So . . . I'm lazy. Bryans been done for a while. As always, everything belongs to who made them.
Chapter 2
Light in a Dark City
Sasha Kaminsky sat at a table in the back of the restaurant sipping at his drink. He smiled weakly as he listened to the rather melancholy sounds of the band on the tiny stage at the other end of the restaurant. He looked over at the group, a bebop band really, although they were playing a lot of ballads. The flutist looked very pretty. She had short dark hair, a bright smile, and played her flute smoothly. He sighed and took another sip. Yeah right, like I'd have a chance in hell of getting a date with her, he thought. His right hand found its way down to the .45 pistol he had holstered on his belt. He thought of the shooting tournament that he was going to be in the next day. Sasha had a reputation of being an excellent marksman and fighter. He was also short on cash, so the tournament's prize money seemed quite appetizing.
He thought of his appearance, which was quite different from those around him. Mostly everyone was wearing dark clothing. Many trench coats and even some cloaks were noticeable. He was wearing his typical outfit, a blue long-sleeved collared shirt with black pants and shoes. He wore glasses as well. His eyes were a deep blue, and brown hair hung limply in front of them. He didn't exactly look like the skilled shooter and fighter he really was. Sasha had always thought he didn't really fit in with the people in the city. He looked down at his watch. It was late; he needed to get back to his most current place of residency. He had no permanent home. He finished his drink, left some money on the table, and walked out of the restaurant.
Outside he began his long walk. The city was dark, even in the full moon that shone in the clear night sky. The narrow brick streets and closely packed two- and three-story buildings almost resembled that of a late medieval city. It was also very quiet, a lingering silence hanging over all those out walking on the streets. For Sasha, the city had not changed any since he arrived there ten years earlier. It was just as dark and miserable as ever.
Sasha approached an intersection. As he did, a dark figure immerged from the shadows in front of him. He jumped back and had his hand on his .45 in a split second. The figure then went absolutely berserk.
"Hey, hey, hey! Hold it! It's me, Schwartz!"
Sasha stood down. "What the hell, Schwartz?! Why did you jump out in front of me like that? I could have shot you!"
"Well, I didn't exactly jump out in front of you. Anyway, I saw you coming down the street and thought you might want some company walking home. It's really dark tonight you know."
"It's always dark here. Sure, come on, I still have a far distance to go." Sasha slapped his friend on the back. Schwartz was his best friend. They had been friends since Sasha moved to the city. He was twenty-three years old to Sasha's twenty. He also had lived in the city his whole life, being Sasha's guide when he first moved there. He was also dressed in his usual clothes, which were a lot different than Sasha's appearance. He wore a more typical look of black pants, dark grey shirt, and black shoes. However, his trench coat was navy blue. He was a little mischievous too, but his biggest personality trait was his never-failing optimism and cheer. Sasha was a bit of a contrast, most of the time being quite miserable. Even so, he was polite and very nice to everyone else, especially women, but was not afraid to fight if he needed to.
The two began walking again, talking as they went. Schwartz inquired upon Sasha's evening.
"So Sasha, what have you been doing this evening?"
"Nothing extravagant. I went down to Pollack's and saw a jazz band play. They were pretty good. Their flutist was really good. She was also, well . . . never mind."
"Oh come on, was she pretty?" Schwartz asked.
Sasha smiled. "Well, yes. She was very pretty, but that makes no difference. You know I couldn't get a date with someone like that. I'm just too different anyway. She probably wouldn't have liked me."
Schwartz rolled his eyes. "God, not that again. Nobody has ever frowned upon you about your appearance. So what if you wear different clothes?"
Sasha went back to his usual miserable self. "It's not only that. I just have always felt like I didn't belong here. Not in this city, my hometown, not even in this world. I've always wondered if there was someplace, another world or something, where I really belong."
Schwartz sighed. He had heard similar things from Sasha many times before. He couldn't understand why his friend felt like he didn't belong. Where else was there? There were small towns surrounding the city, one of which Sasha was from, but they were worse than the city. After a few silent moments, Schwartz remembered something he had been meaning to give Sasha.
"Oh, I almost forgot. You left these at the shooting range yesterday. I bet you can put them to good use." He handed Sasha three pistol magazines.
"Thanks, Schwartz. I had forgotten about those," Sasha stated as he clipped them to his belt by his pistol.
"You're welcome. So, how's the tournament going to be?"
"Well, I'm signed up for stationary target, moving and random targets, and the quick-draw. Don't worry though, the quick-draw is just against pop-up targets. There isn't going to be any shooting at each other."
Schwartz laughed. "That's good. If you died I wouldn't have anyone to drink with."
They both laughed as they came to Sasha's place. It was time for Schwartz to head off as well.
"Well, Sasha, I'll have to be going too. Good luck tomorrow."
"Thanks, see you later."
Sasha opened the door to his building and climbed the stairs to the third floor. He came to his door, took out his key, and unlocked it, and went inside. Sasha lived in an old flat he was renting for a rate he wouldn't be able to keep up much longer, as it had been since he came to the city. Doing odd jobs here and there and shooting in small tournaments didn't exactly bring Sasha a great deal of money. The apartment was very small, but that didn't matter since he didn't have that many possessions anyway. He sat down on the thoroughly worn couch he had had for several years. Sasha closed his eyes and cupped his face in his hands. What a miserable life, he though. He sat there for a few minutes sulking. All of a sudden he realized he didn't have his wallet with him.
"Oh shit, I must have left it back in the restaurant!" Sasha got up, grabbed his key, and walked back out of the flat, locking the door on his way out. I can't believe I forgot it. Damn. My life is miserable.
He began his long walk back to Pollack's. The street was empty. Sasha looked around. It was pretty much that way when he had walked up to his flat, but Schwartz was out, as well as a few others he had seen.
"That's strange. Where is everybody?"
He continued onward through the dark streets. Not a sound could be heard. Sasha felt a little nervous. The city was darker than he had ever seen it, yet a full moon shown above in the brilliant night sky. He turned onto another street. As he did, a breeze came out of nowhere and dissipated as quickly as it came. Sasha spun around, nothing was there. He was now thoroughly worried and continued onward quickly. He decided to take a shortcut down an alley, which was even darker than the street.
He couldn't see much and could hardly make out the other entrance to the alley. After going a fair distance down he could see neither the entrance he came nor the other end. What the hell is going on?
All of a sudden, he stopped and shielded his eyes as a bright white light, surrounded him. He felt himself being lifted off the ground. The light faded as he found himself floating in an infinite blackness. Then, specks of light became visible, encircling him.
"Welcome, Sasha Kaminsky," a female voice spoke out of the darkness.
"Hello? What's going on? How do you know my name?" Sasha said as he looked around for the source of the voice.
"I am the Spirit of All Worlds. The maker of all that you've known."
Sasha's eye's widened, "You're Pandaea? The Mother of the Makers?"
"Yes, Sasha. I am. You have been chosen as one of the two who will find the Elemental Crystals and protect the Seal of Nothingness."
"Elemental Crystals? Seal of Nothingness? What do you mean?"
The voice laughed, "I know you have no knowledge of these. I will not explain now, you will find out about them in due time. I will say this, if you and the other chosen one do not protect the seal, the future of all worlds is in jeopardy."
"Why have you chosen me?" Sasha asked.
"The blood of ancient warriors flows within your veins. Your ancestors once assisted the Omega Elements in battling and sealing off the powerful Mosaica, which is contained by the Seal of Nothingness. You are the last of their kind. You have the task of keeping the seal intact with another worthy one whom is a reincarnation of the Omega Element of Balance, Callisto Moon. This will help you to protect her."
A brilliantly crafted sword and sheath appeared in his hand. Ancient symbols were engraved in the blade. The hand-guard was gold and studded with emeralds. At the hilt was a brilliant red ruby.
The Spirit continued, "That is the sword of Kolodin, It was used by your ancestors. The sword and an amulet that the other chosen one possesses are the key to protecting the seal. May your journey be safe, remember that you are in my protection."
"Hey! Wait!" Sasha exclaimed as a bright portal opened before him and he floated into it.
