Hero

"Bestow me with courage and the strength to face the unknown". My day began as it always did, words flowing in my head speaking to a spirit I trusted. I was not the bravest kid on the block, or the strongest. In my mind, danger lurked in every corner and I called upon Tharos, the ancient god of warriors when I was alone. The leaves were spinning and swirling in the air and at my feet. It was October, and school had started just about a month ago. I did not take the bus because I lived close to the school. Before I left, mother reminded me to be careful and not talk to strangers. Even though she meant well, this made me even more afraid since when I was alone, I imagined bad things. I reassured myself, she was just saying something parents are supposed to say. But that morning one of my biggest fears came true. I came to a stop sign, looked both ways and began to cross the street. As I did, a black van came screeching around the corner, and the door slid open. I was forced in by two strong men in black jackets and white masks. Once inside, the van door slammed shut and the van turned hard. I was shoved into the back and lost my balance. My head hit something hard, and then it was black. That was all I could remember before I arrived here in a world I did not understand. I awoke in what looked to be a jail cell. It had strangely colored walls with bumps on them. There was a window that had thorn bars on it, but I could not look out. The building was set on the side of a cliff that fell about 200 feet down to the water. The water was pitch black and looked like oil. There was an odd light in the sky, and I had no idea what was going on. I was scared, but comforted by Tharos who encouraged me to be strong. After what felt like hours passed, a man like creature came to get me. With a smooth gesture of his hands, the doors opened to my cell. He grabbed my arm and led me up stairs which opened to a rounded courtyard with large pillars and doors between them. His hands were ice cold, and it felt strange to be in his grip. We went across to the other side, and he opened the door. We entered and walked down a long strip of carpet to a man sitting on a throne. He was much bigger than me, and I did not dare to talk. The guard shoved me down so forcefully that I knelt before this man, and he began to speak. His voice echoed through the walls of the corridor as he spoke. "State your name before me peasant." I was frozen with fear, and his voice made me tremble. He asked me again, and I choked out “Alex." He stroked his long beard and replied, "Why do you present yourself in my kingdom'” I told him I did not know why I was sent there. The man bellowed, "Strangers are not welcome here. Those before you stole something precious to me and my people.” In order to save myself from the curse of the Dark Gods, he presented me with a quest. I was to regain the "Crystal of Reality" from the depths of the ice castle. If I chose to accept this task, he would grant me bravery, strength and the ability to return home. I desperately wanted to get back home, so I had no choice but to accept and my new name became Alexander. I was given two hours to prepare for my journey. They allowed me access to their armory and gave me one backpack to carry supplies. In their armory, I seized a gigantic bow and arrows and found food to put in my bag. I prepared for my journey and was not afraid. After the two hours passed, I was given a map and sent on my way. I studied the map, and it looked like I had to travel north to reach the ice. I would have to cross a vast ocean and treacherous forest before arriving at my destination. It felt like I had walked forever before I finally reached the ocean. The water was not oily like the water I saw outside my cell. It was clear and appeared calm as the waves crashed onto the rocky shore. I walked along the rocks and came across a boatyard with old ships and sailors. I asked these men if someone would sail me across the ocean to the forest. I was told these waters were not what they seemed, and I would surely die like the others if I tried to cross. Discouraged, I began to move on and noticed a strange, reptile looking man. He had scaly, dark skin with the eyes of a snake. His name was Avalon, and he had special powers that allowed him to speak to Oceana, Goddess of the sea. He told me the story of his father, who was lost in these waters many years ago. He offered to sail me across the ocean with the help of his men while he continued the search for his father. As we set out, I asked him why everyone seemed so afraid. It was then that I heard the haunting story of Phycion, the great serpent who ruled these seas. No man had even survived an encounter with this beast, and the ocean was thought to be formed by him. I carefully watched the horizon, looking for any signs of movement in the water. But I saw nothing, no movement, no waves, and water as serene as a pool. I was convinced our journey would be calm, but of course I spoke too soon. I saw his slimy, muscular body rise from the water and circle our boat. He had one huge eye that never seemed to blink. I was in shock. Phycion was gigantic; his wide open jaw revealed rows and rows of razor like teeth. He could easily have destroyed our entire boat if he desired. I ordered the crew to fire arrows and aim for his head. I, too, shot and the arrows stuck into his body, slowing down his attack. Phycion was taunting us, laughing, swimming and swirling around our boat, and we could do nothing. He lunged towards the stern of our boat, but as he opened his mouth, I seized his fanged teeth and lifted him out of the water. I swung him around like a rope then let go, soaring him across the sea. Avalon spoke to Oceana and the sea goddess soon answered, with a strong whirlpool sucking Phycion down into the deep. I felt braver and stronger than ever after this defeat. We reached the forest beach soon afterwards where Avalon left me before returning to his search. The forest was dark and dense; no sun shone through the trees. There was a narrow, gravel pathway, and the trees were large. I felt the gravel crunching beneath my feet with each step. The path twisted and turned through the forest, and I began to feel hungry. I had eaten most of the food, so I was in search of something to eat. In the middle of the path ahead, I saw a basket of apples and knew there was something wrong, but I decided to take one anyway. At that moment, a net flung up from the dirt below. I was trapped and a tiger appeared from the shadows and spoke to me. "My name is Azreal, and I see you like to take what is not yours." I tried to explain I was hungry from my long voyage. As he lectured me on my wrongs, I began to tear at the ropes with my hands. Meanwhile, Azreal stared at the ground. When the time was right, I slashed the last string and fell onto the grass. I ran quickly weaving around the obstacles in my path to escape from Azreal. I saw a ravine ahead with no way to cross, it was a dead end. I turned around and saw Azreal running towards me. I did not feel afraid and stared straight into his eyes. He knew who was stronger and slowed down, approaching almost timidly. He roared loudly, and then returned into the shadows while I continued on swinging across the ravine on a thick vine. I knew the Ice Castle was near because it was suddenly very cold, and the trees were barren. The ground was covered in snow and the trees began to fade, revealing a plateau of snow and ice. I could see the beautiful castle from the forest and began to feel new energy in my body. I was nearing the end of my journey and began to run towards the castle. The night sky above was filled with swirling colors, and a bright blue light radiated from the castle. I arrived and entered through a large doorway that looked as if it had taken ages to carve. The structure was large and on the walls were sculptures of men and women. They all looked brave, as if they could take on anything. The very last sculpture was one of me holding my great bow and pulling it back as if ready to shoot. At the end of the corridor, there was a door with a glowing blue light seeping from below it. I slowly pushed it open and was met by the beautiful crystal with a glow like no light I had ever seen before. There were two curving stairways leading up to it on a pedestal. On either side of the stairway there were large ice carved, hooded men holding great axes. I walked up the stairway, and the crystal was within my grasp. Distracted by its beauty, I stepped onto a loose tile which descended into the floor below alerting the Dark Gods I had arrived. The sound of cracking ice filled the vestibule, and the two statues began to tremble. Chunks of ice broke off them and color returned to their bodies. They were alive and after me; I was trapped. I had to think fast. A large ice chandelier suspended from the ceiling between the two stairways. I knew then what I had to do. I ran and jumped up onto one of the railings leading down to the chandelier. I slid down it on my feet passing right by one of the hooded men. He swung his axe, but I ducked, his axe just missing my face. I jumped off at the bottom, ran towards the door, and stood waiting for them to come towards me. I had to get this shot right. I drew my bow as far back as I could and let it go. The arrow broke the chain, and the chandelier fell onto the men knocking them out. I quickly ran past them up the stairs and grabbed the crystal from its pedestal. I placed it into my backpack and returned to the castle where I had started. The man on the throne was pleased I had returned, not expecting anything more. When I removed the “Crystal of Reality” from my bag and handed it to his guards, he was overjoyed. Power had been returned to his kingdom. He told me I was a fine, brave young man and he would gratefully return me to my world. Bright, unusual lights originating from the crystal swirled around me and once again things went black. I woke up in the school infirmary with the nurse standing at the foot of my bed. No one believed my story, but that didn’t matter, for I knew Tharos was proud. From then on, I had the bravery of the toughest of warriors.