AN: This is just a break from my other story. If you want to check that out, it's The Tip of the Iceberg: Robin's Beginning over in Movies/Batman Begins/The Dark Night. That story will be updated much more frequently. As always, thanks for reading.

Niko Serris had the ability to be handsome. He was tall, his bones were fine, he had dark hair and green eyes, but he never worked on it. In high school, he was not athletic and he never kept to a schedule. His muscle definition was at a zero. It's not that he couldn't be athletic, it's just he didn't bother. Students would cast him out; so, in the end, he hung with the 'geeks'. His gaming skills were superb. Never once did he go to a school dance or even on a proper date where the girls didn't tell him they "just wanted to be friends." Those girls usually ended up mocking him the next day.

None of this got Niko down; in fact he didn't mind it at all. He was a bit of a loner, and he liked it that way. He spent the last two years of college being alone. It worked for him. Only when the gaming sessions came around did he become social. During them, the group ordered pizza and soda. Their new attempt in multiplayer gaming defeat was Minecraft.

Minecraft was simple enough; break blocks and get stuff. One girl in their group, she had only joined recently, found the game extremely hilarious.

She was new to the world of gaming, Niko guessed, because she was curious as to how things worked. They gave her instructions, and she laughed throughout the explanation. Sometimes, it seemed, she grew up in a cave. Her behavior was a riddle.

No, Niko would often correct himself on this. She was the riddle. Their group of gamers didn't look like the stereotypical 'nerds', but she was out of their league. Her name was Marina. Her figure was in peak physical condition, yet she was never seen at any gym around town. Guys had looked.

Her skin was light, which was odd, especially since she spent so much time in the sun. She often sat under the trees in the college grove and read books when not attending classes or hanging with the group.

The oddity that perplexed everyone was the questions she asked. Once, she asked if the light bulbs were very bright torches. Everyone expected her to be joking, but her expression was dead pan serious. Other than moments like that, she was very smart and head strong.

Marina named herself "Princess of Minecraft". Despite her occasional death, she was very good at the game. Although, she did not understand why everything was in big squares or why there were zombies.

After the latest session, Niko had won with the highest score. Before he left, Marina pulled him back.

"I have been here for near six months, correct?" Even the way she spoke was elegant. Niko was happy to have her as a friend.

"Yeah." He replied. He wondered where she was going with this.

"I believe my parents will be missing me. They do not know of my whereabouts. I ran away to here, and I knew it would not be forever. I just wanted to have an adventure before my twenty-first birthday. I know yours is not far off either, so I want to give you a present."

"You're leaving?" What was so special about that?

"I am, but I wish for you to come with me. I wish for you to meet my parents, my brothers, and my sister. You have been such a good friend to me and I wish to repay you for your kindness. You will have no need to stay long; I just want to share my world with you. So, Niko, will you join me?"

It was sudden. He didn't want her to leave, and part of him did want to say yes. He wanted to spend more time with her. Marina began talking as Niko was brooding.

"I will not receive no as your answer, either. So prepare to leave tonight, I wish to see my parents by tomorrow."

So, he guessed he was going on a trip. One question posed a problem, "Do your parents live far away?"

Marina bit her lip and thought. Finally she answered, "We will not need to cover much ground, but you could say it is a far distance away."

That was vague. "Where do they live?"

"I want it to be a surprise. This is going to be much fun! You will meet me at your dorm entrance tonight then?"

"I guess. Do I need to pack?"

"No, everything will be prepared for you. I'm so excited you're coming! I will meet you at eight o'clock this evening."

She walked passed him in sheer delight. Marina could hardly contain herself. When she passed, Hugh came up to Niko. Hugh was another friend.

"What was that about?" Hugh asked as he fumbled with his contact lense.

"I guess I'm going on a road trip with Marina."

"Dude, do you think she has the hots for you?" Hugh blinked rapidly.

Niko didn't think she would ever be into him. "I don't think so." He said.

Hugh slapped him on the back, "Don't doubt yourself, man. She's totally into you. I can tell." Hugh left Niko with that thought. The inkling was planted, but he wouldn't pay much attention to it until later.

They both arrived at the main entrance at the same time. It was eight o'clock on the dot; perfect timing. Niko was relieved, because he could never manage schedules.

"Shall we depart?" Marina asked. Niko nodded and she crossed arms with him. It was kind of old fashioned, but he accepted her touch. "I have called the taxi cab. The driver will take us to the door."

"The door?"

"I shall explain when enter. I will sound odd and confusing if I do now." To Niko, she already sounded odd.

The cab took them to the side of a highway not far off campus. It began to drizzle slightly, but it was not bad. Marina paid, and led Niko behind the trees. Why would someone live all the way out here? He did not see a driveway, so maybe they didn't own a car? Niko was getting a bit nervous with Marina not explaining anything.

Soon enough, they were in a small clearing. Marina stepped into the middle and placed her ring at the center. She backed up next to Niko, who gasped at what he saw next.

A large, swirling black and purple whole appeared. He heard deep reverberated noises emanating from within the hole.

"We have to go through. I understand if you are afraid, but hold my hand and you will be fine." Marina grasped his hand and tried to move him, but he didn't budge.

"I'm not going through that." He said to her, his voice meek.

"It is safe. Please trust me."

He cursed himself because he did. Niko let her drag him to the edge of the hole. The noise thumped in his chest.

"Whatever happens, you must remember to breathe." Marina squeezed his hand for support. Niko nodded, and they fell into the portal together.