the flavor of a man's tears, let alone a greedy, sad, lonely man's tears. He waved the AR display away and attempted to flag down the bartender, a young fit man that appeared to be sculpted from clay with hair combed back into a pompadour that bounced every time he turned his head. Nick tried to hold in a snicker as the bartender bounced his way towards him, then continued right past like he didn't exist.

Nick sighed, bringing up the AR display and flicking a finger on the scroll wheel as it whirred through the different drinks available. Nick randomly stabbed a finger at one and pressed the confirmation of his order, a small glowing tray appeared next to his AR menu and he looked dubiously at the fizzing red drink slowly rotating in place. 'Ifrit Hellfire' his digital receipt read and a small ticker displaying his credits popped up in the corner of his vision, three hundred of which floated to the air to the cash register at the bar. As the prompt for a tip popped up, Nick frowned before he finally taped the 'Cash' option, apparently at the Starlight tipping was a requirement.

"They have to be joking if they think I am going to tip señor floppy over there" he muttered to himself as he lifted the glass to his mouth and threw back the drink, the tingle of cinnamon filling his mouth and nose as a burning sensation rolled down his throat into his belly. Nick coughed and spluttered making a sour face "Ugh, Ifrit Hellfire? More like Ifrit's Piss, who the hell came up with this"

"I don't know, I kind of like the spice and warm feeling that spreads through your body from that drink," a voice said from behind him as a woman walked up next to him at the bar. Her dress a dark red that seemed to somehow give off a faint orange glow as if she were smoldering. A moment later, Nick too began to glow in a similar fashion as he felt the warmth of a hearth fire crackle across his skin. The two auras swirling around each other as if being driven by currents of heat. Nick stared at his arm and then at her, sliding the drink across the bar. "Well, it still leaves a bad taste in the mouth" he muttered as he turned back to the bar.

The woman sat next to him and reached out her hand "Hmm, well my name is Shasta and I would love to buy you something" she paused, her eyes looking Nick up and down "more your style mister" she trailed off with a gentle smile. "Scott, Nicholas Scott" Nick took her hand and shook it, the action more reflex than anything as he pushed away from the bar. "Also, I appreciate the offer, but I think I am going to go. I showed up, had my picture taken, and I have a receipt for that ridiculously overpriced glass of... whatever that was supposed to be. My responsibilities are met, and this place is definitely not my style." He gave a curt bow as he pushed himself away from the bar and began to walk out.

Shasta reached out and grabbed Nick's shoulder, pulling him up short. "Wait, Nicholas, I don't want to be here any more than you. I only came over because you were the only person here who seemed to be half as ready to puke as I was with all... all of this" she motioned with her hand. "Some rich kid asked me to come here as his arm candy and shooed me off once he saw the call girls, so now I am stuck at this bar with drinks that cost more than my monthly rent. "You wouldn't leave me, alone would you?" she gave him a pitiful doe-eyed look, her lip pouting ever so slightly.

Nick rolled his eyes and motioned for her to follow him as he made a beeline for the door, dodging through the crowd toward the freedom of the cool night air. When he reached the street, Nick waved his hand to hail an automated cab to whir silently forward.

He went to open the door as a something hit the back of his head with a thud, causing him to smack his forehead into the cab door. "Ow. What the hell!" he shouted turning as he saw Shasta glaring at him, her face almost as red as her dress.

"What's the big idea asshole, leading me out of the club and then trying to ditch me by hopping into a cab? Do you have any idea how hard it is to run down steps in these ridiculous heels! I could have died!" she shouted, smacking him on the arm with her purse again.

"Hey, hey, hey, take it easy!" Nick stammered as he pulled back, putting the cab door between her and him "I was getting you a cab". He backed up holding his arms in a surrender pose before bowing and motioning her to enter the cab like some elegant carriage. Shasta huffed and climbed into the cab, kicking off her heels before poking her head out "Sorry, I just.... Sorry." She looked away, blushing. "I-uh... nevermind. Are you coming?" she asked as she scooted further into the cab. "No. The cab is for you, I drove myself." Nick shut the door as he spun on his heel and headed towards the parking garage.

He sighed as he heard the car door slam behind him, the sound of bare feet slapping on the pavement. "Would you just..." Nick spun around just in time as a blade pierced through his chest. Shasta's face displaying a wicked grin as she pulled the knife up and then out, backing away to let him fall to the floor. Nick's vision began to turn red around the edges and he felt as if he was looking down on his body from above. Slowly his vision faded to black and the white letters 'You've Died' appeared in his vision. "That bitch!" Nick yelled as he ripped the VR headset off and threw it across the room. His chest heaving for breath as the simulated pain faded from his chest. The game's sensors only letting a fraction of the pain come through, but it still wasn't comfortable being stabbed in the heart.

He stood up and ran his fingers through his hair with a heavy sigh, "Well, that was unexpected" he said aloud to himself, his mouth forming into a small grin as he picked up the headset and set it on the charging dock. "Unexpected indeed" his grin turning into a full smile and his heavy breathing becoming laughter as he fell back into his bed to sleep.