Blood Trace

Dante was slowly stirring, and as he gained consciousness he could tell something was not right. His pillow felt flatter, his blanket rough. Slowly he opened his eyes.

When Dante opened his eyes, fear started to invade his mind. He had no idea where he was. Sitting up, Dante shook his head and thought he had to be dreaming. Looking around he could see he was in a large room, at least as large as his high school gym. There were rows of cots, at least fifty of them, and some of those cots had people in them.

Dante wasn't the first one awake either. As Dante continued scanning the room he saw a dwarf, two elves, a gnome, and one other human awake. Counting all the sleeping bodies as well, Dante counted 23, including himself. He noticed something else too. Everyone was wearing the same simple garb. Grey shirt, and grey pants.

Dante leaned forward to stand up, and his hand felt something small beneath his blanket. He pulled the blanket back and sitting on his cot was the small cylinder Pops had given him for his birthday. He quickly tucked it in his waistband before anyone could see it.

"But why is it here?" Dante thought to himself. He didn't remember falling asleep with it on him.

"Umm, hey there." A voice said beside Dante.

Looking up Dante noticed the other human had walked over to his bunk, seeing that he was now awake.

Dante gave the young man a look over. He was a little taller than Dante. He had brown hair at about shoulder length. He wore glasses, and looked very very nervous. He was constantly looking over his shoulder, as if awaiting an attack at any moment.

"Hi..." Dante said cautiously. "Where exactly are we?" he asked.

"I was hoping you would tell me." The young man said dejectedly. "My name is Grant by the way."

"I'm Dante." Dante replied, standing up and reaching out his hand.

Grant shook Dante's hand then let go. He nodded over Dante's shoulder.

"Have you ever seen anything like that before?" Grant asked.

Dante turned around, and when he did what he saw confused him. Standing next to the only door in the room stood what could be best described as a large man constructed completely of pieces of metal. He wore no armor, had no hair, and as far as anyone could tell no clothes. Not that he was naked. His entire body was different segments of smooth metal that formed the general shape of a man. And while his body looked like metal, his eyes seemed alive. They could be seen looking back and forth across the room, keeping tabs on all the people in the room.

"What. Is. That." Dante said in confused wonder. He had never heard of such a thing. Was it a construct? Some strange machine created by some crazy gnome? And what did they want with all the people in this room? Were they going to experiment on them?

As all these thoughts swam through his head a new realization struck him. He was officially 16.

"Some birthday." Dante muttered looking sadder than ever.

"Wait, it's your birthday?" Grant asked him suddenly.

"Yeah, I'm 16 today." Dante said. Grant was staring at him with a weird look on his face.

"16. You turn 16 today?" Grant said, making sure he was hearing right.

"Yeah, why what wrong?" Dante asked confused.

"Today is my 16th birthday too." Grant said

Dante looked around and he started to wonder, could everyone in here 16 years old today?

Dante made a decision and started to walk across the room. He was moving fast and Grant could tell he was walking up to the two elves who were already awake. By this point more people were rising from their cots, confusion and shock were evident on their faces. But not Dante's. He looked concerned, and determined.

As Dante approached the two elves, they looked up at him. He could tell they were wood elves from their identical facial features. They looked to be twin brother and sister, with barely a difference between the two. Confusion spread across their faces because they didn't know this guy, but he was walking up to them very quickly.

Dante skipped all the pleasantries. "How old are you?" He asked the two elves.

They looked at each other and back to Dante. "16." said the boy.

"Today?" Dante asked loudly. "Is your birthday today?"

"Yes." The girl responded, obviously confused and frightened.

"And you?" Dante turned to the dwarf, who wasn't far away.

"Aye lad, 16 today." She said.

"We all turn 16 today." Grant said, finally connecting the dots Dante had moments earlier.

"This is strange, really strange." Dante said looking at the others.

As each of them looked each other with worried expressions, a strange sound filled the air. After a moment Dante realized they were words, and they were coming from the metal man.

"Everyone wake up!" The metal man screeched. It's voice sounded like metal being torn by shear force. "It's time to go, line up at the door." On his last word he banged the butt of his spear into the floor three times, making a loud pounding sound.

Those still sleeping were brought out of their sleep by the loud voice of the metal man, not having any clue where they were or what was going on. A few of the others had heard Dante and the others talking but they still didn't have a clue either. All any of them knew was they were all 16 that day. Nervously a few of them began to walk forward toward the door, and still others had not moved out of fear.

The metal man banged his spear on the ground. "NOW!" he roared.

With that all of the rest began to line up, including Dante. Dante looked around the room and noticed there was still one person in there bunk. Angrily, the metal man stomped forward until he reached their cot. He was about to grab the blanket when everyone heard a girls voice call out, "Yeah, yeah I heard ya." and the blanket threw itself back.

When the girl stood and turned around she looked normal at first, but then Dante noticed something odd. Growing from her bottom jaw were two teeth a little longer than the rest, like small tusks.

"Half-Orc." Grant hissed in his ear.

Dante was dumbstruck. Other than the small tusks she looked like any other girl. Orcs were generally a dark green or muddy brown. Her skin tone was like that of a human who enjoyed laying in the sun. She had brown hair with orange streaks pulled up in a bun. She was tall too. Taller than most people Dante knew.

Half-Orcs were almost unheard of. Most Orcs that cross paths with someone of a different race would rather battle to the death than get friendly. And with the war going on for more than 30 years, it seemed almost impossible this girl should be here at all.

The girl made her way slowly to the back of the line. When she finally fell in she crossed her arms. She didn't look worried or confused. She just looked pissed off.

Seeing the girl fall into place the metal man walked forward back to the door, grumbling to himself about how all kids were brats. He hated guard duty. He was bored out of his mind, and getting bad attitudes from kids wasn't exactly a plus either. He sighed inwardly, then rapped on the door twice.

The door opened slowly to reveal a long hallway. Standing directly in front of the door was a large humanoid body in full armor.

Dante thought of it as humanoid, but this creature was again unlike any he had ever seen. It's hands and feet were too large for armor. It's hands and feet were also scaly, with a claw protruding from each digit. Behind it a long muscular tail extended down to the floor, also covered in scales. It's helmet had a long snout, and leathery wings sprouted from its back. It's armor was silver plate, but every where the scales could be seen shone with a copper tone.

In a low growl this new creature said, "You will now follow me. Stay close, we are on a schedule."

With that he turned his back and started walking, and the others soon followed. As he was walking down the hallway Dante noticed there were no other doors, just the one they came out of. Along the walls portraits were hung depicting different individuals. One portrait stuck out to Dante the most. It was simply blank. As he looked down the hall he noticed the exit was just ahead. It had no door, it simply opened up into another room. Light spilling into the hall from the room obstructed Dante's view on what was on the other side.

Soon the creature leading them brought them into a very large chamber, at least the size of the one he woke up in. There was a wall directly to the right, and the lizard like man lined them up across it. To the left of the entrance Dante saw a large half circle staircase leading up to a dais with a small orb on top. Standing at the dais a row of seats could be seen forming a half circle, 8 in total.

The lizard man walked back down past Dante and the others, to stand next to where they had entered from. When he took his spot, flames lit sconces that covered the walls around the room. Then suddenly from the same hall they had just walked down, footsteps could be heard approaching.

"There weren't any other doors though." Dante thought to himself. He was absolutely sure he sure he didn't see any other door. Besides the room they had just came from, there was nothing else down that hall.

Then, coming through the entryway, came several beings.

First through was a Pale man, dressed in all black. Black oily hair hugged his face, framing his blood red eyes. He wore black leather clothing, and long black cape. Around his neck hung a wolfs head pendant, and upon his right ring finger, a ring in the shape of a bat with its wings spread.

Behind him came a large being that looked something like a dragon. He wore light armor, his golden scales shining brightly. He wore no helmet, and looked very noble. Just like the guard that led them here he had the same large tail and leathery wings protruding from his back. They had to be the same race.

Next a very dapper man came waltzing out. He had bright red skin, slicked back hair, and two small horns protruding from his head. He wore expensive looking clothing, complete with frilled cuffs, and boots with large buckles. From his lower back a thin red tail, with a triangular tip protruded from his waistcoat.

Behind him what could only be described as an angel entered the room. She had flowing blond hair with a halo above her head. She glowed with a radiant, unearthly beauty. From her back sprouted large, white feathered wings. She wore a white gown with a golden sash. She carried with her a harp she held to her chest. As she entered the room she looked across the group and spotted Dante, and gave him a small smile.

"Did she just smile at me? Does she know who I am?" Dante wondered internally.

After the angel came another man made completely of metal. But unlike the previous guard he shone and looked like he was forged of a much sturdier substance. His plates were much larger as well, covering larger patches of area.

Floating in behind the shining metal man came a tiny woman, with bright pink butterfly wings. Her hair was electric yellow, with blue streaks that looked like lightning. She wore a regal, flowing red gown. Where ever she flew sparkles appeared around her, and chimes could be heard in her wake. The first thing Dante thought of was "Fairy".

And a large furry creature came out last. Looking at it the first thing Dante thought of were the ancient fairy tales of beings called werewolves. Half man and half wolf, he walked on two legs that seemed to bend at awkward angles. He wore pants and nothing else. But he didn't look feral or wild. His eyes seemed human, and it looked like the fur on his head was brushed.

The newcomers walked silently up a small staircase opposite the dais and stood by there seats. They all looked at each other. The angel woman stared at the group of teenagers, and then spoke softly.

"When your name is called, please ascend to the dais to begin the blood trace." She said loudly, yet gently.