As Verling traveled through the dark's of Gloomwood forest he could not help but feel the eire presence of some evil being. "It will not be long" A voice said to him. "Soon you will remember the truth." As the voice faded away Verling could not help but wonder who that was and what he meant.

As he traveled deeper into the forest the ground beneath him began to shake and soon something come up from the ground. A large group of undead rose up on all sides. He casted halt undead but there where to many of them. They just kept coming. Verling quickly drew his angelic sword and attacked. He knocked down ten of the creatures before one came up from behind and grabbed him.

Two blue grey eyes stared at the chaos quietly as in disbelief for a second. A blade with a gold handle shimmered in what light there was left in the place. A quiet whisper was heard and the dead turned to see nothing. But out of the shadows came a figure of a woman behind them and with a swift blade sliced some of the undead ones head from their bodies. Somehow they now seemed weaker than before, one by one they started to fall all too quickly. Everything was a dream, the girl in a trance as she fought. The girl was Kli, messy black and red hair carressing her shoulders. She wore the same bloody dress that was once white, her cloak, trousers, and boots. Her hair had grown longer and she was different. She didn't say anything, it was like she wasn't even real, but she was. "Well, at least I've grown in my magic.." She said quietly. The fight was almost over, or was it just begining?

As soon as he was free from the creature's grip Verling continued his fight. Killing undead after undead stopping only to make sure Kli was not in danger. "She has changed since I last saw her." He thought. "Her magic has grown as well as her skill with a blade."

The fight was now over, or so he thought. Since the fight had started Verling had drawn further and further away from kli and was now at least thiry feet away. He began to walk over to her until suddenly a vision came to him and he fell to his knees.. "There is far more in your past than you know. " A voice said to him. As it spoke the vision of a city burning was placed in his mind. "Follow the path if you seek your truth." Suddenly the vision ended and the voice stopped. At this same moment the forest itself seemed to move, until only one path remained.

Verling stood up once again and whispered "So this is the path I must take."

Kli looked around and noticed that she didn't see Verling anymore. She squinted, seeing a figure growing farther and farther away from her. She hadn't seen her friend for many days. In fact, she didn't remember when the last time she saw him. She used blink to teleport closer as she ran to catch up. For some reason she recently have been seeing the future, the past, and the present when she least expected it. She saw it as clear as the break of dawn from a high peak of a mountain. She had saw what was happening now a day or two earlier. She knew that not going would mean that she was not worthy of the friendship she had with him. "Verling? Verling, where are you going?" She said, confused. She had not seen this in her divination of this day. She walked beside him questioningly but did not try to press the question further. She worried now, not understanding. She didn't understand what was happening or what was going to happen in the future. She wasn't powerful enough to know all the answers, she didn't think she ever would. She pressed her cloak closely to her as she quickly walked beside him. She knew something odd must be happening.

As Verling walked along the path he paid little attention to Kli walking beside him. For some reason he was being pulled somewhere. Everything around him seemed to dissapear. All but a single path. Verling's mind he had no choice but to follow. He had no idea of the events that would occur becouse of this. Was it a mistake doing this, or was there some reward at the end of the path? Something that would help him in his journey?

As the two got closer to their destination the voice entered his mind once more and he fell on his knees. "The gates are finally open. Once you pass through them there is no returning. You will be forced to continue to make the journey or die. Choose now. Shall you enter or will you deny yourself?" Verling in response said softly "I will continue." At this moment two large black gates appeared and the entire forest dissapeared around them. Through the gates a large castle could be seen in the distance. "That is where I must go." Verling said before he began walking towards the gates.

She watched him quietly for a while. She knew that something was pulling him, but she didn't know what. Her mind wandered and her curiousity returned yet again. She shivered slightly, looking at the gates. She knew there was a journey ahead for him, she knew it had to do with something dreadfully important, but what was it? What made him want it so much? What would drive him here of all places? She looked at her friend. He did not know what the path may lead to, but he kept going. She put a hand on his shoulder, urging him to at least tell her what it was all about. They had been friends for what seemed like forever, and her curiousity was well known. "Verling, why?" She asked softly. "Why must you go there?" She watched him as she felt something near, but something other then him. Something that didn't have to be anything alive or dead. She shook it off as imagination, even though something seemed to make her wonder, dread, and want at the same time. "I have been your friend for a while now. We both know each others secrets, we've both been there for each other. Please tell me.." She said quietly, letting her hand fall from his shoulder.

As Kli placed her hand on Verling's shoulder's he stopped and listened to what she said. It was true that they had been friends for a long time and that they had shared many secrets with each other. After a moment of silence Verling looked into Kli's eyes and said "I, I do not know. I sense there is someone. Something they may help me discover who......or what I am. I feel an evil presence at that place. The feeling grow's stronger and stronger with each step I take, but I know I must continue. For as long as I can remember I have searched for some meaning in my life. But it has been to no avail. Somewhere in that castle lies lies a past of sorrow and grief. This is my past. I do not know whether my journey will continue from here, or whether this is the end my story. I do however know that I must go on. Within lies my story. My past present and future."

Kli looked back into his eyes quietly. "Your past is important to you. I know this, for it is who you were and what made you who you are today. I see why you must go, but I also feel that presence of evil. You must find what is there for you, but just remember you do not have to go in alone. If you want I will go in with you. I dare not be in your way though.." She said, looking towards the gate. "It is fate that you should find your place before you die, you must learn what it is that you've been searching for, either that or you've been searching for lies. Just remember that what ever your past, what ever you learn, it is ultimately your decision. If you learn that your past isn't what you have known for the present, you do not have to make the past your future." She looked at him. "You will find that meaning that you have searched for, I'm certain. I don't know what the meaning, what your past is, and since your future is unclear I can not be certain of anything. Just remember never to turn your back on what you believe in your heart. It will guide you if I am not able to." She said, smiling slightly. It was his decision, and she was just happy and confused as she has always been.

(sorry, mom took apart the comp and it took a while to get back on..)

When Kli was finished speaking Verling smiled then looked toward the castle before speaking and said. "When I started my journey so long ago. I thought I was alone. That my journey would be a lonely one. But as I stand here and listen to you I realize that this is not true. I see now that I have many friends who can help me. That I am not alone as I once believed. Thank you Kli. I would be honored if you would acompany me."

When he was finished speaking he looked over at Kli once more then started for the gate. In the distance clouds could be seen forming over the castle.

She smiled as well quietly. "Well, you can never go on a real journey alone. It is not safe not to have a friend. And I come when I am called.." She said quietly. She stuffed her hands into her cloak pockets as her blue grey eyes looked to the castle. She gulped slightly. I just hope my loyalty doesn't get my head chopped off.. She though as she quickly followed her friend. She knew she could never desert someone in need, especially someone who has been a loyal friend to her. "Well, this is it.. Your destiny awaits.." She said quietly, looking at him for a moment. She took out a ribbon and used it to braid her ever growing hair into a long braid quickly and quietly before resting a hand on the hilt of her sword.

She didn't know what to say. There wasn't much to say really. Her eyes turned to a light blue, the grey melting away like frost on the blades of grass in the early morning sunrise. Pure as an earths natural spring. Her eyes wandered before again landing on the inevitable road ahead, feeling as though the gate behind them was slowly and quietly closing without their notice.

After their conversation at the gate Verling and Kli walked on the path for what seemed like hour's. Verling didn't say anything. He just kept walking forward. As he got closer a wieght seemed to be layed on his heart it grew hevier and hevier with each new step but he did his best not to show it.

As the two neared the half way mark something stopped Verling. He did not know why but for some reason he felt as though he had to stop. Like someone was coming. At that moment someone cloaked in black appeared before him holding a pure white sword with an emerald in the center of the hilt.

"Your time is almost come." The man said. Once this sword his in your possesion your past will be reveiled. But to gain what you seek. You must also lose something deer to you." With this said the man dissapeared into thin air.

"Wait!" Verling cried out as the man dissapeared. "What do you mean I must lose something deer. I don't understand." But it was to late. The man was already gone.

(A 'deer' is an animail ;))

Kli's blue grey eyes seemed to grow in worry with each step. Something seemed to be growing in her mind, something dark that she couldn't get out of herself. Something kept nagging her to turn and run, but she didn't wish to do that. In this place, she felt she didn't have any magic anymore. It was almost like an anti magic field, but she didn't quite know if it was real. If she really was defenseless, or it was some sort of magical effect to make you feel weak, she couldn't quite tell. She showed no fear, except the warning in her eyes seemed to show stronger with each step. She would never ask Verling not to take this chance to know his past, but her spine tingled with an eerie warning. Suddenly a cloaked figure appeared, telling Verling that with a sword he will remember all, but to remember he will loose something dear. She looked worrily to Verling quietly after the figure dissapeared. "Verling.. I don't think this guy is joking.." She said quietly. "If this is true then you could loose your life, your soul, or anything else you may hold dear.. I'm not saying you should go back, but make sure you are willing to loose something that you may never have again.."