- Training Grounds, Wolfheim HQ, 2020 -
A young man, tall, brown haired, maybe in his twenties, trains by himself, using different fighting styles, some weapons, and a little bit of meditation. His name, Jon Harper. He's Doc's chosen one to be Siegfried's "handler", per se.
The room is wide, decorated like an old dojo. Weapon racks, some posters, padded floor, boxing bags. Anything you need for good combat training is there. Jon is so focused on his training, he doesn't even notice Allain next to the entrance.
– That's some nice moves you got there Jon... One day you'll train against someone, to see if you can handle it. – Allain leans on one of the walls. – Pack your stuff, we're traveling.
– Really?! – Jon is breathing heavily; the session was tough. – How, when and where to? And does Johann know?
– We're going to the UK. Johan doesn't know, and we're not going on a plane. I got a clue about the anomaly increase.
– We're not going by plane? What, are you going to use the Warp? It's still a work in progress. The last time we tried to warp something, the cleaning staff needed psychological counselling for a month.
– No, we're not Warping. I've got a shortcut. A quick and simple shortcut. – Allain smiles, a little bit of Siegfried is pouring out... – Also, take Dracula with you. You might need to read a bit during the trip.
Both agents prepare their hunting gear and Jon follows Allain's advice. They soon head out of the building, without having to worry about being seen, since a meeting between the top heads was occurring (see chapter 2). As they reach a small thicket, Allain picks up a scroll from his bag. He extends the scroll and begins to read the incantations written in it.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
– Ley zadeqwo wer jor wer Albion! Rishiq!
– Ok, what the hell did you just say? – Jon is highly concerned with all of this.
– Just wait. You'll see what this is all about.
Allain almost can't finish his sentence. A breeze begins to shake the leaves in the trees, the small pebbles and the dirt on the ground begin to shake and float, the breeze becomes more intense, some leaves gather around them, circling them in a swirl. As Allain begins to walk, Jon feels like he should follow him. He notices that the sunlight is becoming less and less present. He's sure that the thicket wasn't this big. He finally asks.
– So, where are we? Because, this ain't feeling like the place we were at. It's colder and darker. And slightly creepier.
– I guess Doc never told you about this... We are in the Limbo. This place exists outside of space and time. It's physical, but it's also spiritual. And you're lucky, since I'm here with you. By now, you'd be surrounded by countless lost souls, trying to get a way out of here...
– You're kidding, right? Right?!
– Do you think I'm kidding? – Allain's expression was dead serious.
Jon slowly began to look around. He felt the endless void become aware of his presence. He felt observed by countless eyes, by countless faces. Sounds of heavy breathing and chains clanking began to fill the area. Soon, Allain stopped walking.
– We're here. Fjorvuh! – Allain shouts, and the area once again changes.
They "arrive" at a forest. It has a familiar feel to it, although Jon never came to the UK before. They walk for a while, admiring the trees, feeling the wind and being one with nature. Jon looks at his watch, and sees that, although it felt like an eternity, they took less than five minutes to travel.
– I need a rest, I think I'll stop under this big tree. – Allain stretches and sits down, leaning against the tree.
– So, where are we? You know... this forest?
– Ashdown Forest. Sussex. Approximately 48 kilometers away from London. You should grab the book now...
– Ashdown Forest? Isn't this place a protected area? Are we allowed to be here? Also, why do I feel like I know this place?
– You ask too many questions. One: yes, it's protected. Two: yes, I am allowed, don't know about you. Three: Hundred Acre Wood. You need to read more.