Mage Kingdom:
“Tell us the story, Matilda!” One of the children yelled out.
She stood straight and looked at the outer gate, pointing with her staff towards the village's outer gate. The kids were staring in the direction Matilda tried to guide them when an animal walked through with its master into the town after picking up some vegetables outside.
“Is it the Finta that is the chosen one? One of the heroes?” another kid asked.
Matilda shook her head in denial. Her small Pinta, which looked like a red panda from the human world, also posed as Matilda and pointed at the gate where the wind blew the leaves of emptiness after the Finta had passed with its master; there was nothing there.
“Stop playing, sister Matilda; just tell us what happened that day.” Another kid said, disappointed that nothing was showing up at the gate.
Matilda sat down again with Pinta beside her, with all the children surrounding her quietly, listening to the story about the war and the wizard. Matilda pulled her hand down a bit, watching down on the grown, and she suddenly slowly showed her face to get into story mode for the kids.
“ Once upon a time...there was peace and happiness in Valiant. A mighty wizard, or the wizard with the most power in history, lived happily with his apprentice in a village close to the doors leading to Earth. The wizard was one of many protecting the doors leading to the human world. The world we live in is called Valiant, which stands for bravery. Many years ago, the Demons, Angels, Demis, Antima, Gurgans, Leras, and other smaller races lived peacefully. One day, the gates to Hell on the other side opened up, and demons started to attack everyone in Valiant, making their way towards the doors leading to Earth. Causing unrest and havoc on the way and killing many different civilians; even demons got killed by their race. Heroes rose to the challenge and started fighting against all the demons attacking and trying to invade Earth. The Wizard's apprentice, who was supposed to protect all civilians, began to slaughter the people of Valiant. Valiants king at that time, Vendir Von Volden, went to earth asking for help and returned. The war continued for a long time, and the rumor is that over one million humans entered Valiant and helped to try and win the war. Many great warriors passed through. A half-demon, half-human, was fighting for over one hundred days in the woods against a mighty angel; the story goes that they fell in love, escaping from Valiant to live a peaceful life on earth. I wish I could fall in love like that. Anyway, my grandfather, the wizard, and two other human women lured many of the demons to the center of Valiant. The Wizard's apprentice followed with an army to kill his master. Then, something unthinkable happened.” Matilda said and quietly watched around the kids while they were gasping to hear more of the story.
“ What happened then?” One of the children asked.
“The Wizzard and companions went to the center of Valiant, breaking the staff into three parts. The Wizard yelled out in the air when Valiant suddenly started to close up with immense walls, and the earth split into several parts. The most mighty warriors flew in towards the center of the world, and they got imprisoned. The three parts of the staff flew away in different directions, and the wizard died on the ground with his body turned into ashes. My grandfather and the other two women split up and went after each part of the staff. Hence, us being here today in the Mage Kingdom, where one of the parts of the staff rests. What is most different about the world we live in today is that a Bjorn is a gatekeeper of each part of Valiant; you can not pass in a specific direction in Valiant if you do not have three gems. Many do not travel in Valiant because many of the gems are in dangerous areas where monsters lie waiting to eat you. You can not defeat The Gatekeeper Bjorn and pass through the gates to each world. They do not do violence, but they do train civilians who ask for a chance to protect themselves but do not get involved with anyone. All it does is protect the gates; you cannot pass or kill the gatekeeper if you do not have the three gems. Even the wizard apprentice Benzim can not pass. Benzim decided to build a new army but failed several times to invade Earth because some races inside Valiant could only open the doors leading to Earth. Still, nobody knows which or who can. When the enemy's armed forces destroyed several kingdoms in the third, second, and first world, everyone thought Valiant would fail to protect everyone until the queen of the Antima Kingdom fought back the armies. For the last ten years, nobody has attacked from either side, and peace has rested until the alarm went off about the murder of Valldor Von Volden. Today, there is some tension between the Antima Kingdom and the enemy's side, but nobody has attacked yet. There is a prophecy that a hero will pass by the Mage Kingdom and manage to take the part of the staff out from the rock, one that will be worthy of being called Hero.”
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
The children looked aw at the fairy tale Matilda was telling the children for the 100th time.
“Stop lying to the children, Matilda! What if they believe you? No hero is coming to dear children; They are just stories. Matilda is lying to you.”
“BUT MOM! Stop it; I am just telling what my grandfather told me. What will we say about the history of The Mage Kingdom if we do not tell the children about the story?” Matilda uttered to her mother.
“Stop it, Matilda! Nobody will come for the staff, and you are at an age to find a suitable husband. It would be best if you stopped all this chasing of the Hero. Your grandfather told you the stories as bedtime stories to you. He took what happened to Valiant and created a hero story so you can go to bed quickly.”
The children quickly scattered when Matilda and Hilda, her mother, argued about the story.
“Go home and leave the Pinta here with me; dinner is ready soon,” Hilda told her with a severe look on her face.
Matilda started to run towards their home with a sad look on her face because nobody believed her story of the hero. Hilda walked up to the Pinta, watching up towards her like a baby watching up towards their mother. Hilda bent down and put her hands on the little red Pandas face and said:
“Be patient, Tramor! Your mother always cared for me; I ask you to take care of my daughter when the day comes when the hero walks into our village. It is her job to ensure the hero reaches the final destination. I am asking you to ensure Matilda is always safe.”
The Pinta sounded sad, like it was crying, and Hilda picked it up and hugged it with love.
“I hope the hero is worthy of being chosen to save Valiant.”
Meanwhile, in Stockholm City in Sweden:
“Acho! (Sneeze)”
“Bless you, man!”
Ah, that was unpleasant. It felt like someone was mentioning me. I need a freaking vacation from all this work. I don't want to do any more dangerous things.
“Well, I got a text from Veronica about a new assignment.” The guy uttered.
For Fudge shit! An assignment from Veronica: she will kill me if all this continues. I don't want to create unnecessary problems.
“Fine! What is the assignment, Jones?” I asked with very little motivation in my voice.
“There is an underground fight ring in the city, and she wants us to end their business because monsters should not walk the same streets as humans. She also said you should reconsider using your newfound powers in the boxing match in 2 hours.”
What the shit fudge. Why would I need to use my powers?
“Why powers? We are only investigating stuff, nothing more?”
“Well, she wants us to catch Crocin?”
What the Hell.
“Who is Crocin?” I asked
“Eh, it says here that it is a half demon and half crocodile.”
It just came to me that I should not work as an investigator. An administration job would be much better.