An empty bullet case ricochets off the cold concrete floor, as Katrina Weldens visualize herself pulling the trigger of her shiny black Desert Eagle with a loud and echoing BANG! The lifeless body drops in front of her - crashing to the ground with a loud thud. Katrina bends down to take a closer look at the man's face. His eye sockets were empty and his jaws were wide open. Suddenly he lunges forward and grabs her arm. "Time to die don't we?"

                She wakes up gasping for air - much harder this time - from the same god damn dream all over again. She kept wondering - why the hell the same dream? What’s so significant about it? And who the hell is that man that she kept shooting at? Why he?

                As Katrina struggles to make some sense, her PDA chimes again with an incoming message from Colonel Ajax - our lord expects your presence for dinner tonight at the Majestic hotel, 8pm sharp and remember to dress exquisitely.

                "WTF! Shit...what the heck should I do?" the thought of having dinner with her usurper is repulsive. She wonders what the hell he needs her for anyway and why must she dress exquisitely? She checked her calendar on the wall and realized in excitement that it's her day off today. Even officers get their holidays. She thought of what better way to spend it and make herself excusable to skip dinner with Kato...and she finally got an idea.

                She hurriedly dressed up in a pair of tight black jeans with a nice and stylish white jacket - grabs her stuff and tucks her trusty desert eagles by her hips. She took a quick stroll towards the corridors of her barracks, - while lower ranking officers stood up to salute her as she passes them by. Even though she's off duty and in her civilian clothes, her rank as a Captain of the Vanguarders are still unmistakable in the regiment.

                For not long - she arrives at the basement car park and took a long stare at the cars that were parked before her - there was a limo which of course were reserved only for the generals, some of the bigger four wheel drives , SUV'S, sedans and even some cool looking sport cars - she fancied all of the rides that she could borrow - after all she is a Level 3 officer with special privileges. She finally lay her eyes on a particular one - a beauty indeed to behold - a masterpiece of its kind - the old yet trusty motorcycle packed with some tricks up her sleeve - a black K-24 Strider that resembles a Harley Davidson yet thrice faster and certainly looks more futuristic.

                "I would like to loan this one", as she points to her shiny ride. The quartermaster that stood nearby her acknowledges and hands out the keys to her. Katrina immediately leaps on her ride as gracefully as she could as if she has been riding on the Strider since she was born. She snuck the keys on the ignition and turns it on as the beast lets out a roar. She winks at the quartermaster while he smirks and rides away in style towards the guardhouse and soon after she's out in the open - cruising on the Freeway 47 heading towards the City of Vintorch.

                "At last..." She thought to herself “It’s time to check out the city for myself and escape from her superiors."

                Not long after…she arrives at the edge of the city and taxi on to Ledar Street, many of the onlookers - from the pedestrians to the passengers and even drivers in their motor cars and busses that sped pass by - eyed her with jealousy as they have never lay eyes on such a cool chopper before, which of course was only custom made for the military. Before long she took a detour and arrived at an intersection shortly - many tall and beautiful glass buildings which belonged to the various wealthy and powerful multi-national corporate sector envelops her surroundings and towers above her. She can see the roads and pavement are all well kept clean and many of the automobiles in here are of the higher grades - limousines, executive sedans and occasionally some sports cars sped by her.

               Feeling uneasy with too many eyes on her, Katrina took another turn, this time heading towards the slums instead. Immediately, she can no longer see the splendid and appealing surroundings but the streets were now littered with debris strewn everywhere and decrepit old buildings now fills her sight, what a huge stark of contrast as compared to the majestic surroundings earlier. She could see more neon lights and bling signs with all sorts of adverts that you could think of - lit up the whole area and there were crowds everywhere loitering on the streets filled with broken and faulty sparking street lamps.

              She found an empty spot to park her shiny chopper - it's actually barely even a space, sandwiched between two large garbage trucks. “Just perfect! She cursed at herself. Strangely though, nobody in this part of the city seems to care or notice her at all. "Nice! No more distractions, I can finally blend in." Katrina thought to herself.

                Haven't even finished pondering that last word, she noticed an elderly woman from the opposite direction of the side-walk seems to be pacing towards her. Her green eyes seem affixed with Katrina's. She has no slightest idea whether she have met this person before and just before she can finish pondering that last thought again, suddenly the old woman appeared behind her, as if she has just pass through a metal detector right in front of her without being seen.

"Would you like to have your destiny being read today?” Coaxed the mysterious woman hastily.

                Bewildered and confused, Katrina hesitates, “I am not so sure about it.”

                “Come come…it won’t take much of your time I promise you, but we must hurry…you must not delay any longer.” The charismatic old woman is anxious with her surroundings as she keeps on looking side-ways.

                “What’s with the hurry anyway?”

                “There are enforcers heading this way, they seemed to be searching for a person of very particular interest.”

                Katrina knew they were looking for her. Damn! Can’t even let her have her own day in peace, “Very well lead the way then.”

                The mysterious woman in green robes quickly beckons Katrina down a few alleyways, past a few shabby and rundown buildings before finally arriving at a 5 story old but elegant looking building which certainly doesn’t look like it belonged to this part of the city. The woman whispered to the sentries standing guard at the red colored door. They acknowledged and quickly open it to allow them safe passage. Wow! What kind of fortune teller has armed sentries anyway?

                Inside, Katrina finds it bemusing to behold a beautiful and lush garden as if she suddenly got teleported into a botanical garden out of nowhere. She can hear little birds chirping around her. There is an alluring fountain in the middle of this strange place with sturdy oak chairs and a matching table aligned beside the fountain that seems like a perfect spot for a picnic. Katrina can’t help but immediately felt calm and peaceful at that place.

                “Please wait here; I will summon the seer for you in a moment.”

                The woman hurries to the double doors on the side of the large complex. While she’s at it, Katrina couldn’t help but noticed something very peculiar with her surroundings. And not for long she glimpsed upon an unmistakable sniper scope among the tall bushes. Feeling alarmed, she was about to drew her pistols when suddenly she heard a male voice from the distance.

                “Please…there is no need to.” Suddenly the main double doors, camouflaged by the side of the wall opens with a loud creak and a tall man dressed in a beautiful red suit steps out to greet Katrina.

               “Forgive our manners but the sentries in here are for our protection.”

               “Protection? I am about to walk out of this damn place right now before…” Katrina was interrupted before she could finish.

               “Please…my name is Gordon Liu, before you do so please hear me out.”

               Katrina eyes at him from head to toe suspiciously, “Why should I? You certainly don’t look like some fortune teller.”

               “Oh yes I am not…but please” Gordon answered with a confident tone and gestures at her to take a seat by the fountain as he does so the same. He seems to be muttering a few words to himself as if he is running a hundred mathematical calculations over his head. Throughout the entire process, Katrina's mind was screaming at her to leave. With every second that passes, she anticipates for a spring or a trap will befell upon her.

               Suddenly Gordon snaps out of his trance and speaks in the most calming demeanor. "What if I told you that you are the only person in this planet who can bring everlasting peace and balance to this city?"

               "What are you blabbering about?"

               "I am talking about bringing a revolution and justice to the Kanos oppression."

               "Now you shouldn't be talking like that…especially to someone like me"

               "Oh yes…especially you Katrina Weldens. I know who murdered your mother and I know the reason you joined the regime because you want to avenge her death.”

               Katrina was taken aback. “How the hell did you know that?”

                “I know a great deal of things about you.”

                “And I know even more!” a powerful and commanding voice of a woman suddenly can be heard from a hidden balcony overlooking them.

                Gordon stood up and gestures at her welcomingly which is very obvious the woman who appears before them is his employer, “May I present – Arlina, the lady of the house.”

                Lady Arlina nods at her apprentice as she walks down gracefully on a camouflaged staircase by the side of the beige wall. She wore a long purple dress with a striking rose feather cap; her left hand seems to be holding a shrouded bird cage while her right arm holds a mysterious looking box as she strides confidently towards Katrina.

                “We know a great deal of things about you Katrina.”

                “Who are you people?”

                Lady Arlina took her seat gracefully beside them as she lays the birdcage in the middle of a small coffee table.

                “Now don’t be alarmed my little girl. Firstly, we have no intention to harm you and secondly please hear us out before you make up that judgmental mind of yours.” Lady Arlina unravels the purple cloth covering the bird cage and a small Draconem stood right before them – no taller than a feet. Katrina stares in awe at such a cute little thing as it squeaks while Lady Arlina strokes at it in her arms like some little cuddly puppy.

                Lady Arlina stares intently at Katrina. “We have been forgotten for a very long time, we have been persecuted by your government, we have been hunted down for generations due to the dark arts that we practiced. We are the Delta Magi.”

                Katrina blinks in puzzlement as she certainly never heard of that name before.

                Lady Arlina strokes at the Draconem once again, it felt comfort and trusting at its master. “This is a newborn…no older than 5 days to be exact.”

                Without warning, she snaps the little dragon’s neck.

                “Why the hell you do that for?” Screams a totally outraged Katrina.

Seemingly unperturbed – Lady Arlina nodded at Gordon.

                Gordon opened the mysterious box that Lady Arlina was carrying earlier. It resembles a small puzzle box, more like a contraption of some sort. After pushing some keys on the lid, the box opens intricately and a fish bowl filled with water was revealed before them. Gordon carefully opens the stopper lid as not to spill the clear water that was filled in it as Lady Arlina utters a few words to the lifeless little Draconem; Immediately it springs to life – what remains of its soul to be exact as it flew from top down into the fish bowl like a small cloud of mist.

                “In order for this to work, we’ll need a sample of your blood” Gordon hands a small scalpel to Katrina.

                Lady Arlina slowly nudges Katrina. “Now…the truth will be revealed before you...and only if you want to see it” The spirit of the little dragon eyes at Katrina with burning intensity – waiting patiently. Katrina took a long look at what was unfolding before her – hesitating…then she cuts a small wound on her finger and drips a blood into the fish bowl. As the blood swims slowly in the clear water – it merged finally with the Draconem spirit and then it lets out a bright orange glow.

                Without warning, visions of a great battle appeared inside Katrina’s head. She could see herself riding on a large majestic Draconem ordering her armies to charge into battle that lies before her. Then the vision abruptly changed to a handsome man taking her arms as be bows to propose to her. And the vision changed again – this time she could see herself standing before the leaders of various factions as they bear their flags and unite under her command.

                Katrina gasped for air as if she was drowning while the vision ceases. She looked at them totally confused while rubbing her strained head.

                “What you have seen are events that will reveal itself to you in the near future but only if you thread this path.” Lady Arlina laid her hands on Katrina’s shoulder to comfort her.

                “How do I know that this is not some kind of a cheap magic trick?”

                “The spirit of the dragon never lies.” Answered Gordon. “Your path as a chosen one has been laid before you. Whether you like it or not…you will walk this path and save us all from the oppresion.”

                Suddenly a sentry came through the double doors and whispered towards Lady Arlina. “I am afraid we have to cut our meeting short for now. You are truly a wanted person after all.” More sentries appeared before them with their rifles cocked and loaded as they escort both the lady of the house and Gordon hastily.

                “Wait! How can I reach out to you?”

                “Perhaps our path will cross again...or maybe not…but don’t count on it.” Lady Arlina adjusted her cap while Gordon waved a goodbye. Katrina stood still in that quiet garden, the chirping of the birds are long gone as if they all has just died.

                She can now hear the shuffling of boots and the unmistakable spinning rotors of an Encircle above – within moments rushed in the Enforcers as they sweep the garden in a defensive position. One of them walks up to Katrina “Captain…you have been summoned by our supreme lord right away.” Katrina eyes the Enforcer in an awkward manner – still dumbfounded by what has just happened.