The Traveler{Jack}{Open by invite}

The air was filled with dust, visible as it filtered through the sunlight coming from an opening in the roof. The wood creaked and threatened to break as he walked upon the floor. This was his home, so many years ago, the protecting magic had begun to fade. Funny thing about being ageless, sooner or later time still catches up with you. The years had come and gone, battles won and lost, Love come and love past, yet still time ravishes all. To peerless eyes time flows fast, worlds decay around you as you witness it all and try to cling to what sanity you have left, sometimes he wonders to himself in the deep darkness of the night, whether or not to cling to that sanity.

Here a battle was fought years and years gone past. Days became weeks, weeks became years, years became centuries. 50,000 years and come and past as he watched over the world, 50,000 years since the battle upon the plains, and the Guardians were wiped from this world. Torn and separated by time, dead and dying the world and its universe was born a-new. And he was called to watch over the fledgling world, as its people began to flourish once again, unknown of its previous demise.



*Authors note all this takes place after jack is raised again by Ao to watch and protect the world. This is 50,000 years after that event.

Jack awoke, a soft chilly breeze on his cheek. Shocked he realized his place. He was home, He could feel the soft grass under his toes, The sun on his face and chest. He stopped, "The Sun..." He thought to himself as he inspected his body. Sure enough it was his, but something was different... He was human. Jack breathed a deep breathe filling his lungs and screamed triumphantly. His long torment of watching over the worlds fate had ended. But he was back and that meant there was work to be done. "Bastard, Bringing me back here." He said as he looked at the ruins of Lanatha. An acorn crushed under his foot and he felt the pain of it slightly piercing his skin. He looked down and rubbed his foot, reveling in the first physical sensations he felt in millennia, And then he noticed he was also very much naked.

Mari was quite surprised. It was not every day you found a naked man standing in a field.  "Umm, hello?" She said respectfully averting her eyes.  "Are you okay? Would you like to borrow my cloak?"  She said putting her bow and the rabbits she caught down and removing her cloak, holding it out to the stranger.  "It's a bit chilly out, I'd think." She said trying to hide a smile.

"So this is whats left of Lanantha." He said almost to himself, as he took the cloak. Paying almost no attention to the woman that handed it to him. "So what year is this?" Said Jack as he began walking toward the ruins of the city. "So what happened here?" He asked slyly.

Mari arched her eyebrow at this man, looking him over he seemed almost familiar. "It's 1685 sir and that's Lanatha. The center of the war of the Gods, torn asunder years ago when the guardians faced the Dark Lord Azuth. It's only by the grace and protection of Azreil, God of All the whole world wasn't destroyed."

Mari looked out across the field towards the ruins of Lanatha, nothing grew there since the cataclysm, and parts of the city still smoldered after all these years. "No one goes there, it's not safe, it's been almost 20 years and it's still not safe. The place is cursed and only fools even get this close." Mari swiftly turned her head away and picked up her bow and the rabbits.

"Suns going to set soon," She said to the man. My name is Mari, I've got enough for two if you'd care to join. She said raising the rabbits towards the man.

"Azulth," he spit on the ground as he said the name. "Bastard, Destroyed all I held dear. My friends... Oh my poor friends." His eyes grew teary and he looked as if he was remembering old hard memories. "Name's Jack, I would love to join you for dinner. Its been ages since I had a good meal." He said as he followed Mari. Staring at the city of Lanatha, "So tell me more about this curse." He said with an odd glisten in his eyes.

As Mari walked towards a location in the forest she had scouted earlier as a good camp she looked back at the man. "Well Jack, I don't know if it's actually cursed, but bad things happened there, and now nothing grows there, birds don't fly over it, people who go into the ruins...well...they don't tend to come out. Those that do are mad."

They had reached a small mound in the forest with a large oak tree on top. Under the roots there was a small hovel, large enough for 3 or 4 people to lie, sheltered from the elements and the earth was soft and clean of most debris. Firewood was easily available and a stream could be heard not far off. Mari set the rabbits down and began gathering wood.

"About a year ago some young idiots got it into their head that they were going to find treasure buried in the ruins. They were well equipped, well trained, and despite being idiots, Coran at least was smart, no, brilliant he was brilliant. He'd masterminded this whole thing, he had a solid plan, almost had me convinced to join if I'm honest. He could always think his way out of a trap no matter how clever it seemed." Mari said with a slight smile remembering the young man. "Despite all that, they died, except for Coran. He made it back, but there was a darkness in him. He ranted about the creatures, about the darkness, couldn't stay focused, didn't recognize anyone, not even me. He became dangerous, he would lash out at anyone who came near. His family tried to help him, then they tried to contain him, he escaped, killing Eva his youngest sister. He loved that girl, and he tore her apart with his hands and teeth. No one saw where he went, but his tracks led straight back to the ruins."

Mari had, by this time, started a fire and began skinning the rabbits. "Now Jack, I can't tell you if it's actually cursed, but it's cursed enough for me."

"I don't suppose you have an extra pair of pants?" He asked with a smirk on his face. "Not that I'm bashful, its just been a long time since I've been in the presence of a woman.... or human for that matter." He chuckled as he poked the fire. "Thing about curses and this world.... It needs to be wiped clean. I simply cannot abide by Evil, I may not look it but I am a hardened veteran." His face looked distant as if he was remembering painful memories. "Where can I get weapons, armor, clothing, and some gold." He smile with resolve.

"Oh Jeez," Mari cried blushing. "I completely forgot, sorry, umm...yes I do." She stood up quickly and wiped her bloody hands on her pants. She went over to her pack and rummaged through it. "Here, they'll be a bit short but they should fit ok otherwise, and they're clean," she smiled and held up a pair of dark brown pants.

She went back to the rabbits and began cooking them, "As to where you can get supplies there are small towns and things like that around where you might be able to pick up some things but the nearest city would be Havenhome. I'ts about a half day away." Mari sat back on her haunches while turning the rabbits and looked at Jack. "If you don't mind me asking, how did you end up naked in a field near the ruins?"

The young adventurer was stumbling blindly through the forest, trying to find the cursed city. He was about as graceful as an iron golem ballerina. Muttering to himself, "These are he worst directions I've ever been given." Alexander chuckled before setting into a mocking tone, "'Follow the road,' they said..." Pausing to take a drink from his waterskin, some of the water trickling down his chin, droplets sticking to his chin scruff. He laughed out loud, "I mean, I guess it would have worked, if the bloody road hadn't been overgrown for longer than anyone I know had been alive." The young knight was completely unaware of the two people who were easily within earshot. Alexander slumped against a tree, halberd clattering down to his side, "Time to take a breather and reassess my plan..."

He looked longingly at the roasting braces of rabbit. He was remembering how long it had been since he had eaten.... anything. Memories of millennia passed, he shook his head away from the memories, Madness hid in those long years.

"You want the truth, or something I made up?" he laughed at himself. "Course the truth is so outlandish I doubt you would believe...." He heard the cracking of a branch. "Someone approaches." He said as he took a fighting stance.

Mari had heard the noise for a while but when it drew closer she paid more attention when it stopped she froze. She rolled her eyes when Jack said "Someone approaches," she put a finger to her lips turning to him. She silently moved towards her bow, grabbed it and deftly climbed a tree, using her skills she seemed to melt into the shadows, she didn't make a sound as the used the branches of one tree to reach another she grew closer to the person.

Mari could see the man about ten feet away leaning against a tree, she studied him for a moment, he seemed a capable fighter, but also tired, and lost. She nocked an arrow but did not draw back and dropped down from the tree. "Hello, can I help you" she said with a friendly smile while her hands remained firmly on her bow.

Alexander jumps in response to the voice, "Sweet merciful Shiva!" Reaching for his halberd he finds that, during his surprise, he knocked the weapon much too far away for him to grab. Letting out a sigh, "I'll let you know, I don't have much money, nor am I carrying much of anything valuable." Shaking his head, "Though, if you are genuine in your offer of help, I am rather lost. Not even sure I could get back the way I came now. The name is Alexander, and I'm looking for the ruins of Lanatha."

Mari smiled at the man's response. "Sorry, I forget how startling that can be, I'm Mari," She said as she put the arrow back in her quiver and slung the bow across her back. She picked up the Halberd and held it out to the man. "You're not far from the ruins, they're just to the south there," she said with a nod of her head towards the ruins, "Though why you'd ever want to go there I don't know." She shook her head and then started walking back towards the camp.

"If you'd like I'm cooking rabbits. You're more than welcome to join." She said over her shoulder "Dark is no time to go anywhere near the blasted place anyway."

Jack focused on his hand and felt the magic begin to coalesce, "Yes!" he thought to himself as he stood alert and ready. A short sword beginning to form in his hand, Suddenly he heard Mari say "If you'd like I'm cooking rabbits. You're more than welcome to join." She said over her shoulder "Dark is no time to go anywhere near the blasted place anyway."

He let the magic fade, and the sword began to vanish. He rotated the brace of rabbits. "What was it you asked?" He said as Mari rounded the corner.

Alexander will take his halberd back with a smile. Upon her mentioning that he was close to the ruins, his mind starts racing, going over every piece of lore and scrap of information he could recall about the place. He mutters to himself for a moment and then takes a step in the direction of the ruins. The mention of food, however, catches his attention even more. Due to his.... lack of directional sense, the young knight had been lost for a couple of days now, and eating trail rations and roots was beginning to get old. He smiled, " I would love to join you for dinner." He chuckles to himself and follows the stranger, completely unaware that this could still be a trap.

Having followed Mari back to her campfire, it took him a moment to notice Jack, as his gluttonous eyes were attempting to find the source of fire, and, thereby, the source of his upcoming meal. Though, when he did, he turned a slight shade of pink, "I'm not interrupting anything am I?" He was probably referring to the fact that Jack was wearing nothing but a pair of pants that were obviously not his size.

"Oh, hello! I just arrived to this world. A bit out of sorts." Jack smirked his trademark smirk. "I got a bit warm so I decided to go for a run through the forest naked." He laughed as he stood up and held out a hand. "Hullo, I am Captain Jack Erendhart of the Guardians, You can call me Jack."

"Poor Mari is going to have to get more rabbits for her supper tomorrow, It would seem she wasnt expecting guests!" He roared again with laughter. A twinge of a dark memory floated across his mind. "Is this fate or are the gods toying with me again." He thought, as he pushed the dark memory of his fallen friends aside.

"Mari was kind enough to offer me shelter while I get back on my feet. I have been...gone from this place for a very long time." He paused mid way as if tasting the word gone. "I owe her an explanation, come join us friend." he smiled again warmly.

"It's not really much shelter, just a natural hollow under a tree, " MAri shrugged looking at the two, "as for food there's always plenty if you know where to look." She went to the rabbits and removed them from the heat. She set her bow down and opened her pack and pulled out a clean cloth, a wine skin, and a dense loaf of bread as well.

"Grandpa always taught me to be prepared, so what say we enjoy good food in good company. The ruins can wait until tomorrow," She said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She spread the cloth out on a flat stone, and set the food and wine upon it. "Not a bad spread if I do say so myself, next time I'll grab some veg to go along with it though, you know balanced diets and all."

Alexander will smile at his two new companions, "This may be the best meal I've had in quite some time, and I haven't even eaten any of it yet." Taking a seat around their 'table' he will wait at least until Mari has had first pick of the food. He was hungry but he wasn't discourteous. Thinking about all Jack had just said, he chewed on that while waiting on his host.

Unable to contain his curiosity, he turns to the other man, "What do you mean you have been gone a very long time? Captain of the Guardians? That really sounds like a squad of superheroes." There wasn't a hint of mocking tone in his voice, everything that Alexander was saying was genuine. He just had so many questions he didn't even know where to begin.

Jack munched hungrily on the rabbit. "Ahh, such a delicious meal! Thank you." he smiled and worked on finishing his meal. "Yes when I say Captain, I suppose I should mean former Captain. The Guardians were wiped out during the War with the Dark One." He said while brushing away more dark memories. He sighed. "Very well. You all seem trustworthy."

He moved closer to the fire and sat on the floor. "Years ago I led the guardians against the Dark Lord, Destroyer of Worlds, The Black Soul." He steeled his self as he told of the final battle and failing at his duty to protect the world.

"Lord Azreil, God of Gods, rebuilt this world and set it back in time. All life was lost, so his lordship thought it wise for Life to reclaim the planet itself, by your reckoning its been, I'd guess about twenty years give or take. But for me I watched the world born anew and guarded over it for the past 50,000 years. His lordship sent me back to this world as a reward for guarding the land while it healed and life returned." He sighed. "At least I was told it was a reward. The gods have a tendency of meddling in the affairs of humans. So I awoke in a field over Lanatha, My old home...very much naked."

Mari, picked at her food absentmindedly listening to Jack's tale. "So, the world was reset, but essentially exactly the same, except for the world not being destroyed 18 years ago. Instead just the city, and thousands of people inside of it were destroyed, and the remains are still a smoldering scar on the Earth filled with evil. That kills or corrupts those who venture near. Do I have that essentially right? The god's are asshats." She said taking a swig of wine and standing up from the rock and walking to her pack.

"I'm going to the stream, I'll be back soon. I wouldn't venture far though, once the sun finishes setting it gets pretty dark here." She said as she took her pack and headed towards the stream. "Narcissistic asshats," she mumbled under her breath, obviously bothered by Jack's tale and what that meant for the ruins, and those lost within them.

Alexander dug into the meal, savoring every bit, but as Jacks tale went on he seemed to care less and less about the food. His eyes wide by three end of the tale, his rabbit lay almost forgotten in front of him. Taking a moment to compose himself, the young knight turned to Jack, "So you are, legitimately, the oldest living person on this entire plane of existence? What was the world like? Who is this Dark Lord? What does Azreil look like? Why did he decide to save the world?" His brain was a raging torrent of questions, but it was now, of all times, that his cynicism closed the floodgates. Taking a drink of wine, he sits back, and begins to digest everything that Jack had said, and he began to wonder if he could take it all at face value. Skepticism had proven usefulness to him in the past, and he genuinely began to question the truth of his new friends words.

"Well I am mortal now so I am 28 years old. Thank you for making me feel old though." He laughed and smiled broadly. "For all you know I am completely insane. Have I mentioned I also talk to frogs?" He laughed even more heartily this time. "Ah its so nice to have company other than my memories. I believe its my sarcastic whit that kept me sane all these years."

He listened to all of Magnus' questions. "Unfortunately or perhaps it was a good thing. I cannot remember much of my time watching over the world. As for Azreil, Think if a bunch of stars could talk....Such dry humor that one has." He smiled and began to wonder where Mari went.

Mari reached the stream and knelt down by it, looking at her reflection in the water. She reached up and let down her hair, red curls cascaded down her back, she massaged her scalp with her fingers before gently grasping a curl that was much shorter than the others. She looked at it and sighed, reaching into her pouch she pulled out a ring of braided hair, brown like fresh tilled soil. "Damnit Coran," she muttered closing her eyes for a moment, she put the brown ring back and shook her head.

Mari grabbed soap from her pack and plunged her head into the water, she scrubbed at her hair, letting the current whisk the soap bubbles away downstream. She lay on her back, her hair trailing in the current as she watched the first twilight stars appear, lost in though. After a while she sat up, twisting the water out of her hair and drying it with a cloth, she combed it out humming quietly to herself, she twisted the damp hair back up into a bun, packed her things away and headed back towards the camp.

As Mari approached she plastered a smile onto her face, "Much better," she said with a bright voice. "So, what's the plan for tomorrow? I'd say we should head towards the ruins but, with Jack here wearing borrowed trousers and not much else, that might not be the brightest plan."

"Well I've been thinking about that," He said as he stood up from the warm fire and stepped into an open floorspace. "It would seem my inborn powers have returned to me in this form" He took a deep breath and focused on the power bubbling inside him. "You see, I have a unique ability to form weapons and armor magically." He held out his hand and a great sword formed in his hand.

Magic enveloped him and weaved around him as he focused the energy weaving it with his mind. A dark full plate enveloped him, and then he focused again and weaved a different weapon. This time a Katana, His armor changed to that of what the samurai's from the east wore in battle.

"Though it would seem I am unable to maintain it unconsciously. Which makes sense, Since the deity that gifted me this power is now banished form this realm. Twas the gods punishment. That's why any prayers you may of sent may go unanswered." He laughed wistfully at that.

He focused again and the Katana became two short swords, his armor became a glistening breastplate of polished silver, A long coat fell to the floor from around his shoulders. "Hah, I guess it was some what a gift, Azriel gave me. Hello old friends" he said as he inspected a almost star like blade and his coat.