The Last Legend: Awakened

by Joshua B. Wichterich

  A gust of wind pushed at her as she ran out into the open air. She realized she was now standing outside. She frantically looked around. Her heart sunk as she realized that she was standing on a large balcony. The wind blew at her long red hair and tattered and soiled gown. She began to cry as she looked up into the night veil. The moon tried to peek through the thick clouds, making the sky around it all different shades of gray. All around her was darkness—she couldn’t even really see the lands around her. The only things she could see were the trees and hills that sat below the balcony. Marrisa placed her frail, shaken hands on her chest, upon her pounding heart. She closed her eyes, thinking of the people she loved—her father, Natalia, and most of all—Tairren. She thought of her home and how beautiful it always was. She thought of all her fondest memories. All of these thoughts trickled through her mind in quick images. She knew her life was coming to end. She knew her spirit was going to die—and she wanted to remember the things she loved before it did.

  All of a sudden she heard the deep thudding sound of wings upon the air. She turned to see a large white blur rush upon the stone railing of the balcony. At first she thought it was a spirit and it frightened her. It was a massive white owl. It perched upon the balcony, now silently sitting and staring at her. Marrisa stood for a moment with her hands upon her chest, looking back at the mysterious and intimidating creature. The wind blew at her hair and caressed her face, making her look hauntingly beautiful. Her gaze was like a long thought. The mighty bird never took its eyes off of her and she couldn’t look away. A feeling of peace came over her like a wave of water. She didn’t feel out of control and terrified as she did before. Even though she stood trapped on a balcony with Lilith after her—she felt calm. She felt transfixed by the beautiful creature, mesmerized by its large, black eyes. The owl’s eyes weren’t the kind of black like Lilith’s, which were terrifying and wicked—but a black that was deep and beautiful. It was like looking into a dark, shining pool, making one wonder what lied beneath it.

  Marrisa slowly walked over to the creature, bringing her hand out to touch it. She stood before the owl, which seemed to be half her size but appeared mightier as it sat upon the stone balustrade of the balcony. Her finger tips slowly reached out upon the dark, wind-blown air. She touched the pure white feathers of the owl, slowly running her hand upon them. Her cold hand felt the warmth from the creature, sending chills down her arm and through her body. Just as she touched the soft feathers, Marrisa heard a voice upon her. She did not know where it came from—but she felt it in her feeble heart…

  “May it be that your castle has crumbled…and that the shadows have taken you… It is so that you are far from home—and have become lost… Verily it is so, that the fire within in you has been blown out by the shadows… Always know that I love you… When you seek me, then will you find me… And your castle will rise like the sun and your crown will be added unto you…”

  Tears flooded Marrisa’s eyes and streamed down her frozen cheeks as she heard those words… Her icy-blue eyes sparkled as the wind blew locks of scarlet hair upon her pale face. She slowly pulled her hand away, placing it back onto her chest again. She did not believe… Her heart became like stone all of a sudden.

  Just then, the mighty owl opened its breathtaking wings and flew off into the windy darkness of the night. A feather from one of the owl’s wings fluttered into the air, getting caught in her long red tresses. She listened to the thud of its massive wings as she watched it disappear into the darkness. The thuds of its wings went with the beat of her heart.

  She picked the large feather out of her hair as she heard the howls and shrieks of Lilith echo down the hallway behind her. She stood still as Lilith’s noises became louder and louder, indicating that she was almost upon her… There was madness behind her—but silence before her. Instead of running or crying—Marrisa gave up… The white owl was like a glimpse of hope to her, and it warmed her heart. But as she pulled her hand away from it, doubt and fear came over her again. The owl let her know that there was a second chance, somehow—but in her heart, she didn’t believe it. And as she watched the owl fly off into the darkness, a frightening numbness came over her.

  She gave up—surrendering to darkness… She slowly brought her hand into the cold wind with the feather dancing upon it. She released the golden-tipped feather into the black sky, watching it as sadness began to slowly creep upon her cold body again.

  The feather twirled and sailed amongst the wind, and disappeared into the sky’s gloom...

  But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. John 11:10 KJV

  Has Tairren inspired you?

  Did Lady Natalia encourage you to be bold and stand up for what you believe in?

  Has Prince Phillip motivated you to forgive and to be more humble?

  Did Princess Marrisa open your eyes?

  If so—God is speaking to you…

  The characters in this story were inspired by my own walk on this earth: physical, emotional, and spiritual. God has changed my life so much. Darkness will never cover my heart again—it may knock but it will never get in. During my literary journey with The Last Legend, I prayed daily that this book will touch the readers—and that a seed of light will become planted and take root…

  Let it bloom…

  The Bible reveals to us that God loved the world so much, that he sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to die a gruesome death for us—so that all of our sins may be forgiven. If you confess with your mouth and believe with your heart that Jesus is your lord and savior—your sins will be forgiven and you will be saved…

  John 3:16 & Romans 10:9-13

  †

  That’s true love…

  You can Live with The King of Light forever…

  Talk to Him:

  Dear God, Thank you for loving me unconditionally and coming to earth to die on the cross for my sins. I believe that you died and rose from the grave for me. You are my lord and savior. Please come into my heart and lead me.

  I love you, Jesus, Amen.

  About The Author

  I am an artist with a passion for literary creativity, visual story-telling, and a loving God of light...

  My yearning is to use the gifts that God has blessed me with to help plant seeds of light—and change lives one day at a time. I believe that's my quest on this earth... I hope to do bigger things for God as my years pass. I am one of the illustrators of The Princess The Pearls and The Pekingese, which is a whimsical and God-spired children's book series. I love to cook and attended culinary school for a while. I love music, reading, spending time with God—and of course being with my family and creating art and stories.

  Personal Anecdotes: Everyone has a story within them to tell—and there are so many ways to tell it...

  When I was a preteen, I was fascinated with Greek mythology and medieval literature. During that time I had just gotten accepted into a Talented Arts Program at my Junior High--and that's when my story ideas unfolded. I would draw characters and create stories about them. That’s when I began to write. The Last Legend began as art work and a faint storyline--then grew into one incredible story. For 13 years, my story became stronger and grew in my head, just as I grew upon the earth. It wasn't until 2010 that I started writing The Last Legend. During those years I rededicated my life to Christ, and that's when my story turned into something more than just another fantasy—it became a testimony, my own poem and a beacon of hope. You see, the situations that my beloved characters go through in The Last Legend are inspired by broken experiences that we go through everyday--but just with an epic twist. Just as I experienced the dark-side of our world, so do my characters in the story. It's ironic how thirteen years ago, my story inspired by poems dealing with many gods, is now inspired by our one and only true God. Over the years, my story had many names and main themes—but now its name and themes are complete. ..

  The Last Legend: Awakened, is book one in the Epic-Fantasy Thriller
and the themes of everlasting love and light breaking the darkness are its roots. When darkness becomes so thick upon your being that it is literally suffocating you--call out to God... Let the light break the darkness…

  Keep reading for a preview of

  Book Two in

  The Last Legend trilogy!

  Prologue

  Born Unto Darkness

  A young girl with golden hair stood in the corner of the carriage in which she was contained. She held on tightly to the iron mesh wall of the carriage and watched as they passed through the market place of Minslethrate. There really wasn’t any room to move. The space in the carriage was limited and crowded with other poor-looking people. The carriage wasn’t the usual carriage that one would be used to seeing. It was in a square shape and looked more like a prison with its cage-like appearance and iron structure. Chains and shackles hung from the ceiling and there were no seats or benches. It was the same carriage that was used to bring criminals to court. The rhythm of the horse’s hooves against the stone was the only thing that soothed their poor souls.

  Everyone in the carriage stood together, almost pressed against each other. The smell about them was horrid and their clothes were soiled. They stood in silence, holding onto the cage-like walls and chains and shackles that hung from the ceiling, while some who were tall enough, held onto the mesh ceiling of the cage-like carriage. Their dirty faces hung with depression and they swayed silently with the motion of the carriage.

  “You be too dainty to be a servant,” an older woman said who was standing next to the young girl.

  The woman’s face appeared haggardly and her skin looked like brown leather boots. She looked as if she worked out in the sun her whole life.

  The girl didn’t say anything and continued to stare at the shoppers of the marketplace as they slowly passed by.

  “You don’t talk much,” The woman said, just staring down at her. “But, no one really does when they is sold… No one knows where they be goin. Your parents needed the money probably—or maybe you be a lazy servant and your master didn’t want you anymore…”

  The girl slowly looked up at the woman with her dark-brown eyes and just gave her a cold look.

  “Oh well,” The woman said again as she dug in her ear, ignoring the girl’s cold look. “All’s I know is that I been prayin to be a servant to a good home… We be headed to the castle, you know. Your dainty face is probably gonna be the face of one of the newest servants of the royal family. You know that new princess was born. I heard my old masters talkin bout it… The royal family is gonna need more servants. I know I be just what they need,” The women said, then made a wide smile. Her teeth were rotten and looked like they were made of curdled milk and dirt.

  The young girl just looked at her, then looked back to the random shops and buildings as they passed them.

  “What be your name?” the woman asked as she looked down at the girl with another crooked smile.

  The girl was quiet for a moment, then finally looked back at the haggardly woman.

  “Lilith…,” she finally said without any kind of emotion.

  The woman was quiet, then slowly shook her head as she was surprised that the young girl even spoke. She then continued to talk about other things, but Lilith just ignored her.

  The young girl just watched the passing scenery of the town and people as they made their way to the castle. Her mind kept drifting back and forth going from her past to her present state. She thought of how all of the woman’s guesses about her were all wrong. Her parents didn’t sell her, and she wasn’t sold from her master because she was lazy. She wasn’t only sold, but she was traded off within the year from three different homes, but not because she was a lazy servant, but because she was unwanted. At least that’s what she thought… She was an orphan servant—and a very disturbed one.

  †††

  Lilith was twelve years old and very intelligent and mature for her age, but she was extremely quiet and odd. She wasn’t like the usual girls who would go running about picking flowers, singing or playing games; instead she would just sit solemnly by herself and dwelled on her thoughts—and just watched people. She was thin and plain looking with pale skin and blonde hair, and had eyes that were dark and cold. She was a deviant girl who had witnessed many things a young child shouldn’t have.

  Lilith’s parents were a pair of eccentric gypsies who had been deceased a year prior to her being a servant. Her parents and their clan were nomadic people who entertained by performing magical acts, music, dances, palm readings and told fortunes for a payment. They also sold charms and interesting trinkets and jewelry. But they had to work quickly in many kingdoms—their work was considered witch-craft and was forbidden in most lands, Minslethrate being one of them. They weren’t respected by any of the people of Minslethrate, but it didn’t stop anyone from paying them for their odd services.

  Lilith always thought the people of Minslethrate were fools and hypocrites. She would observe everyone from the shadows of her clan when they went into town. She could see in their eyes that they adored the magic acts and thrilling fortune telling sessions. She thought the people acted high and mighty but were really disgusting pigs. During their travels, she saw many people—and disliked every one of them. They traveled all around Minslethrate and nearby kingdoms and towns, and everybody was completely different. She learned that not everyone followed the old beliefs of Minslethrate, and that there were very few people who did. Her family and fellow gypsies were worshipers of the pagan fire goddess, Fiara, and were offspring of the ancient followers of Fiara. Pagan beliefs were all she knew—and despised everything else.

  Lilith had never been in a stable environment before she became a servant. The average person would have thought that she had an adventurous life—a thrilling life; but little did they know that she lived a disturbing life in darkness and abuse. Her father worshiped wine and brew and was in a drunken state almost every waking moment of her young life. She never heard a pleasant word come from her father’s mouth, or saw any act of kindness or love from him. She came to realize that he didn’t care that he neglected his family or put scars upon their bodies, but only cared for the drinks that sent him into a state of oblivion.

  She watched her parents from the outside of their tent on many occasions. Her father beat her mother almost every day in the peaks of his drunkenness, and then he would pass out in the muck of the campground afterwards. After her mother would calm down some, she would coat many colors on her face to cover the bruises and then would smoke strong herbs for countless hours from their glorious hookah pipe—to ease the pain and suffering of her emotions. She would pet Lilith’s head while she whispered, “Everything is okay…”, as her eyes glazed over and eyelids became heavy. She came to realize that her mother didn’t care about anything either, and only longed for that ease of pain... Her mother even slept with many members of the clan just for a tender touch, and it didn’t even matter to her that she was diseased. Lilith’s concerns for her parents slowly slipped away, and she emotionally detached herself from them the moment she saw that they didn’t care. She stopped crying when she was a very young child—and hadn’t cried ever since then.

  Lilith became distant and numb towards everybody the night she saw her father murder her mother. It was the same night she ran away. She saw her father grab his dagger—and slit her mother’s throat with it—and then he killed himself by shoving the dagger into his stomach. Lilith watched from the crack of the tent doorway. It was the first time that her father had any kind of facial expression on his face, besides a look of rage or drunkenness. Lilith noticed that he looked afraid after he killed her—and that look on his face intrigued her… She knew he wasn’t frightened because of him killing her mother—but scared of what the clan would do to punish him. They probably would’ve cut his hands off and let him bleed to death. She had witnessed it before as it was done to another clan member.

  Lilith was also intrigued by the way the blood
looked in their tent abode. Her father just stared at her when she silently walked into the tent. He tried to speak a little but blood came out of his mouth instead of words. It was strange to her that she didn’t hear angry or foul screams erupt from his mouth. After a few moments of silence and bloody gurgles, he fell to his knees and landed on his back. Red was everywhere and the whole inside of the tent was heavy with the strange scent of blood. She thought that the dagger he had used was so beautiful—the way the jewels of the hilt glistened in the fire light and how some of the jewels were covered with blood. Only the hilt of the dagger could be seen, because the rest was deep inside of her father’s stomach. She stood in what she called her home for a while, just staring and observing the scene. It was the first time that she had ever seen her parents with peaceful looks upon their faces. It was the first time that she thought they looked beautiful—pale and silent, soaked in the shade of red.

  She was very curious by what blood tasted like. She saw blood all the time—when her people slaughtered the animals to eat them or when they gave them up as sacrifices to Fiara. She knew it was a bad idea to do it, to taste it—but she couldn’t help herself…

  “Do it…,” a heavy, strange voice said from inside of her head. “Taste of it before it dies…”

  The voice didn’t frighten her—because she had heard it before. That voice in her head was the only voice that comforted her...