“Every story needs its hero. And its villain. And its monster.”
― Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff, Obsidio
“Long ago, perhaps eons when Elantra was still young. The Emperor of Chaos came to our world from a different dimension. He spread madness and corruption throughout the world. He created monsters of chaos who ravaged the lands and terrorized the people of Elantra. For a hundred years, the Emperor of Chaos reigned unchallenged. His magic too great to overcome by mortals or immortals alike.”
James listened to the king’s story, imagining what a world of chaos, corruption, and madness would look like. He could not truly imagine a world like that.
“Then, the God of Magic, Hedland saw the plight of the world and decided to act. He chose seven mortals, three women and four men to wield the powers he bestowed upon them. There was the Spirit Emperor, the Light Emperor, the Fire Emperor, the Earth Emperor, the Water Emperor, the Wind Emperor, and the last the Dark Emperor.”
James felt something inside as the king mentioned the Dark Emperor. It felt familiar, but it did not prevent James from seeing the dissatisfaction on King Grant’s face as he mentioned the Dark Emperor.
“With their armies, the seven emperors challenged the armies of the Emperor of Chaos. The war lasted for ten years. Mountains were flattened in one region and raised in another. Continents were split apart creating oceans. Forests were turned into deserts, and lakes were created from craters. Millions died on both sides of the war, but finally the seven emperors cornered the Emperor of Chaos in one final battle.”
The devastation the king described of the war chilled James to the bone. He could not understand these feelings of a history which had nothing to do with him.
“The battle lasted for six days and six nights. On the seventh day, the seven emperors finally defeated the Emperor of Chaos. But their victory was incomplete. Before his death, the Emperor of Chaos vowed that his minions would continue his work. They would spread chaos and destruction until the day he would be resurrected.”
Typical villain trope. Promising to come back to life after being killed by the heroes of the past. James thought, remembering a few novels and movies with similar scenarios.
“His minions, the monsters of chaos went into hiding. But continued their master’s work. The seven emperors established nations of their own and worked together to combat the forces of chaos. The Kingdom of Avocat was established by the Fire Emperor Calista Marshal Grant I, my ancestor.”
So, King Perceval Marshal Grant IV is descended from the Fire Emperor. I guess that’s why his basic fire magic is so powerful. James paused in his thought, and wondered how he would know how powerful a basic fire spell is.
“The soldiers and warriors of those new nations fought against the force of chaos for centuries and thousands of years. In time, the monsters representing chaos became less and less frequent. To the point, many began to believe that chaos would soon be extinct. But five years ago, the forces of chaos reemerged in greater numbers that have not been seen since the ancient war.”
James thought the king was coming to the point of their summons.
“Over the years, several allied nations have fallen to the hordes of chaos. Unfortunately, chaos seems to be getting stronger and stronger. While we, the descendants of the emperors, do not have the same power and might of our noble ancestors. Two years ago, the Council of Seers sent a message to all nations throughout the world. The gods had given them a prophecy.”
Here it came, James thought as the king continued.
“The Chaos Emperor would rise again and plunge the world into never ending sorrow and madness. Unless heroes from another world were summoned. These heroes would grow in power, power enough to challenge the Chaos Emperor himself. These heroes would defeat the Chaos Emperor and cleanse the world of his taint forever. These heroes would reap the benefits of their deeds. Riches, their own kingdoms, the rewards would be endless.”
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And there it was, the story and pitch. James looked around the table at his classmates. Some of them found the history lesson interesting, but most of them, too many, were caught in the spell the king was weaving. No, King Grant was not casting an actual spell. The king was a clever politician, and he knew how impressionable teenagers are.
“When you defeat the Chaos Emperor and destroy his minions. You will usher in an era of peace and prosperity Elantra has not seen in ages. All of you could establish your own nation. You can be your own kings and queens. Many people would flock to serve you.”
James saw the looks in Arthur, Cara, and BB’s eyes. They imagined themselves heroes, becoming rulers of their own countries. There were similar looks in many of his classmates. How many of them have played MMOs or RPG games. Or saw movies and read books where the protagonists complete their quests and get their rewards. James knew it would not be that easy. This Chaos Emperor and his minions sounded like serious players. Going up against them would be more than dangerous, it would be suicidal.
“Your majesty, am I to understand that my students are to fight in this war against the forces of chaos?”
Mr. Abbot asked as soon as the king’s tale was done.
“Mr. Abbot, please understand. Everyday, even as we speak. The forces of chaos march forward towards villages and cities, kingdoms and nations. Everyday innocent people are murdered or taken as slaves by chaos. Families are torn apart, lives are destroyed. Of course, we do what we can. But my power, our power is not enough to push back the tides of chaos. And once the Chaos Emperor rises again, it will be the end for all of us. Only the heroes from another world can stop chaos.”
“King Perceval, I’m a veteran. I was a soldier of my country. I understand the horrors of war, the chaos of battle. But my students have never fought in a battle before. They grew up in a peaceful society. They understand rules and laws, and they have never been trained for combat. But this war you speak of is nothing that I’ve ever fought in my entire life. I cannot allow my students to fight in a war like that. They are untrained and not ready.”
“I have the best trainers in the world to teach them combat and magic. It would be foolish of me to send our savors into battle unprepared against the forces of chaos. Trust me when I say Mr. Abbot, I do not want to send young men and women to their deaths.”
The spark of amusement in King Perceval’s eyes gave proof to the lie. King Perceval was a king, James could imagine he had no issues sending soldiers into battle knowing many of them would not come back to their families alive. As Mr. Abbot was about to protest his students going to war. Arthur stood up and spoke.
“Mr. Abbot, these people, this world need our help. If we have the power to save this world, then we should use it.”
James wanted to wince, but he was not surprised at Arthur’s words. Arthur saw himself as a knight in shining armor. Always trying to be the good guy and to keep the peace. As smart as Arthur is, he is actually quite naïve to the motives of others. King Perceval smiled at Arthur, approving of his little speech.
“Absolutely not Mr. Prince. You and your fellow classmates have no idea what war is really like. You think you know because of movies and books.”
Mr. Abbot shook his head.
“You have no idea the horror and the psychological stress war can place on the mind.”
Then Cara stood and faced Mr. Abbot.
“With all due respect Mr. Abbot. Everyone in this class is 18 or will be 18 in a couple of weeks. We can make the decision to fight or not on our own. I say we should fight to save this world.”
BB stood to his feet and voiced his opinion.
“Yeah, I mean we’re here anyway. If we can get cool powers and fight bad guys. I say we become heroes and save the world.”
James heard the nonsense Cara and BB were spewing, but he paid attention to the king. King Perceval sat back in his chair and listened to the argument between teacher and students with a little smile on his face. Obviously, things were going better than he could have imagined. By now, more of the students stood to their feet and voiced their willingness to fight to save Elantra.
“Mr. Abbot if your students are of age and are willing to fight. Then, you cannot stop them.”
“Your majesty, they may not be my children. But I am their teacher which makes me their legal guardian. I cannot allow them to fight.”
Mr. Abbot would not yield his position on this. The king nodded but said.
“This can be decided tomorrow at the awakening ceremony.”
“What is this awakening ceremony?”
Arthur asked.
“As I’ve stated before, mana can be found in places, objects, and people. Every living creature in Elantra possesses mana. The awakening ceremony is design to ignite the mana in your body and identify your mana affinity.”
“Mana…affinity?”
Cara asked. The king smiled at her and explained.
“Take me for example. My mana affinity is fire. You could have a mana affinity for earth or wind. You understand my meaning.”
Cara nodded. King Perceval addressed the entire class.
“Tomorrow, you will perform the awakening ceremony. You will awaken the mana inside you and discover your mana affinity. Then, you can decide to fight or not.”
James sighed, shook his head, and stood up. It was time for him to put in his two cents. Everyone was surprised to see James standing, as if they had forgotten about him. James looked King Perceval straight in his gold eyes and spoke.
“I’ve already decided.”
Everyone waited, as if his decision was important.
“I…will not fight.”