A/N: Welcome to this story! It is a very special one, especially to me, because this story is the alternate story line to the story "When Past becomes Present: The Dark Lord's Return" by my friend Devlin Dracul. The story really is amazing, and I am honored to participate in his work!

The story of course is about the main character Adelram and his best friend Angelica; I will write in both point of views, most likely changing from chapter to chapter.

Thus said, read his story and enjoy both his and my spin-off!

I looked at the table. In front of me was the items I needed for my journey and my stay in the Southern Plains. Once again I checked for things I may have forgotten, but it seemed everything was there. Of course there was no available map material on the southern plain, so I had packed graph paper, as well as a little book which would be my journal and notebook. Although we had been taught a few survival skills and spells – like purifying water or extracting nutrients and minerals from various sources – I had decided to bring a week worth of different foods with me, mostly dried meat along with fruits and vegetables. Still, I also intended to bring an encyclopedia on edible plants with me, since those herbs and mushrooms often looked very similar to their poisonous counterparts.

There were no tools on the desk; I was sure my – personally handcrafted and modified – knife would serve me, be it hunting, cooking or simple construction working. I could also rely on my nearly unmatched blacksmith skills, if the need for other tools should ever occur. This was also why I just packed a sleeping bag and not a tent, I could easily build a hut or cabin, depending on the length of my reside in one area.

I was about to leave, when I heard a knock at my door. "Ram, do I have your permission to enter?"

There was only one person that called me by that name: Angelica. "Of course you have the permission, Angelica.", I said. Despite us being friends since childhood, she still would always knock. I opened the door for her and greeted. "Hello, Angelica."

I immediately walked to the table and used a Transportation spell on my equipment, a useful spell that stores items in a different dimension. This way I wouldn't have to carry a large backpack. Angelica must have seen it, since she looked slightly confused and asked: "Are you planning to go on a journey, Ram?"

"Indeed, I am. Why do you ask?"

Contemplating what to say next, she said. "No reason. It's just so rare that you do...if I may be so bold, can I accompany you?"

"No, you can't.", I said, maybe a bit too harsh.

"Oh." She paused. "Could you at least tell me your destination?"

There should be no problem in telling her, right? "I'm heading for the southern plains.", I said. After a short moment of silence, I realized that I maybe shouldn't have told her.

"You're going where?!", she yelled.

Honestly, I had never heard such a loud yell. It was nearly as loud as the Echolocation spell we had been taught.

"I'm going to the southern plains.", I confirmed.

"Why?! No one had been there since the Five Legends defeated the Dark Lord, neither the elves of the eastern plains, nor the dwarfs of the western plains or we humans of the northern plains! You could go anywhere, seeing the beauty of the East, enjoying the peace of the North, admiring the marvels of the West, but you want to see the godforsaken soil of the south?! Why, Ram, why?!"

"Because I want to."

She did not seem to be satisfied with this answer. In fact, she was just looking at me with a half-surprised, half-enraged face. She had some valid points, and under different circumstances I may have done just that, but just now she just intensified my curiosity. I would be the first human, more likely the first person, to set foot into this land since the Legendary Five did a century ago! She couldn't stop me now, I finally had a reason to use what I had been taught.

I shoved her out of my way and left the house I was born in, lived in for years. I was about to leave everything behind, even Angelica. But none of that was able to stop me.

"Ram!", she yelled. I just walked straight forward.

"RAM!" I kept ignoring her.

"ADELRAM UMBRA!" I came to an abrupt halt. She hadn't called me by this for years.

"You know I'm not letting you go there.", she added.

"And how do you plan to stop me?", I said with a slightly cocky grin. She didn't even opened her mouth to answer, instead she had rushed to me in the blink of an eye, aiming a kick to my temple. I grabbed her ankle, the sheer force of the attack causing my hand to tremble. Everyone else would have been knocked unconscious, with their hand shattered, but it didn't work on me. As soon as I loosened the grip on her leg, she jumped back, taking a praying stand, a pose also used in a duel.

"With a duel. You always uphold the moral codes, so you'll certainly listen to my 'desire'."

Desire. The term that described the prize that the victor of the duel would claim. It could be anything, be it their opponent's riches, kin or life, the loser had to fulfill. A request not even God can nullify, as some people say.

"We've dueled before, Angelica, countless times. You never won, albeit you were close sometimes. You will lose."

"Not this time! It has always been mandated by the school, but finally, for the first time, I have a reason to win, and I will no lose this fight! You may be the Strongest Man in all three plains, but don't you dare forget that I am called the Strongest Woman! I might be the only person to defeat you.", she said with such intensity, she had to take a few breaths to calm herself down.

Somehow, hearing her declaration, I was filled with pride. I looked her in the eyes, noticing her fair skin, beautiful hair, the perfect placement of her cheekbones and the meek chin. And finally, those blue eyes, filled with wit, passion, determination and intelligence, those eyes you can lose yourself in. All that made up the most beautiful woman in the world; I could have easily fallen for her, if my curiosity for the Dark Lord wouldn't be that strong. I was about to leave a life full of happiness at the side of this woman behind.

"Adelram, listen closely, for this is my desire: should I emerge victorious, you will abandon your quest, and I wish for you to stay b-by my side...forever.", she said while blushing. So Angelica did love me...how unfortunate, at least for now.

"Very well, this is my desire: should I emerge victorious, I will continue my quest and proceed in my journey. However, you have my permission to chase me after you regain consciousness." Angelica looked a little confused. "I am sure I will grow in my abilities along my way, and who would be more fit to test them on than you?" She blushed a little at this remark.

"Very well, I accept your desire.", she said.

"So do I.", I confirmed. Desires could be rejected before a duel, although it rarely happens.

I began with the construction of the barrier. This barrier was created before a duel started, not only to ensure the safety of the spectators, but also so the duel could even take place. You can't take physical damage in a Desire Duel since it's forbidden to shed the opponent's blood, instead the damage is changed into psychological shots. Fatal blows would cause such tremendous shocks, that most opponents would be rendered unconscious immediately. We took our battle stances, ready to begin the duel with the traditional phrase, the phrase that allegedly the Hero said to the Dark Lord at the start of their duel.

"Have at you!"

After we yelled that, Angelica rushed to me. The first round would be a martial arts fight, hand-to-hand combat in which we both exceeded. Using kicks, fists, our elbows and everything else we've been taught, we fought each other. Angelica's speed was overwhelming, landing countless blows on me; however, it would be my strength that would win me the first round. With a well-placed palm strike in her chest, I sent Angelica flying into the barrier with an audible gasp. Score one for me.

Angelica wasn't about to give up. She stood up and summoned a weapon, a weapon from an ancient eastern culture, called katana. Found at an excavation site along with throwing weapons called kunai and shuriken, the weapons had been reconstructed and named after an ancient scripture found in the surrounding area. We had seen the weapons during a trip, and Angelica had immediately taken a liking to the light and sharp blade, crafting herself a true masterpiece, unmatched to any other. I preferred a double-edged broadsword; although it normally lacked in speed, I was able to use it at an incredible velocity due to my power. Combined with its force, it was a weapon that mowed down everything. Naturally, it was crafted by me.

Our swords clashed against each other, sparks flying around. Angelica released a barrage of quick slashes at me, which I was able to parry, albeit barely. However, she soon found her advantage: her sword wasn't labeled as one of the sharpest edges in the three plains for nothing. With a swift strike she cut through my blade and slashed my abdomen. Score for her.

I wouldn't go down that easily. I summoned a bow and a quiver, enchanted to hold an infinite amount of arrows, and so did she. We began to unleash a hail of arrows on the other, moving at blinding speed. The villagers watching the duel probably couldn't even see our arms clearly. Even though I'm stronger than her, she still exceeds me in speed, and I couldn't shoot down every single one of her arrows. With a quick movement she destroyed my bow, quiver and finally hit my arm. I hissed. The score was now two to one for her.

It was time for our next contest, a fight filled to the brim with magic. I summoned a wall of fire that shot towards her, which she immediately countered with a wall of stone. We unleashed spell after spell, countering each other. We could hear the villagers gasp in awe; they probably saw the most intense and beautiful magic fight in their lives. Seeing no end to this fight, I cut the palm of my right hand to draw blood, surprising everyone. Though the opponent is forbidden to draw blood from the enemy, they can still inflict self harm that could draw blood within the barrier. It's one of the few loopholes of the spell. Without hesitation I made a whip out of my own blood. Blood Manipulation is advanced sorcery, one of the most difficult there is, and rarely used. People don't like the idea of using their own blood, however it always comes in handy if you're in need of a weapon.

I cracked the whip at her, grabbing her by the throat and throwing her into the barrier. The score was now two to two, the next fight would settle everything. With whatever little magic and strength I had left, I channeled it all in my fist. It began to glow, a pale white like moonlight. Angelica had done the same, her hand coated in a light, equaling the golden rays of the sun. With a battle cry, we charged at each other.

The very moment our fists collided, a bright light erupted. A shock-wave pulsed through the air, the sheer force of our magic shaking the barrier to a point close to annihilation. Unbeknownst to this the citizen continued cheering.
I knew I must not get distracted by these people and focused my entire mind on my right fist. It was a stalemate, in which the tiniest shift of concentration could determine the winner.

The intensity of magic power started to heat up the surrounding air; I was already exhausted from the previous fight and had put most of my remaining power in this single punch to end it all, just like a true hero - not that I wanted to be one - but the heat drained me of my energy.

I gave my best. I clenched my teeth and let out a feral growl, but felt how Angelica pushed my fist slowly back, inch by inch.

I could see the exhaustion on her face, she was as burned out as me, but she managed to push me back. Maybe it was her iron will and the fierce look in her eyes that determined the winner, but as her fist was just one inch away from my face, she let out an archaic battle-cry; and with the little strength she had left she finally hit my in the face, sending me flying. As I crashed into the barrier and slowly lost consciousness, I could see her pant. She fell to her knees, unable to stand anymore, but the triumphant look in her eyes was as impressing as amusing. I smiled as everything went black.

-

I woke up, my head lying on a rather soft pillow. Looking up, I saw Angelica's face; apparently it was her lap.

"You woke up?", she asked.

"Yeah.", I mused. As I tried to move, I felt how every muscle in my body was stiff.

"You should probably stay down.", she said with a small smile, showing her concern.

"I'm alright.", I said, shrugging it off.

"More importantly, I won. You have to fulfill my desire.", she smirked. Sighing I raised my hand to an oath.

"I won't go anywhere near the Southern Plains, nor will I think of doing something stupid like that. Also, I will stay at your side for the rest of my life.", I pledged. "It's almost like I'm marrying you.", I added.

"W-what, i-it's not!", she stuttered while blushing brightly.

"Oh? What is that blush supposed to tell me? Are you in love with me?", I teased.

"N-no!", she yelled embarrassed.

"Ain't that great. That means I can go out with other women? You only said I have to stay by your side, not as your lover.", I smiled evilly.

"You can't do that!", she yelled.

"Huh? Why's that?", I asked.

"Because...because...I-I kinda...you know...", she mumbled. Knowing teasing her more wouldn't be any more fun, I stopped.

"So what am I gonna do now? Since I can't follow my plans.", I asked.

"First, let's get some sleep. And after that, I have a great idea.", she said with a sudden, confident smile...which somehow gave me the chills.

When I woke up, I still felt exhausted. My muscles weren't stiff and I could move without any problems, but still there was a dull pain lingering everything.

"Are you finally awake?", asked a sweet voice. I looked up and saw Angelica sitting next to the bed I spent the night in.

"Yeah...", I mused. The light shining through the windows caused a throbbing headache.

"Here.", said Angelica and handed me a glass of water. "Does it still hurt, Ram?", she asked.

"You certainly did a number on me. How long did I sleep?", I said.

"Long enough, if you ask me. It's already noon, you should probably get up.", smiled Angelica. That was when I remembered that she mentioned she had some plans for today.

"Yeah, yeah. What do you plan to do now?", I asked while I stood up. I tied my boots and looked at her.

"Right. Ram, you have to fulfill my desire and stay by my side. I am the strongest woman, and you are the strongest man. We will be the golden and the silver paladin. But much like you, I have no interest in becoming one – yet. I want to get around a little, and you, Ram, will accompany me.", she said with the sweetest smile possible.

I sighed. That didn't sound too bad. "So, where do you want to go first?", I asked.

"Well, I am not sure yet. I want to strive the western and eastern plains, maybe the northern, gathering knowledge and seeing new things. It also will be a good preparation for our times as a paladin. I think I want to start with the Elves, though. We will head to the east, see a few sites, meet some people. Then we will return to the north, going up into the mountains; coming down, we will travel westwards, finally visiting the dwarfs. Depending on our situation, I think we will challenge the silver and the golden paladin at that point.", explained Angelica. I nodded.

We had prepared to leave the village. Angelica wanted to go to the next city first, claiming she had some shopping and preparations to do. I had prepared everything yesterday, but maybe I could buy a few things I might need.

"What do you want to buy?", I asked Angelica.

"I need food, clothes and miscellaneous equipment. Or did you pack a tent?", she said. I denied.

"But clothes?", I asked with a half-bored, half-skeptical face. Women buying clothes could be a real pain in the ass.

"I-it's not like I want to buy anything fancy! J-just a cloak and stuff...", she said with a blush.

"You don't wear fancy clothes? What a shame, you would look beautiful in them.", I said with a teasing smirk.

"R-really? That's nice of you, Ram! M-maybe I will buy a nice dress.", she mumbled.

"Huh? I thought you wanted to buy just a cloak?", I said to tease her even more.

"I-I just said that to myself!", she said hastily. "Ram, you can be so mean sometimes.", she said with pout. I just chuckled.

While Angelica was in a store trying on different clothes, I decided to take a look around. I was sure I had forgotten nothing, but maybe I'll find something interesting. The stores located in this street apparently just sold clothes and things like flowers; it seems to be directed to female customers.

"I could buy her a little gift.", I said to myself. After all, we had a tough fight and an argument. It would also be just a nice little gesture, so it would be a good idea. But what should I buy her? Flowers were useless, we would leave town in a few hours; she wasn't that fond of jewelry, and it was too expensive. Food? Cake or chocolate always saves the day. Considering it was Angelica, maybe something useful like a weapon would be more appropriate.

In the end, I decided to buy her a little box of chocolates. You can't do anything wrong with chocolates, can you? I finally met her in front of a store, with a few bags in her hands.

"Look, Ram1 I found this nice dagger! Also this one store had a discount on traveling cloaks, and the other had this dress!", she said as I approached. I smiled. She seemed to have a lot of fun.

"Here." I gave her the chocolates. "I'm sorry for what I did. You should expect better things from the next golden paladin, right?", I said with a sheepish smile. She looked me in the eyes, a small blush creeping on her face.

"T-thank you...", she muttered and blushed even more as she tried the chocolate. "It's delicious."

I smiled a content grin. She seemed to be alright now. "Well then, let's start our journey!", I said.

A/N: Man, that was one hell of a chapter! You probably noticed it, the beginning is very close to the original. I wanted to stick as close to the normal story as possible, but not copy it. I hope it turned out well. Also, I added a lot more fluff in the end. Devlin Dracul doesn't write that much, but I don't think this story needs more fluff. I just thought it would add up to a good ending. I will not drop the fluff completely, but the focus will of course be adventuring and fighting! I hope you enjoy the next chapters.