The place that Scott had led me to was probably the only tavern in all of London with all its majestic size that was open at three in the morning. The walls were made of old wood that would have rotted away years ago had they not been on the inside of the building. The whole place reeked of alcohol in an unsettling way and half of the tables and chairs were partially broken.

There was even a loft but I wouldn’t be caught dead up there as it looked as if it could fall at any moment. The only good thing about it was the fact that other than us and the bartender the only people here were passed out in strange sleeping positions. Scott seemed unfazed by any of this, he only really seemed to care about the alcohol that he was drinking. The moment we arrived here he even had the bartender go ahead and fill his flask.

I assume he might have the ability to never get drunk no matter how much he drank. That in itself was a scary thought to me. Now that he’s had his drink he should start telling what exactly is going on as he refused to say any more until he was drinking. He wasn’t though so I decided to initiate the conversation.

“So… monsters exist. Can you tell me more about this Agency and what just happened?” He looked up from his drink and stared into my eyes for a second with a kinda dumbfounded stare before finally turning back to his drink.

“I told you before, what you fought were changelings. One of many kinds of monsters and I remove them if they get violent because that is what the Agency does as a whole.”

“...” He saw my silence as me waiting for him to elaborate, I guess because that’s what he did.

“Monsters and other mythical creatures have existed since the dawn of mankind, maybe even before. By studying them or mating with them some humans received magical abilities creating witches and sorcerers. I can introduce you to a few of the nicer ones later. The group I belong to is known as the Agency and has hunted violent creatures since the time of King Arturius better known as King Arthur. Merlin was a sorcerer and many of his knights were creatures he had befriended. Together, they were known as the Round Table. Since then the Round Table has changed names and spread throughout the world coming to be known today as the Agency. Although there were people, mainly religious zealots who hunted the violent creatures, the Round Table was the first gathered for a single cause, to protect the peace.”

I wasn’t exactly surprised that King Arthur had been brought up in this conversation but I had no real response so instead, I spat out the stupidest thing I could have said but the only thing I could think of. I asked him about every mythical creature I could think of and whether they were real or not.

“So… vampires are real?”

“Yes.”

“Changelings?”

“One tried to kill you earlier.”

“Fenrir's?”

“Only in Italy.”

“Leprechauns?”

“They run all the banking systems in the British Isles.”

“What?”

“They can remember anything relating to currency, like dragons they hoard wealth and they also live three times as long as humans.”

“Werewolves?” he Kinda paused for a moment before answering as if he was having a horrid flashback.

“They are nearly extinct and there are none in London so long as I’m alive.” I decided he had some kind of vendetta with werewolves so I didn’t pursue that anymore.

“Booze Sprites?”

“If there is a Sprite in my booze, so help me God I will lock it in an iron and silver cage and shake it around until it dies.” After he finished his threat he set his drink down and a small glimmer rose out of the cup and sped off with lightning-like speed. I nearly spat out my own drink.

“Cthulhu?”

“What the hell’s a Cthulhu?”

“A creature that has tentacles and bat wings with the capability to destroy the planet.” Scott sat there for a second and furrowed his brow as he thought. He lifted his hand and even began stroking his chin for emphasis.

“Are you perhaps thinking of a leviathan? Because that somewhat fits the description and no, they are extinct.”

“And what about this Agency? How many are there? Are they everywhere?”

“There are a couple of thousand agents worldwide and no we are not everywhere, only where we are allowed to be. Some governments would rather deal with monsters themselves. I am the only true agent in all of London. Thus it is my entire district. There is a sorcerer and a witch that I am on friendly terms with and they help me from time to time, otherwise, it’s just me. That’s why I would like to recruit you.”

“So.. you want me to join this Agency and help you fight monsters and protect London.”

“In a way, yes.”

“Dope.”

“There will be no drugs.”

“No, it’s a phrase. It means awesome.”

“I don’t see what this has to do with religion.” I was now at my wit's end trying to explain future phrases so I just blurted it out.

“It’s from the future.”

“What?”

“The future, I’m from the future and those phrases are commonplace in the future.” It was at this moment I realized, I fucked up.

“The future huh, guess I really have to take to that sorcerer I mention now don’t I?”

“Great, I can’t wait. Though, I’m still trying to wrap my head around the idea that monsters exist. Perhaps the alcohol will make it sound more believable.” I said before gulping down the mug. Scott and I drank for a good while before I blacked out.