Chereads / Fantasy Battle: The Collection / Chapter 12 - Part 1 - The Dawning

Chapter 12 - Part 1 - The Dawning

Chapter 1

I am but a humble adventurer. My name is Jeffrey and I explore the adjoined areas, assist the local people and prevent any creature that may threaten the world. I was an orphan, my mother had allegedly died in a fire when I was only a few months old. My father then began to drink heavily and took his rage out on me. The Elders of my village found out about his misdemeanour and they took me in.

The Elders were delightful. They had connections with the Gods, they could sense peoples feelings and had powers that could stop anyone who stood in their way. Only a small quota of people could possess the right relacy levels.

Relacy, the one thing that makes humans, human. Relacy makes us who we are. People are regularly born with one thousand relacy, but some can have more, some can have less and the Elders or the Young Elders have increased relacy. The people who have less relacy (the lost) are treacherous. They are outcasts, failures and should be removed from society. In the past millennia, we have always had the uprising of a very menacing family.

The Millevilance family started with the most robust Elders in the world, then as the years went by, their relacy decreased. By 25BDD (Before Dooms Day), they had reached normal levels. In that year, their most dangerous heir had been born. Drimera Millevilance was born, her relacy total was the lowest ever. Her family had disconnected from the spiritualness of the Gods and had a descent into chaos. Forward to 1BDD, on the Eve of the next year, she released an unseen demonic deity. People saw this as "Dooms Day" you would look to the sky and see a giant. He would step on towns, push his hands through buildings and crush humans.

The battle continued into the next year, 0BDD. No one had even harmed the creature. Then Delarus Gold stepped up to the creature and Drimera. He was rich with relacy and used an ancient power, the calling. He summoned the Gods down to earth. They thought against this demon and sent him into their dungeons. They captured Drimera and they put her into world court, she was sentenced to the Belldum Prison. It was hidden from everyone, it was a cavern containing the worst villains to ever live in our universe. Only 5% of the people there had no relation to the Millevilance family.

Drimera eventually escaped and reportedly had a son to carry on her bloodline. She was eventually found dead in her family manor where she poisoned herself with deadly nightshade and set a trap to burn her home down. There had been no traces of her family for hundreds of years, but events of destruction still occurred.

Chapter 2

I used to live in the closest city to Jaiman Town, but once my father had me taken away by the Elders, I relocated there. It was a small town, shops and trading markets, all the usual town things. I was graciously brought into the group because of my high relacy count. 10,000 - 50,000 was an Elder Knight, 50,000 - 100,000 was an Elder Captain, 100,000 - 500,000 was an Elder King and 500,000 or over was an Elder Emperor. There were more captains and knights than kings, but emperors were very limited. You had a better chance of winning the Jaimo Lottery than getting an emperor.

I was treated well, was listened to by all, cared for by all and respected by all. It was a great childhood from when my father had abused me. I was enjoying myself, but then it all changed. Every Elder group had an Arch-Elder, he was seen as our guide into the fast-approaching future. Only emperors could become Arch-Elders and the people below them would vote on the next one. We went in to meet our Arch-Elder and become closer to the Gods, but we found him ripped apart. Limbs had been removed from his body, his left eye had been ripped out and multiple cuts had been brought onto his corpse.

There was a note that came with his decomposing body. "Your faith in the Gods is hopeless, I shall rise, you shall fall. My son will return and I will become the mother of this world." No one knew what they meant by their son returning, but the rest everyone knew. People didn't know whether this was a sick joke or an actual threat. We were scared of what was to come, but life must continue onward.

I continued my training to become an Elder Emperor. I wasn't at a high enough connection with the Gods to become the next Arch-Elder. They elected a new man, he wasn't the nicest towards me. He had constantly made me feel useless and unwanted. Always saying how irrelevant I was. He had a gang of men, they would often look down on the younger elders. They saw that the elders were best with only the strongest of them. Edward Knight was vile.

Chapter 3

I walked through the village towards the House of the Elders. It was still a mighty building, towering over everyone else. Many people walked the same way as me, yet no one conversed with me. I was the black sheep of the herd. I entered inside and headed to my classroom. Sword fighting was one of my favourites, I enjoyed besting everyone.

It was more of a formal duel than a run in and start slashing. I was one of the high achieving people in my class. I also shared it with our new Arch-Elder, he had been attempting this class for the past 6 years. He was deeply skilled, but he had not learned everything he needed to.

"Today, class, we shall learn how to disarm your opponent in a single shot." Elder Ambrose exclaimed

"Come on, sir. I have already learned this skill! Can we learn something meaningful and relevant?" Edward groaned

"Just because you are the Arch-Elder, does not mean you can change our teachings to favour you. Many of our students still need to master this skill, and so shall you. Practice makes perfect!" Our teacher replied he was very wise. Edward rolled his eyes and seemed annoyed. "Everyone partner up in twos, we shall practise on each other."

Everyone began to move around, I stood there. Someone was sure to pick me, someone does in the end anyway. Edward was once again with his close friend, Oscar White. They could never be separated, not even if people tried. Today, that changed.

"Edward, we know you and Oscar love each others company, but today I'll put you with..." He scanned the room, looked dead at me, "Jeffrey, use would make an excellent pair!"

"Really? With that Nodak? No way!"

"You are the Arch-Elder, you must accept the opportunities people bring upon you! Now go with him." He walked over and stood in front of me. "You all remember how to disarm another person, practise. Learn. Achieve!"

People began to attempt to disarm one another, some would work and others wouldn't. I stared dead into Edward's eyes, all I saw was hate, anger and betrayal. He struck at me swaying his small blade at me. He got his sword into a disarm position, thinking he would continue with it, I stood down slightly. He did not continue, he kneed my chest and slammed me to the ground. He laughed.

"Weakling, could you not comprehend my power?" He shouted, "I should put you out of your abusive, sad life. Stay still, my friend!"

I saw red, my anger had risen. He was about to be hurt. I stood up grabbed my sword and went to jab at him. He moved out the way. I went to hit his arm, he stopped my strike and laughed. I went for his lower body wanting to injure him, he once again stopped me. I gave up trying and just went for it. He jumped back for some strikes, others he would block with his sword. He didn't realise that this was all a distraction from me to get into the disarming position. I ripped his blade out of his hands and over my head. He dropped to his knees in defeat. I hadn't realised, but I had gained an audience from my duel.

"You freak, besting me in combat is disrespectful to an Arch-Elder," He said

"Maybe you should take it as a sign, you're not worthy of this place," I replied to him and left the room. I was done with him, if he wants to continue his consultations then I will best him again.

Times from then changed, he hated me more and so did his friends. However, people saw me as more than just an abused nobody. They saw me as the one who could stand up to those who looked down on them, I inspired many to fight back, to stop the brutality of tyrannous leaders. Times were changing, always.

Chapter 4

That was 8 years ago, now I'm the best duellist in the Elders. That was then and I was living in the future. It was fun being able to live on my own, look after myself and compete with neighbouring Elders. It was a great life, almost.

There was a distant boom, dust and debris proceeded to cover the streets. I ran out onto the streets and looked down. Where a mighty building once stood, was now converted to smoke. I drew my sword and advanced to the Home of the Elders. One of the Elder Knights was covered in rubble, I helped him out.

"Jeffrey, he's a traitor! He's been plotting against us with a Millevilance!" He said

"Who? Who plotted against us?" I asked, his mouth was bleeding, he wasn't looking good.

"The... The... The Arch-Elder!" He said before dying

I stood up from the fallen brother, there he stood. He had puddles of dust on him, in his hand, he held a blade. It was the ancient sword of The Elders, but it had a shine of purple. It had an enchantment on it.

"Bow before me!" He shouted to me, I stood up and looked at him. "Bow before me!"

"No," I said calmly.

"What did you just say to your leader?" he said surprised

"You may have murdered all the other emperors with your explosives, but I live on. As long as there is breath in my lungs and blood in my veins, I will always stop you!"

"Your confidence is your downfall!"

"So is your faith in killing me! Who is this Millevilance?" I asked curiously

"Proxima Millevilance. She has strayed away from the Satanic Gods and enhanced her learning in witchcraft. She now has the powers to create potions, transform into any living creature and enchant any weapon to be powerful!"

"You've gone mad with power. You've forgotten what it was to be an Elder, you were blinded by your greed for control, for order!"

"It's what makes us all human. We are all blinded by greed, some of us just enhance it more than others! I'm now going to slice your body into many small pieces and feed you to my future wolves!" He shouted at me, then ran towards me.

I had been in many battles, but against someone joined by faith, it was wrong. However, he had fallen from his glory, from his freedom. He wanted to use his very powers to enslave us all. I couldn't let this happen. Not many people around the area knew who I was instantly, but some knew me from 8 years ago. I couldn't let them down.

He jumped into the air, twirling through the wind and attempted to cut me down. I deflected his foolish attempt and knocked him to the ground. I had a tactic, keep deflecting his attacks and strike when he was tired. His tactic was more or less kill me, celebrate.

There were constant attempts to smite me, but he kept failing. He slid his blade across my chest, but I halted him and reflected it onto him. His Arch-Elder robes split like cotton candy. Our fight continued for a little while, but he was using his energy. He was sweating whereas I stood unharmed.

"Just die already!" He screamed at me

"Don't you see what this means, the only way for you to kill me is if I let you kill me. She will see, she will know. She'll toss you to the side like a pebble." I said calmly, he looked up at me like he'd seen some sense. He stood up.

"You're right, she would. I'm wrong, I always was." He started approaching me. "She's another threat to this world that needs to be stopped, I should follow the correct side."

"Good, then drop your sword. Tell me, where is she?" He didn't listen, just kept walking closer to me. He stopped 60cm away from me. His grip tightened, he was looking at the ground. He reached out with his sword, I kicked it out of his hand-spun round. I injected my dagger into his stomach. He fell to the floor.

I held him in my arms. He was looking into the sky, tears gleaming in his eyes. He turned to me, looking into my soul.

"She is powerful, be aware of that. Stop her at all costs, for me, for the fallen brothers, for humanity. Take my enchanted blade, it can cut through stone. Go on your adventures and travel to the places she attacks. I'm... sorr... rry,"

He died in my arms. I had defeated him, but it seemed he was the only way to help stop Proxima. I couldn't let her take over anything.

Interlude

"You see him, don't you?" A woman asked

"Yes, he is a very powerful man. He understands the moment, uses every opportunity!" A man exclaimed

"Keep an eye on him, if he proves himself worthy, he might lift the excabadum!"

Chapter 5

Reports soon circled the world that they had returned. The Millevilance Family were still at large! The authorities had had enough of imprisoning them and after all, they weren't easy. The last time the Millevilance family attacked, many good people died. They took a dark turn, this would be the last, the last Millevilance to ever live!

Not everyone could go to each attack, but I wanted to at least... experience one of them. They had taught a few things in The Elders School, about foreign languages. We have branch religions, they are different but do pretty much the same. We would occasionally meet up and exchange gifts, train with one another, socialise! I could speak and write Chinese, speak French, speak Dragonese and shout war cries in German. The basic training, nothing special.

I reached out to the Arch Elder and asked if I could be of assistance with the recent problems in a small village. There had been recent attacks of an extinct dragon, it seemed to want the land that the people inhabited back. It would constantly burn the crops, destroy housing and murder civilians. They had no idea where the dragon would escape to or why it was attacking. It seemed like it had Proxima Millevilance taped all over it, but it also seemed like a natural occurrence.

I travelled over there as soon as possible, first on horseback then taking a local fishing boat out to sea. I needed to help stop this, not let it continue. There had been a recent rise in pirate activity on the borders of China. They had created a massive blockade along the pacific ocean. It stretched from Cambodia to Taiwan and then to the underbelly of Japan. No matter what, we had to get through the border. We decided to go through the middle, where it would be weaker. People always went for the edges to slip in and pass through, but it was the place with the most security. We didn't need to encounter more than one ship, because if they knew, my plan would fail.

"Captain Jones, how's it looking?" I asked

"It's looking good. We are on course to encounter the central ship, it shouldn't be too hard." Jones exclaimed

"Good, ready your men. Once we get there stay with the ship on the docks. Don't leave without me. Once we get back home, the ships yours!" I smiled, the captain seemed surprised

"Thank you, that's greatly and massively appreciated!" I turned and looked over the ships ledges. There it was, the pirate ship. It was time to strike. We sail past, looking casual and calm. We would then we were noticed.

"Blimey, that's a great booty!" One pirate shouted, "You are now the property of Vex!"

"Nice to meet you, now please, surrender!" I said

"All hand hoy! Avast ye!" He shouted, some people then came to the deck holding cutlass's. I looked at the people around me.

"Well, it was worth a shot!" I then swished my sword around, the men moving back. I clambered aboard and then my fisherman friends followed.

"Aye, it seems we 'ave quite the fighter!" He said drawing his sword, "Blow the man down!"

We began to fight, as expected. I went for the one who attempted to rob us, knowing if he was dead the crew would surrender. He was very skilled in the ways of a cutlass, but I was an Elder Emperor! No one could stop me. He went to kick me, but I moved out of the way and elbowed him. He took off his hat and released his jet black hair. He seemed more focussed, more powerful. He hit my blade and lodged it into a mast. One of the pirates' crew fell to the ground, he was dead. One of the fishermen had killed him.

"Jeffery, take this!" He shouted lobbing what I thought was a sword. I caught it and was ready for round two! The captain laughed at me, then I realised. It wasn't a sword, it was a fishing rod. He however let his guard down and I jabbed him in the chest. He fell to the ground, dropped his sword and laid there defeated, I picked up his sword.

"Surrender, or your captain will walk the plank and become shark bate!" Then they all dropped their weapons and surrendered to us. We shuck them down and tied them to the tallest mast. We turned around and headed to the docks.

Chapter 6

The ship came with some bonus's, like loot, food and weapons. They had crowns, coins and silver all kept in one room. Their kitchens were filled with rice, beans and spice. They were loaded with stuff and this was now the possessions of some fishermen. We soon arrived at the docks and I parted ways with the men for now.

I walked down the docks cutting through the deep mist onto the outskirts of Xiamen. There was a tall man stood outside the entrance. He had red robes that had Chinese inscribed on them, he was part of the branch religions. I looked to his hands where he held a sign '杰弗裡' he was waiting for me.

"你好,你是誰?(Hello there, who are you?)" I asked, glad to meet a distant brother.

"我是李秀英,我們的長老告訴我您的來訪.他派我來見你.(I am Li Xiu Ying, our Arch-Elder informed me of your visit. He sent me to come to meet you.)" He replied

"很高興見到你.請帶我去你的大長老 (Nice to meet you. Please, take me to your Arch-Elder)"

He then walked towards a carriage and we both got inside. He told the driver where to take us and we left the docks.

"那麼,住在這兒感覺如何? (So, what's it like living around here?)"

"這裡很安靜,很安靜.多虧我們,永遠沒有任何危險.(It's peaceful and very quiet. There is never any danger, thanks to us.)"

"你喜歡這裡的生活嗎?(Do you enjoy life around here?)"

"是的,但是這裡沒有太多冒險活動.我和我的妻子喜歡它,但是它並不能總是阻止我們對冒險的渴望! (Yes, but there isn't much adventure around here. Me and my wife enjoy it, however it's not always going to stop our hunger for adventure!)"

"我明白您的意思,您應該去享受這個不斷變化的世界的奇蹟! (I see what you mean, you should go and enjoy the wonders of this everchanging world!)"

"我會考慮您的想法的! (I'll take your thoughts into consideration!)"

We had arrived at a tall temple like building. It had a nice light blue roof, multiple stories and complicated designed windows. This was certainly more good looking than the wooden mansion we used. He took me up the stairs to the tallest part of the tower, there was his Arch-Elder.

"先生,您好 (Greetings, sir)" I said

"Please, use your language. It's much easier!" He said

"Well, I understand you have a pest problem in one of the close by villages!"

"Indeed, an extinct dragon has risen from the ashes and is terrorising it!"

"Understood, have you sent any people there?"

"Only a small group and they haven't since returned, we presume there dead!"

"Understood, I will go, can I take Li with me?"

"As long as he is fine with that!"

"當然是!(Yes, of course)"

The Arch-Elder then let us leave and we already had transport ready. They didn't give us an army to take with us, just ourselves and some weapons. I felt very vulnerable. Our adventure into the heart of the attacks had begun.

Chapter 7

We eventually arrived onto a very run down looking village, but that was it. That was the place. Charred walls, the horrible smell of ash and the feeling of death, gave it away.

"他們派遣了另一支攻擊力量嗎?(Have they sent another attack force?)"

"那可惡的龍有更多可憐的靈魂!(More poor souls for that monstrous dragon!)"

"他們會感到的痛苦… (The pain they will feel...)"

Just some of the things people would say. We had to do this, for them, for us. The leader here was very old and had seen many things. He said about how he had seen the falls of empires, the rise of leaders, but not this.

- Written February 2021

Writters Summary - 24/09/22

This is actually a good version of what I wanted. Comparing it to the newest unreleased version of the first episode it's a lot different. This version seems childish and is written very differently. In contrast to the remake, the remake is a lot longer and written a lot better. The whole sort of evil family thing is dumb and the "relacy" level is absolute rubbish. The elders and magic elements are great though.

However, I think I'm ready to finally announce that I'm getting close to a new Fantasy Battle Episode 1 remake. It's been a while since I've actually done Fantasy Battle related stuff, but I have version I'm happy with. So with that, I'm happy to announce that on:

26th September @ 10AM GMT - FANTASY BATTLE EPISODE 1s PROLOGUE WILL BE RELEASED.

I look forward to the release.