A terrible sandstorm was forming up. The clouds in the sky were ready to break loose some heavy rain making the matter much worse. Having just started the current meeting with those of the World Heritage Organization, Rexford was hoping it would cause them to make a quick decision in his favor.

"Can we not meet another time Mr.Maccabeus? The weather is not going to settle down by the looks of it."

"No, Business is difficult as it is without us giving into the demands of Nature." Rexford glanced at his cigar on the table ready to take a  hit from it. The building storm had him in a pleasant mood. Just looking at the shifting sands outside the window brought a sense of peace. "It is a fair deal to take. Who else would pay so much money for this area?"

"The money is not the point."

"Then it won't be so bad for me to lower the price then and take the long route through litigation. At least this way I can buy the surrounding land that your organization is battling me own."

"Mr. Maccabeus let's not do anything we will regret." The sleazy politician was not on the side of the World Heritage Organization and want the millions for the land he didn't give a single shit about. "But the concern for the weather is not good."

"We should reconvene next week at a better time." The second chair of the World Heritage Organization was unnerved by the lack of Fear in the eyes of Rexford. "I understood some families  may be attached to the place but the law of preservation is clear and their is a lot of control and say so that will be lost it because of personal property."

"You can sign.. today.." Rexford looked at the president as his eyes narrowed. "..or we can sign when I make a trip back in a few months. I have more promising locations in Cairo that need to be investigated with a colleague. Hopefully, it does not draw me to Ireland which would then delay my return here."

"Of course, Mr.Maccabeus is a busy man." The politician huddles with the others on the other side of the table. Talking in low whispers. "Listen... we need this money! Forget what you think is here and its historic significance that may draw funding! He is willing to cut a check for millions here and now!"

As they hemmed and haw while protesting, the politician was becoming more irate. Then the sound of the wind cutting into the bunker made the decision for them.

The door burst open with some sand buffering their faces.

"Fine! Let's get this done before we are dead!" The second chair was ready to go at once. He signed really quickly and got up to leave with his cohorts trailing behind after. "I can't wait to see what you do with the place, Mr.Maccabeus!"

"Of course." Rexford watched them leave with a smile. The politician is the last to sign and grab the check for the Organization. "Mia, please make sure he gets home safely."

As the only person in the room in Rexford's camp, most thought the woman was side candy or a secretary of sorts. Even getting fresh with her but finding a body part disclosed or a bullet in a not-so-nice spot knocked them out of it.

"Right this way sir." Mia batts her long lashes at the man. "Before I forget boss, William confirmed the Dig Site in Budapest is legit. Going into business with Hanson won't be an issue."

With a nod of understanding the door was closed after the two with security being the last to go with them in the hall.

Rexford laid back in his chair enjoying the glow of a completed deal. Relaxing he pulled over the cigar and lit it. He pulled out his tablet that Richard the heavy Tech one of his friends had modified.

"At least the signal is not messed up by the signal and connected online easily." Reading up on the tablet messages an odd email was there. "Information about the Magnetosphere Broadening Effect on Earth. The others did say I need to get back into Nature preservation but this is more Outer Spacey for my tastes."

With time on his hand, he went ahead and read through the article.

Outside in the building storm around the bunker and laydown tents, a person was walking through unbothered by the heat or sand. Most of the security relays were unable to pick up much during this time.

As the figure moved closer to the bunker the tablet Rexford was reading fritz just briefly. The page jumped around and then cleared up with subliminal words encoded in the passages.

Despite the years of training and exposure to the darker elements of life, the encoded message messed with Rexford's mind without him even knowing. No military training or martial training of earth could compete against this.

Borrowing in through eyes with rays of Gold and Black opening his Soul in ways unheard of. Rexford's fingers started typing away an address he knew nothing of and clicking on links of various symbols he only saw in passing.

Religious symbols that acquainted to "Trials" that test a person in every way. He snapped out of it hours later. His cigar finished with the ashes all over his vest and long sleeve.

"Huh!? Guess that article was better than I thought." Rexford blinked his eyes then cleaned off the ashes. Getting up to get a drink he looked out the wind for a bit. Watching as the nearby destroyed buildings cleared up every now and then. "Well, might as well keep reading until Mia gets back."

Moving back to the table he noticed a note and a plate of food.

Mia had come back, left him some food, and went on her way it seemed. Apparently, he was to into his reading to even address her. That in itself was pretty weird he thought.

After thinking about the last time he had a checkup, Rexford sent an email to Leroy for a checkup. He was overdue on some of his shots not to mention a real look-over.

Looking over his collar right quickly he was happy a previous gunshot wound didn't get infected. Having left a day before he was cleared to go overseas was not the smartest decision at all.

"But where to go over now.... hmm I know let's try something new, let's see."  With that, Rexford decided to plug into the search bar in regards to something Michael spoke about the last time he talked with him. "Something about "Game Live" or was Live Cartoon" to go with? Maybe I would get some good video clips of either one of those."

It didn't take long until he came across a thread about a new Online way of life from those searches. The future was getting scary with so many people refusing to go outside.

Give hermits a way and they will thrive.

"Eh might as well...." clicking it, the buffer started to display. "Ah, the joys of bad connection sometimes."

*Knock Knock!* The sound came in crystal clear despite the howling of the wind. Pressing the button on the table\, Rexford assumed it was just a member of the restoration crew needing something.

Strangely enough, it was an old person. Hard to tell if it was a man or a woman with such weathered skin. Not to mention more wrinkles than he ever saw on a person.

"Hello, what can I get for you?" Rexford moved into a nonimposing seating position. His hand is close to a firearm within hand reach. "Quite a storm for you to travel through there old timer."

"Indeed it may have been for someone not ready, it was no problem for me. Your security is good but.. not trained enough for someone such as me." The old timer's voice was quite raspy but the words were easy to understand. "Do not worry, I will go on my way after some time. Surely you are not scared of me are you?"

"No problem... just don't die in here." Rexford gave the old-timer a once over then relaxed again. Something about the situation made him at ease. As if he knew the old timer from a long time ago. So much he even offered a drink. "Feel free to help yourself."

Fixing a drink for himself, Rexford didn't pay attention to the glowing eyes of the old timer in the mirror on the wall.

"Welcome to Riftonline Registration." A loud digital computer tone drowned out from the area where his tablet was located.

Next, there was the sound of thunder crashing out. The harsher part of the storm finally arrived it seemed.

"No need for a drink." The old timer sat there for a while observing with unnatural eyes. "Do not mind me at all."

The very words of the old-timer contained a strange pull to them. Rexford's eyes dilated as he took in the order. His honey-colored eyes glowed a tarnished gold before returning to normal.

"The structures out there will take a lot of work to fix, are you up for the task? Most would find it beneath them to try."

"I.. don't see why not. I have my hand in a lot of different professions. I know how to set people on the right path to get it done if I can't. Nothing wrong with being hands and delegating as needed." Picking up the tablet, Rexford shook his head trying to shake off the weird feeling. "I have a friend that likes History and I am doing this for him as well as myself."

For a second he couldn't understand why he was telling this to a stranger.

"That is good. Most businessmen separate themselves from the seedy project details." The old-timer smiled for various reasons. "I won't disturb you much longer, focus on your device."

*Bzzz!* A slight electrical buzzing went off passing around Rexford an old timer. Rexford focused more on the tablet an fell back under the power used on him. His resistance was strong but not enough.

As Rexford went over what he was doing, vague images of what looked to be spears appeared. The only difference between the spear silhouette was the shaft was different colors and contained ancient writings on them of different languages.

'Defintely the time for him to leave this Dimension as well as the others. Haa, my son, my son you will not be happy. Especially after your Company has done so well. But what must be must be.' The old-timer smiled and then gave a wave of the hand. 'A quick questionnaire to probe his mind further will have to do.'

The old-timer got up and moved to leave. Rexford blinked rapidly as if he was trying to get something out of his eyes. The brief lock of the eyes caused his own to irritate briefly.

'Gonna suck for him.. or her.. to walk home in this storm... Wish I had a vehicle to lend.' It occurred to him odd the situation was as he pushed away the fog and befuddlement wrapped around his mind. 'Who the hell is this person?'

Getting up to walk the old-timer out he became aware of the robes. Very silky in appearance and defintely expensive considering it seemed laced with gold and a nice optical effect of shifting stars and planets.

He sat back down and picked up the tablet. A little icon shaped like a spear that moved locked eyes with him. Reminding briefly of the little assistant that helped when people type a long time ago.

Tablet: Fill out info for better access and bonuses, or do guest account?

The Tablet had a voice feature that was set in a different tone than the one that played. This one was more computerized than the humanized one he selected.

*Tick! Tick Tick!* The sound of the clock could be heard over the sandstorm. Outside the flow of time was slowing as Golden & Black tears are moving about.

'Hmm do I have the time for this?' Rexford looks over the time and realized he did. 'I might as well do the full form. Yeah, I have the time before going to bed before the early work tomorrow.'

Typing away at the form he couldn't get over the content involved.

'Bonuses are hella nice. Holy crap! What a detailed form, glad I did start now.'

So many different choices about various religious Aspects and the Deities that were tied to them. Not to mention what he knew about a few historical sites.

*Boom!* The sound and intensity could be heard throughout the camp. So fierce even the bunker shook with the windows rattling.

Stopping to check over if everyone was alright, Rexford stopped to long from filling out the form altogether for about an hour.

Onward to the fill-out FORM appeared in red across the tablet. The vibration was intense enough that it moved down the table.

Sexual Identifier: Male Age: 43 Height: 5`11

Sexual Preference: Heterosexual

"Why the hell does the website want to know that actually?"

Tablet: Because we would like to have satisfactory feedback for all info based on the Champion, interactions, and posts based on compiled information."

The computerized voice tone spoke out from the tablet loudly.

"Well, that makes sense.." Shaking his head as he realized he was talking to the tablet the businessman thought maybe age was taking an effect on him finally.

Tablet: I am a computer program, of course, I make sense! Foolish Champion!

"Hahahaha did my Tablet just talk to me...again... Wait.... wait.. wait.. did it just sass ME.?! I have finally gone crazy from overwork and drinking!" It was a good thing he signed the last business deal that mattered when he did.

Tablet: Whether you are crazy or not is subject to investigation, and medical testing.

The computerized voice spoke out with a hint of cheeky sarcasm maybe. It sounded like it was having fun with the back-and-forth the two were having.

Tablet: Continue with the form CHAMPION!!"

"Woah ...Woah ..! Calm down there tablet, no need to be snippy!" Rexford yelled while standing from the chair. It's a good thing the storm kept others inside out of the bunker. He moved over to the bottle that was mostly empty. "Sniff.. sniff. Doesn't smell odd at all."

Check for any weird discoloration or changes to the surface area revealed nothing. Even when the door blew open before the sand didn't land anywhere near this area.

Switching to a bottle of water was the best idea. Hopefully, it was some type of delirium. Short-term at the best.

"How in hell are you doing that anyway, the talking to me thing I mean!?" The LOW tone drowned out in response in a way that actually caused Rexford to feel disgusted with himself.

Tablet: There is a microphone in your device and you have it paired with your cell phone, these together are allowing quick back and forth of voice data and transmission in real-time.

"Aaahh..."  He let out a small sigh. "Eh, makes sense I suppose." Putting enough togethor let him understand this was more like someone having hacked his device. Counter cyber-terrorism was not his expertise at all. 'Pftt bullshit this makes sense!'

'But my microphone should have been turned off, that can't be right.. No way did Richard skimp out virus protection on my devices!' The number of those who could have gotten through the security was bad to think about.

As he was thinking over possible attackers the LOW tone voiced out, almost pleading it seemed.

Tablet: Please Champion... finish the FORM!

"Ummm hold on... why do you need me to finish the form..? And can you do something about your voice ... It sounds like a little to seductive woman from a horror kill movie and a rampaging man speaking in tongues with white noise playing entwined in it!"

'That's a very weird description to be made.'

With an exasperated sigh, the voice spoke with quite a weird tingle inside it.

Tablet: You are the first to fill the form out in over 10 months, that's an adult above the target range with the proper Soul level. Most Champions go through the guest access. Or they go to the "Waiting Area" for processing. My voice cannot be modulated until you get further down the form. The voices you are hearing are a sound modulation & frequency test. It's To fix your ears and sensitivity due to Tinnitus. In another set of words, it is calibration.

'How the hell is this gonna fix my hearing ..screw it.. I'll just do the form.' Warning bells started triggering nonstop. The water he thought was already having an effect as the fog thinned between his thoughts. 'Why am I unable to stop?'

After filling out work skills and early job faults picked up, it turned really really personal. One that made him upset contained a strong sore spot.

Had he been left at the Altar. Answering yes brought a terrible memory.

Thing the next set of questions popped up in regard to his friends and personality types. It then switched over to outer friends and those of teachers and then mentors.

Despite trying to stop himself again, Rexford found himself continueing to answer each of them honestly. Deeper hidden thoughts started to come in clear with overwhelming clarity.

Sexual Fetishes: Female bondage, Medical play, Service play, Multipartner??

Voyeurism, Exhibitionism, Hardcore, Softcore, Romance, BDSM Light, Alien??

***** length: Average - Ball Size: Small - Girth: Average Stamina: Average

Kink Desire: Very high Sexual Desire: - Very high Sexual Exploration: High

Male Desire: Extremely Low - Female Desire: Very High - Other: Above Average

Flirt Ability: Extremely Low - Sexual Knowledge: Slightly Above Average

The degree of Sexual Desire: Abnormally High - ****** size: Small-Large

The computerized voice played came out again. This time as if it was right in front of him. Rexford could swear he was able to see a little ball of swirling light no bigger than a golf ball floating.

Tablet: You don't like Extra Large breasts that is interesting, to say the least, young Champion. What Pantheon sent in the request for such an oddball like yourself?

"Thanks, I think. Your voice is not as damaging as before." He looked around and then moved the tablet a little away. The sound still came from around the tablet but not from it. 'I have gone crazy and it is most likely alcohol poisoning of some kind.'

Tablet: Your welcome!

The voice spoke out more cheerfully than before.

Tablet: Now finish the form!

It switched over to the type of places he would like to go to. From its technology level all the way to the way the Society exists. Then the types of places he completely abhor and wanted nothing to do with.

The number of Undead variations was mindboggling and took way to many choices.

"A display format?? What in tarnation? Why are there so many to go through now?"

The long list was dazzling and some looked completely different from anything he knew about. Two of them he at least understood from the time they were deployed and spent months playing when supply drops were lost.

Strength: Allocation of one's raw physical might.

Flexibility: Allocation of one's raw nimbleness and reaction capabilities.

Intelligence: Allocation of one's raw wisdom into practical use. Use of Knowledge and collection of pieces of information up to its speed and retain ability.

Endurance: Allocation of one's raw ability to take physical damage and regenerate the quality of cells.

Likeability: Allocation of one's general ability to indear to people and ability to persuade or intimidate.

A listening of 5 Major attributes but the next cluster was a little different. All in accordance with his Life Class based on his soul. Something about Agents, Devouts, Contacts, and Alliance.

Life Class: The Black Gold Vortex. The soul is so acquainted with making deals and using everything at its disposal for use. The reflection of that is that Champion can take in anything to produce two outcomes.

1: Produce a Rich Energy Drop.

2: Produce a version of an item if enough material has been taken in by the Black Gold Vortex.

2 hours later....

"This has taken quite a while, but it has been interesting. Last few and I will be done."

Tablet: Step 1 is now complete. Portal Destination: Tier 2 Technology Level established.

"That was all step 1 ... hell... how detailed is the rest gonna be!?"

Tablet: Step 2 Body Synchro, Adjustment, and Point Allocation for new body.

"How the hell am I gonna do a body synchronization with a Tablet?"

*Bzzztt!* A spark of visible Black & Gold lightning like substance appeared to the eye. It circled around coiling around the Businessman who barely removed in response. His overall response time moved slowly.

"Oww, where the hell did that shock come from?!" The fact it was still there bouncing his clothing was surreal. With each bounce on a joint location, Rexford felt an unusual energy course through him. 'Maybe... I hit my head drinking and this is just a delusion?'

*Chck!* The camera eye from the Tablet opens and closed. It then shot light into his eyes creating a feeling of nausea... and freefall.

It was to hard to look away. His vision doubles and his head begins to throb in such a way that he could hear the sound of brain matter pushing against his skull.

*Crack!* Ruptures and bulging cracks illuminate Rexford's body before it appeared to explode into pieces of light particles. Not a single trace was left behind besides a little glowing light above the tablet that fell on the table.

Outside of the bunker, a pair of golden eyes and black eyes watched before the storm grew big enough to obscure all sight. As Rexford, he was in a place beyond the scope of a regular Mortal mind.

A Digitial Field Endless of White and Blue..greets him. Or maybe endless Blue and White. He can't tell at all which one as his sense of self reforms made of Gold and Black into a silhouette.

A calm begins to overtake Rexford, forcing his mind and body into sync. A Gold cloak figure appeared in stark contrast to the view before him. Oddly enough he thought he could see a duplicate Black figure behind it.

A silhouette of some sort that alternates the same as the other figure did.

"Oh Rexford you have grown into a decent young man, but so much to talk about my child." The way the word child was said caused an unnerving sensation. "The Class and stuff don't worry about that. That's for your third Dimension you will go and "Deal" with."

"Right... so who are you?"

Despite the calm effect on him, Rexford felt something was wrong somehow. Not just because of the shifting cloaks. Or what was just said. He finally felt cold.  Not a physical cold but the gut-wrenching kind when one was close to death.

"I.. am not dead... I know what is like to get to the danger zone for that. God knows I had a lot of close calls...." A flex of the hand by instinct to calm himself brought a surreal feeling. The constriction reminded him of gripping his first toy that could be rembered. "A stuffed spear toy. Uncle Sango bought it for me.."

The memory was decades old but came in with crystal clarity. With such clarity, he saw flames dance inside his Uncle Sango's eyes. Of course, it was chalked up to the silliness of a child when he said it. Now he was not so sure.

"That Man-God has different troubles to worry about, so do forget him for now. I am sure you have questions but I will tell you a few right now of my own "Design". Such as what is happening to you."

"What is happening?" He ignored some of what she said to try and gain control of the situation.

"Your Soul has been extracted from your body. Not all of it of course. Just enough to put you into a coma over time."

"A coma!?"

"Well, the place you are going to is in the somewhat past of what you experienced and mirrors the Prime Dimension a little. However, its "Time" ratio is quite the thing. Currently, an hour in Prime Dimension is about a year there. So all the time in the world to succeed."

"Succeed in what?"

"Saving that Dimension of course. See it was going to survive but... the various moments of Destiny were not grasped fully. Those chosen faltered and just could not live up to the standards Designed." Seeing the strange look, the cloak figured clarified what was meant. "I am Destiny and I shaped their future and paths available. When they failed to grasp the oppturnties, it went to someone else. But their is a problem with that."

"Like what? Don't tell me it is some craziness that the same opportunity is not the same for everyone kind of thing." Rexford wanted to scoff but for some reason, this all felt to real and right. A sweetness passed in his mouth but nothing changed when he swallowed. A bit of a phantom feeling of swallowing a mouth full of blood. 'I shouldn't just believe all of this, right?'

"That is right." Destiny smiled under its cloak. "Ah, so it is happening already."

Rexford caught sight of the smile a little and froze again. Something tore inside himself and brought a bit of the cold sensation back briefly. Then it was gone, causing him to wobble briefly.

"What in the hell is that!?" Looking down at his chest a swirl was there. It looked to be moving but he was not to sure. "What is going on with me!? I am not at the age to go into Dementia!"

"That dear boy is the power of your Soul Awakening. It looks to be a Vortex, so kudos to you. But then again... that does eliminate you from developing Outside Soul properties ever." Destiny floated looking at Rexford with a critical eye. Literally, a critical eye as the other was closed under the cloak. "Self-harm though, a part has been cut off and turned into the Internal Space already. Instinctual preservation all to go against losing something."

The tone was somber as something ate away at Destiny. A peer inside Rexford and it was able to see the "Unending" quality of the Vortex that permeated.

"Alright.. I want out of here!" Rexford snapped at Destiny. The situation was weird and he needed to gain control somehow. "I want out and need to be out of here! I don't care who is behind this..."

*Woosh!* Black & Gold pressure weighed down him. Destiny's cloak billowed out with its figure looking larger than anything else. Rexford felt a sinking feeling of "Fear" that caused his instincts to want to lash out in "Violence" terribly!

"Back off!" He didn't know where the strength came from but he took a swing. Fist shattering the weird larger than life cloak. It fell away into the surroundings and felt solid before crystalline. "What!?"

The cloak shattered revealing a regular size figure. But the face was revealed more. The image of a woman briefly then that of a man. Changing then between various ages of life. Then that of death in seconds before slowing down to reverse.

"Still such a propensity to Violence, some things have not changed at all. Put the weapon down and we can talk civilly."

In Rexford's hand was a Black & Gold spear. It was composed of what he thought was light and did not feel real at all on first sideglance. The sensation of something being in his hand was not there either. In fact, it felt as if it was a part of him that could bend a little with the movement of the wrist.

"Why does this look familiar...?" Rexford rembered seeing this somewhere before. Somewhere recently at that. Then it hit him, literally. "I bought this.. I bought an artifact like this from my contact in the World Heritage Organization. Ran tests and... William confirmed..."

"That there was a DNA match was not odd. You were meant to come across it as a child of the Maccabeus Family. But..." Destiny stopped talking watching the Black inside the Spear grow at the mention of the Family name. A change in the Soul somewhat. "..do you hate them for leaving you alone?"

"Hate is such a weak word. I despise them and God for taking them from me!" Rexford's words had venom almost tangibly forming with the word. The sweetness that lingered in his mouth turned sour and hot. Despite the state of his body, one could tell the anger in his entire body pulled around the nerves. "Something good came out of it, my friends who were my family already became even closer to me!"

"All but the one Meranda." Destiny said the name slightly detached. As if trying to keep feelings from being entwined within. A look of disgust briefly passed on what the woman Meranda had done. "Her death did not bother you.."

"Because I knew she would be killed. It had nothing to do with her leaving me at the altar." Rexford shook his head and the spear disappeared to parts unknown. Anger was replaced by sadness and the hint of betrayal. "Leroy would not let her put in danger everything we were trying to do. Especially when we were doing what she dreamt of all our lives."

"You knew but didn't stop him or attempt to. What about loyalty to an old friend and someone who served with you? What about your love for her? Did it really burn out?" A slightly concerning tone could be heard.

"Tch! That stopped the moment she decided to build a case against us and try to take down the organization. She didn't even try to talk to all of us to understand the darker side of the work. Had no problem when our government's military had us do it. The world can't change with out bloodshed." A thought came to him about that. Details wouldn't fit with if he was in some type of fever dream. "Why do you know this?"

"Just a Deity that is paying attention is all. It was a save I suppose.... since most don't think Spiritual Siblings should get togethor anymore. They forget how strong the Shinto and Greek Pantheons were because of it in times of relative peace." Destiny shook its head at the loss. "Then again your Pantheon is in danger anyway."

"Spiritual Sibling? What Pantheons? I am just another guy..."

"You are not. You are a Champion, the same as your friends are. Oh, you do have regular blood family left. Just not in your Dimension." Destiny threw that at the end but it only confused Rexford more. "If you do not go to this Dimension and start saving it... well, the others are just going to have to go then."

"Others?" Frowning, Rexford decided to just shut up and listen to what had to be said. The more he heard the more angrier he turned.