Act 1- The Aetherial Threat (some personalities will be changed- such as Jarvis. He's going to be more "outgoing" this time around.

Chapter 1- Welcome to Devil's Crossing

The Gallows

The first thing that he noticed was that his head hurt. A lot. The second thing he noticed was what was above him. It was a rusted iron cage, hanging about six feet above him, that was connected to a wooden post by some rope. The contents of this cage was what caught his attention- a dead man, now basically a rotting skeleton.

Then he heard a voice. "So you finally decided to wake up, huh?"

The voice belonged to an older man. He somewhat remembered his voice, but from where, he could not figure out.

Jarvis knew that the boy wished to speak with him, but all that he heard was one word: water. He couldn't help with that, so he called over to Barnabas, who was the drink management person. "Hey, Barnabas!"

"What about, Jarvis?"

Jarvis nodded down to the boy. "He needs a drink. And since we can't give him the water that we've got..." The two locked gazes. "Can you handle whiskey?" The boy nodded.

Jarvis grinned and motioned for Barnabas to throw him a flask.

A few seconds later, Jarvis discovered that the "Taken" was a chatterbox- the kid wouldn't stop talking. He thanked both of them, then went on to say "This is some Damn fine whiskey- who made it?" Barnabas was happy to say that he had made the brew himself, which caused the boy to stand, walk over to him, and shake his hand.

"You've gotta name, kid?"

The boy nodded. "Yes sir."

Barnabas crossed his arms. "Well?" The boy looked down for a few seconds.

"My full name is...Lincoln Forester..."

Then he looked back up. "But you can call me Link, if you want."

Barnabas and Link then went into a long discussion about the finer aspects of a good shot of whiskey. Their conversation drew the attention of John and Kasparov.

"So, your name's Link, eh?"

Link turned to face the two men.

"Yes."

John nodded.

"I somewhat remember you- you came here with your father when you were little, he had to check up on some things...by the way, Do you...remember anything?"

"From when?"

"When you were Taken?"

Link looked down for bit, as if he was trying to get his thought in order, then nodded and raised his head to look at the men.

"I do...Is...is there a Hart here?"

John and Kasparov looked at each other, then back towards Link.

"...Yes...Sybil Hart is here...why?"

Link then shocked everyone by reaching in his satchel bag and pulling out a necklace.

"...Where did you get that?"

"Milton gave it to me...it was when I was taken-he was still...there. He knew that I was heading in this direction, so he gave me the necklace and sent me on my way...but I didn't get far away enough not to hear the gunshot..."

"...You mean he...that poor lad..."

Link nodded somberly. "He was nice. Real nice. Shame he went out like that...by the way...how long was I lying there for?"

The three older men looked at each other then back to Link. John answered for them. "Around five hours. Look, I'd just love to stay around and chat, but we've got a situation on our hands. I know that you just woke up and all, but are you up to something?"

"What do you have in mind?"

Link received a grin in answer.

"I knew it. You've got the spirit of your ancestors, boy. Alright. There's an Atherial Reanimator up on Burial Hill that needs killed. Everyone around here has their hands full. That's where you come in. If you're up to it, I need you to kill the thing."

"...Well...If I had the proper supplies..."

John nodded, realizing that boy was indeed serious about going. "I'll give you whatever you need-but make it reasonable."

"Alright."

A few hours later, Link had gotten what he needed and was ready to head out into the unknown. After saying goodbye to the guards, he slung his knapsack over one shoulder and headed across the bridge.

He then stopped at the end of the zombie carcass-lined bridge, turned, raised a hand in farewell, then turned and continued on his way.

Little did he know that his quest was just beginning.

I am SO sorry.

I got in the 'funk' of writing this again. I've finished chapter 2, and I'm almost done with 3.