Chosen: The Path of Heroes

Prologue

Evil—the worst kind—was afoot. It sought to captivate and overcome the world of Kambia, and eventually all other worlds. Kambia's inhabitants felt the darkness encroaching gradually over the years, and now it seemed the coffer was full and ready to burst.

Deep in the heart of Wangaipangea's lush land was the beautiful city of Harambe. Adeola Palace, home of Empress Zalira, overlooked the city. It was a grandiose structure of towers, domes, and arches.

The Empress currently occupied one of the council chambers. The looming room was very much like a garden, half covered by a great glass dome, putting it partly indoors and partly out. Where the spreading floor wasn't pale, gold-veined marble, it was soft, low-cut grass.

The Empress sat straight-backed within the grip of her intricate throne, which was composed of curling white wood. Slim trees of that same wood surrounded the immediate area, and many kinds of flowers grew in festive clusters all around. Zalira's luminous eyes peered from her smooth, dark face. She looked like a figure carved of flawless mahogany. The collar of her flowing dress drew up the length of her slender neck, forming a majestic crown around her head. She sighed and finally shifted her vision from the expansive view of Harambe spreading through the valley below, such a prosperous, happy city. But for how long?

The Empress' gaze scanned each of the others gathered in the chamber, seated on cushioned benches forming a semicircle around the throne. Itvin, a wizard of the Veergastaad Order; Ezra, a mystic of the Kragian Order; King Seti-siamun of Ahnis and Ra-siamun, his son and primary heir. Several palace guards lined the perimeter of the chamber and gardens, standing at attention.

On this clear and deceitfully cheery day shafts of afternoon sun pierced the enormous glass half-dome and made the marble floor sparkle in places.

"The time has come, Your Highness," said Itvin. He was old but still contained quite a bit of spirit. He had short, neatly cut gray hair and a clean-shaven face. His blue eyes gleamed with decades of wisdom. Right now, those eyes rested deeply on Zalira's dark, youthful gaze. "The Overlord is strong. Too strong. We can no longer use conventional ways to ward off his power; his forces have taken root in the north on Monatara Continent and are destroying everything in their path. The strength you possess, my own, and that of the other Orders is not enough anymore. Now is the time to assemble the Chosen."

There drew a hefty silence while Zalira and the others considered the old wizard's words. A group of doves flapped from some high perch in the chamber and soared up into the crisp blue sky. Seti-siamun shifted a bit on his bench, sparing a look to his handsome, young son.

The Empress nodded, then answered in her strong, surprisingly mature sounding voice, "I am in agreement with you, Itvin dorn'Veergastaad." Dorn was like saying 'of the'. "The Overlord's power has become too much. Our world and every other world need the Chosen, but are they ready?"

In that moment, Zalira's gaze shifted to Seti and Ra, particularly the young man. She knew more about him and his destiny than he did. The 16-year-old would know his purpose soon enough.

Ra agreed to travel to Harambe with his father because Seti had been so insistent. The king said that Ra's fate was in question. Ra had inquired to the meaning of those words, but Seti only said the boy would realize in time. Ra's eyes narrowed faintly, moving from the Empress to his father, then back to her. The young man didn't speak just yet.

"Seti, it is time. Tell him," Zalira spoke with calming warmth. "Tell him of his destiny. Tell him why he has trained in combat so vigorously since the age of seven. Prepare him."

King Seti-siamun sighed and nodded. The day had finally come. He faced Ra. The young heir watched him carefully.

"Father, of what does she speak? I...I don't understand. What does all this Overlord business have to do with me?"

The king gave the lightest quirk of a smile. He looked somewhat pained when he reached out and touched a hand to his son's shoulder. He stood. "Come with me and we will talk."

Ra-siamun took a breath and stood.

Father and son moved away from the small council gathering. The others watched them head outside to a remote area on the wide, spacious terrace.

Zalira looked to Itvin. "And the others? What are their statuses?"

"The same as the young prince." Itvin glanced in Seti and Ra's direction. "Well, mostly. Phenyo has been trained in combat since a young age, as you know. And Evrik, the blasted boy, is well off, even if he has gotten tied up in his bandit ways. Then there is the One."

A pause. Itvin's bushy gray brows lowered faintly over his eyes.

"Izaiah reports that the boy has not exhibited much in the way of his powers, that he, in fact, has never really used them. Izaiah also feels the boy is too young."

"He may be young, but he is a Kragian wizard," Ezra said. His dark eyes peered coolly from the pale confines of his face. Slim lips pursed lightly, and black hair fell in waves past his broad shoulders. "He only needs to be tutored in the ways of magic to unlock his own power and help him rise to his full potential."

"Then you agree that he is ready?" Zalira's eyes adhered to Ezra.

"Yes, Your Highness, I do. He must be returned to Kambia as soon as possible if he is to learn how to control his wizardry. The Chosen must learn to work together so that they may face their journey as one."

Zalira and Ezra set their eyes upon Itvin, and the old wizard nodded once.

"It shall be done," Itvin said. "I will send word to Izaiah regarding the One, and the boy will be returned."

"Itvin, you will personally oversee him and the other young ones." The Empress' mahogany countenance parted in a pure white smile of straight teeth.

"Me? Why?"

"Because, my old friend, you know much about the Prophecy and contain information on many things. Your counsel will be invaluable to them in furthering their training and aiding on their journey."

Itvin nodded. "I will do my best."

"I know you will. While you'll be the main counsel for the One and his companions, Ezra"—Zalira looked to the Kragian wizard—"will serve as the teacher for the One to learn his magic. Now go, my friends, and do what you must. Bring the Chosen together. The time of heroes has come."

Ezra and Itvin bowed respectfully to the Empress, then left the council chamber.