Cold. That was the first thing that Xavier felt when he woke up in a dark circular chamber. Looking around he noticed several dozen bodies lying around and others getting up as he was.
"Where the bloody hell am I and why can't remember how I got here!" Xavier turned to see a guy who looked his age in torn jeans a plain white T-shirt and a bomber jacket, but how did he know all this and how did Xavier know who he was. Trying to reflect on his past all he could think of were vague ideas but no actual memories came to his mind other than hearing someone calling to him before a bright light blinds him.
"I umm... I don't think anyone can remember because I can't either." Xavier then turned over to a smaller boy also in a similar outfit to the first and noticed a resemblance between the two before the larger one snaps at him. "Can it Elliot! " Immediately the boy looked as if he had seen a ghost and then smiled hugging the smaller boy "You bastard, glad to see your mug." "John?" The boy named Elliot hugged back and almost teared up "All I remember is you died, does that mean I joined you?" Several people then started looking concerned and argued that they weren't dead or that they didn't remember dying before a voice overwhelmed and drowned all others.
"There will be answers, but for now we ask all the ones who have awoken to follow us." Xavier looked around and noticed that of all the bodies in the room it looked as if only twenty to twenty-five were awake. All the others looked as if they were sleeping, or worse not even alive as he didn't even notice them breathing. "We understand your concern at least for some of you but worry not the others are merely in deep slumber." Finally, after trying to search in the dim-lit chamber Xavier noticed the figure who was speaking.
It was an elderly man around seventy to eighty years who wore elegant grey and blue robes with silver trim that barely grazed the ground. With him were two others neither of which he could discern any details as they wore plain white masks covering their full face and similar robes to the elderly man although they lacked the silver trim while resting just above the ground. "And who the f-" the boy named John started before going silent as the elderly man raised a hand and muttering something, john still trying to speak but finding no words.
"Silence and follow, answers will come as long as you listen first. " The man seemed a bit upset as if he had expected this but didn't care for it in the slightest. Xavier finally finding his voice decided to speak up and ask "May we at least know your name so we know who our kind host is? " The man raised an eyebrow to Xavier's question and nodded as he responded "Your host I am not but my name you can have child. I am archbishop Ivan Von Granstall, Grand sorcerer of I'llgard!" And with that the archbishop dipped his head in a bow, turned around and began walking down the dark hallway, his followers doing the same. Xavier unsure of what would happen if he stayed got up and decided to follow after them, hearing the others who had awoken following behind him.
For what felt like roughly five minutes they walked through the dark and silent passageway before seeing a glint of light at all. As the group got closer Xavier could realize that it was the light of a fire, rather elegant mantles holding candles and torches. Some more people in robes were coming their way relighting them and it was then that Xavier realized just how cold he truly was, now feeling the warmth of the fire along the edges of his shoulders while he passed.
As the group continued into the light they could now see that what they thought was an underground passageway was truly a marble hallway. Filled with polished armour, paintings of many kings and queens as well as more of the mantles holding the torches and candles. several robed figures could be seen entering and leaving doorways along the hall. Surprisingly some wore the masks but as they passed more often Xavier noticed a face although he didn't notice any features as they had rushed past but he then saw another.
Xavier took in every detail as he watched a robed figure walk by carrying a small stack of books. He noticed their small eyes blue as the ocean and long dark hair tucked under their robes in the back, the small dots of freckles across her nose and cheeks and her thin glossed lips. Xavier instantly felt protective over her yet had no idea as to why as he seen her as cute but not attractive to him.
As the group passed more people Xavier noticed that most of the ones without masks were young adults or teenagers. After about ten minutes of walking, Ivan stopped as did the two behind him and Xavier stopped as well while also hearing the footsteps behind him stop. Turning towards a large set of doors Ivan opened them to reveal a large throne room and the man on the throne stood with a wide toothy grin. "I present to you your host Lord Avric Rosewall, King of I'llgard!" Keeping the large smile the King responded with grand energy. "Hello and welcome to my humble country, the woken."