Rome, Italy (1939)

----------------------

"Dr. LaPara!" The brown-haired boy stammered as soon as he caught up to who he registered as his Savior from Embarrassment.

The boy's looks were quite simple- a limber 5'8 frame, broad shoulders and lost hazel eyes, his curly hair parted to the side in such a terrible way it made it curly and unruly. He was dressed in a nice white longsleeve shirt, with the sleeves rolled up and the neck partially unbuttoned- and his pants were formal "work" clothes of blue. A bandage rested on his right cheek, something that Dr. LaPara had noticed since day one of meeting the historical prodigy.

"Yes, what is it, ragazzo?" The thick Italian accent sprouted out of the sophisticated-yet-slackable older man, with black, slicked back hair and the typical Italian tan and brawn. He had originally shown himself to the 19-year-old as an archaeologist, just like the boy's father, but he seemed to know lots more other than Arcaheology.

"I-uh-I just wanted to ask..." The boy looked through his leather-bound notebook that he had grabbed out of his satchel, "The study you gave me... I'm not questioning your work, sir, but..." He pointed to a page with a paperclipped photograph of three instrument-looking objects- A pan pipe, a flute, and a small handheld gong. The photo, though, looked fairly old and seemed to be well worn with how many times the boy had probably looked at it. "These instruments... I can't find them anywhere, no examination sites, no museum sites... Why'd you give me this, sir?"

"You've read the legend I gave you, si?"

"Well, of course I did-"

"It's related to the Instruments."

"Okay, I just might need these instruments for proper examination-"

"That's the issue, amico." LaPara patted his pupil on the shoulder as some students scattered by in the halls of the University of Rome, as the bell had just rung. "We haven't the Instruments."

"They're not in your custody?"

"Si."

"But, sir, if not yours, then-"

"We thought you might be able to find that out, Dennis, Amico..." Dr. LaPara faced the 19-year-old, "You aren't like the other pupils of the college, Dennis. You have seen the outside world. You know four languages, no?"

"Well-"

"And your past experiences with history might give you advanced skills, si?"

"Si, Sir."

"Dennis..." LaPara faced the boy, nodded to a passing recognizable face, and back to the boy, "Your task is to find the Instruments of Doom, amico mio... And read up on the legend it carries."

"The Door of Reflection?"

"Correct, Dennis, the Door of Reflection." He smiled, "But you have enough time to figure it out once the year ends, si?"

"Si." Dennis looked down at his shoes, "But what if I don't?"

"Then we'll hand it to the professionals."

"Okay... Dr. LaPara..." The boy was about to turn back to the library to study, when Dr. LaPara stopped him.

"Why are you going in la biblioteca, amico mio?" The man chuckled, "The field is at the exit door!"

Oh right. So I've gotta actually investigate.

"Yes, sir." He held his head low as he changed his routes.

"Gianna Mariani will wait for you at the exit, Dennis. Buongiorno!"

"Buongiorno, Dr. LaPara..." Dennis muttered as he closed his leather-bound book mid-walk, tracing his fingers along the label that had been plastered on, that read his name...

Dennis Walker Jones, Year 1