The clear and colorful Baz plains were one of the most beautiful places Joe had ever seen. Although it was hard for him to see the beauty of the place he tried to as much as possible. The thought of truly being in the future was ever growing in his mind. Because of his belief that he�d wake up in the morning and be home was shattered the young man now had absolutely no idea what was going on.
The lost look that resided in Joe�s eyes caused Caleb to shake his head. He felt bad for his new found traveling partner. Being lost and confused were two things he knew for certain were not good feelings. Nevertheless Caleb took the lead between the two and every so often turned his eyes back to Joe to see if he was keeping up.
�Hey, Caleb?� Joe said after several more moments walking in complete silence. �Do you know what this Calgez looks like?�
Caleb slowed down his pace a bit allowing Joe to catch up to him. The young sorcerer smiled as Joe reached him and nodded his head, �Yes, it was a while ago but I was there.� Caleb replied. �Calgez is very similar to Baz in its size. It�s a small town but has a greater population compared to Baz. It�s just a simple little place where I�ll be able to further my magical skills.�
�I wonder why those men told me to go there.� Joe asked aloud. �It seemed like they really knew me or were at least expecting me.�
�Perhaps they were expecting you.� Caleb replied.
�But why would that be?� Joe asked. �I just don�t understand it and how can I really be in the future. None of this makes sense.�
�Well, we�re almost there.� Caleb said. �I saw we have about a half a mile to go so hopefully you�ll be able to find some answers there.�
�I really do hope so.� Joe muttered.
The two continued through the plains in silence once again. It seemed neither of them really wanted to talk at the moment. Although neither of them were speaking the silence was broken by the sound of several guns clicking. At the sound of the guns both Joe and Caleb turned to their side to see the source of the noise.
�What the hell is this?� Joe asked.
Standing before the pair was a group of four men. All four men were holding what appeared to be high-tech guns. Although very minimal, each of the four appeared to have some cybernetic enhancements on their bodies. Whether it be a mechanical arm or implants in their eyes to have greater vision the four of them certainly appeared to be from the High-Tech human groups.
�Do you have any idea where you are?� One of the men asked.
�Yes, I do.� Caleb replied. �We are in the Baz plains so if you four will be on your way we can continue our journey.�
�I�m afraid it�s not that simple.� The man replied. �You see for starters you�re crossing our part of the plains, that means you have to pay us a tax. Now since you in the black robe are a sorcerer you definitely have to pay an extra wage.�
�Yeah, we don�t want any of you dirty sorcerers on our part of the plain!� Another man chimed in.
�Well neither of us are paying and how dare you call me dirty you stupid High-Tech scum bags!!� Caleb shouted out in a rage.
�Then the tax will become your lives.� The main man replied while pointing to the four. �Get them now!�
�Oh�great�� Joe muttered. �Caleb they got guns and I got a frickin sword!!�
�So use it!� Caleb shouted out. Before Joe had a chance to reply Caleb ran to the side and held out his right hand. From the inside of his cape a black staff floated out and landed in his hand. At the top of the staff rested a red crystal ball, which was growing brightly now. �I�m going to teach these guys a lesson!�
�Just great.� Joe muttered while pulling his sword out. To his relief three of the four men made their way over to Caleb. The one man that did make his way over to Joe came with his gun out and ready to fire and fire he did. �Oh shit!!� Joe jumped back a few feet and held his sword out in a pathetic attempt to stop the bullet. Surprisingly enough as the bullet reached the sword it stopped should to the sound of a zapping noise and then hit the ground. �What the�� Joe muttered as he looked at the sword but then spotted the hardly phased High-Tech human.
A hard fist met with Joe�s face and the impact sent him down to the ground. As Joe looked up he spotted the man toss away his gun in an attempt to go hand to hand with Joe. The site caused his eyes to light up with excitement.
�What are you smiling about!� The man shouted as he went to punch Joe.
Joe rolled out of the way of the punch and dropped his sword. He quickly got to his feet and ducked another punch, �You�re an idiot!� Joe shouted while ducking another punch but this time catching the man�s arm on the way back. He turned to his side and yanked the man�s arm with all of his strength. Joe flipped the man over his shoulder sending him crashing down to the ground in a heap. �I can do this hand to hand stuff!�
The man got up slowly and rubbed his aching shoulder. It didn�t seem to slow him down much as he charged at Joe once again. This time with ease Joe dodged two quick punches and a kick. Just as the man�s foot landed on the ground Joe charged in and kicked the man in his chest. He followed up by punching the man right in his enhanced eye. The impact of the blow sent sparks around the man�s head causing him to fall down and this time for good.
Caleb who was on the other side of the field now continued to fly back quickly as the three men shot their guns at him. Some of the shots flew by while others pinged off the small shield the sorcerer had created. This was going to be a simple battle and Caleb knew this from the moment it started. It was simple for right now he was enjoying himself and all the while watching Joe as he cleverly handled the other man.
�Well, he could be useful after all.� Caleb noted while he watched Joe walk away from the beaten man. �Now it�s my turn.�
Caleb turned his attention back to the three men and allowed a small smirk to escape. With one graceful movement he levitated and flipped over the three men. Upon landing on the ground he held his staff out and shot out two blazing balls of fire. Each one impacted a man, sending him to the ground in a painful blaze of smoke. The third and final man that was left standing turned around and attempted to get a shot off at Caleb. He was too late; before he could even react Caleb held his staff out again. Forming before the staff was two spikes of ice. Each of the spikes flew forward smashing into the man and sending him down to the ground in a great deal of pain. Caleb then held staff out one final time and used another ice attack but this time froze the man�s hands and feet down to the ground so he was unable to get up.
�So�� Caleb started as he landed on the ground. �Am I still a dirty sorcerer?�
The one conscious man didn�t speak a word while he struggled to get free but it was satisfactory enough. Caleb turned around and walked away from the three. He reached a very amazed and energy filled Joe who was clapping.
�Wow.� Joe muttered. �That was the craziest thing I�ve ever seen in my life.�
�Are you a believer now?� Caleb asked while placing his staff away.
�I�m getting there.� Joe replied.
The two turned away from the four men and started towards Calgez once again. They didn�t get very far before hearing a rather large humming noise coming from the direction the men had come. Before long the source of the noise came into focus. It appeared to be a huge flying robot with several guns and many bladed arms just ready to cut something up.
�Well this can�t be good�� Joe muttered as he reached back and pulled out his sword once again.
�I guess this is the actual reason why anyone would pay their tax.� Caleb stated while pulling out his staff. �You might want to stay behind me on this one Joe, this could get really dangerous.�
�No way.� Joe replied. �Hey, even if I am in the future, I never backed down in my time I�m not backing down in this time.�
Caleb nodded and smiled a bit as he watched Joe stand beside him now ready to do battle with the huge machine.
The large robot charged towards the duo guns blazing. Instinctively Caleb called upon his shield while Joe ran to the side and held his sword out. At first it appeared as if the robot was making it�s way towards Caleb but then it took a hard turn and started for Joe. A nervous expression appeared on Joe�s face for a moment but he quickly forced it to disappear.
�Here we go!� Joe shouted while charging towards the robot. He ran from side to side holding his sword out all the while to block the gunfire. Upon reaching the robot he ran underneath it stabbing his sword upward. The blade made contact leaving a decent sized gash underneath the robot. �Come on!� Joe taunted as he noticed Caleb getting ready to perform a spell. Joe rolled to the side and started to run backwards in an attempt to distract the robot further.
�Thanks Joe.� Caleb said. He held his staff out and shouted, �Lightning!� A huge bolt of lightning formed in the sky and shot down at the robot.
The robot spun around violently and in the process smacked Joe down to the ground with one of its arms. It wasn�t finished though and now started a path towards Caleb who was beginning to breath heavily from the constant use of magic, especially since he was using different elements so much.
�This isn�t good!� Caleb shouted as he ran back a few feet. �And Joe looks like he�s out of it. I might be all alone on this one, what could I use now? If I even attempt to use a different element now it could waste the rest of my energy.�
The robot continued its steady firing. As the bullets hit the shield more and more the shield began to weaken. It was nearly impossible for Caleb to concentrate long enough to get off another spell and Joe was just getting to his feet.
�Joe!� Caleb shouted. �I need some help!�
�Aw hell�� Joe muttered as he spotted Caleb. �Magic boy is getting pounded by Mr. Roboto and I�m tired as shit right now. Oh well, I need to help him so here goes nothing!!� Joe began his charge towards the robot. He held his sword back the entire time and unknown to him the glow of the blade became stronger and stronger with every angry step he took.
�Joe!!� Caleb shouted, as his shield was just about to give out. �I need help now!!�
Before Joe could reach Caleb his shield gave out. The young sorcerer cringed in fear as he thought the end was coming.
�Beast!!� A voice shouted out.
Caleb looked up to see a man leap over his head and land on top of the monster. The man pulled out a glowing red katana and stabbed it deep into the robot�s mechanical head. It quickly began to spark as the man drove the blade in several more times. He was simply tearing the robot apart.
�Watch out!� Another voice shouted.
Upon hearing the voice the man leapt off of the robot and landed on the ground. The man who shouted ran out and in front of Caleb firing several shots at the sparking robot with his laser guns.
The robot had just about had it when Joe reached the scene and pulled his blade forward. Before he could even swing he spotted the blade shining brighter than he had ever seen before and then it happened. A huge beam of white energy shot out from the sword and crashed directly into the robot. The force of the energy leaving the sword sent Joe crashing into the ground and completely destroyed the robot.
�Talk about overkill�� Weazel muttered. �Huh, Edge?�
Edge turned around to face Weazel and then took another look at what was left of the robot, �It is completely destroyed.� Edge remarked he then turned his focus to Joe. �You must be the one who killed those two beasts outside of Baz last night.�
Joe got up to his feet and kept his sword in his hand. Before speaking he looked over the two men and remembered them from the night before. �Hey wait a second, you�re the two that were getting the rooms in the inn when I was getting ice!� Joe shouted.
�These are those two?� Caleb asked while he looked the two over.
�Yes, you are the one who had the odd scent.� Edge said to Joe.
�What are you guys following us?� Joe asked.
�Don�t flatter yourself, we�re heading to Calgez.� Weazel muttered.
�So are we.� Caleb said. �Who are you two?�
�I am Edge Damon, I am a Naz-Gumi. More specifically from the Lycan tribe, the warrior tribe of our race.� Edge said.
Before Weazel was able to introduce himself Joe ran up to the group and folded his arms, as he looked Edge over a bit. �Hey, wait a second you racist son of a bitch!� Joe shouted. �We don�t need you�re damn help. For god�s sake you think at least in the future you crazy Nazi bastards would be gone, but apparently noooooo you just changed your name up a bit huh?! Yeah, I�m on to you bud, don�t try to deny it either your damn blonde hair won�t help you there pal!!�
�What does this crazy human talk of?� Edge asked.
�Oh don�t even-� Joe started before Caleb cut him off.
�Joe, the Naz-Gumi is a race of people.� Caleb said. �I�ve never really seen one before�but I�ve always heard of their existence. They tend to keep to themselves very much.�
�Aye, we do.� Edge replied.
�Uh�� Joe muttered. �You sure?�
�Positive, Joe.� Caleb replied.
�Now that psycho has had his tangent you guys can just call me Weazel.� Weazel said. �I�m a High-Tech human I guess but uh honestly I don�t hold any affiliation. Well correction I do, I am affiliated to myself.�
�Now, are you the one who defeated those beasts outside of Baz?� Edge asked again.
�Yeah, I guess so.� Joe replied. �They attacked me and then I swung the sword and BAM!�
�That simple huh?� Weazel muttered.
�We�re heading to Calgez as well.� Caleb said. �I suppose if we are all traveling there perhaps it will be better if we all go together. It appears the forces of evil are out today anyway.�
�Let us go then.� Edge said.
The four started towards Calgez once again. Now traveling in a pack of four it was be less likely for something to try to attack them but the risk was still and always would be there.
�Thanks for the save.� Caleb said.
�My Demon�s Blade said neither of you were foes so we helped.� Edge explained.
�Why are you two heading for Calgez?� Caleb asked.
�I am beginning my journey, the first place I must go is Calgez.� Edge said.
�As for me, well basically I�m running from the law.� Weazel started. �And you see I ran into Edge so now I�m hanging around with this guy because I have nothing better to do.�
�Why are you two heading to Calgez?� Edge asked.
�To further my magical training.� Caleb replied.
�Because three crazy people who I thought were on crack told me to go.� Joe muttered while he sighed.
�What is this crack?� Edge asked.
Joe simply shook his head and sighed again as he continued to walk. The rest of the trip went by in silence until finally the four reached the small town of Calgez. Once again there was a large gate before the town. Upon reaching the gate it slowly creaked open and the four entered the town.
Just like Caleb had said it was very similar to Baz. Just about the same size and almost the same type of structure. There was an inn, a bar, a weapons shop and a grocery store. Everything else appeared to be houses for the townspeople.
�After I attend to my business I will meet you all in the bar?� Edge asked.
�That�s fine with me.� Weazel said. �I�m just going to go check out that weapons shop to see if they have any enhancements for me.�
�I�m fine with that.� Caleb replied. �I just need to meet my trainer in that far house on the right, that�s where I think it is anyway. I�ll see you all at the bar then!�
�Alright, I�ll just roam around and look for a damn sign.� Joe muttered. �Everyone go do your business while I roam in a state of confusion.�
�Ok�� Weazel muttered.
�Till then.� Edge said as he waved to the three and started towards the inn.
Edge, Weazel and Caleb made their way towards their destinations. In the process they left Joe standing alone at the entrance of the town. He stood there for a moment and looked over the town. A heavy sigh escaped from his mouth as a cool breeze of air blew past him. It felt good and invigorating but it wasn�t able to cheer him up at all.
�So I just wait for a sign?� Joe asked himself. �God this is so stupid.�
As Joe continued to stare at the town a woman slowly and carefully made her way up to him. Within seconds she was standing directly behind him. She placed one of her fingernails on his neck and slowly slid it downwards while blowing air down his neck.
�What the hell!!� Joe shouted as he started to turn around.
�Don�t turn around!� She yelled back at him. �Are you not in search of someone here?�
Joe stopped short from turning around after hearing her question. He then continued to stare forward and noticed she stopped moving her nail down his neck and was now grabbing onto the handle of his sword.
�Yes�I�m looking for someone.� Joe said.
�Then, I need to ask you a question.� She said.
�Ok�� Joe muttered. One of her hands now trailed down to Joe�s side and grabbed onto his side digging her palm deep into Joe�s side in the process. �Hey!� Joe shouted as he turned his head down a bit to notice she had white nail polish on her fingers.
�So you have the mark�� She muttered. �If I were to tell you I was a traveler from the north, seeking to go to south, what would you tell me?�
The question struck Joe as odd. He had heard it before many times but before he answered he shrugged and decided to give the answer he had always given, �Well, I�d tell you to walk straight and keeping looking backwards. Once you found the North Star behind you you�re set.�
�So then you are Joe Vaelen.� The woman said.
�Uh, yeah can I turn around now?� Joe asked.
�Yes.� She replied.
Joe turned around and got his first look at the woman. She stood at about five feet five inches with white hair that went down slightly past her neck. She didn�t appear to be too much older than Joe but did have a very mature look about her. A white robe covered her body but she kept the hood down to reveal her face. Her blue eyes now seemed to almost stare a hole through Joe.
�Well�who are you?� Joe asked.
�I am Kayla Magnus.� Kayla replied. �I was told to look for a man by the name of Joe Vaelen and here I find you.�
�Who sent you to look for me?� Joe asked.
�You�re getting ahead of yourself.� Kayla replied. �There is much that I need to tell you before that.�
Joe remained silent and simply stared at the woman. She was like no one he had ever seen before, her pure whitish hair was probably the one thing that threw him off the most.
�Excuse me but didn�t anyone ever tell you staring is rude?� Kayla muttered.
�Sorry�� Joe replied. �It�s just�well you�re hair is white and uh�well�how old are you?�
�I�m twenty two years old.� Kayla replied.
�But how the�did you dye it?� Joe asked.
�No.� Kayla muttered. She was starting to get annoyed. �Look, just come with me to the bar and we will speak.�
Kayla grabbed onto Joe�s hand and began to guide him towards the bar. The thought of pulling away from her crossed his mind for a moment but he quickly disregarded it and went with the flow. After all it finally appeared he was going to get the answers he wanted, he would be foolish to throw away such an opportunity. Now the only question he had was would he really want to hear the truth?