Spirit Travels: Prologue

Rei

I want to say thank you to those who have encouraged me and motivated me to keep writing. These stories couldn't fit in its own novel. Last Life in particular was the first story I ever published. However, I decided to add it in here. Some of these stories also have very sensitive themes in them. Hope you all enjoy Spirit Travels: Prologue,

Rei J.

1: Before The King

I stared down the mountainside while I lived near the peak of the mountain. I look up and immediately see the other mountains block the sun. A ball of light was in the dining room. "Vierra must be starting dinner" I continued to look at the mountains with a smile, the sun going down adding a small amount of serenity. "Sanara is so beautiful" I thought while walking toward the cabin. The cabin itself was made from the fresh pines that were growing that year with some help from my friends at the time. I took a deep breath of the fresh air and waited for her to call for dinner. "definitely a day that I can call satisfying." The peacefulness of the mountains reassured me that everything would be okay. I frowned for a moment. "although...the dream I had this morning…" I shuddered for a moment. A black void surrounded me. My body was locked up as if I was tied up in rope. Images of my son Sakira fighting an evil that me nor anyone could ever predict. Lightning crackled in the sky. "...though it was just a dream" I said, trying to reassure myself.

My wife's voice broke my daydreaming. "Anara! It's time for dinner!" She said, her voice was light and drowsy. "heh...Sakira can be a handful at times."I took a moment to shake off the feeling of dread. "coming Vierra!" I called out to her, my voice deep and scratchy. I walked inside, the door creaked when I open it and kiss Vierra on the cheek with strength and confidence. "hows Sakira?" Vierra sighed softly and her shoulders sagged. "He's sleeping upstairs. He was wondering where you were." Me and her both laughed and I said "I should go wake him up and get dinner ready." I nodded, giving another kiss on the cheek. I walked over to the window and watched the sunset, the porcelain glass adding what looked like blurry vision or a ripple of a puddle. I heard a knock on the door. "Hey honey?" Vierra said upstairs "Can you get that? I'm kinda full with Sakira" I say "Yes dear" and walk to the door.

I walked up to the door through the living room, the fireplace dormant for now as it was about the end of summer. The couch and his rocking chair were close to it, but not to close while Sakira's toys were to the far left. I walked through the hallway as well and to the door but I also took a moment and looked at the portraits of me and Vierra, her belly bulged. "back when she was pregnant...god I never want to lose her." I smiled, "...it was such a pain in the ass to get a doctor here. Then seeing our little boy in her arms...scary. Yet it was like I accomplished something." I snapped back to reality when I heard the knock again. "Coming!" I said, though I felt my body shake before opening it.

As I opened the door I felt my muscles tense. "Darris? What are you doing here?" Darris sighed. He looked pale "it's...it's the brotherhood. Narith is dead." I went silent from shock. "so...I guess what's done is done?" I tried to shut the door but Darris stopped me. "We need a leader Anara. No one else wants to do it, and you have the best experience with it." I sighed from frustration. "...I have a son now. I can't just-" Vierra called from Sakira's room "honey? Who's at the door?" I stayed silent. "if we don't have a leader soon" Darris continued "it will go under. Everyone will get captured and-" I interrupted him "okay- okay. Will I get contracts at the very least?" Darris nodded. "Fine, I will do it." When I closed the door, I looked down at the floor, not exactly sure how to feel. "I thought I gave that life up…" I walked to the window and stared at it for awhile. I made sure Vierra was busy. I took a deep breath. "well...if I'm going to do this again...I need to keep this to myself for now. It's for the best."

The next day was a struggle. It was the last time I would really be able to hang out with my son, Sakira. We sat on the rooftop together. "Daddy? Why are we up here?" I smile and ruffle my sons hair. "Just enjoying the scenery, that's all." I looked at my son. "He needs to learn how to fight for himself...even if magic isn't involved yet, I still want him to be able to fight." He looked up at me with a tilt of his head. His eyes were the color of the ocean while his hair was the color of the waves that made the sand wet. "My eyes and his mothers hair...though he's a Masera...those abilities take years to master. If he was able to unlock those powers…" My thoughts broke again when Sakira said "wow! Look at that Dragon!" I looked up and it was truly a sight to behold, the wind from the dragon flapping its wings making the branches creak in the wind. "I believe that's a Volcanian Ridgecair. They are said to be ten times as big then regular fire breathing dragons, but they're easier to wrangle and even domesticate." Sakira nodded slowly, as if he was taking mental notes. "Sakira...I want you to know how to protect you and your mother." Sakira nodded slowly "Why?" he asked. I looked at the trees and said nothing for a few moments. Then, "because your growing up, and I won't be here forever." Sakira looked at the trees as well, then said "Yes Dad"

A few days had passed since Darris asked me to be an assassin again. It had been three days since I started to train Sakira in the ways of the Koshin or Brotherhood. I sat up and thought to myself "Need to get up before Sakira and Vierra" I sighed and grab my clothes from my dresser trying the best I could to be quiet. The upstairs was a bit different then the downstairs. There was an entrance to the upper porch area, an attic where I hid my weapons and my Magic book so Sakira didn't get his hands on it and a few other portraits of me Vierra and Sakira, though it was when he was one and two years old respectively. While I looked out my window I saw the trees and mountains the sunlight gleamed through the branches and created patches of both light and shadow on the ground. I grabbed my wool coat and stared at the door like I was expecting something to happen. I checked both on Veirra and Sakira to make sure they were asleep. Once I walked back downstairs, I sighed, anxiety rushing through me like it was taking my energy. "It's sad but...I can't tell them that I'm doing this kind of work again. Even though I'm training Sakira in the ways of the Koshin" I heard a knock at the door. "coming!" I said, though careful not to raise my voice to loud. "Darris again"I walked toward the door, but stopped. "Do I...do I really want this? I'm putting my life in danger…" I stare at the door, ignoring another knock. "But...I did say that I would take over if Narris died...guess...I do need to keep that promise." He opened the door to Darris. This time, he was wearing a brown business suit. "Hello Anara. Our new area of operations is in the Magic city" I stare at Darris. "...Nahira." I start to protest."If that's all the way in Nahira...but that's a few hours away! How could-" Darris snapped back "if you gave me a minute to show you then it would answer your questions!" Darris blinked, then said "...sorry" I took a deep breath to let things calm down. "It's okay...I bet there's a lot of pressure on you right now." Darris ignored the comment. He got something out of his pocket. "this is a Migara ring. Just say the name of the place you want to go, then it will expand into a portal and take you there." I take the ring and say "Nahira." The ring expanded to a large portal, showing the entrance to Nahira. I look at Darris. "Well, It's now or never"

Nahira is the embodiment of a bustling town. One that was full of energy, fireworks going off every now and then from other magic users and the babbling of talking. A majority of them were in crowds. I never really liked it. "Even though I don't like it...it does remind me of when I used to live with my ma and pa in Keil."Me and Darris stop by the Gargoyle Bazaar. "huh...probably a good place to stop after missions." Darris said nothing to this, he did smile at the comment though. Me and Darris continued down to the office, the alleyways had goblins searching for Garudo so they could get a drink at the Bazaar. "doesn't this place seem a bit dangerous?" I asked with a raise of my eyebrow. Darris looks at me and says "you do know we use illusion wards right?" I paid closer attention to the glass panes. For a moment it flashes, the windows were clear. I nod slowly and enter the building. I walked into the office to a bunch of cheering. "Heya Anara! Welcome back!" Juniper, one of the helpers said. "I thought you said you needed a leader" I whisper in Darris's ear. He looked at me with a small nod. "we can talk in the office." I took a moment and walked around the office. "It's been years since I've been here...and yet-" "Come on Anara, we don't have all day!" Darris said, his thoughts interrupted. I nod and followed.

I take a moment to stare at the office. Papers were everywhere. On the wall were the last leaders that lead the Koshin for generations. "No wonder they need a leader. More like a secretary""huh...it's cleared out" I say out loud. Darris sat at the desk. "I'm the leader right now, but it's only temporary." I nodded in silence. "I hope Sakira and Vierra are okay." Darris breaks the silence and my thoughts "I can at least show you what the head does. You can appoint people jobs when they want someone to be killed. Though we have to be careful- we're right near the Spirit Council" I interrupt when he heard the Spirit Council "wait...why are you stationed right near them!? You can get caught-" Darris held his hand up. "...because. We aren't killing people. We're killing the Uncontrolled."

My body started to relax when Darris continued. "You know what the uncontrolled are right?" Anara nodded "yea...they're mythical creatures like Lycanthropys, Vampires or trolls but they lost the ability to reason." Darris nodded in approval. "the strongest of the Uncontrollable is in the Spirit Council itself. They call it Yanimara." I pause and take a moment to think about it. "Never heard of it...we're not allowed to see it though?" I ask. Darris took a moment to think. "no, unless there's an emergency and the Yanimara gets out, we aren't allowed to touch it."

Darris continued to show me around. He took notes on a parchment. "well, I think that's enough for one day. Welcome to the Koshin, Soshin" I look at Darris with a confused look. "Soshin means Leader in the Ancient language." Darris explained. "anyway, you're done for the day so let me take you to the portal spot." Me and Darris walked outside of Nahira down to where the forest was. I take more notes on the parchment that I took from the office. "now, take out that Migara and you should be able to go home from there." I nodded while feeling myself struggle to speak. "Home...to Sakira and Vierra" He threw the ring. It expanded and showed a picture of the mountains. "see you tomorrow" I say with a small smile. I walked through the portal with it closing behind me.

The next morning I did the same thing I did yesterday. I got up early, got dressed but something and trained Sakira for a bit. I went into the forest so I could hunt either Boar or even a nice sized Buck since we were getting low on food. The forest was always beautiful to me when I was near it. The smooth feeling on my feet, the chirping of birds and even looking up at the mountains and seeing mountain goats every now and then. I had my compost bow and fire enveloped arrows with me. I closed my eyes and mumbled "Heatira" I opened my eyes and saw different things. From squirrels to wild horses to even a dragon. "Probably one that flew by us a few days ago...we're lucky we don't own a farm otherwise we would've been killed."

After dropping off the meat I hunted in the woods, I went to the Koshin office. When I walked in, the receptionist said "Darris won't be here until the afternoon...he's taking a long deserved break." I nod and enter my office. I took a seat and started at the top of the papers. One of the assassins waved at me. I waved back, continuing my work until mid day. One of the assistants said "you got a request for a hunt. Want to take it?" I nod and take the parchment. "Let's see...a wraith screeching in the night...hm...alright." I placed the parchment on the table. "I'll appoint someone to it. I'm thinking maybe Rayden." The assistant nods and takes the parchment. "Well...alright. Normally a Wraith is a Rank A Uncontrolled but…" I blink for a moment and mumble "I can take it then." The Assistant looked confused, then nodded. "Alright, It'll be dark when you arrive there so you should go immediately." I nod and take the Magira ring and go to the Portal Spot. As soon as I arrived, I noticed the Wraith though it was hard to see their black cloak in the middle of the night. I unsheath my katana and approach it. When it notices me it charges me, attempting to claw me with it's sharp skeletal nails. I dodge easily and slice it in half. It screeches in pain, turning into a small black soul. I hold it in my hand and mutter "Purena" the black soul soon turned white. I throw it up, it ascending to the heavens. I take the Magira Ring in my hand and mutter "Sanara" then head home. This is what happens for the next few years.

A few years passed since I started to become the leader of Hydira. I look at myself in the mirror one morning. My beard looked rough and grown, clothes tattered and he hadn't been home to see Sakira or their new daughter Kairi in the past few months until last night. "It's been hunting the Uncontrolled left and right...day and night even. It's why I retired once-" I felt myself shake. Tears streamed down my cheeks. I had to take a deep breath. "No...focus on the now."When I arrived home after a few months, They're reactions made me happy. "I definitely haven't felt this way...not in a long time" I smiled while noticed small things. Sakira was taller, and Kairi was beginning to walk. I watched them play outside my window. "I need to wait for the caregiver. Then I can leave." After five minutes I heard a knock at the door. "coming!" I said while coming down the stairs. "Hey there Anara" it was Jinura. She wore a vest with a dress under it and, eyes the color of emeralds and hair that was the color of the sand. "Hey Jin." Jin noticed the crows feet under my eyes and the slouch of my shoulders. "I uh...heard what happened with Vierra…" I look down, my eyes clouded with grief for a moment. I shake my head "It's only been a month but...I still have responsibilities" "Please...don't remind me." Jin looked at me with understanding. "Well anyway...I will look after Sakira and Kairi like I've done before?" I nod and walk out the door, then say "That's the plan, isn't it? Sakira and Kairi rush over while I walked out the door. "Dad!" They both said. I hugged them both, Kairi stumbling a bit while she walked. I smiled when Sakira asked "When will you be back Dad?" I kiss the top of Sakira's head. "I'll be back by sundown." I replied while I watched Jin bring them inside. I used the Magira ring to bring him to his office.

I sit at my desk, parchment already piled on top of the desk. One of the assassins, Herit barged in. "Anara! Come quick!" I get up immediately from hearing the urgency in his voice. "Whats wrong?" Darris ran in. "We need you to come outside. Now." I nodded and grabbed his katana Urish. "...What the-" I walked outside to see a giant black void. "What is that…" Darris shook his head. "I don't know...but somethings telling me it isn't any good." I took a deep breath while my back hurt slightly. "Get the others and get out of here. I'll handle it." Darris nodded and ran back inside. I take a deep breath and muttered. "Funira." A blinding light enveloped around me as I muttered the words. Light platted armor appeared. "Okay...this is for Sakira and Kairi." I rushed to the Spirit Council building.

"If what I heard was right...the source might be there." I burst through the door. Black tentacles surrounded the main lobby and the hallways the white marble reflecting the black of the tentacles like a mirror. I unsheathed Urish and rushed In, slicing any tentacles that were in my way. As I went to the end of the hallway, I saw the black orb. I stood there blankly for a moment, then charged in to slice it in half. It made a wave effect as it made contact. "An illusion…?" I looked behind me. A man that was completely black like the void watched. It's red eyes stared at me and raised his hand. The tentacles swung. I jumped onto the ceiling and used my legs and a mix of wind magic to propel me toward the void. I ready my blade to slice him in half- only for it to fail. "Foolish." The void said. His voice penetrated through my thoughts. The tentacles wrapped around my body. I screamed in pain, the tentacles squeezing my body. "You will be the first victim." He raised his hand a blade made of pure black Onyx appeared. "For I am Yami, the darkness within every heart." He stabbed me through my abdomen and I screamed in pure agony. Blood ran from the wound, the warm liquid running down my stomach. A flash of light illuminated from the entrance. "YAMI! STOP THIS AT ONCE!" "...A woman…?" Yami looked at the woman in pure disgust and hatred. "...Angel. Of course you of all people would show up to quell this." She raised her hand. A beam of light shooting through Yami's midsection. "Ecansara!" the only thing that remained was Yami screaming, the building and the orb.

"I hope Dad is okay" I waited outside for my father to come back from work. I jumped as a portal appeared in front of me. "Sakira...are you and your sister hurt?" I shook my head. Jin rushed out. "What's going on?" Darris looked down. "...Anara is dead. They can't stay here." I looked at Jin. She nodded. "...Vill Edge is far away from here." Darris nodded. He handed the Magira ring to Jin. "Sakira, go and grab you and your sisters clothes." Jin said. I nodded and ran upstairs. "I wish I knew what was going on." I walked back down. My sister Kairi was in Jin's arms. I took a deep breath while staring at the portal. We all jumped through to Vill Edge.

2: On The Edge

Just outside of a Village miles away from Mt. Sanara, The rush of wind and a numb feeling went through my body while going through the portal only lasts for a few seconds. I landed on some grass in a forest. I looked behind me while the ring immediately disappears. The last image seen was the house that me and my sister lived in. I looked at our caretaker, my eyes large with a mix of concern and shock from the rush of everything that was happening at once. "Jin...where's dad?" Jin shook her head with a mix of worry and sadness. "I...I don't know Sakira." The little girl in Jin's arms starts to cry. She talks in a soft voice "ssssh...it's okay Kairi…" she looks at me. "The house isn't to far from here. Just don't use any magic…" I looked at her with a tilt of his head. "Magic? Whats that?" Jin sighed. "You'll learn when your older what Magic is." I nodded and looked at Kairi. "She doesn't even know dad that well…" Jin put Kairi down. I held Kairi's hand to help her through the woods. They arrive to Vill Edge. "bubba?" Kairi asked. I smiled and mumbled "yes Kairi...I'm your bubba."

Me, Jin and Kairi walked through the town square. Eyes of the Villegers looked at me and Kairi but ignored Jin. "Why are they staring at us?" I asked. Jin sighed "They're suspicious for whatever reason." After a few miles they arrived to Jin's house. "Well...we're home." I couldn't hold in the questions anymore. "Where's dad...what's going on?" I blurted out. Jin squatted down to my height "Sakira...there's to much to explain right now. I'll tell you when you get older. I look down, my eyes hollow from emotion. "...He's probably dead." Sakira shook his head. "No...I can't give up on dad." I sighed and walked in the house.

When I went inside I gasped. My mouth was open while I looked around the house. I saw a table with chairs and a counter. "This must be the kitchen…" I walked around for a few minutes until I heard the door. Jin walked upstairs and put Kairi in a crib. She came back down and sighed. "There...now we have to be quiet so that your sister can sleep." I looked out the window. "Dad will be fine...this is only temporary." For a moment he saw a few other kids playing outside. "Sakira, why don't you go outside?" I looked outside, my brow starting to get sweaty. "What if...they don't like me for being different?" Jin giggled. "Because I've known them long enough. They will like you" I nod and go outside. I sat on the steps and sighed. A kid with long hair and a red stripe on his bangs walked over. "Hey there, everything okay?" I looked up then blinked. I shook my head as I saw a red aura around him. "Yea...just thinking about stuff." He nodded slowly. "Well, I'm Flynn. Nice to meet you."

Me and Flynn walked around Vill Edge. "This is town square. Not a lot of people come over here...well except for this crazy guy that spouts nonsense about magic" Sakira blinks for a moment. "Magic...does he mean like what Jin was talking about…?" Flynn waved his hand in front of Sakira. "Hellooooo?" I shook his head. "You know...for a 6 year old you know a lot about this place." Flynn nodded and mumbled "I help my parents with travelers and shopkeepers that come here after winter...we normally grow our own crops but one of the farmer hands passed away recently...now everyone is scared to work on the farm." I nodded slowly when Flynn explained. "well...there's a lot more to do here then in the mountains" That made Flynn laugh. My thoughts went back to his dad. "Dad...I hope your ok" Flynn looked over. "Oh- Hey Yaru" Sakira looked over to see a boy with long black hair, brown eyes and a small stature. He wore black cloth for a shirt and white pants. "He's...cute" I didn't realize I was blushing. Yaru nodded in greeting to Flynn, then looked at me. "Who's this?" Flynn piped up again "That's Sakira." I nodded and smiled. Yaru didn't say anything. He looked at the crowds of people. "Jen is probably going to walk here soon."

After the tour Flynn gave me, I went home to help make dinner. I looked through the window, the night sky resonating with his dark thoughts. "I might need to get to work soon...help with here." I shook his head. "no...I'm to young to do that." He looked at Jin and asked "um...would you like me to start working...even though I've only been here for a day?" Jin looked at me with interest. It was a thoughtful look. "hm...well...it would help a bit." I nodded and heard a knock on the door. "Sakira, stay here okay?" I give another nod while Jin walked over to the door. He looked through the dining room to see a large man. His face reminded him of a pig. "Hello Jin, how are you this evening?" Jin sighed and mumbled "what do you want?"

Sakira walked behind Jin. Jin looked at Sakira and whispered "I thought I told you to stay where you were." He shrugged and looked at the man in front of him. A burly man with overalls and a white cloth shirt and sea eyes looked at Jin. "Hello Jin! I see you are doing well" he looked down and saw me. His tone immediately shifted "and...who might this be?" Jin looked at the man and said "not to be rude but it really isn't any of your business, Terrice." He cleared his throat. "Well...as you've probably heard from the village rumors that one of my farm hands died. Heat exhaustion. The bastard was to stubborn to take a water! Well anyway, I wanted to ask if you er...knew someone who would like to help me with making sure our food supply doesn't run out." Jin looked at Terrice with a raised eyebrow. "well, as a matter of fact…" she looked at me and smiled. "I have this kiddo who's willing to work." He gave a hefty laugh that sounded like a snort. He sounds like a pig if I'm honest… "well, I'll be sure to put the boy to work." He gives a big huff and waddled away. Just moments later Flynn walks over "Heya Jin! Mind if we have dinner with you and Sakira?" Jin stifled a giggle. "does your parents know?" Flynn and Yaru nod. I looked behind them and noticed a girl with blond hair and green eyes with an emerald dress on. "Oh! Sakira this is Jen, the girl I was talking to you about at the square" I looked down and mumble "hello…" Jen smiles "It's nice to meet you, Sakira"

"That dinner was amazing! Thanks Sakira! Jin!" I smile and nod Flynn looked at me. "well, considering tomorrows the weekend...and my parents like to me to have some free time...how about we meet in the square tomorrow? Well after all our chores are done of course-" I nod "today has been an interesting one...I can definitely say that much" Yaru looks at me with curious yet kind eyes. "um...see you tomorrow" Flynn smirks and elbows Yaru and whispers "are you two trying to hit it off? It's only been a day!" Yaru playfully punches him "Don't be ridiculous!" Flynn laughs "okay okay! I was just kidding!" Flynn and Jen laugh while I look at Yaru. I didn't notice my face grow in a flush. Flynn hugs me and I freeze up for a moment. Then he whispers "I researched magic a bit more. My parents have this book explaining it. We should find a place to read and practice" he leans away and says "bye Jin! Bye Sakira! Kairi is very cute!" Me and Jin wave as they all leave

Jin sits on the couch with a sigh. "...he told you he researched what magic was, didn't he?" I was reluctant for a moment then ask "how did you know?" Jin shakes her head "his voice was a bit louder then he thought. Although...I might as well tell you what magic is...considering your getting to that age where you won't really have a way to control it." She walked upstairs and got a large book with gold like pages. "This, is the Elekopia. It's able to see what specific element you will be a master at. Your father...he would've loved to help you with this." The mention of my father made the thought come back into my mind. "What happened to my dad?" Jin sighed. "You'll learn when your older." She took a deep breath. "Alright. Magic is a thing you start to gain over time. As your body develops, your ability to control magic will also develop. Like this" She took a deep breath, and a light emerged from her palm. It went from red to white to blue to even green. "you can master all magic, but it's better to focus on one" she paused. "I was lucky enough to be a Masera." I tilt my head "Masera? Isn't that my last name?" Jin smiled and nodded. "Masera is your last name, yes. It also means Master of all. So your potential of learning all magic is possible." I blinked for a moment and feel my blood start to rush through my body. "Now, it's getting late...why don't we go to bed and you can have fun with your friends tomorrow?" I nod and we walk up to my room. "It's…like my old room." There was a bookshelf, a desk and a chair and a bed. I climbed into it. "Would you like to go to the bathroom before you go to bed?" I nod and she takes me to the bathroom, then I roll into my bed soon falling asleep.

-The window in my room didn't have any cloth to block the sun. I grunted and got up. Me, Jin and Kairi had breakfast together. Scrambled eggs, bacon and some toast. "the ingredients freshly made and from the market" she said with a yawn. Her hair was ruffled. I couldn't help but giggle. I went upstairs and grabbed my knapsack. When I walked downstairs, Jin smiled and said "here. I know it's breaking the rules but...I want you and your friends to have freedom" I nod and take the book, hiding it in my knapsack. I hugged Jin and walk over to Kairi's crib and kissed her forehead and headed out. I noticed our house was just outside of Vill Edge. It was difficult at first to find my way but in the end I did by the time the sun had risen over the mountain nearby. We waited for Jen and Yaru. "I'm guessing Jin told you about the book?" I looked to him and mumbled "how did you know?" Flynn smiled "well like Jin would say, I can read people like a book. Besides, you seem that kind of age where they would introduce it." I looked at him with a tilted head. "once you turn eight your usually get introduced to magic? Flynn nods. "well...around here they don't allow magic. I've heard stories where they try to burn people they suspect to be witches. Never heard anything about wizards though...that part is a bit weird." I noticed his voice was a bit lower in volume when talking about magic. I nodded in greeting when Leaf and Yaru arrived. "Alright! Now, lets go into Juna forest" we all nod but they followed me and Flynn.

The forest had an eerie feeling to it but also good one. Maybe even a safe one. When we walked in there I felt a surge in my body. Flynn pressed his hand on the ground, mumbling "this is a good spot. Alright, we can hang out here." I opened my knapsack and placed the book on the ground. A bright light enveloped the book. The symbols on the leather cover started to glow, showing each of the different elements. The wind rushed through my face and turned to a page. Flynn peered down and read it. "each magic user can master one element...there are those who are known as Masera's...ones who can master all the elements. There is Light, Dark, Fire, Air, Water, Life and Earth." After he finished the sentence, he started to glow red. I look behind him and notice a man watching us. Thats the man from- "Stop!" The book stops glowing and F falls on the ground with a thud. "Ow...hey what was that for!?" I turn Flynn around and he blinked. "huh...didn't expect they would come over and watch…" I felt myself start to panic and I put the book back in the knapsack. "Jin...Kairi...I really hope your okay"

I ran. I don't know for how long but all I could feel was the thumping of my shoes on the ground and the rushing beat of my heart. We were lucky enough to be right near the forest. "Oh no…" I saw the man banging on the door. "JIN! OPEN UP! I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU!" Jin opened the door with Kairi in her arms, crying. "What is it this time Terrice?" Terrice was gasping for breath. "Your- your boy- He was using" Jin murmered "Momira Eraza" Memory erase Terrice blinked and stared blankly. "now...what were you saying Terrice?" Terrice mumbled "oh...nothing. Why am I here again?" She shrugged "well...see you later." Terrice turned around and saw me for a moment, then walked past me into the forest. Jin sighed "you have to be careful...I should have gone with you" I looked over my shoulder and Flynn arrived first. "Hey- sorry about" Jin shook her head and he stayed silent. "You have to be careful next time...otherwise we could get killed.

The next few years were some of the hardest of my life. I Worked on Terrice's farm. It was one of the most difficult jobs I could ever had as a kid. I noticed every day Jin was getting more and more exhausted from taking care of me and Kairi. Then...the thing I feared most happened. I was twelve at the time. Four years after the incident where Dad had died. Though I figured out on my own I finally brought up the courage to say to Jin one day "I know my dad is dead." I think that's the thing that finally made her give up. On top of not using magic, taking care of us and making sure me and my friends didn't get in trouble. Though I'm pretty sure the added harassment from Terrice made matters a lot worse for her. She nodded. "yea...hey Sakira? Can you...take your sister for a walk? I have to do something."

I obey her and take Kairi for a small walk around the square. By the time I come back I call to her "Jin? We're back!" I lead Kairi up to her room to take a nap. I didn't hear anything but Kairi's snoring. I saw that Jin's door was ajar. I opened it. What I saw next was something I never thought I'd see. I fell over my head bumping the door. I yelled "ouch!" Jin didn't move. I walk up to her "Jin?" Nothing. Her skin felt cold to the touch. I heard a knock at the door. "Flynn" I walk down the steps and open it. "Hey Sakira- why do you look so grim?" I look down and mumble "it's...best that I show you…"

The days went by like a blur at that point. Birthdays, holidays, everything it was just me, my sister and my friends who were supporting me. It took a few years but I finally got over Jin's death. I found books talking about how there was another world. I finally sat Kairi down when she was Seven years old and told her everything.

"so that's why you wouldn't really do anything all those years" she muttered. I was eighteen now and it was the day before we made plans to look for The Gate. "and it's why I was so laser focused on getting us to a place where we belong. A place where we can use magic." She nodded slowly. "do you...do you think we should tell them that we can use magic?" I shook my head violently "no. They would capture us and kill us if we did that." Kairi shook her head. Our conversation ended after that. I gave her a reassuring smile. "We will find that place...I promise."

3: Last Life

A young boy laid on an old mattress in the basement of his home. His mom threw him down there after punishing him. The only clothes he had were on his back. Blue jeans and a Pokemon shirt with the three Kanto starters on it. "I didn't mean to get in trouble" he shuddered as he remembered... Tears streamed down his cheeks from the moment his mother yelled at him in the car to the end, where he was thrown down the old crusty basement. His whole body sore. He had no way out.

The door was locked from the other side. He remembered his mother convincing the police that there wasn't anyone there. He stood firm, even though his body ached. "I have to remain strong." He remembered his mother putting Heal-O Spray on his wounds before the police arrived. Her face contorted into a smile as she put it on him, just for her to do it again. The thought made him shudder. He sighed and the door opened.

The creak of the rusty iron door made his muscles tense. He heard his mom go down the steps, her heavy footsteps echoed in the silence of the cement walls. She was a slim women, a mix of blonde and dark brown. "Do you know what you did, Ren?" Her tone was condescending, as if he didn't belong. "Y-yes" Ren stammered, his voice hoarse from crying. She put her hand on Ren's neck, and said in a quiet voice "and what did you learn?" Ren had to think for a moment. When he didn't answer, her grip on his neck tightened, and he quickly said "d-don't say anything about what happens at home" Ren's mom smiled, her eyes as red as ruby's.

She took her hand off of his neck, and said "good. Now eat your dinner" he looked at the plate, and it was the same as it always was: bread. *better then nothing* he thought with a sigh. He heard the door close and ate the bread, his face twisted in disgust. He placed the plate at the top of the stairs, and watched the sunset through the barred windows. He stifled a yawn, and walked over to the mattress. Laying on it, it creaked and he unsteadily closed his eyes.

Ren bolted up as he heard his mother come down the stairs. The sound of high heels echoed as they hit the steps. The shoes made a creaking sound on the stairs, Ren starting to shake uncontrollably. He looked at the rotting stairs, which could fall apart at any moment. Dust started to gather as she walked down, stopping on the last step to give her more malice and power. He grunted in disdain as he got up, his mother now looking down at him. "Come on, it's time for school." Ren sighed and followed his mother up the steps, not sure if he should say no.

Ren followed his mother up the steps and looked around. Pictures of his family, mostly of his brother Alex, who was in the Vietnam war a couple of years back. The kitchen was on the left and the couch was on the right along with a TV. The sunlight coming out of the window giving a bleak glow, dust appearing in the sunlight.

When he sat down, he took a glimpse of his breakfast. It was cereal. The pieces looked messed up like they were manufactured lazily in a machine. "Hurry up, we have to go" His mother said in a disrespectful tone. Ren nodded, and ate it quickly. "Stale" he thought with a muffled sigh.

He finished and grabbed his backpack and started to walk to school. It wasn't long before his mother scoffed and said "wait! I'll take you to school!" Ren stifled a huff and waited for his mother to get ready. He sat on the couch, the springs squealing as his weight shifted onto it.

An hour had passed since his mother told him to wait. He looked behind him at the steps, his face turning white as he heard growling noises. "Is there...a dog?" He got up, and slowly walked up the steps. "This is my Mom's room…" he took a deep breath, his curiosity burning inside until he took the steps up into his mothers room. He looked inside to see a woman with snakes on her head.

A gasp of horror escaped Ren as he saw his mom break parts of stone, small enough for the snakes to swallow. He fell down the stairs until he hit the ground with a thud. "w-w-wha!?" His breath quickened, and his heart started to pound. Moments after, he heard his mother. "Ren? What are you doing" Ren tried to think of the words, before he could speak his mother spat "well come on! Spit it out!" He took a deep breath and said "I-I tripped, that's all.." his mothers scornful look proceeded to eye him down. She sighed. "Just wait down there, I'll be down in a moment." Ren nodded and quickly sat on the couch. "W-w-what was that-" he continued to hear the hiss of snakes up stairs, then silence. His mother walking down and said "Alright, let's go."

The car came to a stop and Ren's shoulders sagged as he saw the Exan school sign. Kids were walking to the entrance with either parents, were alone or said goodbye when exiting the car. One of the teachers outside was pacing around. Crows feet sagged at the bottom of his eyes and the teacher was shaking uncontrollably. "Gosh...he looks horrible" Ren thought with a sigh. His mom stopped the car with a screeching noise and shoved him out of the car.

As Ren walked in, kids stared at him as if he was an alien. He walked over to his first class and sat down. One of his friends who sat next to him said "Heya Ren!" Ren smiled and nodded in greeting. "Hello Sasha" He said quietly. Her hair was brown, and laid on her shoulders. Something told him that he definitely liked it. A pang of sadness hit him. "I need to put those feelings aside…" he thought.

After class, Ren went to the bathroom with his bag. He walked into one of the stalls and set his bag on the floor and unzipped it. In it was school supplies. A pencil case, notebook and a sketchbook. He moved all of those things aside and unzipped a pocket he stitch in a few weeks ago. Inside it was a 9mm pistol, something he made sure to grab the night before. "At least Dad had something before he died." He took a deep breath. He knew his mother was around. "This is it...these ten years...they've been heck." He put the ammunition in and put it in his back pocket, and headed toward the schools office.

Ren took a deep breath, nervous about what he would do. "Am I really doing this?" His only target was his mom. "And yet…" He heard footsteps from the hall. He put the 9mm in his back pocket and quickly walked by without anyone noticing. The only thing the other kid did was look at him. "They always do that".

Quickly, he walked toward the main office. He opened the door. His perspective made it difficult. "No one's here" he thought. He checked the other offices, making sure no one was there. "Where is everyone?" He tensed up as someone went behind him and put a soft cloth over his nose and mouth. Struggling to breathe, he clasped the arm of his captor, only to lose consciousness.

As Ren woke up, his eyes adjusted to the dark room he was in. He looked up, and drawings of God could be seen on the walls. "w-where am I…?" He asked. He heard voices- in sync. "Hail Yuvera" the voices said in unison. His mother, Yuvera then spoke. "Priest, rise." The old man in white and golden linen got up, and said "yes Mistress?" Yuvera looked over at the room he was in. "Make sure our guest knows that him sneaking around will get him...punished." The pRenst nodded, and walked toward Ren. He struggled to get out of the chair, but the duck tape kept him from escaping. The pRenst came closer, and took off the duck tape, throwing him on the floor. Ren lied on the floor of the room for hours. His body exposed, and his mother smiling with delight. "excellent job~" her eyes glowed red and the priest screamed in terror, turning into stone.

Ren stared in terror as he watched the priest turn into stone. He was silent, and his mother smiled at him. "The gun!" He grabbed for the gun in his back pocket. "o-oh no." His mother laughed, it sounding like a crow cawing. "you seriously think you could kill me?" She grabbed Ren by the throat and continued in a soft tone. "my my. Ren Menai, do you know how your brother was in the army?" Ren nodded, and she continued, while her snakes hissed. "it was a lie, sweet Ren~" Ren was silent and she continued. "You see, my lovlies here" she pet her hair, and he noticed the snakes having green eyes. "have to eat stone in order to keep me alive. The Snakes absorb the life force of lets say a child, and keeps me immorta-" the roof of the house split open, revealing sunlight. She screamed, and collapsed on the floor convulsing. Ren got dressed, and looked up Thank god this place is old he thought. He noticed the 9mm next to her and picked it up.

Ren aimed at his mothers head, his hands shaking as he saw his mother's skin turn old and raggedy. "go on boy! Do it!" she said, her voice a screech like nails on a chalkboard. He took a deep breath, and pulled the trigger.

The bullet of the 9mm entered Mothers skull, causing her to collapse. Ren gasped for breath. "W-w-what-" he fell over and sat on the floor, gasping for breath, realizing what he just did. "I...I did it." He looked at the gun with disdain and carefully checked the ammo. "One bullet. For me…" he stared at the gun, tears starting to stream down his cheeks. He couldn't finish the thought, and put the gun to his head, pulling the trigger.

4: Concealment

"Agent Z, are you there? Over." I looked down at the radio in my left pocket. The only sound that it made was the creak of the floor and the static of the radio. I looked at the aftermath of the crime inside the dilapidated church. My fists were clenched while I walked around the scene. I stared at the women, my mind racing. She lied on the floor in a pool of her own blood. Her head was partially blown off. what...what even is this? Why does she have snakes attached to her? A statue was in the corner. Why did he make a statue of himself? Isn't narcissism one of the seven sins or something like that? I looked over at the statue across the room near the corner then to the two bodies. "...what the hell even happened here?"Sunlight beamed through the patch of the roof that collapsed on the women. The blood gleamed like a rain puddle. I looked over to the small body of the boy near her. No kid deserves this…we were too late and he paid the price for it.I took a moment to think about the discussion I had about the investigation days before. "I overheard someone at the Police station talk about a bribe to keep something quiet. Did you ever find anything out it?" I nodded. "I mostly started with the houses closest to the church. The woman who I was talking to said "they don't have time for wild goose chases." Kane shook his head. "Figures" he mumbled. "Any idea who it could be?" I took a moment to think. "I don't know..." My thoughts snapped to how he arrived on the scene. When he arrived there were already police. My palms were sweaty. "Why do I feel so nervous?" I walked over to one of the officers "How's the investigation" I take a moment to look at his badge of the officer "Parker?" Parker turned around. "It's...honestly really tragic" I didn't want to press "and yet I don't really" have a choice."Where did you hear the gunshots?" Parker took a deep breath attempting to remove the emotion from his voice. "I think it was a few houses away. A woman named Rossete called after hearing them. When we arrived...It was too late so we had to call in the Special Agents."

One of the Special Agents, Kane muttered "what the hell…". He looked over at Kane. "Kane, I need to stay at the scene for awhile longer. I need to view the evidence...make sense of all of this." Kane nodded slowly and started to walk away. After I studied the scene for an hour I went back outside and started his truck. I placed his head on the steering wheel, my mind whirling with a mix of sadness and anger. "Something about this...it feels so surreal…"He went home immediately.

When I arrived home, I sighed and I walked in and immediately landed on the bed. The room had a bed at the very end, a bathroom on the right and a kitchen not to far away from it that was shared by all the other residents. I looked at the cupboards in the kitchen. "not really hungry." It was surprising on how much a small room alone costs. "about 3,000 a month...barely enough to stay afloat. Its sad...but it's all I can afford right now." I took a moment to get comfortable and laid on my bed."I know I shouldn't feel guilty...but I do for whatever reason" I said to myself out loud. the crime scene replayed in my head over and over again. "Damn...I wish I could've been there earlier." He heard a knock on his door. "Coming" I say, exhausted.

I open the door to a woman in a business suit. She looks like someone from the Blues BrothersHer light brown hair was down, but the sunglasses made it difficult to see her eyes. She took a deep breath. "Hi, my name is Jenn. Jenn Harris. Are you the one who went to the crime scene for…" she looked at her clip board and cleared her throat. "...incident?" I look at Jenn for a moment. "I was one of the people who saw the crime scene of Ren Menai, yes." Jenn nodded slowly as I spoke. "oh- well I come from a board of directors called the Hunters. We need to you to come to our offices so my director can ask you a few questions" I nodded slowly as she explained. "well...I don't mind. I would just have to talk to my director and-" Jenn interrupted him "my boss talked to yours already." I was taken aback and nodded slowly and muttered "Oh" "huh...these guys are really well organized" He nodded and slowly and says "and everything has been paid for?" Jenn nods and says "private jet" I sighed and muttered "then...let's go."

Me and Jenn were in a black van, the interior was a nice tanish-white, having futuristic machinery. When I sat inside, the feeling of it took him off guard. "wow- this feels super comfortable." Jenn nods as she turned the key, turning on the ignition. "yea, and this is what were spending our budget on." we both laughed, and Jenn started to drive out of the city. "Out of New York? Where is your offices exactly?" I ask. It took one minute for Jenn to respond. "Detroit." Zed took a moment, then said "Detroit? Why there?" Jenn looked at Zed and said "I can't say anymore. It's classified to intel only-" both of them heard a voice in their heads, Jenn had to stop the car. "He will be a part of it." Jenn blinked for a moment and said "I thought I told you not to go inside my head" The voice took a moment, then responded. "Yes, but our boss just informed us that he will be a part of the team" Jenn sighed and mumbled "okay, okay...are we still going to the airport?" the voice responded "yes" Zed looked around frantically as the voice stopped talking. "what in the hell was that-" Jenn rolled her eyes. "It's one of our agents named Tela. He can use psychic powers." "did I hear that correctly?" I thought. For a moment I felt myself flinch but it was subtle enough for her not to notice. I look out the window to see the view of the city.

When I and Jenn arrived at the airport, my jaw dropped in awe at the black jet right in front of him. "woah...were riding in that?" "Yes, you are" Zed stiffened as he heard Tela's voice again. They both got out of the van, Zed still looking in awe. "wow...this must be as big as the presidents jet!" Jenn rolled her eyes and said "no, not really. We can't use public airports. Causes to much attention." I nod slowly and mumble "makes sense." Jenn continued "Our boss told us to have specific points of interest." Zed nodded as he listened to Jenn talk. My own thoughts starting to block it out. I blurted out "so...they have someone who can use psychic abilities and a girl...wonder why they chose me of all people?" Jenn takes a moment, then shrugs. "In all honesty, I'm not sure. Maybe the Boss can see potential in you?" I nodded slowly and shrugged in agreement. The Jet door opens and a man with a white shirt with a vest and jeans walks out. His hair was as dark as the night sky with no stars, his eyes were the color of the sky. "Greetings, you must be Agent Z?" I nodded, Jenn adding "alright, we just need to get on then we can see the boss."

When I entered the Jet, a cold drift made me shiver. Jenn entered behind him and gave a small tour. "at the very end we have the wine bar, though we can't really drink on the job. Right in front of us is the bathroom, then the front is where the pilot is." Zed nodded and looked at the front. "uh...why aren't there any people in the front?" Tela answered "This plane is integrated with AI technology that allows us to fly via microchips in the steering vessel." I blinked for a moment, not sure if I understood. Jenn rolled her eyes and said "it can fly without a pilot" I took a moment to think about it. "hm...well I guess it's possible but how-" I heard something on the intercom. "Hello, and welcome to Dream Airline. I am Integrated Flying Artificial Intelligence, or IFA for short. We will be going to the Dream Corp offices in approximately five minutes. Please strap in, and we will leave shortly"

"Will probably take a couple of hours to get there." Jenn smiles. Jenn sat down first while I sit at the end of the table. "This place isn't that bad...I'm impressed." Tela nodded and looked outside at the window. I look around at the interior of the Jet. A majority of it like the seats of the van were tan ish brown. It also had a wooden table for the bar with seats. The wine was held in a sort of vending machine. Claws held on to the bottles as the Jet took off, they were now in flight.

When they arrived at the airport in Detroit, My face contorted when I saw it. It was completely destroyed. "Even some of the roof falling apart." I said out loud. Tela looks over at me, his tone indifferent. "Yea...We aren't in the rust belt, but this is where they put it." Tela looked at the window, emotionless. "It's the only area they could build it without suspicion. We have very few stragglers, but even then they do a good job concealing it." I nodded slowly, the Jet started to land. "We will be landing shortly, please keep your seat belts on until we have made a complete stop" The IFA said on the intercom.

As the door opened and I walked out I froze. He saw red eyes and a muscular body down the alley near where they were. Jenn looked at him with a tilt of his head and asked "Zed? What's wrong?" Tela looked over to where Zed was looking. "There must be a Zera there." Zed looked over at Tela. "Zera? What's that?" "why am I shaking...I'm never like this. It's definitely not from visiting an unknown area..." I thought with a slow shake of my head. Tela took a deep breath, then took something out of his pocket. He put it on his head, then pressed a button on the side. He nodded and threw it over to Jenn. When she saw it, she gave a yelp and almost dropped the goggles. Tela lifted his hand. Levitating the goggles until they were in his pocket again. I looked over in awe. "wow...he knows how to use his powers really well" "We need to get out of here" Me and Tela nodded. We all sneaked past the alley. The Zera already spotted them, making an ear splitting roar.

I took a look back at the thing that was hunting them. "Come on! Were close to the offices!" I nodded then looked behind me. "I need to get a closer loo-" He was interrupted by the Zera swiping its back hand, causing me to hit a building. I screamed out in pain, my body made a crunching noise when it made contact with the building. Jenn took something out of her pocket, and pressed a button. The cube turned into a staff. "Zed! You okay!?" Tela ran over to me. He helped me up with his psychic. "Zed, you okay?" he asked. I nodded. "Y-yea...but how the hell did I survive that-" I coughed up blood while I got up slowly. "Do you have healing spray?" I ask with a gasp of pain Tela nodded and looked over at Jenn. She threw a small can of heal-o, Tela spraying it on Zed. "Thanks...we need reinforcements. Now" The Zera roared and charged at the three. A bulb of light hit the Zera. It exploded, leaving nothing left.

I sat down on the pavement, gasping for breath. I took time to think about what happened in my head. A man with a white robe looked at him and asked "hey, you okay?" Jenn sighed with relief, while Tela looked emotionless. "What...the hell was that?" Zed asked. Jenn murmured "so that's why he wanted you on the team...you can see them without having visual equipment" I looked at Jenn with confusion. "Come" the man in the white robe said. I nodded and slowly got up with Tela's help. Me and the others all walked to the Dream Corp office, I relayed what I witnessed in my mind over and over again. When we entered the building I sat sat down in one of the chairs, while Tela and Jenn talked to the receptionist. Jenn came back over and said "Alright, we can go and see the boss now" I nodded. "I'm still lightheaded from the recent fight" Jenn nodded with sympathy. "Don't worry, I can help you get up there."

"They all look the same…" I mumbled as they all walked through the hallways. Once me and the others were on the top floor Jenn knocked. A voice said "come in" and they all entered. Zed looked at the man sitting at the desk. "Ah, you must be Zed. I am Lincoln. No not that Lincoln." Lincoln had white from his hair to his beard. "Well? Come sit. I need to ask you a few questions." I nodded and looked at Jenn and Tela. "I was told that you encountered a Zera outside of the Airport." Jenn nodded while Tela looked at the window "yes. What is a Zera anyway?" Lincoln rubbed his beard with his hand. He took a moment, then said "that's the issue. We don't know where these things are coming from. They randomly started to appear out of nowhere." I was reminded of the incident with Menai again. I noded slowly. Lincoln continued. "when we heard of your case, we wanted to hear it from the actual source. Do you have the report with you?" I nodded and reached into my back pocket. "This is the USB they gave me before I left." Lincoln took the USB, and put it into a USB slot on his desk. The desk opened up, revealing a visual of the events. "Hrm...this is definitely concerning. We were lucky to even capture this footage when we could." He motioned his hands to enhance on the Medusa lady. "This one. She was a part of a cult she controlled. She hypnotized residents, and some police to forget what they were there for." I nodded slowly while my hands clenched into fists. Jenn looked down and muttered "that's horrible." Tela nodded slowly, though remained silent. "Thank you for coming in Z. Getting this will allow us to get a step closer to figuring out whats going on." Zed nodded and said "your welcome. We wouldn't have gotten out of there without help from-" He stopped what he was saying when Tela said via telepathy "don't tell him. It's better that he doesn't know." Lincoln didn't notice the pause and continued. "Tela and Jenn, I want to ask you if you can go back to New York and set up an office there. Jenn and Tela nodded. "Zed, you'll be the head of the New York office." I took a moment to respond, then Lincoln added "or, you can stay here and learn a few things." Jenn said "I think it would be best if he learned about how to fight these things. Normal guns don't work." She added the last minute. Tela, who stayed silent for a long time said "considering we faced that Zera and we barely got out of there alive, it would help if he knew what we were dealing with." Lincoln looked at Tela for a moment, then continued "yes...it would be better to have Agent Z train." "Train…? Train for what?" Tela immediately answered "each hunter has a specific weapon they use against the monsters. We haven't come up with a name for them yet, I was thinking Nightmares." Lincoln nodded and typed something down on a keyboard, his focus now on typing. "alright, I added something to your modules that will help with identifying these...nightmares as Tela said." An awkward silence entered the room for a few minutes before Lincoln finally said "you may go now. Zed, Jenn and Tela will help you in the training room with George." Jenn lets out an "ugh" noise. Lincoln says gently "now come on Jenn, you have to accept that he's with another woman sometime-" Jenn interrupts him and says "I'm not mad at him because of that!" Jenn hid behind her hands, hiding her blush. Tela clears his throat. "anyway, once we get Zed trained we should go back to New York to set up the new office. Jenn and I nod, heading down to the training room.

The doors automatically opened to a room filled with nature. "The training room is as big as a baseball field. Probably bigger then that" Tela explained. I saw someone at the corner of my eye tending to some flowers. Jenn walked over and muttered "hey George…" George got up and turned around. He had a garden apron, and protective gloves. "oh- oh...hey Jenn" His attitude immediately went down. They both stared at each other for a couple of minutes, Tela clearing his throat. "We need to use the training room for Zed." George looked at Zed for a moment, then said "welcome, I hope you can do the best you can in here." I nod in silence and followed Tela into a shrine.

Inside the shrine was an assortment of weapons. Bows and arrows were on the far left, spears in the center and swords and shields on the far right. In the center of the shrine there was a light glowing from the bottom. Tela pressed a button outside the shrine and the center opened up, revealing a small cube floating up to eye level. "whenever someone joins the Dream Division of the Police force, we give them a special weapon crafted with a mixture of magic, metal and giving it the ability to change into any weapon the user so desires. By taking this weapon, you have officially joined the Dream Division, Dream Corp and the Nightmare Hunters." I take a small shaky breath and held the cube. A light engulfed the shrine, causing both Zed and Tela to see visions. The force of it caused both of them to fall over. Tela grunted in pain and got back up. He gets up and holds his hand out "You okay?" I slowly get up and nodded while Tela explained. It takes a few moments for me to notice the cube in my hand. "Say module." I nod. "Module" the cube transformed, the cube now turned into a flat sort of platform. It added a screen like a tablet and it turned on. "Hello, I am Axis. I shall be your guide to any and all Nightmares that you encounter." Tela looked at it for a moment and continued his speech. "Each cube has a specific name that it takes. Mine for example is Calis" I look at his own cube. "so if I say weapon, it will change into a weapon that I know best?" Tela nodded. "From a bow/arrow, to a sword to even a spear." Zed nodded and looked at Axis. "Weapon" Axis glowed and transformed into a simple gun. Tela shook his head. "huh...we've never had a gun user before." I tilt his head. "so what now-" an alarm sounded in the room. "ALL PERSONNEL COME TO THE RECRUITMENT ROOM IMMEDIATELY" Tela sighed. "We go there."

Me, Tela, Jenn and George enter the recruitment room, Lincoln soon to follow. "Where are the others?" Lincoln took a moment to reply. "The other group shot out a flare just moments ago. We don't have anyone else from the Nightmare Hunters division." George sat down in one of the chairs as Lincoln explained the situation. Tela sighed and said "gee, why can't we all have a fight in central park" I look at Tela while Jenn and George both chuckled. Lincoln rolled his eyes. "Well the situation is in Detroit. Deal with it." He looked at Zed and said "Z, this will be your first mission. I want you to stay back and watch what Jenn, George and Tela do. Our mission is to contain, not kill." Zed nodded, Axis transforming back into a small cube. He put it back in his pocket."

Me and the rest of the group went to a room with a large circular machine. "It looks like some sort of portal thing." I said out loud. Tela attempted to resist a smile but couldn't really do so. "Well you're half right. It goes to a dimension similar to ours. It's just in a different plane of existence." Jenn added "it's the only way we're able to see the Nightmares." I took a moment to look at the machine while Jenn and Tela explained. George typed a few commands on a keyboard. He pressed enter, and a computer tower started to run, the portal starting to open.

I look at the portal in awe as it turned on. Jenn giggled and said "believe it or not, this always happens. The Zera we saw before...it must have broken the dimensional plane." I looked at Jenn, alarmed. "wait...so if these Nightmares are created and have the ability to break the Dimensional Barrier…" George finished his sentence "it'll be harder to conceal them." Jenn nodded and turned to face the portal. "Alright. We should get going now." I stared at the portal, the entrance swirling around. He took a deep breath, and went in.

The other side of the portal was instantaneous. I watched as Jenn and Tela arrived on the other side, but not George. "Where's George?" I asked. "Someone has to maintain the portal room in case something goes wrong." I nodded and said "weapon" to Axis. The light less laminate. "don't use Axis to much, you only have so much mana to work with." I looked at Jenn with a confused look. Tela said "do you play DND?" I take a moment to think then nodded. "Wizards and Witches had the ability to cast magic generations ago. The Cube uses Mana. If used to much it can start to drain your life force." I took a moment to relay the information in my head. I heard George in his ear piece they had given him before they left. "Alright, the location of the Nightmare is around Noble St." Jenn and Tela both said "Roger that." and head down to the left, I start to follow but suddenly stopped. I squinted through the fog, and gasped out of surprise.

I watch as the same person in a white robe walks up to him. "You need to stay here, the one who will stop the Nightmares will come soon enough" images of what happens in the future go through his mind, my legs wiggling like they turned into jelly. After seeing everything that happens, I collapse. Jenn looks back and sees me convulsing on the floor. "I think Zed is having a seizure!" Tela stops and looks back, George in the ear piece says "don't worry about him! You have to keep moving!" Jenn stops and stares at me, time going slower as she saw her friend suffer. Then suddenly he stopped. He got up and walked over. His eyes blank. "Zed...you okay?" I look at Jenn and says "I need to stay here. You two go back, it's to dangerous here." Tela looks at Zed, taken aback. "says the ameteur! We aren't leaving-" a force of light emerges and sends both Jenn and Tela flying back to the portal.

"Jenn? JENN!" She slowly woke up to Tela shaking her. She started to get up, then jerked in pain. "what happened in there? I can't get the portal open-" Tela explained the events to him in a flat voice. It indicated that he was upset. "Zed is stuck in there...without any food or water or-" Jenn spoke up and interrupted George. "We can't tell Lincoln what happened." Tela and George look at Jenn, shocked to hear her say that. "but- what else can we do?" Jenn took some time to answer. "I...I don't know." They heard someone else on the intercom. "Mr. Lincoln has died of a heart attack…" Tela looks at Jenn, suspicion in his voice. "how convenient."

A few days had passed since Zed's disappearance and Lincoln passing away. Jenn walked up to a microphone on a stage, giving a speech. "Mr. Lincoln was a very passionate man who loved serving his country by fighting the forces of evil. I promise to do the best I can to bring Dream Corp to a golden age of opportunity to those who wish to fight against evil. After the speech, she sighed. Tela stood next to her. "so...your leaving to New York Tela?" He nodded. "unfortunately. I wish I could help you with this but…" he put his hands on her shoulders. "please. Don't fuck up, okay?" Jenn nodded, a small blush on her cheeks. He pressed his lips to hers, quickly pulling away before anyone could notice. He smiled, and said "ciao" Jenn couldn't help but smile back and whisper "ciao."

"so, thats what happened" I sit at the campfire with two kids. One of them was small with dirty blond hair while the other had light brown. "wait...how do you know about the stuff you weren't in?" I smile and chuckle. "I learned how to look through a portal to Gaia." "is this kid...really the one who will stop the nightmares? Guess time will tell…"

5: Interrogation

"So, you want me to tell you everything?" It was noon inside an interrogation room, no windows in sight. A man with a light blue jacket and white sleeves sat in front of an investigator. His black shirt and pants along with a red tie. "of course. Though there is so much to tell." His voice was entrancing. "But first, tell me your name." The man in the light blue jacket sighed. After a few minutes he spoke "my name...is Jayce Masera. My wife is Angela." The man smiled, then "so like in the legends?" Jayce nodded, there was no way to get out of this now. I needed to tell him everything. So I did. I told him about my ancestry. How there was a evil out there that no one could handle. That we thought was dead. After a pause I said "or so we thought." Sweat was building up on my brow. "so we thought?" The man asked. "after the next reincarnation of of my recent ancestor...which is me, considering how our names are similar. There is always a reincarnated guardian light and darkness. Its been like that for a long time. Until recently."

"I'm not sure how long this will last" Jayce finished, before adding "but...I want to protect my son, and my wife." The man tilted his head, saying "you never mentioned having a child." Jayce nodded. "he was just born a few days ago. The man smiled. "well. You don't mind if we...take him off of you?" Jayce looked at the man with a threatening look. "The hell do you mean?" The man soon turn into what looked like a shadow, his amber eyes turning blood red. His clothes faded. His voice sounding like static. "because I am Yami." Yami used his sharp claws to scratch Jayce's chest. He yelled in pain and fell over in the chair, two guards coming in. He turned "get rid of the body" Yami said. "I will go and hunt down the woman and the child."

I bolted upright in a cold sweat. Dawn had yet to appear out the window. I sighed and I looked at Angela. She got up and asked "Jayce? Whats wrong?" He stared out the window for a minute. "I think...I think we should put Mason in an orphanage." Angela looked at Jayce with shock. "how can you say that!? We only just-" Jayce interrupted "because Yami has come back and Mason is our only hope!" After a moment, Jayce recuperated himself. "look...Mason is the only one in our family...after a generation of having no magical ability he has it. It's subtle but it will grow stronger as time goes on. If...if Yami finds out that Mason has that power, we are fucked." Angela sighed and shook her head. "yea...I guess your right."

that night me and Angela went back to sleep only to be woken up by a shattering of a door. Mason started to cry. Jayce immediately ran downstairs to see two cloaked figures. "where is the child" I looked at Angela and said "get Mason far away from here!" Angela nodded. Jayce grabbed a sword from the fireplace. "I'm not giving my son up!" The cloaked figures only laughed. "how foolish~" they both said in unison. The both took their cloaks off and let out a horrific roar as they attacked me. The only thing that was left was a scream of terror.

Angela ran with Mason in her arms, almost falling as she reached the airport right near the mansion. She gasped, and made sure to be in a change of clothes. She looked at the flights. "Michigan...that could work." She thought. She knew people there. She took out change to use for the phone and looked at a small notepad she had brought before leaving with Mason. She called a place she worked with years ago. "Hello? Is...is Henson still there?" The receptionist replied "yes he is but...its 3 AM mam. Why are you-" she interrupted "my name is Angela Masera. I'm being hunted by The Dark Followers and need to find a home for my son." The receptionist on the phone said "please hold." After a few minutes, Henson was on the phone. He was an old man that owned orphanages around the world. "Angela? Its been years my dear" Angela replied quickly "look...I don't have much time. I need someone to take care of Mason. Do you have an orphanage in Michigan?" Henson laughed and said "indeed I do. I have someone that can take Mason off your hands." Angie thanked Henson before hanging up the phone, making sure she wasn't seen. She hid in the bathroom before the plane was ready to head out. She quickly went back and grabbed her Debit card that had her emergency money on it, and traveled to Michigan.

Once the simulation ended, I set the VR goggles aside and sat down. "So that's what happened to my parents…" My foster dad nodded slowly. "yes...thats what they had on record anyway. We aren't sure if that is what happened exactly but" I stop him mid sentence "so those other stories- those could be made up?" my dad shook his head "Before the King and Edge did happen, though it happened before they discovered Tamashii." The alarm rang, indicating yet another mission. "Alright, we should go. Come on Mason"