Preface: Beginning

"Will the following students please report to the front office: Zoë Peterson, Isaiah Williams, and Milo Phillips. Thank you." The PA blasted during third-period science. Milo stood up confused with thoughts running in his head, what's going on. What did I do? Is this about the missing kids? Maybe it's not going to be bad. Mr. D turned toward Milo and said,

"Take all your stuff with you, and grab your backpack."

"Why?"

As Milo gathered the stuff on his table Mr. D responded smiling,

"You'll see when you get there." Then he turned to address the class but Milo didn't hear it because he was already walking out the door. Milo walked to his locker and opened it. While putting his stuff in his backpack the classroom door next to him opens. A cute blonde girl quite a bit shorter than Milo, walked out; carrying books and folders. She turned and opened her locker as Milo stared at her sweating. She stood and started walking to the front office. Milo followed close on her heels. As they arrived at the office an enormous figure blocked their path. Towering over Milo stood Isiah; his buzz-cut brown hair covering the light bulb.

"Hey, Milo." Voice booming,

"Hey Isaiah, do you know why we have to be here?"

"Why would I know?" He paused, "Maybe they figured out what we do in D&D."

"That would make sense for us, but not Zoë."

The receptionist at the desk stood up and had them follow her into principal Palomi's office where she told them to wait. The room was filled with awkward silence as Milo looked around. On the wall behind the principal's desk, he saw an extravagant longsword, the blade etched with the story of a great battle.

Looking closer he suddenly was no longer in his chair, his senses went berserk, unable to locate where his body was. Howling wind bit at his skin, as bullets of rain pelted his body. Explosions of light lit up the sky, followed by a deafening BOOM! Sounds of clanking filled the valley he now stood in. He almost fell over as the figure in front of him began chanting. The language he was spoking was as beautiful as an angel's song, yet it felt alien to him. Then silence as the rain and wind stopped. The silence was broken by snarls and breathing. Milo found that he was back on top of the mountain as the clouds parted. Moonlight shone through illuminating that one side was men and women in silver armor holding swords with shields, whilst the others were demonic. Creatures paler than pale with blood dripping from their mouths. Other creatures were covered from head to tail in fur. Then the smell hit harder than anything he had ever smelled. Death. Bodies surged forward limbs falling off. They charged forward, but Milo never got to see what happened. The office door slammed as the principal walked in. Milo found himself inches from the blade, eyes locked forward.

"You probably don't know why you were brought here" Noticing Milo staring at the blade he said, "Ahh you found my great grandfather's blade, he believed only the worthy could wield it to its full potential."

Embarrassed, Milo quickly sat down again and nearly missed the chair. After waiting for a little while, the principal started again,

"As you may know there have been disappearances in the area, now we know you are not involved. The Police have been searching yet they have no leads. With the victims being sophomores and juniors alike all schools in the district may be shut down." He paused, eyeing Isaiah up and down. Pulling documents out from under his desk he continued. "We as a school could not handle being shut down this close to finals. The senior class houses some of the smartest individuals that this school has ever seen, it would be a crime to end their year and not grant them the possibility to finish."

Milo looked directly at Principle Palomi,

"Not to be rude but what exactly does this have to do with us?"

"That is the question. Each of you has been selected among your peers due to significant traits besides being above average intelligence. Mr. Williams, you are without a doubt the strongest person in the entire school as a Sophomore no less. Ms. Peterson has been in gymnastics since she could walk, and also holds a state title. As for you Mr. Philips, your overwhelming presence on the track team and in the MMA scene makes you all prime candidates for protecting us. Your parents have already signed releases and have been compensated generously." With the end of this statement, two men entered the room dressed in plain clothes. They produced syringes from their pockets filled with a cloudy liquid. Setting them down on the table they moved to restrain Isaiah. Milo and Zoë attempted to jump out of the chair, Milo prepared himself for a fight.

"Duratus!" Instantly both felt compelled to stop; they seemingly froze in place. A smile spread across Palomi's face,

"A strong will, good. I apologize for the suddenness of all of this but it is for the greater good. All of you are going to go through a change. No a shift." At the end of the statement, one of the men injected Milo and Isaiah. Milo's head began to spin as the world faded away.