Dawn of the Valiant (The Valerious Chronicles: Book One)

by Julian Saheed

A myriad of colours exploded in front of Christill's eyes and he found himself spiralling through a tunnel of silver. Dazzling lights flashed around him, mixing with swirls of gold that streamed through the air. Around him a terrible screeching filled the tunnel and he clutched his head to numb the pain. Finally the tunnel opened up and he fell hard onto a soft grassy carpet. The pain was gone, now replaced by a soft numbness throughout his body.

  Christill looked up and found he was in a mystifying forest that stretched out in all directions. The sky above was a pale shade of blue and green and as he stared at the trees he found that they were difficult to focus on, as though their position was shifting with every passing moment. He warily stood up, his head spinning slightly. A strange feeling of helplessness then filled his heart and he became afraid of his surroundings. The very air around him was supernatural and Christill realized that he was no longer in Karmena.

  A voice then called out his name.

  Christill turned with a fright to see the most beautiful woman that he had ever laid eyes on. She stood naked before him on the soft grass with her long black hair flowing freely down her back and bosom. He gazed into her eyes and found himself feeling unworthy and insignificant. Her eyes glowed with power and her feminine shape shimmered in the air like the trees surrounding them.

  He slowly let out a whisper, "Nyrune."

  "Son of Skiye," said a calm and melodic voice that seemed to fill the air around him. "Power is only given to the great. One seeks what One has seen, ever longing for more."

  Christill watched the goddess move gracefully towards him. She stopped within arms length and raised her hand to his forehead. After a breath she said, "Troubles are countless, where cheers are few."

  "I don't understand," he replied in a weak voice.

  "One was cast away by my brethren," she continued. "A mind made of troubles could lead to a false path...Yet worthiness I see in One. Will One follow my decree?"

  Christill stood silent for long moments trying to decipher her speech, then answered, "I will do anything that you ask of me?"

  "I ask only for justice, symbiosis and reverence. One's path will follow my words."

  Christill bowed forward, but as he did a terrible noise, louder than he had imagined possible, filled the forest and the ground beneath him trembled. His knees buckled and he crashed to the floor, landing hard on his shoulder. The noise subsided and the floor ceased trembling. He stood back up. "What was that?"

  The goddess turned her gaze to him, her face carrying a look of wonder. Then suddenly her features returned to a peaceful state and she continued. "Can One quench the troubles of long ago...Perhaps a trial for the worthy."

  Christill was utterly confused. Had she caused that tremor? And what was that horrible noise that had almost burst his ears? He opened his mouth to ask a question but Nyrune had vanished from sight. He turned around and scanned the forest, she was nowhere to be seen. Then he caught sight of something that sent his heart racing.

  Storming out of the trees came the Disciple of Hamal, the mask of anger on his face harsher than ever. He trod closer, each step crushing the ground beneath him. Then to his left, Christill spotted Novokai stepping out from behind a tree with a malicious grin splitting his face in half. To his right another figure emerged, this one drawing out a sense of guilt in Christill.

  He stepped backwards slowly, his heart pounding violently and sweat beading on every inch of his body. Novokai, the Disciple and the final figure, Reinar, marched towards him with purpose in their stride. They were a few feet away from him and Christill could only bring himself to cower to the ground and close his eyes.

  Seconds passed and he peered up to see that they had passed him by and were now behind him, violently beating a person curled up on the ground. Panic ran through Christill's mind and he knew that it was his brother that was being attacked. What was he going to do? If Thibalt could not stop them, then what could he possibly do?

  Christill rushed to get a better look at his brother and he cried out as he saw that it was not Thibalt, but Elephtheria lying on the floor, bloody and bruised. He screamed wrathfully for them to stop.

  Then they were all gone and standing before him was Nyrune once more. "Thoughts chosen, not common thoughts for one of pure mind. But love was seen. For those in One's heart One would give all," she said.

  Christill lowered his eyes, embarrassed by his outburst. He should have realized that he was being tested. "I want this more than anything," he said pleadingly.

  Nyrune reached out and raised his head with her hand. Her eyes glowed with power and Christill could feel her magic flowing around her. "No death, No creation, No persuasion. Rules that will be followed. Magic granted to One will be used only for good. For the first seed that grows in the swamp is the one that brings about the forest. An example for my brethren's children and my own. That is my disciple."

  "I will not fail you," replied Christill. "I will stay true to your teachings."

  "Those are teachings of seven privileged. One must follow the heart to spread equality. See through corruption that ages has brought. Become pure to my decree."

  Christill did not fully understand, but had no time to think on it as the explosive noise returned and the ground shook yet again. This time he kept his footing and when the forest calmed and the echo of the blast faded, he faced Nyrune. The goddess was peering up into the sky with an uncertain frown.

  One more time the ground shook and the blast sounded through the area with even more power. Christill cried out and found blood trickling from his ears. Once it had passed, Nyrune turned her gaze down at him, once more calm. "Return to Fellarrnur. Powers I will grant One. My boundaries will apply. Follow my decree."

  Christill, still shocked from the strange quake, did not know how to respond. The next thing he felt was Nyrune's cold hand grasp his neck. He then felt the magic passing through her arm into his own body. The energy travelled through his veins and he experienced a sensation that he struggled to explain. He suddenly felt whole.

  She removed her hand and he became aware of a new presence inside of him. He could hear and sense it moving within him and he knew how to interact with it. Christill raised his hand and summoned forth a small ball of green magic. He stood amazed at what he had just done. With a simple thought the magic had followed his command.

  Nyrune watched Christill and then waved her hand. The next moment he found himself flying backwards through the tunnel of silver. The vortex of colours flashed before him and he fell with a crash onto soft ground. He twisted around and saw the forked tree before him, the orange fur no longer glowing. Christill had returned to Fellarrnur and to the Shrine of Nyrune. But this time he felt different. Inside of him pulsed the raw energy of a goddess.

  The doors to the shrine opened and Dievu and Kiril Poth stepped through. They approached him and Christill smiled at Dievu.

  "I see that all went well," said Dievu.

  "Your time has come at last, Christill," said Kiril. "Now we will teach you to use the magic that flows within you. We will guide you in carrying out the teachings of Nyrune."

  Christill felt as though he should tell them what Nyrune had said about the teachings, but decided to keep it to himself for now.

  "How do you feel?" asked Dievu.

  "I cannot describe it," replied Christill honestly.

  Dievu laughed. "No one ever can." Dievu's eyes suddenly shifted and he looked upon Christill with concern.

  "What is wrong?" asked Christill, suddenly nervous.

  "Why is there blood caked around your ears?" he asked.