Introduction

Up ahead, I spotted a steep hill, but no sight of light on the horizon. Stuck at this crossroads in the middle of the night, I wasn't sure whether I should move forward, and then I heard some bushes moving behind. I jumped around to see what was causing the noise. Nothing. That's reassuring...

I started hiking up the hill, but then I heard a noise. A fox jumped out of the bushes ahead, and I nearly jumped out of my pants. Thankfully, he didn't see me and continued along his way. But the wolf hunting him down did.

As soon as he saw me, he lost all interest in hunting down the fox. Typical. I turned and sprinted back down the hill without even looking back. I could feel its footsteps approaching, shattering the branches underneath his powerful paws.

Just when I thought I was out of hope, I spotted a figure at the bottom of the hill. It was a man, but not really a man. He was more like a ghost; he floated in the air, his black robe flowing and covering a frail body. I had no idea what to think, and I didn't have time to. I only had time to act.

I called out for help as I approached, but when he saw me, he was not alarmed at all. I continued to beg for help from the creature, but when I turned around, it was gone just like that. Where on earth could it have gone? I turned back, and for the first time, I got a better glimpse of his facial expression. He was not alarmed or panicked, but rather amused by how terrified I was.

"Young man," he said, "why are you in such a hurry?"

His voice instantly calmed me down, and I was able to gather my thoughts. "What happened to the wolf? It was chasing me all the way down the hill! You have to help me!"

"I can help, but you will have to follow me on quite the adventure. This will not be the last cruel form you encounter on the journey."

I should've been terrified or even a little weirded out, but I wasn't. I had this innate sense of trust in this ghost, like he was able to calm me down without even trying. After all, he literally made that wolf disappear somehow. I decided that I would follow him; after all, what's the worst that could happen?

"What's your name, young man?" the ghost asked.

"Dante."

"Dante, my name is Virgil. Follow me. Let's go for a walk."

He turned around and started walking towards a cave.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," I said. "Where exactly are we going?

Virgil chuckled. "We are undergoing a journey like no other, one through time and history. The people we will meet will help you see the power of sin."

Creepy. At least, that's what I should've thought. But again, I just didn't know what other choice I had. It didn't help that Virgil had already turned back around and continued towards the cave. I shrugged and followed him into the darkness.