"The most important thing that you should be aware of is that things exist in other worlds that don't here."

"Malak, after what I saw yesterday, believe me when I say I completely understand." Kagome said with a tick in her forehead. He sighed.

"That's true, but not really what I meant. Each world is different, obviously, but each world has one similarity: they each have some form of magic." He paused, a serious look in his eyes. For a moment he thought that Kagome understood the weight of what he was saying before she burst out laughing.

"That was a good one. But really Malak, magic?" She had an amused expression on her face that really pissed Malak off. He held up the palm of his hand and suddenly there was a surge of fire sparking towards the ceiling of the room they were in. Kagome fell out of her chair she was so surprised.

"What was that?"

"Sorcery." He said as he closed his fist, putting out the flame. "Or, at least that was what it was called in the world where I was sent. It's strange, of course I wasn't a sorcerer before I went to that world, but after some teaching there, it came to me as easy as breathing." He was now playing with a small flame, allowing it to weave between his fingers and wrist. "Some of the places people are sent can be quite extreme, conditions that humans cannot survive under. Yet, our body's change to match the place we go. Each place has some form of this magic; it is simply harnessed differently in each world. In some, the magic is an inherent power that the individual possesses and can use by channeling it into weapons, and in others you are required to say an incantation or spell to use."

"And your world?"

"Hmm, in mine we channeled our power. The magic there was elemental, each person possessing an element they could channel. Mine is, as you have seen fire. I would channel the fire into my two scimitars." His mind seemed to wander off into his memories.

"I was wondering, your clothes and jewelry…"

"Ah, yes, these are just what the people there wore. I don't feel comfortable without them on." He frowned. "Anyways, let's get back to you. As you know, the technology here is greatly affected by the gate. This is because magic and technology don't mix very well. The stronger the magic present in the other world, the greater the interference here. My world was heavily influenced by magic and used it frequently, yet the interference was only 175 meters. It is safe to assume that magic is a very large part of the world you will be going to… a very large part."

"There were floating islands." Kagome agreed. "This all just seems so strange. I thought I was just going to have to go in, kill someone, and get out."

"Well, I guess that is the main goal, but you really should figure out the deeper problem as well."

"What do you mean?"

"Sometimes the problem is deeper than one person. Often, when trying to defeat that individual, you heal the problem on the way. Yet, there have been a few instances where even after the leader has been killed the person sent was not allowed to return. It was only after securing the stability of the people being saved that they were sent back."

"Hmm. Ok." Kagome stood up, "Fight creepy bugs, save the day, return home! No sweat. I can do this." An amused smile stretched across Malak's face. "Oh! I was wondering, what was that tingly feeling I got when I met you?"

"Well, to be quite honest, we're not really quite sure." He said rubbing the back of his neck, "It only happens around people who have been listed. Sort of like a homing beacon so that we can recognize each other."

"Weird."

"Well now that all the serious, confidential stuff is out of the way, let's get training!" Kagome grimaced at the sadistic smile on her mentor's face. 'I would rather fight the giant bugs,' she couldn't help but think.

Kagome groaned as she pulled on her black combat cargo pants and matching black tank top. Five days was not enough time to get used to Malak's level of training! Each day he would randomly attack her, even in her sleep, forcing her to be on her guard at all times. When they spared, she learned new meaning to the word pain, just how hard could that man hit? However, despite his pride with his swords, he couldn't beat her there. Kagome's favored weapon being the sword, it didn't matter which type; she could handle each with the easy of a seasoned warrior. It also didn't help that Malak's sword is best used on horseback, limiting him greatly in comparison to Kagome's flowing technique. Kagome filled her pockets and bag with things that may come in handy like rope, a pocket knife, a compass, a tarp, water bottle, first aid kit, spare cloths, emergency food, a sleeping bag, lighter, binoculars, sunscreen, and most importantly: bug spray. She shrugged on a thermal jacket and some hiking boots that she had been breaking in all week. Rolling her shoulders she went to greet Malak who would be walking her to the arch.

"Good to see you still awake." He greeted good naturedly.

"I don't think it was very wise to exhaust me with your constant need to fight the day I leave." Kagome said rolling her eyes.

"Haha. No I guess not. But you can sleep when you're dead."

"Those were not the words of confidence I was looking for believe it or not."

"They had wanted you to wear your school uniform you know." He said as he looked over her outfit which was definitely not the uniform.

"I'd like to see those old men fight those bugs in a skirt."

"It's for publicity; they are trying to reassure everyone."

"So I've been told, but if I don't make it back alive, then all that would really be for nothing. All week all the news has been saying is how much support the government is giving me and about the training program's success."

"In your case, I can't say that they are wrong. You are quite skilled."

"Thank you." Kagome beamed at him. Seriously, he thought with a light blush, this girl is too cute.

"We should go, the interference as reached the two mile radius mark. We will take the horses." Malak's excitement was palpable. "I haven't gotten to take one out in over a month. After spending eight years almost constantly on horseback, I find myself reluctant to travel any other way."

"Fine, but I get to ride with you. Horses have never liked me much."

As they made their way to the stables, Kagome found herself feeling rather lonely. Although Malak was almost always with her, she didn't see many other people. The UN building was deserted for the most part without there being any major meetings that required them to meet at the arch and the soldiers mostly kept close to the compound. There were a few staff members who kept things orderly, but no one to really interact with. She missed home and she was only heading farther from it with no return possible in the foreseeable future.

The Arch and its' power was always on her mind. She could feel it regardless of where she went in the compound and though it did not pull at her to enter the Arch, it seemed to hover around her as if it was reminding her of its power over her. Quite frankly, it pissed Kagome off. Always prodding at her and nudging her awake when Malak finally let her sleep. She was fed up with that stupid Arch's spiteful bulling. Just because it couldn't lure her into the portal, it saw fit to nag at her 24/7.

As she and Malak approached the Arch, there were no news crews waiting with their cameras. Instead there were journalists and artists there as the cameras couldn't work within the two mile radius. Dismounting from the horse she felt the Arch flare up again. She smirked; it was really pissed at her.

Malak couldn't understand the relationship this girl seemed to develop with the Arch. It seemed like they were rivals who kept trying to one up the other. It was rather petty if one ignored the fact that Kagome's life was on the line. The two seemed to enjoy pressing the other's buttons, which was quite strange seeing as one was just a rock that was transporting people. Kagome, though, seemed to think that it was sentient and could think. Malak just shrugged it off; if Kagome said that it was alive, then the stupid rock is probably alive.

Kagome marched up to the rock and slammed her hand hard against the Arch and felt the same flash of power and the feeling of someone's attention snapping toward her. Though, this time she also felt the Arch's annoyance and sadistic humor at her frustration. Kagome patted it a few more times for good measure, making sure that she hit it as hard as she could. The arches colors flared and changed rapidly at the attack on its person.

They are so childish, Malak thought, Though the arch didn't seem this bothered when we dropped bombs on it.

Kagome smiled in satisfaction at upsetting the hulking rock. Malak had no idea where this confidence was coming from. The scenery changed to show the familiar well and landscape. I'll give the crazy people who are messing with my world a piece of mind, were Kagome's last thoughts as she stepped through the arch. For a moment, she felt as though she were falling. There was a blend of colors swirling around her before everything stopped.

"Kami…" Kagome breathed.