The Willbreaker (Book 1)

by Mike Simmons

  “I called you The Willbreaker because that is who you are.”

  Brandon interjected. “No! I am not! My name is Bran…”

  “Just because a lion choses to not be called a lion, does not make him any less a lion. So herein, we have a predicament. You cannot leave here until you accept who you are.”

  Brandon opened his mouth to speak but the words failed him.

  “I will continue. You asked where we are. Well, we are in a place that my people call the Umbrasphere, a spirit world, if you will. You are here because you have lost your will, and without it, your physical body will die.”

  “I have not lost my will!”

  “What is the last thing you remember, Willbreaker?”

  It angered Brandon that One called him that, but as he thought back to how he got here or what happened before here, his mind went blank. He could not remember anything. He remembered his hometown and his best childhood friend, Matthew. He knew he left his hometown but he could not remember why, and there was an old man…

  Brandon raised his head, realizing how much absence covered his mind. It filled him with uncertainty. “I… I don’t know…”

  One nodded. “Do not be scared, I found you in time, and hopefully I can guide you to salvation. A person’s will ties them together. It makes them solid. It is more important than you think and does more than give you direction. A person’s will ties them to the three worlds: the world above, the world below, and the mortal world. It also controls their actions, in conscious and subconscious levels. Some in the mortal world confuse their will with their soul. It is the single most powerful thing a mortal owns.” He paused briefly and then said, “And you gave yours away.”

  “What? I did not! Why would I do that? And how is that even possible?”

  “You did it on a subconscious level; a level powered by need. But giving away your will is not where your power lay, Willbreaker. Many people are able to do it, usually through some traumatic or stressful event. It is centered on the Spirit aspect of magic. I’m sure you are aware of the field.”

  “Yes, I am aware,” Brandon said in a subdued voice. “But everything I have learned about magic, and what I have heard, is that there is no one alive that can control the Will aspect of Spirit. It is extremely rare, and powerful.”

  “Dangerous, and rare, yes. More people can touch Will than you think, but the difficulty in touching another’s will is the ability to keep control and not lose yourself in it. Most who access the power and use it, whether intentionally or not, do not have the power to get their own will back. It takes your will to be able to alter or change another’s. If they cannot hold on to their own will, they will soon enter a comatose state and quickly thereafter, perish. There are a few though, through the history of time, which have the power to get their will back. It’s so extraordinary, in fact, that destiny has only allowed two since time has been recorded; Del’Ahgo Durren during The First Age, and Ulra Kingwhisper during The Age of Creation, over a thousand years ago.”

  One stared at Brandon for a long moment, a moment that seemed like hours to Brandon. He felt the sweat bead up on his forehead.

  “And now,” he spoke with precision, “we can add your name to that list. That is why you have been named The Willbreaker. You are the one. You have been chosen to wield the power of that control.”

  “How do you know all this? Where are you getting this information?”

  One stood from the seat and offered it to Brandon. “Sit, you look like you need it.” Brandon, light headed, took the seat. He wanted to talk but his mouth felt as if full of sand.

  “It is a tremendous burden, but destiny has woven its wires around you, and I assure you, you are strong enough to carry that burden.”

  “I don’t want that burden. Let someone else carry it.” Brandon stared at the floor beneath him.

  One nodded with understanding. “The burden is already settling upon you, Willbreaker. The weight of it crushes you, but it is a burden that no one else can carry. Things have happened in your life, forged by fate and pushed by destiny, molding you into the wielder of that power. The reason that you are standing here now, with me, is another sign of your fate.”

  Brandon spoke through gritted teeth. “I am a farmer, and that is it. I do what I want because I choose to, not because someone is pulling my strings. I am Brandon Pike, and that is the end of this conversation.”

  “You may call yourself anything you chose, friend, but as of right now, in the mortal world, your body is dying. Whether you accept it or not, you have pushed your will upon another and rendered yourself very sick. If you do not accept my guidance, you will not have the strength to return to your body. It is the acceptance of your fate that will empower you. It is the understanding that you are a part of a much greater plan. You are more than a simple farmer.”

  “Why do you think you are heading to engage Empress Aurora? Do you think it was just coincidence that the old man found you? Do you think it is just coincidence that the Bauth’Dok captured you, or that Great White was slain by one of the Kella’Dune? These are events that set in motion a whirlwind of destiny, preordained by immortal forces that we cannot understand. We are all tools that serve a purpose, but only those who accept their purpose achieve greatness.”

  Brandon’s mind became a mud pit of thoughts and memories. Bauth’Dok and Great White, the names were so familiar but he could not place them. He gripped his head between his hands, trying to remember anything.

  “King Reinhold’s forces prepare to march to Aurora’s capital city for his final attempt to overthrow her. Why is it that you feel your single presence will make any difference? What difference can a boy, an old man, and a girl possibly make?” Edward questioned.

  Girl? What girl? And the old man… Who is the old man? What am I doing? I feel so lost.

  “I will give you this much. You are on your way to see Aurora because you are the only one who can stop her. Fate has set that in stone.”

  “Fate nothing! I choose what I do!”

  “Yes, that is the uniqueness of mankind, choice. You do have choice, Willbreaker. However, your choices are lined up before you, on the track of destiny. What sets you apart is that your choices do not just affect you, they affect everyone. Your decisions have the power to change the whole world.”

  Brandon’s head pounded. It seemed too much for him to take in. Could he really be a part of something that he had no control over? As much as he did not want to believe it, everything made sense to him. He never felt like everyone else. He always felt a bit different. He dreamt of doing glorious things. He had aspirations of greatness, and he could not explain how he managed to get himself out of the most perilous situations. It had been that way his entire life, as if the Gods did not want him to die. He always assumed it as dumb luck, but could it be something else?

  “Ok. Ok. What if I am The Willbreaker? What does that mean for me?”

  “Your first challenge is to accept that you are The Willbreaker. Once you have done this truly, more than just saying the words, you will gain the power to pull back your will and your body will thrive once again. Once you have the acceptance, your power will be much easier to access in the mortal world. It will take little effort; you will feel the power sitting in your mind, hiding in the shadows, waiting to be released.”

  “The power will be thick and full. You know you have the ability to heal and you are now aware of your ability to alter Will, but that is not the limits of your power, Willbreaker. Destiny has gifted you complete power of Spirit: Vision, Life, Death, and Will. You have Unity of Spirit, the capacity to access all four sides of the magic, in dimensions of power not seen in this land. This is not power that was recently given to you, you have had it your whole life; you were born with it. These abilities will seem clear and precise once you simply accepted who you are. You will know them, you will own them, and you will become them.”

  Brandon strained as he felt the coolness within him. As he reached for it,
listening to One, it waned, shifting away from his reach. He pulled and pulled, bringing it closer.

  Brandon closed his eyes as he reached and strained for the power within him. As he reached for it, the edge of the power touched him, soaking into him like water on the edge of a cloth. It grew and expanded, the wind of a thousand tornados blowing through the vastness of his mind. Coolness and clarity washed over everything, bringing back his memories in a flood: Edward, Jasmine, and Donald. He remembered the battle and Ivy Arclight. He remembered all of it.

  Healing power ran through him and next to that power waited more power; the power of Life, Death, Vision, and the ability to understand the connections of someone’s Will. His life, from his first memory until now, flashed before him. Every instance of uncertainty and unexplained happenings could be tagged to one of these powers. The visions of his death at Darrow’s Hold, Vision; the two Bauth’Dok that fell to their death within the Caves of Ril’Kaloth, Death; his skill in healing magic, Life; and the sudden change of heart by the Kella’Dune Guardian, Will. He had done all of those things. He had that power. He was The Willbreaker, and he now knew it.

  Brandon stood up, arms outstretched in clenched fists and eyes open wide. Power flowed through him freely, a magnetic lightning field of energy. It pulsed through his veins, fueling his muscles and opening his mind. He felt like a hole within him finally filled up. He felt complete, and ready. I am The Willbreaker. He looked at One, who had a satisfied smile upon his face.

  “Yes, Willbreaker, destiny has visited us once again. You shall fulfill your role in the weave of time. You will bring the plan of the Gods to fruition. You will walk along the steps of Orlimay and you will meet with Aurora. If you choose to side with her, the world will bathe in blood, and all will cower at your feet. If you choose to defeat her, then the Light will shine upon this earth like a blanket and a new era of peace and growth will be born.”

  Brandon turned his head towards One. “I would never choose to side with her. That is not a choice I can make.”

  “There is something else that I need to tell you, Willbreaker.” He said. One nodded fearfully. “It is a choice, and it can only be made when it is offered. You cannot make it now. For you see, when the time comes and you stare at Aurora, you will know. You will know you have a decision to make, and you will know that Aurora Arclight is your birth mother.”

  Chapter 17 - Guilt and Boundaries

  Edward’s brow furrowed as he sniffed, trying to hold back the tears. Earlier, One placed his hands on Brandon’s head as he chanted and hummed. Brandon’s body shook and rumbled violently underneath his grasp. As the intensity of the chant increased, so did Brandon’s violent tremors. To Edward, it felt like the world shook. He feared for Brandon’s life but when he reached to pull One away from Brandon, Brandon’s body went limp and still and One went quiet. Edward looked at One, his head limply hanging downward, as if he fainted. One’s arms still extended around Brandon’s head. Eyes closed, he did not move or respond to Edward’s questions and comments.

  The tension in the air became as thick as butter. Jasmine had both of her hands held tight around her mouth as she chewed on her fingernails. The Kella’Dune looked like it had no idea of what to do with itself while Brandon lay in his arms, and Edward pranced around fidgeting with anything he could get his hands on.

  Time seemed to stop as they waited for some type of response from Brandon or One. Suddenly, Brandon’s eyes opened up and he gasped for air as One released his hold on him. Edward’s eyes fixed on Brandon, holding his arms across his face, shielding his eyes as if he stared into the sun. He took two small steps backward, but stumbled, and ended up on his rear.

  The Guardian set Brandon down on his feet slowly, keeping his hands up as Brandon stood on wobbly legs. Brandon closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. Jasmine scooted quickly over to Edward.

  “Are you okay? What is going on?” She pleaded.

  Edward took hold of his gift during the tense moments of Brandon’s unconsciousness. As Brandon came too, a brilliant white light filled Edward’s vision. The light, so pure and white, nearly blinded Edward as he looked into it.

  “The light!” Edward yelled. “Something’s wrong!”

  Jasmine stuttered, “Edward, what light?”

  Edward calmed down, realizing he pulled from his pool of power. With a small breath, he released it. As his power faded, so did the blazing light. He looked up at Brandon in pure awe.

  “It’s the aura…” his words trailed off into a whisper.

  Brandon opened up his eyes and stepped forward, offering Edward a hand. Edward slowly reached out, never taking his eyes off Brandon as he stood to his feet. Brandon placed his other hand securely on Edward’s shoulder and smiled. The smile said a thousand words, but to Edward, he simply saw how happy Brandon appeared to see him. His smile conveyed thanks, along with gratitude, and appreciation.

  Edward could see a difference in Brandon though. Something in his eyes caught Edward’s attention. The color had not changed, smooth and ice blue as before, but something showed in them that he had not seen; grace and wisdom. He looked at Edward as if he had fought a thousand battles, conquered countless foes, and seen things most people only talk about as myths or fairytales. The confidence and sureness in his eyes displayed experience and knowledge that Edward only saw in aged Kings or Generals, perhaps not even then. The softness and unknowing previously there completely vanished.

  His voice gained a smooth and solid quality as well. “Edward, are you alright?”

  Edward nodded awkwardly, “Yes, yes, I’m alright.” Jasmine still held on to his arm, beaming with delight as she stared at Brandon. She sprang to her tiptoes a few times in her excitement.

  “Jasmine, are you okay as well?” She giggled, nodding her head rapidly. Brandon turned to look around. As he caught eyes with the Guardian, the beast dropped to a knee and lowered its head towards the ground.

  Brandon released the breath that he did not know he held. Seeing the Kella’Dune saddened him. His eyes dropped as he reached out, placing his open hand upon the Guardian’s head. With his newborn abilities and comprehension of them, Brandon now understood what happened with the beast. The Kella’Dune had planned on killing Edward and instinctually, Brandon grabbed hold of his power. In doing so, he reached out and wiped the mind of the Guardian, clearing out all traces of its ties and alliances. He not only bent and rearranged it, but he completely altered its will. The beast now viewed the world, its people, and life exactly as Brandon did. Brandon’s thoughts, his enemies and friends, and his morals duplicated in the Kella’Dune’s mind. The Guardian felt as if it grew up in the same house, with the same set of rules, affected by the same experiences, and fought for the same side, viewing everything identically. The Guardian no longer felt the connections with its previous companions. Brandon and his company were friends to the Guardian now. It did not know otherwise, or care to.

  Brandon’s heart wept because of the understanding of the transformation. He knew that the Guardian befriended him because he had changed its will. He had broken its will.

  The Willbreaker, that is not a title to be proud of, it is a name to be feared.

  The Kella’Dune never had the opportunity to explore other choices and it never had the chance to decide about its allies. It could not make its own decisions or experience anything for itself. The layers of experiences, opinions, and morals wired through its mind like weed roots were implanted, and the power of choice that it once had now faded away.

  Brandon destroyed the creature, in his eyes. He snuffed out the life granted to the Kella’Dune by the Gods, a task he felt he should not have the power to do. Brandon respected the Gods, he respected life, and although it was unintentional, his heart broke over the incident. He felt the regret deep, and the burden of his actions weighed on him heavily.

  With the understanding of it, he also knew that if he would not have altered the Guardian, that he or his friends may have been killed, but t
hat would have been ordained by the Gods. He believed everything happened for a reason, and now, by doing the unthinkable, he altered that path, and he feared that this new path lead into darkness.

  “I’m sorry, friend, I’m so sorry. I will never do this to another again.” He whispered. A small tear left his eye and rolled down his cheek. Brandon sniffed, and wiped the tear away before anyone could see it.

  He lifted his head, patted the beast on the shoulder and took another step forward. Ahead of him, in a crushed suit of armor, Donald Granitefist lay face down in the blood soaked dirt. Brandon dropped to a knee, his body shaking too much to take another step. Edward and Jasmine rushed past him towards the body.

  One more dead in the shadow of The Willbreaker. It seems to be a reoccurring scene. Where I walk, there is death. I am sorry Guardian. I am sorry Donald. This is my fault, but I cannot stop. I have come too far, and too much blood has been spilled to turn back now.

  Edward turned over Donald’s body, holding him in his arms. His facial structure, crushed and covered in dirt and blood, appeared gruesome and mangled. His once shining chest plate bent and twisted from the Guardian’s abuse. His right arm lay across the ground, broken. Jasmine wept and Edward turned his head away, sickness overtaking him. Brandon shut his eyes.

  One came up behind Brandon, slowly, and set his hand on Brandon’s shoulder.

  “Your journey has been long, Willbreaker, and very tough. I am sorry for the loss of your friend. My journey is now over, and I shall return to my home to live out the rest of my life.”

  Brandon rotated his head to look at One. “Be careful, One. Thank you for your insight. Thank you for helping me come back. Will I ever see you again?”

  One smiled. “Perhaps. Only time will tell.” He bowed respectfully to Brandon. Brandon bowed his head back as One turned and walked away.