Choillane || Book 1

Chapter 1, The Departure

"Long ago, there was a legend spread amongst the living and the undead. The legend of a hero who once sought and fought the evil within this world. Though there have been rumors that this hero also disappeared within a day never to be seen again, many have asked why did this hero disappeared?" Jasper calmly said.

A little hand rose from a crowd of children and a quiet voice could be heard from all the way in the middle, Jasper nodded to let the child speak.

"The hero disappeared because he wanted to be with their family!" The child spoke which made Jasper question.

"Oh? That is a different answer than I was looking for. Although we all hope that it was true, that indeed the hero disappeared to be with their family. But, it's been a thousand years since we have last known of their appearance. As legendary as the tale is, the ending is always a sad one." Jasper explained.

All the children exhaled in disappointment hoping to know the actual ending of such a famous and legendary story of a hero that once walked amongst this lands. Jasper stood up and said "alright, story time is over, it's already late. Children, Madame Gisah would want you to be already in bed by now. Now now, come on and don't be stubborn or the monsters that the vanished hero defeated would come back and... EAT YOU!!" The children scattered in a hurry as Jasper pretends to chase them away. The whole living room area was filled with screams and laughter from the children.

Soon Madame Gisah finally came downstairs to bring all the children back to their beds. From afar, Jasper smiled at them, they were once young before and one of the children that Madame Gisah has taken care of. Soon they grew up into a kind and caring soul of a person and is now working for Madame Gisah as an assistant. Then a quiet creaking noise could be heard from the stairs, an old lady of the age of sixty-five came down with a walking stick by her right. Jasper eating quietly in the kitchen below the stairs, sees Madame Gisah looking in her usual saddening mourning look.

"Is there something wrong, mother?" Jasper asked.

Madame Gisah shook her head, "They love you, you know. But you know some day you have to leave us for you to have a family of your own.." she said as she walked slowly towards Jasper.

"What do you mean? This house, the children, and you alone are already my family. I'm already content here." They replied

"I know.. that is why it is difficult for me to tell you that you will be departing from us soon.. I know you will never understand as to why I am sending you away. But someday you will and no matter how long it will take, I know you will be alright" She said looking up at Jasper's eyes with a saddened look on her face. Holding their cheek with her rough skinned hands, soon a tear rained down her face. "My child, I love you and always will... but you must go now. Your destiny awaits you"

"Wh-what? I-i I don't understand, mother.. Why now of all days you tell me that I must be going on the same day that I may never see you again?? What about the children, mother? Who must take care of them when you can't??" Jasper replied, their voice was on to the point of breaking. You could hear cracks as they continued, "If this is about the coming war, I don't have to leave you, I can start working for you properly, I'll pay for my own rent, I'll do every chore, just p-please.. Don't send me away, Mother.. This is my only home, the only home I've ever kno—" Jasper was cut off. You could see tears rolling down their face as their expression was made from fear and concerns.

"My child, it is difficult for me, just as much for you, or hell, even worse.. I know you will do great, I've raised you long enough to know that you will be alright." Soon beneath the quiet night, the kitchen room was filled with sadness and droplets of tears on the wooden floor. The departure is truly a depressing moment for both mother and child, but it is the prophecy. One that one cannot run away from.