Story:Alto/Chapter 1

The sun bears down on cracked earth and sand like dust flowed through the wind. Everything is bright, empty, and barren. Life showed signs, but not prosperity. A man on a camel travels through the desert. Brown robes hide him beneath a raised hood. His body is completely protected from solar flames that gaze down upon him. All that could be seen from someone watching him were hands holding reins and the bottom of a pristine mask.

“This one strange. Desert doesn’t suit him.” An older man sat upon a throne of stone, only cloth pants and a necklace made of silver and diamond to conceal powerful muscle and a bronzed body. He listened to the report of the masked wanderer as he travelled through the sands. “He heading here?”

“Yes Sir.” The young messenger kept his head bowed. One arm rested upon one knee, as his fist touched the ground. “He arrives soon.” The older of the two hums. His eyes close for a moment, giving him a brief respite from the heaven’s light. Even in the shade everything was bright and hot. The messenger rose his head to see what the response may be, knowing he could be caught doing so.

“Let him in.” The older man spoke, rising to his feet. He motioned for the messenger to rise, and the two stood with a head between them in height. “Strange. Very strange. Barbarus must know more.” The messenger silently nodded and rushed down the steps.

Barbarus walked to the edge of his elevated throne room, looking over the courtyard to his palace. Pale stone, cleaned earth, and metal gates sat immediately below him. But the finer details were not lost, even standing high above them. The carvings on the walls, showing the famous warriors to enter this chamber. Some even depicted those who never left. The gates opened.

A brown cloak stumbled in, swaying in the wind. His hood remained up, his head pointed forward.

“Stop.” And so the cloaked figure did. “Hood.” The hood came down, showing a man with brown, well cut hair. The mask was carved from bone, hugging his face. It had small holes in the eyes, nose, and mouth to allow basic functions. But it’s design was like a template for the human face.

“Mask.”

“I cannot.” The masked man spoke, shaking his head. The commanding voice of Barbarus was acutely contrasted by the light and airy voice of the main standing below him. The more they looked, the more difference between themselves they saw. Tall and short, thick and thin, groomed and rugged. It was as if the guest had came from another world entirely.

“Why?” Barbarus shall know about this man.

“The sun is too strong for me. Any direct contact would be harmful.” Barbarus raised an eyebrow as the man spoke. The masked man’s hair wasn’t long enough to cover his neck, and no cloth rested upon it. “I am of no use to you injured, I assure you.”

“What, a vampire?” Barbarus asked after containing a laugh within his throat.

A short, sharp laugh was audible beneath the mask. “No, no, not quite that severe. I am simply not used to the desert. Such a place as is… near inhospitable for me.” Barbarus narrowed his eyes. “Ah,” the sound of someone who had misspoken, “I do not mean your palace, specifically. Apologies for my careless words.” A hum, brief silence. “Very well. Offering?”

The masked man bowed his head. One hand behind him, balled up in a fist. The other rested over his heart. “I have heard stories of the desert. Seeing it for myself only confirmed such… horrors. I wish to give you an oasis.”

“Why?” Barbarus’ question caused the masked man to raise his head. A sharp breath escaped his lips.

“Wouldn’t you want more land? A place brimming with life?”

“None so casually offers land.” Barbarus began to walk down the steps as he spoke. “Not without cost. What is cost?”

“Is it such a crime to seek belonging in this grand kingdom? Freedom from roaming brigands?” The masked man stood fully, looking up at the king.

“No.”

“So then-”

“Silence.” Barbarus had reached the bottom of the stairs. “Name?”

“You may call me Delta.” The masked man pointed towards a stylized triangle on his cloak.

“Never heard of Delta.” Barbarus walked up to Delta, staring into his eyes. “Who is Delta?”

“That is...” Delta stopped briefly, realizing the true question, “Someone who can grant you many things, if only you trust me.” He spoke more slowly and deliberately, now that he understood his situation.

“Barbarus trusts no stranger. Leave.” He ordered. Delta sighed from beneath his mask.

“Please, wait. You would deny my offer, not knowing what it is you would receive? You cannot farm here. There’s barely enough to gather food from nature. Or hunt.” Delta pointed out. “Yet you so willingly turn down paradise?”

A short growl was Barbarus’ initial response. Heavy footsteps are head from another part of the courtyard as a man, not too dissimilar from Barbarus, walks up to them.

“Barbarus, who is this?” The newcomer asked. His red hair extended outward like a mane. Unkept, disheveled, yet fitting for a body torn by scars.

“Roland. Remove him.” Barbarus turned and walked back up the stone staircase. The red haired Roland walked over to Delta with a smile dancing across his face. A crack of his knuckles, a release of air, his foot stepping forward, and his arm sprung froward. Yet what Barbarus heard from behind him was the sound of rock, not flesh.

“I will not be threatened.” Delta spoke, his tone was suddenly sharp and dry. What politeness and passivity he had before had vanished as quickly as the earthen shield along his arm appeared. His sleeve was glowing a pale light as well, seemingly attached to the stone.

“A magician.” Barbarus spoke as he looked down, one foot raising up the steps and the other supporting him below. Roland had broken a sizeable portion of the stone, though he did not follow through. The battle worn warrior had taken a few steps back, bracing himself for a counter strike.

“I have overstayed my welcome. For now I shall leave, but I plan to return.” The rock crumbled into dust, his arm ceased its glow, and Delta walked away. His hood returned to its initial position as the gates closed behind him.

“What do about him?” Roland asked, looking up at Barbarus.

“When returns, we hear him out. But will also prepare to kill him. Barbarus knows this is a trap. Yet Barbarus interested.”

“Give chase?” The red haired man smiled with his request.

“Very well.” Barbarus nodded as he returned to his throne. “Don’t get caught.”

The masked man exited the city on his camel. He bought supplies and made his way home with what dwindling cash he had left. Even with his mask, the sunlight and intense heat nearly forced his eyes closed. The desire to sleep during the trip began to overtake him.

Though the desert refused this request just as Barbarus had refused his offer.

A forest was in sight. Above the treetops ran a tower up into the heavens. He needed to remain conscious in order to reach his home.

From a distance Roland sat atop a horse. He looked through a spyglass at Delta, the forest, and the tower. A smirk danced on his face as he noticed what lands this strange magician was offering. Barbarus would be fully interested in this man’s offer once he heard this discovery.