“Nothing great was ever achieved without a personal sacrifice. You have to pay the price to realize your goals.”
― Lailah Gifty Akita
“That’s enough! Get off my student!”
Mr. Abbot rushed over towards the knight holding a sword to James’s neck. Several knights blocked Mr. Abbot who tried to push through them. But the knights were stronger than James’s teacher who could do nothing. King Perceval stood between the knight holding James at sword point and the knights holding back Mr. Abbot.
“Mr. Abbot please calm down. You do not understand the situation right now.”
“One of your knights is holding a student of mine at sword point. My student who has done nothing wrong.”
James was surprised at Mr. Abbot’s words. He had always thought his first period teacher did not care too much about him. May be Mr. Abbot was more of a fair-minded guy than he thought.
“All I understand is your knight attacking my student without cause.”
Mr. Abbot said angrily. But King Perceval remained calm and replied.
“Please calm down, and I will explain why this boy is a danger not only to us but to you and the other heroes.”
Mr. Abbot did not like it, but he stopped trying to get through the knights.
“Okay your majesty. Tell me why my student is being threatened by your knight.”
The king nodded and motioned for his knights to step away from Mr. Abbot. All the while, James’s fellow classmates kept watching the entire scene. BB and Cara and their friends looked at James expectantly with smock smiles on their faces. As if James was at last about to pay for his imagined crimes.
“James Cross is a dark magic user.”
King Perceval said as if that explained everything. Mr. Abbot did not understand, and he voiced his confusion.
“So what? One of the seven emperors who fought against the Chaos Emperor was the Dark Emperor.”
The king sighed as if he did not want to say the next words.
“Yes, but sadly the Dark Emperor became corrupted over time by his dark power. Those who use dark magic fall to evil. That is why the six other emperors banded together and defeated the Dark Emperor.”
King Perceval looked Mr. Abbot straight in his eyes.
“With the fall of the Dark Emperor and the corruption of dark magic known. The six remaining emperors outlawed the use of dark magic. All practitioners of the dark arts were hunted, imprisoned, and executed.”
At the word executed James could no longer stay silent.
“This is bullshit! I’ve done nothing to anyone!”
“Not yet.”
The king said vehemently, but James was having none of it.
“You took me from my home! I didn’t ask for any of this! If you think I’m such a threat, then send me back home!”
“We cannot send you back home. I’m sorry for your situation young Cross, but the ancient laws are clear. You must die for the sake of all.”
Mr. Abbot strongly objected to the king’s ruling.
“King Perceval! You can’t kill my student! James Cross is one of the heroes. Can you kill a hero without consequences?”
King Perceval paused and thought about that. The wiseman Grand Master Noir approached the king and they spoke in hushed whispered tones. James could not hear what they were saying, but whatever they were discussing. James knew their decision would not benefit him. Finally, the king seems to have come to a decision.
“Mr. Cross will be sent to the dungeons until a decision is made about his fate.”
More knights moved towards James; he was finally allowed to get up off the ground. Shackles were placed on his wrists and ankles and he was led away. James saw the gleam of triumph in BB’s eyes and the satisfying smirk on Cara’s face. Arthur shook his head as if in sorrow, as though he knew James would end up in a dungeon all along.
***
“This is utter bullshit.”
James must have said that for the umpteenth time. He was in a six-by-six cell with a bed of straws on one side. The cell was a dark gray brick room that smelled of piss and shit. A far cry from his room in the castle.
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“All because I have an affinity for dark magic. Dark magic once used by the Dark Emperor to save the fucking world. Utter bullshit.”
All James could do now was wait. He has been waiting well over a day, it was the next day. All he had to eat, and drink was some moldy ass bread and stinking dirty water. Definitely a far cry from the meals he had had the other day.
James was angry. He never asked to be transported to another world, and then persecuted having an ability natural to others.
“I never asked for any of this.”
He wanted to go back home to his life on earth. Sure, it was not a pleasant life. But at least he knew where he stood. Here on Elantra, he had no idea what was going on. Most of all, despite his anger, James was afraid.
“I don’t want to die. Not like this. Not here alone.”
Sometime later, the heavy steel door to his cell creaked open. There were four guards and two men in gray robes at the entrance of his cell. One of the guards said.
“Time to face your fate darkling.”
Darkling? James thought that might be what people called dark magic users in this world.
“Hey, I’m a hero from another world. You guys should treat me with a bit more respect.”
“Shut the fuck up darkling. You’re no hero.”
James sighed, he could not argue with the guard there. He was no hero, but if being a hero could save his life. Fuck, he’d be black Superman if that is what it takes to stay alive. They did not shackle his wrists and ankles this time. They led him out of the cell, up the spiral staircase and out of the dungeon.
The light of the sun partially blinded him, but he was glad to be outside of that stinking cell. As James was led through the grounds of the castle. He noticed nobles and servants watching him. They watched as though there was a savage uncontrolled animal. James saw fear and hatred on their faces. If this is how people feel about dark magic users. Then what chance do I have? He was led inside the castle and to King Perceval Marshal Grant IV’s throne room.
The throne room was probably bigger than the dining hall. On both sides of the room were guards with halberds standing twelve feet apart. Behind the guards were crowds of nobles and their accompanying servants. There were balconies on the second floor where more nobles were watching. King Perceval sat on his throne which was carefully carved to look like he was sitting on fire. There were blending colors of reds, oranges, and gold.
On the king’s right were his teacher and classmates. On the king’s left were Grand Master Walter Noir and the rest of his so-called wisemen. James’s procession stopped just 20 feet away from the king. The guards and robed men spread giving James some space, but they were close enough to subdue him if need be.
“James Cross.”
The king began.
“You were summoned to Elantra to be its hero. But your mana has an affinity for dark magic. Dark magic leads to evil and corruption. Therefore, it has been outlawed throughout Elantra. However, you are not of this world. But we cannot send you back to your original world.”
“Your majesty, please allow me to speak.”
It was Mr. Abbot who stepped forward. King Perceval nodded his head, giving permission for Mr. Abbot to speak. Mr. Abbot bowed.
“Thank you, your majesty.”
He took a deep breath and began.
“James Cross comes from a troubled home. His parents have never been good role models, and his brother is a lost cause. But I have hope for James. He tries his very best to make something of himself. This young man did not ask to be here, he should not suffer in a world he has never harmed.”
After Mr. Abbot’s plea for clemency, Grand Master Noir spoke for the king.
“Mr. Abbot, what you say is true. Young James Cross has committed no crimes. He did not ask to be brought to Elantra. Nor did he ask for his mana to have an affinity for dark magic. But the testimonies of his fellow classmates have forced us to conclude that James Cross would be easily corrupted by dark magic.”
At the mention of his classmates providing testimonies, James knew it was over. His classmates have never thought highly of him because of his family background. Mr. Abbot looked confused and surprised.
“Testimonies? I wasn’t aware of my students giving testimonies. Why wasn’t I asked to give my own testimony?”
“Because you are their teacher, and you have a noble responsibility to make certain that all your students are safe. Therefore, you have a bias towards your students. But your students are of age. Here on Elantra, 16, is considered an adult. Your students could choose to give their testimonies are not.”
Mr. Abbot and James did not like where this was going, but neither could do anything about it. Grand Master Noir continued.
“I’m afraid your classmates did not have flattering things to say about you young James Cross. According to them, you are a liar, a thief, a cheater, and a criminal. Your father is in prison, and your brother is also a criminal. Your mother is also considered a lost caused because of her addiction to drugs. There is already darkness within you, and with dark magic. Your path to evil is undeniable. What do you have to say for yourself young James Cross?”
James knew he had one chance to save his own skin. Despite Mr. Abbot’s best efforts. It was up to him.
“Despite the testimonies of my fellow classmates, they know absolutely nothing about me. Sure, they know that my father and older brother are criminals. And that my mother is not much of a mother to me at all. Huh, I doubt she even cares if I live or die. But they don’t know ME personally.”
James had to emphasize this point, none of his classmates took any time to get to know him. They judge him on what members of his family have done.
“I did not have a stable childhood. The only way I knew how to get out of my home situation was through academic excellence. I worked hard, studied hard, and gave 100% to anything I did. I’ve never lied, stolen, or cheated in my academic career.”
James thought he made his point about his classmates; now, it was time to make his point about his present situation.
“I never asked to be brought to this world. I never asked to fight in your war. All I want is to go back home. My family life may be shit, but it is still my life. I don’t care about this world and its problems. I have my own problems.”
James was brutally honest. He figured begging would not look honorable to these people. So, he chose offense. After saying his peace, King Perceval gave his reply.
“It is not fair. What has happened to you young James Cross is not fair. The sins of your parents and brother are not your own. You were brought to our world against your will.”
King Perceval sighed as if this next part would hurt him to say it.
“Even despite all of that, the ancient laws of Elantra are clear. Dark magic is banned from the land. Even though you are a hero; I cannot make any exceptions.”
James felt his heart speed up. Mr. Abbot made one final plea for his student.
“Your majesty! Please show mercy!”
King Perceval looked at Mr. Abbot and gave him a single nod. Then, he addressed James.
“Young James Cross. You did not ask to come to our world. With all that in mind, being executed would not be fair.”
James breathed a sigh of relief. He would live. But the king was not finished.
“Instead, with the consultation of my wisemen. Banishment would be a proper sentence.”