But, I can say this sincerely – I never felt better than I had in those days. Never.

Back then, however, back when I could have been considered an idiot by all written and hereto explained standards of the word, I could have never seen myself as I do now. Had I been told I would become what I am today, I would have never believed the fool who told me.

Back then, I was as carefree as any human. Young, alive, filled with love and lust, and all the other emotions humans depend upon to live and continue to look forward, even in the dark times. I had a wife, and a child – a young daughter – and it was all I had needed. All I had ever wanted really. All that any self respecting man of the time could ever desire, unless of course you were even more foolish, and of the noble class. I was loved, and I could give love in return.

And I was reckless. Or as reckless as a human could get in those days, back before England had a king and all of Europe still bowed under the oppression of the Great Roman Empire. Before the Vatican, as it is now known as, held sway over us all, and we did nothing against it.

I remember those days like they were yesterday, though I’d prefer not to. I’ve even lied and said I couldn’t on some occasions just to avoid the thinking. My wife’s voice still rings in my ears some nights, waking me from dreams of her. “Where is my brave warrior? Where is my Bastion?”

Where is my fair Catherine? Where is my lovely girl? Where has little Jessica gone?

Lost from me, lost to the winds of time, never to return to me again, that is where. Lost from me forever, stolen away. Gone for all of eternity.

I am still here though, my love… though I can no longer frolic with you in the high grasses, nor play with Jessica in the stream that runs through the woods behind our cottage on the outskirts of a village that is no longer there. I cannot ride with you over the endless fields, nor sleep beside you in the comfort of our bed that has been gone now for centuries.

My heart aches in remembrance of them. So full of life.

Until that monster came into our lives, until that disease tore through our village. It wasted everything and everyone in its path. Not a thing was left standing. We had no name for it, and neither did the others. None. No survivors. I alone. Me.

When I said that I had lived through it, did you think I was kidding?

I am sorry. I have been rude to you. Forgive me. I often get wrapped up in these thoughts and forget my place. I do not mean to stray from the point of this, but you must understand that it was an ordeal, watching my life slip from me as the only two people I ever cared about slowly wasted away.

As I have stated earlier, though not in so many words, I am an immortal, but I am also your guide. A guide to a world of fact that you have been lead to believe is purely fiction. Let me lead you into my world, and show you the error of your ways. Yes, throwing us off as nothing but monsters of your imagination was a mistake you shall probably pay dearly for.

Let me start from the beginning… my beginning.