Our story begins with Jack Russell, a warrior of Theater Vancoor, the warriors' guild, who is still recovering from his last mission of guarding the princess. After a few days, he was allowed to go home, but was not to go on any missions until he was completely recovered. On his walking toward home…
The walk to Jack's place on the Path of Swords and Wisdom wasn't a long trip, but Jack began to feel sick. He staggered slightly while his vision began to blur. The next thing he knew, Jack was clenching the streetlight, his hand over his mouth, trying to cover his coughing. When the coughing subsided, he took his hand away and examined it. The blood Jack found on his hand continued running down his arm or dripping to the ground. As he stared at his hand, Jack's eyes grew serious, as if he knew something had begun to unfurl.
Soon, he thought, the time will be upon me…
A few hours later, Gene, also a warrior at Vancoor and a member of the Quintom squad, knocked on Jack's door, wanting to check up on him. "Jack, are you there?" he said.
There was no answer.
"Jack, it's me, Gene."
Still there was no answer.
Gene, now annoyed, tried the doorknob and found it unlocked. Creaking the door open, he peered inside. The place was completely dark, but when his eyes became accustomed to it, he became as white as his hair. Gene ran out the door without even bothering to close it and headed straight for Theatre Vancoor to report the terrible news.
For what Gene found was a puddle of blood…
…and no Jack.