Prologue

It was a semi-lit room, in which the members of the Grand Council gathered to discuss the current problem at hand.
“The Evil One is only getting stronger, we have to act, fast.” said one of the Grand Council members in a concerned voice.
“That is true, are there any propositions as to what we can do?” the president of the council asked calmly.
There was a moment of silence until finally, someone spoke up.
“As we all know, we are growing old and weak. Perhaps a new council is needed.”
Everyone seemed to be in agreement, except for the president. He cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention, and then said “Times are changing in the land of Libero. The idea a council that governs an entire world is becoming more and more distant. People are becoming much more different. New traditions, cultures and beliefs are arising.”
“So what do you suggest we do then?” another council member asked sternly, as if annoyed that the president disagreed.
The president ignored the hostility from his subordinate and replied “We must first focus our attention on to the immediate problem, which is the Evil One. A hero is needed; someone who is brave, gallant, and who is willing to serve the greater good that is the liberation of our home, Libero.”
“How will we--” a council member began to ask, but the president cut him off and said “I have already found many candidates.” He gestured towards the centre of the large round table that they were all sitting around. At the centre was an orb that looked like an enlarged marble that was kept steady on a metal stand. After a few moments, it began to illuminate and an image began to form within it. It showed a series of people, young & old, male & female, poor & rich. “These people that you are seeing will be put through a series of tests, in order to push them to their limits,” the president continued. “In the end there will only be one chosen. It saddens me to say these things but a greater conflict is at hand, that even we the council, cannot combat.”

Chapter 1

Nero Cossette was seemingly just and ordinary teenage boy, shy around pretty girls, voice cracks here and there, and cared way too much about what others thought about him. And that was just the way Nero liked it. He considered himself above all of that, all of those “teenage features”. He always ‘knew’ that one day he would rise above the rest and bring this world out of the darkness. However, unfortunately for Nero, he wasn't exactly in any position to make any demands, as he was considered but a measly peasant in his town. He wasn't like the upper class with their fancy castle, delicious foods, and their perky clothes. He was lucky to eat leftovers, or even find a suitable place to sleep. He didn't know how, but he would find a way to get out his horrid circumstance. He just needed one chance, one chance to prove himself worthy of more.


It was a Thursday evening and Nero was wandering around the streets of Origio, looking for the best alley to rest for the night. He was walking down a market street, where many shopping stands were set up all along the side of this street. Many people were in scraggy clothes, and were bargaining to get the best deal possible. The sun was setting, and the sky which was cloudless, was a deep pinkish orange. Nero looked up at the beautiful evening sky and took a deep breath. Suddenly from further down the street the voice of a man shout, “Stop him!” Nero began to walk faster as he slipped on his power suppressor gloves. As if on cue, a man emerged from the crowd, carrying a sack over his shoulder. Behind him in hot pursuit was what Nero recognized as the shopkeeper of a tomato stand. The thief swiftly cut into an alley and the shopkeeper who was out of breath, slowed to a stop. Without any other thought Nero ran after the thief. Nero was definitely not a slow runner, he was fast. One could say he was lightning fast. He instantly caught up the thief who was at a dead end. Nero stopped at about five meters in front of the thief, and gave him a bored look. “Didn't think this through did you?” Nero asked. The thief did not respond with words, but with the action of taking out a knife. Nero chuckled. “I’ll take that as a no.” With one swift movement Nero was instantly in front of the thief, and let his fist meet the thief’s jaw with a massive impact. Sending the thief to the ground, who was now unconscious.

As Nero picked up the bag of tomatoes and began to jog back towards the shopkeeper, he felt happy about himself. He knew he was special. In the land of Libero, there are people who gifted with the ability of magic. Most of those chosen are regarded as sacred people. Abruptly, someone grabbed Nero’s arm firmly, and he looked over his shoulder to see that it was an elderly woman. She looked at him in the eyes earnestly and said “Why?”
“Huh?” Responded a mildly puzzled Nero.
“Why are you wasting your potential? In all my years, I’ve seen many magicians, but none as talented as you.”
Nero was speechless.
“Show your powers to the Queen of Origio, show her that you are worthy!” She gripped his arm harder at this point.
“Do you remember what happen to the last peasant who tried to show that he was of the chosen?” Nero replied. “The King at that time wouldn’t accept that a lower class men could be a magician, and from what I hear decapitated him out of fear.”
The old lady thought about this for a moment. “Then leave, leave this town. There is a settlement north--”
Nero held up a hand to stop her from speaking, in which she immediately smacked it away.
“Ow!” Nero rubbed his now throbbing hand.
“Respect your elders.” she pursed her lips.
Nero smiled slightly, “Sorry about that. But I cannot leave Origio.”
She stared at him, stunned. “But, why? All the place has brought you is pain and suffering.”
“Heheh,” Nero scratched his head. “Well, at the end of my first moth here, I made a vow to myself, to save this place.”
Nero was special indeed. Not only in terms of magic, but in terms of who he was. Whenever someone did badly towards him, he responded not with hate or revenge, but with the desire to help them. Simply because he knew that there is good in everyone, and for every bad action done by someone, there is evidence that bad actions must have happened before as well.

The elderly lady looked down and smiled, then looked back at Nero. “Well whatever you do, remember who you are, and never lose sight of your dream. It will keep you going, it will get you through rough times, and it will make you stronger.” Nero nodded and began to walk back towards the shopkeeper. When Nero returned the shopkeeper’s tomatoes to him, he was over joyed and decided that Nero would be able to comeback anytime for free tomatoes. “Thank you so much.” Nero said gratefully.
“No, thank you.” The shopkeeper smiled.
With that, Nero walked off to find his sleeping spot for the night. He thought about asking the shopkeeper for even more hospitality, but shook his head at the thought. These were his burdens, he thought, no one else should carry them but him.

To be continued...