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Prologue: An Introduction to Heorism.

Throughout time immemorable, their have been heroes.

The gods themselves were once thought of as heroes, but sadly those days are gone now.

Heroes are a rare group. They can be from any class, any race, and even any world. Mostare heroes because some sort of circumstance forces them to take on the mantle. Some are heroes because they were chosen by someone, or something, for a task. The best heroes however, are born to be heores, and the fates themselves conspired to stop them in some way. However they beat the odds and proved that they were not accidents of fate. This is the tale of one such hero. This is the tale of a man many have forgotten, the tale of one such hero, the tale of the man many have forgotten, this is the tale of Jake Shadow.

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Chapter 1: A hero is born.

"My name is Jason Shaodw, and my country is at war. Even as we prepare to fight, my wife Thera prepares to give birth a mile from here at our home. Today is the day of the celestial solstice, theday when the celestial bodies that represent the gods all appear in the sky at once. This is a momentous occasion, and at any other time my people would be celebrating. Sadly, today my country is at war and many of my people are preparing for their deaths. I wonder if this will be the legacy I leave my child, or if they will make their own legacy. I may never know. For, despite the protests of my men, I've chosen to proudly stand beside them. However this battle is only to draw the eyes of the demon lord, so that the heroes of the gem may get to the black sand unharried. If we manage to hold out long enough, we may see the beginning of a new age. An age where the gods once again are on equal footing, and heroes once again walk among us. However if we fail, and the heroes are defeated, then the world will be consumed. With that done I leave this letter of explanation and this now with my most trusted friend Erice Vendarash. He is a pries of Demas the mage, god of magic so trust him when this arrives." Jason slowly folded up the letters to his family, then placed them and the note in a sealed envelope which he handed to Eric.

He smiled sadly at his old friend and said "May Maros, the bat and messenger of the gods, look out for you on your journey." Eric nodded and said a quick praryer then shoved the documentsin his messenger bag and rode off. Jason watched him go, then looked up into the sky and said softly "Kenkia, goddess of birth and nature, look over my family until he can arrive." He pointed at the unicorn constelation as he sploke and finished with a whispered blessing. He then turned around drawing his sword, and shouted "MAKE READY!!" causing the archers and catapults to prepare for the enemy assault. He then turned to the main force and said "Shield formation on left flank. Spear head guarding right flank. Torch bearer in the center ready to pour and light oil." His men complied without hesitation or delay. He smiled sadly, then checked the enemy approach and let out a curse. A small group of the a small group of men charged the enemy and were slain at a thousand yards.

As the enemy started to close he glanced a tthe men on the hilltop and shouted "CATAPULTS LOSE FIRST VOLLEY!" His second in command relayed the order to the catapults who fired. The volley crushed the first wave of attackers and scattered the second. Jason smiled bitterly as they reformed, and trampled the dead and dying in their haste to destroy his men. THe black lord obviously cared not at all if his mindless minions fell, so long as at least one claimed the territory he was so desperate to gain. Jason smiled bitterly thinking of the fact every enemy dead was worth three of his defenders. He turned to his second in command and said "Second volley at five hundered yards from our position." He quickly nodded and relayed the order. Jason watched him then with a sigh said "Neros, my old friend, make sure that Thera is ok. Understand?" Neros staratared at him then said "Why Jason? You know nothing will happen to you. The men care about you to much to allow the enemy within a thousand yards of you."

Jason shook his head and said softly "My life ends today. The shadow, Sentarou himself, told me so. He said that it would be my child's first test to grow without a father and only learning the love of a mother." Neros cursed knowing his friend would not lie about Sentarou, god of death and shadows, of all gods. The two turned and watched as the enemy fell to their men's arrows, then were attacked by the spear wielders and swordsman. They turned away sickened by the sight and smells of the field. Suddenly Neros saw something arc through the air toward a young recruit. However before he coud react, Jason had rushed forward and pushed the recruit out of the way. He stared horified at the five foot long length of steel blade piercing his frien,d and mentor's, chest. He quickly rushed over and Jason said "My son has just taken his frist breath."

He then coughed up a small trickle of blood and continued "The gods already fear his potential, for he didn't gry as other babies do, but laughed at his mother's smile. He knows the everything is alright, for as he came into this world the dark lord returned to his place as god of demonkind. Jarek and the others have done what must be done to save us all." He coughed up a stream of blood and slumped to the ground. Neros bent to help him, fearing his friend had become delusional, but Jason just waved him off. He looked up at him and said "Tell Thera you are going to help train him. ASk Jared to teach him ranger lore, and tell him I will always love him." Neros nodded and said "I'll pass on your message, to both Thera and your son." Jason smiled then Neros said "May the god of your choice away you in the halls of the king. Unless you plan to feast with all of them, in which case I wish you the best of luck my old friend."

Jason smiled and said "Thank you for everything old friend. May you and the others escape unscathed from future battles." then lost feeling as his sould faded from his body. Neros quickly removed the blade from his friend's body, then placed it in Jason's hands and picked up his old friend. He carried him to the battle field, which had become a field of pure carnage. As he arrived he whistled and a group of priests walked up. He handed them the body and said "Take my old friend home. Then tell the world we have finally won." They nodded and walked off. He watched them go then turned and callled the survivors to him. He looked at them carefully then said "We won. However victory did not come without a price. Our commander and many of our comrades have fallen. So I suggest we hold a midnight vigil for them, then return to the home they died to defend." THe men voiced their consent before everything fell deathly still and they became silent.

As the soldiers held a silent vigil for their comrades, the priests walked among the dead chanting for their souls and preparing them for the next life. Even as the soldiers and priests mourned the fallen, the villagers celebrated the birth of the Lady Thera and the Lord Jason's firs son, Jake. They knew the war was over and they were safe because a short time before the demon had reappeared in the sky. They didn't let worry ivade their hearts, for they knew on the morrow they would mourn and the dead would arrive. So to prepare for the morrow they celebrated their new lord's birth. Even Thera, who was deathly worried over her husband, didn't let the worry show and effect her people. She danced, sang, and even played her harp for a time. This pushed the thoughts of Jason away from her mind, however as the knight drew to a close and the festivities trailed off, worry crept into her heart and mind anew.

As the night continued she awaited word of her husband fearing the worst. Toward dawn she finally fell asleep holding her infant son in her arms, never knowing that he was now the lord of her lover's realm. She awoke around midday to the sound of someone rapping on her chamber door. She ran over and pullied it open to see a somber looking Neros. Slowly, she realized what the covered litter behind her old friend meant, and shook her head in denial. Neros grabbed her shoulders and shook her lightly causing her to stare into his eyes. He stared at her and said softly "Did Eric arrive last night?" She shook her head and started to break down anew. He shook her again and said softly "Not until we're in your husband's office. You need to show a strong front for your people."

She nodded and allowed him to draw her out of the way as the litter bearers carried it past. She stared at the litter as the priests bore it so stoically, and inwardly screamed. She'd know Jason was dead the moment she'd seen Neros's face, but she hadn't let herself believe until then. She kept a blank face until they enter the office, then finally broke down. Nerows watched her and saw that her son was trying very hard to convince his mother to smile. He stared at the boy then whispered "I now see what your father meant." as if talking to him. The boy looked at him with a studying glance then turned back to his mother and prodded her arm. He waited until she looked at him then smiled sadly. She stared at him as the tears dried, then turned back to Jason's shoud and said "As one heroe joins the gods, another reveals himself. My love, everyone will know of your deeds before today is done, this I swear upon my title and my soul." She turned and left the room, allowing her infant son to nurse, dreaming of the man he would be.

Neros watched her go then dropped to his knees by the litter and whispered "Your son will be a great man. Thera will make sur of it. I however will make sure he learns of you, and what you stood for." A laugh sounded from above him and somone said "I should have known I could count on you my friend. However during these new times, soldiers will not be looked upon favorably. I need him to learn as much as he can, and I need you to supervise him old friend." Neros slowly looked up with a hand on his sword, only to see his old friend standing above him. Jason stood above him looking just as he had in life. His blonde hair reflect the light, his athletic physique showed through his leather plate male, his piercing blue eyes seemed to cut through poor Nero's soul, and his above average height made him tower over the kneeling Neros. Neros jumped to his feet and drew his blade, but Jason stopped him from speaking with a gesture.

When he was sure his friend wouldn't speak Jason said "My time is limited., Even as my son's journey is about to begin, mine is about to finally end. So, I must tell you what I can, old friend." Neros nodded and waited for him to continue. Jason sighed and said "Teach him everything you can, while you can. He will eventually lose everything except his skills, so he will need his skils to survive in the world at large. Ask those the world considers heroes, and we consider friends to train him. At the least Jarek will probably agree. Show him what the large towns are like, prepare him for loss, and warn him of his destiny." Neros nodded and Jason finished "Teach him of the gods and their role in the world."

Nevros nodded and said "As you wish my old friend, as you wish." Jason smiled then vanished, and Neros watch the spot he'd been in. He slowly got to his feet and went to speak with Thera.

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That is where my father's story ends and my own begins. At least that's what Uncle Neros always said, but I'm not so sure. I think that was just the setting of my story's stage as Johan would always say. IF that's the case then my story probably began with the memories I spent years trying to recover. I personally don't know, all I know, is that my story starts, or continues, when I turned five and started training with my uncles, brothers, sisters, and aunts. So I guess, I'll start telling my own tale from there. It all started on my fifth birthday...................................

TO BE CONTINUED.........................................................................

Well there you go a new story, for a new stage in my life. I changed this from the original draft I wrote in bootcamp, but personally I like this version better. I can't wait to hear everyone's opinions, and unlike Highschool life, Asterion, or any of my other stories, this story is somewhat chronological. I'll see you guys next upload which should appear tomorrow or tonight if I feel up to it. I'm typing all this straight out of a notebook, so don't be to irritated with the grammar.