It was cold but that didn't stop Felix Mena from walking to the Market. He wore a heavy jacket to keep the wind from bouncing on his body and his usual attire: a green long sleeve T-shirt half tucked into some jeans with a belt. Along his side hung a pouch which houses a small dagger. Over his left shoulder he carried a backpack filled with the essentials for hunting; some spare clothes, rope, a stell mirror, flint, and some wooden stakes. Today he carried no sword as he planned on doing some basic investigating

Only a few days ago the Market was home do a vicious murder scene. Twenty-two found dead at a nearby fountion shortly after the morning fog had rolled in. Details from the article he carried with him gave little information. Two guards had apparently been killed when they tried to apprehend the culprit. That description had been brief as well. Female, appearing in her early twenties, blond hair, pale skin, blue eyes and carried a guitar. It sounded unlike a threat to Felix but the paper had indicated to not confront this woman. Felix knew better than to misjudge the seemly innocent.

He approahced the fountain and circled it twice. The market was rather quiet for this time of day but that was understandtable. No venders would want to be squawking their fares with a killer at large. Felix gathered his thoughts as me made those laps around the fountain. Twenty-two dead, just like that. "I should have been here," he muttered to himself though it was impossilbe for the human to be at two places at the same time. He knew this yet the feeling of guilt sunk deep. Instead of out patroling the city that evening, he was spending it with Sadie. Patroling is what he did. It's how he protected those who needed help from the usual creepyness that surrounded Rhy'din. But it was Sadie, the first love he has experienced since becoming a citizen of the city via the Nexus ten years ago. The image of her clashed with his thoughts and he was unclear where to begin his investigation. A promised made to Sadie, Felix had no intentions of putting himself into harm's way. But he was curious. He was angry. He was lost and confused as to why this could have happened.

(This entry co-wrote by Sadie and Felix. Produced by the Gnomes of Rhy'din - the best pranksters in all of Rhy'din - order you very own starter kit today!) Sadie was on a must-find-butterscotch mission in the Marketplace when she came across a square in utter ruin. The smell of blood still lingered in the air. Crimson still littered the streets. For a moment she stood there, a bit dazed, confused even, the smell and the taste of iron in the air assulting her keen senses. Blue hued skin paled, all prior thoughts vanished as she looked down to smeered stains and pools of crimson life splattered carelessly on the cobbled streets. Once again, Sadie's eyes flickered over the scene, surprise and shock clear on her face. Each second she took in observing the scene was enough for her to process and gather data. It was a vast store of chatoic knowledge in her mind. But for the moment there was nothing but sheer terror. She knew that had to be a shocking amout of loss, of bodies, and this was the thing Felix was hunting. The basket she had in her hand was dropped at her feet, her blue lips parted, and wide blue eyes staring in horror at the nearest stained blood pool. The cold wind blew across from the sea into the Market as Felix Mena traveled lightly tonight. The wore a small jacket over his usual upper attire and positioned on the left side of his body was a small pouch that hung from his belt. It housed a small dagger. His heavy feet pounded the cobblestone street as he walked. He was taking a detour to the Dockside District by passing through the market, the hunt for the girl would start once he got a final look at the square. As he moved his eyes and mind were open for anything. With Rhy'din one could be sure to run into some trouble at any moment despite some of it's safer scenes and hell, even those were questionable at times. Ten years of a hunter's life had taught Felix a thing or two about surviving. He stopped at the squre in question, spotting the least of all people he'd expected to see there. A small frown crossed his lips. This wasn't the place for her. It wasnt' safe, especially after what recently occured. "Sadie?" He questioned and swiftly moved to her. "What are you doing here?" Subtext; You shouldn't be out here by yourself. She was in shock, sheer shock. Sadie hadn't even realized he was there. Her hands were shaking, blue eyes nearly coming out of their sockets. Tears hadn't fallen, but they were building up. What could do this" How much danger was Felix in" Why wasn't this thing stopped" How could something be so brutal" What kind of danger was Felix in" Could he get hurt, could he die" When Felix spoke she was in far too much shock to registar his words. Her eyes hadn't even left the pool of blood. Felix wrapped his arms around her placing her head on his shoulders. It was a simple gesture of comfort as he stroked her back. "It's okay. Whatever did this is long gone. For now," he lied of course. There was no telling if this killer would return to find them, or anyone. The young man refrained from telling her about the murders, it probably slipping from his mind everytime she took his breath away when entering a room. Likewise, he wasn't about to share his venture into Dockside tonight with her either. It was simply to dangerous and though he had seen her duel with magic several times, he didn't want the weight of putting someone he loved in danger. In time, he would come clean about his connections and even looked forward to the day she would be able to join him on his missions. Sadie couldn't speak, all of this was too much. Sure she had seen her share of death, but the enemies she had faced tried to bond with flesh, not tear it appart. Truth be told her parents kept her away from the blood shed. Her hands clasped Felix's shirt, clutching to him even as his frame distorted the stained blood pool from sight. The reality that he could die at any moment was a weight, a very heavy weight. Felix unwrapped himself from the comforting hug. He tried to place his thoughts with hers. It took a few minutes for him to understand the situation to a minor extent. "At least it wasn't me," he joked looking down at the crime scene, "not that it ever will be." He turned to face her blue eyes. "You know that right' Something like this will never happen to me." His own dark brown eyes and the weight of his voice was serious. His words forced Sadie's tears to break free. Pools spilled forth and traveled down her cheeks as she sobbed weakly. "H...h...how do you know?" Tears dropping like rain from her chin. His life was more important to her than her cooking, her school, her magic. Everything. Felix gave another attempt of a relaxing laugh, "I've been doing this for ten years. Look, not a scar on me. At least not physical ones," he joked again. "Besides, I have some insight on these things and I always win." A thought occured to him. If he was ever in great danger, the Celestial friend of his better cough up the information. "Not to mention, I'm kind of a badass." There was a slight lift in his tone, almost bragging of the number of things he's killed. "Trust me. I'm good at what I do." Sadie's head fell, she pressed up into his shoulder and lightly sobbed out. Tears pooled out against his shirt, still clinging to him for support. Sobs muffled beneath the fabric he wore. Truth be told, Sadie would be quite worried about Felix now considering that she knew what he was up against. Could she put him in danger" A single thought and he's be in danger of distaction. Felix wrapped his arms around her again holding her close letting her cry. He swayed to and forth keeping her close and safe. This isn't how he pictured his evening starting out. "Recall the promise I made to you the other night' The one about if I was ever in dnager, I'd feel better if I ran away from the fight I knew I can't win" That's because of you. I made that promise for you. For us." Not that there was ever a fight he thought he'd lose when his life depended on it. Sadie nodded against his shoulder, weak sniffles and small sobs coming. Finally her big pools turned to lock on his brown hues, her face red from the salty tears. "I just don't want to lose you," Sadie said, pools still locked upon his eyes. Felix released a weak laugh. "Nonsense. The only way you're going to lose me is if the Nexus suddenly opens back up and sends me crashing back in LA - ten years later!" He looked skyward hoping he just didn't jinx himself. "I'm that hard to get rid of," he grinned. "Now, why are you here" Not that you can't take care of yourself. I know you can do well against danger." His right foot reached out and with a lift brought the basket to his hand with his foot. "Shopping?" "I was looking for butterscotch..." she answered. But at that moment all that mattereed was the man before her. One of her hands extended, took hold of the basket as she dabbed her eyes with her other hand, drying them. "It's for a dessert I was making." "Dessert?" he perked with interest. "Will it be ready when I'm done with my patrol...," he paused to correct himself "stroll?" Felix didn't want to upset her anymore and tonight had it's fair chance of violence. The blond girl he was sent to protect and escort to Maureyn was sure to cause the wrong kind of attention. "Patrol?" Sadie replied. She was just that observant. Sadie continued to look to him. He had to be honest with her like she would be with him. Great one Felix, way to slip up, the young man took a deep breath. "Patrol yes. But it's nothing serious," he quickly covered his statement. "Just a friend of mine had this little vision of a girl who needs help." Little vision of a girl had her staring at him and somehow, smirking. Oh how she could tease him about that, but not now. That wouldn't be nice of her to do. "When will you be done?" "It won't take long. Just a visit down to Dockside," there he went again, revealing too much information and especially about a part of town that was more suited to be called Badside. She knew at the end all she could do was have faith. Swallowing softly, her hand fumbled with his shirt, "I was making dinner and dessert, think you won't be long?" "Nope. Should be a walk in the park," he nodded. "It's a simple enough mission. I hardly expect anything exciting will even happen." He had to stop talking about it or else she'd want to come along. "But cooking, that's...that's certainly more entertaining than what I'm up to tonight." "Most of it is well, you know..." she bit her lip gently, squeezing his hands and whispering out to him, "please, please come home." Felix smiled and gave her a tight embrace. "I will. You can count on it."

Chapter Two: The Red Dragon Inn

Felix continued to lead the way for several blocks. Eventually they arrived at their destination, a large building with plenty of sounds coming from inside. There was a porch with a few patrons enjoying drinks standing around a talking. Felix greeted them with a nod. Clair greeted them with curiosity. They weren't human. Humanoid yes, but humans didn't have high cheek bones and pointed ears. Clair followed Felix into the inn as he pushed open the door. The place was croweded dispite the late hour and it was filled with even more of these creatures Clair could not understand. Felix paused and spotted his target at the bar seated on a stool. She had long brown curly hair and a long purple dress that hung from straps on her shoulders. High cheek bones and longed tanned legs gave her the presence of sheer beauty. Her name was Maureyn. She turned to Felix and gave a slight nod raising a small glass of wine to her lips. "Let's go upstairs," he whispered to Clair. He then added, "Do not be afraid. Many of them arrived the same way you and I did." His feet carried him off up some distant stairs as Clair closely followed. Traveling down a narrow hallway Felix came to a room 214 and removed a key from his pocket. He placed the key into the lock twisted and entered waiting for Clair to follow. She gazed in impression by it's neatness. A bed was positoned along the wall. There was a separate room that housed a toliet, tub and sink. Several wooden dressers of various sizes were also positioned through the room and one even had a large distinct mirror. Felix moved over to an open window blowing in the cool night breeze and shut it. Shortly after the room door opened and the young lady Felix nodded to in the bar entered. "Our Damsel in distress," he pointed to Clair. "Clair meet Mauryen; Maureyn meet Clair, the girl from your vision." The lady nodded closing the door behind her, "Nice to meet you Clair. I'm delighted Felix made it to you in time." "Vision?" Clair asked. "She's the one I told you about," pointed out Felix. Maureyn pushed herself farther into the room. "Visions, yes," she nodded with a brief pause. "Would you like something to eat or drink?" her sweet voiced offered. Clair remarked with slight sarcasum, "I don't think I can stomach anything at the moment. But thank you. Felix said you can explain my future?" "Aye. Felix is never comfortable explaining the truth. He has a harsh way of making it sound as worse than it really is," Maureyn reguaded her friend with a smile. "But he means well. I have visions, a gift I aquired when I entered Rhy'din through the Nexus. They allow me to see events happening before they actually do. Felix who is gifted with excetional hand to hand combat and swords, answeres those visions." "How does this explain my future?" asked Clair. "How is this going to help me get back home?" "I told you," Felix stated, "there is no way back home. You're stuck here just like the rest of us." Maureyn frowned at Felix in disappointment, "There are some who can travel the Nexus freely, but finding them is a hard task. Just because Felix has given up hope, doesn't mean you should." Felix shrugged, "I'm just being honest. It's best she understand that she may never find a way home." As Felix has spoken those words before, it was the first time they truly overcame Clair. She felt her chest tigthen up finding in hard to swallow. Maureyn noticed the younger one's reaction and comforted her with a pat on the back. "It's true, I'm afraid, but we're here to help. " "Help how?" Clair asked. "You're both telling me that I'll never see my friends or family again; that I've been sucked into another world with creatures I'd find in a book of fiction. How can you possibly help?" She voice was sharp and angry. "We can just shove you out the door and let you fend for yourself," his voice clearly showing the expression that he didn't have time for this. "Rhy'din is a city with no laws. It's goverend by a strict honor but that doesn't mean you want find something around the corner that'll want to rip you face right off." Again Maureyn gave Felix a stern look. "Or you can try option 2. We can train you. We're offering the same thing we were offered when we came through the Nexus which is a chance to defend yourself and some peace of mind. This isn't going to be an easy transition, but with us by your side, you'll be safe." "It looks as if I don't have a choice," admitted Clair. Felix made for the door, "You do. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm late for dinner," and with some quickness he created his exit and left swinging the door behind him. "Is he always a charmer with the ladies?" Clair joked as Maureyn smiled. "Where is he going?" "A charmer with the ladies" No, there is only one lady he's currently charming and he's going to have supper with her." she simply answered.