Serenity seems nervous around Mateo after his display of compassion. She’s not used to men treating her that way after discovering she’s a blood sucking vampire elf. Okami doesn’t seem to care, and Terror is dissapointed in the lack of bloodshed. The group decide to move onward to the next town.


    “So, what can you tell us about your skills Mateo, I noticed you used the ‘calm’ ability on Serenity,” Okami says.


    “Skills, I’m not sure how to answer that,” he replies.


    “I sense he has a shadow essence,” Serenity says.


    “Terror no like shadow essence, men in shadows weak, fight without honor.”


    “A shadow essence, I know an essence viewer in Heroldin that could confirm this, she’s a Lamia, but I find her insight reliable,” Okami says.


    “Terror no like snake girls, snake girls talk funny, snake girls no like Terror, call Terror stupid oath, say he is one who talks funny.”


    Okami sighs looking over at Mateo.


    “Chrissima is a friend, you are not of this world, so her form might frighten you, I assure you she is harmless,” Okami says.


    Mateo turns his eyes away. He finds himself suddenly overwhelmed by his new world. After being out of mortal danger for an extended period he’s had time to think. Memories of his past life have flooded his mind.


    “Take us to this Heroldin, I need to speak with Nat,” he says vanishing into their wagon in a panic.


    They leave him to his devices and Mateo fleas into the wagon falling to his hands and knees as he vomits violently. Natalia appears above him in a puff of cerulean smoke.


    “Mateo, what’s wrong Mateo?” She asks concerned.


    Mateo, haunted by the constant slew of past memories from another life pouring into his mind has come to a finite realization. Though he remembers his past life. He also remembers his death. The bright beaming lights of a lifted pickup burned into his mind. The lingering realization that he can never go back to his past life and that everything he did then, means nothing now.


    He rolls over on his side curling into a ball. Natalia floats down resting on his shoulder as he wraps his arms around his knees.


    “Oh, you’re having the ‘revelation’,” Natalia says rubbing his shoulder.


    After drowning in self pity for a few hours Mateo cleans up his vomit and joins his new companions at the front of the wagon. The sack robe that Okami let him borrow makes him feel more comfortable than the coat he was wearing. Definitely less embarrassing than walking about naked. He takes a deep breath taking in the world around him.


    A subtle breeze blows about the bluish leaves covering the tall thick trees around him. Dark red vines twist up their trunks and around their limbs. Large yellow berries hang in batches from the vines. The breeze brings a subtle aroma not dissimilar to that of lavender and vanilla. Or maybe that’s just Serenity’s perfume.


    His chest falls as he lets out a long relieving breath.


    “Did you at least clean up the vomit?” Okami asks.


    “Ofcourse, he cleaned it up he’s not some barbarian,” Natalia interjects.


    “How are you feeling sweetie?” Serenity asks in a gentle tone.


    The words slip through her lips seductively dancing about the air before invading his thoughts with images of their intimate ventures a few moonfalls ago. He’s about to reply to her when one of the horses shakes its head giving off a loud winnie. Mateo falls backwards into the wagon pointing his finger at the creature in horror.


    The beast in question is not a horse, though it shares a similar shape. Instead, it is a larger creature known as a hoaram. Hoaram are a hardier bread of horselike creature used for navigating tougher terrain. They still have a sleek main, but their tall narrow ears are replaced by thick twisting horns. These carnivorous horse beasts have rows of jagged teeth and large claw like hooves. Something not dissimilar from that of a chicken or large bird. Some travelers refer to them as ‘nightmare horses’.


    “What in the hell is that thing,” Mateo screeches.


    “Terror knows this is hoaram, hoaram good for rugged terrain, Terror knows not what is hell.”


    “Sorry, I didn’t know how to translate that without context, now that I’ve dug into his mind a little I get the sense that hell is somewhat accustomed to what you would call the void, a dark place of endless suffering that bad people go to, somewhat like the endless nothingness of the void,” Natalia states confidently.


    “Wait translate, and did you just say you could read my mind,” Mateo asks with a stronger look of terror on his face than before.


    Everyone stares at him blankly for a moment. Then they all remember that he is not from this realm and begin to fill in some of the missing sections of information.


    Serenity explains that realm travelers often have pixies with them, not as familiars. That’s something completely different all together. More as an extension of their being as their mortal bodies are often created by joining with a soul of light. This light then manifests itself as a pixie in order to help the realm traveler on their journey. Often acting as a medium between the knowledge of their old realm and the new one. Though this is not the limit of their assistance.


    Okami gives an explanation of the carnivorous horse beasts hoaram. Reassuring that they rarely feed on the flesh of humanoid creatures and would be more likely to try to eat him first since he displays more animalistic features. Which brings Mateo little comfort.


    Terror tells a story about one solstice when he was traveling and his hoaram collapsed just before moon rise. Giving great and gory detailed about how he had to cut it open and sleep inside it to keep from freezing to death. Only to find that there was a village a half mile away from where he was.


    Mateo now even more horrified than before draws in a deep breath. Serenity sits beside him running her hand over his back gently as he lets out an audible sigh.


    “It’s ok Mateo, we know how it feels to be in an alien land,” she says with a smile.


    “Terror far from home too, before Terror meet Okami, Serenity, and Aureillius,” he pauses, “before that, Terror was alone.”


    “Aureillius?” Mateo questions.


    “Terror is from Obsidius,” Okami says avoiding the question.


    Serenity wraps herself around Mateo pressing her face into his chest.


    “The Orcen mountain ranges of Obsidius hold vast amounts of highly sought after obsidian ore, which the orcs are very skilled at using for crafting,” Okami continues.


    “Terror live in Highrockhold with wife Dahlia until bad orc tribe destroy Highrockhold and kill wife Dahlia, Terror sad for many moon falls, Terror still sad, miss wife Dahlia,” Terror says with a painful grunt of sorrow.


    Serenity begins to sob audibly into Mateo’s chest. He runs his fingers over her soft midnight hair trying to calm her.


    “Aureillius was Serenity’s brother, we lost him in the battle to liberate her from the Sanguine Cult, he was a strong leader, but sometimes no amount of strength can overcome vast numbers of blood thirsty vampire cultists, he gave his life casting a massive explosion spell that entombed him and the vampires inside a mountain so we could escape,” Okami says patting Serenity on her shoulder.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    “Terror has known no greater leader than Aurei, Terror misses him too,” Terror adds starring forward with a stoney gaze.


    Serenity regains her composure wiping tears from her soft cheeks with the back of her hand. She turns her eyes to Mateo with a forced smile.


    “Sorry, it wasn’t long ago that we lost him, the wounds aren’t scars yet,” she says.


    “Wow, no one cares that I was thrust into the void upon his death,” Natalia says crossing her arms in dismay.


    Serenity reaches up plucking her from the air like a child pulling a toy off a shelf. She rubs her cheek against her like she’s a small fuzzy pet.


    “I’m sorry Natalia, we’ve been less than welcoming to you, you served my brother well, thank you,” Serenity says with a sad smile.


    “Terror sorry too, when Terror sad Natalia was always bright light that lead him from dark cave, Terror not unhappy to see Natalia again.”


    “I too am glad of your return, however, I am curious about your time in the void, it wouldn’t be too much to ask about your time there?” Okami asks.


    “Godsdamnit Okami, you really know how to ruin the mood,” Serenity says shaking her head.


    “My apologies, later perhaps, it is good to see you again Natalia,” Okami says bowing his head respectfully.


    The adventurers continue westward down a rocky trail. The bluish leaves turn to a forest of gold and Terror relaxes the Hoaram. The wagon comes to a stop as the sun slides behind the horizon and the moon rises once more.


    “Terror thinks we stop here so hoaram can hunt.”


    They all step off the wagon as Terror undoes the hoaram’s reins. He leads a hoaram over to a horrified Mateo.


    Okami steps up beside Mateo who is frozen solid by fear as he stares at the nightmare horse looming in-front of him.


    “You should brush its mane, so it knows you’re a friend,” Okami says holding his hand out to pet the terrifying creature.


    Mateo takes a deep breath reaching out his hand. He closes his eyes hoping that he’ll still have a hand in a few moments.


    “It’s probably more frightened of me, right?” He thinks aloud.


    “Terror doubts that.”


    “You’re not helping Terror,” Serenity snaps.


    Mateo runs his hand over the soft gentle mane of the hoaram. The creature lowers its head bunting him with one of its thick curled horns. He runs his hand over the horn scratching a little at the base of it and the creature claws at the dirt a little. Okami and Terror laugh pleasantly.


    “What?” Mateo asks confused.


    “Julia likes you, you certainly seem to make a positive impression on creatures of the dark,” Okami says sniping a glance at Serenity.


    “I know you didn’t just refer to me as a creature of the dark,” Serenity snaps.


    “You are a night stalker,” Okami says jokingly.


    “And you’re an overgrown dog,” she replies cunningly.


    “I am not a dog!” Okami yells.


    Serenity pulls a small sphere from her cloak holding it in-front of her. Okami’s face turns from an angry hurt to a solemn focus. His ears shoot upwards, and all of his attention focuses on the small sphere in her hand.


    “Fetch,” she says tossing it with great force.


    Okami’s feet kick up dirt as he bends down onto all fours rocketing through the trees toward the elusive sphere. The world around him no longer exists. His only purpose in life at that moment is to retrieve that sphere.


    The sphere is magic of course, twisting through the thick tree trunks as Okami gives chase. After a few minutes of unrelenting pursuit, the sphere runs out of mana and drops to the ground. Okami retrieves it returning to the group where he proceeds to lie on the ground tearing it apart with his teeth.


    Mateo moves his hand away from the hoaram, and she ventures into the woods with the other hoaram to hunt for prey.


    “Are you sure Julia and the other hoaram are going to be ok going off like that?” Mateo asks.


    “The other Hoaram is Bolt, he was the prized race hoaram of the divine king Larius Belzar the third, he was gifted to us when Terror culled an entire goblin horde with his bare hands, rescuing the princess from their perversions, but not my brother’s,” Serenity says laughingly.


    “Your brother, do you want to talk about him?” Mateo asks.


    “Perhaps after a few pints of mead,” she replies.


    They push the wagon off the road into a small grotto and make camp. Serenity being comfortable around Mateo allows him to rest in her tent while Terror and Okami have their own. Terror calls Mateo into his tent to speak as the sun disappears and warm fire and moonlight fill the air.


    Terror sits cross legged with a few crude weapons lain out before him. His tent has a small fire of its own above which rests a small boiling kettle. Mateo sits on a folded quilt beside him and Terror presses his thumb against his middle finger on both hands taking a deep breath.


    “Terror Darklove answers to the Broodmother, Terror Darklove is grateful for all that the Broodmother provides, in her graces does Terror revel,” he prays opening his eyes and placing his palms on his knees.


    Terror turns over his hand holding out an open palm to Mateo. Mateo places his hand atop it and feels his blood turn to a carbonated fizzle again as a small glow emanates from both of their palms. After a few moments Terror pulls his palm away and his hand hovers over the crude instruments.


    It stops over a hammer with a flat end and jagged pick on the back. The handle is of carved wood with a small leather strap at the base.


    “Terror knows this as instrument of the warrior, a proficiency with smashing skull and overpowering your foes, paths of warrior are barbarian, paladin, and soldier, I sense none of these in you,” he says moving his hand to a small wand.


    “Terror knows this as path of sorcery, proficiency with magic, paths include mage, sorcerer, and wizard, Mateo is beholden to magic, but not constricted by it, you are not a sorcerer,” he says moving his hand to a jagged dagger.


    “Terror knows this as the path of shadows, proficiency in stealth and alchemy, paths include rogue, thief, and botanist, Mateo has a dark essence, perhaps he walks the path of shadows,” he says turning to Mateo.


    “Are those my only options?” Mateo asks.


    “Terror provides these options, combat is only limited by the imagination though, Terror does have one other option, it is not a fighting style known to Terror, this was something Aureillius was working on, do not tell Serenity that this was his,” Terror replies pulling a small box from his side.


    He lays the box in-front of Mateo. It’s of medium size decorated with the crest of a dragon. The carvings on the wood depict a battle between great beasts. A tiger slashing its claws at a Phoenix. A dragon breathing fire over a large horned beast. Giants climbing over mountains to invade an unknown land. In the center stands a man, his sword pointed toward the ground with his offhand raised, a large glowing orb in it.


    “What’s this?” Mateo asks.


    “Terror know not what lies within the box, the contents are determined by the destiny of whomever opens it,” he replies.


    “Open it open it open it!” Natalia yells excitedly.


    Mateo reaches forward placing his hand on the box. Terror places his hand over his with caution.


    “Terror knows words of Aureillius, once open, you cannot close the box, for the contents are your destiny.”


    Mateo gives him an unsure look and Terror removes his hand. His fingers flip open the clasp in nervous anticipation. What is his destiny? The hinges creak as he slides the top of the wooden container open. A bright light fills the tent for a moment and Mateo feels his blood fizzle again.


    Terror stands, his eyes affixed to the contents of the box. A small well crafted obsidian dagger and carved obsidian ring. The dagger is short with a curved edge resembling the fang of a large beast. The handle is bone wrapped in a scaled leather.


    “Terror does not know this path, but the weapon, Terror knows well, obsidian blade with pheonix bone hilt, wrapped in dragon scale, this is a void weapon, the ring also of obsidian, is a casters ring.”


    Class obtained- Battlemage, Battlemages excel using magic and close-range combat. An emphasis on defensive and destructive spells is recommended.


    Item obtained: Void weapon- Drako’s Razor, depending on the skill level of the user Drako’s razor can be extended into a larger or smaller blade. Drako’s razor causes bleeding damage, this damage stacks with additional attacks. When depleted Drako’s Razor can be recharged by consuming the souls of your adversaries into the void.


    Item obtained: Matrimony of the Void- A ring that can only be equipped by a Voidwalker. Matrimony of the Void allows the user to cast spells using the elements of water, wind, fire, earth, and umbral lightning. Matrimony of the Void does not loose charge as it is bound to the user and feeds off their soul and mana.


    Serenity bursts into the tent and the small box evaporates into a puff of glittering smoke. Mateo quickly shoves the dagger into it’s black and gold scabbard hiding it under the folds of his robe. The ring binds to his left ring finger. Something he cannot hide. A golden inscription appears over top of the obsidian surface.


    “The hoaram have returned,” she says and then squints her eyes gazing at them with suspicion.


    “What are you boys doing in here?” She asks suspiciously.


    Mateo gives her a guilty smile as Terror rubs his head nervously.


    “You were classing him weren’t you, I thought I told you that we would perform that ritual as a group,” she snaps.


    “Terror knows not of what you speak.”


    Serenity’s eyes turn toward Natalia. Her lips change to a sly grimace.


    “Natalia, what where Terror and Mateo doing just now?” She asks as her palm begins to glow.


    Mateo stands with a sigh.


    “I was hoping to surprise you, I’ve been feeling a little down since I don’t really bring anything to the team, and me and you kinda hit it off a little I think,” he says rubbing his head nervously.


    “Oh,” she says crossing her arms curiously, “so you wanted to surprise me by showing me you aren’t a useless pleasure doll?”


    “Serenity I can’t really tell where we stand right now, but I do like you, I just wanted to be more to you than one night, where I come from chivalry is dead, and I was hoping that here, maybe it wasn’t,” Mateo replies.


    “Oh, you want to court me, well, I suppose I’m not opposed to being courted,” she says with a smile and exits the tent.


    Terror looks over at him wide eyed and confused.


    “Terror knows not how you did that.”


    “Did what?”


    “Terror sees you lie to face, how?”


    “I didn’t lie to her, I do like her, and I have felt kind of useless, like when we got attacked by those forest lobsters and I cried holding my head under the wagon while you guys dispatched them,” Mateo replies.


    Terror laughs, “Terror thought was funny, Terror uses inside joke with Okami now that you are shrimp.”


    “Thanks, we should probably join Serenity and Okami and announce my new class.”


    “Terror is curious, what class did shadow shrimp get?”


    “Battlemage.”