[ WP ] [ HP ] It 's 1216 - Dover , England . You are part of a trebuchet crew in the army of Louis , the Dauphin of France ... ( more in comments )

My lungs vacated every last bit of air I could muster as I screamed, careening through the air toward the walls. I inwardly had to admit that this was the most amazing moment of my life, even if it was my last. I watched the large Garrison walls approach rapidly, knowing soon that I would be splattered against the mossy stone. 
 
 A body-sized hole in the sky opened wide, a black void that must have led to the devil himself. I had cared for my family, taken pity on the poor- was I deserving of the depths of blackness, the inevitable lake of fire? As I traversed the threshold of the thick black circle that floated listlessly in the air in front of me, stark, otherworldly colors exploded into vision. My body was slowed to a halt inside some strange chamber made of smooth glossy stones I had never before witnessed. Large pillars with snaky vines that glowed with light wrapped around the chamber, with a sealed circular exit-path at the end of it. 
 
 I hovered perfectly in the air until some unseen force lowered us down, and then I realized that I had not been thrown into the fiery depths of hell, but given to the gates of Heaven. They were nothing like what I had imagined, and when at last, I finally was lowered to the ground, the seal opened- bright white light pouring into the chamber. Two dark bodies emerged from the blinding precipice- human beings. They wore strange clothing, smooth black garments that draped loosely across their torsos and legs, comfortably fitting their bodies. They were dressed in the style of peasants, but their clothes were clean and the black coloring was stark, with outlines of white around their sleeves and necklines. 
 
 `` Can you understand me?'' one asked in perfect French. 
 
 `` You- are you the Gatekeeper?'' I fumbled helplessly. 
 
 `` I'm sorry?'' He pondered. 
 
 `` The- are you the gatekeeper of Heaven?'' I replied. 
 
 `` The- oh... no, no. I'm so sorry, this is n't Heaven. Oh, it's not Hell, or Purgatory- no need to worry. We need your assistance. We're going to put you back where you came from in just a moment.'' 
 
 `` I'm not- I'm not dead?'' I asked, touching my chainmail and flicking my exposed toes on my bootless foot. 
 
 `` No, you're alive- we just... well, we got really lucky with you getting attached to that trebuchet,'' he said- his partner chuckling slightly. As they moved close to me, the other opened a small case he was holding and revealed an other-worldly item. `` We need you to travel to London and meet a woman. She goes by the alias of Ellaine Sallas- her real name is Vega Coldathis. Do you understand?'' 
 
 `` I... I suppose,'' I stammered. 
 
 `` Good. I know this is a lot to take in, but we need you to get this item to her as quickly as you can. I know that you're very engaged with the war, but we need you to get to London. It's crucally important. If you do this, we'll watch over you- make sure you are taken care of, and your family is cared for, for the rest of your life. Will you do that for us?'' His partner looked at me expectantly as they pushed the case toward me. The small silver block inside had narrow, chiseled inscriptions across it. My wide, terrified eyes moved back up to them and I made a decision. 
 
 `` I will do this for you,'' I determined. 
 
 `` Alright,'' he confirmed and handed me a note as I took the object from the case. `` This is her address, and on the back of this note there are instructions for her. I promise you, this is n't witchcraft or anything devious- we're just human beings like you... we're just from a very very different place. Are you alright with all of this?'' He asked gently. 
 
 `` I understand,'' I acknowledged, staying as calm as I could. With that, the man nodded to me and squeezed my shoulder, and in a moment, they had vacated the chamber. The black vortex appeared behind me and I prepared myself to move back into my world. I emerged into a large grassy meadow, and watched down the road as the Garrison of Dover was attacked ruthlessly. I turned my head away and looked at the road which I could best determine led toward London.
