It was true that Aleris was connected to other realms by what its citizens now referred to as "Gates". And it was also true that Aleris had two known and established gates to two places called Eternelle Lune and Reino Del Hielo. However, despite these known facts, Aleris also had many other magical gates, or portals if you will, that led to other places. Some of these went to the middle of nowhere, some of these went places people never came back from and some had stopped functioning ages ago that their reasoning for ever existing was now lost in time.

These little underlining gates usually went unnoticed. No one knew they were there (most of the gates were not actually "gates" as we imagine them) and went on their lives without making use of them. Perhaps discovering the unknown was for the better; the people of Aleris were generally content with their two gates now and didn't need any others popping up. Especially since the other randomly scattered gates more often than not led to chaos.

And it was not on purpose that Verial, Maxim and Jass had discovered one of these such gates...


Verial did not ask questions. After all, it had been a while since Maxim had shown his face. The last time Verial had seen him, he had been stabbed by Lumine Ravenholm and barely made it to the Villa. Without Maxim, suffice to say, Verial should have been very much dead. So, when Maxim with Jass by his side showed up at the Villa one very late night, he was not one to inquire about the quest that was about to take place. After all, he supposed he owed it to the Kinslayer (if you could call him that anymore) for saving his life and returning him to his son Kyrian.

Someone, or something, had sent a letter to Maxim which he showed Verial. This was in itself strange since no one knew where Maxim had gone off to after the war with the Ravenholm Empire, except Jass who managed to dutifully cling to his side. Verial rubbed the back of his head after reading the letter, thoughts running through his mind.

"I understand you are searching for who you truly are... Your real purpose... There is a spot about three miles north past Central Jade City by the ocean. Go there and you may uncover what you have been seeking. And be sure to bring a friend, as magic is of the utmost importance to unveil the hidden."

There was no signee, yet the person wrote like he or she was a long time friend of Maxim Redmont. Verial almost told Maxim to just let it go, that it was probably some sort of trap, trying to lure him into unknown territory. After all, someone had obviously been watching the Redmont leader and lurking in his footsteps to even be able to know where to deliver the letter.

Jass' purpose for coming along was clear. The Strata beauty had never left Maxim's side after the war (Verial wondered what Daphne thought) and once the letter mentioned bringing magic along, her part in the escapade was set. She was going, but what was Verial's cause for being there? He had lost any magical ability that he was born with ages ago, and like Maxim, he preferred weaponry to defend himself if needed.

Was Verial going because they were friends? Or did Maxim need Verial for something else that he was unaware of? Perhaps there was something Maxim was not telling him. Part of Verial did not want to yet leave the Villa; his wounds were just done healing (he was not ready to get new ones) and he was trying to patch up lost time with Kyrian. Still, he found himself scrawling one of his hastily written "I will be back soon" notes and leaving it on the kitchen table, hoping this litte adventure would indeed be a little one.

Verial guessed there was something wrong with Maxim, which maybe started when Maxim had first left Northcross and had the other Redmont family members fending for themselves. He had mysteriously abandoned his position as a leader and had been searching for an answer to his life. Often times, man tries to spend his life desperately searching for who he truly is in the world. And during his self searching journey, man would have been better off spending his time noticing the little and unexpected joys of life as they came along… instead of letting them pass by. Verial wanted to tell Maxim this, but he just kept his lips firmly sealed and moved onward.

The way to Central Jade City was not far and they passed the sleepy town without stopping to rest before their final destination. When they reached the ocean, it was quiet and not a single soul was on the beach. Verial listened to the waves rocking gently back and fourth, a calming music, despite the unknown that approached them. He breathed in then turned towards his two travelling companions. For a while they waited and finally Verial found himself lifting his shoulders into an almost weary shrug.

"Well... Jass? It's your turn, I think."