Philosophers of this and many other realms say that a person’s destiny is determined by the choices one makes throughout their life. Perhaps however destiny is not the many forked road it is believed to be. Perhaps it is instead a straight path. If this is true then destiny cannot be altered as the being who walk along this path would be carried onward towards whatever life awaits them at the end of there own personal path.

This leads to another idea, one a bit more close to our topic at hand. If destiny is a straight path then the walker of that path may be able to see ahead to what awaits them. But what happens if the road bends? Would their view of the future be altered? Could dreams in reality simply be the way of the human body seeing along the path?

We could marvel at the infinite implications of these questions, but perhaps it is best we do not ponder upon them for too long. Already we have seen that one man feels his destiny pulling at the strings of his being. As he is the one currently on our minds let us visit him shall we? It would seem he and our young lady friend from earlier have relocated now to the jungles of the Amazon. We can’t rely on our view from this high up so let us drift downward into the humid air and enter through the open window of the building below us where I am sure we will find our friends.

* * *

Inferno is leaning against the windowsill of the small hotel room he and Lita have decided to stay in the duration of their trip. His darkened gaze stares out upon the sweltering jungle landscape where deep within the depths something lays in wait of their arrival. He feels the force tugging at him to come and face it, but he knows that would only be giving it, whatever it is, what it wants. No, it is not yet the time, but soon it will be. Breaking his eyes from the unchanging landscape Inferno peers over his should at his bride to be.

Lita lays sprawled upon the bed with her hair cascading down her shoulders and over her body forming a kind of makeshift blanket about herself. A frown is in place instead of the usual smile upon her face as Inferno has finally found what it is that has been bothering her. She apparently is being plagued by nightmares as every time she appears to have drifted off to sleep her restlessness seems to be that of a woman in peril. While watching her struggle the thought that has been racing throughout his mind ever since he told her of this journey arises once more.

“I wonder, was this really the right choice?” With a sigh Inferno finally gives voice to this thought confident that in her dreams Lita will not hear him in his indecisions. Looking back out at the jungle once more brings another discomforting thought to his mind. *It’s so peaceful out there...a lot different from home. Maybe one day the whole world will be just as peaceful as this looks.*

Sighing again Inferno thinks not for the first time of how his home was destroyed as easily as a child can kick down a stack of blocks. It used to be called America, “Land of the Free”, “Home of the Brave”, but despite all the preparations in the world the most powerful country the world had ever seen fell. Destroyed by its own self. In Inferno’s home city of New York the Statue of Liberty, the once proud symbol of America’s freedom lay dismembered in the bay it once stood watch upon. He had been to see it many times since the disaster. Seeing that woman’s face always brought back memories of when his home stood proud among the world and more than once he had cried while in its presence though he would never admit to such an event ever occurring. Thinking of these things now brings a new thought. Will he end up just like his home after this? Destroyed?

“I hope not.” Unaware that he has spoken aloud, Inferno walks back and sits upon the bed next to Lita. He continues to dwell on thoughts of the past until he notices Lita finally begin to stir in that limbo between the sleeping and waking world. As she rises up and stretches she gives him a sweet smile that falters when she sees the look on his face.

“What’s wrong?” A questioning look, and another sweet smile this one a product of sympathy that causes him to reflect the smile in his own face and put an arm around her.

“Just thinking...about the days past and future to come.” The comment causes another sympathetic smile, as Lita well understands where the feelings are coming from. A kiss seems the best comfort she can offer and is readily accepted. Breaking away Inferno look into her eyes in a much similar way as to when they had talked of leaving a few days ago. “But maybe...the present is always the best.” And with that he returns the gift that she gave him.

As things begin to escalate perhaps it is time we take our leave. Though they may not be able to see us it is still best that we respect the privacies of love and once more drift through the window by witch we came and up into the skies above. Besides it is time we visited a few other people who will have a hand in this, for what Inferno believes is true. This will be an event that will rock the boundaries of heaven, hell and the far reaches of the universe. We should do well not to forget the bond we witnessed between the two in the building that seems to be rapidly receding below us. But for now...we have a little girl to visit.

Author’s Note: AAwww wasn’t that cute? Well that’s it for Inferno and Lita’s part in this little prelude. Feel free to speculate about what exactly happened to the United States that it could be almost utterly destroyed and from itself. I wont be revealing any of that in this story or Keystone unless I deem it necessary, however you can E-mail me or IM me and I might just tell you. Next we are going to meet the only people in this tale who actually know what is going on and the implications of it. About 2-4 more chapters to the prelude and then the real story begins. Please read and review and always remember to take Inferno and Lita’s example and live life to the fullest. Momentai.