Twisted Reality AU

Prologue

The ground felt cool against Alex's ankle, as he kneeled near the overflowing books sobbing. It first started off as just sorting out the books, but thoughts and doubts crept up on Alexander Stowe, the new head mage of Artime. He buried his head in his soggy palms, drenched in tears. He had made it through the harrowing journey of saving his friends from Warbler, restoring Artime, and getting off those horrible tournaments, yet he felt horrible.

He pushed back his Hair which started to stick on him as tears somehow got to his front locks of hair. His mind swarmed in thoughts, memories. The image of Simber thrusting into the ocean kept playing in his mind, and the horrible complaints and whines of starving Artimeans groaned in his ear.

Overwhelmed, he threw the book in his hand against the wall, causing a momentarily thud, distracting the voices in his head. "Why me..." he muttered, his voice faltering. Alex shifted to a new position, and took off his--Mr.Today's robe. "I can't do this...!" his voice pushed at 'can't'. He quivered, and then broke down in louder sobs. The air filled with groans and cries, echoing in this empty space.

Mr.Today had left Alex heavily unprepared, forcing him into this role. He had no choice but to take it as everyone had believed Alex was prepared. Not only that, but he was practically alone. Everyone had constantly complained to him, besides the few that only occasionally helped him. He felt used.

"I'm Tired, Mr.Today!" he bursted, swiping his tears quickly. "I'm just fourteen...FOURTEEN." His voice rasped, and shook. He exhaled deeply, and took in shuddering breaths.

"Everyone is looking at me!! I can not do this. I'm not good enough..." He spat that last sentence, sounding ragged. He looked at his shaky hands holding the robe. Alex grunted and threw the robe across the ground, and heard its soft echo as it fell against a wall. "I'm Sick...and Tired..." he wiped his wet lashes, as tears flooded down his cheeks. "They complain...They just look at me....They expect everything from me. How..." the rest of the sentence broke into ragged sobs and bursts of Anger. He punched the ground, numb. "I never wanted this...this is not..."

Alex stopped, looked at the skidded robe, and then at himself. His breathing ragged and quick, started growing heavy. His saddened face grew resentful, eyes growing cold. "Mr.Today...how dare you do this to me. How dare Artime do this to me...". Each word he said grew bolder. Every Sentence was sharp, cold. Alex stumbled up, only glancing at his puddle of tears for a second before his eyes switched to the robe. He exhaled a shuddering breath, and walked to the robe, picking it up, and smoothly adjusting it on him. He shut his eyes for a minute, focusing on his breath. This wasn't right. He shouldn't be crying over his own residents. HE was in power now. "Fine." he said, sharply, eyes fixed to adjusting his sleeve. "If I'm in Power, then I'm in power. But this time, I'm not playing nice."