by C. J. Krüger
“Humans only know the very smallest bits of magic.” Her face looks rather grave as she talks. “The weapon is just dangerous. It doesn’t just cut physically. It cuts the soul. To brandish it in battle means being willing to utterly destroy the fabric of a being. You really think Humans can be trusted with that kind of power?”
I consider her thoughts and the troubling implications. Finally, I shake my head. “They would use it too freely.”
She nods. “That’s my theory anyway.”
The point she makes is solid, but it makes my nose wrinkle. My father is a good man, I think to myself firmly. He would use the power wisely. It occurs to me that my father might already know, but then why didn’t he tell me? Was he worried that I would misuse that power? The thought troubles me and I cast my eyes forward, careful not to look at Ayda.
My injuries are mostly superficial and so we begin to ride harder. Ronae’s powerful hooves beat under me as he gallops through the trees. He is undisturbed by the fallen branches or the gnarled roots that protrude from the ground. He simply runs and gracefully avoids all obstacles. By the end of the day, when the sun starts to give way to the moon, we reach the dark caves where I’m meant to meet my grandfather.
He steps into view, his ancient face troubled, but I still see a faint smile touch his lips at the sight of me.
“Grandfather!” I shout as I dismount Ronae. There is pain in my ribs, but I ignore it and rush to the old man and wrap him up into a tight hug. “I’ve missed you.”
His expression softens and he hugs me back. “And I you,” he says softly. “But we don’t really have time to be sentimental right now.”
I nod and pull away. “You’re right,” I say, feeling a little embarrassed. “But if I don’t hug you and make you smile, your face will always be stuck in a grimace.”
Ayda chuckles behind us, and I see Grandfather shoot her a withering look. “Don’t start,” he says to both of us and mutters something about children misbehaving.
“Grandfather?” I ask, becoming grave. “What can you tell me about demons?”
His hawklike eyes narrow and his face becomes red with anger. “They are servants of the Void.” He lifts up a hand and places it on my shoulder. “And they are why you need to train with me. I sense that the seal I placed over them is weakening.”
“I know. We were just attacked by one,” I say, shuddering.
“It’s worse than I thought, then. I’m glad that you’re all right. But we need to hurry.”
“Are you going to teach me how to summon my weapon?” I glance over at Ayda and start chewing on my inner cheek nervously. “And there is something more, isn’t there?” I say without waiting for an answer. “Somehow I’m deeply tied in with the Darkness, as much as I am with the Sun and Moon. How?”
“Is telling you going to make any difference to what you need to do?” my grandfather asks dryly.
“No, but—”
“Then you don’t need to know right now.” He turns his back on me and walks into the cave. “Your father learned how to use magic for the first time in here. It almost killed him. You and I, however, are going to go into the depths of this cave. There is something down there that is meant for you.”
“What?” I ask, feeling my heart begin to race in my chest.
“To be honest, I don’t know,” he tells me sourly. “It’s older then I am and all I know is that it’s meant for you.”
A cold shiver runs down my spine and my head begins to hurt as I imagine all the possible things this could be. “The Eternal Lights have been waiting for me for a long time,” I say softly. “They are down in that cave.”
“Who knows?” my grandfather asks, waving his hand to beckon me. “But we aren’t going to find out just standing out here. Ayda, go get some rest.”
“If it’s all the same to you, I’d like her to come,” I say quickly, and glance over my shoulder.
Diarmuid turns to look at the younger Elf. She nods and tells the horses to go.
“Suit yourself,” the King of the Elves says blandly. “If whatever is down there doesn’t want her to be present, it won’t let her stay anyway. Come along, children.”
Ayda wrinkles her nose but lets it pass. I chuckle and lift my lips slightly, trying to offer a friendly smile. She returns the gesture and we follow my grandfather down into the depths of the unknown.
Chapter Fifteen
Never before have I been in such complete darkness. Even my Elven eyes are blind to the complete black inside this cave. Slowly, I try to count the seconds to try and keep track of time, but I constantly lose my place.
“Grandfather?” I ask, my voice echoing off the cave walls. “Should we not light a torch?”
“If you want a light, make it yourself,” he replies in a sly voice. “But I don’t think you could, anyway. This place is protected by ancient magic. By the time we reach the depths, you’ll only have your sense of touch.”
Only touch? I shiver at the thought. “That’s insane, grandfather.”
“It’s to prevent thieves,” he explains. “No one is crazy enough to try and stay in absolute silence and darkness. It doesn’t matter how much something is worth.”
“Makes sense,” Ayda replies. “Don’t worry, Duncan. I’ll hold your hand.”
I grumble and they both laugh. But I do feel her hand slip into mine and squeeze gently. I squeeze her hand back and walk as close as I can to her. Even without seeing her, I can tell she is smiling and my own lips pull back.
Our footsteps grow more and more quiet as we descend. I open my mouth to speak, but no sound comes out. Ayda squeezes my hand tightly again, and I feel her body shudder. With my other hand, I guide myself along the cave wall, praying to the Eternal Lights that my grandfather is still in front of me. I try to sniff out his scent, but there is nothing, not even must or mold. My heart pounds in my chest and my eyes search rapidly in the darkness for something, anything.
I try to breathe but it feels as if there is something caught in my lungs. There is a sudden figure in front of me: the nightmare demon. I lift my hand to strike it, but it remains immobile and then vanishes as my hand passes through it. It’s not really there. My friend David also appears before my eyes, his face a scowl, and I hear him laughing at me.
He also vanishes as I walk through him. I try to close my eyes in a vain attempt to banish these specters, but it’s no use and they keep appearing. My breath is coming in short, painful gasps and I begin to see red flashing before my eyes. There is a dark, haunting laugh in my ears.
“Enough!” I scream, but my words are inaudible. The taste of fear clings to my tongue and I drop to my knees and release Ayda’s hand. “Eternal Lights, have mercy,” I beg into the deafening silence. “I cannot take this.”
At the end of the tunnel there is a piercing golden light. It wasn’t there a moment ago, but upon looking at it I feel my breath return to normal, and my heart calms to a steady beat. I lift myself from the ground and look around. Ayda and my grandfather are no longer with me, but I am unafraid. The golden light gives me strength and I walk slowly toward it.
With each step I take, I feel my senses return, and my courage swells. I realize that in my heart, I am a coward, but in the presence of this light, I feel as if I can move mountains.
“You’ve arrived,” the Light says to me in two voices, one male and the other female.
“I’luna,” I say, bowing deeply, “and Sol-theron.” I greet the Lights as if they are old friends though I am unsure why. They feel like family to me now rather than far off, impersonal entities.
“Greetings, young Duncan,” They reply. “We are glad you could come see Us.”
My brows furrow and I look down at my feet. “I still don’t understand why You have brought me here,” I tell Them, trying not to feel sorry for myself. “I’ve always felt… less. Now You are telling me I am the most important person in all the universe.”
“We chose you because of your heart,” They say, and I fe
el Them wrap me up into a tight embrace. “Because We know you better than you know yourself. You are Our son.”
“What would You have me do?” I ask, looking directly into the light. “Demons are coming into the world and they are powerful. Powerful beyond anything I have ever seen. Since I was a boy, I have given You my prayers, but in my heart I am afraid.”
“Demons have always been in your world,” They say, Their tone sad and angry at the same time. “Not always as obvious as the Nightmare Lord, but they exist and work within the hearts of all living things to corrupt and destroy. Only Our power keeps them at bay.”
“So why are they appearing now?” I plead, my temper nearly getting the better of me. “My father has spread Your word to the furthest reaches of this world and people pray to You. How is it that darkness is finding a place in a world filled with Your grace?”
“The Void always seeks to enter your world,” They explain patiently, “and it has found a way through the hearts of Men. Even as Our Light spreads, a shadow is cast upon all nations and all races. We knew it would be so, and that is why throughout the ages, We have been preparing you to enter this world. All of Our hopes and the hopes of life are given to you. You must become Our Champion and take the battle to the Darkness.”
Taking a deep breath, I know there is only one answer I can give. “I will,” I tell Them firmly. “Tell me what I must do.”
“You must trust Us, dear Duncan,” They reply softly. “Strip yourself bare and submit to Our will. Trust Us to guide and train you to your potential. Can you do that, Our son?”
For a long moment I stare blankly at the Lights and consider Their words. I would allow my full being to enter into Their service, and Their dreams would become mine. The dreams of all would become mine. Am I truly willing to do such a thing? I clench my fist tightly and stand up tall. “Do what You will with me, my Parents. I am Your son and I give myself to You.”
A bright beam of light strikes my chest and pierces my heart. I scream out in pain as They rip out something from within me. Looking down at the beam, I see a pure black stream of smoke mixing with the light. It howls in fury as it is removed. Evil is what I feel emanating from that black smoke. How could something so grotesque exist in the presence of divinity?
Once the Darkness is ripped from me, the pain turns into bliss. I sigh in relief and watch as The Twin Lights turn red with rage.
“Be gone from Our child,” They say and cast away the evil.
The shadow howls in pain as it is cast out of the cave. I am dropped to the floor and light returns to the cave.
“How did that get inside of me?” I ask, a shiver crawling up my spine.
“All will be explained, Our son,” They assure me. “Your training begins now. You will wield Our Light against the forces of Darkness and inspire generations down the path of love and grace.”
I nod, and stand upright. “Teach me,” I say, pride and hope in my voice. With the Darkness gone, I feel a clarity unlike anything I have ever experienced. My heart feels full and my soul sings with joy at the pleasure of being near my divine Parents.
* * *
The cave in the heart of the Arterian forest has been my home for a long time. I am unsure of how long, but the passage of time has no meaning to me when I am near the Eternal Lights. They tell me I am ready, and in my heart I trust Them to know what is best. But a part of me is filled with doubt…the mortal part of me.
I thought putting my faith and love into my Gods would be easy, but what They have asked of me is demanding and makes me question everything I have ever believed about myself. I realize it’s been easy to act like a victim because of how people have always treated me, and how I have held myself back. Yet, when They tell me that I am more than my blood, a secret part of me doubts and fights against what I know is my true self.
Believing in yourself is not a choice you make once, I think to myself, it is a choice you must make every waking moment of your life. I have been repeating that to myself for the duration of my training, and now They tell me I must go. The world needs me. The temptation to stay with Them is strong, but I know that I cannot be a child forever. Gathering my courage, I make my way out of the cave. The journey is long but as I near the exit, thoughts of Ayda and my grandfather fill my mind.
I assume it’s been a month or so since I have seen them last, and my heart aches to see them again, especially Ayda. The memory of her lips against mine is as fresh as if it has just happened, and I feel myself smiling uncontrollably.
For hours I walk, and walk, using the stone wall to guide my steps until I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. My eyes are sensitive, and I have to pause every few feet in order to adjust, or else a splitting pain smashes through my head.
There is a smell of smoke and decaying meat as I near the exit of the cave. Panic courses through me and I rush toward the exit, regardless of the pain the brightness causes me. When I step outside, the sight I see horrifies me to my bones. The forest of my homeland is burned to the ground. Every inch for as far as I can see has become ash, and the bodies of a thousand Elves lay at my feet.
Thanks for reading Book 1 of the Champion of Light series! If you enjoyed Prayer and want updates on new releases, you can find me at the links below or sign up for my mailing list to receive emails.
Happy reading!
— C.J. Krüger
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Table of Contents
Contents
Copyright
Foreword
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
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