Fable floated towards a nearby table and removed a book from its surface. The book was old and dusty, yet its spine was thick and strong. “How familiar are you with prophecy?” she asked the group, opening its cover, and looking intently at each of the three men in turn.
Normandy shrugged.
“Probably not as familiar as I should be,” Kelm admitted.
“And I really don’t know anything,” Maebus added.
Fable moved towards them.
“I was looking at something shortly before you arrived,” she said, flipping briskly through its pages. “I wish I would’ve discovered this before Damian’s invasion. I don’t believe that the rise of the Warlord was coincidental. His unique character traits and ability correspond to a time long ago prophesied by the First Wizards.”
She stopped at a page and presented the open book to Kelm. Maebus and Normandy gathered at his shoulder to read along as Fable spoke.
“Nearly two thousand years ago, it was said that the culmination of the endless war would produce a conqueror capable of great destruction and evil. With him, the Realm would face its second Darkest Age. This conqueror, in his pursuit of Realmsic, would inadvertently bring forth the destruction of the world.”
“Whoa,” Normandy shuddered upon hearing her words.
Fable raised her head and placed a gentle hand upon his chest, feeling it rise and fall with each breath. “I sense extreme fear in you,” she said.
“I...” Normandy paused, placing his large hand above hers. “Deep down, I’ve always had a fear of magic,” he admitted. “Not so much with its performance, but with the unlimited power anyone could potentially possess with it. And what you mention about the destruction of the world ... it just sends a shiver down my spine.”
Kelm traced each line of the page with his finger as he studied each word carefully. While still analyzing, he said to Fable, “I understand what was foreseen by the First Wizards, but prophecy is extremely subjective. There’s no way to know for sure that this is the foreseen time.”
Fable turned from Normandy to face Kelm. “True. But consider that a kingdom that has withstood countless conquerors has now fallen, the entire Realm is being held hostage by a madman, and the sacred Archival Order that has existed unscathed for thousands of years has suddenly been reduced to me. Personally, I’ve not seen a darker age than this.”
Kelm scratched his chin stubble. “Then that would mean, according to natural law—”
“Yes,” Fable interjected. “Natural law dictates that for what exists, so must its opposite. There must ever remain a balance.”
“That balance ... are you referring to the Hero of Legend?” Kelm asked. “I’d heard of that prophecy long ago but never gave it any credence.”
Fable nodded in agreement. “Neither did I, until recently. It was prophesied that the rise of great evil would awaken one of great good. This Hero of Legend would possess the power to vanquish the evil one once and for all, which would eventually end the endless war and bring peace to the Realm.”
Maebus took several steps away from the group and leaned against the table; his back to them. Fable’s gaze followed Kelm as he approached his friend. He stopped just a couple of feet behind him as Maebus began to speak.
“Peace,” the word resonated throughout the entire lower level of the temple. “I fight to preserve our people’s way of life. But never have I seriously considered the war actually ending. Given our history, the possibility of such a thing seems rather ... ridiculous.” Maebus turned towards them, his face reflecting anger. “If what you say is true, then why hasn’t this hero come forth?”
“Because he hasn’t been found yet,” Fable replied. “It’s likely that this person hasn’t even realized their significance yet. Sometimes it takes a catalyst event for one’s potential to be recognized.
“What do you mean?” Maebus probed.
“Well, for example, the Warlord Damian was raised in the same Realm of conflict as the rest of us. Yet, none of us have ever felt the urge to conquer the kingdom. Something specifically happened in Damian’s young life that turned his heart cold. Likewise, despite the Realm’s current state, this Hero of Legend has remained pure of heart, but hasn’t yet received his calling.”
Normandy suddenly stood taller. “But who knows when that calling will occur?” he expressed by swaying his hands back and forth.
“Actually, you’re right. We don’t know when, but we do know what will occur,” Fable replied.
“What?” Normandy scratched his shiny bald head.
“She means that in our case, we have a clear understanding of how this prophecy works. It’s not so vague, like other prophecies tend to be,” Kelm explained.
Fable raised a finger. “Yes. In fact, the prophecy says that the hero will be discovered by the Finder—one of equal benevolence and integrity. The encounter, I believe, will bring the hero into self-awareness, and the Finder will ultimately lead the hero into victory.”
“Are you serious?” Maebus punched a fist into his palm. His patience seemed to be wearing thin.
“Yes, your Highness. I consider such matters to be very serious,” Fable replied.
“So you’re suggesting that the threat of Damian is the catalyst for this prophecy written two thousand years ago?” Maebus shook his finger as he pointed at the book in Kelm’s hand. “And you’re telling me that a Hero of Legend—who may or may not exist—will save the Realm once he’s found by a Finder?”
“Yes,” Fable replied. Her face was void of all expression.
“And how’re we even to locate this Finder?”
“Maebus,” Kelm interjected, but was ignored by him.
“We don’t have time to chase shadows and smoke. Our people are dying!”
“Maebus!” Kelm placed a hand upon his shoulder and squeezed it tightly.
“What, Kelm?”
“I think we’ve already located the Finder.”
Fable immediately understood. Kelm’s gaze penetrated Maebus. She watched the King’s expression transform from great inquisition into absolute horror. It was clear now that Maebus also understood.
“NO!” he bellowed, pulling away from Kelm’s grip.
“Yes!” he insisted.
When the Wizard grabbed him by the shoulder again, Maebus shook him off. “I’m not the one! I don’t believe in prophecy.”
Fable held out both her hands in an attempt to stop Maebus. “Your Highness, I have to agree with the Grand Wizard. Given the situation and your own unique circumstances, you being the Finder would make sense.”
“Absolutely not!” he paced back and forth. “The very idea is absurd, and I want no part of it!”
Kelm reached out to him. “Maebus…”
“Get off me, Kelm,” he ducked his grasp and headed towards the temple steps.
“MAEBUS, STOP!” Kelm’s voice boomed through the lower interior, echoing with a force that was like a shockwave, halting him in his tracks.
Kelm slowly approached Maebus. “Look at me,” he said while facing him, holding his arms in his hands so he couldn’t escape. “You’re my friend and, in a way, I’ve always known you were special. Since we were children, your life seemed destined for greatness. I’ve seen you do things that were above and beyond. You were once the skinny boy who laughed with me, fought with me, skipped wizardry classes with me. And now you’re the Realmsic King—which you also accepted reluctantly. Yet that was only the beginning, brother. I can’t explain it, but I feel it. I believe you’ll not only save our Realm from Damian, but through your leadership, you will end this endless war.”
“Kelm, it can’t be me,” he said. “I told you already, I’m not a believer in fate or prophecy. I’m not even convinced that this Hero of Legend is real!”
He turned his back to Kelm, stepping away from him. “How can I be the Finder? It was I who lost the Realm in the first place. It was I who yielded when Damian came.”
Fable stepped towards them. “But wi
thout that moment, this moment could never have existed. Through pain comes perspective. Through chaos comes clarity,” she said softly.
Maebus rubbed his temples as he contemplated her words. “Where did this prophecy come from?” he asked.
“From the First Wizards,” she replied.
“No, I mean, has the physical book always resided in this archive? Or did it come from someplace else?”
“Well, this particular book was once housed in the original Wizard Holdings not far from here,” Fable replied, pointing eastward. “The structure itself no longer exists, but the historical site it once stood on still does.”
Maebus squinted at the eastern wall of the archive as if trying to see through it. “Exactly how many historical sites are there in the Ancient Lands?”
“An abundance within a mile of this location, and they’ve all remained relatively untouched.”
“Then perhaps we can search those locations for clues regarding the Hero of Legend. Perhaps even the true Finder.”
Fable crossed her arms again, considering the idea. “It’s worth a try.”
“Great!” Maebus grabbed several books from the shelves. “Find me as much information about this prophecy as you can. Perhaps we can narrow down which locations are relatively significant and then search them out.”
“Certainly,” Fable said, taking the books from Maebus. A brisk movement at the corner of her eye stole her attention. Normandy unexpectedly fell to the ground.
Fable jolted back, avoiding his large body. She reached towards him. “Normandy, are you—” Before she could finish, she too was immobilized by a brace of light that wrapped around her body. It locked her arms in place. As she fell to the ground from the impact, Kelm and Maebus landed next to her.
Lying sideways, Fable heard footsteps approaching. They dragged and scoffed upon the floor.
“Searching the ancient ruins to find traces of the Hero of Legend. That sounds like an excellent idea!” said a grizzly looking man who came into view. “But don’t waste your time with prophecy. It’s useless.”
“Thane!” Maebus grunted, squirming upon the ground.
“General Thane,” he corrected. He stood above their heads, brandishing a sword. Fable glanced around. His Legionarie detail had already blocked the lower-level entrance. There was no escape, not from his brace and not from the labyrinth. Fable closed her eyes in surrender, realizing that she and her friends were trapped.
Chapter Thirty-Seven