A Return

[Veritus]

Veritus rose quickly out of bed in a cold sweat. After slightly catching his breath he jerked the sheets off of him and walked to the bowl of water sitting on a table. He splashed the cooling water over his face a few times before leaning against the small table and staring down in the water at his own reflection. He raised his head and looked out the window to see it was still night.

He decided since he was up, he might as well go check on the Temple as something did not feel right. Upon reaching the Temple doors, a sense of dread took over him. He slowly opened the heavy metal doors and strolled in cautiously peering around the dim lit chamber. Veritus then went upstairs to continue what seemed like an exploration of the Temple he knew so well. It was empty, vacant, abandoned. No other Mondainite was to be seen or heard. It seemed that they all had vanished.

Veritus took a seat at the table in the upstairs dining room and contemplated on what could have happened. In soft, uncertain sounding words he spoke, “What could have happened to my comrades? Someone must have taken them... Or worse. I must figure out what has happened!” The next words from his mouth were spoken strongly, “Kal Ort Por.”

Veritus’s spell had brought him back to his home to find someone in a hooded figure standing in front of his home. Veritus yelled solidly, “Who in the hell are you?” The hooded figure let out a chuckle, a chuckle that Veritus had heard before. “I see you have found a new faith.” Veritus glared at the figure and replied, “Aye that I have. But the Temple has been abandoned and I no longer hear His voice. I am afraid I that faith is now lost. Now, tell me, who are you?” The figure slowly removed his hood. Veritus stood petrified as if he had seen a ghost.

“Xie... Xieji?!” The figure smirked slyly, “I knew you couldn’t forget your brother. I hear you have a new name for yourself. Veritus now, is it?” Veritus returned the smirk and replied, “That was the name the Temple gave me, and the Temple is dead. I am Cao Qaolian.”