“Hey, Leo, I need to swing by the office to pick up a few things from work. Let mom know I’ll be back in a bit!” called his dad as he finished tugging on a pair of thick leather boots before standing up and unhooking his fur overcoat from where it hung on a wooden hook next to the door.

Leo stared up at the back of his dad’s curly brown hair, as his father reached for the worn brass doorknob that would lead him out of their house for the final time. “No, you won’t,” he said somberly to the back of his old man, who paused just before he grabbed the knob in hearing his words. “You never made it back from work that day.” The world distorted for a split moment, revealing the burned-out husk of their family’s sedan before snapping back into shape. The investigators had claimed the vehicle had exploded from a leaking fuel line that had ignited and set off a chain reaction in the main tank.

His dad’s hand fell back to his side as his broad shoulders slumped. “You’re right,” he replied, deflated, slowly turning around to reveal the charred flesh of his face and neck. The eye sockets where his light-blue eyes once sparkled with mirth and laughter were empty.

Leo let out a cry of shock at the horrid disfigurement. Stumbling away from the dead father he had loved so much, he bumped into the body of another person standing behind him and whirled around to meet the tear-stricken face of his mom. Black eyeliner ran down her beautiful, refined face while her hair was a frayed golden mess.

“You look just like him,” she stated in a hollow voice, staring into Leo’s eyes as she clutched the bottle of wine in her hand closer to her chest. “Why do you look just like him?” Her voice formed a note of desperation as she asked that question, begging to know why his face reminded her so much of the heart she had lost. Leo looked at his own hands, which began to smolder and burn. He screamed as fire erupted beneath his skin, burning his flesh a charcoal-black.

A slender pearly-white hand took hold of his own, grabbing and somehow pulling him out of the all-consuming flames. “This time I’ll take care of you for a change,” came a girl’s youthful declaration. His downcast eyes slowly moved up the person in front of him, taking in the small black sneakers with tall white socks that hugged her calves, then the sky-blue dress that draped down to her knees outlining her slim form, and finally the fierce, proud blue eyes that looked ready to challenge the world.

The girl had a petite button nose and her jubilant face was wrapped in locks of curled gold that matched her mother’s. She gave him a radiant smile that shined with an innocence a cruel world had failed to stamp out, and she moved the hand not holding his over her chest. “You still have me and I promise I’ll never leave you!”

“Melody, I-” he started to say before her form fizzled away and the world collapsed in on itself.

Leo shot up from his bed with a start, breathing heavily as his body overheated under the thick covers. Something wet tickled his cheek, and he moved his hand to rub away the tears that were trailing down his face. But I left you, he thought solemnly. Probably without even a note to say goodbye. His mind flitted back to the note their mother had left for them just before she had walked away.

His hands had trembled as he had brushed aside a check containing half their dad’s life insurance, to read the tear-stained red letters beneath. “Every look your way reminds me of him.”

Leo let out a shaky breath, calming what he could of the raging sea of emotions inside him and shoving what he couldn’t to the corner of his mind. He took in one more deep breath before throwing off the covers and checking the long list of notifications he had muted the day before.

You have killed Forest Wolf (Level 5). You gain 378 Exp.

True Mimic activated.

Congratulations! You have learned the skill Camouflage! Rarity: Uncommon, Skill Level: Novice Level 1. Makes the user 5% harder to discern from their surroundings. Activation Cost: 5MP, Sustain Cost: 1MP/s.

You have killed The Hunter (Forest Wolf Level 7). You gain 946 Exp.

Congratulations! You have reached level 4! You have gained +3 attribute points.

Skill Level up! Arc Bolt: Novice Level 3! Fire a small electric bolt. 15 MP, 14-17 Lightning damage with a chance to stun your opponent.

You are Exhausted: Dexterity and Strength attributes halved.

You are Dehydrated: Mana regenerations halved.

You are Malnourished: Health regeneration halved.

You are no longer Exhausted: Dexterity and Strength attributes have reverted to normal.

The gains were substantial, better than he had even hoped for with the acquisition of a new skill, but still he couldn’t find it in himself to celebrate after the dream he had just had. He sat on the corner of the bed for a while, reminiscing, until a grumble and sharp pain from his stomach brought him out of his melancholy state.

He got out of bed in search of food, legs complaining over their long period of disuse as he opened the door to the quaint kitchen.

On the wooden table sat a replacement set of clothes and all the remaining items from his expedition; his sword belt, Aveth, and Chilly. Next to his paltry assortment of belongings were the most important items in the house; a plate of steaming scrambled eggs, several crispy slices of what looked and smelled like bacon, and a pitcher of water. Deciding his near nudeness was a lesser priority than the meal in front of him, he sat down to eat.

* * *

The warm rays of sunshine along with the distant ambient sounds of the garden greeted Leo as he stepped out onto the porch, adjusting his sword belt over his new clothes. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath of the crisp morning air, feeling the rest of his sorrowful thoughts leave him with the exhale.

He enjoyed a few more peaceful breaths before an undignified squawk broke him out of his Zen state. He was greeted with the sight of Sparky and the Chari fighting over a mysterious hunk of meat on the green grass below. The Chari had its teeth sunk into the haunch while Sparky had clamped on the opposing end with her beak, and the two were flying and flapping across the yard in an intense game of tug of war over the rather large piece that they might’ve easily been able to share. The war seemed to have reached a stalemate, Sparky digging her talons into the ground and the Chari in the air using gravity to help pull the slab upwards.

“Do you two ever stop fighting?” Leo rolled his eyes at the duo’s antics. Sparky immediately let go of her end of the haunch as she whipped her head over to him with an excited chirrup. The sudden release of tension caused the Chari to fall over, freeing the large meal they had been fighting over from her mouth and sending it sailing over her head. It passed right by the large stone pillar, which blurred with sudden movement as a massive beak shot out and swallowed the haunch whole.

Leo took a step back in surprise as he just now noticed the massive golden bird perched on the tip of the stone pillar. Good morning, little one, did you rest well? came Amira’s tired voice as she shuffled her enormous wings and moved to face him.

Oh, um good morning, Amira. Yes, I feel like I slept for a week! What brings you here? Leo replied, still in his pleasant morning mood. Sparky happily began waddling over to him while the Chari glared at the adult Thunder Roc as if debating its odds in a fight.

Four days, actually, just under half a week, not that it really matters. I fly in from time to time when issues of the nest do not keep me preoccupied. Today I was simply wishing to get a full moon’s sleep—new hatchlings always bring with them quite the racket—but it seems I can’t escape their insistent noise, no matter where I go. Her last words were dripping with annoyance as she shot Sparky a glare.

Wait, did you say I was asleep for FOUR days! Leo stared wide-eyed at the revelation.

You’re as bad as the chics, came Amira’s annoyed sleepy reply, clearly irritated at the change in mental volume. Your body needed time to readjust to the considerable number of changes it underwent, along with recovering from utter exhaustion. I wouldn’t have been shocked if you drowsed through all nine days this week.

After the initial shock of having slept for so long, most of his panic dissipated. It wasn’t like he had any time-crunched plans. It was no wonder he had felt so hungry and parched when he first awoke. Amira’s comment on the nine days per week reminded him of just how little he knew about the workings of this world and brought his attention back to his impending chat with Zeld.

He’s back behind the house, Amira replied with amusement, reading all of his surface thoughts. Please take the hatchlings with you when you leave. She moved her head under the cover of her wing and the connection between them faded.

He turned his attention to the bright yellow bird that had been hopping from one taloned foot to the other, waiting directly in front of him. He looked at the ball of energy and couldn’t help but feel pity for Amira having to deal with an entire clutch of them.

“Come on, let’s go,” he replied with a silent sigh to the chick. “You too, furball!” he called over to the Chari, who had a dejected look on its face from losing what was probably breakfast. The creature’s ears folded back in annoyance at his call and it strode over to him, tails twitching violently.

“What? You don’t like the name?” Leo snickered at the less than amused feline’s reaction as it stared down at him. “I suppose I should give you an actual name already…” he mused aloud. “How about Ghost?” As soon as the word left his mouth, his body felt heavier as a force exerted down on him made him stumble. “No, you’re right—too unoriginal. Kitty? Felix? Crimson-eyes?” With each failed attempt, the pressure increased as the Chari grew in annoyance until Leo was on one knee struggling to fill his lungs. “Oh, come on...that last one…wasn’t even that bad!”

He was growing in concern that the arrogant cat might actually flatten him. Clearly, he needed to think of a name that resonated well with the Chari. “Pride?” he said cautiously, and the pressure threatening to squish him abated all at once, allowing him a blissful deep breath. The smug-looking feline raised its head high and began walking to the other side of the house.

“Stupid cat,” he muttered as he got up and followed her. Sparky tailed him in return, bubbling with the enthusiasm of a recently hatched duckling.

Behind the house lay a small, beautifully sculpted landscape. Fist-sized stones dotted a gravel pathway closed in on either side by perfectly cultivated green hedges. Beyond the hedges lay a bed of crystallized flowers that couldn’t decide on their color. They transitioned in disunion the entire visible spectrum of colors, switching from the most joyous of yellows to the bleakest black.

The area lay boxed in among four wooden posts that rose to head height out of the ground, intricate and complex symbols carved into their entire length. At the center of the square garden where the pathway ended stood Zeld, hand resting fondly on one of two stone headstones.

Leo stopped walking, feeling he was intruding on a private moment. He was debating whether to come back at a later time when the gruff voice of the old man spoke out across the clearing. “Her name was Venera. She had eyes that shone like twin ruby stars, a smile that could move a mountain and a heart far too large for this world. The boy was Jasper. He dreamed of traveling the Emerald Sea, hiking the Crystal Peaks and discovering all the wonders this world had to offer.”

“What happened to them?” asked Leo as he walked slowly down the path.

“Reality is not as kind as our fantasies. They were killed to spite me.” His voice ended in hardly more than a whisper.

“Why?” Leo forced the question past his lips, knowing he was prodding deeply into a still-open wound.

“Because the cruelty of some men is so vast that even the lowest layer of the abyss would not be fit to hold them, and the only fate worse than death is to be forced to keep living a broken life.”

The two stood silently beside the gravestones amidst the vortex of color, Leo once more unsure of what he could say to help ease the pain Zeld felt. After a moment, he realized that there were some scars no words of comfort could help heal. All he could do was stand with this harsh, eccentric and broken old man.

“Erreth was a nation unlike any I have ever traveled. We were set apart from the rest of the world, valuing strength in union over strength of the individual. We welcomed all who sought sanctuary, letting kindness beget peace so that no citizen had to worry about closing their eyes to sleep.

For over a century we prospered, our unified strength great enough to deter any who wished us ill and our resources lacking enough to avoid tempting those too powerful to handle.”

Zeld’s fingers tightened over the top of the headstone, his face contorting with a mixture of grief and rage. “Then the Order found us.”

After saying those words, all the fight seemed to seep out of him, his expression returning once more to placid acceptance. “At first we didn’t know who they were or why they had come. It wasn’t until those around us started turning to ash that we even realized we were under attack.” The old man turned to him with a soft, sad smile.

“As I have said, Erreth was an asylum for many, some of whom were Arrivals like you. They were the reason we were able to grow as powerful as we did, but their inherent power came at a great cost, one that all Arrivals must bear. From the moment they are brought to this world, each Arrival is given an expiration date, one that shortens as they gain strength. It is not a rule set by nature, but one mandated by the ones who bring them here.”

Leo felt a cold shiver crawl down his spine, listening with growing concern to the old man’s every word. “An Arrival’s purpose is to grow and cause chaos, unbalancing the order of the world wherever they are placed, but their power is kept in check. If an Arrival is deemed too dangerous, they are harvested like wheat before the scythe.”

“Who…” He trailed off, readying himself to ask one of the questions that had plagued him since arriving. “Who is responsible for bringing me here?”

“The Order of Lazarus,” Zeld said simply. “I must confess I don’t know much about them, or what they hope to achieve. All I know is from what I could gather after the man who murdered my family deigned to spare my life.”

Leo felt numbed by the news. If a group strong enough to defeat an entire nation and let Zeld live on a whim came for his life, what hope did he have of surviving? With every step forward he took, he would just be another moment closer to meeting his death. He risked his life if he improved and put himself at the mercy of others if he didn’t. It all felt so utterly…hopeless.

There was a weight on his shoulder and he looked up to see Zeld smiling down on him, a hand of comfort resting on him. “My fate is not your own and the future is only bleak to those that let others make it for them. You are not alone in this fight; there are others brought here just like you, some unknowing of the many threats that await them. If you want, I’m willing to help you search for them, so that together you can carve out your own destiny. After all, your kind is not culled out of weakness, but out of fear for what you may one day become. Never forget that.”

Leo let his words sink in. Zeld was right, he couldn’t just roll over for some great threat that may or may not one day come for him. If his strength alone wasn’t enough, then perhaps finding others with power to match would be.

It was fortune that had landed him where he was, but he couldn’t imagine that all Arrivals shared his luck. How many had already succumbed to the dangers that stalked this world and become victims to the horrors that awaited beyond death? He thought glumly on that for a moment.

Doing good for the act itself was usually his sister’s forte. He knew that if their places were swapped, she would be trying to save every person or beast she could, regardless of if they were an Arrival. Leo was a bit more pragmatic. He would help those he could, as long as it didn’t endanger him too much in the process.

Raising his head to meet Zeld’s eyes, he gave the old man a firm nod. “When I’m ready, I would appreciate your help in finding them.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do,” the old man said with a smile, removing his hand. “Now pick your head up and stop moping. Heavens know I’ve done enough of that for both our lifetimes.”

“And Zeld, thanks for everything, I mean it.”

The old man looked away uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his head. “Hmph, don’t be getting all sentimental on me now, boy,” he grumbled.

Leo laughed at his reaction. “Weren’t you the one who just gave a heartfelt speech? You better watch it, old man, you’re beginning to show some cracks in that gruff exterior.”

Zeld let out a small cough before making a not so subtle attempt to change the subject. “Well no matter how quickly you grow, you’re nothing more than a mewling kitten now. You got a long ways to go before you’re ready to help anyone.”

“Did you just call me talented?” Leo asked with a slight grin of his own.

“I’m saying you got bloody lucky with your traits,” Zeld retorted as he turned to head back to the yard. “So, let’s not waste any more time better spent training, you cheeky brat.”

Leo turned to Sparky and Pride as the old man stormed off to the front yard. “I think he just called me talented,” he said, puffing out his chest with a smile. Sparky gave off a merry chirp of agreement while Pride let out a soft snort of what he decided to interpret as approval rather than mocking laughter.

“Let’s go see if we can give the old man some payback for last time.”