The Ancient Prophecy Ch. 06

"You will not, for I'm with you. This is my sign. In every clan you will seek one soul that I have chosen earlier. Every one of them had a dream of the Champion of the Guardian. They will follow you and aid you in your quest. You must seek all five warriors from the five clans, or the Champion of the Guardian will not be revealed. Do you understand?!"

"Yes, my lord." All three of them answered.

"Remember, I will always be with you all."

Suddenly the bright light disappeared from sight. The forest was dark once again, and they were alone, staring at each other. For a while, no one spoke.

"Well, I suppose we have a task to do..." Anna spoke up finally.

"I... I don't know." Atrus said slowly.

"Master Atrus... What's wrong? You don't seem too happy..." Maya asked innocently.

"I don't know... I just think I'm not ready for this journey..."

"You don't know what you're fighting for, right?" Anna approached.

"Yes... that's right..."

Anna stared at him. "Then tell me, Atrus, why did you insist to save Maya's life?"

The question shocked him. "What... what do you...?"

"Answer me!" She cut him off.

Atrus turned to see Maya, who was staring at him, waiting for his answer. Anna looked at him sharply, demanding an answer.

"I... I think I love her... I don't want to let her go..." He finally admitted.

"Why didn't you tell the villagers about it?" Her second question came.

He really didn't tell the villagers about his action in the Mystic Mountain. He had simply told them that the hermit had healed Maya.

"I suppose it is not necessary..."

"Don't you care of the fame and glory anymore? Don't you love hearing praises from them?"

"No, I suppose not..." He told her the truth.

"Atrus... Don't you get what I'm trying to show you?" Anna finally asked.

"Master... your feeling... it has defeated your dream of fame and glory..." Maya added.

His feeling... his love... had really saved Maya's life, and he didn't really asked for anything in return... He understood now... He fought for her because he loved her...

"Atrus... think about all the innocent people in the realm! Think about how the demons have robbed their lives. Think about what will happen to the world if the evil forces are victorious."

Then Maya touched his shoulder. "Think about Jenna, Master Atrus... How many innocent people like her have to die in hands of those demons?"

She was right! He hated to see those people slaughtered by the demons. Jenna's death was a terrible tragedy, and more would be killed if the prophecy was not fulfilled. Somebody had to do something, and he had got his order, directly from the Guardian. That somebody was he.

"Thank you, Anna, Maya... I have found what I'm fighting for..."

He looked at them with determination. "The Guardian has revealed the love in me. He has changed my life. Therefor I swear I will fight for his people."

Falagor wasn't surprised with his request. "Of course, my apprentice. Your training here is over. There's nothing I could teach you anymore."

They were standing in front of the cottage. It was two days after the Guardian came to Atrus. Anna stood beside him, holding her backpack on her shoulder. She was merrier than ever, happy to have Atrus back in the party. Maya stood nearby, looking better. Falagor's treatment had helped her body to get well. The poison had been gone completely.

Actually, even Falagor was amazed. He claimed that he didn't help much in the treatment process. It seemed that Maya's life force had healed her body. Never in his career had he seen such a strong will to survive. He couldn't understand it, but decided to accept the result.

"Master Falagor... I can't thank you enough for bringing me back to my old self..."

"No, my apprentice... YOU have found your old self. It was inside your heart, hidden by your grief and anger." Falagor answered. "I just helped you find it."

"And thank you for teaching me those healing spells..." Anna spoke up.

"You're welcome, Priest Freesland. Use them well."

"Lord Falagor... thank you for everything..." Maya said lastly.

"Don't thank me. Your master saved your life. Take care of him well."

"Master Falagor... goodbye... I hope we'll see again..." Atrus bid him farewell.

"Be careful in your journey, my apprentice. A royal task will be difficult, but I'm confident you will be able to do the Guardian's bidding."

Slowly, the three companions walked away from the cottage into the dense forest. Atrus seemed unwilling to leave his teacher, but he knew he had a mission to do.

The villagers escorted them halfway through the forest. They also let their beloved Bakara go unwillingly, but Atrus promised that he would return. Gordon took them to the road leading to the kingdom.

"I suppose this is where we say goodbye, Bakara..." He said.

Atrus smiled. "Thank you for all your kindness to me and my friends. I promise I will return after my job is done."

Anna approached Gordon and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for helping me and Maya. We owe you our life."

Gordon smiled warmly. "I will always pray for you all. May the Guardian speed your way."

And they left the village of Whitewater, carrying a big brown bag given by the villagers...

... full of pancakes.

"HOW ARE WE GOING TO EAT ALL THESE PANCAKES?!!!" Anna yelled. She got sick with pancakes after their last encounter.

"It's their way to thank you for being part of their village, I suppose." Maya said.

"That's true. It's also a payment for your naughty kiss..." Atrus sneered.

"Naughty kiss?! Just tell us that you're jealous..." Anna shot back.

"JEALOUS?! I can get kisses ANYWHERE and from ANYONE!!! Right, Maya?"

"Eh...?"

"PERVERT!!!"

"CHEAP PRIEST!!!"

"JERK!!!"

Maya just walked merrily with them, happy that both her friends had returned into their old selves. And the Land of Lore welcomed them back in their adventure with its warm sun and cool breeze.

Falagor stood outside his cottage, looking at the vast landscape before him. The bright light was right beside him, illuminating the surrounding.

"A young man with such spirit... Too bad he has to go through pain and misery throughout his life... He could just have picked a mate and settled down..."

"Indeed. Yet his destiny dictates otherwise."

"Tell me, Lord Guardian. What do you think of him?"

"He has matured just as I expected. But before him still lie danger and death. Agony beyond imagination will threaten him. He will be tortured from inside out."

The silence enveloped them for a while. Finally the wizard turned to the light.

"And when will he know his destiny?"

"It's not the time yet. When his time has come, he will face his destiny. When his time has come, he will be prepared to face it."

To Be Continued...

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Thank you to everybody who has been very helpful and supportive in my work. For those who wonder, I do accept critiques. I've received a few, and I'd love to hear more. - Viper