The Last Legend: Awakened

by Joshua B. Wichterich

  Natalia and Phillip quickly glanced at each other, amazed at what they were hearing. They were shocked to know that the one they knew as a humble peasant boy, was the descendant of a king.

  “Your ancestor was awakened by a Legna long ago and he was advised by the Legna to create this wing-shaped pendant. Your ancestor who wore this pendant worshiped King Yehoshua and announced and declared that King Yehoshua was the one true king… He was murdered by the hands of evil men for proclaiming Yehoshua as the one true king. Shortly after his death, King Yehoshua reigned as king and did many miracles and led his children of light into battle against darkness. After it was all over, the darkness fell—and became silent for some time. But evil was not dead and waited for the right opportunity to attack again. This opportunity came, and the darkness got into the life of one of King Yehoshua’s twelve trusted knights—and this trusted knight betrayed Yehoshua. The king was captured and killed deep in the southern parts of Minslethrate—upon Skull Hill, amongst The Black Field of Old Blood…”

  Tairren had a tear in his eye as he took in the powerful story. Mikhal wiped his tear away like a care-giver would to a child.

  “You see Tairren, your ancestral king created this necklace and wore it so that everyone could see who he believed in. He stood up for The Great King Yehoshua and was not afraid. He did everything he could to follow Him and the word He taught. You see Tairren, son of Timotheus, you are the rightful descendant of a king who ruled Minslethrate—you are the true prince of Minslethrate from a very ancient and royal bloodline… And the pendant has found its way to you to reveal this… Long ago, a Legna was instructed by The Great King of Light to tell your ancestor to create this pendant. Like I revealed before, everything happens for a reason. And many years ago the pendant was created so this moment could happen. You see—you are the chosen one…”

  Tairren smiled, beginning to think of everything his mother had revealed to him before he left Minslethrate. That great moment with the Legna had confirmed everything his mother had told him. He felt so proud of his family, his mother and father, and knew that even if he did not find out the information of his true bloodline, he would still love himself and would continue to live strong. He thought of King Yehoshua and wanted to do everything he could to follow his path and word, to honor him.

  Everyone continued to cheer. Tairren glanced at Phillip and Natalia who had great smiles on their faces. Phillip respectfully nodded at Tairren as Natalia continued to wipe the tears from her eyes.

  “All three of you now stand before me as children of light. Yesterday you were dying. Yesterday you were merely a peasant boy, a lady, and a prince of the world. Right now as I speak, you are all the same—you are all children of light! All three of you are reborn and the same in The Great King of Light’s eyes. So now you have it!” Mikhal spoke out loud again. “You are the three keys of Minslethrate and the Union of Light! So with that said, let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you,” Mikhal said proudly. “For you were sometimes darkness, but now you are light in the lord! So continue to walk as children of light.”

  The three keys, the union of light, stood with smiles on their faces and looked so proud. For that quick moment they had left the full amount of stress and severity of that day, behind them. The feeling of death and uncertainty did not sit on their shoulders as it did before they arrived at the camp. Tairren looked into the great fire that crackled and roared behind the group of Archlegna.

  The fire reminded him of Marrisa and that one summer night when she shared her fear of fire. He began to miss her terribly and wondered what was happening to her that very night. He began to not understand why they weren’t leaving that very night to rescue her. He began to wonder if she was even still alive. But all of a sudden as the darkened thoughts of Marrisa began to creep into his mind, he caught the glimpse of the great white owl who sat very still and quietly upon the boulder far off in the background. He was somehow reminded to be patient—that everything happens for a reason. He heard the still small voice in his heart say this. Then all of a sudden, the great white owl opened its wings as if flew into the air. Tairren watched as it flew off into the night sky—going towards the south…

  “But do not be frightened of your quests,” Mikhal continued aloud. “For each one of you will be accompanied by a guardian. Your guardian is the one who given you your pendant,” Mikhal said, motioning his hand towards, Giabriul, Uriel, and Rafiul. “These are your Guardian Legna and will be with you and will help you and protect you. Phillip your guardian is Uriel; Natalia your guardian is Gaibriul, and Tairren, your guardian is Rafiul.” Mikhal then looked at Tairren and spoke softly, “Tairren, do not feel forgotten. You did not receive a pendant from Rafiul for he knew that you already had one and that you already contained the light of God within you… Your bond with Rafiul began when he laid his hands upon you to heal and cleanse you of the sickness that grew upon you…”

  Each one of the Guardian Archlegna walked over to their comrade. Tairren, Natalia, and Phillip understood why they felt at peace and why each one of them felt a silent connection with them. Rafiul, Gaibriul, and Uriel were their guardians and their spirits knew of this as soon as they saw them.

  “Now—my brethren! Come and let was worship Him in song! Praise The Great King of Light for everything he has done for us! Love him because he has loved us first! Let all who has breath—praise his holy name!” Mikhal shouted out with passion.

  All of the Legna jumped up to their feet, cheering as the group of musicians began a song of bliss. The Legna held hands and skipped and danced through the field. They swayed there clasped hands back and forth and glided merrily along the earth as the breezes played through their long hair. The sounds of drums, flutes, bells and stringed instruments filled the air. A beautiful female Legna that was dressed in gold began to sing. Her voice rang out in beautiful wisps, rolling across the camp in ripples of serenity. The whole atmosphere seemed to worship the Great God of Light, and everyone within it gave Him glory.

  The other Archlegna and the beasts joined the many dancing Legna as well. The Archlegna held hands and danced and sang while the beasts leaped from the ground and flew into the air with opened wings, twirling and flying and roaring with one another. But Tairren, Natalia and Phillip stood near Mikhal, wanting to know more information about many things. None of their guardians moved yet, and still stood by their sides.

  “Mikhal,” Tairren said, catching the Archlegna’s attention, “What are the quests in which you spoke of and what is the armor that you have mentioned? Why should we wait to begin the quests if they are ours? Marrisa needs our help!”

  Mikhal was quiet for a moment, looking into Tairren’s eyes with his golden stare. He smiled at Tairren and placed his hands on his shoulders.

  “My brother Tairren,” he spoke softly but seriously, “You know the answers to those questions. With time, they will be answered again unto you. Tairren, remember, everything that happens—happens because it has to… And if whatever happens comes from darkness—God uses it to test, uplift, and make you stronger upon this world. God uses things that happen out of darkness—for good, unto light. This world you walk on is but a test. This test is to prepare you for The Great Kingdom of light that awaits you after your time on earth is finished. You will receive great rewards from the God of Light when you do what he asks of you on this earth…

  “Do you understand what I have revealed to you?” Mikhal’s face was kind and full of passion. Tairren did not know what else to say so he just nodded his head as he always did. “I know that you want answers now, young Tairren, but all of your questions will be answered in time. Trust in the lord with all of your heart—and do not lean on your own understanding.”

  Mikhal stood up straight, then motion his hands out to the scene of the dancing and joyful Legna. Th
e guardian Archlegna smiled at them and placed their hands on their shoulders, slowly pulling them away.

  “Go brethren—Celebrate with the Legna and worship Him! Know that for those who love God all things will work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose!”

  Just then the Archlegna grabbed their hands and began to dance with one another. Tairren, Natalia and Phillip submitted to their pulls and danced with them. It was like a release of stress as they danced with the Legna—letting themselves go into the light-filled presence that lay thickly amongst them. They all had smiles on their faces and laughed with joy as they danced in bows and in circles throughout the clearing of the camp.

  They danced around the great fire and sang the light-filled ballad again with all of their hearts…

  We dance for you like the flowers do in your

  Whirling and twirling winds!

  We shout for you like no others do because our

  Hearts are filled with you!

  Hand in hand and feet up on high we will always

  Be dancing children of Light!

  While the Legna continued to celebrate, Tairren walked off to the side of the clearing. He couldn’t help but think about Marrisa. He wanted to know if she was safe or not. If he could he would leave right then and there to pull Marrisa from the darkness. He couldn’t understand that, if danger and darkness was so thick around them—why were they resting so much?

  Tairren sat on the outside of the clearing on one of the lavish pillows and next to a small fire. He watched everyone for a while. They all had smiles on their lovely faces. He spotted Natalia and Phillip smiling and laughing together, holding hands while dancing. They seemed to enjoy each other’s company and seemed really fond of each other.

  He seemed to be the only one that felt stress upon his shoulders. He felt as if he had the weight of the whole world upon him. He knew deep down that he should give that stress up, because King Yehoshua took the weight of the world and died for it… But he just couldn’t help it. He knew this quest was for him. He knew what he had to do. He just wanted to know what would happen, he wanted to know that everything would be okay, he wanted to know that Marrisa would come back to the kingdom with him, safe and sound. He looked into the small fire, watching how the flames moved and how the wood crackled and popped beneath it, turning into glowing embers.

  “Why do you sit alone?” a kind voice said from behind him. It was Rafiul. “May I sit with you?”

  Tairren looked up to the tall Legna, then just nodded his head. Rafiul sat near him, glancing at him every once in a while.

  “I feel overwhelmed,” Tairren finally said. “I am just a peasant boy who is in love with a princess. I just want to know that Marrisa is safe—and will be safe…”

  They both sat still, staring into the soft, dancing flames.

  “Tairren—I will tell you what you are… You are not just a peasant boy—you are a son of kings. You are the son of the king of kings. You are a key to this quest. You are a human… you worry because you don’t know what will happen. I don’t understand human emotions but I do know that you must trust in God with all of your heart—do not lean on your own understandings…” Rafiul continued to look at him as he stared into the fire. “Tairren, the God of Light is so immense and so grand… You are but a sparkle of dust upon his hand. You are like a star among his great countenance—which is the heavens… When a human tries so hard to understand things on his own—he tends to fall away from God. He will know when this happens because the burdens of the world will come over his body like a heavy thunderstorm. But sometimes that’s what it will take to remind him that God is greater. Always remember that God is greater than any problem you face. Always remember that you are that one star upon his heavens… If he takes you to these problems—he will get you through it…”

  Tairren understood what he was trying to tell him and knew that he was right. Everything a Legna said was always important and a message from the Great God of Light. Like Rafiul had said, he was just a human and had the propensity to feel that way. He thought of the Legend of the first children of light, his ancient ancestors, who were the first to set foot upon the lands of Minslethrate—and the first to fall... Just as Gaibriul had said that they disobeyed The Great King of light, leaning on their own understandings—he was doing the same thing. Tairren understood that he had the natural tendency to feel that way—he just needed to lean more on God.

  “I needed to hear that,” Tairren said, turning to Rafiul with a small smile.

  “You are humble and silent… When you feel that no one understands what is going on within you—know that God does. God knows every detail of your heart. He knows how much stress you can take. It is a test—and it will strengthen you… And you must be strong for what awaits you beyond this camp. You must be strong and know that whatever happens, God will use it.”

  “What else is there? I know the legends and I know that darkness is upon us—but what must I do for my own quest that was prophesied by Mikhal?”

  Rafiul looked into his eyes with his golden stare. The firelight mingled with his skin, making him look as if he were glowing.

  “Your quest was decided for you by the Great God of Light. Each one of you has learned something great that has touched your hearts during this journey. Only you know what it is. This is your own personal quest. You may not know what I speak of now, but in time you will know. You have fire in your heart Tairren—and fire is what you must face. Do you understand, Tairren?”

  Tairren stared into the fire. It continued to dance, sending small shadows here and there.

  “Fire,” Tairren said to himself. “I must face fire…”

  “Yes, brother Tairren,” Rafiul said. “Deep within the Forbidden Lands, there is a temple that rests on the west side of Fiara Mountains. This temple is your quest…”

  Tairren’s heart skipped a beat when Rafuil said this. He knew of the temple and heard many legends and lore about it.

  “I’ve heard of this temple—I have it marked on my map,” Tiarren said with an excited edge.

  “This temple holds a piece of weaponry, which is needed for a much greater task. You must retrieve the weaponry with what you have learned—that is your quest. It will all make sense when the time comes.”

  “I must go then—now!” Tairren said, standing up.

  He felt as if the fire inside of him sparked up, giving him a surge of energy.

  “No Tairren, you must rest first—for the journey is long,” Rafiul said, now standing before him. He put his hands on his shoulders and looked into his eyes again. “Morning would be wise.”

  Tairren felt as if he didn’t need any rest then—he didn’t want to rest.

  “I should go…,” Tairren said with a serious face.

  Rafiul just studied his face as he stepped back.

  “There is a small clearing, just past a small wooded area,” Rafiul said, pointing in that direction. “There is a mighty cliff which looks out upon the whole southern part of Minslethrate. Walk a couple yards straight through that small wooded area and you will find it. It is safe—a single Nomed will not be so bold to creep upon this camp. It is secluded and quiet. I suggest you wait on the lord there in the stillness of the night—you will know what to do then.”

  Rafiul patted Tairren’s shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile. Tairren softly smiled back, and then nodded his head. He glanced in the direction in which Rafiul had pointed. Tairren left towards the spot by the cliff. He was beginning to feel better—but he still kept getting an urge within him to go. He just wanted to get on with his quest. He just wanted Marrisa by his side.

  CHAPTER 21

  Revelations

  All through the night a dark figure watched the fellowship of the Legna and their new brethren. The skulking figure crept on the outside of the clearing, hiding behind the tents and hurrying past the small opened spaces which the tents made. It seemed to be stalking the Legna and was curious of everything t
hat was going on. The figure wore long dark garbs that consisted of a large hood that shadowed its face and long sleeves that covered its arms. The thing seemed timid but menacing as it crept about, just watching—unnoticed…

  †††

  It seemed that the Legna danced all night, being enveloped in a presence that felt as if light had become alive upon them. They worshiped and fellowshipped for some time, not realizing how late it was getting. Then, it seemed that many of the Legna had retired for their tents. The clearing of the camp was not melodic or crowded as it was before and even Serafim and his beastly comrades seemed to depart somewhere. Natalia and Phillip had been holding hands and danced for a while, laughing and engaging with one another; then they began to mingle with the Legna in cheerful conversation.

  Natalia looked around, realizing that Tairren was nowhere in sight. She realized that she actually hadn’t seen him for a while. She left Phillip’s side, parting him as he stayed in deep conversation with the some of the Legna. She noticed Rafiul walking away from the clearing, wondering if he knew where Tairren had gone. He was walking by himself and looked as if he were beginning to retire for the night.

  “Rafiul,” Natalia called out softly as she rushed upon him, catching his attention. “Have you seen Tairren? I haven’t seen him for some time and—was beginning to worry.”

  Rafiul nodded, then pointed to the southern area of the camp. The southern parts of the camp looked off a tall cliff which loomed over another vast sea of darkened forest.

  “Yes, my lady, he is resting among the cliff with his thoughts—just beyond the small forested area. He came to me with anxiousness upon him so I advised him to wait upon the lord—to be still.”