Morning strikes Aero city. The birds are singing outside the ragged apartment of Shay Shuppet.

"The time?" I muttered to myself as he rolled over to look at the old wooden clock hung up on my wall. "6:30 AM huh? I better get up otherwise I’ll be late". I said sluggishly as I shuffled out of my bed and straight onto the hard-wooden floor with a thud.

“Fhew.” I sighed sitting up from the floor as my blanket sat over my face. “That sure woke me up…”

-Clunk, Clunk, Clunk-

The sound of someone knocking on the door fiercely with the metal door knocker outside the apartment echoed through the room bouncing off the red brick walls like a basketball.

“Yes, yes I’m coming.” I announced sloppily as I stood up and made my way towards the door.

-Ker, chunk-

The door unlocked and Shay slowly opened it an inch, peeping his head around the side just enough to see the unsightly display of his landlords grotesque gob, his face; not exactly the most ugly thing in the world, sat there right up close to the door, his short black hair and stubble were clear as day. He wasn’t exactly hideous; just with his face came bad news, which made Shay revolt him.

I slowly opened the door just an inch and peered around the corner to be met my old landlords senile face, he was so close to the door his stubble was almost brushing against me.

“How can I help you Mr Miller.” I asked opening the door fully with a fake smile splashed on my face.

“The ‘ell was that thud.” Asked Mr Miller in his ‘upstanding’ accent.

“Ah, I just fell out of bed, my bad Sir.” I replied trying not to get on his bad side this early in the morning.

“Yer better be. Also, yer 2 days behin’ on yer rent. When’d ye plan on paying that?”

“Ah well this is the final day of Guard interviews and I’m going today. If I get accepted, I should get my pay check at the end of the week.” I replied still hardly keep up my fake smile.

“End of the week?!” Shrilled Mr Miller. “Hrmph! That ain’t good enough. I’ll need it by Thursday at the latest, I gotta pay off a lil somethin’. Get it to me by Thursday yer hear.” Exclaimed Mr Miller before turning around, slamming the door shut.

“Psh, that old man, comes at me for making noise then goes and slams my door.” I muttered as I began to hobble over to my miniscule kitchen and prepare myself a meal.

I would always have sausages and eggs each morning. It was one of my favourite meals for breakfast. As the pan sizzled away, I changed into a fresh pair of clothes, a white turtleneck and a thin black blazer. Accompanied by some tight black pants.

As I finished getting changed and finished eating my meal, I began to make my way out of my apartment complex and out into the bright, bustling streets of Aero City. I gazed around at the people on their way to work in the morning as the sun light shone down on me, forcing me to squint my eyes. I breathed in the fresh air as I smelt the aroma of the local flower shops setting out their display units.

The morning really was the best time in this city. Not too crowded but not too calm either. I decided to take a trip to Café Locust. It had been there since I was young and was my favourite place to go for Coffee in the morning. The owner, Roosevelt, made the best coffee in town and business was booming for him recently.

Locust was in the opposite direction to the guard station so it would be quite the trek back, but I didn’t really mind if it meant I could have some of Roosevelts delicious delicacies.

After a lengthy walk towards Café Locust I glanced over towards a baker shop that was situated across the street.

-SMASH-

Someone had come rocketing out of the window and straight onto the cobblestone road.

He was wearing a black overcoat and a black hat with a white feather sticking out, he had black tight cargo pants on with a thin metal chain on his left leg. He scraped along the ground as if he had been pushed out of the window with great force, he left a trail of blood on the ground as large glass shards stuck out of his arms and legs.

The man sat on his left arm and front legs in a bridge position, he held out his right arm and fired a plasma energy blast into the dilapidated store front. Smoke from the blast engulfed the inside of the store, making it impossible to see in. Seconds passed as the man sat on the floor in the same position waiting for the smog to clear.

Just as it seemed nothing was going to happen; a sharp piece of wood came flying out of the smoke straight at the man in black. He just managed to dodge, the sharp wood slashing across his cheek. As the man rolled over on the ground and turned to face the building once again, he charged up and fired another energy blast.

He was using the Plasma element, the base type magicka, some people have an affinity for other elements, Water, Air, Rock, Ice, Fire and Electricity. Some elements are rarer than others since you can learn different techniques that can be used with them. Depending on how strong your affinity is for said element, you can do things like turn your entire body into water or manipulate air around you.

As the man fired his energy blast into the building again, another energy blast came shooting back at him almost simultaneously as his entered the building. Once again, the man dodged just enough so the attack didn’t hit him, it boomed into the road to the right of him, but the blast was so powerful it sent him flying down the street almost 2 meters away.

A crowd had begun to form and a few guards who were on patrol a street down heard the explosion and came running to investigate. As I became distracted by the increasing crowd, I hadn’t noticed that the wounded man had vanished.

Huh… How did he get away with those wounds? I thought to myself as Roosevelt, the café owner, came waltzing out after noticing me to ask about the commotion.

“Did you see that?” Asked Roosevelt who was the most shocked I’d ever seen him.

“Yeah, that was so weird. Especially first thing in the morning.” I replied looking on at the aftermath.

Just as we began talking a man in an apron came crying out of the battlegrounds, presumably the store owner, he began bellowing about the state of the shop.

“Uaagh, my beautiful bakery! My pristine poetry! My wonderful window!” He collapsed on his knees and began howling at the top of his lungs. A few guards came over and quickly escorted him in the direction of the Guard station, presumably for questioning.

“Hmm, that was Mr Ricardo, he is a baker from Lazarus who writes poetry in his spare time, he wants to make it big in the poetry scene to take after his father who is one of the bigger writers back in his homeland. He just wants to make his father proud. Seeing him as he is makes me feel sympathetic towards him.” Said Roosevelt.

“Yeah, I feel awful for him. I hope its all sorted out.” I replied as I watched him get carried away by the guards.

“Well, how about you come into my café Shay. Take your mind off things y’know. Today is your big day at the Guards station, right? Your drink is on me.” Said Roosevelt who was shedding a welcoming smile as he always had done.

“Sure thing! Thanks!” I said excitedly as we strolled into the Café. “Oh, did you get a new carpet fitted? I asked delightfully.

“Why, yes I did!” Replied Roosevelt. “I thought the red carpet contrasted with the black walls and red seats much nicer than what we had before. I even added some nice potted plants by the glass door entrance. How do you like it?” Asked Roosevelt.

“Yeah, it’s really aesthetically pleasing.” I replied as I sat down on one of the stools at the bar and Roosevelt began mixing up a mocha for me.

“So how has your training been coming along, Shay?” Asked Roosevelt as he turned and placed a freshly made mocha coffee on the bar in front of me.

“Yeah, it’s been coming along great. I spent the past few weeks doing some gruelling training every morning to prepare for my duties as a guard.” I replied as I sipped on my mocha.

“I’m glad to hear it.” Replied Roosevelt. “I’m sure you’ll make a great guard” He said while smiling at me.

“Thanks.” I said while smiling back and taking another sip from my mocha.

10 minutes had passed as I slowly sipped on my mocha and finished my conversation with Roosevelt. and began my trek to the guard station.

As I strolled down the street in the direction of the guard’s station, I noticed Amelia, a childhood friend of mine, I made eye contact with her and she began walking over.

"Hey Shay." Amelia said warmly.

"Hey!" I replied. "I was just heading to the guard’s station for my interview, since I'm 17 now so I can sign up".

"Oh yeah, that’s today isn’t it. I remember you mentioned it yesterday at your birthday party. Yesterday was so fun; we should hang out like that again sometime.” Amelia exclaimed giddily.

"Yeah I enjoyed myself too. How about we meet up later tonight and we can go to Roosevelts café or something" I asked excitedly with a massive grin on my face.

"Sure thing, I'd love to." Amelia said smiling back softly.

"Alright, I’ll have to get going or else I’ll be late, meet me in front of my apartment at 8" I responded eagerly.

"Okay, see you at 8 then. Good luck at the guard station, don't hurt yourself or anything." Said Amelia worryingly

"I won’t do, don't worry about me" I exclaimed as I began making my way down the street.

Man, she is always so cute. Shay thought to himself as he ran onward towards the guard station.

As I sauntered up upon the guard station I peered up at its imposing figure. It spouted 3 floors and its intimidating presence began to loom in on me. "Man, now that I’m here I'm getting a little nervous." I muttered to myself as I laughed nervously.

"Indeed, on a big day like this anyone ought to."

“Huh!?” I turned around to see a 6ft man who appeared to be the same age and height as me. He had white hair and emerald green eyes.

“Sorry… Who are you?” I responded genuinely shocked at his introduction.

"I'm Zane, pleasure to meet you, I'm here to sign up with the guards. You are too right?"

"Uh yes. I'm Shay, nice to meet you."

"Well no use loafing around out here, let’s go in, Shay." Said Zane with a massive grin on his face.

Man, I’m usually happy-go-lucky, but this guy is next level, he is either super confident he will pass the interview or doesn't care all that much about it and is here as a joke or something. Thought Shay.

As we wandered into the Guard station I peered around at the dark wooden floor and walls that were accompanied by green carpets. To the right of the entrance was a lounge area and right in front of us was a reception desk.

“Huh, this is much friendlier that I expected.” I said out loud to Zane who was peering up the spiral stairs that shot around the reception desk.

“Yeah you’re right. It’s fancy in here.” Chuckled Zane as we walked forward towards the reception.

-THUD, THUD-

“Are you two here to sign up with the guards of Aero city?" Uttered an intimidating voice from behind.

I turned to be met with this 6-foot 5 giant standing straight in front of me. His muscles were insane, and he spouted a white and gold guards uniform. The white and gold uniform is only worn by the 8 Roses. They are the strongest warriors in the kingdom who have proven their strength in battle and are well respected by everyone.

Each of the 4 kingdoms have 8 warriors named Roses who are appointed by the cities council to maintain peace. What was someone so powerful doing in a place like this?

"Hey, yeah we are, do you know where we should go?" Announced Zane.

Is he serious? Speaking to a Rose like that! I thought as I watched Zane speak with him as if he knew him his whole life.

"Yeah, Come this way." Said the imposing man.

"Ohh by the way, we haven't introduced ourselves have we, I'm Zane and this is Shay."

"Hm? Yeah, My name’s Diablo, I'm one of the Roses in this city."

HUH!? Diablo? I knew he was a Rose, but he’s is the strongest Rose in the entire city! Seriously what is he doing in such a side guard station like this! I thought as I was struck in bewilderment.

"Through here, they will call you 1 by 1. For a small interview." Said Diablo in a guttural tone.

The two of us went into the room filled with a cast of numerous others’ and sat down. After waiting for 10 minutes we were both called into two separate rooms one after the other.

"That- That was easier than I had thought..." I said as I sighed in relief. As I ventured down the staircase, I saw Zane sitting in the lounge area. Presumably waiting for me.

"Hey, how'd it go Zane?" I asked.

"Oh hey, it was way too easy, what did they ask you?"

"Just normal questions, where I was born, how old I was and why I wanted to sign up with the guard’s guild. Way easier and a lot simpler than what I had imagined."

"Yeah, you were sweating bullets before you stumbled in there with that nervous look on your face." Laughed Zane.

"Hey, shut up man." I replied jokingly.

"Anyway, wanna head to get something to drink? We don't have to start guard duties until tomorrow." Asked Zane.

“Sure thing.” I replied as we began walking towards the exit.

Just as we were about to walk out, we heard a door swing open aggressively behind us.

"Hey you two." Said a familiarly imposing voice. "Here are your Guard Uniforms and Recruit badges, I regret to inform you that there is an emergency and we need to send you out right now. Go get changed in the locker rooms right away."

"Diablo?” I said worryingly. "What's wrong, did something happen?"

"There has been a demon sighting near a small village on the outskirts of the city."

"There is going to be a massacre."