Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 20: The birth of a hero (2)

"All heroes have risen,

Chasing the glory of battle,

For the sake of our people they gave their lives,

Should our bodies wither 'til old,

What a regret it would be"

The two brothers staggered home, arm in arm, singing the poem together.

"HAHAHA, Brother Arian, let us go drink again sometimes" said the man with the white hair heartily.

Eventually they approached a young, pretty woman sweeping a yard.

She is of short stature, well proportioned, thin and delicate, and amazingly pretty; her eyes are lively that she inspires reverence and respect.

Her voice is smooth and gentle.

Arian knew much about the woman: she was skilled in needlework, she had an impressive knowledge of music, and she could play the lute remarkably well.

Arian knew all of this because his brother Gabriel always boasted about his wife when he was drinking.

"You're back, dear," the woman smiled, then turned to Arian.

"Brother Arian, bring Sister Mary over for dinner. Let us eat together tonight."

"I will, thank you Elizabeth," Arian replied, nodding

The two families had a tight bond for a long time.

Arian and Gabriel had been childhood friends, and were sworn brothers in their youth. Their wives had embraced the bond and had become close friends too.

"I guess tonight we will taste your superb cooking Sister in Law." He smiles and Elizabeth just smile

Gabriel just laughs

"Arian," Gabriel suddenly said, excited, "let's go to the forest and hunt."

"Yes, let's do that," Arian replied enthusiastically.

"Oh, no you don't!" Elizabeth said, pinching Gabriel's ear. Gabriel winced and relented, while Arian chuckled.

"Sister in Law, I will tell Mary to come for dinner tonight," said Arian, waving goodbye.

"Go, while I deal with your brother."

As he walked, Arian could hear Gabriel beg for mercy, and he laughed.

His proud and brave brother only feared one person: his wife.

He walks to his home with his heart warm and he enter his home.

Inside his own home he could hear his wife reciting the Hymn of Light. Arian smiles falter for a moment before he sighs and smiles back.

"I'm home, dear!" he called through the door.

"Oh, you're back," said Mary, as Arian wrapped his arms around her waist. He kissed her on her cheeks and she blush

"What were you praying for?" he asked. Mary blushed again

"I wished us a child."

Was she that worried, Arian frowned. Then he grinned and lifted his wife into his arms. There is a naught smile on his face

"What are you doing?" Mary giggled.

"There's no point just wishing, my love. I'm going to fulfill your prayer!"

Mary giggled harder and kissed her husband's neck, wrapping her arms around him tightly as he carried her away to the bedroom.

Nine month from that day, Mary will bear a healthy son, destined for greatness.

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"I overheard people talking about that cruel king on my way here, brother," Arian said, discussing the recent atrocities with Gabriel.

Unrest was everywhere since the revolt. The world is in chaos, waiting for a great momentous event to happen.

One that will define this world destiny.

The slaughter of the human race has increased since the revolt.

And humanity and the Demon Lords relationships have reached a tipping point.

The brothers sat deep in conversation, whilst their wives stood in the kitchen preparing dinner.

"Sister Liz, please rest, you're at your last month for goodness' sake! Take it easy."

"It's fine, I can do this. Don't worry"

Elizabeth had fallen pregnant, and the time was drawing near for her child to be born.

The four friends spent their evening like they had spent so many others, eating good food and chatting together, deepening their bond and relationship.

It was as Elizabeth was playing her lute that they heard echoing screams from the outside.

Gabriel and Arian look at each other and they both feel a premonition of something bad that is about to happen.

Gabriel and Arian rushed to the door and peered out; the brothers spotted smoke billowing in the distance.

"The Demon Lords' army has come," Gabriel said, his voice tense. Arian eyes narrowed.

Gabriel grabbed his sword, ready for battle, and took a step outside before Arian blocked his way.

"Where are you going, brother?"

"We have always talked of avenging our people. Now is the time!"

"What about your family, brother?" Arian nodded to Elizabeth, who was cradling her swollen belly with tears in her eyes.

"Let us avenge them when your child is born. Do not let your child be fatherless" Gabriel is still holding his sword

"What do you say, Brother?" Arian asked again

Gabriel stared at his wife, look back at the fire in the distance, close his eyes and take a deep breath, calming his thoughts and then he nodded.

'You are right, brother' He nodded and Arian pat his shoulder

They set about gathering essential supplies and fled on their horses.

Carnage and chaos filled the streets.

Villagers who hadn't been able to escape the fires ran past, screaming.

Frightened men and women were cut down by swords as they tried to run, others slaughtered as they hid in their homes and the church.

The sounds of the dying rang throughout the village.

Behind their horses, is a scene of hellish nightmare, of destruction and fire.

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Three days after the Demon Lords' army attacked, the brothers and their wives set up camp in a forest.

They were exhausted from their journey, their heavy limbs dragged across the forest floor.

A loud gasp cut their weary moods.

Gabriel, Arian and Mary swiveled round to see Elizabeth clutching her belly, eyes wide, with water trickling down her legs.

Gabriel leaped to his wife's side as she clung to a nearby tree, consumed by her first contraction.

"Are you all right?" Gabriel said weakly. Elizabeth glared at him.

"Do I look all right, Gabe?" she hissed through clenched teeth. The contraction faded and she slumped to the floor.

Mary jumped into action, pulling out blankets and flasks of water.

She had delivered babies before in the village, but never in the middle of a forest. Nevertheless, she was determined to stay calm, for her friend looked terrified.

Hours passed, and Elizabeth's contractions grew stronger.

Wrapped in Gabriel's arms, she writhed and panted, as Mary dabbed her forehead with a cloth and forced her to take sips of water.

Finally, Elizabeth gripped Gabriel's arm and her head shot up.

"I can feel something," she said between heavy breaths.

"The baby's head," Mary told her.

"The little one is in position. It's time to push, sister."

Elizabeth's body seized up as she pushed with all the strength in her heart, her throat growling involuntarily like a beautiful wild beast.

After what seemed like hours, the baby's head entered the world, and Mary caught the child expertly as its body quickly followed.

She checked the child over; soft white hair, clear blue eyesjust like his father

"It's a boy," Mary smiled, placing the baby in Elizabeth's arms.

Gabriel wept with joy. Elizabeth's arms shook as she held her son, tears of happiness and relief in her eyes.

"He looks healthy, sister," said Mary.

"He looks handsome," said Elizabeth, gazing dreamily at the newborn.

"How can you know that? He is still a child" Gabriel remarked.

"A mother knows" Elizabeth said glancing at Gabriel

Gabriel just shuts his mouth seeing the gaze from his wife.

"What should we name him, dear?" she asked Gabriel. He was silent and thoughtful for a moment, then grinned.

"Do you have a good name, Dear?"

"Yes, a good and heroic name."

"What is it?" Elizabeth asked again.

"How about Levitia? The Bringer of Light, it is a heroic name" Gabriel said, pleased with himself.

"Hmm, Levitia," Elizabeth said.

"Levitia Vermont. It's a good name, brother," Arian said from behind Gabriel.

"Isn't it? Levitia Vermont." He looked at his tiny son's face.

"Someday, my son, you will be greater than any man, soaring in the sky among the Gods." As he wishes to the Divinity

A star in the sky shines suddenly as he wishes that hope

"Why wish that for him? Just wish him healthy," said Elizabeth, tutting.

Elizabeth disapproves. There are some traces of hubris in Gabriel words and expression.

"It's alright. Who knows if he will really be a great man in the future, leaving his name in history?" Gabriel said

"With you as his father, I doubt that" Elizabeth said jokingly. Gabriel and Arian laugh.

It is the custom of the Sky People to whisper their wish to their newborn child.

Some wished for health, others wished for fortune, but Gabriel Vermont was unaware of how prophetic his wish would be.

His son Levitia will become the greatest Hero in Human history leading the Subjugation and rid out the Demon Lords from Davarus and declares the continent as the Human Continent.

They are also countless of heroic feats that Levitia performs in his era that cemented his name in history, like slaying the Red Dragon Galahad, fighting the Dwarven General, Dulira Zaraf for three day and three nights and single handedly destroy an army of 10 thousand soldier by himself.

His son Levitia would become the greatest hero in human history but, like any great hero, he was to meet a tragic end.

If Gabriel had known the fate of the boy, he would not have wished for such a thing.

"Brother, I have an idea," Arian said suddenly.

"What? Brother Arian, say it" Gabriel said while hugging his son

"Mary and I have been trying for a baby for a few years now. If we have a boy, let them become sworn brothers. If we have a girl let us betroth them to each other so they can become husband and wife. How about it?"

"Great idea brother," Gabriel laughed heartily.

"Let the families of Gerhardt and Vermont be bonded for many years to come."

The two brothers laughed joyfully. Mary and Elizabeth shared a smile. It was truly a wonderful day for the Vermont family.

Nine months later, the Gerhardt's would be having a celebration of their own.

Mary would bear a healthy son, whom they would name Alan Gerhardt. The child would one day be known as Alan Shadowstrider, one of Levitia's most loyal brothers.

Both of them will have many adventures and endures hardship together.

Alan is known as a loyal and honorable person compared to Duvan Renasi another sworn brothers of Levitia, who is smart and cunning.

Alan stories will inspire the creation of the Knight codes and defines for generations to come of what chivalry means.

He is also one of the people Levitia trusted the most and care for among all his brothers.

Duvan inspires people to be inquisitives and cunning in their dealing. Each of the Great Hero companion become an archetype for certain behaviors.

In that forest, a boy destined for greatness, that sets him apart from all the other heroes of his time is born.

That night, seven Blazing Stars from the Sky fall and the world shakes signifying his birth.

That was the beginning of his epic legend and one that relates heavily to the birth of Arial Vermont and his fate.

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This is kind of important in the long run. And it also reveal that Arial is descended from Levitia.

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