Chapter 3 - Jo

Early morning was gorgeous as the sun was just peaking over the horizon to those at the temple. The rays of light reaching outward creating a shape of a star as the light from the sun began to set a warm glow over the entire land. Jehv, Genesis, and the elder stood just outside the entrance to the temple, two ready to embark on their journey.

“I wish you two much luck…come back safely.”

“We will father.” Jehv gave the elder a quick hug, then with his staff in hand and a bag on his back, he turned to Genesis. “It’s a long walk, we better get started.” Jehv began to walk, heading just left of the sun with Genesis close to his side.

As the two walked, the elder stayed and watched until he could no longer make out the travelers, but he was no alone. A woman standing off to the side also watched Jehv and Genesis leave…but she was someone who no man or any living creature could see at the moment. Sephira, Genesis’ mother, stood just right of the elder. Her long golden hair moved slightly in the breeze along with her long white dress, for she did exist, just in a different plane.

Her violet eyes were sad and filled with pain. When the elder turned and left and she could no longer see the two, she hung her head and hugged herself lightly.

“Not again…”

The sun crawled its way into the sky then began to slowly make its descent back toward the horizon and there was still no sight of the town.

“How are you holding up?” Jehv had slowed his pace down, as he was growing tired.

“Fine.”

“Well I am tired…let us rest for a moment if that’s okay.” Jehv stopped and let the bag on his back fall to the ground. He soon sat and took a deep breath, happy to have this moment where he could just rest.

Genesis stared at him for a moment, “Why are we walking?”

“How else do we get there but by our own feet?” Jehv began searching through the bag, looking for something to eat.

“We have friends.”

Jehv looked up and looked very confused, “What?”

“We have friends.” Genesis smiled brightly at Jehv for a moment then quickly looked around the area. His eyes stopped on a forest that was off in the distance then let out a loud high pitch whistle that made Jehv quickly cover his ears. Genesis let his hands fall from his mouth and just continued to watch the forest. Jehv too, slowly brought his hands down but only watched in confusion. Just as he was about to break the silence and ask what was going on, off in the distance came a reply. The howls of animals and soon three emerged from the forest. They were large beasts, white, and ran on all four legs. Jehv recognized them right away.

“Wolves?”

Genesis looked back at Jehv, “Is that what you call them?”

“Uh…” Unable to answer, Jehv leaned back, a bit nervous and not sure how to react.
Genesis continued to smile even though he sensed Jehv’s discomfort, though he had no idea why.

“Trust me.” With a smile on his face, Genesis watched Jehv relax at those words. Jehv couldn’t help but feel as though everything would be all right on this journey, so long as he was with Genesis…

The city they were headed to would only take a short amount of time to reach there by wolf back. Malkuth, the largest city and one of the two remaining cities with an actual King, was always the starting point for most travelers for it carried the most information. People were constantly entering and leaving Malkuth so the actual towns people had no problem making a living…the streets were filled with booths and performers…and it was always loud, alive, day and night. It is here that two more would find themselves on a different path in life.

“Good evening!” A feminine voice, perky, and a plastered smile that went from ear to ear broke the moment of peace for one fortuneteller.

A weighted sigh came from him, “Good evening, Jo. I thought I would be able to go a whole day without seeing you.”

“I decided to try and mix it up a bit and come at a different time.” Jo was a younger woman with brown hair that fell to just above her shoulders. When she was in a good mood she would always brush her hair back behind one ear, which she did at this point before leaning forward a little.

“I don’t see why you are always coming here.” The fortuneteller was older and sat at a simple table that was covered in a blue and violet speckled cloth. It was a long table and another man sat next to him. He was busy reading the fortune of a very small child, reading it with black and white stones that had gold lettering.

“Why not? You should be happy I come here everyday. I put your food on the table.” She chuckled softly, a response that was very out of character for her, but on rare occasions she would let one slip. “Now…tell me my future Collin!”

Collin pulled out a bag, letting another weighted sigh slip through and shook his head. “It is going to be the same thing as yesterdays, and the day before that, and the day before that…and the day before that-“

Jo waved her hand to stop him, “But today might be different.”

“You are the most routine person I know. Your life will really only change it if you set out and change it yourself. You want my honest opinion?”

“Not really but I know you are going to give it to me anyway.” She seemed amused.

“Go. Home.”

Jo’s smile instantly vanished and there was a short pause before she responded, “What do you mean?”

“What I said.”

“But I am home.”

“I mean where you are from…to your family. I bet they miss you…the war is long over…you don’t belong here.”

Her mood grew darker and colder, “I don’t have a family.”

“You once told me a long time ago you have a brother, a fathe-“

“Do you want my money or not?”

There was an awkward pause before Collin motioned to a stool for her to sit down. He rustled the bag for a moment, reached inside, and then began placing stones in an arc facing him. They were all black except for the stone at the very top of the arc was white. This caught their attention and they both leaned over to look at the white stone…something that wasn’t there yesterday, the day before that, and the day before that, and the day before that…

“See that’s different!” Jo’s good mood was beginning to return.

“Yes, you are right. And so am I in a sense.” There was a pause as they both sat back. He examined the stones on either side then pointed to the white stone.

“Today is your day of choice. You have finally come to a fork in the road in your life. On one side…” he motioned to the stones to the left, “you can take the same path as always, return to me tomorrow, and I will read your future again even though it will never really change. On the other hand…” he motioned to the stones to the right of the white one, “you have a chance to travel. Looks like you will meet someone new…maybe a few people I suspect.

However this chance won’t come unless you ask for it. It isn’t really searching you out. This is the direction you should go in. A lot of good will come out of it. And I am not just saying that…that is what the stones are telling me. It should happen very soon.”

Jo sat there fore a moment as she just absorbed everything that was said to her. Collin only watched quietly and then finally Jo stood up and smiles softly. “Thank you.”

She turned and slipped into the rest of the crowd. Since it was starting to grow later in the evening it wasn't as busy.

Night had fallen when Genesis and Jehv made it to the town. They had dismounted the wolves a little outside of town and walked the rest of the way so not to disturb or frighten anyone.

“The cheapest rooms to stay at are attached to the taverns. They should do just fine.” Jehv looked around then headed to the main street to try and find a bar. Genesis walked quietly behind.

They passed two bars before coming to Crossroads, a popular tavern for those looking for rumors or anything that might be of any interest to a traveler. Stories and myths of treasures were told here, and it was quite large compared to others in the town and almost always busy.

Jehv slipped up to the bar and took a seat on a empty stool. Being that he was a monk and dressed in the clothes and robes of one, it was expected that most of the attention from others in the room would be upon him. In fact, it was Genesis who made heads turn, though he was oblivious to the fact as he sat down next to Jehv at the bar. Conversations grew softer as people began to murmur among themselves about Genesis.

The bar tender came walking up to the two new comers. Heavy on his feet, bald, and covered with stains he was busy wiping his hands on a rag as he asked, “What can I get you two?”

“Some milk and bread with butter would be fine.” Jehv looked at Genesis, “What would you like?”

Genesis blinked and grew confused, “What do you mean?”

“Something to drink and eat. You haven't eaten anything all day...you must be hungry.”

“I'm fine.”

Jehv turned to the tender, “Get him some milk too.”

The tender chuckled, shook his head, and turned to get their order for them. Jehv looked around the place and noticed everyone was still glancing over at Genesis now and then. The whole mood had shifted since they walked in, it was as if they were confused or scared about the presence of Genesis...this made Jehv grow tense.
To try and ease himself he turned back to Genesis and spoke softly, “Maybe we should recruit some help...”
Genesis turned and watched Jehv, but did not speak.

“I don't know the area very well...what trouble we might get into...so I think it would be best if we did.”
Genesis only gave a smile to Jehv. He honestly didn't think it was a good idea...this is something he should do on his own. But maybe part of the way he could use their help. It was then the tender returned and handed them their orders. Jehv went and took on the bread and Genesis blinked curiously at the glass that was placed before it. The tender turned and headed down the bar aways and collected money from a customer who was familiar to him.

“Thank you, Jo.” He smiled at her and pocketed the change.

“No, thank you.” She flashed a smile and stood up. She began to turn and walk out-but stopped short in her steps when she came close to Genesis. She had not noticed him when he came into the bar and she did not take notice to the shift in atmosphere from his presence. But now, seeing him for the first time and not thinking clearly from all that she had been drinking, instincts from her days as a soldier kicked in. Her hand went to to the end over her sword that was always at her side, and her free hand went and grabbed Genesis' shoulder. He turned and their eyes met causing Jo to relax.

“Blue...” Her hand slipped and let go of her sword. Genesis tilted his head, confused by her actions. “I am sorry.” She let his shoulder go and started off.

“Wait a second!” Jo stopped and looked over, it was Jehv who called after her, not having seen what had happened. A smile was on his face, “Maybe you can help us.”
There was a pause before Jo walked over and sat down next to Jehv. By now the atmosphere of the bar had lived up again as everyone had seen Jo's reaction to Genesis.

“We are traveling...looking for someone.” Jehv began, “Only we could use a guide...and maybe some help. But...how do we enlist the help?”

There was a short pause before Jo answered, “I'll help.” She thought maybe this what the reading meant.

“You?”

“Me. I was a soldier in the last war, I know my way around the planet. I've been through just about every town...I'll be your guide.” There was a pause before she asked, “Where are you going.”

“That's the thing...we are looking for someone. He shoul-”

“Southern temple.” Genesis spoke softly as he slowly looked over. “He'll move north...probably go through each town first..."


“I need a room for the night.”

“It will be 30 gold.” Alpha paid, “Sign in?” A boo0k was slid over to him. He signed his name, took the key, and headed off down the hall.

Alpha's beast was tied up outside, tired from all the running. Alpha was worn out and hungry, but first thing on his mind was sleep. He would eat in the morning. He slipped into his room and set his bags down beside the bed. The last thing he took off his back was the poleaxe he had been carrying. That, he sat down on the table.

“Let us go back to my place for the night.” Jo smiled, “In the morning we can get the supplies we need and head off.” She got up, Genesis and Jehv followed.

“My name is Jehova, by the way.” They had forgotten about introductions, “And this is Genesis.”

“My name is Jo.”

Her real name was Lilith.