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black robes, both of which were embroidered with a crest and a solitary word: CROSS.
    Dangling from the speaker’s hips were two polished, circular blades. The second man towered above the first, standing at least seven feet tall. A bushy beard billowed from the shadows of the hood and two elongated, pure silver pistols were tucked into his belt.
    “You!” spat Cody in an accusatory tone, “where’s Dunstan?”
    “Your importance in the unfolding events is significant, but you are far from our only concern. As it happens, Dunstan is…otherwise occupied.” The speaker rested against the windowsill; however, the silent giant remained unmoved, his thick fingers resting uncomfortably close to his large pistols. Cody could feel the man’s intense stare digging a grave into his forehead.
    “Dunstan sends his regards—and a message.”
    Cody sat up attentively. “Go on….”
    The man motioned toward the stone tablet on Cody’s nightstand. “He says that your appointed journey will lead to your desired location, but away from your destiny. The answer to questions not yet asked waits at the place where it was discovered . Find the northern caves where The Thirteenth dwells; there you will receive understanding.”
    Cody ran his fingers through his shaggy hair. “What on earth does Dunstan expect me to do with all that mumbo-jumbo? What’s in the caves? What’s The Thirteenth? And why should I trust you? I don’t even know your name.”
    At this the shorter man chuckled. “What is a name? A name represents individuality—a vice I’ve long since forsaken for the greater cause. I am Agent Two, no less and no more. My associate,” he motioned to the seven-foot behemoth, “is Agent Four. That will be sufficient.” He turned to face the window. “The time has come.” With that, everything went black and the Orb’s light extinguished behind the metallic eye of the Sanctuary.
    “ Illumchanta !” A bright light filled the room, but the two hooded men had vanished. How they had managed to disappear was of no concern to Cody; he had more pressing matters on his mind. He scooped up the Book, the ruby pocket watch, and the stone tablet and stuffed them into his backpack. Without looking back, he vanished out his door. Darkfall had come at last—the wait was over, but there was one essential thing left to do.

11
    The Journey Begins
    HUSHED, REVERBERATING WHISPERS EXPOSED the only trace of life as two figures hastened down the darkened alley. A creaking noise brought a sharp “shhh” upon the guilty culprit. Exiting the alley, the first figure pushed aside a rock, revealing a narrow corridor. Without a sound, the two figures ducked inside.
    Scurrying toward the end of the tunnel they were greeted by the vast horizon. Red soiled dunes stretched across the immense landscape and faded into the distance. Lingering on the threshold view were the titanic pillars of the Labyrinth Mountains: the gateway to El Dorado.
    “Cody, you’re late. We have no time to spare. Hurry!” Dace hissed toward the men in the tunnel. A congress of people waited, tucked against the city’s forty-foot wall; The Company was ready for departure.
    Dace looked fierce in full battle armor; a bright Orb crested on the breast of his rock-mail chestplate. His helmet narrowed to an arrow point between his eyes, and a feather draped from the top like a horse’s tail.
    Five equally adorned warriors flanked Dace. Cody recognized them as Wolfrick, Sheets, Lacen, Kingsty, and Tryin. Their horse-hybrid creatures flared their black noses, clawing at the dirt with their front hooves, anxious for the journey.
    Unlike the others, Tat wore only a loose-fitting blue tunic and a tattered brown hat. A polished bow draped over his shoulder and a quiver of arrows rested on his back.
    The next man was unfamiliar, although the scarlet sash wrapped across his chest confirmed him to be Chazic—Silkian’s representative for the AREA. The Enforcer had a hardened square