The cool, crisp air blew strongly across the open field. The lush green grass swayed from side to side while the sun continued to shine down brightly. It was one of the most beautiful days the planet Earth had seen in quite some time. If there was one thing wrong with the picture it was the body that rested in the thick patches of grass.
Lying there for several hours now, the man had yet to move a muscle. He had appeared in the field in a bright flash of light.
�Wake up.�
The voice entered the man�s mind and instantly caused him to wake up. His eyes rapidly opened up as he turned around and rested on his back. The first thing he could see was the clear blue sky and the bright sun, which was now shining down on him. Then he felt the pain begin to echo through his head as he finally began to regain control of himself.
�Ow.� He muttered in pain while grasping onto his head. �Wha...what...happened?�
The man weakly sat up in the thick grass and looked around at his new surroundings. A perplexed look began to form on his face while he took in the entire scene. After a moment of looking around the realization came to him that he had absolutely no idea where he was.
�This definitely is not...New York City.� The man grunted. He placed both of his hands on the ground and forced himself to stand up. His leg�s trembled for a moment until he finally gathered him composure and took another long look at his new location. �What�s going on...�
The man wore a black tank top accompanied by loose workout pants. On the floor next to him a pair of boots rested in the grass and, next to the boots was a red bandana.
�Ok...� He said aloud. �Which one of my stupid friends dragged me out of my bed and carried me to where ever the hell this is and left me with my boots and my bandana!!�
His shouts of anger disappeared in the growing wind.
�Whoever did this, I�m really going to kick their ass when I get back home.� He said while walking over to the boots and putting them on. Once he finished he grabbed onto his bandana and tied it tightly around his head. �Well, I�m not going to get anything done standing around here.� He said while shaking his head in an attempt to get rid of the pain.
After a moment he began to walk through the field, trying to find anything that looked even remotely familiar. While he continued to walk he attempted to try and remember what exactly happened the night before. This was much harder than originally expected, every time an attempt to think of the night before happened he would only draw a huge blank.
�What the hell is going on.� The man said in a low, half-nervous voice. �I don�t know where I am. All I remember is going to bed last night; I wasn�t drunk or anything. Something has to be wrong, terribly wrong because you just don�t wind up in a frickin field in the middle of no where for no reason!�
As he continued to walk through the field the distinct sound of something running through the knee high grass could be heard in front of him. The man froze in his tracks and watched as the grass began to sway violently from side to side. Then he finally saw the source of the disturbance.
�What the hell is this?!� He shouted.
Three creatures that seemed to somewhat resemble wolves stood before him. Each of them had glowing red eyes and incredibly large claws and teeth. The long fur on the creatures was stained by blood and pieces of torn flesh. They certainly were not friendly.
�Just...great...� He muttered while slowly beginning to take small steps backwards.
***
In a small bar in the town of Baz, a young man sits on one of the many barstools. His body is draped in a long, black cloak. Only his head can be seen since the hood is pulled down. The man�s reddish hair is neatly spiked on the top but along the side�s drape down around his cheekbones.
�Hey Caleb.� The bartender said.
�Yes?� Caleb replied as he pushed away part of his cloak to reveal his hands.
�Would ya like anything else, kiddo?� The bartender asked.
�I want nothing you could give me.� Caleb replied while releasing a long sigh. �All I desire is to reach Calgez already. Why must it be another four miles away!�
�Ah, be patient.� The bartender replied. He revealed a slight grin and continued to speak. �Hey aren�t Sorcerer�s supposed to be all calm and patient?�
�Oh, we are.� Caleb replied, revealing his boyish grin in the process. �But you see I�m a seventeen year old sorcerer whose way ahead of his time skill�s wise. Hey you know us teenagers don�t ya?�
�I certainly do.� The bartender replied while chuckling. �Always looking for some form of excitement and patience certainly is not in your vocabulary yet.�
�Yep.� Caleb replied with a slight grin. �But I am Caleb Soreus! I am going to become one of the greatest Sorcerer's ever if not THE greatest so yeah I�m in a rush cause I need to do some training in Calgez!�
�I see.� The bartender replied. He reached below the bar and took out another glass, after pouring the drink he slid it down to Caleb. �That one�s on me kiddo. Stay around the bar for a while, drink your alcohol and retire to the inn. You�ll reach Calgez tomorrow with plenty of time to train.�
�Thanks!� Caleb shouted, in the process revealing his childish side. �Wow, free drinks, you have to love that.�
***
The lands of the Naz-Gumi stretched across the northern part of the eastern continent. In short the race called their lands �Home Major�, they were divided into three sets of village, each named after the specific inhabitants.
Just outside the village of Lycan stood a single man. His long, dirty blond hair swayed gently in the wind while he stared out at the horizon. Standing at about six feet, his well-defined body was covered only by a pair of tight brown pants and an open vest. His brown eyes looked sternly outward as he maneuvered his fingers along the belt of the scabbard that held his blade.
He was standing there nearly a half an hour before the silence was broken. From behind him an old man carefully and slowly made his way over to him.
�Edge.� The old man said.
�Great Elder.� Edge replied as he turned around to face him.
�Edge Damon, are you prepared for your journey?� The Elder asked.
�I am.� Edge replied.
�Have you bid farewell to your family?� The Elder asked.
�I have.� Edge replied.
�Then your journey will finally begin.� The Elder spoke in a low voice as he placed a hand on Edge�s broad shoulder. �Please remember that all Naz-Gumi races are depending on you. The Gumi, the Lycan and the Jalon alike. You are the chosen one Edge, you are the warrior who will stop the coming tragedy.�
�I will stop it Elder, even if in doing so I die.� Edge replied �This is my destiny, I accepted it long ago.�
The Elder looked Edge over for a moment and then released a small hope filled smile. �You will make the Naz-Gumi race as a whole proud. So now your journey must begin, to Calgez young warrior.�
�Yes, Elder.� Edge replied. �Farewell.�
�Farewell, Edge.� The Elder finished the conversation and backed away slowly while watching Edge walk away from his village. After a moment or two had passed by Edge was already out of sight; his journey had truly begun. �We all have faith in you...young warrior.�
***
The man took a few more steps backwards but it was too late. The set of three wolf like creatures leap at him, bearing deadly fangs. He took two more steps back but in the horror of the moment tripped over his own feet and hit the ground in a heap.
Mere seconds before the first creature made contact a searing ball of fire pierced its side. The impact sent the wolf into the ground in a burning heap of pain. The other two wolves stopped in their tracks and turned to the source of the attack.
�What the hell!!� The man shouted as he too turned to the source.
Standing before them was a group of three men. Long red hoods concealed each of their faces. The man who stood before the other two had his hand held out. It was now pointed at the other two wolves.
After snarling and howling for a moment the two wolves charged towards the group of three. Their attempt of an attack was put down instantly as the front man released two more balls of fire. Upon impact the two creatures hit the ground in a great heap of death.
�What...� The man muttered in shock as he stood up to look over the mess. �the...� He walked slowly and carefully over to the three men. �hell!!�
�You are Joe Vaelen, are you not?� The front man asked.
�How the hell did you know my name?� Joe asked in utter shock. �Who the hell are you people? What the hell did you just do to those...those....those....things?�
�All questions in which you will find the answers in time.� The man replied.
�Huh?� Joe muttered while scratching his head.
The man held his hand back. The person standing to the left of him pulled out a sword which was already in its scabbard. He placed the sword into the man�s hand and then covered his own hands again.
�Look.� Joe started. �I don�t know if you�ve been smokin the weed or snorting the crack or shooting the �ron� but can you guys just please direct me towards New York City.�
�New York City.� The man said as he chuckled. He then held out the sword and while waiting for Joe to take it said. �The year is 4049; you have much to learn in a small period of time. Please, take this sword for your own protection and head towards the town of Calgez. There you will certainly find some questions to the what I believe must be many questions you have.�
�Ok, crack head. Hold up, I have several problems with what your trippin ass just said!� Joe shouted. �Number one, it�s 2049 not 4049 and number two its Calgary not Calgez you moron, and no I�m not going to Canada!�
The man didn�t react at all to what Joe said but simply just continued speaking. �Please take this sword for your protection. Calgez is about five miles north of here, since nightfall will soon come you can stop at the small town of Baz just a smile north of our current location.� As he finished he held the sword our farther so Joe could grab it.
Joe released a heavy sigh after coming to the realization he was going to get absolutely no where with these people. �Fine.� He said as he snatched the sword and placed it around his back. �I never used a friggin sword before but ok and, fine don�t tell me how did that insane trick. I�ll go to Calga or whatever the hell you said and then ask some normal people how I can get back to NYC.�
�Calgez.� The man said.
�Whatever.� Joe replied.
�Please take good care of the Sword of War.� One of the men behind the lead man said.
�Right...� Joe muttered as he turned away from the three and started north in the direction they had pointed him. �Be happy to tell you that you crack snortin, weed smokin, �ron� shooting psycho�s you won�t soon see my spiky headed ass anytime soon!�
Joe started towards the small town of Baz like the three men had directed him. They watched as he disappeared after a moment or two. The three men then stood there and faced each other.
�That is the one that could be our only hope?� The leader asked.
�It is.� The second replied.
�To put so much faith in a person who does not know our dire problem is indeed troubling.� The third said.
�That is what Gabriel said.� The leader replied. �But we must have faith in the Order of Salvation�s beliefs.�
�Yes, we must.� The second said.
They then stood in silence once again and looked off in the direction Joe had gone. Each of them held their own true thoughts to themselves as they continued to stare into the clearing. One thing that held true in each of them was the hope that the Order of Salvation was indeed correct in their decision.