chapter 1: The chosen Hero

The sun hung high in the sky, warm but not too hot. A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, carrying the faint scent of wildflowers from the nearby meadows. It was a calm noon, and the day felt perfectly ordinary-quiet, calm, and just a little lazy.

"Hey Grey," my friend called out to me eagerly, "wanna go to the mountains with me? I really need to gather some fresh herbs for my food cart. What do you say?"

I looked at him with wide eyes, then eyebrows furrowed in concern. "Are you crazy? You know there have been many farm animals missing lately-it's not safe out there. The village elders have warned everyone not to go near the mountains until we find the reason behind it."

"Yeah, I know," he admitted with a sigh. "Without those herbs and items, I can't make good food. And besides, why does your father go through the mountains every day with his carriage?"

I relaxed a little. "Well, he's an adult, and he's the one running our family's small transport business. He has horses too, and there's no other way to get through. He always returns before evening, and if it's late, he stays at my aunt's house in the next village. So it's not really a problem." I tried convincing him.

"As you know, we are 17, almost adults," he said, trying to sound reasonable. "So why can't we go? Please? I really need to go, and your help is a must."

I sighed deeply. "Haa, there's no way to change you once you fix your mind on something. Fine, ten copper coins-and if it gets past 4 pm, I'm leaving you."

He flashed his best persistent smile with a puppy face. "But I'm your one and only best friend! Would you really leave me like that?"

"Ewww! Don't act cute! You're 17, not 7," I teased, shaking my head.

"Hehe, don't mind me," he laughed softly.

"Alright, let's go then," I agreed with a reluctant smile.

***

As we started the journey, I pulled the carriage loaded with supplies for the day through the uneven mountain paths.

"Tell me, bro, you have your family land. If you sell it to the nearby landlord, you would get some money. And you can open a small restaurant in the nearby town. So why are you not going with that? If your father were here, he would agree with me. Or you can go to your grandfather. That's a better option in my opinion."

He replied, "Well, my father raised me until I was 15 even though he had that illness. We were really happy when we were together. But when he died, I was so scared and lonely. So whenever I was working in our food cart, it's like I can feel he is with me, always. Even though I miss him a lot, it feels a little nice.

My grandfather didn't accept my parents when they came to visit him after their love marriage. So, we never visited him. I hated him for that, I guess.

"You got that feeling, hah? Your father really is a good man. Whenever I came to see you, he fed me and treated me like his real son. His cooking is way above average too. Really tasty. I'll give at least 3 stars for that."

"Not 5 stars, hah? I'll smack you."

"Hahaha, I'm joking. I only ate bread most of the time at my house because we were dead poor. Your father's cooking is my royal feast. Hahaha."

"Ok, I'll believe you."

We happily chatted and walked towards the mountain together.

"Pulling this carriage all the way from the village is hard, isn't it?" he said, trying to keep up.

"I'm the one actually pulling it," I said with a smirk, glancing back at him. "You're just along for the walk."

"Yeah, yeah. I'll help pull it on the way back. So don't worry," he said, determined to pitch in.

"You should! Or I'll put you through hell..." I threatened with a playful grin. But he ignored me and started to look for the herbs and some wild veggies, anything he could use. "Hey! Let me finish my threatening!" I laughed and followed him.

Soon, we found a good spot for gathering herbs. When he saw the fresh wild herbs, without saying anything ran with a smile like that of a child.

"There he goes again," I chuckled. "You should've been born a monkey. Or a rabbit? He sure jumps like one." I thought that to myself.

"Yo Grey, here, take this," he said, handing over some herbs.

"Coming," I replied, taking them carefully. He found some good stuff! I was with him countless times like this. So, I too know some stuff around here concerning food.

We gathered as much as we could and loaded them in the carriage. The sun was about to set in a few minutes. Climbing up with the empty carriage is nothing much. But going down with the load is different. So, we should've gone sooner. But I, too, seeing some rare mushrooms, got hyped and lost track of time.

***

"Wow. We got plenty," I said, feeling proud. An idea popped up in my mind. We should share some with the orphanage.

Good idea! Then we can go see the children too. He happily suggested. His cheerfulness is always cute, even though he is all grown. I never told this to him.

"And it's about time," I chuckled, looking at the sky. "Let's go back."

"Yeah, yeah, let's go back," he agreed.

We returned to the mountain path that connected to our village. Then suddenly, he stopped short. "Hey, look... it looks like a landslide."

"Yes, it is!" I exclaimed in disbelief. Then started to walk towards it.

"Grey, wait! The carriage might get stuck if another one happens. Let's leave it there," he urged, eyes scanning the mountain.

"Okay, let's take a closer look," I said cautiously.

"Yo bro, that wasn't here when we came," I murmured, brows knitted.

"Yes, it must have happened recently," he said, worry creeping into his voice. "It's getting late, and I have to prepare food for the food cart too. What do we do now?

We sure can't go back to the village.

Is this my fault, Grey? I'm really sorry we got stuck because of me," he said, guilt washing over him.

"Don't sweat it. It's not a big deal," I reassured him, placing my hand on his shoulder. "There are some big boulders. It's unfortunate that we can't clear them. Let's go to my aunt's house," I suggested.

"That's a good idea, Grey." We agreed on my suggestion and got to the next path that led to my aunt's village. "I wonder if your aunt will let me cook today. We have some tasty mushrooms too," he said hopefully.

"Keep dreaming. She won't let you," I said with a smirk.

"Haa... what a disappointment. At least I'll help with the preparations," he sighed.

"Don't ask me; ask her," I said, laughing.

With that, we once again set off, our voices light and cheerful as we chatted, the carriage heavy with herbs and mushrooms swaying behind us. The mountain air was crisp, and the golden sun began its slow descent toward the horizon, painting the sky with hues of red and orange. Suddenly, a strange light appeared-so bright yet so sharply pointed, it looked like a shimmering bridge unfurling from heaven to the earth. As if hanging in suspension, the light was just about to touch the ground when it vanished in an instant.

Nearby, a wild boar, which must have been foraging for its final meal of the day, was nowhere to be seen. Scared yet curious, we approached cautiously, only to find a smear of blood staining the earth.

***

"Bro, what was that?" I whispered, unease creeping into my voice.

"What am I, a god? Why are you asking me?" came the quick reply, accompanied by a slight nudge from him. "And don't touch me so suddenly like that."

Then I realized he was about to cry, out of fear. He is always soft like that. With a teasing look I asked him, "Are you crying?"

"No... I'm not crying. And don't tell anyone!" He said it with a threatening tone, but because of his almost crying face, his tone looked funny.

"And don't laugh either," he said with an even funnier tone.

I smiled faintly and looked directly at him. "Bro, I won't. But what do we do now?"

"Let's just go. I don't want to be here any longer. It's too scary." He said, then I couldn't keep my mouth shut any longer. "Hahaha, adult my ass," I let him have it.

"Don't tease me either," he said.

I didn't want him to start crying. So I shut my mouth once again.

When we started waking hastily again i asked him, "Bro, we found the mystery behind the missing farm animals, right?" I didn't know he had the same conclusion, so I confirmed it with him.

"Hm, it could be. What else could it be?" he replied.

Suddenly, a loud, chilling bull-like ROOOOAR rang out from somewhere near the cliff. We froze, our blood running cold as a sudden chill hung unnervingly in the air. Our bodies, still worn out from the journey and herb gathering, were now gripped with fresh fear. Teeth chattered involuntarily. We exchanged glances heavy with dread.

"Bro! Don't speak so loud-and ditch the herbs and the carriage," I whispered.

"Yeah, good plan. I'm reaching my limit," he said.

Then with a serious face I said to him, "Don't you dare freak out and cry."

"I already wet my pants," he said with a shameful look.

"You freak show!" I almost shouted. Knowing my mistake I covered my mouth with both of my hands.

"Who wouldn't? That sounded like a bull, but... it's freaky. And weird. The air itself feels different, like in those novels where the big boss is about to show up." Then he tried to be reasonable.

"You and your fantasies," came the teasing response from my mouth like always. "Let's move," I whispered, then he followed.

"Okay. Let's!"

***

We crouched low, moving cautiously and silently to avoid drawing attention. The terrifying roar repeated several times, echoing off the rocky cliffs, then the sound began to grow distant. Thinking the danger was passing, we broke into a faster run.

Suddenly, the same strange light from before shot down from the sky-but this time, it didn't vanish on impact. It moved swift and purposeful, directly after us! As if it had found what it was searching for.

We realized it at once. Gritting my teeth in frustration, with him running before me, I sprinted with all of my strength down the path ahead. The sinister light was faster than us.

"Bro, let's keep some distance between us and run toward the cave," I panted, "and don't run in a straight line, or it will catch us faster."

"But Grey, to get there, we have to go back the way we came... and that thing..."

He is right, but the reality is much crueler now than before. So I urged him, "I know, but we have no other way. And we don't even know if it's still there..." I tried convincing him.

We have no time to think. "Go."

"Alright, you're right, let's go there, Grey." He accepted.

***

As we dashed toward the cave, the light abruptly stopped. Gasping for breath, we halted, trying to steady our racing hearts. Then, the same ROOOAR came from the direction of our escape path.

We slowly turned our heads, eyes wide with terror realizing what it was.

There, emerging from the exact cave, was a creature unlike anything we had ever seen-a massive, bull-headed, human-like being standing menacingly before us. We froze as the cold grip of fear tightened, suffocating our breath. He was already in tears.



"Grey! (Gulp) It was a minotaur!" he gasped, eyes brimming with terror.

"What? But those are just myths!..." I didn't want to accept the reality that was in front of me.

"Grey! Runnnn!" he shouted.

***

We ran again with confusion, escape from what? The thing in front of us? Or the scary light that was chasing us? To where?

Now our exhausted bodies betrayed us too, without gaining much distance. We stumbled and fell to the ground.

The Minotaur raised a massive axe from its back and threw it towards us.

Blood splattered across his face. It was not the blood of my friend, but mine. I felt a sharp, searing pain explode through my body.

"Grey!" he shouted. I was struck by the axe that was thrown towards us.

My legs couldn't support my body anymore. I fell facing down, my life draining, and blood running cold. He sat frozen, unable to move.

Thud... thud... thud....

Everything fell silent. I only heard the heavy footsteps of the monster approaching, accompanied by sinister, mocking laughter-it reveled in its first kill and knew the stunned boy wouldn't flee.

I mustered up all of my courage and tried my best to move my injured body.

"Bro, please, snap out of it. Run. You have to run!" I urged with pain, struggling to stay conscious and reach my only best friend. I yelled his name with all my might but all in vain.

He didn't respond; his body seemed lifeless. Is he in shock because of me? NoNoNo! God! Please! I pleaded to the heavens.

Then the mysterious light that had stopped earlier shone brighter than before. The warmth of the light enveloped him.

Suddenly moving like a puppet, he stood up. Then, the mysterious light moved towards his hand. His fingers gripped the glowing beam tightly; it blazed brightly, then began to fade-and there, forming within his grasp, was a sword.

***

His lips barely moved as he spoke coldly; the voice seemed his, but the delivery and manner of speech were different.

"The new hero has been chosen. Now, synchronization is about to start. Testing ability set number one... Holy flames."

The Minotaur froze, staring in confusion.

With those words, flames engulfed the sword-but strangely, the fire did not scorch him.

My life was ebbing fast from the axe wound, even though I fought fiercely not to lose consciousness, knowing I might never witness such a miracle again.

"Ability working perfectly.

Synchronization complete. Now, let's start the neutralization process," he declared.

With a powerful kick to the ground, he closed the distance in an instant.

With one swift slash, the creature's right arm was severed. It roared in agony, clutching its stump with its other hand trying to gain some distance. But it was too late. He struck again, this time beheading the monster. The Minotaur fell, defeated.

***

"Requirements met. Hero summoning ritual starts."

His body began glowing softly with ethereal light. Suddenly, his consciousness returned fully.

Startled by the slain beast and the weapon in his hand, he dropped the sword, and the radiant glow faded. He hurried to me and began to weep.

I wanted to comfort him, but I couldn't even raise my fingers. Please, don't cry. I don't want to see you cry like that. I want to see your smile at least once, if this is my end. Please don't be broken like before, find happiness. I want to say those words to my friend, but my consciousness began to fade too.

Suddenly, the same heavenly light descended from the sky once more. As it vanished, a girl stood before us. She was magnificent, wearing a pristine white robe, radiating beauty and grace like a holy priestess.

He stopped crying, his eyes wide in awe. I couldn't believe my eyes. I thought for a second this girl was here to take me to the afterlife. But I don't want to die!

"If you can travel here through that strange light, you must be powerful," he whispered, "Please, save Grey." I don't even care if you are the one who caused it. Just please... Tears from his eyes flowed again uncontrollably.

Without a word, she reached inside her robe and took a small bottle, handing it to him.

This is holy water. "It will grant what you desire, Sir Hero." Her smile was radiant and comforting.

He took the bottle with trembling hands and, guided by her silent instructions, let a single drop of the holy water spill into my mouth. Swallowing it I felt a sudden burst of energy that spread through my veins. I felt warm and my clouded mind was completely clear. The wound on my back was closed completely and not even a scar was left.

Tears welled up in our eyes as we embraced tightly, our friendship shining stronger than ever.

The girl watched with a smile of gentle amusement, clearly seeing the bond we shared. Several minutes passed without words until she finally spoke.

"Sir Hero, let us go to your post."

"My post?" he asked, confused.

"Yes, Sir Hero. We await your arrival."

"For me? Where?"

"To our holy land."

"Our holy land?" he asked, even more confused. "But I have to go home."

"Sir Hero, you are our chosen holy warrior. You must come with me."

She grasped his hand firmly and began chanting in an ancient tongue. Suddenly, the same brilliant light that brought her here enveloped them. He struggled, but her grip was unyielding.

I was just a few feet away, running toward them with the holy sword in hand, desperate not to lose my friend. Something was about to happen, and if I didn't catch them, I might never be able to. I reached out and grabbed his hand-

The brilliant light flared around us, blinding and searing, yet impossibly gentle at the same time. My chest felt weightless, as if gravity itself had vanished. The world blurred, the trees, the mountains, the sun-all dissolved into pure white.

A heartbeat later, the sensation of falling-no, not falling, being carried-took over. My body floated, suspended between fear and awe. I couldn't see anything, couldn't hear anything, yet I felt everything: the warmth of the light, the grip of my friend's hand, and the silent chant of the girl in white.

Then, just as suddenly, the light vanished. Silence. Darkness. My heart pounded in the void, echoing louder than any roar or scream I had ever heard.

I didn't know where we were. I didn't know what awaited us. All I knew was that the world I had just struggled to survive in was gone-and something far greater, something I couldn't yet understand, had begun.

***

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