Legends of Adanes Book I - The Darkness Rises

Prologue {Benjamin}

ADANES

BENJAMIN CHEE NEVER ASKED to be a hero.
Before his life was uprooted and he was forced into the stupid Prophecy From Above, nothing extraordinary was expected of him. Ben was completely okay with this; in fact, he preferred everything like this. If nothing above average was asked of him, he didn't run the risk of disappointing someone. The one thing Ben hated most was disappointing someone.
So, naturally, he now had an entire alternate world of innocent people to risk disappointing. Then again...if Ben and his party failed in their quest, letting down everyone in Adanes was the least of his problems.
At that moment, Ben felt someone shaking him by the shoulder. Then, he heard a familiar, friendly voice. "You're not thinking about bailing on us, are you?"
Ben turned his head to face Jake. His best friend.
For years, Jake had stood by his side, never daring to leave. Even when the going got tougher than words could even describe, Jake had his back. Not just today, but this entire journey, wasn't any different.
Normally, Jake stood about ten inches shorter than Ben. Right now, however, he actually somewhat towered over Ben. He sat astride a coal-black helau, issued to him as a member of the Lagrifan Royal Cavalry. Over the months that they had been here, Jake had changed rather noticeably. His rat brown hair grew out to a slightly shaggy mess. His hazel eyes, usually dull or uncaring, were now filled with some sort of energetic fire. After months of training as a member of the cavalry and working in the forges, his muscle tone had become leaner, more defined.
Despite what has changed in him, he was still the same Jake. He was still Ben's friend, and he was still here for him.
Ben took a shaky breath. "No," he said. "I'm okay. I'm just thinking-"
"About the certain onset disaster to come if we fail?" A third voice had chimed in.
Ben turned to his right, where the owner of the voice was standing. "Actually, yes."
The boy just simply chuckled. "If you haven't noticed, that's what everyone-" he said, making a sweeping gesture to the mass of people surrounding them, the main body of the Lagrif Royal Army, "is thinking about. In the grand prelude before an upcoming battle, one either thinks of two things. He either thinks of the uncertain hell that is to come about if he does not succeed in his mission, or he thinks of nothing."
"Nothing?" Ben asked.
The boy nodded. "Some would call it, as you say, 'the calm before the storm.' One's mind simply chooses to shut down on itself before the certain onslaught that is quick to come. The realization of one's probable and impending fate weighs heavily on someone in those few final moments, affording no room for any other thought."
Ben sighed. "Once again, Takunn, you know just the right thing to say to cheer me up."
Takunn's eye softened. He placed his hand on Ben's shoulder. "I'm sorry, friend. However, I'm afraid it's a certainty we all need to keep in mind. If every man here today charged into battle thinking he would walk out alive, they would all go in thinking a fool's thoughts. Thinking these thoughts can cause one to become careless. We cannot afford to become careless."
"Okay, maybe you have a point," Ben said.
     Ben hadn't known Takunn as long as Jake had, but the two have grown to become close friends during their journey with Jake. Takunn was a boy of wisdom, often sharing his thoughts and philosophies with those who were willing to listen. Not only was he one of wisdom, Takunn was also one of strategy and logic. Ben and Jake agreed, on multiple occasions, that if it hadn't been for Takunn's brilliant mind to help guide them on their quest, they would certainly be dead.
     Takunn chuckled, tightening the eye patch that covered where his left eye used to be. "Dear friend, when do I not have a point?"
     The trio then fell into a comfortable silence, just exchanging looks with one another. It had been a long and treacherous road for the three boys. They have suffered through trial after trial to overcome the major obstacles that had been placed in their way. Now, they had reached the end of their journey. They would soon meet their fate- they would either succeed in their mission, defeat the Mad King and save the innocent citizens of Adanes, or they would fail and meet their own untimely demises.
Yippee, Ben thought.
     As the trio stood there, they collectively stared off to the west, watching the sun slowly set over the horizon. The strategy was for the Lagrif Royal Army to lay siege on the capital of Flarir, Myrsty, at dusk. Ben grew more antsy as the time for the attack drew closer. Jake glanced over at his friend, sensing his restlessness.
     "Hey," he said, nudging Ben in the shoulder. "We're getting through this. All three of us are, together. We're all making it out of this, alive. Especially you. You aren't dying. You don't have a choice."
     Ben let out a shaky laugh. "Thanks, Jake."
     Jake gave him a small smile. "Anytime, man. Anytime."
     Takunn chimed in. "I'm afraid neither of you are allowed to perish. If you do, I'll be left without any companions. I'll simply go mad if I'm left on my own!"
     All three of them burst into laughter. The army men that surrounded them gave the trio strange looks, curious as to why they would be laughing so hysterically at a time like this.
     After a minute, the boys had calmed down. Ben stifled a chuckle as he said, "I don't really know why I was laughing so hard!"
     "I am not sure either," Takunn said. "Is the thought of me being driven mad and dying on my own on my tiny ranch that hilarious to you two?"
     Jake shrugged. "I guess so."
     Takunn feigned offense. "Well, I'm glad that my dying of loneliness if you two meet your untimely demise in this final battle of ours is highly amusing to you!"
     All of a sudden, a rider atop a snow white helau barreled through the center of the main camp. This was the Royal Army's way of signaling the rest of the army without being detected by their enemies. Ben quickly looked to the west. The sun had set, and dusk was quickly approaching. It was time.
     Jake looked down at Ben and Takunn. "Well, it's showtime, guys." He drew his steel cavalry sword from his scabbard. "Are you guys ready?"
     Ben sighed, mentally preparing a list of defensive spells. "Not really, but it looks like we have no choice."
     Takunn pulled a dagger from the folds of his gray robes. Ben knew that he often coated his blades in a highly potent poison. He didn't know much about it, as Takunn made it himself, but Ben knew enough to not want to be on the business end of his dagger. "Aye, we really do not. It is time, my friends."
     "Ready to charge into what could very well be our own deaths?" Jake said.
     "Yes," Ben and Takunn replied.
     The time has come. The main body of the army readied itself, making final adjustments to their armor and drawing their weapons.
     The siege on Myrsty was upon them. The final battle had begun.