The Questions

The room before them was an enormous library filled wall-to-wall with books, manuscripts, scrolls, and charts. One section contained what appeared to historical artifacts. In the center of the room were tables, desks, and many large, superbly carved, wooden chairs. Many of the tables were with covered with documents of many types. Not a single speck of dust could be seen however.

He gestured for them to each take a seat at a large centrally located table.

"What are you?" Raziel asked.

They both looked at each other, ten back at him. For a while, neither spoke a word.

"We're wizards" Nita said simply.

"Explain" Raziel said calmly.

"Its our job to practice the Art to protect and maintain life as well as to help slow down the death of the universe." Kit elaborated.

"Ah…….Enthropy" Raziel realized.

"You kn-kn-know what enthropy is?" They stammered surprised.

"I do indeed." he said as he got up Raziel slowly walked over to a desk and picked up a book. "I am quite familiar with many such problematic existences. Death and/or Un-death is more common here than life usually.

"Where, when, and how did you ….."

"…..Find out about enthropy?"

They both nodded silently.

" It was years ago… However, that is not important now. Are you familiar with the Powers?"

Raziel sat down in his seat and turned again to face Nita and Kit. He assumed he was correct when he saw the look of both recognition and surprise on each of their faces.

"Yes, but how did you ….?" She started to ask but stopped at the look of mixed amusement and annoyance on his face. " Oh, never mind."

"Where are you from?"  Raziel asked calmly.

"Earth." Kit replied.

Raziel then asked them about the year it was when they left.

"Well that explains everything except the question of 'how'. What were you doing before you came to this place?"

"We were using a world gate to return home."

"Tell me:  Is there a large abundance of life in your world? "

"Yes"

"And the Pillars?"

"What pillars?"

"Are there not nine white pillars reaching toward the sky in your world?"

They looked at him curiously.

"No."

"Then ….. How…..I guess it doesn't matter." he said, getting up and turning to face a wall.

"Why?"

"Because….It means Nosgoth's balance will, once again, be restored."

"Whose balance will be restored?"

"Nosgoth's balance." He said, as he turned back to face them.

"Nosgoth is the name of this place at this point in time."

"What do you mean by 'at this point in time'?"

"You have not traveled to another planet or dimension, merely back in time. "

"WHAT!"

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"We need to be able to get back to our time quickly. Unfortunately we probably won't be able to get back using our own power!"

"Is your only obstacle being unable to travel through time?"

"Yes."

"Well then there isn't any reason to worry."

"And why shouldn't we worry?"

"It is possible to send you back."

"What do you mean….?  How?"

"Long ago there were nine pure white Pillars each with a Guardian: Balance, Mind, Death, Energy, Nature, States, Conflict, Dimension, and finally Time. The Guardian of Time was a human by the name of Moebius. He had the ability to see through time and often manipulate it. However, he was a ruthless manipulator underneath a peaceful facade. He was destined to die at the ands of Kain, a master Vampire among other things. The Time Guardian was able to create a time streaming chamber that allowed a person to travel the threads of time."

"Where is it?"

"It is located deep within the northern mountains of Nosgoth, near my brother Dumah's territory."

"Will we need to contact him in order to obtain safe and immediate passage? It is vital to get there soon."

Raziel laughed. It was a very bizarre and frightening sound to hear.

"No," He said chuckling. "I slew him many years ago." 

The humans looked at him with a look of horror on their faces.

"I brought that arrogant fool back from his death at the hands of humans, only to have attack me in an effort to destroy me. He was also one of my two brothers who cast me into the Abyss. His clan is scattered throughout Nosgoth. That fortress has long since been abandoned."

The humans looked relieved.

"However, the time streaming chamber isn't uninhabited."

The relief vanished

"Don't worry, the only occupants are a few vampires, nothing to worry about."

They relaxed.

"It will not be a simple task however, to configure and operate the time streaming chamber to be send you to your correct time. Therefore, I must ask you a favor."