The Reckoning

Chapter 1: Torn

"Into the darkness they go, the wise and the lovely. "

- Edna St. Vincent Millay

7 years ago

*CRACK* A loud sound cracked, breaking the sky apart above them. Darkness spread across the blue sky, a pattern resembling the branches of dead trees. Dark mists spread across the ground engulfing the people who couldn't run fast enough.

A group of teenagers huddled together, frantically discussing their next move against the darkness claiming the world they loved. Their clothes were coated in blood, their bodies in scratches from their endless attempts to fight off the creatures that haunted the sidewalks. They were slowly realizing that there was no hope.

"I… I'm not sure guys… It seems like he already knows our every move…" The red clad leader said, each of his words dripping with desperation.

A few months ago the group of friends realized their world was in danger… The six of them being the only hope left in it. They were up against the darkest evil Earth has ever had to face. They lacked the skills and experience needed, nothing preparing them for the end… The end that was approaching faster with each passing second.

Alvin's blue eyes slid along the faces of the others in the huddle, noting the looks of defeat of hopelessness on them. He took in a deep breath, his thoughts interrupted by the boy standing to his left.

"We can't just stand here huddled and give up! We at least have to try!" The words came from one of his brothers, Simon. Simon was always the one who pushed Alvin back into reality when his thoughts derailed into the worst situation. Though his words sounded full of confidence, deep down Simon was full of doubt. He reached his hand up, wiping blood that dripped from his forehead.

Another crack echoed through the sky above them, shaking the city of Los Angeles. The group huddled closer, the sky above them ripping apart at the seams. Dark mist leaked through, breathing in the city.

Jeanette let out a shuddered breath, tears leaving streaks as they fell against her dusted cheeks. "You… You guys are my best friends. Don't forget that…" The words slipped out of her shaking lips, her arms gripping Simon's on her right and her sister Britney on her left.

"Jean… Don't talk like that! We can still fight," the short, blonde said from across the huddle to her sister. She hardly believed the words herself. Her bandaged hand tightened around Brittany's arm as her eyes caught sight of the approaching mist.

Brittany glanced at each of her sisters, her heart sinking as she felt the final ounce of hope leave them. They were going to lose…She looked up at the sky, squinting as she tried to look past the dark fog. Our world is literally being ripped apart… "Jeanette is right," her words were dull, "I just don't see us being able to fight back this time." She avoided the eyes that pegged her from across the huddle. She couldn't handle the disappointment she knew filled them.

Alvin's lips pressed together in a tight line, his attention switching to his brothers as he realized she had given up to. He pulled them closer to him, his arms draped over their shoulders.

"Giving up so soon?" A deep voice filled the air around them, followed by a dark chuckle. "What a shame… I wasn't done entertaining myself with you. How does it feel to watch your precious world be ripped apart and you can't do anything about it? Just give in." The figure was grinning, he already begun to celebrate his victory.

He lifted his dark staff, a red crystal gleaming at the end of it. With a hard slam, he brought it down against the ground, splitting the street. Darkness spilled from the crack, hugging the forms of buildings and people. Pedestrians were dragged into the darkness, the mist gripping their ankles.

Ripping. That was the last sound they heard before the mist engulfed their huddled forms in a matter of seconds. This was the day that changed life as they knew it. Their world turned to worlds. This was the day the dark king Kamus stole a piece of their world for himself. This was the day the world spit into three. This was the day of The Reckoning.

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A/N

Hello! I've never really written fan fiction… And if I have, it wasn't for this site. I got a random spark of inspiration to write a darker story and I hope some of you follow along for the ride! I'm a bit new to this stuff, but please let me know what you think!

This universe is definitely an AU and nothing like the world we know.

Thank you!