"Endless Dance 1-1" by Jonathon T. Parker

Chapter One: Destiny Revealed
Hey Diamond, if y’re hearing this, then my present has finally reached y’. Enjoy, and start training for the battle that awaits.

Alex’s sleep was broken by the sound of a large crash outside of his house. He quickly sat up in bed, his gold and silver hair in a wild mess. His orange eyes struggled to adjust to the darkness of the night.
He stepped off of his bed and looked out his window. The forest outside of his house seemed eerily quiet. He saw a thin, transparent, white light shining up from the forest center. In his half-conscious mind, he thought in wonderment, What’s that? It’s coming from the forest.
Deciding to investigate, he slowly put on some clothes: blue jeans, a gray shirt, his shoes, carelessly cast aside from the previous events with his brother, and his gold, circle-shaped pendant. The pendant had a gold chain, and in the center of it was a strange, upward-oval jewel that rapidly changed colors in a prismatic display. He had always had the pendant with him as long as he could remember, though he did not know what it was for or when or where he obtained it, and he rarely ever thought about it.
He walked out of his room, which was filled with posters of science fiction movies and video games. He had always been fascinated by space, and his science fiction hobbies were a way to explore this interest.
He left his large, blue house and headed into the forest nearby. He could not hear any animals as he headed towards the light, or maybe he was simply too sleepy to notice, but he did not let that bother him either way. The March, night air was cold, cold enough to cause goosebumps to form along his skin.
After exploring for several minutes in the dark forest, following the paths burned into his memory, he found the partial clearing where the light was coming from. There was a large crator in the center, which was giving off the light... but his thoughts drifted aside to the fallen tree, the burnt grass, the long-dead flowers: all of them in the same spot a few yards from where he was standing. Phantoms, memories, began to run around that spot, one calls out to another, a scream... He began to sweat, despite the cold, and shiver all the more, tightly gripping his pendant--but then realized he did not know what he was doing, what was causing this reaction in him. The phantoms drifted away, maybe a dreamlike hallucination, maybe a vague memory. His head began to hurt when he probed it for an answer, so he decided to ignore the phantoms of his mind and check out the light.
He stared down into the crator, and at the center he could see a large, blue stone. There was no heat, which was dismissed by his curiosity, so he slid down partially to get a closer look. When he was about to touch it, his pendant started to react. The jewel shined brightly, and he lost control of his mind as everything flashed white...

* * *
Images appeared in his mind...

...a love song, beautiful, yet short; a teenage girl shines dark red...

...his pendant, held high, as a crowd gasps...

...his friend, Rebecca, surrounded by a blue light, holds him, telling him he must go...

...a teenage girl that seems older than she appears; long, flowing, red hair; bright, blue eyes; short height; a dark red-jeweled pendant; her face displays distress; with a teenage boy they embrace...

...a message: find the heart’s content, the soul’s fire, the sorrowful battle...

* * *
His mind flashed, and he regained control of it. He was kneeling in front of the blue stone, breathing heavily as he tried to make sense of the images. What had just happened? What was going on? As if in a trance, he stood and returned to his home, falling asleep quickly in his bed.
* * *
When he awoke next, it was to the sound of his alarm clock at 5:30 a.m. He turned it off, his first thought being of school. The events of his nighttime excursion then reentered his mind, and he wondered if it was only a dream. It had to be...
He stepped out of his bed and realized he was wearing his shoes, dry mud on the bottoms. Deciding he would never be able to figure it out this early in the morning, he instead went to the bathroom and took a shower. Afterwards, he wore the clothes he had seemingly chose the night before. As usual, his older brother waited to get in next, always impatiant. Always a good friend, he had plain, brown hair and blue eyes, and he was seventeen years old and very tall--completely and painfully different from himself. Tim, his brother, rushed in quickly after he left the bathroom, throwing a “mornin’” to him as he did.
Following his daily tasks, Alex woke his mother and went downstairs to make breakfast. She and his brother came into the kitchen soon after. His mother also had brown hair and blue eyes, though she was thirty-nine.
Alex made some microwave pancakes for his family. He and his brother sat down to eat, while their mother obtained some coffee.
The events of the previous night returned to Alex’s mind, so, just in case, he cleared his throat and asked aloud, “Did anybody--uh--hear anything outside last night?”
Tim and their mother said in unison, “No.”
Unsure, he simply responded, “Oh, okay.”
What did happen last night?, he wondered. Was it just a dream?
After they finished eating their breakfast, Alex and Tim found their backpacks and waited at the end of their driveway for the school bus. It arrived several minutes later and picked them up.
A minute later, the bus picked up Alex’s friend, Rebecca Harmony. The young woman was a vision of loveliness, a true beauty. Her golden hair flowed endlessly, as if to consume the world. Her sparkling, green eyes were so compassionate in their gaze, and yet they could harden when needed. Her face was so charming and beautiful that anyone would fall for her and trust her, and it was truly natural, not artificial from endless make-up. Her beauty could make any boy drool at the sight of her, but no one had it in them to ask her on a date. She was the kind of girl that boys would dream and fantasize about, and they often did, except for Alex. He was the only boy immune to her charm, because they had been friends since kindergarten. While he was a pariah due to his peculiar physical looks and constant lack of interest in other people, Rebecca had given up that line of boys that would grovel at her feet and kiss her toes if she told them to to be with Alex, and she never regretted it. At first, when they were younger, she stayed by his side because she felt sorry that such a kind, caring, gentle person could be tossed aside by his peers, but, as she grew older, she started to feel different around him. All the feelings and emotions surrounding him in her mind were so confusing to her, and she desperatly wanted to tell him so she could finally understand herself, but she could not. She never told him about the way she felt, mainly because he had never acted that way around her, unintentionally sending her through more indecision.
Rebecca sat down beside Alex, her usual spot, and noticed he seemed lost in thought, as he was staring out the window at nothing. She could not help but observe him there for a moment, at least until she came to her senses asked, “Hey Alex, what’s wrong? Tired?”
He turned his head towards hers... and realized he could not tell her the truth, at least not yet. He was too unsure himself, so, in a voice that betrayed his uncertainty, he answered, “Yeah... Yeah, that must be it...”
Distraught, he thought, I don’t know if I should tell her. I don’t know if she’d understand, or if she’d even believe me. I’m sure it was a dream; it just had to be.
Unknowing of her friend’s inner conflict, Rebecca crossed her arms for warmth, shivered, and said, “Brrr. It’s pretty cold this morning.”
First looking around to make sure no one else but his friend was observing, Alex held his palm out flat to her, focusing. A sphere of light generated over it, and she carefully took the warm ball into her own hands, though it floated between them.
Feeling her cheeks redden, she smiled and said, “Thanks, Alex.”
Alex’s peculiar ability was not uncommon to them at this point. Over time, Alex had been able to create balls of light, start small fires, and heal small wounds. It came to him naturally, and they had known of it for so long, so they never thought about it, nor ever really needed to..
She talked with him all the way to Adason High School. They were both sophomores, fifteen years of age, and shared most of their classes together. Despite what some may think of the most beautiful girl in school, Rebecca was actually one of the smartest there. Alex was also very intelligent, though he did not pursue his academics outside of school.
The day continued on, and Alex thought little of his visions, concentrating on his schoolwork and Rebecca. Everything went well until lunch time: Alex and Rebecca were eating lunch together at a nearly empty lunch table, when Alex’s long-time nemesis, Jeremy, approached them, shouting, “Hey! Freak!”
Alex and Rebecca sighed. Jeremy was a big guy; being in football, he was popular among the other jocks. He was simply a typical bully that picked on everyone, so Alex was not a specific target: Alex did not care, anyway.
Jeremy smacked Alex on the back, hard, saying, “How ya doin’, freak!?” Jeremy’s senior buddies were laughing, encouraging him.
Hoping to avoid trouble, yet not showing it, Alex responded coldly, “Fine until you showed up.”
“That’s some fancy talkin’ comin’ from an orange-eyed, gray-haired freak.”
Not knowing why, Alex stood up to him, with Rebecca whispering despretely, “No! Just ignore him!”
Rebecca was so concerned because she knew what Alex was capable of doing, since she was the only one he ever showed his powers to besides his family. She always had a secret fear in the back of her head, that something like this would happen, and that he might not be able to control his powers.
Alex demanded, “What’s your problem with me!?”
Glaring angrily, yet retaining his cruel smirk, Jeremy shoved him, saying, “You’re a freak, and I don’t like freaks.”
“That’s not a good reason.”
“Well deal with it.”
Jeremy swiped Rebecca’s lunch and shoved Alex again. Alex tensed with anger and punched him in the face, causing the bully to fly back several feet. Jeremy fell to the ground, and his friends stopped laughing. By now, most of the cafeteria was watching the scene unfold, a near-dead silence filling the room.
His pride damaged, Jeremy stood and shouted angrily, “I’ll teach you to mess with me!”
He swung his fist downward, and Alex raised his arm to hold back against the attack. The jewel in Alex’s pendant was shining considerably, not just by a trick of the light. Alex’s eyes blazed with a furious intensity that frightened even Rebecca.
Alex kicked his adversary between the legs and shoved him back onto the ground. Those commonly harrased by Jeremy cheered for the hero of the school.
While delighted that her dear Alex had survived his encounter, Rebecca was still worried by his actions, so she stood and demanded, “Alex, are you okay!?”
Unbelieving that he actually defeated Jeremy, Alex became distracted from the thought when a searing pain ripped through his head, a pain he knew was serious and in need of the school nurse. He stumbled toward to his destination, Rebecca looking onward.
* * *
Alex was lying on a cot in the nurse’s office. It was the last block of the day as he tried to understand what was happening to himself. His thoughts drifted back and forth between the previous night, his startling power fighting Jeremy, and Rebecca. Nearly alone to his thoughts, he began to deeper analyze the visions: both the singer and the young woman were the same person--he was sure of it. The teenage boy that embraced her was... Was it him? Could he have been the one embracing that girl? But that made little sense, not that anything else did.
The school nurse left for her daily, five-minute gossiping in the teacher’s lounge. With her gone, Rebecca discreetly entered the room and knelt by Alex’s bedside.
Gazing at him lovingly, she placed her hand on his forehead, gently stroking his hair as she asked sympathetically, “Oh Alex, are you all right?”
While grateful for her appearance, he would have prefered if she were in class. He groaned, “It’s fourth block right now. What are you doing here?”
“I need to talk to you, now. It can’t wait. First off, thank you for saving my lunch.”
“No problem. You know I’d do anything for you.”
Rebecca felt as if she had butterflies in her stomach. She reddened terribly, and her body longed for his, an unfamiliar feeling inside the young girl. She did not understand the emotions overcoming her, the strange desires playing out in her mind. What was happening to her? She had never felt this way towards Alex, at least not this strongly.
Gathering herself, she continued, “Second, I thought you’d like to know that you’re kind of the hero of the school for standing up to Jeremy and actually winning.”
“Hmph, that’s funny.”
Upset at his lack of knowledge, he wondered how he did defeat his nemesis, how he suddenly gained the strength to do it.
“Lastly...” Her voice trailed off, and she gathered courage for what she planned to say next, not understanding why she was suddenly having so much difficulty to talk to the one person she had been friends with for so many years. “I can’t go until you tell me what’s going on.”
A bit confused by her words, he asked, “Why?”
Her breath caught in her throught, if only for a moment, as he was unintentionally asking her to pour out her heart to him. She turned her face away, unable to answer him to his own. “Well... I...”
Should he tell her? He was not sure, whether only a dream or not. He did not want to scare her away. He took his hand and gently turned her head back towards his, staring into her beautiful eyes. Seeing her that way... he knew he should tell her the truth. “Listen, you’ve been my best--no--my only friend since kindergarten. You’ve always been there for me, so... I feel I can tell you what’s going on. Just promise me you won’t think I’m crazy and you won’t tell anyone until I say you can.”
Confused yet intrigued, she told him, “Sure, of course.”
He sighed, trying to decide how to best explain. “Okay. Last night, a meteor crashed into the forest by my house. I went to check it out, and I found it. It was a strange, blue stone. It reacted with my pendant. It showed me images in my mind: a beautiful girl, you, a song, me, and--a message, saying ‘find the heart’s content, the soul’s fire, the sorrowful battle’...” Suddenly overcome by his fear, the fear of uncertainy, of killing someone, of losing control, of all the horrible things that could occur, he placed his face in his hands and cried, “I’m so scared. I grew powerful when I fought Jeremy, but it made my head hurt. I--I don’t know what to do!”
She pulled his hands off his face, looked into his eyes, and said, “Hey! It’s okay. I’m here for you.”
She embraced him, allowing him to silently cry upon her shoulder. She wondering how to interpret his visions and her feelings, becoming even more lost in her thoughts upon hearing him say, “Y’know, I would have died if I had never met you.”
She shivered from his words, wanting to meet his lips with hers, yet still unsure why; they had been friends for so long: why spoil it now? Instead, knowing of the nurse’s imminent return, she said softly and comfortingly, “I’m sorry; I have to go. Hey, I’ll see you later. Don’t worry; I’ll always be here for you.”
She kissed him on the forehead, letting a single tear fall upon his face, and quickly ran out of the room. Alex lied there, alone to his thoughts. He stared after Rebecca, wishing she would come back, yet unsure of his feelings for her.
* * *
Rebecca sat in her room, all the comforts of her fading childhood surrounding her. Her room was so cheerful, so pink, so merry--so unlike her. She could only think of her secret pain, when she was alone, her reason for wanting to be with Alex so much... At least, that was what she thought. Why did she feel this way around him? Why did her heart and breathing increase so drastically? What was this strange reaction inside her body that yerned for his? Why did her mind constantly play out scenarios and endless fantasies surrounding the two of them, and what were these emotions that swirled in her head, so unfamiliar, confusing, and frightning? Why did she feel this way about Alex, the boy who... captured her heart... She could not stop thinking about him. Everything reminded her of the strange boy. The teddy bear upon her lace pillow--a gift from him on her birthday three years ago. The old, white dress hanging in her open closet--the outfit she had worn to the dance she had gone to with Alex, and had worn when he had punched out that jerk who had tried to steal her away from him. The picture of the two of them at the water park--she knew he had embarassedly looked at her in her bathing suit, as it had been a year ago, and she was quickly growing into a young woman, a different figure than she had all those years they had been together as children. The drawing that hung on her wall--a huge picture stemming from her mind, of Alex standing before a huge castle, though he was now older, yet he could not become any more handsome... Below that, her journal... No! She refused to think about it! She refused to accept that Alex would have to leave her! She did not want him to go. She just wanted to be with Alex forever...
She collapsed upon her bed, burying her face deep within her pillow. Why did it have to be this way? What was wrong with her? No one else was like this; not even Alex... except now. Now he knew how she felt, but it would not change anything, would it? All it would do is pull him away from her, yet that would be it. They would still feel the same...

Violent flashs; constant noises of some kind; what was happening? Alex could not tell; everything was black, not including the bright white that periodically filled his vision. Was this a dream?
He finally saw something above him--it was a phoenix, a bird of fire. The huge creature flew down to him, landing in a brilliant display of flaming color. From the light cast by the mythical being, he could see shadows of people running around; what did it mean?
A six beings emerged from the Phoenix’s flame, all of which outlined except for one: him. Out of the others, there were three females, one male, and one child, whose small appearance seemed to flicker. And suddenly, behind them--Rebecca?
Alex awoke with a start. His body was covered in sweat, and his breathing was erratic. What had he seen? That dream was far too strange to have been normal. Could it have been another vision?
This was too much for him to handle alone. He quickly put on some clothes and made his way downstairs to the phone, knowing exactly who to call.
“Rebecca?”
She sounded very tired, yawning before asking what was the matter. He had not bothered to check the time, only knowing that the moon was still high in the night sky.
“Rebecca, I had another vision, but this one was a full dream. Can I come over?”
There was the longest silence, long enough to make Alex wonder if he had offended her, or maybe something had happened.
Finally, she said quickly, “Sure. Yeah, sure, come on over, Alex.”
“Thanks. See you in a minute.”
He hung up the phone, a little confused by his friend’s response, but still in need to talk to someone. Making sure to leave his alarm clock set in his mother’s room, a note attached to it to explain where he was, Alex slipped on his shoes, found his bike outside, and quickly pedeled over to Rebecca’s house. She lived only a minute’s distance away, but he felt it easier to take the bike, especially since it had just began to drizzle.
As they had done numerous times in the past, he made his way to the side of her house, finding her window alight, and knocked upon it. She quickly opened it and helped him inside. Placing his feet on the ground, he glanced up at her, then quickly glanced down again, his face staining with red. She had not dressed anymore than usual for his appearance, standing only in her nightdress, which was, consequently, nearly see-through. Her face was the same color, however, so perhaps she had simply not expected him to arrive so quickly.
Gulping, he slowly looked up, trying to force himself to accept that she was just his friend. Trying to collect himself, he stammered, “I--uh--had another vision. Could we--uh--sit--down?”
She smiled shyly, very much unlike her until more recently, and led him over to the bed to sit on the side. Sitting beside her, he explained the dream to her while it was still fresh in his mind, if, perhaps, it would fade from his memory like most dreams.
Rebecca listened carefully to his story, yet more closely focused on her guest himself. Everything he said was so familiar...
Finally, he asked, “So what do you think? I don’t know what to do anymore...”
His question seemed to catch her off guard, as if she had been thinking about something else. “Um--I think you should sleep on it. I think--that maybe you should wait and see what happens.”
She must have done something, betrayed some emotion in her voice, for her guest asked, “Rebecca, is something the matter? What’s wrong? You’re shivering.”
Her heart raced, but the exact reason for it was lost to the moment. How could she tell him the truth? How could she tell him to stay, when she knew he had to leave? Her tears began to fall, and she rolled over upon the bed and burried her face once more into the pillow.
Alex was so confused. Why was she acting this way? Had he said something, or made her uncomfortable? What was wrong?
The rain had increased in intensity now, pounding terribly against the window, while also drowning out the sounds of Rebecca’s tears. She heard him ask what was bothering her, as he did not understand, yet she could only shout in response the truth, if not still concealed: “Oh Alex, you couldn’t possibly understand! You don’t understand anything that’s going on! You don’t understand your life, your visions, or even my feelings! Just leave me alone before I’m hurt even more!”
The words she had written returned to her mind: “A falling star will bring about the end of a growing love. The love would cause the end of all, yet will cause it even broken. The star bearer will leave to save the world he does not understand, yet will claim a new love and finally understand everything that he once took for granted as a useless mystery.”
Why did he have to leave? Why could they not be together forever? Why could she not...
She felt his hand brush against her cheek, so soft and tender, tearing her heart apart even more, since she was the only one who knew the truth. She had tried to make him stay, dressing like this, making unconscious implications, trying to capture his heart... But she knew it did not work that way, for to abuse what she knew, would only hurt her moreso. Taking this to be her reason, she positioned herself upon her knees and slapped her dear Alex as hard as she could across the face. His hurt expression destroyed the last barrier she had; she quickly reached forward and kissed his lips, holding his head in her hands, forcing herself upon him just as she imagened, if not under different circumstances. For one shining moment, she shed all the pain of her life and lost herself in the divine feeling of kissing the only boy she had ever truly loved, even as her tears fell upon their lips--however, holding him as she did, she slowly let the realization, that fact that Alex was not kissing back, surface in her mind.
She shoved him away, heated anger upon her face, and shouted, “Stay away from me, Alex! Stay away or else you’ll be hurt as well! Just keep away from me!”
He was so confused... Unable to understand what was happening, he slowly backed away towards the window. He could not bear to see Rebecca’s hurt expression, and yet did not comprehend the thoughts going through the girl’s head, nor his own. Finally at her window, he reopened it, allowing in the cold breeze of the spring storm. He stared at her once more, longer than casual, then climbed out of the room and into the powerful rain. The thought to close the window behind him slipped his mind as he leapt upon his bike and quickly made his way home, collapsing in his bed once he arrived.

* * *
The next morning, when Alex’s mother woke him from his sleep, the events of the previous night came flooding back into his mind, and he knew he could not face a day of school, one that could potentially result in further pain between him and his dearest friend. He had to find the answers himself...
She asked what was the matter, and, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he explainined truthfully, “Mom, I’m really not feeling well. I need a day from school. You know I wouldn’t normaly do this, so that’s why I really need a day.”
His mother regarded him carefully, trying to grasp what her son was saying to her. Perhaps something had happened at Rebecca’s house that had bothered him. Either way, she knew she could trust him. “All right. Just one day.”
She embraced him tightly, then wandered off to complete her morning tasks. Alex lied back down, not intending to sleep, instead to focus his scattered thoughts and emotions. What was happening to him, to Rebecca? What were these powers he possessed, and why had she acted the way she did toward him? Why... had she kissed him?
Some time later, after everyone had left, Alex rose from his bed and made his way to the bathroom. In the shower, he allowed the water to rush over him, only trying to calm his mind in the powerful stream. His hands holding opposite shoulders, he lost himself in the sound... His eyes were closed, yet suddenly he could see infinite colors, random, flashing colors that streamed past him in beams of light that all focused upon one point in the distance. The sound erupting from this plane was all-consuming, similar to the water... He... blinked... or did something, for he could once again see the shower. What was happening to him?
Shortly afterward, having finished his shower, he decided he should first find that meteorite again, see if there was anything accompanying it that he had previously overlooked. Outside, the air was cold, the sky a dark haze. The storm threatened to return, but, Alex thought absently, a light rain might have felt good at that time.
Careful not to slip and fall from the wet ground, Alex proceeded through the forest, following the paths of two nights before. His mind was unable to come up with any conclusions as to what awaited him, so he decided to not think about it at all, instead focusing on finding the object.
He found it. Having no thoughts of phantoms, he stared at the crator, unsure whether or not to rush down. Gathering his strength, he crept over at peered down; the blue stone was still there. He slid down to the stone, yet hesitated a moment before attempting to touch it. The instant his hand grazed the mysterious object, it popped like a bubble, releasing many smaller, blue bubbles along with an odd, high sound. Floating in the air for a moment, the tiny bubbles then swirled around, coming closer and closer together until finally harnessing inside Alex’s pendant. Unrealizing of the events transpiring, the world slowly faded away to endless black, endless except for the sporadic dots of white that sparkled randomly. Once he comprehended the sight around him, Alex instantly recognized what it was: space.
Diamond, a battle’s approachin’. It was that voice again, speaking in his mind. It was a woman’s soft voice; not too old, though. Y’re one a the few that can help save our un’verse, the un’verse our goddess created so long ago. Y’re the most powerful a the five that’re destined t’ protect the un’verse from destruction by Ragnarok’s hand. He’s a powerful bein’ of unb’lievable power. He’s supposed t’ appear in the far future, but he’ll come t’ this time period and try t’ destroy us. We musn’t let that happen. This present I sent y’ will increase y’r innate powers, as well as the powers from y’r pendant. Y’ave t’ find the others like us. Your pendant’ll lead the way and reveal prem’itions to the ones y’re lookin’ for. Y’ave to train, Diamond, train y’rself hard. Y’ave t’ raise y’r power as much as humanly poss’ble, otherwise Ragnarok’ll win and destroy everyone we love and’ve yet t’ love. This’s y’r destiny. G’bye, Diamond...
The voice faded away like the vision of space around him. Everything faded away until he was back standing in the crator... What had happened? Everything had just become even more confusing. His destiny...
So much was happening that he had to lose himself again. He made his way to one of the tallest, nearby trees and climbed to the near-top, positioning himself to stand with his back to the main support. His arms crossed, he stared out at the endless stretch of world around him, listening to the songs of the birds, as well as the harmony of the creations of the planet... Harmony... He looked out and found his friend’s home, right in plain view. He could not stop thinking about her. Every thought that penetrated his mind was connected to her in one way or another. Rebecca... Why had she acted the way she did? She was so upset over something. She had cried about how he did not understand: that was very true, at least. He did not understand anything anymore, nothing at all.
She had said that he did not understand her feelings. That was also true: he did not understand girls as a whole, nor did he completely understand people in general, knowing at least that she was the only one that ever showed him true kindness. She was the only one to ever try and lend him a hand in life, even if she was so much different. But... she also kissed him... Was that what she meant by feelings? Did she actually love him? Such a frivilous, faint idea, since she had also slapped him, but what could it be, otherwise? Why had she both kissed and slapped him? It did not make any sense to him, not at all.
She had said that they would both be hurt. Did she know beforehand that Alex would not understand, and that was what caused her pain? Or did she actually love someone else, and she knew not how to handle these new emotions, thinking that she would hurt him, thus hurting herself? Now he was just confusing himself with all these questions in his mind. What was the point? Why could he not ignore the world for awhile and come back to find it how he remembered it, just as everyone did with him? If only he could... yet he was unsure if he really did want to leave Rebecca. Sharing love with her was an interesting prospect... No, it was stupid. This was not like him, falling for a girl. He had never cared for anyone, only her, and now everything had changed--Rebecca might love him, and Alex might love her. Why did anything have to change. Nothing would be the same between them, ever...
His mind shifted to a new song from an overhead bird. It was a beautiful melody, one that took his mind off of Rebecca, at least for a moment. He would consider his next course of action later, for now he had a day to try to cleanse his mind.
* * *
Noon. Alex picked up the newspaper from by the front door, and brought it to his room. Sitting on his bed, he turned on the radio, then glanced at the date on the newspaper: the thirteenth of March, 2013.
He skimmed through the paper until he noticed a small article with a picture of a teenage girl. His attention was caught by the fact that the girl was similar to the one from his visions. His mind flashed with the images, and he quickly read the article. Aparently, she was a small-time singer named Karin Dansly. She sang at her father’s karaoke lounge in a town called Marlon.
Karin Dansly, he repeated in wonderment in his mind. Perhaps she could help him find the truth to these visions. He had to find her. He did not have a complete plan in his mind, but he knew his objective.
Later, when his family returned home, he approached them when they both happened to be in the living room. Knowing what he had to do, he explained everything that had happened to him and what he planned to do, explaining all details to the best of his knowledge. He knew his story made little sense, but he told them the truth, and that was what mattered to him.
With good reason, his mother complained, “No, I can’t let you drive around on your own to meet strange people and never come home.” This story of his... Could it be true?
Alex argued, “But Mom, it’s crucial that I find this Karin. She might know what’s going on. She might even be in danger. Mom, you have to let me go.”
“No. You’re my responsibility, and I think you’re acting foolishly. Alex, I know you want to do this with all your heart, but you have to understand my position here. What am I supposed to tell the school, or the police?”
He sighed, uselessly asking, “There’s no way I can convince you, is there?”
She shook her head, and he admitted defeat. He started to leave the room, his head hanging as he contemplated what he was going to do. He finally decided to wait until morning, as maybe he needed a good night’s sleep.
In his room, lying on his bed, he gazed up at the ceiling, allowing his mind to drift. What would happen if he left? What was this grander destiny he was to fulfill? That voice said he was to fight Ragnarok... But why did he have to fight anyone? Why could he not have a normal life...? No, he never had a normal life, so it was pointless to think about it. If he left, he might never return. What would that mean to everyone? His mother would be terribly saddened, as would his brother. The school would have the typical minute of silence. Rebecca... What would happen to her? She would be destroyed... If he left, who would he bring with him? Somehow, he had a feeling that Tim would come with him, him being his big brother and all. Of course, not his mother--that went without saying. Rebecca... He was no longer certain what his friend would do. If she came with, there might be terrible conflicts that would arise between them, and that was if she came. If left behind, she might receive the time she needs to recover from her current state... but then he might lose her forever if she becomes worse. Why did everything have to be so difficult? It was not as if being a teenager was hard enough, but to discover a destiny that could affect the universe added a whole nother level to life’s difficulty.
He released a sigh and allowed himself to drift to sleep.

“Alex... Alex...”
The soft, sweet voice gently aroused him to consciousness, though when he finally looked around, he was not quite sure if he was awake or not.
Everything was blue, endless blue. There was nothing but the blue around him. It was not like a sky blue, nor the sharp blue of evening. No, it was an odd shade of blue that Alex found he could not describe. It was almost tangible, like the color was alive and flowing around him, as if he were inside a clear tank that viewed the ocean.
Alex had no sense of self, but only of his eyes and mind. He could not feel himself “standing” there, nor could he locate the voice that had “woken” him. The only thing besides the blue, that caught his eye, was the falling star. Even in the blue unlike a night sky, he could see the form of a falling star, shooting through across the false distance.
“Alex...”
Her voice again. He “turned around” and saw her there: Rebecca. She was transparent in the blue, as if she was a part of it, or it a part of her. Unclothed, her arms wide, a sad smile upon her face, she stood before him, as if to greet and hold him.
“Rebecca...?” The only word that he could utter. His mind was too consumed by wonderment: why was she here; where was here?
“Alex... What’s wrong?”
He finally managed to say, “Where are we? Am I dreaming?”
“In a sense, you are dreaming, Alex, but in others, you are far from it. You are actually here, now, where you stand, but you are also lying in your bed. Your physical form is not the center of your being, for you are much more special than that.”
He did not understand. What was she talking about, if she even was talking? “What do you mean? What are you saying?”
“Alex, don’t worry about it. What’s important now is that I set you free.”
Set him free? Had she known of his thoughts?
“Alex, you have to move on without me, even if it may seem very hard. This is the beginning of the journey to find your destiny. If I came with you, it would only be harder for you to embrace. If I came with you, everything might come undone, and time, space, and destiny would become lost to chaos. Alex, you have to understand that you are special. I don’t mean just as I would talk about casually saying you’re special, but really, truly special. You are unique. This is why you must leave and find Karin Dansly. When you find her, so shall you begin to find yourself. This is your adventure to find the truth of yourself. If I came with you, you would only fret over me, and then all the people you’re supposed to save would be lost forever, and I know you aren’t that lost to me. Don’t worry about me, Alex, even if I worry about you. All I have to say now is...” She moved closer to him, effortlessly, and placed her arms around him, holding him tightly, as if she were afraid he would fade away. “goodbye, Alex. I’ll always love you...”
She leaned forward and kissed him upon the lips, holding it for as long as she could. The kiss finally had to end, even though they did not breathe. She took his hand in hers for a moment before finally leaving him completely, fading away like the world around her...
Fading away...
Alex awoke to the sound of his brother’s light knocking on his door. It was still the middle of the night... That dream...
Wiping the sleep from his eyes, he got to his feet and walked over to the door in the darkness. Opening it, he found his brother standing there, fully dressed and awake.
Nervous, glancing around, Tim whispered, “You were serious about everything you said, right? About your destiny, and the fate of the universe, and all? I’ll go with you to Marlon, at least.” He flashed a smile. “What say we pack up and get goin’, Alex?”
Smiling back, he nodded, saying, “Yeah. Let’s go.”
Tim left his brother to head to his own room and pack his suitcase. In his own room, Alex packed his travel bag, then stopped when he looked at his picture of Rebecca, resting on his desk. It was a beautiful picture of her in summer clothes, her hands clasped before her chest as she smiled her beautiful smile. He held tight in his hands, his eyes beginning to water at the sight. After everything that had happened between them, he did not know how to think about her anymore. Did he love her? Did she love him? Would they ever see each other again?
He placed the picture in his bag and zipped it closed. He carried the bag as far as the telephone downstairs, and stopped. Rebecca... It could not have been real. It had to have been only a dream. Then why her...? Because he trusted her most, that was why. If he would imagine anyone trying to help him, then it would be her. He continued to stare at the phone. He had something to do before he left.
He dialed Rebecca’s phone number, unsure of how to respond when she would answer, like: hi, I had a dream you told me to leave you, and now I’m leaving to pursue my destiny?
She picked up on the second ring, asking, “Hello?”
Hesitating a moment, he finally said, “Hi, it’s Alex.”
At first, Rebecca sounded happy. “Alex! Hi! How are you?” Her tone then lowered, as if she had suddenly remembered the events of the previous night. “What’s happening? Did something happen?” There was something false in her voice, something not right. What was it? Had she actually been in his dream, if it even was that, or was it because she was still unsure how to act towards him now?
Trying to prevent her from becoming upset again, he explained quickly, “Rebecca, listen to me for a second... Another vision presented itself to me, and this one has some basis to it. There’s a girl in Marlon that was in my vision. I have to find her. I have to pursue my destiny. I’m... sorry... but I have to leave you.”
Rebecca sounded nervous. “What are you saying, Alex?”
He continued, “I have to go, Rebecca. I have to figure things out. I don’t know when I’ll return, but I promise I’ll come back to you someday, Rebecca. I promise.”
She demanded, “Let me come with you!”
“I’m sorry, Rebecca. I have to go now.” He wanted to say more, but he began to fear what it may bring. Finally, he decided to end the conversation by saying, “Goodbye... Rebecca.”
“Wait! Alex, I--”
Alex hung up the phone, running his hand down his face. She would not be able to leave his thoughts for a long time, especially if he began to think he had followed the wrong course of action.
He met up with Tim in the garage, and together they placed their bags and suitcases into the trunk of Tim’s dark purple car.
As they got in, his older brother, who was driving, since Alex was only halfway through completing Driver’s Education, told him, “Just be glad I know how to get to Marlon. It’s about a day away including stops.”
Standing on a high tree, Rebecca watched as the two of them drove away, heading South. She was unsure what to feel, now that he had gone, following the emotions she had expressed to him. She told him she loved him... but not truly. She did not really say it to him, only in his mind. She wanted to say those words to his face, to have him hold her in his arms... But it was only a hope, one that she knew could never truly be fulfilled. Now that Alex was gone forever... she was unsure whether she wanted to live or not. Now that Alex had left her, by her own choosing, she wondered if he would join her there, there in the realm of endless existance. She gave one last glance out at the path which Alex had taken, allowing one last thought of love to drift into her mind, before she released her hold upon the tree, allowing herself to fall, fall far down to the ground below.

Chapter Two: Dreamy Love Songs
Alex and Tim reached their destination shortly after dusk. The lounge was small, yet flashy, displaying the name in neon lights. Many cars were in the parking lot, so it was clearly a popular place.
Before they entered, Alex warned Tim, “I don’t know what might happen, so--be prepared for anything. Just act natural.”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Tim replied with a smirk. Alex smirked back.
They paid at the front and went inside. The walls were black, and the tables were covered in brown tablecloths with chairs around them. A stage was set up against the wall, but a curtain blocked viewing. The room was nearly full with people, so Alex and Tim took a table in the back.
Sitting down, Alex wondered how he was going to handle the situation, meeting this Karin Dansly and finding out more about his pendant and his destiny. He became angry with himself, so confused as to what he was supposed to do. What was he doing here!? Why had he left everything behind to find this girl!?
The curtain opened to reveal four girls, three microphones, two electric guitars, and a piano. One of the girls was Karin. One of the guitarists had violet eyes and long, brown hair parted in front and behind her shoulders. The second guitarist had hazel eyes and red hair curled before her forehead and on the side, and she was thin and quite beautiful. The pianist had green eyes and short, blond hair, and she was also thin and beautiful. All of the young women wore tight, red dresses, showing off with flare. They were clearly very enthusiastic about their performance.
Karin stood at one of the microphones, her body relaxed, her smile and cheerfulness growing as she scanned the crowd. Waving at the crowd, she gripped the microphone as she announced cheerfully, “Hello, everyone! I’m glad to see a lot of familiar faces. That means I’m actually getting fans, and not just one-time people. Well, you didn’t come to hear me talk, and you probably want to do some of your own singing, so I’ll get this show on the road!”
The crowd applauded and cheered.
The piano started, following through the tune once before Karin began to sing:

Destiny once found us
And I could not stop my tears
Destiny has found us again
And I cannot silence my fears
I wonder if we'll meet again
In the endless sea of stars
Because we have to keep on fighting
Next time we'll meet is far too far
Keep on fighting for our love
The stars will hear our prayers
I won't let go of your heart, love
Until we lose our cares

The piano continued playing, then quickened the tune, along with the guitars becoming louder.

Love holds us together
Even when we're torn apart
And I know that we will thrive
If we keep it in our heart
We will always be just one
For we can't forget our love
We will always be together
Even if it is above
Keep on fighting for our love
The stars will hear our prayers
I won't let go of your heart, love
Until we lose our cares

A short instrumental followed, the Karin returned, along with the guitarists doing backup singing.

Keep on fighting for our love
The stars will hear our prayers
I won't let go of you heart, love
Until we lose our cares
Until we lose our cares
Until we lose our cares

The music continued on, Karin lightly repeating various, unconnected lines from the rest of the song.
An uncontrollable feeling overcame Alex as he watched, and he raised his pendant high into the air, and the prismatic jewel blazed brightly. Karin noticed it, and her gaze fixated on the glowing jewel, unwavering in her vacant stare. What was it? What was going on?
Dark red energy spikes blazed around her, and she was unable to move. A static sound surrounded her, accompanying the brilliant display. Most of the people fled in fear, though a few, including Alex and Tim, stayed and watched in horror and awe. Karin’s band members could not get close to her, nor could they risk touching the powerful force surrounding her. They shouted out to her, concern filling their expressions.
Karin lost control of her mind, and everything flashed white.

* * *
Images appeared in her mind...

...an artifact of incredible power; four circular bands twirling and entwined; two purple balls attached to the central, outermost, unmoving band; a ball of energy generated in the center...

...a young woman in shadow lays unconscious on a medical bed; a young man and child kneel beside her, almost in prayer...

...a message: the sorrow of the many outweighs that of the few, but favors the one...

* * *
Her mind flashed, and she collapsed on the stage. Her group members rushed to her side, as the energy had left her. She quickly awoke as her father rushed in and ran to her side, fear for his daughter’s life in his eyes.
“Are you all right?” demanded one of the girls, painfully desperate.
Karin stood, anger in her eyes. That guy had just ruined her performance and did what he did to her. She would not tolerate anyone like that in her life. She walked over to him, and punched the surprised boy in the face. Caught off guard, he fell backwards onto the ground. The boy’s brother stood behind him, unsure what to do.
Her gaze narrowing as she stared down at her apparent attacker, the young signer demanded angrily, “Who are you!?”
“Ow, that hurt.” he mentioned almost comically as he held his now-bleeding nose. He stood up and, surprisingly calm, explained with sincerity, “Well, my name is Alexander Haridan. You’re probably wondering what just happened, and I can’t answer that completely because I’m not so informed myself. I was hoping you would be the one to give me answers. Just to set things straight, though, I mean you no harm.”
Once everyone was checked for injuries and the customers had left, they all sat together at one of the tables so Alex could explain and everyone could introduce themselves. The pianist was Amy Kasan, who seemed a little shy around their guests. The brown-haired guitarist was Ashley Burton, who kept fixing up her hair for no apparent reason, though Alex analyzed it as a nervous habit. The red-haired guitarist was Lindsay Irons, who seemed determined to protect her friends, as she stood with her arms crossed, ready for anything. Karin’s father was Harry, a strong man with a light sense of humor. Recognizing the names, he informed Alex and Tim that their mother had called ahead, telling him to expect two boys, and to treat them kindly, ensuring to pay for any trouble. The brothers had to laugh a bit at that, the actions of their kind mother.
Once prepared, Alex explained slowly, knowing his story would sound really crazy. “I’ve had this pendant as long as I can remember, but three nights ago a meteorite that had landed outside my house reacted with it. It showed me images in my mind, like you, your song, a lost man, you and me embra--” He stopped when he was unsure if he should go as far as to reveal a personal vision that he doubted the eventual existence of. “Uh, never mind, but the point is the pendant led me to you. Something is going on. The pendant reveals your destiny or something, I guess. Did it show you anything?”
Karin explained what was revealed to her, describing every detail that she could recreate in her mind’s eye. “What does it mean?” she asked, unsure of everything now.
“I don’t know, but--”
A blond-haired man with completely-black eyes lurched into the room. His appearance was without emotion, and his eyes were frightening, disturbing. He seemed to shift forward in parts, as his body streamed as several light-colored bodies. Something was certainly wrong with him.
As if not noticing the peculiarity, Harry said to him, “Sir, we’re closed for the night.”
The strange man continued towards them. Harry stood and approached him, but an unknown force flung Karin’s father backwards and against the wall. The girls leapt from the table, Karin being the brave one standing before them. Tim stood beside her to help protect them, as he was not one to back down from a fight.
Alex stood and began to generate a ball of flame in his hands. Realizing the potential danger of a fire starting in the dark room, he instead created a ball of light, thinking that perhaps it could be used as some sort of holy attack. He threw the sphere at the mysterious assailant, but the man swung his arms at the projectile, sending it right back to its creator. Alex was knocked back into the air and came crashing down upon the table.
Starting to stand, he heard the girls cry out from his fall, as well as Tim’s urgings. Deciding that the light sphere was not the greatest idea, Alex charged at the stranger and punched his chest. Energy sparked around them, created by the attack. The man slammed him down painfully hard, cutting the boy’s lip. The stranger then proceeded to hold down his arms and legs. Alex screamed in pain and fury as the attacker’s tightening grip was beginning to draw blood. His pendant began to generate energy that swirled around it, and the man was hurled backwards from the incredible power that was being created. Not understanding what was happening, Alex climbed to his feet, his body blazing with prismatic-colored energy, just like the jewel inside his pendant.
Uncontrollably, he yelled, and a large sword emerged from the artifact around his neck. It bore mysterious designs on the blade, and flat, black, curved spikes appearing to be part of the artistic design faced inward along the blade. Two blades on the top of the hilt that were part of the blade came downwards but didn’t exceed the hilt. A small hole was visible in the bottom center of the blade. The sword blazed with energy when he grabbed it, awestruck and confused.
Remembering his mission to protect his new acquaintances, he charged at the man and swung the blade through his body. The man fell, despite the fact that there was no apparent wound, and the strangeness left him.
Alex slowly calmed his breathing. He allowed the mysterious weapon to fall to the ground, and it vanished without a trace.
Staring at the man upon the floor, Alex thought aloud, “What the hell just happened?”
Karin, with fear in her eyes, said, “Someone is after us...”
The man groaned, held his head, and muttered, “Ow, what a headache. Where am I? I thought I was outside.”
Alex, now wearing a fake happy expression, told him, “You hit your head on something outside and stumbled in. Sir, the lounge is closed today. I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
“Ah, all right.”
The man slowly turned and left. When he was gone, Alex dropped his false expression to urgency.
He told Karin, “We have to go.”
She asked, “Where?”
“We have to figure out the message. I got a message and found you. You got a message and we’ll find someone else.”
“The person could be anywhere in the world! How are we supposed to decipher the message!? Besides, I barely even know you two! Why should I trust you!?”
Lindsay stood and said, “I’ll come with you.”
Karin turned to her.
Amy stood and said, “I’ll come with you, too.”
Finally, Ashley added, “Ditto.”
Karin smiled at them, saying, “Thanks, you guys. I really appreciate it. At least with four to two, I won’t be kidnapped or something.”
Alex insisted, “I will make sure no harm comes to any of you, since I’m the one bringing you along.”
Still a little upset over their meeting, Karin gave him a half-hearted “thanks” before adding, “Well, before we can go, we have to figure out the clue.”
Thinking hard, Alex commented, “To me, it sounds like maybe there’s widespread misery, with possibly the person starting it favoring from it.”
They all thought for a moment. The pendant glowed brightly, and Alex’s mind began blazing with possibilities.
He suddenly said, “Well, what about former Italy? Everyone there is suffering from the civil war, and possibly the only one favoring is the leader of either side.”
Reluctantly, Karin agreed, “Yeah, that sounds right.”
Suddenly distraught, Ashley interrupted, “Wait, we’re going to former Italy!? That’s crazy! Besides, school isn’t even over yet!”
Not wanting to hurt her friend’s feelings, yet needing to tell the truth, Karin told her, “We’ll go without you if we have to.”
Ashley fixed her hair, upset over the singer’s words. She wanted to go with them, help out, but former Italy... She expected maybe another state or something of the sort, but this... Releasing a frustrated sigh, she finally conceded, “Oh fine, I’ll come with...”
They all agreed to go to former Italy. Harry was going to take care of the plane tickets, while Karin’s friends were going to take care of their parents. Alex and Tim were to stay with Karin and her father for the duration of their visit, as Harry had insisted.
During that time, Alex did little to aid them, instead resting high in one of the Dansly’s trees in their backyard, which resided near a small creek. He almost laughed to himself how he had always enjoyed being alone like this, whether at home or otherwise. The others did not really need his help, anyway. Amy, Lindsay, and Ashley were all at their own houses, taking care of their own plans. Harry could not exactly leave to come with all of them, as the lost business time could possibly bankrupt them. Karin could take care of herself--at least, that was Alex’s feeling. He did not really care, at the moment. All he wanted right now was to be alone...
“Huh.” Her voice caught him off guard, to the point where he almost feel out of the tree. He looked down at her, and she returned his gaze, squinting from the sunlight. “How the heck did you get all the way up there?”
He examined the tree again. The elm was nearly branch-less coming up, and the big limbs were near the top, under the cover of the full foliage of the upper, expanded branches filled with leaves. He assumed he was more agile than he thought.
Resuming his lonely vigil, he asked, “What is it? What do you want?”
She made a tsh sound, then told him, “Considering the fact you’re leading this expedition, I figured you could lend a hand around here, maybe help me find my bag. If you’re gonna be here, I’d like your help, or else I’ll just kick you out and get police protection for myself. What d’y’ say t’ that?”
Alex didn’t respond; instead, he gazed up through the leaves, to see the gray sky. The clouds resembled pillow stuffing, big, thick clumps that barely released any sunlight between them, yet still created a brightness. He began to hear Karin’s footsteps a moment later, angry footsteps, so he sighed and slid down to the ground, landing in a crouching position. Standing and turning, he said, “All right, I’ll give you a hand.”
She stopped for a brief instant, then continued inside her home, holding the door for Alex to enter. He observed the pictures along the hallway again as they walked towards Karin’s room. Each of them was either of Karin, Harry, or both of them. None of them showed her mother... Alex did not have the heart to ask about it, as his own father had left so long ago. He decided to ignore the whole thing, to just push it out of his mind.
Karin’s room, he observed, was relatively messy. There were crumpled papers upon the floor around a nearly-filled waste basket. Several articles of clothing surrounded a small hamper. The walls were nearly bare, but her dresser and the area near it were littered with papers with songs written on them, as well as many CDs and tapes, along with the players for them and the accessories that were included. There were three pictures in the room: one of her looking up at the sky; one of her and the other girls at a party, all of them happy and smiling; the last picture was a close up of a beautiful woman resting her head on her arms, strands of her long, red hair falling along the sides of her face, her blue-gray eyes reflecting the light of the sun, her warm smile, which complimented her stunning beauty, seemed so real, as if she was really there...
Karin must have noticed his analyzing the picture, for she quickly took and placed it into the pile of clothes that was growing on her bed, discreetly throwing a shirt or two over it once she did. The entire series of actions surprised Alex, leaving him unknowing of what to say. She saved him from his awkwardness by reaching inside the closet and demanding, “Well, ya gonna help me or not?” Her resentment had not faded from her voice, so his callous towards her life renewed.

Lindsay turned up her music, trying to drown out the sounds of her parents fighting. She could not stand listening to them, the same shouting match every day, every time they were together. She tried to shut them out as she continued her packing. She had not bothered to tell her parents she was leaving the country; they would not have cared anyway.
Throwing her cleanest clothes into the travel bag, she cast a glance over to her guitar. It was the only thing that ever truly shut everything out, the only thing to take her mind off her failing grades, her home life, her inner turmoil. She betrayed a quiet laugh: of course, there was always Karin. The young singer was the only one who knew about all of this, the only one she allowed to know.
There was a shattering of glass in the living room: a beer bottle, of course, thrown in drunken rage, if nothing else. Lindsay glanced at her own bottle lying on her dresser. She shrugged, thinking absently that she had always wanted to quit anyway. Walking over, she knocked it aside to get to her pictures, the only good memories she had. Taking the pictures of her friends, in her hands, she dropped them inside the bag, then zipped the light case shut with the finality of sealing a coffin. She would not be coming back, not after the trip, not ever.
The fight ended with the sound of a thud on the floor. It could have been either one of them striking the other, but it did not matter. All that mattered to Lindsay now was escape from this prison. She could not allow them to have the police searching endlessly to bring her back, only so they could beat her yet again and send her away. No, she had to convince them not to look for long. Picking up the bottle again, she hurled it at her window, shattering both instantly. She then located a switchblade from inside her dresser, flipped it open, and cut along her palm. She bore the searing pain so that her blood could drip upon the floor, completing the illusion with the drop of the blade. Whatever happened now, she was dead to this town. She would not be back.

Amy could barely complete filling her suitcase, as her heart kept beating so rapidly, and her was in such a whirl. Tim... As soon as she had sat down and gazed at him, she had instantly fallen for him. She could not control the emotions that were overcoming her body and mind. Ever since that day, two years ago, when Chase was taken from her by that drunk driver... She needed that feeling of warmth and security again. Chase had been the whole world to her, and losing him had nearly killed her as well. Tim... He was so handsome, so kind. She wanted to be with him, to see him again. Maybe God had sent him to her, trying to make amends for Chase. Maybe...

* * *
The Danslys ordered a pizza for dinner, which Alex insisted on paying for, despite Harry’s objections. As they sat around the dinner table eating, Harry asked his guests, “So, could you tell us a bit about yourselves?”
Taking a large bite, Tim explained, “We’re from Adason up north. I’m a junior and he’s a sophomore. I’m a pretty good student. I plan to be a mechanic. I enjoy baseball.”
Karin’s father asked Alex, “How about you?”
Alex did not look at him. “I don’t have much to say about myself. I’m not a very friendly person, unfortunately. I don’t know where my life is going...”
Unsure of how to interpret the boy’s response, he wondered, “Hmm... There has to be some kind of mystery surrounding your pendant. Do you have any idea about how you got it or what its purpose is?”
Alex and Tim lowered their heads.
In an almost mechanical voice, Alex said, “I’ve had it as long as I can remember...”
Outside of his brother’s view, Tim gestured to Harry to change the subject.
Harry said, “Oh--well--ah--you know, I haven’t said anything about my daughter. She’s been singing since she was ten years old, and she decided that’s what she wanted to do for a living. She’s really friendly, and available, too, boys; hint hint!”
Karin blushed. “Oh, dad...”
He laughed, “She’s a great girl when you get to know her, otherwise she’ll bite your head off! She’s an almost straight-A student, ya know. You can ask her anything you want if you’re ever caught in a jam.”
Alex, still avoiding their gaze, asked, “All right: what do you do when the world turns its back to you, leaving no one for you to confide in?” They gave him blank stares, confused. “When everything in the world suddenly seems to change, how are you to adapt? When you’re all alone, lost in a sea of emotions at a point of no return, how do you find salvation?” They continued to stare blankly, but Tim understood why he was acting this way. “When you can understand my questions, then you will understand me.”
Getting up, he left the room and disappeared out the door, into the backyard.
Sadly watching his brother leave, Tim explained, “He has a lot on his mind. You see, he’s not a very expressive person. He mainly keeps to himself. The thing is: I understand his questions, for the most part. They’re something you could only understand by knowing him for as long as I have.”
A few minutes later, Tim left the house, finding Alex standing in the tree again, in darkness of the night, holding a light sphere. A light rain was falling to the ground.
Speaking up to him, Tim asked, “Do you need to be alone right now?”
Not looking down, Alex muttered, “Yeah...”
Always the same... “All right. Hey, Alex?”
“Yeah?”
“Open up sometimes; please.”
Tim left Alex lost in his thoughts. When the lights in the house had all been turned off, Karin came out, holding a blanket. Looking around at first, she then sighed with realization, glancing up into the tree to find who she was seeking.
She said, “You should come inside now. It’s very cold out here.”
He showed her the light sphere, explaining without emotion, “I have this. I’ll be fine.”
In wonderment of the marvel in his hand, she stammered, “What--what is that?”
“Nothing that concerns you. Just stay away from me.”
Stay away from him? “What?”
“I said stay away from me. I ruined my only friendship and all I had of my life to seek you out, hoping for answers. Now all I have are more questions, no answers, and no friends. My life is more in tatters than ever before. I’d rather you just stayed away from me.”
How could he say those things to her? Who did he think he was? Karin shouted angrily, “Fine! For all I care, you can just stay out here and freeze!”
As she started to walk away, she heard him land behind her, suddenly finding she could not move. Her body was frozen, and she feared for her life more than she had when she had first seen Alex standing there with his pendant. Another change in her life, another alteration. Change was always painful; she had been hoping she was dreaming, or that he would simply go away. But no, of course he would stay. The future was always cruel, always trying to steal something else away from her. Why? Why could it not change?
Intensifying her fear, as he held his arm up to magically hold her still--even though he himself did not know how he had suddenly gained this power--he whispered to her, “If you had any idea what I’ve been through, you’d weep in pity for me.”
He dropped his hand, and she rushed back into the house when she found she could move. Watching after her, he thought, I’m right; she would weep. Rebecca, don’t hate me for what I’ve become.
Slamming the door behind herself, Karin fell on her behind, laying her back against the door. She cried into her hands for a moment, then slid them down her face so she could take a deep breath through her nose, resting her hands together upon her chin and mouth. What had happened? Had he meant to scare her? Or had he even known he could do that...? What was the use in trying to determine his reasoning? He was just another intruder in her life, trying to steal away another piece of her. She did not want to lose anyone else in her life. Anyone...
Slowly rising to her feet, she began to walk away. After a few steps, she glanced back at the door, wondering about the strange, young man. Maybe he had been through worse than her... Casting away her thoughts as she did the tears in her eyes with her hand, she proceeded to her bedroom, where she would dream again of her mother, and of that strange battle she had kept seeing recently in various dreams...
* * *
In the year 2010, a harsh tyrant named Giovanni came into power in Italy through a coup d’etet. He immediately established a totalitarism government, starting a divide between his supporters and his aggressors. In late 2010, he had San Marino annexed by Italy, but few people noticed or cared, and the tourists still came, continuing to be its largest income. In mid-2012, an extremely huge oil deposit was discovered in central Italy due to a massive earthquake.
By this time, cost and use efficient batteries were being used in automobiles and most machinery. Oil, in combination with a chemical compound made from a recently discovered tropical rainforest plant, nullified the toxins in toxic waste, making power plants much more common and efficient.
A multi-billion dollar operation was used to excavate the oil cache`. A resistance group destroyed the oil cache` and machinery. Giovanni turned to other countries for money, but they would not help him because of his tyrannical tendencies. Eventually, an economic depression resulted, widening the conflict between the two groups. They went as far as to divide the country into two separate nations: Caletarin, named after the rebel leader; Giovanni, named after the tyrant. The two countries mainly fought along the borderline, which was the earthquake divide.

The plane which the five travelers had taken landed in an airport at the outskirts of Switzerland. They went through the usual procedures and crossed the border.
The country of Caletarin clearly displayed the effects of the economic depression. The houses showed wear and tear. People’s clothes appeared slightly ragged, their bodies appearing starved.
A man approached the group, asking in his native tongue, “Can you spare some change, good sir?”
To the surprise of his companions, Alex replied in the Italian language, “I’m sorry; we’re foreigners and really can’t spare any money.”
“It’s all right. Thank you for your kindness.”
The man sauntered away, and the other four stared blankly at Alex.
Tim asked him, “Since when did you know Italian?”
Confused, Alex asked, “What are you talking about?”
“You just talked with that man. You spoke Italian.”
That was strange... “Did I? Hmm... Maybe language comprehension comes with the visions and powers of the pendant. It’ll be helpful on our journey.”
Ignoring the mystery for now, they explored the desolate streets for a while, eventually reaching a bus station. A few buses were ready to go.
Alex said to his companions, “I suggest we split up into groups of two to avoid suspicion. We’ll take separate buses and explore the general area to learn more about the situation and what to do, then come back in--say--three hours to regroup and discuss what we found. How does that sound?”
Everyone reluctantly agreed.
Alex split up the groups. “Ashley, Lindsay: you go together. Amy, Tim: you go together.”
The two of them blushed slightly. Alex thought, Oh brother. Literately.
He continued, “Karin, you’ll go with me.”
Her look of anger upon her face, she demanded, “Why you?”
With resentment, he responded, “God, it’s nothing personal! Just think about it a sec’ without getting moody: we’re the ones with the strangeness going on here. Don’t you think the wise, intelligent thing to do would be to stay together in case anything happens?”
Karin crossed her arms and turned away from him, saying, “Hmph. Fine.”
Leaning over, Amy whispered into Alex’s ear, “Don’t worry; it’s nothing personal. Believe me, I’ve been her friend since preschool. She’s always stubborn and emotional and jumping to conclusions. She’ll lighten up as she gets to know you more.”
As Alex noticed the others were smiling lightly to themselves, he sighed, upset over his companions’ misconceptions. He did not like her or anything; he was only doing what he though was best.
He looked at his watch--he stared at it a moment, looked at the sky, then realized he did not have the patience or knowledge to adjust it to the correct time--then to his companions, and said, “Okay, it’s four o’clock now. We’ll meet back at seven. Let’s move out.”
Each pair got on a bus. Ashley and Lindsay got on an eastbound bus, Tim and Amy got on a westbound bus, and Alex and Karin got on a southbound bus.

A young woman looked down upon them from her lofty position through a window in a nearby building. She crossed her arms, lost in thought. That group was splitting up now... There was something about the young boy and his female friend, that intrigued her, something she did not understand, as if they were... connected? Perhaps a part of her past?
She would find out the truth in time, but now she had to get back to organizing the attack. She turned and walked away.

Ashley and Lindsay sat in the back of their bus, trying to avoid suspicion. Ashley kept fixing her hair, clearly nervous to anyone. Lindsay lightly hit her and told her to stop.
Ashley told her, “Well sorry if I want to look good. Your hair’s always messed up!”
Instantly annoyed, her partner shouted, “What!? Wait, wait, I don’t want to argue! Let’s just look around for--!”
She stopped herself and noticed the other people on the bus were staring at them. She cursed under her breath, cursed at her own foolishness of possibly jeopardizing their mission.
She said to Ashley, “All right, all right, let’s not fight! Now’s not the time.”
A few seconds later, the bus came to a screeching halt. The bus driver shouted something to the passengers, but Ashley and Lindsay could not understand him.
The bus door ripped open, and several soldiers armed with handguns entered the bus. The soldiers marched straight towards the two girls and aimed their weapons at them.
The girls terribly frightened, the soldier closest to them ordered, “You’re coming with us.”

Tim and Amy were the only passengers on their bus besides two, deciding to sit in the back. They sat with a little space between them.
Unsure of why exactly he was feeling ackward, Tim said to her, “I--uh--noticed you played the piano.”
She blushed, glad they were finally able to talk. “Yes--um--I dream of becoming a professional pianist someday.”
“I enjoy classical music, especially Beethoven.”
“I enjoy Mozart. Um--what’s your favorite food?”
“I like hamburgers, but I can’t stand carrots.”
“I like chocolate, but I hate broccoli.” Deciding to move ahead, she asked cautiously, “I was wondering--what do you dream of doing? I told you what I dream of doing.”
He blushed and looked away from her. Leave her to ask of his weak spot... “Oh--well--uh--I’d rather not say. It’s too embarrassing.”
She was becoming interested, so she inched closer to him. “Oh, tell me! I won’t tell anyone else. It’ll be our little secret.”
Attracted by the idea, he thought, Wow; keep a secret between me and the most beautiful girl in the world. Don’t pinch me; I like the way the dream’s going.
Remembering all the stories and daydreams he had always had, he stammered, “Well--you see--I read too many books and such, so I get a lot of ideas... It’s really far fetched, but... Well, I’ve always dreamed of falling in love and saving her and the world in the name of love. Silly, huh? People always say I have really passionate opinions about saving people. I used to go on and on about... stopping wars and... saving... people...”
His voice continued to trail off, as he began to feel strange, as the young woman’s eyes stayed on him the entire time. Her eyes were so deep, so lovely... Their faces reddened terribly until they both had to look away. The bus ran into a wrecked road, and all of the bumps knocked the two of them together. They looked into each other’s eyes... Amy leaned closer and closer towards him, until Tim did not know what to do. Her eyes closed and she reached up towards him... but she quickly broke away when a brilliant flash of light illuminated the sky. What was happening?
The bus came to a screeching halt, causing it to shake and shudder. The other passengers and driver shook violently and stood in light trails of their bodies, their eyes completely black: just like the man at the lounge. The frightening figures lurched towards the horrified couple holding each other tight. With a face filled with anger, Tim stood before Amy to protect her.
She shouted desperately to him, “Tim, what are you doing!?”
He shouted back, not turning to look at her, “I’m going to protect you! I won’t let these guys get you!”
She looked at him with tears in her eyes, playing the helpless girl, while still fearful for his safety. Outside, more of the trailing people pounded on the bus, cracking the windows and threatening to break in at any moment.
His head turning back and forth between the groups, Tim shouted, “Leave us alone!”
In an instant, each of the windows shattered in near unison as Tim charged at his nearest adversary.

Alex and Karin were the only passengers on their bus, deciding to sit in the back. Karin sat with her arms crossed and facing the window away from Alex. She refused to look at him, especially after that night. How could he have done that to her? She sighed, realizing she was stuck with him, and there was nothing she could do about it. Because of which, she knew she might as well give in and try to open up to him.
Without looking at him, she explained in a snotty tone--she was still unable to break her mood, though--“Well, if we’re gonna be stuck together, we might as well get to know each other better. My full name is Karin Melody Dansly. I’m sixteen years old. My birthday is April twenty-ninth. I love to sing, and I dream of becoming a professional singer in my music group. Science is my least favorite subject.” Unintentionally, she let slip, “My mother died in a car accident when I was five.” Her eyes opened wide once she did, instantly realizing what she had admitted. How could she have just gone and told this jerk about her mother? He would figure out the connection with her picture, probably. What was going to happen now?
Alex was surprised to hear her speak of her mother’s death. After everything that had happened before, he expected that to be the last subject on her mind... Even though she was trying to talk, despite everything, he was still reluctant to do the same. Why should he?
Whether by remembrance or knowing what she’d say, Alex heard Rebecca’s voice interrupt his thoughts: “Open up, Alex. You’re keeping far too many secrets. You never express yourself to anyone. The first step to a normal life is to trust people.”
Unsure of the voice he had heard, he mimicked Karin’s actions by not looking at her as he explained, “Well, my full name is Alexander Lockheart Haridan. I’m fifteen years old. My birthday is May Fourth. I enjoy science fiction novels and video games, mainly RPGs [role playing games]. I dislike math class.” Following suit, he admitted, “My father left my family shortly after I was born because I was a frightening baby. Everything about me, especially my appearance, gave him disturbed thoughts and drove him away.” Telling her about his father meant nothing to him, only a faint trace of memory that would not dissuade him.
Knowing what it was like to lose a parent, Karin sympathized, “That’s terrible...” Her thoughts drawn to his appearance, she rolled her eyes towards him, asking, “Why do you have all these peculiar things?”
He said truthfully, “Beats the hell out of me.”
A bit intrigued, but not knowing why, she asked, “What kind of friends did you have at home? I mean, you only came with your brother, and I brought three of my friends.”
Alex became in indecision over whether to tell the young woman of Rebecca. Why should he? Karin was the reason he had lost her in the first place... He slowly realized that Rebecca would want him to open up like this. She would be urging him on to try to be with someone like this.
“I only had one friend. No one else would talk to me.”
Alex opened his travel bag beside him, revealing his picture of Rebecca. Both of them had to turn towards each other now.
He explained, “Her name is Rebecca Harmony. She’s always there for me, ever since kindergarten. She didn’t come with me because...” His voice trailed off, and when he started again, not completing his thought, Karin left it alone, clearly noticing the pain it caused him. “I told her to stay, and I left before she could stop me.”
Out of curiosity, not emotion, she asked, “Is she your girlfriend?”
“No, but I know she loves me. I... I can’t explain it, and I don’t think you’d be able to understand. I don’t even understand, and therein lies the problem, the--real reason why she did not come with.” He had said it... A tear formed in his eye. He brushed it away and explained, “I’m sorry. I’m usually not emotional.”
Smiling the slightest bit to try to cheer him up, she counseled, “There’s nothing wrong with expressing your emotions.”
“It’s just--I’m sorry to leave her behind. I just hope we can become friends, since we’ll be stuck together... I’m sorry for--the other night, and for interrupting your performance. I never meant to do either.”
He was... sorry? She felt obliged to do the same. “Yeah--well--I’m sorry I punched you when we met, and for getting angry a lot, and for being snotty. I can’t help it; that’s the way I am.” It was all true: she was sorry, sorry that she ever became this way, but there was nothing she, nor anyone else, could do about it.
“It’s my fault you’re with me, so I don’t blame you for acting that way. I still stand behind what I said before--about the questions... Well, as long as you control you’re temper, I’ll make sure nothing happens to you. I’ll let no harm come to you.”
She uncrossed her arms, a little confused. He seemed to be a pretty nice guy, and kind of cute, as well. He said he would protect her from everything... What was this feeling inside her? Why was she suddenly feeling so different sitting there beside him?
Not really sure why, if only to test the validity of his claim, she turned towards him and asked, “You mean it?”
Seeing her gaze at him like that... She reminded him of Rebecca, that look she was giving him. No, he did not want her to be hurt to. He did not want her to love him.
Before he could say anything to deter her from the line of thinking that Alex assumed her to have, Alex’s pendant suddenly glowed brightly, and the two of them held their heads in pain, though the feeling left them just as quickly. They recovered and looked at each other.
Lost and confused, Karin asked, “What was that?”
Analyzing the possibilities, Alex finally suggested, “Maybe the others are in trouble. We have to get off of this bus.”