As Jason Lay down in the bed, he finally had the time to think about what he had lost.
He wouldn't see Kayla, Lucas or Sophie ever again. He hoped they were doing well and though he felt it may have been a little arrogant he hoped that they hadn't been hurt too much when he died.
Jason's parents had died when he was young and it had been his aunt who had raised him. She was truly kind and made him feel like he could do anything he wanted in life. Unfortunately, she had little in the way of money and had to work so hard to provide for the two of them. In a weird way, he was sort of glad that he wouldn't be a hindrance to her anymore, though he knew she would have been devastated when Jason died.
He couldn't help but feel bad that he had chosen to move onto another world without them all, especially when he wouldn't even remember them for the next 16 years.
Finally drifting to sleep he could only let one mumble out.
"I'll miss you all. I hope someway or somehow we will meet again."
***************************************************
Jason opened his eyes to see two people looking back down at him. They were both smiling and crying. He immediately tried to let out some questioning words but instead, all that came out were a series of whines. This caused the two faces to smile and cry even more.
"He's so beautiful Amelina, look at our son, look at him!"
"He is Garion, but let's hope he doesn't become a little lady-killer like you."
This made the man laugh until he was elbowed by the woman, which made him stop instantly. He rubbed his side but he got no sympathy. The woman was too focused on the child lying in front of her.
Jason tried to reach out his hands to touch hers but he found that his arms were far shorter than he expected. He couldn't figure out why, but his body didn't seem right to him.
"To think this little one is our child, I've got to be honest I'm nervous about being a father."
Embracing her husband she smiled "I'm certain you will be a wonderful father and he will only love me slightly more."
This calmed the man, as although it was a joke, he was certain that even if he didn't turn out to be the best father, his wife would make a wonderful mother "What do you think we should name him?"
"His name is Jason."
At this both his parents shot around to find another person standing in the small dark room that was lit only by candlelight. Garion quickly brought up his sword from his side and placed himself between the unknown intruder and his wife and newborn son. The room was small and like the rest of the house made from wood, so the floors all creaked. Garion couldn't understand how the intruder had got in without him noticing.
"There is no need for that I am not here to harm the child, in fact, I am here to do quite the opposite."
"What are you here for then?"
"I am the child's guardian and he in time will be my Leader."
"A guardian are you sayin-"
"Yes, this child is a Champion."
Hearing this Amelina reached down into the small cot that sat in the room clutching the young Jason close to her chest. The fear that her child would be taken from her clear to see. Jason did not want to be taken away either he felt incredibly safe wrapped up in her warmth.
"Which God's champion?" Amelina said looking down into Jason's intelligent eyes.
"He is the final Champion, he is new to this world, and this is his first time being reborn here."
"What?" both Amelina and Garion let out at the same time. They had not heard of a new Champion being born. This was of no surprise as it had been many years since a champion had descended on the Heroic Realm and even longer since one had arrived on this continent.
"Then he will be in danger?" Amelina couldn't hold back the fear in her voice.
"He will be safe at least till he is 16. It is a great taboo for others to target a new champion before then. It is actually the Goddess's wish for this child to live a normal life for as long as possible, so I will leave him to you. However, he will begin training with me at the age of 15. If anyone decides to interfere before then, as his guardian, I shall do all in my power to protect him"
"Which Goddess is it?" Amelina asked
"That is a question I can't answer because I also do not know. She will not take her true form until he turns 16 and they both evolve. I can only give you her name, Kiara."
Garion was still in a pose that demonstrated his readiness to fight, though he knew, thanks to his instincts that years of combat had brought him, that should this mystery guest wish it he would stand no chance. He asked "You know who stands at the pinnacle of this continent don't you? He will surely look to snuff Jason out as he gets older."
"Yes we will have to be careful, the fact he is a champion will have to remain a secret till the boy is ready."
As the three conversed in front of him, Jason could only watch. As he looked at his father and mother he immediately felt a loving bond. The other woman was wearing only a simple robe and had silver hair tied up neatly behind her head. Strangely even though she radiated an intense aura of strength and power, it wasn't frightening instead it made him feel comfortable. The bond with her seemed different to the one with his parents, however, it didn't seem to be any weaker.
The fact that what Ava had said didn't come as a surprise was disconcerting. Jason tried to reach into his memory for some clue, but when he did it was as if a paper screen stood between him and all his memories. He could only see faint shadows of them.
"As someone chosen as a Champion, he can grow to be someone very special." The Guardian said.
As much as Jason wished to hear the rest of what was said his eyes began to close. He was young and he grew tired quickly. However, he did see his father lower his sword and allow the woman to approach. She looked young but had the air of someone far older.
"My name is Ava. Rest. Enjoy this time, for before long you may well look back and wish for these peaceful days to return." She said without a sign of a smile. There was little warmth in her words and they felt more like a warning.
Jason could not hold against the desire for sleep any longer and peacefully drifted off. With the continued discussion of the three acting as a lullaby, he dreamt of places and people that he thought he should remember yet couldn't.
*******************************************************
"So the prologue has finally come to an end."
Far from that room where Jason had been born, sat a man grandly sitting on his throne. His face flickered between old and young. At the same time, his features shifted from one race to another. His eyes, however, stood resolutely fixed on a land far away throughout. He showed no emotion not out of a lack of care but as if he was instead feeling every emotion and lacking the time to show any specific one.
"Father please reprimand my sister she is acting beyond the laws once again."
"Hmmph as if, I came to inform Dad of the same thing."
"I have never broken the laws!"
"Oh don't be like that sister, always with that fake superiority, surely you realise that you use them irresponsibly."
"How dare you!"
At this outburst, the grand man shifted to his two beautiful daughters who had sat themselves in their own seats that lay several steps below his. The first to speak sat on the right in a chair made of blinding jewels and flowing gold. On his left in a wooden chair that was jumbled with a messy set of dark gems sat his other daughter. There was one other chair that was much plainer than the other two, but it was empty and it was a rarity to see it occupied.
As always he just let them bicker, he would take no side nor would he interfere. He was aware they also knew this. They actually only came so they could argue with each other. It had always been like this.
In any case, his mind was elsewhere. He was trying to foresee all that might come but it was hard even for him. He was worried for the future and yet he was excited by it. He had sat atop his throne for a long time.
Shifting his gaze back. "How will this final piece of the puzzle affect this tale I wonder."