2000 by Michi

Chapter 1

2000. The turn of the century. The new millennium. The world waited with baited breath as they watched their clocks count them into a new period expected to bring about technological innovation and peace on earth. New Year parties and celebrations took place all throughout the world in major cities as the time zones changed. However, when the famed Times Square ball dropped, signaling the New Year in New York City, amidst the fanfare and celebration there was a great explosion and flash of light.

The square had been surprisingly quiet and it was not until the smoke cleared that the reason was discovered. Where there had once been thousands of people only corpses remained. Rising out of the sea of bodies was an arch of smooth black stone which was covered in an expanse of stylized carvings; the symbols and drawings shimmered internally with a rainbow of colors. An opaque cloud stretched under the arch, making it impossible to see through to the other side, with an occasional bolt of color shooting across. The arch remained lit for ten days before all color and the strange cloud dissipated, leaving nothing but a dark stone archway.

Top geologists, archaeologists, and various other specialized scientists were gathered to discover just what had happened and the origins of what was later dubbed “The Blood Arch” as a result of the death it wreaked upon its appearance. It was quickly discovered that no technology could be within fifty yards of the arch, if it did enter the parameter than the equipment would simply short out regardless of the equipment’s power source. Despite the efforts of the many working to understand the arch, it was not until exactly one month later at midnight that the world learned its purpose.

On February 1, 2000, the arch suddenly re-activated. However, unlike the first time it appeared, there was no explosion or burst of light. Instead, the runes slowly lit from the bottom up and the opaque cloud spread, filling the opening of the arch. The world waited with baited breath to see what would happen. It was moments later that the first name appeared from within the cloud: Aaron Bates. Beneath the script was an image of a young man in his late twenties. He had a short haircut and what looked like dog tags hanging around his neck. Military.

The world was once again flung into confusion as they searched out Aaron Bates in what was later known as the Bates affair. He was an American soldier who had been on leave and was spending time at home with his wife and three year old daughter. He was immediately taken into US custody and thoroughly questioned. Many governments believed that he was somehow responsible and were calling for his public execution.

Ten days after the Blood Arch activated, it returned to its dormant state. The moment the arch went dark, Aaron Bates died.

In March the name was Ada Bäcker, a German woman who was an elementary school teacher in her late forties. She too was taken in by her government and questioned. Then, like Bates, she died when the ten days had passed.

This cycle continued for the next three months but regardless of what they did, the person named always died after the ten days was up. Their causes of death could not be found; as if their soul simply left them.

This pattern ended on July first when the name listed was an eight year old Australian boy named Levi Taylor. Unlike other governments, the Australians approached the United States asking if they could bring the boy to New York, that maybe he would just need to come into contact with the arch.

So on the seventh day, Levi Taylor was led by the hand to the Blood Arch. Many had come to fear the arch believing it to be a sign that the world was ending so Levi’s fear of the arch was considerable and understood by his mother who was grasping his hand. She had tears streaking down her face, afraid of the arch and for her son’s wellbeing. It was with a shaking voice that she told her son to reach out to touch the arch.

When Levi’s skin came into contact with the arch it seemed to glow even brighter than before and the cloud inside shifted until a landscape came into view. Looking though the arch one should have been able to see the buildings on the other side, yet instead the image was that of a green pasture with strange llamas which seemed to have wings and were using them to fly through the sky. A red sky.

The watching world was amazed at what they saw. Apparently, Levi was charmed by the scenery because he released his mother’s hand and proceeded to walk right through the arch, his body disappearing just as the image did. The Blood Arch immediately de-activated, returning to its dormant state. Levi’s mother tried to follow after him but she was unable to follow. There was a worldwide search for Levi but he remained missing.

There were several truths the world learned from this. First, it was possible for the arch to go dormant before the ten days. Second, the person named is transported somewhere unknown. Third, if they did not go, they would die.

Fifteen years after the Blood Arch first appeared 179 names have been called. Of those people 116 people have crossed through the Arch, the rest choosing death. Very few passed through the gates after Levi in the beginning. The UN declared a state of emergency and attempted to bomb the arch, leveling New York City in the process. Yet, the arch remained standing.

The turning point was September 27, 2004. It was four in the afternoon in what was once New York City when the arch suddenly lit up and from it a man emerged. He was covered in battle armor and wielded a great sword which seemed to pulsate in his hand. The soldiers who were stationed at the arch immediately took action demanding he surrender. Strangely enough, the man fell to his knees and began to weep. He was the first person after Levi to enter the gate and the fifteenth name to be listed on the arch: Fallon Michaels.

Fallon was returned to his homeland, England, and subjected to extensive questioning. He told how the arch was a portal to a different world. He did not know if they were all the same, but it was later proven that they were in fact different worlds. The world he was transported to was a world of fire and ash. The ground was riddled with volcanos and geysers. The sentient beings that habituated the world were known as Zoriants and were small dwarf like creatures with incredibly thick skin. They seemed to communicate using various grunts and whines.

When he had arrived they were afraid of him and attempted to kill him. Having been on his university’s fencing team he was able to use a long burnt root to fight them off. Plant life was scarce in the world and the Zoriants lived off of the volcanic dwelling animals and what little water they could salvage from the geysers.

When Fallon eventually gained their trust and learned their language he set off to explore the world and soon found was appeared to be an oasis. Convincing the Zoriants to relocate was difficult and he had to fight more than one of them before they consented. He helped teach them about agriculture and a more sustainable lifestyle, believing that he was trapped in the world. It was not long before the true threat appeared in the form of a manipulative and cruel overlord who joyed in the oppression of others.

Fallon had to raise an army to overthrow the lord and liberate the world. The moment his sword fell, ending the lord’s life, Fallon felt a pull at his soul. Then, before he could comprehend what had happened he was standing in the ruins of New York City with soldiers speaking English.

It was then the world realized the final truth about the arch: It was possible to return.

Only 49 people have returned from where they were sent after crossing through the arch. Each world was different and each person had different tasks they fulfilled. However, there was one underlying principle: there was always someone they had to defeat and they would always return when they vanquished them.

People who returned were never the same as they were before; they could not re-adjust to Earth and the reality that they were no longer fighting for their lives. Some even killed themselves in an attempt to wake up from what they believed was a dream. Yet, the arch continued to list names. Once a month at the designated time. So few return.