Chapter 1: The Arch

Ben woke up from a dream that topped off all others; him back to back with someone against a quartet of people he didn't recognize. His dao blades were flaming. Most were armed with swords, one with a spear on his back. They were closing in on them and…

He shook his head, pushing aside the dream. He grabbed his sword from under his bed and headed for the woods to clear his head. It was still dark, but he always felt his hearing and touch peaked when he couldn't see. Sure enough, he heard noises from the woods; but not monster noises. They sounded more like someone building something.

He followed the noises, leading him to doors built into a hill. He felt around for a knob or a handle to no avail. He lit a small fire in his hand, finding soot on it. Unsure where exactly to hit, he shot a huge blast of fire at the door, causing it to open. He walked in, finding he was in a huge workshop. Tables cluttered with tools and supplies spread out across the workshop. Towards the back, he saw a metal arch with a small Latino person behind it. Leo.

"Hey Leo," Ben called out. He heard something drop and saw Leo poke out under the arch.

"Oh hey Ben," he said, picking up a ratchet wrench. "What brings you here?"

"Just need to clear my head. Woke up from a troubling dream. What are you working on?"

"You know, I really don't know. Something in my mind said, Build this. And this is the result." He ran his hand against the metal. "Wanna help test it?"

Ben walked over to the arch and examined it. Circular ports lined the inside. "How does it work?"

"Well, I connected it to the old engine of the Argo II, so I just need to work the control panel. I think its supposed to make a portal."

"To where?" Ben was starting to get nervous.

"No clue." Leo made his way to the side of the arch and started to press buttons. "Anything you might want before going through?"

"Some drachmas," Ben answered. If he got stuck gods know where, he wanted a way to contact camp. At the very least to yell at Leo.

"Table behind you, bottom drawer," Leo said. "Take as many as you'd like."

Ben opened the drawer and grabbed a handful of the coins, about thirty. He turned around as he heard a humming sound. The circular ports were emitting a plasma like substance, swirling in place. The humming continued.

"In I go?" Ben asked, nervously.

"In you go," Leo said, not meeting Ben's eyes. Ben made a silent prayer that he would survive this and stepped through the portal.