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x-----------------------------x | Mystique: Ages in Time | | R e a d m e | | v 1.0 | x-----------------------------x TABLE OF CONTENTS: 1. System Requirements 2. Getting Started 3. General Troubleshooting 4. Gameplay Issues 5. Ages In Time story 1. System Requirements ---------------------------- Minimum System for smooth Low-Res Gameplay: Pentium 75 MHz and up 16 MB RAM 1 MB VIDEO MEMORY 125 MB HARD DRIVE SPACE FOR INSTALLATION 60 MB HARD DRIVE SPACE TO PLAY Recommended System for smooth Hi-Res Gameplay: Pentium 133 MHz and up 16 MB RAM or more 2 MB VIDEO MEMORY 125 MB HARD DRIVE SPACE FOR INSTALLATION 60 MB HARD DRIVE SPACE TO PLAY * Note - You will get slightly better performance if you run Ages In Time in DOS 2. Getting Started ---------------------------- Ages in Time was designed so that it could be installed directly into your existing Duke Nukem 3D directory, without affecting the original game. Please follow the instructions below, based on the version of Ages In Time that you downloaded. For the Single File Installer Download: 1) If you downloaded agestime.exe, the file is a completely self contained windows installer. Place agestime.exe into a temp directory ie: c:\temp. 2) From the Windows 95 desktop, click START, then RUN, then locate agestime.exe in the temp directory, and double click on it. The install will then be started. 3) After a few minutes, you will see a cool graphic, and hear the title midi begin to play. Review the instructions on the first few screens. Click next to advance through each screen. 4) When prompted, locate the Duke Nukem 3D Directory that you would like to install Ages in Time into. Those should be the same directory containing your duke3d.exe file. Ages in Time is now being installed on your computer. When the installation completes, if you are running Windows 95, you will have an Icon on your Windows 95 desktop. A program group called Ages in Time will also be added to your Start Menu Program Group. If you are using Windows 3.1, no program groups are created. You can launch Ages in Time by runninging agesdos.exe from the duke3d directory that you installed Ages in Time into. For the Split File Installer Download: 1) If you downloaded the split file version of Ages in Time, each zip file should be extracted to a common temp directory. ie: c:\temp. 2) From the Windows 95 desktop, click START, then RUN, then locate setup.exe in the temp directory and double click on it. The install will then be started. 3) After a few minutes, you will see a cool graphic, and hear the title midi begin to play. Review the instructions on the first few screens. Click next to advance through each screen. 4) When prompted, locate the Duke Nukem 3D Directory that you would like to install Ages in Time into. Those should be the same directory containing your duke3d.exe file. Ages in Time is now being installed on your computer. When the installation completes, if you are running Windows 95, you will have an Icon on your Windows 95 desktop. A program group called Ages in Time will also be added to your Start Menu Program Group. If you are using Windows 3.1, no program groups are created. You can launch Ages in Time by runninging agesdos.exe from the duke3d directory that you installed Ages in Time into. For the Non-Install Single File Zip Download Extract the contents of the zip directly into the the same directory as duke3d.exe (or comparable filename on mac). To play Ages In Time on the PC version of Duke, run the agesdos.exe file. If you are running Ages In Time on the Macintosh, drag "Ages.grp" and "Ages.con" onto the MacDuke icon. 3. General Troubleshooting ---------------------------- Ages In Time doesn't work at all: Ages In Time is for Duke Nukem 3D v1.4/1.5 ONLY. It will not work with any other version. Do NOT run Ages In Time using a Duke3d.exe or Duke3d.grp that has been modified in any way. Also Remember the system requirements 16 MB RAM - Ages In Time will likely not work with any less due to hi res enemies, detailed maps, and what not. If you get a Runtime Error 005 in the DOS Launcher: This is a bug we believe is fixed. If you encounter it, please report it in the Ages In Time Technical Q&A Forum (www.mystique.org) - If you do not get any response, email chrisday@bigfoot.com your problem. For any other technical problems, visit the Ages In Time Technical Q&A Forum at www.mystique.org - We will try to answer your questions as soon as we can. 4. Gameplay Issues ---------------------------- I. Weapons - Weapon 1 - Plain Sword (replaces Duke Foot): Works on all enemies, powerful at close range, but you are vulnerable to all close range attacks. Weapon 2 - Sword Shooter: Not that powerful, but good at long range. Weapon 3 - Enchanted Ring: Shoots a powerful blast, a good weapon Weapon 4 - Hands of Light: Shoots rapid energy blasts at enemies. Another good long range weapon. Weapon 5 - Bow and Arrow: Shoots arrows at enemies. Requires good aim but very powerful. Weapon 6 - Gas Bombs: Powerful Explosion can kill, and if that doesn't, the poison gas cloud might. Weapon 7a - Lightning Spell: Shoots a beam which strikes whatever it hits with lightning. NOTE: Red Dragons are immune to this spell - Also DO NOT USE THIS UNDER WATER. The electricity will fry you instantaneously. Weapon 7b - Health Stealer: Shoots a beam that steals health from enemies and gives it back to you. Very effective, very cool. Weapon 8 - Crossbow: A Rapid fire of arrows. Extremely powerful if used right. Weapon 9 - Flaming Tripmine: If one stumbles upon the barbed wire, a powerful blast of death will deal fatal damage. Weapon 10 - Flame Spell: Shoots Flames. Pretty powerful. NOTE: Flames will shoot at a downward angle when you are stationary, straight when you are walking forward, and at an upward angle when you are running forward. II. Items - Lightning Spell - The difference between this and the lightning spell.. well.. See for yourself :) This spell which can only be used once per pickup will spawn a massive lightning storm killing everything in the area. Be sure to run like hell as soon as you cast the spell so it doesn't kill you too. Will not work on bosses, and will fry you if you use it under water. Elixir - Replenish lost energy with this powerup. Protect Shoes - Protect your feet from harmful things like lava. Jetpack - NOPE! Not in this game ;D III. Enemies - Doppelgangers - Common enemies throughout many levels, but you may not notice it as they take various shapes, most likely of other enemies - Danger varies upon what form it is in. Sorcerers - They shoot a lightning spell at long range, and shock you at close range. Moderately Dangerous. Knights - Posing almost no threat at long range, knights can be killers up close. A blow from their sword will deal heavy damage. Keep your distance. Moderately Dangerous. Red Dragons - Fast moving and fire breathing. From long range, their fireballs can get you if you don't pay attention. At close range they will just dig into you and not stop. Very Dangerous. Black Dragons - Slow moving but large. A little bit harder to kill, but basically just slower and bigger than red dragons. Moderately Dangerous. Spiders - Found in dark areas, they can take you by surprise. Unless you really aren't paying attention, they can't do much damage to you. If there doesn't seem to be an end of them, you probably need to destroy their web. Lightly Dangerous. Eels - They wriggle around in the water, not very fast either. Pose very little threat when you have plenty of weapons. Bats - They fly around and get in your face at times. Barely dangerous. IV. Bosses - Sorceress - Her looks may fool you. She is a killer. Avoid her fire, lightning, and other deadly attacks. Yes, you must kill this lovely woman. Very Dangerous. 2 Headed Dragon - Hiding in its dark lair in a fiery cave, he is eager to kill a visiting guest. Try to use all of your weapons to your advantage and slay this mighty beast. Extremely Dangerous. Zaronis - The evil prince bringing pain and suffering to the world of Mystique. He will stop at nothing to kill you. This battle will decide it all.. Absurdly Dangerous. V. Gameplay Q&A - If you are truly stumped by a level or think something is too hard, stop by the Ages In Time Gameplay forum at www.mystique.org 5. Ages In Time Story ---------------------------- Here is the Ages In Time Story +====================+ | Ages In Time Story | +====================+ +-----------+ | Chapter 1 | +-----------+ A Dream of things to come. Darkness. And for a moment.. everything became still. The winds stopped, the air became stale, and all was at peace. Dimitrious looked around himself; seeing fields as far as the eye can see. He looked at the brilliance of the deep blue sky; and he saw it staring right back at him. Dimitrious screamed and fell to the ground "WHHHHYYY?" he cried to the heavens above. Then it occurred to him that no one had spoken to him at all; as if he knew what was going to happen. "You must...." echoed a voice throughout the clouds. "You are the only chance." "I DID NOT ASK FOR THIS? WHAT HAVE I DONE? WHHYY? CANNOT I LIVE MY LIFE IN PEACE?" Dimitrious wept upon the ground. "Lives were not meant to be lived.. but meant to be structured to serve a truly higher purpose." "But why must I serve this purpose? Why?" Dimitrious's tears slid the caked dirt down across his face. But the clouds did not answer. Everything remained still. Somewhere off in the distance; a low thumping noise began. Soon it seemed to multiply; and growing ever closer. Neighs came from far off in the distance. The voice came back once more; "They are coming Dimitrious; there is still time. Save yourself! Mount an army! THERE'S STILL TIME! THE AGES HAVE COME! THE AGES IN TIME!!" and the voice was gone. Over the hill; black knights on black horses charged towards where Dimitrious was lying. Dimitrious stood up and tried to walk, his body would no longer move. Dimitrious began to scream as the knights grew closer. One strange faced man seem to emerge from the mass of knights dressed as a prince. The man unveiled his sword; and began to charge at Dimitrious. Dimitrious tried to scream over the great racket of the charging battalion but nothing seem to come out. The strange figure rode closer and closer to Dimitrious; until he could make out some sort of symbol on this man's cloak. As the man closed in; Dimitrious still struggled to move and scream as he saw a blade go straight to his throat. His heart pounded; darkness. Dimitrious flung himself up; sweat clinging to his body, heart pounding, and breathing heavily. He looked around in the darkness and the heard the sounds of waves gently rocking against his boat. "Just an odd dream.." Dimitrious said aloud... "just a stupid dream." Dimitrious took his candle and got out of bed. As he turned to get a cup of water; he noticed something different about the far corner of his quarters. A strange symbol that looked like a 't' was newly engraved above his bed post.. darkness.. flashing... fields... and the strange man was there.. charging at Dimitrious with his sword.. and the symbol on the man's cloak....That was the symbol! Dimitrious's body shivered and he began to get goosebumps... He blew out his candle; and walked back to his bed. He lay there shaking, for an hour or so... before the waves eventually rocked him back to sleep. As he lay there in sleep he began to mumble...... " The ages are coming.. they're coming...they are here.. the Ages in Time...." and darkness came to Dimitrious once more. +-----------+ | Chapter 2 | +-----------+ Zaronis's Introduction Zaronis looked around the table at his loyal subjects approvingly, smiling at each one as his face studied each of them. Each of them making themselves merry with wine, were more than ready to agree with the prince. And when sobriety set in some might regret their past decisions, but it was to late to say anything then; and that is why Zaronis always supplied the wine. Zaronis looked out the window at the back of the room. Such a beautiful stained-glass window, with a nice second story view of the kingdom. Zaronis's train of thought was broken by a Butler walking into the dining room. Dinner was served and the men dove into the center platter; each tearing pieces of meat from the doppelganger. Zaronis furiously looked at them; and they at once dropped their food in midair; and got down on their knees. They all bowed their head as Zaronis said a prayer to 'The Christ' as he called him. Then, each in place, stepped forward to kiss the cross on Zaronis's cloak. Zaronis nodded his head in approval and beckoned each of them to return to their seats and eat. Zaronis reached for a leg of the doppelganger; but then his mind seemed to switch course in mid-thought; and he know felt it was time to inform his subjects, of his religious conquest. Zaronis cleared his throat and at once received the attention of each individual at the table. "Gentlemen, I'm so glad you have once again obliged me by coming to my home and feasting with me. It is not every man who has friends like you." Zaronis shot a fake smile to the group and they loved every false moment of it; each grinning in return. "But while I would love to just feast with you men; there are more important things to tend to. We must talk of our Lord in heaven, Christ Jesus." Zaronis seemed to hiss as he completed his sentence. "Our God has come to me in a dream; and has told me that my father the king is an evil man. He has good in his heart; but will only hurt the kingdom with his blunders. Jesus is angered by the fact that my father will not accept him; and he demands his life in exchange as a reckoning." Zaronis put on yet another false face; except this time he pretended to be sad; as if to show that he did not want to do away with his father and become ruler of Mystique. The table was obviously shocked with this statement. Zaronis had demanded many strange tasks done in the name of the Lord, and many times illegal, but he had never dared before placed a direct threat upon the King's head such as this. One man by the name of Klayton was very distressed at this announcement. Zaronis looked at each individual's face at the table once more. Faces seemed surprised at first; but it seemed they each began to accept it as just another mere act that was needed of them by the lord, all but Klayton. Klayton had quite an angry look upon his face. Zaronis glared at Klayton. "Are we ok with this Klayton?" Klayton arose from his chair; still obviously distressed by the event at hand; and began to speak. "Why quite frankly sir, no. I have a deep love for the King and I have doubts in my mind that Jesus would call for the head of a man that does such good things for Mystique." Zaronis's eyes became red with anger as he looked at Klayton's face. "Perhaps it is just the liquor that has gone to your head. I'll dismiss your ignorant statement if you sit yourself down now without saying a thing." Klayton began to protest. "No my Lord, I have actually had very little to drink; and believe I am fully in control of my tongue." "So are you calling me a LIAR Klayton?" Zaronis stood up from his chair. Klayton seemed to be a bit frightened. "Nnn..nno sir... not a 'tall." "Then you disagree with our Lord's authority over his people? Are you telling me you are arguing with the will of GOD?" Zaronis shouted. Klayton frantically tried to respond. "No it's just that.." "Blasphemer! Anti-Christ! You are of the Devil! You must be cast out at once!" Zaronis screamed as he walked across the table and grabbed Klayton by the shirt. "Please my Lord, I just believe you might have misunderstood what Lord Jesus was trying to..." Zaronis interrupted. "So you're calling ME A FOOL? ME? A FOOL? You should have held your fucking tongue when I gave you the chance!" Zaronis picked Klayton up and looked at the stained glass window behind him. "I CAST THEE OUT!" Zaronis yelled as he swiftly turned around; and carried Klayton through the air and through the stained-glass window. Klayton's screams were heard for just a moment; followed then by a thud, and a woman's scream who witnessed the event. Zaronis quickly stepped before the table. "Are their any others of you that disagree with the word of God?" Each man looked at each other in fear; and silently shook their heads to each side. "As I thought." Zaronis then presented his cloak to the group. Once more; each stepped forward in his place and kissed the cross on his cloak. +-----------+ | Chapter 3 | +-----------+ The Ages Talyen looked through the old books of The Ages; remembered old times from centuries ago. He wept as he read of their heroic journey to the world of Mystique from Earth; many centuries ago. The Ages were a group of men born back on the planet known as Earth; throughout many different times in History. In the course of their maturity they all at one time; strangely felt the need to being walking, and sailing across an ocean, until they reached the secret dwelling of The Ages. Here they learned who they were; but even the oldest did not know what they truly were about; they just knew they were different. The Ages would never die naturally due to age. They could be killed by force of course; but if so, a great deal of force would be needed to due this job. It was rumored among them that a God had sent them to control the mortals among them; so they set about this quest upon earth. One may ask; why didn't the Ages war against the humans if they were so powerful? You must realize that the Ages were 1 in a million beings; and powerful as they were, mankind could still defeat them. Spirits always communicated with The Ages; and later they began to realize that these were unborn Ages; waiting to come into the world. And so history began to be written by these extraordinary beings. What humans read today known as the Bible accurately describes most of what they went through. A very mysterious Age went by the name of Jesus; and he began to talk to this group centuries before his birth. He began to tell them how to plant the seeds in mankind; that would eventually grow and allow a peaceful takeover of the planet, and so the great conquest began. Many works of magic and trickery played into the hearts of the humans as written in the Bible; and people began to believe. They came in millions to hear the Ages preach of a coming messiah; and The Ages continued to feed them with lies. One cold day in winter; the 3 oldest members of The Ages had an urge to begin walking; and they walked until they came upon a lowly stable in the middle of a town named Bethlehem. The 3 turned this nose up at the place and began to walk away. Then all of the sudden; a baby began to cry. The three rushed into the stable and saw a new Age among them. "It is our Jesus;" the oldest age cried; and so it became his human name. The baby smiled and looked into the eyes of his brethren. Chills passed through the bodies of the Ages. And so the greatest story for man and Age began to unfold. The Age Jesus began to work his trickery and magic upon the thousands of people that would hear him. Many humans became disillusioned due to the fact that they envisioned a king as a savior and not this lowlife scum. The Age Jesus ruled among Ages and the poor, ignorant humans of the Earth for 33 years until the humans mounted an attack against him. There he was hung upon a cross and he hung for all the world to see. Humans rejoiced and all the Ages wept among themselves. The Ages became persecuted by the humans and soon began to disappear from public view. They all began to fear that they had failed their God; and that they had not taken over the world as he has intended for them to. About the time that the world turned against the Christians; A new Age began to speak to them. His name was Zaronis; and he was to be born of a world far from their Earth. He would help them gain power where Jesus had failed. Jesus felt that only a man that acted humble would win the masses over; but Zaronis intended to give them a king. He promised them the world of Mystique to rule as their own; then Earth, and eventually the universe. Feeling that Jesus' legend was a lost cause; they all set out on a long journey for the world of Mystique. Years later, news reached them that the mass majority of the world had reached out to Christianity; and now waited for any type of sign. Ironically enough, The Ages were too far from Earth to take advantage of the situation. In order to preserve the earthly movement towards Christianity; the Ages sent letters of an Apocalypse to Earth; and end to everything. The letter foretold visions of the future; and warned the humans to continue in their current state of belief. They called it: Revelations'. Finally The Ages made their way to Mystique; and found their way into a kingdom by the name of Languin. Zaronis called to them; and they found themselves barred away from a Queen's door as they tried to meet Zaronis for the first time. The Ages left the building; waiting for their next chance to see the baby. A great festival was held in honor of the Prince Zaronis; and the child was shown off to the public. Talyen remembered seeing this baby's dark black eyes for the first time; and as he drifted back in began to see the same eyes again, except it was Zaronis, this man standing in front of him. Zaronis clapped his hands as if to awaken Talyen from the stupor. "Come Talyen; we have work to do. The World awaits us." And then Talyen; and the other Ages, followed prince Zaronis into the meeting room. +-----------+ | Chapter 4 | +-----------+ Another Vision From Beyond Absolute silence. Absolute Darkness. The skies began to spin and take the shape of a funnel ascending upward into the heavens as Dimitrious viewed them from the vast green fields. The purple sky soon began to calm to erupt in a fury of thunder and strike the earth directly in front, beside, and behind Dimitrious. A tear began to roll down his face; because he was being partitioned once more to be Mystique's hero. Dimitrious lifted his left hand towards the sky and placed the other upon his heart as a silent cry to the God above. Dimitrious wept and closed his eyes tightly and began to feel movement under his feet. He opened his eyes to find himself riding upon a horse; traveling through a city somewhere. The atmosphere smelled differently; and the people dressed unlike those of Mystique. They all followed a lowly beggar who lifted his hands in love and deceit towards them. This man was truly no ordinary man. As Dimitrious rode on he watched as this man performed many strange feats of trickery and was quite impressed. He was even more impressed with the way the crowds, so eager to find hope, allowed themselves to be deceived by such a fool. Dimitrious's eyes shut themselves and opened once more. He was now riding beside the same man; who was dying upon the symbol he saw on the prince's cloak. This man opened his eyes at once and looked upon Dimitrious. A look of sheer terror filled this Jew's eyes as he gazed at Dimitrious upon the cross. Suddenly his sheer cry of anger broke the silence that had come to characterize this vision. "MY GOD MY GOD WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?" The man yelled staring in anger, and incredible fear at Dimitrious. Dimitrious became very afraid. Suddenly, all life seemed to have left the man upon the cross; and Dimitrious breathed a bit easier. Other men that seemed to resemble this dead leader eyed Dimitrious in a strange manner. Dimitrious's horse began to melt; as well as his atmosphere... suddenly he sank into the ground, and then the ground became water, and the water became blood. The Sky became black; and Dimitrious fought for his life against the current and waves of this great sea of blood. The winds roared in his ears as the tide slapped against him. Dimitrious found himself being pulled under by the waves; until finally he could fight no more. He allowed himself to go beneath the waves and into the hands of death. Darkness...... Dimitrious flew up from his bed; sweat clinging to his body like the night before. Dimitrious heard waves crashing against the boat; and thunder from above. He breathed a sigh of relief and laid back down. Dimitrious gazed at the wooden ceiling of his quarters. Suddenly, it began to take another shape. The Prince from his dream began to emerge from above. His black eyes stared into Dimitrious and Dimitrious shivered. At once Dimitrious realized who this man was. He was the Prince of Mystique! Blessed Prince Zaronis! But why would Dimitrious dream of such things? As if Zaronis had read his mind; he spoke to Dimitrious; once more breaking the silence. "Exactly... you have no reason to doubt me;" Zaronis hissed. "I can destroy you; or I can make you everything." Darkness. Dimitrious found himself once more in the strange green fields; but this time the sky was black; and walls were being built. A voice cried out from above. "DIMITRIOUS! THE AGES ARE RISING! They must be stopped." Dimitrious reach towards the heavens. "But who are these Ages?" he yelled back into the clouds. And at once all that was became known to him. Time stood still as he was allowed to realize what everything truly was. He knew of the world called Earth; he knew of The Ages; he knew of their pilgrimage to Mystique; and he knew of Zaronis's plan. Dimitrious looked at himself, looked at the walls rising around him, looked at the sky looking down upon, he saw dragons flying in from the north, and scattered doppelgangers from the south, a beautiful woman from the east, he saw a royal funeral in the west, he felt the presence of Zaronis near him, and he felt the threat to his people. Dimitrious breathed slowly and deeply, and raised his right hand into the air balled into a fist. He screamed and gave himself to the skies. And the Sky looked down approvingly upon Dimitrious, and time resumed. This time a single horse galloping invaded the silence from a distance. And in rode Zaronis once more upon his black horse wielding a sword at Dimitrious. "I WILL!" Dimitrious yelled; and with that he pulled a sword from his belt that had never been there before and plunged it directly into the throat of Zaronis. Zaronis fell of the horse gasping for air as the horse reared back and whinnied in fear... darkness................ Dimitrious awoke to find a bloody sword in his hand in the throat of a dying doppelganger. It choked back a few times, gave a final breath; and collapsed. Noises of steps echoed throughout the ship as a knock came upon Dimitrious's door. Without waiting for an answer two crewmates busted in. "Shit Dimitrious!" one of them exclaimed.. "Is that what I think it is?" The other answered for Dimitrious. "That's a damn one of them doppelgangers... what in the hell is one of them doin' on a ship? They could go off and kill somebody.... Good think ole' Dimitrious got em before he got to him." Dimitrious realized his sword was still plunged into the throat of the dead doppelganger and pulled it out immediately. The first crewmate whistled at the site of the sword. "Wow.. that's pretty right there.. looks like it came from years ago...nice solid steel." Dimitrious was still to shaken up to say a word. The crewmates finally realized this after gawking for a minute and left Dimitrious to himself. The door closed and Dimitrious closed his eyes as a flash erupted from where the doppelganger was; and when Dimitrious looked back; it was no longer there. Dimitrious lay in the dark; clutching the bloody sword to his chest, listening to the waves rock the boat. Darkness. +-----------+ | Chapter 5 | +-----------+ A Look inside Dimitrious looked around himself confined in a small room; the walls and ceiling made of brick, and the floor of gravel. In the middle of the room sat a strange, wooden table. Two chairs on opposite ends rested near by. Dimitrious walked up and sat down in the chair nearest him. He gazed into the yellow flame of a candle burning across the quiet room. Dimitrious breathed deeply as his mind drifted off and his eyes seem to absorb the flame. For sometime Dimitrious sat staring into the flame, until all at once; his mind shook free of the daze; as if someone had knocked him from it. He returned to what seemed to be reality; seated opposite a beautiful woman he had known throughout his life, she was buried deep within even his earliest memories yet; this was the first time he had ever seen, or thought of her in his existence. And suddenly he became enchanted with her as though she were the flame at the other end of the room; or perhaps she was. She gazed back into his eyes with a warm feeling about her. She opened her mouth and words began to echo throughout the room. "And why must you Dimitrious?" she asked. "If I refuse; I refuse my people, and I refuse myself. I cannot allow us to be overtaken for another's personal gain." Her warm eyes began sad as she looked at Dimitrious. "But what if he is the way? What if he is right?" Dimitrious baffled at how such a soft voice could warn of such strength. "You know he is not. We all fear what we do not understand. Yet we mustn't turn to lies we create for ourselves; lest we lose track of what it all really means." For the first time since Dimitrious had lived; his voice spoke of confidence, of meaning, of love, and of wisdom. The woman began to weep and laid her head upon the table. Dimitrious looked upon her fondly and spoke aloud; "Sarah...." as his voice trailed off; he began to remember and know.... Sarah was one of the youngest ages living at this time. She; unlike many other Ages, before her birth, had chose not to make herself known to other Ages; but to Dimitrious. As a child she saw strength and wisdom in him she felt few actually possessed. As an unborn Age she had whispered the secrets of life into this young baby's ear and had helped shape him into what he was today. Perhaps that is why the skies had chose him..... and then a thought occurred to Dimitrious. Not the skies, but unborn ages ? And is if responding to his thoughts, Sarah lifted her head from the table, wiped her eyes and quietly said "yes". Dimitrious was once more free of his daze and looked at Sarah; The Sorceress as she was know know.... oh how times had changed. He looked back into her eyes once more and spoke aloud. "But you must come with me. You must break free of the lies that bind you." And she began to weep again and whispered; "I cannot." And once more Dimitrious flashed back to what it seemed; another time. A time where this Sorceress had watched her parents die. So distraught she was; she clung to anything that would give her hope; to know that they were alright. She once more seemed to hear Dimitrious's thoughts and whispered coldly at him; "Do not think such things...." She pulled her hair back and sat up once more. She rose from her seat and look at Dimitrious for what seemed an eternity; but at once it was through; lost in a moment that would forever be; yet could not be regained. "Will you give this up? Will you join us ?" She asked. Dimitrious looked down at the table. "I cannot." And she began to weep again. She managed to stutter out; 'Then you know what I must do if we are to meet again?" Dimitrious nodded. Dimitrious began to cry out loud; realizing the pain and conviction she must feel towards her loved ones to fool her self in such a way as this. The perfect ending would be that she would see her wrong; understand, and join with Dimitrious. But this life was not perfect; and life was full of ironies. Now, rather than embrace her as he wished to do; he faced death by her hands the next time he saw her beautiful face. Such a cold, unforgiving life this was. Dimitrious began to once more question; "Why?" but then he stopped himself. At times like this he knew it was useless to question. He must deal with what he had been given; and do what he must do. Dimitrious looked at Sarah once more; and saw the tears, love, and fear in her eyes. And he saw himself looking back at himself in those same eyes. And as he began to look deeper into her majestic face, she seemed to turn bright yellow and orange, and he shook his head to see the candle burning across the room; yet the wick would soon give out. Dimitrious thought about wondering where he was; but decided against it. He got up from his chair; and lay down upon the floor. He closed his eyes but hen remembered the candle was still burning. As he thought this a sound of someone's breath echoed through out the room and the candle blew out. "Sleep tight Dimitrious;" and all was still. +-----------+ | Chapter 6 | +-----------+ The Merge between Dream and Reality Tick tock went the clock as Dimitrious rose from his bed. His sword lay thrust between the cross on his wall. Dimitrious gave a slight tug at the sword and it released its grip upon the wall. Dimitrious placed it in its sheath at his side and opened his cabin door. Sunlight streamed in as he covered his eyes from the brightly lit sky. Dimitrious made his way on to deck where the smell of the sea and the sweat of workers greeted him. Shipmates nodded their heads as they passed. A group in the middle of the deck seemed to be involved in a heavy conversation. Dimitrious became intrigued and walked over to them. "So what's the latest word?" Dimitrious asked with a smile. Grim faces greeted his cheery question. Dimitrious felt a sinking feeling within him. One of the older crew members that went by the name of Phagan was the one to answer him. "Aye son; the king has been murdered in his palace. The mark of the cross was engraved upon his chest. The peoples' are sayin that 'twas an act of God; and his son gravely confirms it." Dimitrious felt an almost unimaginable loss. "And what is to happen now?" The old shipmate continued; "Well the funeral is to be held on the West end; and the town is in a state of mornin. Peoples' are comin' from all sides of the world. The Great "Sarah" is coming in from the east by the way; I know you used ta' be acquainted with the lady." Dimitrious nodded his head. Dreams and reality were finally merging as one and it began to frighten Dimitrious. He wondered if his dreams were somehow controlling the outcomes of things but then laughed at such an idea as that. He came to the conclusion that everything he had envisioned was becoming frighteningly real. Another shipmate soon broke Dimitrious's train of thought with his harsh, annoying voice. "We heard whats' been said bout' that doppelganger in your room the other evnin'. Locals been reporting em coming in from the south in great numbers.. as if they seem to be meetin' for somethin'. Them Dragons coming here too! All of ems' flyin in from the North. I ain't no genius but seems that somethin' big is goin down on this planet." The crew members grunted in agreement. Dimitrious looked down at the sword by his side and up at the sky. "What does all this mean?" he whispered to the heavens above. No answer came. Crewmen continued their grim chat as Dimitrious walked away from the group. "It's all true.. every bit of it..." Dimitrious said to himself. Dimitrious made his way back to his quarters. He looked at the cross upon his wall; and his very soul became filled with rage. He thrust his sword directly into the cross as he had seen it once before. A brief life blinded him as the sword punctured the cross. Dimitrious opened his eyes to find himself lying on the floor. The Sword was still in his hand; but the cross was gone. The boat had changed; and Dimitrious could now sense that it was nighttime. The creaking of the boat was the only noise around him. Somewhere off in the distance; a disturbing voice came to Dimitrious. It uttered only one single phrase to Dimitrious; and the tone was irrefutable. "Get off the boat." Welcome to the world of Mystique.