When we reached the gate I saw an old man on the other side of the gate.

   " Hello, are you the Lord?"

   " Yes, I am. Who are you?"

   " I am Nelton. I was traveling to collect knowledge of architecture when I spotted this wonderfully made gate."

Something was not right. I could feel it.

   " Thank you my mother and I built it together."

   " It is so beautifully crafted."

   " So Sir. why may you be here?"

   " I need to come in."

   " I understand that, but why?"

   " I want to explore this extravagant city of yours."

   " Hmmm. Well I g-"

   " Wait," I said interrupting him.

   " Are you lost, Sir?"

   " Oh no, I was heading to the town of Sesal when I spotted this gate."

   " Oh? "

   " Yes, I wanted to go there to meet my family."

   " Okay. There are three problems with that."

I walked over to the wall and I climbed over it and landed safely on the other side. The old man backed away from the door of the gate. I could feel everyone's eyes on me. I pulled my sword out of the mist to see that it changed.

( You can change the color if you want )

I held it by my side as I talked.

   " One you said that at the beginning that you was traveling for architecture and not family. Two there is no town of Sesal around here. There is no town, village, or kingdom anywhere around here for miles. "

The old man looked angry.

   " Finally. You're, not an old man."

I transformed into my other form. I could feel my bow across my back along with my arrows. They changed as well.

and ran at the old man. He dodged the attack. Ben was crying my name, but I didn't listen. I ran towards him again. and my sword slashed right through him. He fell and by this time Ben ran outside the gate. I pulled my sword up and pointed at him.

   " Don't. Move."

He did as I asked. The old man dissolved into black. A shadow soul appeared in his place. It looked at me then it disappeared. Once it did I turned back towards Ben.

   " It was a shadow soul Ben not a real old man."

   " How?"

   " His story didn't check out Ben. When I first came here. I memorized all the maps around this place to look for Phoenix Drop. I didn't find it. There are no places around here for miles. Plus he kept wanting to come in. He said that he was not lost. Only those who are in need come here, Ben."

He looked down in disappointment.

   " Don't worry about it, Ben. You have a kind heart, but that can also be a danger to you. You must be cautious. Especially now. You will not attract many shadow souls, but they are a real problem around the region. Okay?"

   " Okay, thanks, mom."

   " Anytime. Be careful around them, please. All they want are Lords. So please be calm and careful around them. Remember what I taught you."

I looked towards the people and they all looked frightened.

   " Ben you must talk to them."

He nodded and stood on top of the fountain.

   " Citizens of Alta hear my word. We must be more cautious. Shadow souls are everywhere around this region. If you find someone along the walls of the town then come to me. Do not talk or let them in. Come see me. As my mother said. They are tricky. They will try and try to come in no matter what. So they may take the appearance of anyone."

He looked down at me and I nodded to him.

   " Do not be afraid. We can take them! But we must know if they are people in need or fakes. So come to me before engaging them. Do you trust me?"

They all cheered after his final word. He smiled at the crowd and I did the same. The village has definitely grown. Ben jumped down from the fountain and faced me.

   " Thanks again mom."

   " Not a problem. " I said transforming back into my usual form.

   " Now let's take a walk around the village. I want to see the old and new parts of Alta."

He smiled and we started walking along the cobblestone paths.