He loved to draw. He always had a whole pencil case of coloured pens with him. At the moment, he was engrossed in finishing his Paladin figure. Thanks to his 'punishment', he had 45 minutes of uninterrupted time to complete his character.
He was so deeply focused on his work that he was almost touching the paper with his nose. Every now and then, he would step back and admire his work. It seemed to him that the paladin's cloak began to flutter as if blown by the wind. He rubbed his eyes. A character - he was convinced - he had drawn sideways - started walking straight towards him. Not knowing what was happening he sprang to his feet - and then the paladin grabbed his trembling hand and pulled him into his world.
To one side he saw a white wall with light blue checks like his maths notebook. Just as he was about to touch it - someone grabbed his arm firmly and turn him around - it was his Paladin! Only... alive. He was two heads taller than him. He was wearing armour that was bent in many places - as if it had seen many battles already.
-Son!
-yyy... what?
-Son, today is your day! I wish you the courage and strength of a lion!
The paladin walked a few metres away along a trodden path, mounted his horse and rode off.
Mark did not know what was happening. He quickly realised that he was holding a shield in his hand and had a sword strapped to his wide leather belt. He took the sword out of its scabbard and looked it over - it was identical in detail to one of his recent drawings. He wore a helmet, a chainmail, slightly too large for him, and a steel breastplate. Stamped on his shield was a lion's head with a scar instead of one eye. Mark looked around him. The white checked wall had disappeared. He was in the middle of a clearing in the forest. He stood at a crossroads. He turned - a pony was standing in front of him. Mark sheathed his sword, fixed his shield on his back using the leather belt that girdled his breastplate. He reached out tentatively towards the pony's head. The pony widened its nostrils and snorted a few times. He walked over to him and nudged him on the shoulder with his head.
-Are we... friends?
The pony was saddled up. He was carrying several leather bags and panniers. He looked through them - there was food wrapped in linen cloths and water in a beaker. Without thinking much - he mounted his pony. He did not even manage to grab the reins - the horse trotted off. Although Mark was terrified - he was relieved - the pony made the choice for him.
They rode like this for quite a while. The landscape didn't change much. Trees changed from oaks to pines, giant boulders from time to time and fallen trees that had to be avoided. They were trotting along like this foot by foot when, just ahead of them, the road began to slip, and a great chasm rose up before them. Out of the abyss emerged a strangely dressed gentleman in a crazy hat and dressing gown.
-Could use a bridge, eh?- strange figure said.
-Who are you?
-How dare you speak to me like that! Show respect to the great magician of the elements!
-Come on, you look like my Grandmother getting ready for bed.
-Unworthy! How dare you insult the great Mage of the Elements!
-Listen Dude, my name is Mark. I go to 3rd grade and I have no idea how I got here. Just this morning I was sitting in maths class and now I'm sitting on a pony and riding into the unknown. You really need to do better to impress me!
-Ok, ok, why so nervous? I am the Great Mage of the Elements! You can call me Michael.
-Michael?
-Why, Mark sounds better to you?
-You got a point here.
-Do you want to cross this chasm or not?
-You're the one who created this abyss, it's up to you to fix it now.
The Great Mage of the Elements raised one eyebrow, raised both hands in the air like a prophet and the ground closed.
-I have been looking for you! - the mage said in a singing voice.
-You have found it! Well done! - Mark burst out laughing
-I've got a tips for you on your quest!
-Quest? I don't know anything about any 'Quest'.
-You will be put to a great test. The Test of Valour!
-Are you serious now?
-Hey!
-What?
-This is a momentous occasion. You should celebrate it with dignity!
-Be that as it may. What's your task, venerable Elemental Mage?
-You must save the kingdom from destruction!
-Er, no thanks.
Mark grabbed the reins and turned the pony around.
In front of him, the ground cleared again forming a giant ravine anew.
Mark turned the pony around again and saw the Mage standing in his way with a mocking smile.
-Ok, what's the task?
-To save the kingdom!
-You already said that!
-Save it from extinction!
-Dude, be clearer!
-You have to slaughter that mean lizard living in the cave, right there on the hill!
-You should have said that right away. Would you like to help me, perhaps?
-The hero must carry the burden of the task alone. You and only you can do it. If you fail, no one will succeed.
-I won't tell anyone. Take off that silly robe and come with me!
-Oh, how exciting! Can I fit on a pony? I'm so bored of flying....
This is part one of the story 'From Zero to Hero', wotw challenge.
You can find all information's about it here
I wish you lovely Wednesday!
Yours,
Strega Azure
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