The Heroes Fall -1- When War Calls Read online

  He took a breath.

  Finally, after months of hoping for a chance to speak with her, this was it. This was his moment to shine; his moment to really show what he was about. The other boys had often spoken of how they had suddenly become nervous around the girls they liked, or how they would say things they would later regret. Jaden had always boasted that he never felt nervous or lost his rhythm, laughing at them for being wimps. Now he was starting to wish he had just kept his mouth shut.

  The sight of Alyssa was changing something in him. They shared some similar features; shadowed blonde hair, green eyes and still child-like, rounded features, but there was something extra about her, something indefinable. There was a sense of fate. Although Jaden's father had taught him that nothing was predestined, he somehow felt there was a connection between them in the future. And that future made him very nervous.

  He shook his head to clear his thoughts.

  ‘Maybe he doesn’t like her anymore,’ Bo announced, noticing the gesture.

  Jaden gave a faint smile. ‘If it were between the world and her, you know whom I’d choose,’ he said, and quickly leapt from the rock toward her.

  Bo and the others all laughed as Jaden comically slowed his pace to a careless walk before Alyssa saw him racing toward her like a dog just let outside.

  ‘He has confidence, I’ll give him that,’ said Bo, ‘but that girl would be harder to crack than a whip made of iron.’

  ‘Try telling him that,’ said Konnor.

  ‘Many have,’ Dion’s brother, Corey, interjected, his concentration set firmly on a piece of bandage he was wrapping around his hand on the stone next to Dion. ‘But he is not the kind that will listen, despite how wise the given words might be.’

  The boys sat in silence, as was often the case after Corey had spoken. Unlike his brother, Corey had a knack for saying too much rather than not enough, offering his opinion even when it wasn’t necessary. If it wasn’t for the fact he was nearly always right, they probably would have ignored him or cut him short more often. But he had proven his worth in their childhood, and now they had become accustomed to allowing him a few moments extra for anything more he might have to say.

  ‘That’s our Jaden,’ said Bo, deciding the silence had lasted long enough.

  ‘Here’s trouble,’ said Konnor, pointing with a nod of his head.

  The three others turned to look where Jaden was standing. Alyssa had mounted her chestnut brown horse and was readying to ride away, but Jaden was still twenty yards from her. In his path stood an adolescent almost twice his width in shoulder and not far from a full head taller. Hair already lined his jaw at age eighteen, while thick brows dominated a fierce glare, wide flattened nose and cracked lips. There were small scars where blemishes had come and gone from his cheeks, still visible even with his darkened skin. He resembled a bull more than a man and had been a vicious rival for Jaden ever since they had first set eyes on each other a decade earlier.

  ‘What’s Ardim doing here?’ asked Bo. ‘I thought we told him to keep to his side.’

  ‘Now, Bo, we all know he has a learning disability,’ said Dion sarcastically. ‘We’ll just have to go over and give him a friendly reminder.’

  Bo chuckled. ‘Soon,’ he said. ‘I want to see how this plays out.’

  ‘He’s going to need our help,’ protested Konnor.

  ‘No, Jaden can handle himself. Besides … it’s all about the timing, is it not?’ asked Bo with a grin.

  Although they did not agree, the boys laughed nervously and waited. There had been too many conflicts in the past to ignore them anymore, and like this one, it had always been Ardim that started them. Jaden would often try to avoid the conflict, but once engaged he had shown he would not back down, and as Ardim aggressively shoved Jaden backward, it was clear the confrontation was already past peaceful resolution.

  ‘Where do you think you’re going?’ asked Ardim mockingly as Jaden recovered his feet.

  Jaden rolled his eyes. ‘Who said you could talk to me?’

  Pain struck across Ardim’s face, his hardened exterior shattered with a single question. ‘Keep away from her!’ he said harshly. ‘She wants nothing with you.’

  ‘Opinion respected,’ said Jaden, calmly attempting to walk past Ardim. He was halted again as the giant adolescent stepped into his way once more.

  ‘You may want to get out of my way.’ Jaden’s voice was controlled. The elders of Callibra had often warned him against his temper, punishing him with the most humiliating chores each time it was let loose. Ardim had been overjoyed when he had learned of this predicament. He now jumped at every opportunity to see how far he could push before Jaden cracked.

  ‘Strong words from a brat,’ Ardim sneered, his breath heavy and fists clenched.

  Jaden sighed. It was all an act. He knew that, or at least thought he knew, but Ardim’s arrogance was like a bucket of icy water thrown on a chilly July morning, coating its victim in waves of hateful, oppressive sensations and leaving them irritated, unguarded and with a yearning to retort.

  Jaden could hardly stand it. The mere notion that Ardim could think he was superior was disgraceful. One as ill mannered, lacking in wit and ugly as him … it was an atrocity! And no matter how the words he spoke made him seem, there was always a hint of incredible delight behind his eyes, suggesting he was having the most fun he had ever had in his entire life.

  It was a trap, this much seemed obvious, but whether or not true was not relevant right now. Ardim would still be in Jaden’s way, and he would cause as much physical damage as was legal before letting him go.

  ‘Not all of us can be as big and stupid as you, Dimmy, why not go run into a wall a few more times? Make yourself beyond moronic.’

  ‘That’s not my name, runt.’ Ardim started to get closer, his size becoming more intimidating as he tried to stand over Jaden.

  ‘You’re right. I meant to say “Dummy”.’

  With one big push, Jaden was sent flying back four steps, Ardim’s hands coming up faster than anticipated. Jaden had to take a quick breath before he lost his temper.

  ‘You push your luck,’ Jaden threatened, unwillingly allowing his anger to gradually surface.

  ‘She’s not yours, kid, stay away from her!’ Ardim was almost shouting.

  Jaden was lost for a reply. ‘What?’ he asked. Did Ardim think he owned her?

  ‘I’m warning you, brat, you go near her again and I’ll make your life hell.’

  Ardim raised his right fist, but Jaden was now paying more attention to Alyssa riding away. He had missed it, his one chance for the day to talk to her, gone again, right before his eyes. With a protective father, there were very few moments Alyssa was approachable, and whenever she was alone, Ardim was somehow always nearby. It was why Jaden was having such a hard time talking to her over the previous six months.

  Jaden’s shoulders slumped as he sighed inward deeply. Why did this always seem to happen?

  He focused back on Ardim. This bull of a man had ruined his chance the last time as well. There was little else to do than return the favour in some way.

  ‘I have to see your face,’ said Jaden slowly, ‘it’s already hell.’

  Ardim’s upper lip curled at the insult a moment before he was upon Jaden, using all of his weight in an attempt to crush him. With expert accuracy, Jaden moved into the oncoming force, using his shoulder to lift Ardim up and over, flipping him onto the ground. Ardim fell heavily, hitting his head as Jaden spun and kicked down with his left foot onto Ardim’s chest. In less than a second, Jaden had then rolled to the right before jumping straight back up to be on Ardim’s chest, readying to deliver a deadly blow to his throat.

  ‘No!’ Bo was running forward. ‘That’s what he wants you to do. Get off him!’

  As if Bo was an elder himself, Jaden heeded the order and jumped away from Ardim immediately.

  ‘The game’s in a few days,’ said Bo. ‘Don’t get us disqualified, it’s what he wants.’
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  Ardim’s smile was wide, revealing some missing teeth from his previous brawls. ‘Couldn’t do it, could you, runt?’

  Bo shook his head. ‘Let’s go,’ he said to Jaden, and grabbed his arm to lead him away. ‘Don’t give him the satisfaction.’

  Jaden nodded, dusting himself off as best he could as Bo dragged him away.

  ‘Watch your back, kid, I’ll be around,’ shouted Ardim after them.

  Neither turned. Ardim would not pursue them for fear of being disqualified himself. He had credibility when confronting Jaden, but not a group of five.

  ‘That guy weighs a tonne,’ Jaden said to Bo, doing his best not to shout anything over his shoulder.

  ‘No doubt,’ said Bo, and resumed his seat back at the stones, allowing Jaden to continue dusting himself off unhindered.

  ‘Not a bad move. Your grandfather teach you that one?’ asked Konnor.

  Jaden nodded, breathing deeply to relax.

  ‘He’s almost twice your size, how’d you do it?’ Konnor sounded amazed.

  ‘He doesn’t think,’ said Jaden. ‘He charges in blindly and hopes for the best. Bo is right, though. He wanted to see if I would throw the game.’

  ‘Not so stupid after all,’ said Konnor.

  ‘Maybe not,’ agreed Jaden.

  ‘He has cunning,’ said Corey, his gaze still set on the bandage on his hand as if to admire his masterful work. ‘He likes to play with all of you without you realising it. The more you think he has no intelligence, the more fun he has. He is smarter than many would believe, but he also enjoys acting the fool far too much. Jaden, you know of what I speak.’

  Jaden nodded and there was silence again. As much as they didn’t like to hear it, they knew Corey was right, as always. If they became too lazy around Ardim, the price paid could be more than simply pride as it had been in the past.

  As they all agreed half-heartedly, Jaden’s eyes became fixed on something far beyond the stones.

  ‘I have to go,’ he said.

  Bo looked around. ‘Where?’

  ‘I’ll meet you later for tactics,’ said Jaden, and without another word, he sprinted away.

  ‘Where’s he going?’ asked Konnor.

  ‘Probably to Alyssa,’ said Dion.

  ‘Like there aren’t enough girls in love with him already,’ said Bo. ‘Cheeky boy.’

  ‘He’s not going after Alyssa,’ said Corey.

  ‘So where is he going?’ asked Konnor. ‘She’s about the only reason he ever races off like that.’

  Corey seemed slightly confused. ‘I don’t know.’

  ‘There’s a first for everything, huh, wise one?’ Bo laughed

  Corey sternly glanced up at Bo with an eyebrow raised, shook his head as if it wasn’t worth the effort, and returned to his bandage, amazed that the others could laugh so much at so little.

  Jaden stopped running when his friends were almost out of sight. He had seen something outside of his home. Someone had opened and closed the mesh door and was now leaving. Jaden had been waiting for this all day, another reason why he had stayed at the stones with his friends and was not too concerned that he had missed Alyssa anymore. For now, this was far more important.

  Jogging the last few steps, he reached a man wearing a full-length maroon coat, who limped slightly as he walked and held a staff in one hand. Jaden quieted a moment before addressing him. He wanted this to go as planned. They had become distant over the past months.

  ‘Tyral,’ he said.

  The man turned, showing pale features under messy locks of blonde hair. Under his eyes were black bulges as if he had not slept in weeks, giving the appearance of an old and ravaged wanderer. He did his best to smile when he recognised who had called his name.

  ‘Jaden,’ said the man warmly. ‘You’re not yet old enough to call me by my name. Please, call me father.’

  Jaden bowed slightly. ‘I’m sorry, Father.’

  ‘No, it is good to see my son is becoming a man. How are you?’

  Jaden looked uncertain. He would have answered that he was well, but he was not so sure his father could do the same. Tyral had spent the past months on the road, travelling far and wide, taking away from any time they could have spent together. This had made the gradual change in Tyral more than visible to Jaden. It wasn’t just his poor appearance that bothered him though. There was also an uncharacteristic rasp to his voice, as if he found it hard to speak. It made Jaden sad to admit that for the first time in his life he was feeling uncomfortable speaking to his father.

  ‘Where are you going?’ Jaden asked, almost as if he were now an interrogator.

  Tyral seemed oblivious to the sudden change in Jaden’s tone.

  ‘Away for a few days, maybe weeks,’ he said.

  ‘For what?’

  Tyral lowered his head and pressed against his right brow with two fingers on his left hand, a gesture understood only by the Daiyus family.

  ‘Business,’ he said.

  Jaden bowed his head a little in acknowledgement of the gesture. Whatever Tyral had in mind, Jaden knew now it was of the utmost secrecy, and no further questions could be asked. If Jaden were to learn more, the information would have to be volunteered by Tyral.

  ‘Be careful,’ said Jaden.

  ‘I will. But I can assure you everything is going well. Kobin is handling everything.’

  ‘Why do you travel with him?’

  Tyral chuckled. ‘Still you maintain your distrust after all he has done for us?’

  Jaden nodded.

  ‘My son, he is the one man I would have to negotiate these matters for us. If it were anyone else, you would no doubt be recruited into an army and be sent to fight in the wars, so be thankful for his help. And besides, despite our differences, we have been friends practically since birth. Call it a sacred bond, if you will, but I will call him my companion on the road until the end, no matter what.’

  Jaden lowered his gaze in another gesture of the family. It meant that he was not satisfied with the given answer, but Tyral also knew that once Jaden’s mind was made up, there was little he could say to change it.

  ‘Why do you have to leave now?’ asked Jaden. ‘You’ll miss the game.’

  His father’s smile faded. ‘I’m sorry. I know I promised I would be there, but,’ he began coughing between his words, ‘this—can’t wait—I must leave—at once.’

  ‘Your illness is getting worse,’ said Jaden.

  ‘No. No, it’s fine. It will pass.’

  ‘You don’t have to act proud, Father, we all have weaknesses. You taught me that.’

  ‘So I did,’ said Tyral, coughing loudly once more to the side. ‘This is just a minor sickness I picked up on the road ... nothing of significance.’

  ‘Can you wait for a few days?’ asked Jaden. ‘You could watch the first two or three rounds.’

  ‘No, I’m afraid not. When I get back, I will make a promise not to miss a single game you play. However, until we are safe, I cannot rest.’

  ‘Are we really in that much danger?’

  Tyral nodded. ‘The wars approach us. The World Protection Alliance is having difficulty with the United Resistance in these parts. Kobin is doing what he can to keep us immune from any battles. Without these negotiations, I fear we would all be going to war.’

  ‘I understand.’

  ‘I know,’ said Tyral. ‘As for the game, I am sure you will astound me as always. You have all my abilities and more. Just remember; if you lose, you will be hated by those who don’t know you, and understood by those who do. Pay no mind to the hate. Those who sympathise are your friends, stay with them. In my eyes, you have already achieved far more than I had ever hoped, and for that, I will always be proud of you.’

  ‘Thank you, Father.’

  ‘Be well, Jaden, I will see you upon my return.’

  With a bow to one another, Jaden watched as his father made his best effort to not look injured as he walked away. Jaden felt tears surface, realising the
pain Tyral was putting himself through, simply so that Jaden wouldn’t have to see any weakness in the man who was meant to be invincible for him. Jaden felt the deepest respect he had ever held for his father then, and knew one day he would aspire to be just like him, facing up to the world regardless of the dangers it threw at him. He would remain strong as a protector of the weak in the presence of enemies, and be the kindest, most gentle man in Callibra in the company of friends.

  Lowering his gaze in the family gesture, Jaden spoke softly, ‘Goodbye, Father.’

  Chapter Three

  One chases victory to the end, enduring loss only when the journey is forgotten.

  January 9, 997 R.E.

  Jaden grabbed unconsciously at a long shoot of grass, pulling at it until it released, then began twirling it around in his fingers. He was sitting cross-legged on an elevated flat of land in the southeast corner of the valley, staring aimlessly out over a few houses toward where the mountains dropped away and became hills in the west. It was one of his favourite places to sit when he wanted a few quiet moments to think. The sharp cliffs behind him gave an edge of greatness to his thoughts, while the waterfall to his left drowned out any sound from the village. It created an illusion of being alone, secluding him from everyone else, even though he could see people moving about below.

  It was beautiful, he thought, and wondered what the rest of the world looked like. He had spent his entire life within Callibra, exploring once or twice outside the mountains, but never straying too far. He had relied mainly on his father to tell him of the other nations, sometimes hearing of incredible cities that boasted technology beyond his wildest dreams. It was always amazing to hear, as he and his people lived without many advances. The village had been created long ago to ensure this, the founding settlers believing that the more technology in a civilisation, the more distractions there would be from inner peace. And so they went about their daily routines, living off the land and using only what they needed, thinking of nothing more and being content as they were.