My name is Nathanial Urshan. At fifteen years of age, there's nothing particularly special about me. I guess you could say I'm above average in intelligence, but that's about all that might set me out from someone else. I don't really have any friends--it seems the older I get, the more painful interacting with others is (although I do not think I will ever understand why)--and pretty much all my time is either spent in school, at work, or on the computer. You know, the usual "nothing." But hey, at least I'm not out getting into trouble, right? Nah...I seem to land myself in enough trouble right inside my little circle; I try--I swear I try--to keep my temper in check, but it's just so hard sometimes...

But enough about that. To balance out my lack of social life, I have a wonderful family life. Sure, Dad works a little too much, and Mom can have more of a temper than me sometimes, but we all have our flaws, right? I guess the key is to understand that no one's perfect. You know, like the Wise Man said, "Pull the log out of your own eye 'fore you try and pull the beam out of your brother's." I mean, if you think about it, other people gotta' be puttin' up with your flaws more than you realize, so isn't it only fair that you put up with theirs? If we all went around with a chip on our shoulders 'cause someone did something that hurt us, we'd just end up with an all-out war. Better to put up with a little in peace than fight out a lot in war, ya' know? Than we're just spreadin' the hurt around...

But I digress. Anyways, my parents are pretty cool, and I suppose I do have one friend--Benjamin Morris--and he's a really, really close friend, at that. I mean, we talk about everything; I even told him about the nightmares I've been having recently (something I haven't even discussed with my parents). Sure, we argue and bicker a lot, but it's never anything serious, and it's usually more debating than anything else (which is something we both enjoy and are good at). Yeah, yeah, I know...a lot of people say there ain't no difference, but we know better; arguing has absolutely no point, while debating strengthens the mind and is usually at a much more intellectual and refined level. You just have to do it a few times; you'll know the difference.

So, yeah, life is good. To an outside observer, maybe it's seems kinda' repetitive and dull, but if my teenage years went on like this until the end, you wouldn't hear me complain.

July 5, 2006 AD.

On that fateful day, everything would change for the worse for this young man.

Not just a little worse, either; his whole life was about to take such a dramatic turn that he would be remembered as a demon of the worst kind for the next one thousand years of Terran history.

And even then, he would fall into legend as the worse plague ever to spite this earth.

Things that are hidden cannot remain that way forever.

"...And I'm telling you that the Confederates were a bunch of turncoats and traitors!"

Another day, another dollar. Another day, another hollar.

Both boys--Nathanial and Benjamin--worked as busboys at the same diner, and had--much to the chagrin of their co-workers--a habit of getting into debates while they worked. Today, their discussion had turned towards the Civil War, and both of their opinions were rather heated.

"You take that back! They were revolutionists, just as bit as honorable as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin!"

At this point, the boys probably should have turned their discussion to less dividing topics. See, Nathaniel had some great-great-great-great grandfather (whom he very greatly admired) that had fought on the South's side in the Civil War, and--quite unkowingly so--Benjamin had struck quite a nerve.

"They were not! They only cared about enslaving other people! How is that honarable, huh?"

Unfortunately for the pair of them, their debate-turned-war had at this point become so loud as to disturb the customers and attract the attention of the boss.

"If you two don't be silent right now and return to your duties, you will be looking for work!"

At this point, Benjamin turned bright red and began quietly washing dishes again. Nathaniel, however, completely ignored the angry manager.

"How dare you! How dare you! AAAAAARRRGH!"

This last sound can best be described as a...roar (one, in fact, so beast-like that no human should be able to make it). At the same time, a strange, dark light surrounded Nathan. The uppers parts of his arms and legs were covered in a black, jumpsuit-like material, while the lower parts (as well as his torso) were encased in blue armor. Three long, sharp claws were found where his toes should be; his fingers were replaced by an even more dangerous set, and a tail ending in a spike made itself evident. A black face mask covered the area surrounding his mouth, and a blue helmet (with a pair of fake purple eyes showing on the front and yellow spikes extending from the back) covered the rest of his head and face, so that only his eyes were showing. Said eyes were blood red, and a murderous rage was evident within...whatever being this truly was.

As he spoke, his voice was deep and gutteral. "HOW DARE YOU!"

Benjamin slowly backed up, while at the same time trying to calm down the wolf-like creature that had once been Nathaniel Urshan. "Whoah! There's no need to get so angry. It's just Benjamin...your friend...so, so calm down." He was grasping at straws, and he knew it. But he was scared out of his mind and couldn't think of anything better. (Which would've gone along the lines of running for his life).

The beast merely gave out a long, ferocious growl, and advanced foward with a countenance that would've made the Reaper proud. Benjamin backed up a couple more paces, but came up against a wall. With speed that defied reality, the beast flicked his arm...and gutted Benjamin in the stomach with its claws. As the latter gasped in agony, the creature raised him above its head and smashed him against the wall. It left a large dent, and Benjamin Morris fell to the ground, completely broken.

One hour later, the nearby military establishment of Fort Knox had been completely turned out to deal with the threat.

"What's the report?"

"It's bad...very bad. The creature is rampaging throughout the town, and--whatever it is--it can outrun and cheetah and is strong enough to bust through concrete with its bare claws. The locals have already suffered a good deal of deaths."

"Fine. But nothing is invincible, I don't care how other-worldly it is. We'll just keep launching explosives at it until it drops; is everyone in position and ready for action?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Then come with me; I want to get a look at this thing myself."

Nervously, the subordinate followed his Lieutenant, and after a couple of minutes, they reached a hill overlooking the beast's current position. Using a pair of high-powered binoculars, the latter was able to get a crisp view of the monster's power and horror, leaving him utterly speechless.

After a couple of minutes of silence, his aide spoke up. "Should I tell the men to begin the assault?"

"No...something's happening! Take a look."

Taking out his own pair of binoculars, the aide followed his superior's orders. The beast seemed to be in great pain; it was writhing on the ground and clutching its head between its claws. The aide was about to suggest that this was a good time to launch the assault, when the creature's shape began shifting, its beast-like qualities diminishing and then dissapearing altogether. In its wake...the form of a young human was seen.

"What does it mean, sir?"

"It means...that we must help him."