The Unlikely Hero

Prologue: Darkness over Kaldra

Echoing footsteps rang through the barely-lit room. A hooded figure was holding a lantern to light their way through the empty chamber. The arching pillars reached high into the ceiling, seemingly disappearing into the darkness above. The figure's eyes darted to the side occasionally, believing that something else was present with them.

Keeping a steady pace, the figure went to the farthest end of the chamber, where a massive door stood shut.

The knock did not resonate as much as one would expect, but it was enough to get the attention of whoever was on the other side.

"I'm busy." An imposing voice shot back.

The figure opened the massive door and closed it behind them, careful to not make any noise so as to not appear insulting. When they turned around, a large table was in front of them, and seated behind it was a man dressed in dark garb. The man looked up and the hooded figure averted their eyes to the floor as they kneeled.

"What do you want, Diligence?"

"We found her, My Lord."

Promptly, the man placed his pen on his desk with such force that Diligence flinched in concern. The Lord immediately stood up and stared down at Diligence, who was looking back down at the floor.

"Where is she?"

"The newly found Light Temple, within the capital city."

"And you can't bring her back, why?"

"W-well, we tried, but...she's proven to be more than a match for us..."

The Lord sighed and sat back down. It was no surprise that the so-called, "Mistress" of the Light Temple was more than a match for his subordinates, but it still angered him that she was this competent.

"Fine then. Have Wrath and Patience bring her here. If she resists, tell them to kill her." The Lord said.

"Yes, of course." Diligence stood up and turned to leave.

"Diligence."

"Yes?"

"Where's Sloth?"

"He went to see Kindness."

The Lord sighed and stood up again. "Walk with me."

Through the dark chambers, the Lord walked quickly. Diligence trailed him as he anticipated what his Lord might do next. Every footstep made by the Lord echoed and every motion of his legs made his long robe waver and undulate. Diligence could hear the Lord mutter plans under his breath; plans that the hooded follower would likely never know or be able to contribute to.

Suddenly, the Lord stopped and Diligence jumped back so that he would not collide with him.

The Lord looked in a direction. Diligence recognized it as the direction he came from. The direction of the Capital. "Did you feel that?"

"What happened, my Lord?" Diligence moved to his Lord's front in concern.

The Lord growled in annoyance before turning to face Diligence. "Get the others and spread the word. They've summoned more heroes..."

"Heroes? More than one?"

"Yes, there's more than one; I'm surprised you couldn't sense the summoning occur."

"With respect, I am not as attuned as you are, my Lord."

"Have Sloth and the others spread the word and prepare for battle."

"Yes, my Lord..."

"And Diligence..."

"Yes?"

The Lord suddenly wrapped a tight hand around Diligence's head and squeezed it. Diligence was lifted off the ground as he tried to pry the tight hand off.

"Don't ever disturb me again. I have Theodore for a reason."

"Ye-yes, my Lord!" Diligence responded quickly. He fell to the ground as the Lord went back to his study in a huff. Diligence stood up again and ran off into the dark of the chambers.

***

A blinding light faded away, and a cabal of wizards, both young and old fell to their knees. Among them, was a woman clad in bright robes and a staff adorned with crystals that flowed with powerful magic. She was the first to witness the results of both her and the wizards' efforts.

Seven confused individuals observed their newfound surroundings...

Which everyone thought was strange considering there were only supposed to be six...