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A Dreaming Myth Vol. 1: A New World

By Brandon Benevides

Smashwords Edition

Intro: How Do You Conquer the World?

I hate living in this era of modernization and economic failure going on everywhere, for once in life; I want to leave it all behind. I lag behind everyone in every way possible, in families, in living, and in the future. I wish I was born to a much earlier time, when people had greater freedom, a will to be out in the world, and go on a journey. Walking all over the world… That’s the best way to conquer the world. But how could it be? Conquering the world should really be a military campaign or something? But there is another way to do it, and that is going on an adventure, entering different territories and venture through blood freezing colds, to earth burning deserts! Across time, powerful men sought to conquer the world by killing…taking…But have they not thought an even more simple way? There is one, and it’s called a journey. Why kill, take and steal from countries when you can conquer them by simply travelling all over its treacherous landscapes and survive dangers high and low? Doing that everywhere across the world should be mankind’s dream and only then, we would have all truly conquered the world at some point. This, I must do, but it can never achieved in a world of this severe state. Earth, has already been annihilated of its glory by other men’s view of conquering. This, we all know why and how it is.

Ch. 1: Alone in an Unknown Place

This story tells of an old legend that is to be unfolding before a man named Brandon, a resident from a town in Ontario, Canada, who will soon discover and find his destiny, in a world called" New Earth. He currently resides in old earth, the earth that we live in, and that's where our story first turns its first page.

Brandon is a common, but quite unusual person in his time. Normally the everyday teen would be interested in music, having an attitude, and go to parties like a normal young adult. But Brandon, in his case, would rather focus on school and his own life, and the only things that are of great interest to him is old history and fantasy. He is eighteen years old, in high school with bright futures, and dead dreams. He received high grades; he has been accepted into a unique program in college, and a poetry writer. Despite his great successes; it's not what he wanted. The only thing that he wants is to have a real adventure beyond epic proportions, one where the whole world is his own house like in one of his poems that he made. He has been dreaming about it in his whole teen life but faced the reality that it isn't going to happen. It is now May 28 2012, and Brandon was walking on a forest trail where he usually takes when his mind wanders off. To him, it was a path to witness the changes of seasons. Right now, the flowers are in bloom, and the leaves are fully grown on the trees. Sometimes in winter, he would slip on ice under the snow, and when it was fall, the leaves that fall from the trees would replace the rain. It was a good place to let your mind wander off in when you're in a poetic mood.
But that's not what Brandon is feeling right now. "Man, I'm bored," Brandon yawned," why can't something exciting happen?"

Brandon kicked the dust off the trail in the air. Just up ahead while walking, someone is standing in the middle of the trail not moving. Right away, it gave Brandon the creeps. The figure is wearing thick, black robes and a hood, and immediately caught Brandon's attention.
"Hey! Be careful! Bikes come this way without warning!" Brandon called out.

The person did not respond, and instead just stands there.
As Brandon came closer, the cloaked person bolted like lighting dropping a leather book in the process. Brandon jogged to the book and picked it up, cleaning the dust off of it. "Hey Wait!" Brandon yelled as the figure dashed.

He followed the cloaked person as fast as he could, but can't keep up. It left Brandon's sight right away but he is still determined to keep running. When he came to the end of the trail and into the street, the figure is gone, without a trace.
"No one can just disappear like that...is this some kind of prank!?" Brandon thought.

He looks at the book that it dropped. It looked old, like centuries old. Its cover and back were blank, and the pages were crumpled and slightly ripped. Brandon decided to head home and pretend like this never happened. The figure was watching everything from the top of a house roof.

"Everything is according to the plan. Now, to get back..." It said to itself.

And it jumps off from beside the house and back into the forest path again and never came out. As Brandon got home, his mom called him right away as she always does the first thing he gets home. This was life as usual, chores as life. "Brandon, can you help me for a minute?" She said from the kitchen down the hall from the foyer.

Brandon took his shoes off and directly went to the kitchen. He always tries hard to be a loving family member, but it was only him and his mother now.

He ran down the hall to reach is mom. "Coming!" he responded.

His mom passes him a broom, and Brandon, knowing the usual deal, got straight to work pilling up the dust in the kitchen floors. He sets the black book on the kitchen table and his mother immediately took notice of it. "What's that book you have over there on the table? Did you buy that?" she asked.

Brandon just kept sweeping while he answered. "I… just found on the side of the forest trail, nothing too interesting." He lied.

Brandon's mom just stared at her son while she cleaned the sink without looking. She was quite worried when he replied with a familiar tone of voice. She stares for a brief moment. "Are you feeling alri—"

"I said I'm fine, mom. Don't worry about me." Brandon interrupted her with an insisting tone.

He finished sweeping the floors and put all the dirt in one spot for his mom to take care of. He grabbed the book and immediately headed into the basement. "I'll be downstairs if you need me." Brandon said.

And he closed the door behind him as quietly as he can. His mom signed and got back to dishwashing. She almost makes a tear that slides down her face and into the water. "That boy, he is always keeping his secrets." She said to herself. "It feels like we don't know each other at all anymore ever since a few months ago…"

It had been almost half a year since Brandon's dad had to move for business purposes, and since then, Brandon hadn't been very talkative to his mother or anyone else because it didn't feel the same without his father to join in on his conversations. His mother, on the other hand, tries to be supportive for Brandon now with his father gone, but it didn't help very well. A mother's love can't fill the other half of the child's heart without their father to fill the rest. Meanwhile Brandon was in his computer desk looking at the book. He is quite interested to see what is inside, but takes his time. "Let's see what's in this book here…looks pretty old, rough leather, crisp pages…overall, a piece of crap." He said to himself.

He opened the book slowly and his eyes widened. The writing in this book is unlike anything that ever even existed. They look like glyphs, and symbols, and some other visuals that people couldn't understand. Brandon looked up on his computer for any information about old or maybe ancient languages to find a match. He did all he could but couldn't find a single clue. Brandon's head suddenly began to ache really seriously, like woodpeckers digging in his head. It is the equivalent pain of a person who lost his memory and is now remembering. He grasps his head tightly, trying to endure the pain. "Ow…. What the hell...!? My…my head hurts…?"

A series of images flash in by in his head. They move too fast for Brandon to see and set it in his mind, but it was for only a moment’s notice only. The sudden sharpness that stabbed his mind gave Brandon a sinking feeling of wonder and confusion of the sudden pain. "Argh…what was that?" He said to himself rubbing his head.

He looked at the book again and something looked different this time, like Brandon just remembered something when doing homework. The glyphs and symbols on the book pages begin to glow and the ink liquefies, and morph into words. Brandon can read them now! "Whoa…that is so cool! I can read them now!" Brandon said as he got excited and began to read the first sentence.

The words weren't English, but he could still give it a shot. With a tongue that twisted and moved around with his voice, Brandon tries his best to read the words. "Exlum vieriluza xinviaqionzyas azerbyioll riesasonxahelio.” Brandon read to the best of his ability.

At that peaceful moment, a flash of blue light erupted from the book and radiated everywhere, forcing Brandon off his seat in fear. The room itself has become a second sun, and blindly lights up so strongly, Brandon couldn’t see anything and had to block his sight from the exposure. “AH! What’s going on!? Mom! Somebody help me!” Brandon cried.

A sudden invisible wave of force from the light pushed Brandon back to the wall. He hit his head and was knocked out cold, no longer aware of his situation. The light formed a hand and grabbed Brandon's body, and dragged him into the blinding light in which the book had wrought upon.

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Brandon’s body streams into a wormhole of sorts while being fanned by a calmwind slowly drifting him through streams of blue light ribbons, and waves of sparkling light. He was still unconscious from the knockback from before, and was not witnessing a thing of what is happening right now. All that can be heard in his ears is nothing but wind blowing, and a strong one it is. All is quiet now and Brandon opened his eyes. He sat up and looked around to see that he was not in his room anymore. "What the hell!? What happened to my home!? Mom! Dad…" Brandon yelled out and settled voice later.

He was standing behind a forest in front of a steep Cliffside that seemed to have no end. He was within a small clearing as he was getting up from the edge. Brandon held back his tears and pulled himself together. "Okay, okay…this is no time for crying. I can get myself out of this, and I will, and fast." He said, trying to stay calm.

Brandon jerked his head all around. He tried pinching himself in case this is just a dream, but it didn't help. He fell to his knees and thrusts his hands on the dirt to keep his body from being on the ground again. This has to be a dream, why wouldn't it be? Brandon tries to hold back his tears hiding in his eyes as he gazed across the open plains near and far. The grassy plains followed by forests and hills are a beautiful sight. It feels like a dream that is in reality, a very odd mix, but an extravagant way to put it. Brandon wipes away his tears and stands tall. "Okay… got to find out where I am." Brandon said as he stands up, turns and enters the deep wood to explore. As he vanishes into the forest, the cloaked figure from before watches him enter into the forest sitting high on a tree. "So he can read the glyph writings, eh?" The dark figure whispered to itself. "I'll surely enjoy this."

And it hides into the sun blocking trees of the forest, in pursuit of its prey like a leopard climbing around the trees above following its meal below. The legend of dreams is about to open its book…

Ch. 2: New Friends, Old Tasks

The woods were so incredibly thick; it feels like there is no end to it. You could keep continuing to walk for hours until you get blisters, and still find no way out of in maze of trees and leaves. Brandon is starting to feel quite tired as he has been walking for hours now with only his white socks on, and feel like he should have tried climbing down the cliff. "Damn it, why did I go in this forest again?" Brandon mumbled to himself upsettingly.

Then he thinks again of what would happen if he did climb down the treacherous, death defying cliff side down to the ground. "Then again, falling down to my death is a lot worse than getting lost..." He said rubbing his arms.

The sun light that's been cutting through the open holes between the trees begins to fade slowly into nothing. Nightfall is coming quick, and at the worse time, in a place like the forest. Brandon stopped walking and sat down with his back against a tree, tired from walking in his socks. It feels pretty certain that he is not going to survive this night. There are probably wolves that live in this place, or worse. A wolf howls close by to the east, there are definitely coming for Brandon. "Oh shit…This is not good!" Brandon thought with his voice screaming inside.

The growls became louder and louder, and the sunlight disappeared without trace of any sunbeams to illuminate the area. Two wolves came out of the trees like ghosts and the creep closer. Brandon picked up a thick branch beside him as a weapon and braces himself. "Come and get some ya mutts!" He exclaimed.

Feeling provoked, the wolves both make an incredible jump at Brandon who gets ready to swing his branch like a baseball bat. Their teeth looked sharp as knives, and they look ready to sink in some meat. But out of nowhere, they lost their grace in the air and each body land on different sides of the tree. Brandon, looking surprised and scared, runs over to one of the bodies that crashed. He notices the head is leaking blood. "Is that... a knife in its head!?" He whispers to himself loudly.

The other wolf had one to the head as well. There is no doubt that someone is definitely here, but there is nothing but thick darkness everywhere and no one can be seen from twenty feet away. "Where are you!?" Brandon yelled out making a hollow echo in the woods. "Show yourself!”

Brandon looks at his surroundings very fast like, but couldn't see anyone. He moves forward a in the direction to where the wolves were coming from. Just out of malice, a soft, quick gust of wind tackles Brandon's back, and at that moment, he stood so perfectly still like a statue, and with blood pumping like a machine gun. He turned his head slowly with his eyes looking over his shoulder, and right there, he became perfectly still again. It was the figure in robes, the one who ran from Brandon from before! It was hard to see what this person looked like due to their being no light in sight in the dark woods. "Hello… Brandon Benevides." The being in robes said.

Immediately, Brandon snaps back with anger and fear, remembering the events of the past that cycled to this moment. How did it know his name? Brandon wanted to be left alone from this person, and demanded to leave him continuously. "Shut up! Just shut up!" He spat out.

"Why should I?" The figure replied.

"You're crazy book of spells that you dropped, brought me in this place! Where am I, where did it bring me!?" Roared Brandon in a panicky frustration.

"I saved your ass, and yet you still show me hostility? What a man you are." The robed one said sarcastically.

Brandon just remembered the dead wolves just now, and calmed his voice down a little bit to show his respect.

"Just who are you, anyway? And what's your connection with me?" Brandon asked.

The figure grabs the edges of its hood and lifts it off of its head. When it came off, the image of a doll faced girl reveals. Brandon did not notice that the voice that this person was speaking was a girl or a boy. It seemed hard to tell at first but the voice sounded like a girl and a boy mixed together. But the biggest shock is what is coming out of her long, wavy brown hair and robes. "Cat Ears, and a moving tail!? What the hell is she!?" Brandon's inside voice yelled.

When Brandon saw those ears, it was safe to think that this person is not human. In fact, is she safe at all? He backs away very slowly, knowing that in some way, he is not safe at all from this...creature. "My name is Mia, a Lycanthrope, and my connection with you, is from the future!" The girl said moving her arm as if she is showing the forest surrounding us.

She walked forward, coming closer to Brandon, but stops her. "Don't come any closer or… I’ll run for it!" He said in fear.

Mia just smiles as she keeps walking towards him. Brandon starts to panic a little. "Go ahead; run far away, I'll find you again anyway.” Mia said with an eerie voice.

Motivated by her words, Brandon turned tail and ran for his life. Brandon just kept running and running in different directions, but it just seemed hopeless since he has no idea where he is going, because all the trees looked the same as if he was running around in circles. Then for some random craziness, he went back to the same spot in which he just ran from seconds ago.

"See? I told you I'd find you again!" Mia said laughing her words.

Brandon's despair has instantly turned to rage and dashed at Mia with blind fury. He will not take that crap, and he will get answers out of her one way or another. Hurting a woman may be distasteful to Brandon, but to him, she isn’t even human. "Shut up dammit! I'll take you down myself!!" Roared Brandon as he lunges forward.

Brandon gets ready to throw a strong punch, and thrusts his tightly clenched fist directly at Mia's face.

Then there was a sudden blur and Mia disappears, and Brandon pulled his punch back without thinking a second time what just happened. Then he froze, like his entire body just became instantly cold. He tried to move but somehow, he doesn't know how he can because his brain feels like it's frozen. It’s faint, but Brandon can feel something trickling down the sides of his neck, it feels warm as it moves. Brandon moved his eyes down as much as he can to see what it was. It doesn't smell bad, so it can't be sweat. It drops to Brandon's white T-shirt and it stained it in a dark shade of red. It was blood.

Mia was right behind Brandon, holding two knives at the sides of Brandon's neck, she was causing the bleeding. She whispers into Brandon's ear. "My knives are in the pressure points that connect your brain to the rest of your body." Mia said. "So, I just stopped the flow of blood that goes into your head so your brain can't control the body, leaving you completely paralyzed." She continued.

Mia steps back slightly, and tightens the grip on her knives. Brandon felt a slight tug stinging along his flesh on the inside and gasped at the feeling. "Sweet dreams." She said, and quickly pulled the knives out from Brandon's neck.

The sudden shock when the knives came out surprised Brandon so much he fainted as soon he regained control of his head when the knives came out. He landed on the muddy ground on his back unconscious, with Mia looking over him. "I didn't want to have to do that, but you left me no other choice with your attitude being like that." She said.

She puts away her weapons inside her black cloak, grabbed Brandon by the legs and dragged him away. Mia was pulling the knocked out teen with all of her strength until the point when she can pull no longer. "Oof… he's a heavy kid isn't he? I hope he’s worth it..." She thought.

It was all completely black in his head. The silence was pleasant and peaceful, but the pain from before still lingers around, refusing to go away. Brandon tried to speak up, but can't hear anything even if he did. What was happening? Is he dying? No, it can't be, not like this. Something glints in the middle of the darkness… a white light. It grows much bigger until it forms some foggy sphere of light. Now images begin to appear in the sphere. They don't move so it just feels like looking at a slideshow, except you're knocked out and can't tell that you're looking at something because it's not your eyes that are looking at it. The images seem to be two kids, a girl and a boy playing with each other. But what is this? Brandon never remembered anything like this, so why is it revealed to him? And that's when an up close version of the girl comes in. She has cat ears. It starts to make sense now, this memory is not his. Could it be Mia? The description matches with the ears and the wavy hair, so it could be her.
Next image is the boy, who looked much older and a bit taller than the little Mia, possibly a few years older than her. He looks like if he was seven or eight, and he seems to be human because he doesn't have any cat ears or a tail. But something about it seems familiar to Brandon, but can't figure out how. The next image is the girl walking away with some grownups and the boy is left alone, feeling quite upset.
What happened? Did something bad happen? Was there an argument? The next image is the boy wandering the woods, crying and strangely you can hear the child crying. Then next, He comes across some old man clad in armor and a cape. The face was all blurry so the face can't be made out. Then everything went dark again and the sphere of white light vanished. What was the meaning of that? A little light comes flicking in Brandon's eyes. The little slideshow is over and Brandon is waking up now. He opens is eyes to see only blur, and can hardly see what's in front of him. It's always annoying when you wake up and you got some stuff and sand in your eyes it's not even funny. Brandon lifts his arm and uses his hand to clean the scum off of his beady eyes. With his vision much more clear, he can see that there is a fire going on in front of him and that he is lying in front of a rock in a clearing, but Mia is not there. He gazes around the perimeter with just his head and eyes to find Mia, but it seems she isn't around. "I can probably take this as my chance to escape from that crazy cat…" Brandon said to himself.

He gets and up stretches all around, cracking every bone in his tired body, there is soreness all over and tries to be careful while stretching. Brandon then walks over to the trees that lead back in the forest maze until Brandon's common sense pops in, telling him to stay behind. "On second thought, I should probably stay here were its safe." He said to himself again. "Besides, that cat isn't going to save me a second time when wolves find me again."

Thinking the smart way, Brandon stayed at the fire pit where it's safe, but he hopes that Mia is safe too and void of any bad intentions against him. He curls himself up in a fetal position trying to keep him warm with the fire dancing its embers closely, surrounded by the cold forest air. He looks up in the sky and sees a large full moon out, and it makes him wonder what will happen now. He heard a crunching sound coming from behind the rock he is sitting behind, but doesn't flinch since it's probably Mia that's coming. The person walks around the rock and sits next to Brandon. Brandon looked at the person and it was indeed Mia. The two remain silent to each other for while with only the wind making soft whistling noise, until Mia spoke up. "Are you feeling okay?" She asked as if she is worried about Brandon.

Brandon only nods before he spoke. "Relax, I won't hurt you anymore.” He replied. “It ain’t worth it now.”

"If you want to know why I lured you here, I'll tell you.” She said trying to comfort the young adult.

Brandon lifts his head up a bit and turns to Mia, with an eager look. Trying to keep his cool and his mentality stable, he slowly asked some questions. "Tell me then. Why am I?" He asked calmly.

Mia twiddles her thumbs for a few seconds, takes a deep breath in and out. It shouldn’t that be hard of an answer since Brandon thought Mia new this place better than she does "The earth that you know is gone." She said quickly.

Right away, Brandon raised his voice to what Mia just said. "What the hell did you just say? The earth I knew is gone?" Brandon said in sudden surprise.

Mia calms him down before she could continue. "Yes, that's what I said. We are in Italy you see, and you are in the future, 1295 N.E, and I brought you here because you have something that people know you in this time want from you." Mia continued.

That sentence alone was too much for Brandon to handle. He rubbed his thumb and finger in his eyes and tries to relax. "Okay future world, familiar country, something that people want, and what else, my blood?" Brandon asked jokingly.

Mia chuckled and made a soft smile. "Well something like that. You see in this time, there is someone here who is related to you who has failed to do what we need you to do." she said.

"Someone related to me? Who is it?" Brandon asked eagerly.

Mia takes a moment to speak while she sighs. "It was your descendant, Falx Benevides. He had a mission to travel east of Europe to stop something coming into Europe, and he was chosen to do that because he has blood of...well…let’s just say heroes."

"Blood that I have...?" Brandon mumbled to himself quietly.

"The mission that he was sent to do, was to stop a monster uprising that come from the east." Mia explained further.

"Hmm…monsters, huh? That’s weird, but cool. Who sent him?" Brandon asked again, being lax about the matter.

Mia scratched her cat ear before continuing. "It was the Templar, a holy order of knights." Mia replied.

The thought of the Templar spurs images of the medieval era in my head. Perhaps this is the period that I’m in right now in this earth. “You said the Templar huh? For a future, I guess hearing the word 'knights' means I really am in the middle ages. But anyway, what happened to Falx?" Brandon asked, still trying to remain calm.

"I…don't know… he went missing shortly after he arrived at the front." Mia said gloomily.

Brandon ponders for a moment, and recaps what Mia just said. He is in the middle ages but it's the future, an army of monsters is to the east, he's in Italy, and adding up the rest of the crap Mia just explained means... "I'm Falx's replacement aren't I?" Brandon comments.

Mia plays with fingers, pretending she didn't hear, but the silence speaks out that it is true.

"This is just not real, there’s no way!" Brandon said covering his face in anguish.

Mia stands up and looks down on Brandon, huddling like a coward. "You're lost and confused, but it's a natural reaction." She said.

Brandon stands up now, but with a strange look in his eyes. The eyes of a hawk, courageous and willing, and he turns to Mia with the sharp look in his eyes reflecting like silver. "Yeah, so what? I would die in ignorant bliss not knowing these things, but let me tell you a little bit of something that I want." Brandon said.

Mia perked her cat ears and listens up. "If I'm going to do this, I need people to back me up. You wouldn’t let a total stranger from another time wander around with no guide, right?" Brandon said.

Mia's shoulders and ears flinched upwards. She would be more than happy to help. "You know, I would like that. I'll help you out on this." She said.

So after the conversation, the fire dims out a little and they both go to sleep. Before they did, Mia explained to Brandon that they will reach a town called Perugia to speak with a Templar official about Brandon's mission, and they would probably make it by the next sunset. Mia is sound asleep even if she is just lying on dirt, but Brandon is still awake, still sitting behind the rock. It's just so hard to believe, out of nowhere, he has been brought through a ripple in time in the "new earth" to help stop a monster army from the east because of his bloodline. Since when was there a hero in his blood? But all of that doesn't seem to matter right now because right now, as long as the light from both the sun and the moon shine down to him, he will stay alive on this so called mission that he has been dragged in. Because after all, he got what he has always wanted for a very long time.

Ch. 3: Meeting up

BRANDON

My mind is drifting into light with only the sound of chirping birds, the feeling of cold morning air and the strange feeling of something gross crawling up my leg. I open my eyes slowly, seeing the sunlight hurting my eyes like every morning, but getting on my feet is a whole different thing that I will never get used to. "Ugh… so much dirt, I hate it. This totally sucks." I said, mumbling while still half asleep.

Mia was already awake just across from me, sitting cross legged just staring at him, like he did something wrong. "What are you staring at?" I said crossly with my eyes still shut blocking the sun from going to my eyes.

Mia cocked an eyebrow and got up from the ground. "Good, you're wide awake I suppose. Now get up and move your lazy, grumpy ass." She said with sass.

And then she walked away into the forest. I had no idea about why she was pissed, but that’s no reason to try and ditch me! I slap the dried up dirt on my pants and got up while I hear the kinks on my back. I stumble around, trying to get up and catch up before I’m lost again. "Hey wait up!" I said jumping up.

I run while slapping off the dirt off my jeans and catching up to Mia. "Hey what's with your attitude?" I asked catching my breath.

"It's nothing. You just woke up a little late, so I was a little huffy." Mia replied with a yawn.

"You could just wake me up yourself, you know." I said scratching his sides.

I could never get used to sleeping in a different time zone, so of course I would be sleeping late. I should be sleeping for a few more hours, like any young adult should. Mia gave a smirk at me. "But you were sleeping like a baby! Why would I do that to you, Hmm?" Mia said smiling with her cat tail wagging.

I rub my eyes of the crap that was in them. "Still, wake me up next time. I have a big reputation for oversleeping." I said continuing to rub my eyes.

We still kept walking in the thick forest until we reach Perugia. I still feel a little weak because I just woke up, and I feel so sore all over from sleeping on the ground. My feet with socks are the sorest, I still have no shoes, and they were getting dirty, ripped, and chilly. To keep my mind off things, I spoke up. "So what are we going to do when we get to town?" I asked.

"We will be having a meeting with the high ranking officers in the order. They will be gathering in town." Mia explained.

I scratch my head in confusion. "High ranked officials? Is this thing really that important?" I asked.

"When there is a monster uprising in east Europe and we don't enough manpower to take them all out, of course it's important." Mia answered. "C'mon, I see the road up ahead." She finished.

I finally sigh with relief when we found the road; I thought we were going to be lost. Lucky for me I ran into Mia who knew the way after all and wasn't lying. The road was made of red cobblestone. The ground was cracked and grass and weeds were growing out between the cracks of the red stone. Mia points her finger to the right. "If we keep going this way, we will reach Perugia." Mia said still pointing.

"There is just one slight problem, Mia." I said crossing my arms.

"What is it now?" Mia asked as she stepped onto the cobblestone road.

I spread my arms open showing my entire self. "Will I be judged if I were wearing these clothes?" I said pointing at myself.

Mia looks up and down on my apparel of a white shirt and torn jeans and socks. "Yeah, you make a good point. Better take my cloak and cover yourself to avoid any attention." Mia said.

She took off her long robes and I put them on myself. The cloak completely covers my entire body with its black fabric so no one can suspect me about my origins. Mia's clothes look quite cool. She was wearing a thick leather vest with rolled up pants and boots, a tight black t-shirt, and fingerless gloves on her hands. On her belt startled me a little when I saw her wearing two daggers, some knives, and a medium long cutlass. "And just in case something happens along the way, take my cutlass. I hardly use it anyway." Mia said holding up the weapon to me.

I hesitate to take the weapon. I never thought I would need one so soon, but I have to be brave now of any incoming danger of this new world. "Okay, thanks…I guess." I said as I took the weapon.

I hang the weapon in my belt, and we step away from the forest and are on the move again. I managed to have something to eat from a passing caravan of a rich merchant. Thankfully the prices were very reasonable and Mia bought me a loaf of bread. It tasted so good I finished it in just a few seconds. Mia on the other hand just scarfed it down quickly, perhaps faster than I did. We took a break from walking after the caravan left. My feet were really smelly from all that walking, and it really annoyed Mia so much she had to plug her nose from the stench. We rested for a few minutes before we could continue. I sigh with relief knowing that my feet can heal now; I bring one foot up to my face to check if I got splinters on them since I was feeling a bit of pain. After a few minutes of a break, I bring up my voice again. "How much more walking do we have to do?" I asked while stretching.

"Just a few more minutes of walking and we'll make it. Hang in there alright?" Mia replied.

I get up and stretch again and yawn. My energy is back, and I’m ready to hit the road! "Well come on! Let's go!" I said with a carefree tone.

I jumped up and immediately went on the move with my newfound energy enough to get me to Perugia in no time. I actually feel good about this now; everything will be alright as soon as I keep moving. "Brandon, Stay where you are!" Mia called out.

I froze and turned my head to Mia already standing up with her hand palm pointing towards me. There was complete silence between us. Until I start to hear something; the sound of leaves was being crushed, heavy breathing from all directions, and the soft sound of metal being hit. I managed to figure it out now that this definitely reeks of an ambush. I nod my head to Mia letting her know that I'm aware of what's going on. The attackers now know that we know they are here. I get my blade ready to shed some blood, even though I am afraid to use it. A louder rustling comes from behind Mia and a man with a face mask comes out with a dagger in his hand!

"Mia! Look out from behind!" I warned her.

Mia unsheathes a dagger out from her belt, twists around and slashes the attacker's neck deeply with perfect accuracy. The attacker then lays dead on the ground with the blood from is slashed neck still pouring out. I hurryingly unsheathe my cutlass and runs over to Mia in the middle of the cobblestone road and they hit back to back.

"What the hell is going on?" I whispered loudly.

"Bandits… Two more of them are still hiding." Mia said getting her knives ready, and I hold my sword sticking upwards in front of me.

We wait for another attack so we can counter again. One bandit jumps from above, but Mia takes care of him by throwing four knives upwards and trailing in his body in a straight line. The body plummets to the ground and my legs shake as it impacted into the earth beside us. I feel that I want to run away but my body is not moving. I have to stay. I try to remain calm and not look at the bodies or I'll surely lose my focus to the situation. There are two dead bandits and only one is left. Adrenaline goes through me quickly. "Damn it. Where is he?" I thought trying to find the enemy.

The last bandit pops out from the side and dashes towards me. His face was maniacal and scary, trying to freeze me with fear. "Ha-ha! Die!" Said the attacker.

I see him but I didn’t lift my blade to block myself from the bandit's knife. He's running quite fast, but his stab is too slow. I can see it not aiming at me at all, I can counter it! "No way, stay back!" I yelled in fear.

I lunge forward directly at him with my elbow striking to his face. He is stunned, and now I can finish him off. I lift my blade up high diagonally and dunk down as hard as I can. When I finished my attack, the bandit was just standing in front of me hardly moving. Did I miss? No. I really did hit him. There was a large cut across his torso with a lot of blood pouring out. After I dropped my sword, I took a few steps back, horrified at the image of what I had created. The bandit died while he was still standing. I tumble to the ground still staring at the cobblestone road receiving a new coat of red coming from the body. My body started to shiver in horror. I have killed my first man, good lord, I’m a monster. "Hey, Brandon, snap out of it, will ya?" Mia said waving her hand across my face.

"What…what? I'm fine!" I snapped back.

Mia stepped back from my raised voice. I stood up, put my sword away, and walked away to the path to Perugia, holding my arms to warm my cold blood. Mia still stays where she stands. I was pretty sure she did not want me to experience such a thing like killing a man. At that very moment, she feels sorry for me that I had to do it, but how I feel though it, will be as natural as using a restroom. "Perugia is just over this hill" Mia said pointing ahead.

"That's good, because I'm starting to worry that I might die of exhaustion from walking uphill for a half an hour!" I wailed from behind.

It has been so tiring since the attack. I managed to get over the death of the person that I have killed since he was trying to kill me first, but still, it will last in my memory as a Christian man forever. Mia reaches the top before I did and urges me to hurry up, the little impatient one. As soon as I made it, it was totally worth it. I block the sun with my hand just slightly above my eyes so I can see. "Now that’s a nice view here!" I said with my eyes widened.

There were buildings, everywhere, within a large circular barrier of rock. Every constructed establishment in my viewing range is made of wood and brick. I feel nostalgic about seeing middle age architecture with my own eyes, even though this is the future. I feel like a traveller in one of those children’s fantasy story books, venturing on a journey to see the world and will not rest until he has seen everything. I am that person who travels. "Man, it's like a blast from the past, except it's in reverse." Brandon thought.

"You see that tall building in the middle with the red banners and white sword in it? That's the Templar HQ, and our destination." Mia said pointing ahead.

I look to the middle of Perugia and I see a tall thick tower that fits Mia's description. "Let's go, no time to waste." Mia said giving me a pat.

And we venture into Perugia side by side. I remember that Perugia is an actual city in central Italy, but this one is a bit smaller than the one I know. I wonder what lies there… "So what do I have to do when stuff goes down? Do I have to give them a profile of myself or something?" I asked as we walk closer to the city.

"Not really. Just remember to keep your mouth shut, and speak when spoken to. There is a lot of stuff that is going to cram in that little empty head of yours, so make sure to listen up." Mia said.

"Hey! What are you implying? Are you saying I'm dumb, fur ball?" I inquired.

Mia broke into laughter from what I just said. “Ugh... I guess that is the reason I should really keep my mouth shut. What a world I live in." I mumbled under my breath.

As we enter, I put my hood on so no one could see me. My shirt was still showing and I had to cover it with my large hood to make a shadow, and button up the cloak. Not many people are filling the streets, I only saw like, twenty people walking by us. Yes, I counted. The homes look run down and probably filled with rats by the looks of it. This was definitely what I had expected to see, I mean, sure some of the architecture was good but everywhere is else is a total dump. Thank god I don't live in a place like this, but you know what they say about life, the better it is, the farther you are from reality and what really goes on in the world. We reached a town square of some sort, because there is a lot more people gathering here, and straight ahead is the Tower. When we entered through, the armoured guards did not stop us, probably we are being expected. There is a large square shape room filled with aisles of shelved books. "Is this a library or something?" I whispered in Mia’s ear.

"Yes, now c'mon, we are going to be late." Mia whispered back.

I removed my hood off as we walk. "Really…We're being expected?" I whispered again to myself this time.

We entered an open closet made of simple stone inside it feels dense around its smooth surfaces. "Why are we going in here? No stairs?" I asked again.

"It may not look like it, but this is a teleporter that takes us to any part of a large building. We’re going to the top of this tower." Mia replied pointing up.

"Wha-" Before I could finish what I was saying a bolt of some kind of lighting struck us from the ceiling and made us disappeared in an instant. Up at top of the tower, we reappeared in a new closeted stone room again, but outside was different. I look at the room completely astonished. "I'll say that again… What?" I said surprised but yet calmly after I feel a brief moment of numbness.

Mia steps out and looks around, and I follow. In the middle of the room is a large round table containing lots of chairs. On the walls are some maps of Europe and maps further east, with arrows and circles that is hard for me to understand. There are windows on every side of the room with no glass. I stand outside and open window. "Well, I guess we are early for our little conference, aren't we. And I didn't even get time to look around town." I said in disappointment.

"Um, I guess I got carried away. Sorry I have to drag you like this, big guy." Mia said scratching her dark brown cat ears.

"Hey, all joking aside and the amount of time I spent here in this world, and with you, I'm having the time of my life. But don't you think that isn't there another way for you and your people to get out of this mess?" I said looking out in one of the open windows.

"Believe me; this would be hard for me to explain in great detail. There is so much that you need to hear on what these people have to say." Mia said bluntly.

I turned to her seeing her cold look. She doesn’t look all that happy, I literally feel cold just by looking at her face.

"Hey, c'mon now don't give that blank face." I said seeing her gloomy look.

I went up to her and I made a smile that said 'Don't worry about It.' it's not her fault that I am dragged into this mess but I will find out why soon enough. "Alright, I'm going to let everyone know that you're here so we can start. I'll be right back, kay?" Mia asked.

"Yeah, I'll wait up here. And please don't take too long, I easily get bored." I said.

"Yeah yeah, I hear you, just don't go anywhere." And Mia disappeared in a flash of blue lighting zapped from above the stone closet which teleported her to who knows where. I was by myself now.

Somehow I do feel a little better of myself now that Mia left, I finally had become at peace. I walk around exploring more of the room, while wondering what this place could be used for. It is some kind of meeting place? Or maybe a war room of some kind with all the maps on the walls. While looking, I see a little table in the corner, with something sparkling in my eye from the distance. I was not interested in investigating at first really, but somehow, I feel drawn to it, like it's trying to pull me closer to it. I start to feel a bit heavy. I move closer to the sparkling object to see what it is. When I got closer, it was a beautiful, clear, round, white prism gem. I picked it up to get a closer look, and I noticed that the bottom half of the gem is much darker than the top. I bring it really close to my eye to see through the precious rock. "Oh my god…" I thought with a bewildered look.

There was something moving around inside the gem. It looked like some kind of ribbon. When it was up top in turned white, but when came down, it became black. I move it away from my eye and rubbed it for moment before I brought it back in again.

There was no mistaking it, there really is something moving inside of it. Suddenly I felt really cold, I don't know why but I just do. I can hear something whispering in my ear slowly, like a gust of wind is talking to me. My heart begins to race a mile long marathon. This was too creepy so I put the gem back where it belongs. The whispers stop, and I start to think that it was not all in my head. "Whoa… what was that all about?" I said to myself wiping the cold sweat from my head.

I take a few steps back away from the small treasure. While stepping back, I stared to become aware that someone is watching, but I was sure that the room was completely empty when we got here. I jerked my body around to see who was there. It was a woman, leaning on the wall wearing a blood red robe with some tribal-esque marks. But this one is different, very different indeed. Her skin is a dark violet color as seen on her face; her hair is long, straight and white as snow, and the most questionable, her ears. They are long and pointy. This person is surely, to my knowledge, not a human.

"Who, and what are you?" I said grappling my sword hilt.

The girl doesn't respond. She just stares at me. Her eyes are like an owl, large and never blinked no matter how hard you stare back at them. Is she trying to psyche me out? If she is, it ain’t working and the joke is getting old. "Tell me who you are! O-or things will get messy!" I said a bit louder.

"Keep silent, and I will tell you if you let go of your weapon." The woman said at last.

Hearing her calm words, I let go of my cutlass, and I cross my arms, awaiting my old questions. "Okay, now if you will please?" I asked referring to my old questions earlier.

She walked closer to me, and I take a step back because she’s not human! She probably has tricks up her sleeves…or cloak. Yeah, that’s it! She’s trying to do the old cloak and dagger thing, she’s an assassin! “Be calm, I mean you no harm." She said.

Her voice again keeps me calm and made me abandon my old thoughts. She’s got something in that voice of hers that just makes me relaxed, it’s really weird that I’m listening to her at all. I remain where I stand until she stops. We both fell silent for a brief moment. The woman removes her hood, and my eyes widened. "My name is Luna, and I am a night elf. Good to meet you sir." She said.

A Night Elf… I thought that elves were only a myth… how was this possible? I know she won't harm me as she says… but still, I can't let my guard down; I need to get answers of what this woman is up to around here. "What are you doing here?" I inquired.

"I am one of the high ranking Templar officials participating in this meeting. I take it that you are Falx's replacement?" She asked.

"I suppose I am if that’s how you put it. And another thing, what is that gem over there sitting on a table in plain sight? When I picked it up, I felt kinda weird." I asked pointing at the table.

"Ah yes, that. That is a Dreamstone, a very special kind of rock." Luna answered.

I wander my eyes all over the sparkling gem. It sure is a very odd looking shape, it’s like two pyramids are joined together from the bottom.

"That’s a neat name, but why is it sitting out here? It looks extremely valuable by the looks of it." I said concerned.

Luna walks towards, and then past me to the gem. She lifts her hand over to it attempting to pick it up. Then the most shocking thing that happens is that a lightning bolt struck her hand when it got to close! The gem then starts to emanate some kind of sphere with lighting zapping around from the inside of it. Incredible, this was surely not an ordinary gem. "What just happened now!?" I asked surprised.

Luna gestures me to come over. I felt so eager; I immediately came over in a fast walking pace to get a new closer look at the gemstone.

Luna presents the gemstone as it is now and explains about it. "This is why. Nobody can touch this prism but Falx's own bloodline. This object contains magical power forged in Falx's own dreams, then materialized it into the real world. The power of twilight." Luna said looking at the gem.

I bring the last sentence to my attention. "Twilight?" I said puzzled.

"Yes, the element that Falx had an affinity with, along with anyone in his family. The power of light and darkness combined into one." Luna said.

I was so confused. Twilight, the element that light and darkness are one. I don’t recall an element from one of those other fantasy stories having such an element about the sun and the moon meeting each other at sunrise or sunset. “Pick it up." Luna said like a command.

Right away I shook my head, remembering what happened to Luna with the lighting zap. "There is no way I can! I'll get zapped!" I said with refusal.

"If you really are related to Falx, you can do it." Luna tempted me.

I know there is no way to weasel out of this, but if this thing is not some kind of joke, what can I do but believe? Luna is really good playing the snake in this situation and there is no way to back down. "Alright I'll do this. But if this thing burns my hand, you are so dead." I said with a warning as I point my finger at Luna’s face.

After a few moments I summed up the courage to touch the gem again. I closed my eyes real tight, and moved my hand over to the gem like Luna did. I bring it closer and closer to the sphere when it reached the boundary. I count in my head to bring my hand in. 1…2…3! And my hand dives right in. My hand froze like ice. I open my eyes quickly to see my hand. Perfectly unharmed! How was this possible? My hand dives in further slowly closer to the prism. When I did I can hear the voices again, this time speaking much faster now. I try to ignore them but they just get louder! Why won't they stop!? I hurryingly grabbed the gem hoping it would stop and it did, and the force field disappeared. The night elf became impressed. Very impressed that she least cracked a smile. "Well would you look at that then. You really are what we need." Luna said softly.

I feel a strong jolt of electricity course through my body. It felt great; I have so much adrenaline and strength in me right now I feel like I can take on thirty warriors at once! Perhaps even the whole world! "So, how do you feel sir?" Luna asked politely.

"Call me Brandon. And I feel more than great right now!" I replied enthusiastically.