Hymn

“Come, sit down. We have matters to discuss and little time to discuss them. I wish that, if under different circumstances, I could explain the situation we are in, and how we got here.”

“I require no explanations for the task I am to accomplish. I will do it willingly, in honor of you, my lord.”

“I have no doubt you would do it willingly. You always have, never once have you questioned my authority. That is why I have chosen you for this task. But do you do it because I ask you, or because you want to.”

“I am sorry; I have grown weak since my time among the humans. I have grown sympathetic for them. They are creatures to be pitied, they do not carry the knowledge or the power that we have. They kill there own without remorse, It is inevitable that their destruction will come.”

“Yes, it will come. But not fast enough. If they live, they will drain all the resources that this planet has. They do not know what they do, and it is too late for them to be informed. You, Talto, will bring an end to the humans, before the humans bring an end to us.

“Once there, there will be no return. Only one can travel through the portal, and only once can he return. Your reconnaissance of the human lands has brought enlightenment, but only you know the Humans, their language, their way of life. It is a job that must be done, and you are the only one who can do it. Go now, and may you watch over yourself as I once watched over you. The trials that lay ahead will prove harder than any you have encountered. I bid you farewell. Save your people.”

“I do without question my lord.”

---

Rays of sunlight crept through the light, fluffy clouds, small lines and cracks where they separated just enough for the ominous light to give warmth to a small row of blooming flowers. The sky was a golden yellow, like one big silver lining stretching across the sky. The birds began their morning songs of serenity.

Maybe it’s an omen, Danten thought to himself sitting down in the cool grass, panting. Maybe things will start to go right again. Maybe finally after so long-- A bright flash nearly blinded him, and the thunderous boom sent him to his feet. “Then again maybe not.” He moaned to himself. A large black cloud was stirring in the east, covering up the golden clouds that had given Danten a ray of hope.

He laid on his back, waiting, hoping that he had finally eluded his pursuers. The rattling of metal armor smothered his hopes like the dark cloud smothered out the golden clouds. It was okay though. He couldn’t go on his body couldn’t carry him any further. He would die out here. And over what, a few small jewels maybe enough to play off his already large bounties? He was starting to wish he had taken up a new line of work. Like farming, or constructions, hell maybe even becoming a royal guard. But that wasn’t going to happen now. He would soon die. The rains would help to rot his flesh and bone. No one could save him now.

The sounds of armor rattling together stopped about a foot from Danten’s head. “You, Danten Fogmoore, are hereby charged with the pety theft, assault, breaking and entering, impersonating a royal guard, stealing from the national treasury…”

“Oh can it, would you? I know what I’ve done.” Danten held out his hands, wrists together, and stood up. The royal guardsman frowned, and pulled out length of rope from somewhere under his armor, tied up Danten’s hands and cut off the remaining rope. Folding it back into his armor the guard looked at Danten and frowned again.

“Stealing from the national treasury…” The Guard began again.

“I said can it, damn it!” Danten yelled. The guard, not liking being interrupted again reeled back his fist and struck him in the cheek hard enough to knock him out. His limp body fell to the ground.

“Ahem, like I was saying… Where was I again? Now you see what you’ve done?” The guard kicked Danten with a sharp boot. “Oh well, It doesn’t matter anyway.” He grabbed Danten’s limp body by the leg and began dragging him back towards town.

---

The ground shook with tremendous force, the air wavered and rippled, like a drop of water in a pond, it stretched outward. Time wavered, then stood still. Birds stopped chirping, the sound of a nearby town died out, and through the ripple stepped a man. His body covered in a dark gray robe, the hood pulled back to reveal a younger man in his lower twenties. He had chalk white hair, and turquoise eyes. Eyes that saw through the façade that most people wore, eyes that could pierce your mind, read your thoughts, eyes that could read your soul.

He had come.