It took me forever, but with the start of season 3, I decided it was time for that rewrite. So I deleted the entire work from here and will repost each chapter one at a time, some will be deleted, some will be changed, some just revised.

I also decided I will likely make this Jake/Cassandra instead of implied like before.

This story is part of a collection of solo stories featuring in some way or form the enigmatic character of The Traveler, Endymion. Each story has the title Saga of the Traveler to tell them apart from others.

Also, this first chapter is meant to be very short. It is just a setup. More shall follow.

Enjoy.

At first it was a night like so many others in Salem, Massachusetts. The inky black sky covered in vast patches or stars, the moon full and shining.

The change was so sudden, but at the same time very subtle. It would have noticed it at first.

What few insects that were active suddenly went silent, along with any active nocturnal wildlife, as if they knew what was about to happen. The previously bright moon and stars slowly faded away, leaving a near impenetrable darkness.

Had someone been watching long enough, they would have noticed.

Had someone been watching long enough, a warning could have been given.

But no one was watching, no one was there to see.

Had there been eyes watching through the darkness, they would have seen the unnatural black shadow rise from the undisturbed earth. It slowly coalesced into a humanoid shape, a cloak of smoke like darkness billowing behind it.

Hollow, ancient eyes burning like hot coals scanned the surroundings. This was not the world it remembered. Everything had changed during its long slumber.

Something was missing though... something important.

That was a matter for later however. Something else caught the figure's attention. In the distance were many small lights. A human village perhaps?

Life.

The shadow's smoky visage twisted into a mockery of a gleeful smile.

It was so very... hungry.

Yes, those lights meant life. So many fresh human souls just waiting to be harvested to slake its endless thirst.

At first it was a night like so many others in Salem, Massachusetts.

The town had no idea the terror that had just awakened.

The same doom that was heading straight for them.

Vague I know, you want to know more, read on.