[ WP ] A medieval world is forever changed when they are visited by Extra Terrestrials .

`` A blind Venetian Doge took Constantinople in the 4th Crusade at the age of 90, personally leading the final assault that broke the walls. 
 
 History tells you it was out of revenge. The books say his eyes were torn by jagged glass as punishment for some forgotten offense. That was a lie. 
 
 The same history book will explain that he lead the Crusading army out of greed, revenge and lust for conquest. Those too are lies. 
 
 I will tell you right now that he was driven by fear. Fear of what he had seen. I've seen it too, and for a price I will tell you how to see it for yourself.'' 
 
 Sven, a visiting Art student from Copenhagen, looked at the homeless man squatting on a mat underneath the overpass just outside Istanbul. He eagerly pulled out a five euro note of his breast pocket and held it just out of reach of the beggar's hands. 
 
 `` I'm not paying for a story old man,'' he spat out in Turkish `` I want you to come and show me yourself.'' 
 
 Clearly startled by the near flawless pronunciation, the beggar shakily stood up. 
 
 `` We are going to need a cab.'' 
 
 -- -- - 
 
 The heat of the city engulfed the yellow cab in a foul smelling haze. Now blinded by sweat, the Nordic man failed to notice the driver had missed their turn. 
 
 -- -- - 
 
 Sven, forty euros poorer and sweating profusely, jogged slowly after the beggar who proved more spry than anticipated. He felt that this beggar was leading him in circles through the narrow alley. 
 
 He was visibly relieved when the man slowed and nodded towards a cafe so tiny and hidden that it was sure to have not a single yelp review. 
 
 They headed inside and startled the lone waiter who had been rolling his own cigarette on the solitary table in the dining area. 
 
 Sven quickly handed the waiter ten euros at the insistence of the beggar and the man disappeared into the Kitchen. Emerging moments later, the waiter handed the Nordic man a small ivory box. On this box was the ancient Greek symbol Chi Rho. The box was well worn, its colors long since faded. 
 
 The key inside made Sven gasp. 
 
 -- -- 
 
 Holding a key made of what was once a human hand, he followed the beggar into the basement. The old man struggled to lift a rusty sewer grate from the rough floor. With a grunt it yielded and the man jumped into the stagnant waters below. 
 
 -- -- 
 
 `` When the Muslims took the city, they rebuilt everything from the ground up. Everything beneath the streets they left to rot.'' 
 
 Sven was getting sick from the stench but plodded along diligently though the rancid tunnels. Every so often he would clutch the'key' in his pocket and feeling it hold his hand back was the only comfort left to the Danish explorer this deep in the forgotten bowels of the city...
