Cadryn: Chapter 1 Scene 1

In a back alley somewhere in mid town Manhattan, a cold breeze stirred the loose detritus that is a part of every cities alley ways. All became calm, a portal opened and a Cadryn stepped through. He stood for a moment, calmly waiting. He had the look of intelligence, and power, and clearly he was not of this world. Noted the rain lightly falling. The sounds of automobiles, horns, and sirens, carried to him from the street. A large dumpster was directly across from him. It was next to a door with a faded sign overhead that read “Art Brown’s Used Books”, and that made him relax and feel a measure of confidence. He had been in Art’s shop before. The smells in the alley were familiar, almost, but there was something he couldn’t place that didn’t belong. It was odd, but he didn’t give it another thought. He was alone, and that was what mattered for now. He moved back into the darkest part of the alley. This was going to work out. He had taken the time to dress in nondescript clothing from his world leaving anything that identified him as a High Sorcerer behind. This was dangerous, he knew, but necessary. There were things that could enhance his spells making him near invincible. These same things would also serve as a homing beacon for the Overlord and his agents. It was what it was. He knew the risks. He would have to get more appropriate attire soon.

Breathing in to calm himself, he touched the flux, the source of all magic in every world. It was softer on this world, but it was still strong enough for his use. It had the effect too of quickly dissipating traces of his magic. He hoped it would give him an edge in staying ahead of the Overlord. He whispered a simple incantation, to strengthen his concealment spell he had cast just before coming here. Energy flowed around him and of its own accord began to mutate from concealment into something chaotic. Curious, he thought as he quickly modified the incantation and brought it under control. This was new, and this was disturbing. It introduced a new element into his plans. He could deal with it, he said to himself, couldn’t he? There was no time to worry.

And then it happened. It was faint but unmistakable. There was a disturbance in the flux on this world, it felt like a dozen stones dropped into a pond all at once, each one plopping distinctly. They had the unmistakeable taint of the dark overlord. Not him, but his Agents, no doubt the elite ones. He was surprised they had followed him so quickly.

Cadryn grabbed his satchel throwing it over his shoulder and began to walk towards the street. As he walks his presence in this world solidifies with each step as does a sense of unease he can’t quite shake. The realm he left behind begins to fades away. He has time, but not much. The sun was past its zenith and he wanted to completely disappear in this world before nightfall.