Alias: Son of Sarayu, Sarayu's Son
Race: Apoc High-bred
Aspects: Body 3, Mind 2, Soul 3
Sex: Male; Ht: 6' 3"; Wt: 215 lbs.

"Follow me, for I follow Sarayu"

Character Description/Notes: Based in the wadis of ancient Palestine, Barnabas belongs to the desolate High-bred fort's BELIEF squad--Ballistic/Energy Liberation Intel and Evacuation Force. These are assigned to recovering any latent nuclear or high-end explosive devices among the rubble of the war-torn world. Though only a field medic, the team trusts Barnabas' uncanny insight and intuition--a gift that he both denies as innate and yet trusts with his entire being, as do any who have survived cause of his foresight for trouble. If pried, the medic will admit the preternatural understanding of circumstances and surroundings sprung from an unforeseen event of otherworldly proportions.

During a routine probe mission into interior Sinai, Barnabas' squad moved along the rugged mountains, searching for some elusive energy source. The team ascended deep into the mountains, following a fiery aurora by night and prismatic cloud by day, hoping to close with the phenomenon and collect samples for study. A break came when the radiant formation drifted onto a summit and held fast.

The plan was simple: The advance force would swing around the western face while the reserve unit, Barnabas' lot, would ascend on the eastern side. The course led the reserve unit along a windy, yet slightly worn path. The squad had little trouble making fast time up the mountainside; they arrived at the hold position three hundred yards short of the summit and waited for further instruction. All the while, night slowly descended, the billowing formation transformed from mist to ethereal flame as the sun's ray dispersed and fled over the horizon. As the flames wavered in an unseen wind, Barnabas felt a slight warmth against his face. Instantly, his frame went rigid as a whisper rose within, a new Voice he had never heard, one that ignited every fiber of his soul.

"Barnabas."

The wind blew again and intoned his name.

"Barnabas."

Glancing about, the medic realized he alone heard the Voice or even seemed to feel the presence. He dared not show any sign of response, trained in diagnosing psychotic events. Yet, the Presence persisted, intoning his name with a quiet insistence.

"Barnabas."

"I am here."

Before he realized he had spoken, the young soldier felt a stronger gust rush through his hair and uniform.

"Come."

His eyes focused upward at the shimmering column of light. Tremors of fear shivered through his bones, but at his core...in his heart...a new sensation occurred, something the military manual had no words for. The closest he could describe was a cessation of arms, like the conflicting nature within lost its bearings and had to pause. Having never known such a peace, Barnabas gathered himself and slowly scaled higher.

Play Barnabas!
The climb did not take nearly as long as he thought, seemingly more flight than footwork. His comrades did not call out to stop him; a glance behind showed they peered obliviously into the radiance above. Barnabas returned to stare into the swirling lights. Sensing anticipation, the medic stepped into the flames and encountered a Presence both ageless, indomitable, and somehow kind, like a living rainbow with the bizarre ability to vaporize existence if it chose. Barnabas collapsed, stunned by the torrent of joy, strength and hope. The Voice rolled over him, its words imprinting into his innate fiber.

"Barnabas, it is time. Time to heal what your kind has crushed.

You are to restore beauty, a healer and a hope.

Do not fear. I am with you."

Trembling at the overwhelming Presence, the medic coughed and spat his words from clenched lungs.

"Who are you?"

He felt the warmth of a thousand sun-filled days--the kind of benevolent summers unknown for ages--and knew the Voice had smiled. The colossal aurora pulsed and poured into the medic's soul as its energy empowered and calmed the outstretched soldier. A single word blazed in his mind with the force of pure radiance and forgotten spring. It was the only thing he remembered afterward, when the team recovered his body from the scorched earth. A word whose utterance lightened his heart and brightened his mind. Smiling, softly the Presence had said,

"Sarayu."