Enjoy and let me know what you think guys. Please note that in Chapter 1 there is some violence, be warned before you read it. [u][b]Prologue[/b][/u] I do not remember much from the fighting; only that they came without notice and we were losing. I heard stories of the Golden Age, how a mystical relic helped us to expand beyond our solar system and into the unknown of space. It’s sad to think the worlds we could have discovered if we were not so focused on surviving. Humans are dreamers, and I often wondered what treasures are buried in the unknown worlds. The reality however, was different. Whatever hit us, did so hard. We were knocked from our pedestal and started drifting inwards; back in safe zones, fighting but losing one planet at time. I was born on Earth, but I heard my parents talking, arguing about the monsters that were closing in on us. At this point little was known about the relic if one can call it that; it was as if we had a second moon hovering Earth. Scholars, scientist even religions tried to make sense of it but were unable to find a logical explanation as to why this relic travelled from a faraway galaxy only to end up here. Fittingly humanity gave it a name: The Traveler. When Earth became our final standing ground, it became clear: build the Last City in the Travelers shadow. Someone discovered that the Traveler had a shield; with the approval of the Order, we began building the Wall. There were rumours that the Order also gave this responsibility to a new selected group of soldiers that will protect the city and the Wall, at all costs. As fitting as any title could be this new class of soldiers were named Titans. Being handpicked by the Order itself was a great honour for both my parents. Their love for each other was only second to the honour and responsibility they had towards humanity and the final fights ahead. I never got to see a monster as a child, only the descriptions from the stories mother told me when she got back at nights. I often wondered why we’re losing if we were winning so many battles. Father at least was more honest with his stories but they too had a good ending. In many ways, I envied them but was terrified of losing either. I tried to cherish each moment with them and seeing them in their fully fitted Titan armour, made me proud of being their son. Although certainly not the most sociable kid, I was the most popular at school. Teachers and kids alike came up to me to ask me, what was the latest from the Wall, how were mother and father getting on, and if I would join them in the fight someday. That was a question that would answer itself. School was a blur for the most part but there was one incident that will stay with me forever. During my college years I was working hard to understand quantum mechanics; needless to say no matter how many hours spent in front of a book, none of it made sense. I decided to clear my mind and went for a trip near the Traveler for inspiration. Under the Traveler, the Order built a temple to appease the High Priest of the Last City; something of an homage to it. This was unlike any temple the world has ever seen but one could describe it as a huge golden dome very similar to Jetavanaramaya; several references were made to it during its construction from ancient texts. On the outside of the dome was crystal clear water that symbolizes tranquillity; inside was a different story. Beyond the scanners and the security checks at the entrance, there was a huge library for studying that contained the last books of knowledge, silent computers for research, and a training combat room for Titans to enhance their fighting skills; each of these rooms having their own level. My favourite however was the top level. This room was a grand hall with pillars spanning across the level; with guidance from the ancient text, the Order again tried to recreate the Great Hypostyle Hall. The pillars themselves were inscribed with ancient text, familiar only to scholars and priests and were supporting the final part of the dome. Walking towards the centre of the hall, one could look up and see the Traveler through the glass roof. Mesmerising as it is, philosophers came here to study for years and even pray to it for humanity’s survival. However little was heard from the Traveler; until now. Sitting in the centre of the hall, I opened my book to make sense of it. The stillness of the room and the lack of noise helped with meditation and studying. The specific chapter I recall was on the sun. The theory was that the Sun has magnetic forces deep within its core which act in disorder, and how this causes the Brownian Motion. Inside the sphere this can result in a single sinusoidal wave at its equator. I started imagining the sun, not only the heat it generates, but also holding it in my hand and using its energy to help father and mother. From within the centre of the hall, I reached out as if to touch the Traveler, that somehow it might impart some of its wisdom with me. Nothing happened. Returning to my book I started to change the page; suddenly the page was getting hot, so hot that I thought my hand would burn. Startled, I dropped the book and looked at my hand. A small ball started to appear, then faded. Was that real? Did I really feel the heat of the sun? I started focusing myself, trying to get back into that state of mind. The thoughts came easier this time; the sun, energy, parents and pride. I lifted to see my palms, like small miniature suns, two ball of fires were in palm of my hands. I tried to make them fade but could not, so I tossed them like a grenade hitting one of the nearby pillars. Needless to say the damage was extensive. The blast caused the security team to contain me. They took me to the bottom level of the dome where other potential criminals were held. They would lock people up for vandalizing the dome and judge either to send them to the Order for further punishment or to be released but be banned from the Temple permanently. For all intents and purposes the place felt like a prison and a courtroom at the same time. The guards interrogated me of course; first by accusing me of attempting of destroying the hall and continually asking me how did I get past the security checks with explosives. I told them the truth but did not believe me. When I was eventually released due to my parent’s reputation, I went straight to them to request an audience in front of the Order. Usually it takes months to get a hearing, however proceedings were done quickly thanks to father, and within days of the incident I was taken before the Order. The Order were housed in one of the newest and tallest building in the centre of the city, not too far from the temple. The Order was a small group of 10 individuals made up from soldiers, scientists and priests. They dictate how the important matters are handled in the Last City. Needless to say that even in front of the entire Order and my parents no one believed me. The High Priest bemoaned: “Disrespecting the Temple requires the severest of punishments. Even if your parents are respected Titans, this should not go unpunished.” “Esteem High Priest, members of the Order, I need a minute to focus and attempt to recreate the event that took place, with your permission.” The priest took his seat with the other members while they convened. At some point I heard someone say “preposterous”. “Please continue.” I took a moment and closed my eyes; I imagined the dome, sitting in the hall under the Traveler. I focused on the Traveler and imagined the sun in my hand. “Well, what are you waiting for?” the High Priest shrieked. I could feel the connection with the Traveler becoming stronger. I raised my hands and open my palms as if to draw the energy from somewhere. “This is ridiculous tha……” I opened my eyes and threw the flare in the middle of room. Just as before, it erupted. “How did you do that?” mother asked. “I do not know. I focus my energy having the Traveler in mind. I think about the sun and how I can feel it in my hand.” “Can you teach us how to use it?” “I am not sure, but I think there is more to the Traveler than we know. We should be around it, study it and learn from it.” “Wait outside son” father said in a stern voice. “Let the all wise Order decide what to do.” Outside the room I felt nauseous and excited at the same time. This could be a turning point in the fight. This what the Traveler was sent to do. It all felt clicking into place. A few hours later mother emerged from the room followed by father and the rest of the Order. Last one out was the High Priest looking angry. He walked passed while stating at me straight in the eye. Infuriated it seems by whole situation. Mother embraced me and father shook my hand. “Congratualtions!” father said. “There is another class that will be fighting with the Titans after all.” “Son, you are the first Warlock.”