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REWRITE Tale of Origin Chp4-The Mysterious Hero

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    Tale of Origin 
    By Arecus. Conberma 
    Chapter 4: The Mysterious Hero in Cosium 




    Present POV


A knock on the door interrupted the story-telling. A three-tailed wolf peeked in. "Hey, guys!"

"Trails, what brings you here?" Darren asked.

"My apologies, Lord Darren. But the king just ordered me to chaperon you and the guests on the off-chance that you tell them about..." he chuckled a bit, "…you know."

Apparently, Kaze was afraid that his younger brother would tell the kids their tale of love and woe. Why the pair was embarrassed about the ordeal was beyond him. Darren sighed. "Fine, be my guest. Just sit wherever you want."

"Gladly." Trails bowed slightly and sat beside Team Chaos. "So, are we continuing the romantic story of our beloved King and Queen?"

Everyone stared at him, wondering if he was joking or not.

"You do realize that I'm not actually going to tell them what you're up to, right? I like to hear this story too."

Darren smirked at him. "You rascal."

"That makes us even," the triple-tailed wolf replied with a frown.

"Now, where was I, again?" Darren asked. He sat tapping his chin and then suddenly snapped his fingers. "You know what? Why don't we have the entire story brought to life?"

Everyone gasped, wondering how such a thing was possible, but Trails understood. "Ahh, you mean the'Mist Teller'. I'll go get what you need!"

He leaped up and darted out the door, back from the workshop in a few minutes with a couple bags and a little contraption of his own.

Darren accepted the bags and carefully poured sand from one into a perfect circle. He then took out several bronze disks and spaced them artfully along the outer edge. With a few muttered words, the spell took hold and a cloud shifting with a prismatic display billowed up from the floor. The Mist Teller was meant to transfer thoughts and words into images.

"Wow!" Cream exclaimed, admiring the beautiful colors.

"Anyone want popcorn?" Tails offered, firing up the contraption he'd brought along. The kids clustered around him, clamouring for some.

Darren shrugged, but decided it wouldn't hurt to make this into a cinematic affair. He waved his hands as the story continued, images forming in the mist...



Nine years after the Wrath of Magic War, things had changed. As regent, Rakar had the authority to pass restrictions and laws. They were worded innocently enough, but in practice they began to place a greater and greater burden on the people.

One day, soldiers were threatening the small village of Bluestone not far from the castle. The villagers pleaded for more time to gather the money, but with sneers and laughter the long-legged hares broke into homes and took anything of value.

Just then, a masked horseman rode into the fray, his steed flapping great silver wings with a loud neigh.

"It's Karok!" the villagers cheered.

The mysterious hedgehog leaped from the horse and drew his sword, dressed head to toe in black. The cavalier hat and mask hid the color of his fur, and he stood there with an air of majesty that was daunting, to say the least.

"That's the legendary hero, Karok, the Devil of the Wind!” a beaver mother told her little ones from the shelter of their home. “He's a champion from the Forbidden Forest who protects the poor!"

"Good gentlemen!" Karok called to the soldiers, "Why dishonour yourselves stealing money and property from those who are helpless?"

"Look, rascal!" one of the soldiers shouted. "Why don't you take off your stupid costume and show us your face? Are you too embarrassed?"

Karok frowned behind the mask and drew his other sword. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way."

The soldiers drew their weapons and snarled at him with mounting anger.

"Why is it always the hard way?" he asked rhetorically, noting their stances and recognizing the style of combat. They were amateurs. Karok chuckled, "Haha! I guess it wouldn't hurt to have a little fun."

"Get him!!" the commander yelled.

The guards tried to come at him at once, which was a poor move on their part. To use a sword effectively one needs ample room to swing and block. Ten people crowded together all going for the same target... Well, it didn't exactly turn out as intimidating as it was supposed to be.

While half the guards were bumping into each other, Karok deflected three blades with simple, powerful movements. No sooner had he twisted away from one attack than he seamlessly parried another, thrusting back with such force that a hare went flying back into his fellows. The rest were stunned at his skills and backed off, looking to their commander for direction.

Karok could tell they were going to change tactics. Time to get serious.

An instant later the wind picked up, kicking sand and grit directly into the faces of the assailants. They shielded their eyes, but Karok threw his hand out toward them and the wind's intensity increased. Stumbling backwards, the soldiers found themselves pressed against tree trunks. A few seconds later their cloaks were pinned to the trees by expertly-thrown knives and the wind died.

The mysterious hedgehog approached the one who had been doling out orders and snatched a paper from his pocket. Scanning it quickly, he then walked over to the Bluestone's leader, an elderly grey squirrel.

“How much did they demand from you?”

“60 silvers. There are only eleven families in our village. We can't scrape together that much together in a single season.”

Korak glared at the soldiers. “So, it's extortion. These folks can afford the 45 silvers they're supposed to pay, therefore you have no business here.” He handed a pouch to the squirrel and said in a low voice, “Take this money to Dostoyevski in Grapevine Hill. He's honest and will record the payment correctly.”

The villagers gathered around him. “Please, is there any way we can repay you?”

He waved off their gratitude, but then cocked an ear toward the south. The sounds of horse hooves approached and he let out a quick whistle. His large, white steed came galloping forward, a mask matching Korak's covering its face.

"Until we meet again, ma kala (good-day)," he called in the northern tongue, mounting in a flash.

They raced for the wall of trees a short distance away. The forest was called “forbidden” because of its twisting paths and numerous pitfalls. It was so easy to get lost or trapped that only a native could safely enter and hope to escape again unscathed.

This knowledge slowed his three pursuers until they halted just within the shadow of the first trees.

"Whoever goes in there never returns in one piece,” one of the soldiers whispered to his fellow. “It's a forest of demons and devils."

"He's the messenger of the devil,” one whispered back.

"Who is this mysterious hero?"

"Is he really a hero? Or a demon from Hell?"

The three horsemen slowly made their way back to the village to free the humiliated soldiers.



Tugging the reins a little to stop the horse after half a mile, Karok dismounted beside a river.

"Hmph, did those idiots really think they could stand a chance against me?" the masked hero laughed. He removed his cavalier hat and mask, feeling a breeze cool the sweat that trickled down the side of his face.

As Kaze once again, he stood and stretched. But then he looked down at his belt with empty slits, unable to keep back a grimace.

“Alexei is going to kill me if he finds out I lost another dozen throwing knives. Pretty soon he'll start wondering why I don't train with him much anymore.”

His horse replied with a soft nicker. Kaze chuckled a bit at his companion, patting its neck gently.

"Heh, you got that right, pal. Just keep it quiet and do the best job we can. If only we could do more." Kaze stared up at the cloudy sky and sighed wistfully. "It's almost time for me to take the throne from Uncle, but first I need to... Spedso, what should I do?"

Spedso seemed to consider the question, but then it ran to the river shore and stood there tossing its head. Kaze stared at the direction that the horse gazed and a moment later the azure hedgehog grinned, patting his friend affectionately.

"You always know what I need." Kaze had always loved the river, especially when it was so peaceful. "Maybe she can answer my questions…"

He got on the horse's back once again and nudged him toward the water, but as they stepped out, instead of sinking, the hooves found purchase on top of the river's surface. Spedso's kind were unique in this way as well. They could travel in all three elements: earth, air and water. It was also the only creature Kaze had ever met who could keep up with him.

Hardly meaning to do so, Kaze's feelings transformed into a song as his steed carried him downriver.

:music:What I love most about rivers is
You can't step in the same river twice
The water's always changing, always flowing
But people, I guess, can't live like that
We all must pay a price
To be safe, we lose our chance of ever knowing
What's around the riverbend
Waiting just around the riverbend
:music:

The hedgehog and horse soon reached a series of small waterfalls, suddenly breaking into a gallop and leaping downward amid the wild spray and choppy water. Spedso's wings flared out and it gave a delighted whinny. Soaked but happy, they continued running.

:music:I look once more just around the riverbend
Beyond the shore Where the gulls fly free
Don't know what for
What I dream the day might send just around the riverbend
For me
Coming for me
I feel it there beyond those trees
Or right behind these waterfalls
Can I ignore that sound of distant drumming
For a dainty, pampered wife
Who never leaves the castle walls
And never dreams that something might be coming?
Just around the riverbend
Just around the riverbend 
I look once more 
Just around the riverbend 
Beyond the shore 
Somewhere past the sea 
Don't know what for ... 
Why do all my dreams extend
Just around the riverbend? 
Just around the riverbend …
:music:

Suddenly Spedso came to a stop, looking back at its rider. They stood at a fork in the river. One path was straight and peaceful, and the other narrow and unsettled. Kaze hesitated.

:music:Should I choose the smoothest course 
Steady as the beating drum? 
Should I follow my mother's will? 
Is all my dreaming at an end? 
Or do you still wait for me, Dream Giver
Just around the riverbend?
:music:

Silently, he chose the rugged path of the river. After several minutes he reached a small waterfall with an old, gnarled willow tree growing proudly beside it. Though it was a small place hidden from the rest of the world, the view was spectacular.

Kaze climbed off Spedso and called, "Grandmother Lake! Come on out! You're not getting any younger!"

Suddenly the hat was snatched off his head.

"HEY!"

"Hehehe…" Blue as the lake's depths, an ancient hedgehog stood behind him, a cane in one hand, his hat in the other. She held it out with a playful smile.

"At least you still have your sense of humor, Old One." Kaze put his cavalier hat back on and stared at the peaceful lake, muttering, "It's been nine years already…"

"And you're a lot more handsome than you used to be. You were such a cute little baby the first time saw you!" she said, sitting down beside him on a large, smooth stone. If she was still long enough, Kaze could see right through her.

"I'm growing, Grandmother Lake. It's just that now I have to..."

"You have to get married,” she finished for him.

According to Cosium's tradition, in the event that the king was dead, his heir was to marry and assume the crown in his sixteenth year. He hardly had to be told. Everyone had been talking about it for years.

"Mother has already invited all available princesses from eight different kingdoms to the palace. I'm supposed to choose one of them within a few months, then we'll have the marriage and coronation on the same day. But… I don't want it."

"So, you're still confused. You think this might lead you down the wrong path, right?"

"It's not that I disagree with Mother. But why can't she let me go out and find someone? Someone who isn't necessarily a member of royalty. She adored my father—she still does!—but if I'm to have the same chance at love that she did, shouldn't I at least have the opportunity? It's not hard to ask," Kaze grumbled.

The azure hedgehog sighed deeply, rubbing his temples to ease the stress that seemed to follow him no matter where he went or what he did to distract himself.

"What should I do, Grandmother Lake? Should I be content to marry a princess and hope we learn to love one another or go seeking a happiness I'm not even sure I can find?"

Then, he heard a chuckle from the spirit, who was playing with the water by making it swirl in the air. "Your father asked me the exact same question years ago."

The mention of his beloved father drew Kaze's attention. He took her hands and clasped them eagerly in his own, causing her orbs of water to fall to the earth. "He DID!? What did you say?"

Grandmother Lake softly gazed at the young prince and replied, "I told him to listen. All around you there are spirits, child. They are willing to guide you, if you listen..."

Kaze slowly closed his eyes and tried to relax. He could feel the soft, gentle breeze in his quills. A few moments later he began to sense something just out of reach...

:music:Ay ay ay ya Ay ay ya :music:

"I hear the wind."

"Yes, what is it telling you?" Grandmother Lake asked.

"I...I don't understand," Kaze admitted, not yet relaxed.

Getting to her feet, the spirit began to sway to a melody within the sounds of wind and water. She rested her hands on Kaze's shoulders, chanting softly into his ear.

:music:Que que na-to-ra
You will understand
Listen with your heart
You will understand
Let it break upon you
Like a wave upon the sand
:music:

Kaze finally heard it. "It says...something's coming! ...Something from the sea?"

:music:Listen with your heart
You will understand
:music:

He scrambled up the grand willow tree until he reached the top. When he did, he looked toward the ocean and saw that a finely decorated ship had docked at Cosium's port. What looked like a parade could be seen winding through the main town and up to the castle. Grandmother Lake appeared behind him, frowning.

"Strange, I don't recall any celebration this time of year."

Kaze's eyes widened and he instinctively groaned. "The princesses are supposed to be here today! I'm going to be late! I'll see you later, Grandmother Lake!"

Sliding from the tree directly onto Spedso's back, he threw her a farewell wave and rode back to the castle as fast as he could. But he didn't hear the words from the spirit before he left.

"Good luck, my child...for there will be obstacles of darkness ahead you."



    Kingdom of Atlantis


A couple hours' swim from Cosium Castle, the Kingdom of Atlantis stretched along the sea bottom, its magnificent coral palace a beacon of light and beauty in a world so far removed from the sun. There was no place in the ocean that boasted a greater collection of books, and the academy was the pride and joy of every Atlantean.

But in this early predawn hour the only ones to be seen were merhog guards on patrol as they swam above homes covered in glowing anemones or coral of various colors. Two other figures slipped along making their way toward the palace.

No longer the delicate child who had trapped herself upon a beach, Sapphire had matured into a young, lovely merhog with smooth features so similar to those of her mother that some of the elderly servants had called her “Queen Marissa”. She wore seashells studded with seed pearls to retain her sense of modesty and her wispy seasilk skirts were red, edged with lava-ruby drops.

The princess's kelp-green eyes darted fearfully about and widened whenever another merhog came into view. She would then hide in some dark place beside Nenna, the pink dolphin that had been her confidante since childhood. Older now, her dorsal fin and right side had been decorated with elaborate tattoos. As Sapphire's chosen companion she could have her left side tattooed with the crest of Atlantis, but not for another year.

“I'm close enough, Nenna. You can go home now.”

She swam to the window of her room, curtained by live seaweed and lined with purple anemones. Poking her head into the darkness, the princess listened intently. Hearing nothing, she slipped inside and placed a morsel of food into a bubble-cage. In response, three jellyglowfish lit up the room with their soft green luminescence.

Out of habit Sapphire turned immediately to look at the intricate mosaic of her mother on the largest wall. Alcoves along the other walls housed keepsakes, clothing and jewelry, and her sponge bed was a simple one canopied with black seasilk.

She had just started to stretch her arms when a familiar fatherly voice stopped her short.

"Where were you tonight?"

She snapped around. He had been waiting in the darkest corner the whole time.

"Da—Daddy!" Sapphire stammered. "I…I was…taking a swim around, that's all. Nothing special."

No sooner had she hidden her hands behind her back than the king darted over, quick as a shark, and snatched the bag. One glance was all it took to cast a dark shadow over his face and his storm-grey eyes grew harder than ever before.

"Care to explain what these are?" he asked, his voice dangerously low.

Sapphire shuddered. She had never seen him this angry in her life. "Uh…things from sunken ships…"

"Sapphire! You know those Coizards from the surface are no good! They are the ones responsible for your mother's death! And despite that you still seek their demonic items!?"

There was a short silence and the young merhog princess could only lower her head in perceived shame. "I'm sorry, Father."

Posiden took a deep breath and this time he spoke softly to his daughter. "Sapphire. You have to know I'm only doing this to protect you—to keep you from danger."

After a tender embrace, he kissed Sapphire's forehead and said goodnight, leaving with her newfound items. Sapphire threw herself on her bed, realizing that hours of searching for just a few small trinkets had gone completely to waste.

"Maybe he's right," Sapphire sadly said to herself. "Maybe there is something wrong with me. I just don't see how a world that makes such wonderful things could be so bad. If only I could make my father understand…"

Swimming over to an alcove, she pulled a clam shell box out and looked at the small collection of surface treasures inside. Words bubbled up inside until she was singing.

:music:Look at this stuff, isn't it neat?
Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?
Wouldn't you think I'm the girl
The girl who has everything?
Look at this trove, treasures untold
How many wonders can one cavern hold?
Looking around here, you'd think
Sure, she's got everything
I've got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty
I've got who's-its and what's-its galore
You want thing-a-mabobs?:music:
:music:I've got twenty
But who cares? No big deal. 
I want more
I wanna be where the people are
I wanna see, wanna see 'em dancing,'
walkin' around on those:music:

:music:Whaddya call 'em? Oh, feet
Flippin' your fins, you don't get too far
Legs are required for jumpin', dancin'
Strollin' along down the
What's that word again? Street:music:
:music:Up where they walk
Up where they run
Up where they stay all day in the sun
Wanderin' free, wish I could be
Part of that world
What would I give if I could live
Outta these waters?:music:
:music:What would I pay to spend a day
Warm on the sand?
Betcha on land they understand
Bet they don't reprimand their daughters
Bright young women, sick of swimmin'
Ready to stand
And ready to know what the people know
Ask 'em my questions and get some answers
What's a fire, and why does it
What's the word? Burn
When's it my turn?
Wouldn't I love
Love to explore that shore up above?
Out of the sea, wish I could be:music:
:music:Part of that world
:music:

Sapphire sank back down onto her sponge bed, staring out the window where the faint glimmer of morning sunlight trickled down to Atlantis. With a sigh that was half-exhausted, half-wishful her eyes slid shut. She could almost see the sun clearly...feel its warmth...know what it was like to be dry... It was so real that it was as though she had been there before.

Would she ever be able to truly feel what it was like?



    To be continued…
If you wish to compare it with my OLDER VERSION of this chapter, click here:  Tales of Origin Chp 4
Tale of Origin
By Arecus. Conberma
Chapter 4: The Mysterious Hero in Cosium
--
.:Present POV:.
Suddenly, a knock on the door that interrupted the story-telling. The door was opened and it revealed it was Trails the three-tailed wolf. "Hey, guys!" he greeted.
"Trails, what brings you here?" Darren asked.
"My apology, Lord Darren. But the king just ordered me to accompany you and the guests, in case" he chuckled a bit, "…you know what I mean." Trails replied with a slight smirk on his face.
Apparently, Kaze afraid that his young brother would tell his sons and their friends something-not-good story. Darren sighed at this, "Fine, be my guest. Just sit wherever you want."
"Gladly." Trails bowed slightly and sat beside Team Chaos.
"So, are we continuing the romantic story?" Trails asked.
Everyone stared at him, then Trails scoffed, "You do realize that I'm not ACTUALLY tell the King and Queen, ya know?"
Darren smirked at his son, "You rascal."
"That makes us even." The triple-ta


:iconherospeedplz: Previous Chapter:  REWRITE Tale of Origin Chp3-Friends to Enemies
Tales of Origin
By Arecus. Conberma
Chapter 3: Friends to Enemies

Present POV
"Please tell me that's not the end of the story," Sonic interrupted.
Darren chuckled. "Of course not, boy. But if you want me to stop, I could just—"
"NO!!" cried the crowd. Apparently they liked this version better.
Again, the older hedgehog chuckled. "It makes a difference when you know the characters in the story, doesn't it? Maybe it is a good place to pause. We can continue it later."
"Aw, c'mon, Uncle Dar'! You always tease us like this!" Sonic complained.
"That's my job, nephew," Darren declared proudly. "Alright, now where were we? Ah, yes. You all know about the Wrath of Magic War when our kingdom allied with the northerners against the western lands. The final battle was in a valley less than a mile from this very castle and King Posiden joined forces with us to put an end to the fighting once and for all..."
The battle had been raging since noon and Cosium Castle's

:iconheropowerplz: Next Chapter:  REWRITE Tale of Origin Chp5-Blossom of Love
Tales of Origin
By Arecus. Conberma
Chapter 5: Blossom of Love

--Cosium Castle--
Since he was still in his hero costume, Kaze headed for home by an indirect route. An underground post that hadn't been used since the war recently became the base of operations for Karok and his trusty steed. Practically everything they needed was there, including an armory and stable.
Kaze and Spedso traveled the narrow, rocky trail, hugging the cliffs and keeping a lookout for any curious eyes. When they were directly below the bridge that led to the castle he pulled a hidden lever, a blue aura momentarily enveloping his hand. The seal recognized him and obligingly opened the secret door.
It was a steep climb down in the dark, so the prince lit a torch and dismounted, leading his horse. They reached the main room and Kaze was surprised to see another torch there already lit. And leaning against the wall beside it, arms folded, was his younger brother.
“Hey, Darren.”
"Wha




Kaze, Sapphire, Darren, Athena, Mortesen, Marissa, and Posiden the Hedgehogs/Merhogs belong to me :iconliyuconberma:

Edited by my Ghost Writer.

Sonic and his friends belong to :iconsegaplz:
© 2015 - 2024 LiyuConberma
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Dusknighs's avatar

It definitely is a great story i love it. And the references make it even more emotional and interesting. Love your work. 💜💜💜