Book One Chapter Seven: Motivating the Hero’s Journey

Book One Chapter Seven: Motivating the Hero’s Journey

The Evil Emperor was still laughing. Honestly, at this point she was more impressed by his lung capacity than anything else. His dark, billowing cape set over his pure black armour, while naturally inspiring a healthy amount of terror, could be bought. But enough lung strength to sustain a full force evil maniacal laughter for a solid five minutes?

That took dedication.

Hero! Beware! Qube yelled from her sky hole. Its the Evil Emperor! Hes evil! Teehee!

Why must she teehee even in the face of certain doom?

Meh, its not like he can get away with anything. The Saviour shouted back.

Defiant, eh? I like your spirit! The Dreaded Ruler bellowed. But it will take more than the steel in your eyes to defeat me!

I think I got everything I needed here, so Im about ready to set off. The Hero called up to Qube, ignoring the evilness made manifest in front of him. Once hes done I just need to follow the road out the entrance, yeah? No special tricks?

Your words do not wound me, Hero! The Evil Emperor sneered.

Qube was starting to suspect that the Evil Emperor was just as bad at listening as the Chosen One.

I was going to kill you, but now now I think it would amuse me to see you try and fail to fulfil your Golden Prophecy. Your ignominious failure would discourage others from rising up to challenge their rightful ruler. You may bow to me, and thank me for giving you these extra days of life.

Qube puffed up in indignation. How dare this Evil come into their village and insult their Golden Prophecy! Had he not seen how the Hero had Awoken? They had all lived their very lives by it and he thought he was going to get away with sneering at it? She twisted, wrapping the rope attached to her ankle around her leg, drawing her a tiny bit closer to the Hero, who still held one end of the rope like she was a demented kite.

She just had to get out of this sky hole and then they could stop this Evil Emperor. Wait. She paused in her rotations for a second. Wasnt the Evil Emperor supposed to destroy something? A wave of pain and nausea hit her as she contemplated this.

Do not vex me, Hero! The Evil Emperor seems oblivious to the fact that the Hero was tugging at his Qube kite, trying to unravel the rope shed tangled around herself.

I see I must teach you a salutary lesson in respect. Very well! The Evil Emperor thrust forward his arm, fingers of darkness wrapping around the space next to the Hero, before dragging the empty air towards his Evilness. He gripped at where neck height would have been in the emptiness and lifted his arm up into the air, like he was holding something aloft.

What was the Evil Emperor doing? Qube asked herself through the pain. More than that. What was he supposed to destroy?She felt like she was on fire, her mind screaming as the Prophecy tried to keep her off that mental path. The Hero smirked at the Evil Emperors empty hand.

Oh, you are so broken. He said. I love it.

The Evil Emperor flicked his spare hand and a wicked looking knife appeared.

Let this be a lesson to you of what happens to those who oppose me! He cried, and plunged his blade into the nothingness he was pretending to hold. Qube screamed. The Golden Prophecy burned. It burned. It burned.

The Hero yanked hard on the rope holding her. With a pop the sky released her and she fell face first into the ground. She screamed into the dirt. The Hero was at her side in a heartbeat, taking one of the few precious healing potions and pouring it into her mouth.

Please work, please work, please work, these are so expensive. He whispered. In the background the Evil Emperor continued to stab at the empty space he was holding, before making a severing motion. He turned towards where the Hero had been, gloating.

Let your weakness burn you, worm! He cried, miming kicking something on the ground to the Hero. Let it consume you! Gather your power, and come at me again. He abruptly pivoted, so he was facing the Hero.

I will keep the head. Cant have you resurrecting your little crutch. The Evil Emperor gave a razor sharp smile. Who knows? Perhaps you might become something worthy of me killing. His smile widened. But Id better be thorough. Just to make sure. He stretched out his arms, and the blackness grew.

And then Qube was gone.

It took about five minutes before something tried to kill them. The only warning Qube got was a low, guttural growling before three wolves emerged from a tiny bush. They ignored her, their entire focus instead on the Fighter in front of them, sword in hand.

[Lesser Shield!] Qube shouted, her silvery magic immediately surrounding the Chosen One. The foremost wolf lunged at the Chosen One, only to smack face first into the magical shield. It backed up, shook its head, then tried to bite the shield. It couldnt get any purchase on it, so instead it ended up rubbing its teeth against the shield, its lips smeared against the near invisible barrier. There was something both hilarious and horrifying about watching a hungry wolf ineffectively trying to gnaw its way through the shield protecting her best friend, Qube reflected. The other two wolves also started trying to bite through the shield, to no avail.

Confused, and increasingly irritated, the wolves circled the shield, trying to find a gap they could exploit. Qube skipped backwards, but they continued to completely ignore her.

The Chosen One started laughing, and sheathed his sword.

Why arent you attacking them? Qube whispered, trying not to draw the wolves attention.

They cant get through the shield. He shrugged.

Yes but they still might try to eat me. She hissed.

I get the impression theyre not going to do that. He said, still smiling. Youre not supposed to be here. Im not supposed to have your shield. He started laughing again. Oh this is even better than I thought it would be! This is amazing. He pushed past the wolves and continued walking. Come on, I want to see how far theyll follow us.

Youll be sorry when they eat my face off. Qube muttered, but still followed.

After another five minutes of the wolves ignoring Qube and gnawing at the shield (and another five recasts of the shield spell), they reached a stone bridge crossing a river. The instant the Chosen One set foot on the bridge the wolves abruptly lost interest and turned away, heading back to their original tiny bush.

Qube had been ruminating on what the Chosen One had said earlier.

What do you mean, Im not supposed to be here? She asked. The Chosen One paused.

Well He seemed to think deeply. The Evil Emperor, he said our Prophecy was false, right?

The blackguard! Qube said, her eyes flashing.

So that implies he has his own Evil Prophecy, yeah? Which is why he thinks ours is false.

I suppose so. She said, frowning. Shed never thought about that before.

Right. Which obviously wouldnt have us setting off from the village as a team. Cuz thats how we win in the Golden Prophecy. He was looking at her intently.

Oh! And because the wolves were attacking you, theyre Evil, which means they would be following the Evil Prophecy! Which wouldnt have me as your Guiding Light. Qube beamed. They probably just thought I was some random passerby!

Sure, lets go with that. The Chosen One said.

She nodded, amazed by the Heros insight.

Theyre going to regret ignoring me! She said, puffing out her cheeks. In the far distance they could see the spires of the Castle just coming into view. The Chosen One looked at her, a strange smile lilting on his lips.

I believe they will. He gave a quiet laugh as she looked at him quizzically. This is going to be even more fun than I thought. He said, and grinned.

And on the horizon, the castle waited.