Deep within the confines of the Underworld a shadowy figure lurks through the endless caverns and tunnels; searching for their master. The atmosphere gradually becomes hotter and hotter.

“I must be getting closer.”

Further the being traveled into the fiery furnace. Cloaked in a deep violet hooded robe, the Sorceress Monica approached one of the Underworld pits. Every pit around bubbled and spit fiery, molten earth rock. But this pit was seemly different. It spewed molten earth, but it also had a black substance mixing throughout it. This substance was what Monica had been searching for. She raised her hood revealing an aged woman. From beneath her robe she withdrew a book. She stroked her hand across it’s cover feeling the engraved lines and curves of letters. These letters made up a language long forgotten by man, only surviving by the hands of black magic. She opened the book, carefully turning the fragile aging parchment. Turning to her page she looked over the title of the spell. “Diavol Reincarnare.” Raising her hand over the pit she recited the spell.

“A se ridica din nou pierdut suflet. O data din nou a putea voi stapanire aceste lume.”

The black substance separated itself from the pit. It rose into the air and gently settled onto the ground, the slick black substance began to mold and shape itself into a familiar form. It had solified presenting the form of a person in a long black hooded robe who had long silver hair, pale skin and blazing red eyes.

“Welcome back to the world of the living Xanamros.”

Xanamros turned toward Monica and sneered a wicked smile. “Yes it is. Now then, there is work to be done.”

Chapter 1: Reality

Nerisella awoke to Hayden shaking her.

“Nerisella wake up it’s a dream, it’s a dream.”

Nerisella sat upright in bed, soaked in cold sweat. Hayden sat next to her on the bed, she reached over and braced him tightly, shaking and trembling.

“It was just a dream Nerisella.” He brushed his hand across her back soothingly, then pulled her away and kissed her upon her forehead.

“I know it was, but this one I never had before. It was my Aunt Monica and she brought Xanamros back to life. When he looked at her it seemed like he was staring past her and right into my mind. But your right, let’s get back to sleep.”

Nerisella settled herself back down as Hayden went around to his side and laid down. He moved closer to her and draped his arm over her. She relaxed and let her mind drift off to sleep.

The sound of metal meeting metal filled the morning air. Hayden stepped back avoiding Nerisella’s lance. She was improving greatly. But the previous night’s activities began to take its toll in her accuracy. She blocked his lance and took a step back, raising her lance. She left herself wide open for a hit and Hayden saw his chance. Thrusting his lance forward he caught Nerisella off guard and touched the tip of his lance to her suit.

“Touché’ my lady.” Hayden stood back and bowed humbly.

Nerisella removed her face guard and let her sandy, golden locks down from their uplifted position. “You just got lucky. If I wasn’t so tired I would have won this round. Now we’re tied, feel like one more round.”

About to answer Hayden was interrupted by a little voice.

“Daddy! Mommy!”

Running across the green lush castle grounds came a little brown curly haired, green-eyed boy. The five year old pride and joy of Hayden and Nerisella.

“What are you doing out here Tameron,” said Nerisella. To think just six years ago her life was in total chaos from Xanamros. Since then she had gotten married to the man of her dreams and had a blessed baby boy.

Hayden reached down and lifted Tameron onto his shoulders. “Tameron your mother’s right. Aren’t you suppose to be taking your nap?”

“I was Daddy,” remarked Tameron as he swung from his father’s hands. “I had this amazing dream and just had to tell you ‘bout it!”

Nerisella giggled at her beaming son. “Alright Tameron tell us, what was your dream.”

Tameron leaped to the ground and began spinning his tale.

“I was playing outside, a rabbit hopped by so I began to ‘ase it. I ‘ollowed it around the castle, but when it went into the garden it wasn’ the garden any’ore.”

Nerisella raised a brow and glanced toward Hayden who resembled her expression in every way. Was this just a dream Tameron was telling or more. “What do you mean Tameron?”

“Mommy the garden had huge twees with tees green things all over them. I could no find the rabbit, but I hear this nice lady’s voice. It say Tameron come here I have somesing for you. It sounded lot like you Mommy. So I looked for the voice, I ‘ollowed it to a cave. I no liked the cave it was dark and scary looking. But the lady’s voice was inside so I went in. The cave was really warm inside and some red stuff was coming out of the gwound. It was hot so I no touch it. Then I saw the lady with the nice voice. She pointed at me and told me to come to her. I went over to the lady and asked her ‘You said you have somesing for me yes?’ She said yes and told me to turn around. When I did there was a tall man wearing a robe. He waised his hand over me and made me look him in the eyes. His eyes were really red. He then told me somesing, ‘You will obey my every command and become my servant for eternity.’ Then I woke up.”

Tameron was breathing heavily trying to catch his breath from his seemly endless tale. Spinning arms spread out wide he made his way back to the castle.

Nerisella walked up to Hayden putting her arm around his waist and raised her other hand to his chest. She held him close. “Hayden that didn’t sound like a dream.”

“I know, he just described Xanamros to us. Maybe your dream wasn’t a dream either?” He placed one hand on her shoulder the other across her hand placed on his chest. They held each other tightly as they watched their son play with a castle guard.