The Baz plains were always considered to be one of the most beautiful places to travel through during the day. Once the sun began to set it was a completely different story. The beasts would then take over the plains. Savagely they would hunt and kill anything that would dare cross their path. Whether it be another beast or a human making their way through the fields, it was all game.
Unaware of the upcoming danger Joe Vaelen continued his walk through the plains. With every step he took he grew closer to the destination the three men had directed him towards. As careless as ever Joe made his way across the plains. While walking he took in all the sites of the plains, it was like nothing he had ever seen before. The huge field was beautiful; the length of the grass ranged from extremely short to knee high and the big trees soared over the area.
The wind continued to strongly blow through the clear sky while the sun began it's decent downwards.
"The town of Baz." Joe thought aloud while he continued to walk. �You know I would really love to know where I am already. Those guys were really spaced out; it was actually pretty scary."
He yawned loudly and scratched the back of his head while continuing the walk. Memories of the night before were still very sketchy. It was a very uncomfortable feeling and even though his surroundings were beautiful it certainly did not make him feel much better.
"I just want to go home." Joe muttered. "Man, mom's going to be really pissed."
In the distance a large gate began to come into focus. The gate that appeared to be wooden had one torch on either side of the entrance. The torches were burning brightly and could be easily seen from the distance. It was an obvious mark of the town so that travelers would have an easier time locating it at night, somewhat like a lighthouse would let a sailor know w here he was.
"So this must be Baz." Joe said as he looked at the gate. "Well, hopefully I can find some answers and normal people in there."
As Joe continued to make his way towards the town the sound of more beasts could be heard coming in front of him. At first he froze in his tracks yet again but then remembered the sword that now rested on his back.
"Damn it, just my luck." Joe muttered. He reached back and pulled out the blade. Upon holding it he noticed just how light it actually was. Other than it's odd lightness the other strange thing about the blade was the white aura, which glowed around it. "Wow...I don't know much about swords but this sure seems a bit odd."
In mere seconds the pack of four beasts were standing in front of Joe, ready to kill. "I never used one of these before." Joe said while staring at them. "Don't make me have to use this thing on you."
The wolf life beasts snarled and bared their fangs as their red eyes stared a hole through Joe. It was obvious that a fight was to happen. Even before Joe could get another word out one of the four leapt at him.
"Stay back!" Joe shouted. While screaming out in anger he gripped the blade tighter and swung it forward in an attempt to attack the beast. Surprisingly a white beam of energy shot out from the sword and struck the beast in its head. The blow sent it flying to the ground in a morbid position. "What was that?!" Joe shouted in shock as his eyes turned from the wolf to the blade. The white aura continued to grow strong as the other three wolf beasts lunged towards him. "Stay back, damn it!!"
It was too late for the three animals. Once again in a reaction like move Joe swung the blade towards the three and similar to the first time, a large beam of energy shot out at his attackers. This time the beam broadened and made contact with all three of them. The impact and power of the attack sent Joe flying back into the ground. A large exploding sound could be heard as the attack made contact with the beasts and as the smoke cleared Joe stood in utter shock while he got his first look at what he had just done.
"This is...insane..." Joe muttered. "They're all...dead?!"
***
Edge Damon had traveled for two long miles by the time the sun had began to set. It was a pretty site that he had grown accustomed to over the years. For much of his childhood it was a custom for him and his father to set up the Lycan Mountain just behind their village and train hard until the sun set. As soon as the sun began it's decent the two would stop training and watch as the beautiful ball of fire in the sky disappeared from sight.
He longed to stop for a moment to catch the view but realizing time was of the essence he pressed on.
"I could make this journey much faster if I changed." Edge told himself but instantly shrugged off the idea. "No, I must pace myself. I shouldn't waste any of my energy to go through the change now."
As he grew closer to the Baz plains, the thought of pressing through the area and camping out on the other side for the night crossed his mind. After a moment or two of thinking the idea over he shrugged it off. Even for him, a great Naz-Lycan warrior, crossing the Baz plains at night was a bad idea. Certainly he could make it across but it was highly unlikely he would without any injuries. It was also almost certain if he were to cross the plains at night he would have to go through the change and that he did not want to deal with.
"I will spend the night in the town of Baz." Edge said aloud. "When tomorrow comes I will complete my journey to Calgez."
A small smile managed to curl onto his lips as he continued to walk across the land. Edge was excited about the journey ahead of him he knew that much excitement and adventure was waiting for him. But at the same time he also realized how much danger and how much importance rested on his journey.
"So much responsibility rests on my shoulders." Edge muttered. "I am prepared for it though; I am ready for it."
As he continued to speak aloud a distinct humming sound could be heard coming from in front of him. He instantly stopped walking and used his keen eyesight to see what was coming before him.
In the distance a flying figure could be see making its way towards Edge with great speed. As it grew closer Edge realized that it was in fact a person flying just a few feet off the ground.
Instinctively, Edge reached for his blade and slightly pulled it out of its scabbard. His eyes turned backwards to look the blade over and then returned to the incoming figure, "The Demon's Blade shows he is not a threat_" Edge muttered. "Then who can this be?"
As soon as the person was a few yards away he stopped flying and landed on the soft grassy ground. The man stood at about five feet eleven inches. On his back rested a medium sized jetpack, resting between the jets was what appeared to be a sword. Strapped tightly around his waste was a metal belt, which held two laser guns. The majority of the man's body was lined with cybernetic enhancements, from what Edge could tell the only human part left was the man's head.
"Friend or foe?" Edge asked as he continued to grip his blade.
"That depends." The man replied while taking a few more steps towards him. "I have to pass through here, if you let me go then I suppose a friend. On the other hand if you stand in my way I suppose you are a foe and if that happens then I must barrel right through you. Basically, the decision is yours, pal."
Edge glanced at his blade yet again and this time noticed it was growing red. Quickly he pulled it out of the scabbard and held it outward. "The Demon's Blade says enemies are coming this way." Edge said but before he could attack the man noticed a group of five men making their way towards the two rather fast.
"Oh, great." The man muttered as he turned around to face the five. "Now I have to handle these jackasses."
"WEAZEL!" One of the incoming men screamed. "WEAZEL YOU ARE UNDER ARREST!!" The main finished screaming as he along with the four others reached Edge and the other man.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." The man muttered while casually waving the five off.
"I assume you are Weazel?" Edge asked.
"That'd be me." Weazel replied. "You see it really sucks to be the popular guy."
Edge carefully looked the five men over. All five of them had very similar cybernetic enhancements. Each of them had eye enhancements build into their heads while some had replaced their arms with blades and others with high-tech guns. Before this moment in time Edge had only heard about such things but now he was actually seeing them.
"Weazel we are warning you, hand yourself in now!" The man warned. "If you hand yourself in peacefully, you will face lesser charges."
"How about I beat the living hell out of all five of you, erase your memories and go on my merry way?" Weazel asked.
"You will face all five of them alone?" Edge asked.
"If I have to." Weazel replied.
"You seem to be a friend; you have a good scent." Edge said. "I will help you fight them."
"Nice_" Weazel muttered. "Never knew this new cologne would get me such positive results."
"What is this cologne?" Edge asked.
Weazel shot him an odd look but before he could say a word the five men charged towards the two.
"You will surrender to the Tech Junkies!!" The leader of the group shouted as he lunged towards Weazel.
Weazel took a few steps back and reached his hand backwards. He gripped the handle of his sword and pulled it out. Upon pulling the sword out he flipped a small switch on the handle and watched as a yellow beam of energy appeared around the blade.
As soon as the Tech Junkie reached Weazel he slashed down hard at the man taking off his cybernetic right hand in the process. The man hit the ground but didn't flinch as he looked at his twitching hand that now rested on the floor. Instead of reacting he lunged upwards and grabbed onto Weazel.
"Persistent." Weazel muttered in an un-amused manner. He dropped his blade to the ground and grabbed onto the Junkie with his right hand. With his strong grip he pushed the Junkie off of him and grabbed his gun with the other hand. After firing several rounds into the Junkie he tossed him to the ground. "Persistent but you still suck."
Edge watched Weazel's tactics in an amused manner until two of the Tech Junkies charged in his direction. Upon spotting the two of them his lips curled into a devilish grin, this is exactly what he lived for, this is what a warrior lived for, the thrill of the fight.
With amazing speed Edge lunged forward and drove his blade into one of the Junkie's necks. With little effort the blade slide completely through taking its head off. Before the second could react Edge was on top of him. After delivering a swift kick to his head, he drove the blade into the man's gut and then pulled it out slashing off both of his arms.
"This is pathetic." Edge said as he watched the two hit the ground.
"You're telling me." Weazel replied.
Edge turned around to see Weazel finishing off another Tech Junkie. This time as Weazel stood over the fallen Tech Junkie he held his fingers out. The tips of his fingers opened up and small wires shot out of each of them. The wires made their way over to the Tech Junkies head and like a snake slithered their way into his ears. Seconds later the Tech Junkie's eyes lit up in what seemed to be shock and then as quickly as it happened it stopped. The wires retracted back into Weazel's fingers and the Tech Junkie simply rested on the ground eyes wide open.
"What did you just do to him?" Edge asked in shock.
Weazel turned around to face Edge and began to speak; "I erased his-HEY WATCH OUT!!"
As Weazel shouted out in an attempt to warn Edge he watched as Edge drove his blade backwards sinking it directly into the attacking Tech Junkie's throat. With one smooth movement Edge turned the blade to the side effectively ripping out the Junkie's throat.
"Impressive." Weazel muttered while watching Edge yank the blade out and place it back into his scabbard. "Very impressive."
***
Caleb finished the liquor the bartender had offered him moments ago. The young sorcerer now perched himself on the barstool with both of his elbows resting on the bar. The image he gave off was one of tiredness but he wasn�t tired he was simply bored.
�You alright, Caleb?� The bartender asked while passing a drink to another customer.
�I�m fine.� Caleb replied. �I suppose I�ll head towards the inn in a few minutes. I�ve had my fill of food and drink.�
Just as the conversation was about to end an excited man charged into the bar. His hands spun wildly around in the sky while his eyes beamed with excitement. Not many paid attention to the man until he finally spoke.
�There was just a big explosion outside of town!!� The man shouted. He ran up to the bar and slapped his hands on it. �It�s getting dark out so I didn�t really see what happened but it looks like something is going on out there!!�
�It couldn�t be the war...could it?� The bartender asked. �I thought it wasn�t supposed to come towards our area!�
Caleb released a heavy sigh and shook his head in an upset manner. �Don�t mention the war.� He finally said while removing his elbows from the bar. �I�m sick of hearing about it. Besides it�s probably just some hopeless fool attempting to defend himself against the beasts. We all know how dangerous they are at night, especially in the Baz plains.�
�Well maybe you should go check it out.� The man directed the statement to Caleb.
�Maybe I would if I wasn�t so tired.� Caleb replied. �I suppose I�ll retire to the inn now, us sorcerer�s do need our sleep.�
As Caleb started to stand up the door to the bar swung open and Joe Vaelen walked in. His face had some small marks of dirt on it from the fight but other than that he showed no signs of any distress.
After taking a few more steps into the bar Joe got his first look at the people and the bar itself. The people for the most part looked to be normal there was nothing utterly out of the normal other than the quaint feeling the bar held. It certainly was like nothing he had ever seen in the city. Joe also noticed the people dressed quite differently here than what he was used to, that plus the fact there was currently no music playing in the bar made it seem a bit odd.
�It�s loud...� Joe muttered as he made his way towards the bartender. �But there�s no music and it�s really not smoky either. Aw hell, is this some sorta hicksville bar or something?�
Upon reaching the bar Joe sat down on a stool a few down from Caleb. He knocked several times on the bar to get the bartenders attention and then waited for him to come over.
�What can I get ya?� The bartender asked.
�Look, I�m not hungry or thirsty I just need some information.� Joe replied. �Can you first off tell me where the hell I am?�
Upon hearing the odd question Caleb sat back down on his stool and began to eavesdrop on the conversation.
�Well, as of right now you�re in the town of Baz and you�re currently in the one and only bar in the town of Baz.� The bartender replied.
�Right...Baz...� Joe replied. �Ok, well from this place of �Baz� how the hell do I get back to New York City?�
The bartender, Caleb and several people around Joe grew very quiet after hearing him ask the question. It was as if he had said a horrible curse or spoken ill of everyone there.
�Hello?!� Joe shouted.
�Did you just hit your head or something boy?� The bartender asked. �Because the question you just asked is one that�s extremely odd.�
�Why can�t anyone around here give a straight answer!� Joe shouted out in anger. �WHERE IS NYC!!�
�Where are you from?� Caleb asked as he stood up and sat next to Joe.
Joe turned his eyes to Caleb and looked him over for a moment. After getting a good look at his weird attire it reminded him of the three men that had given him the sword a short while ago.
�Oh great...must be a fricken cult...� Joe muttered.
�Excuse me?� Caleb asked.
�Ok, now I need a drink.� Joe muttered. �Gimme something hard ok?�
�What would you like?� The bartender asked.
�Anything with a lot of liquor.� Joe replied tilting his head over to Caleb. �I figure if this guy can get liquor I sure as hell can.�
�And why couldn�t I?� Caleb asked.
�You have to be twenty-one to get liquor.� Joe muttered. �You are definitely not twenty-one.�
�I�m seventeen.� Caleb replied. �You can get liquor when you are sixteen.�
�Where the hell am I?!� Joe shouted. �Cuba?!�
�Where is Cuba?� The bartender asked.
�Oh god...liquor...now!!� Joe shouted.
The bartender poured him a small glass and placed it before him. �That will be three gilds.� The bartender replied.
�Gilds?� Joe muttered. Instantly he shook his head in disbelief while reaching back to take out his wallet. �Ok, I have five dollars.� Joe tossed the five dollar bill on the table and took a drink. �Keep the change.�
�What in creation is that?� Caleb asked while looking over the five dollar bill.
�That�s a five dollar bill.� Joe replied �and, that guy on there is Abraham Lincoln.�
�Where are you from?� Caleb asked.
�New York City!� Joe shouted. �Jeeze...�
�That money won�t cut it here.� The bartender replied. �You better pay for that drink.�
�What year is it?� Caleb asked as he watched Joe�s eyes while he replied.
�Second person to ask that question...the year is 2049.� Joe replied.
�2049!!� The man standing next to Caleb shouted. �That�s not even funny!!�
�Why would it be funny!� Joe shot back. He grabbed his head as the pain began to come back; all the stress was getting to him. �God, what is wrong with you people!�
�You need to pay for that drink boy!� The bartender shouted.
Caleb released a heavy sigh and pulled out some more money. He placed the money on the table and nodded to the bartender. Understanding the bartender grabbed the money and began to carry out his business once again.
�Look...I�m really tired and I�m hurting right now.� Joe muttered. �Just...point me to a hotel and let me sleep this over...�
�I�m heading to the inn.� Caleb replied. �Seeing that you have no money, I suppose I can get a room for you but that�s only under one condition.�
Joe shot Caleb a funny look and then nervously asked, �What�s that?�
�Well, I�m heading to Calgez tomorrow and I really don�t want to travel alone.� Caleb started. �It�s really boring and all, so if I pay for the room you have to travel with me. Being that you are apparently very much lost, I suppose that shouldn�t be a big deal, right?�
�Actually...� Joe started. �I ran into these three guys who kinda dressed like you and they told me I would find answers in Calgez.�
�Great!� Caleb shouted. �Then we�ll travel together.�
�Alright, let�s head to that inn.� Joe said as he stood up and started to follow Caleb out of the bar.
Once they reached the exit, the two began to make their way towards the inn. Joe walked around the town with open eyes in an attempt to absorb everything he saw. There were just so many differences from what he was used to seeing. Especially just how small and quaint the town was.
There couldn�t have been more than fifteen buildings in the entire town. From what he could tell there was the bar, the inn, a food store and a weapons shop. The rest of the buildings were small homes. Walking around the town at night was a mixture of old drunken men and a few remaining children who were attempting to stay out as long as possible.
As the sun began its final retreat small street lamps began to light up around the town. It was actually a very pretty site, something he certainly was not used to. There was nothing that really resembled this in New York City.
�So what�s your name?� Caleb asked in an attempt to make conversation.
�Joe Vaelen.� Joe replied. �You?�
�I�m Caleb Soreus.� Caleb replied. �How old are you, Joe?�
�Nineteen.� Joe replied. �You�re seventeen, right?�
�Yep.� Caleb replied. He noticed the aura of silence returning amongst them as they grew closer to the inn and realized Joe certainly was not in a talking mood at the moment. �Alright, I�ll go get us a room. I understand you don�t feel like talking right now.�
�Yeah, sorry Caleb.� Joe said. �I do have a lot of questions to ask you but I figure that�d probably be better when my head isn�t pounding.�
�Gotcha.� Caleb replied as they reached the inn. �Just sit here on this bench and I�ll come back out when we get the rooms.�
�Alright.� Joe said as he sat down and watched Caleb walk in.
***
�So you�re heading to Calgez, huh?� Weazel asked.
�Yes, that is the third time you asked me.� Edge replied. �But-�
�But you�re gonna stay in Baz tonight.� Weazel replied. �Yeah, I got it.�
�So why do you ask so much?� Edge asked.
Weazel shrugged and continued to fidget with his jetpacks. �No reason really, you�re just really quiet.� He said as he looked at Edge. �Just attempting to make some conversation over here.�
�Sorry, I have much on my mind.� Edge replied. Edge froze in his tracks while his nose began to move a mile a minute.
�What the hell are you-� Weazel started.
�Something is burning.� Edge cut him off and then pointed to the source. �There.�
The two walked over to see three beasts lying on the grass. Their bodies were burnt to a crisp and the smell of rotting flesh was utterly disgusting.
�That�s just nasty...� Weazel muttered.
�It is.� Edge replied. �Whoever did this must have been well trained.�
Weazel pointed to the two torches that directed travelers to Baz and said, �and I bet you anything he went right where we�re going.�
�Yes.� Edge replied. �Perhaps we will run into him there.�
�Let�s go then.� Weazel replied now taking the lead. �I�m hungry and I�m tired.�
Weazel and Edge made their way towards the entrance to Baz while Joe patiently waited for Caleb to get the rooms for the night. Little did Weazel and Edge know that the man who defeated the three beasts indeed was in the town and was going to be staying in the same inn as them. Also little did they know he was anything but experienced on the battlefield but soon they would find out.