The Heart Of A King - By Popcorn :)

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The sound of wood splitting rung out throughout the forest, probably alarming the many monsters in there.

" phew... " A very well aged man says wiping the puddling sweat off of his forehead.

"Master! Master" his few disciples called, running to him.

" Hello, children " He says soothingly as they sit down before him.

" Master! Tell us a story! " They plead, a few giving puppy eyes.

" Story? Of what? This old man can't remember any! " He bellows.

" Tell us the story of your younger days! Before you came here! " One suggests. The others quickly nodded with pleading eyes.

" hm... Fine, fine. Only if you do twice as much training you did today. "

" Yes! We will! Now hurry, the day is growing long, we mustn't waste anytime! "

He chuckles and finds his way toward a tree. A very old tree, one that holds much importance to him, for without it, he wouldn't be here.

The padded feet of trespassers on the mossy floor was no surprise to the monsters. Their steps were swift and clean, leaving no print as they ran. The armoury they wore under their dark green cloaks didn't weigh them down, if anything they would have ran twice as fast.

"No! Start from the beginning!" One disciple said in a whinny voice.

" Sh... we mustn't be impatient, you must remember what you were taught young one." He responded, giving a small smile at the young boys eagerness.

Anyway, the cloaked men reached their destination, taking cover behind the many boulders and trees. Their hushed whispers barely heard by the guardians. The chilling breeze sent shivers throughout the world, telling each and every being that something was going to happen today.

Today was inevitable.

The castle walls boomed as a door shut, an angry man stormed into the throne room, disturbing the meeting.

" Yes? Count Gerald? " The King asked, putting down the papers he held in his hands.

" You... you said it would work! " Gerald yelled, slamming his hands onto the table leaving few cracks on the glass tabletop.

" Please keep your composure, Count Gerald. There are guests, we mustn't disturb them. "

He looked around and bowed to each person, angrily apologizing.

" My King, this is no laughing matter! " He yelled, his veins at the edge of popping.

" I am not laughing, Count Gerald, but please can we talk about this somewhere... " He began whispering "private?"

Sighing, Gerald led the way to the Kings private study room, carefully making sure that there was no maid, no guard, and absolutely no other officer.

" What is the problem? " The King asks, losing his patience.

" What you ask can not be explained. We must venture out to the edge of the Demon Forest, there you will see. "

" I understand, we will leave at nightfall. Ready the horses, call three of the best guards. And keep this a secret at all costs. Do you understand? "

" Yes, Sir! " Gerald bows and leaves.

The King sighed as another coughing fit came. As it began to end, he spit out blood.

" I must find a heir... my son is too young and immature to take such responsibility. "

In a village not much further than here, lived a young man who lived to serve as a fisherman. One-day, he grew tired of his boring life, a life where you did only a limited things. Eat. Sleep. Fish. and then repeat.

He aspired to be a great cultivator, defeating the greatest of enemy , where people would look up to him and treasure him.

" Mother! I shall start my journey to the Temple Of Core! You must not wait for my return, for you will grow weary! " The young man declared as his mother looked at him with teary eyes.

" My son! You shall not chase after your father! He left us for that cursed Temple! And look! He never came back! " She reasoned, grabbing her son's cloak, while she cried in his embrace.

" Mother... I shall never abandon you.. Why do you think that way? Do you have no faith in your son? " He asks, comforting her.

" I shall trust you.. " She squeaks as her grip loosened on the garments of her only son.

" I shall see you off then, go along " She shooed him out the door and waved him goodbye as he set journey to the Temple Of Core.

The journey to the Temple Of Core takes days, a treacherous walk from about... 2 miles. Yeah, 2 miles.

A low hum came out of the entrance of the Temple Of Core. Shaking, he walked into the Temple, ready to face anything that came into his path.

" Who has entered this holy place? " A low voice grumbled.

" It is I, Arthur Dean. I come to test the strength of my Core."

"... Go away, you're hella weak dude"

Arthur was kicked out, a shocked expression on his face. Frustrated, he started his journey home. The truth suddenly hit him as he was passing the Core Forest.

I'm weak. I can't become a cultivator. He thought, clenching his fists so tight his hands began to bleed. I'll show him.... Fine!

" You know what?! I'll travel through the Core Forest! " He declared, walking angrily into the forest.

The walk was treacherous, the steep incline weighing heavy on his barely protected feet. The air became thin, the weather gloomy. Still in his thoughts, Arthur didn't notice that not a single monster had dared to attack him.

As he reached the end of the forest road, he saw a tree. A very beautiful tree. There were two white figures standing before it, one on the left and the other on the right.

Arthur knew right away that they were the Guardians. He began walking toward it, hypnotized by the sweet aroma coming from it. Surprisingly, they left him through. The swords they weld turned into flames as the scenery behind them turned to ash.

Arthur reached out, grasping onto the branches of the tree, in that moment a lightning bolt struck him. His bod'y fell to the ground, his clothes burnt and his skin crisp. A great fire fell from the heavens, engulfing Arthur in it.

Arthur felt a great power rise in him, his body healthier, more fine. He was taller now, his hair thicker, his skin darker. He was a new man.

He walked out of there, monsters attacking him left and right. Not a single one could leave even a mere scratch on him.

The forest that once separated the far and main land were now joined, each gaining new materiels from each other.

Many prophets were curious on who had brought the two places together, for there was once a prophecy that was passed down from generations to generations.

' A great King will come, he will walk the roads and all shall bow to him. The torches will light in honor of the new King's reign. A great rainbow will be casted above him, symbolizing the start of a new era. '

And just like the prophecy, everything came true.

Many years passed as the King's reign came to an end, he vanished into the Core Forest never to be seen again. Legend has it that if a wandering man comes along asking for help to escape the forest, acknowledge him for if you don't, you won't come out alive.

The children ooed and aahhed as the old man created magic, showing the story.

" But... is the legend true? " A little girl asked, bringing drinks and food for the young boys.

" Ah! It is true, for if you don't be kind you won't come out" He said, waving his fingers in a creepy way.

" So remember, my dear children, always have the heart of a King for you never know what will come out of it. "

" Now go along, children supper must be ready. " He said smiling, watching them run into the small cottage.

He looked up at the old tree, still providing shelter even after 200 years.

"My old friend, it seems you will have to create a new King, no? " He said, patting the rough oak bark.

He went into the cottage, closing the door behind him. And he knew very well that there was a Guardian behind the tree.

" It seems I do, Arthur.. It appears I do. "

END

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