《THE CHOSEN ONE - The Last leyend 1》 PROLOGUE
PREFACE
1 - The journey begins
2 - An Unexpected Gift
3 - The Enigma of J.V.
As Gabriel stood before the old three-story building dating back to the early twentieth century, he paused for a moment, facing the dilapidated facade. With a mixture of fear, doubt, and hope for a better future, he regarded what would be his new home.
It was Mrs. Zara''s boarding house, an Italian immigrant in her mid-sixties who had never married but had two children, the product of one of her relationships with a former lodger back in her youth.
A week after his arrival, Mrs. Zara surprised him by announcing the arrival of a package. The surprise stemmed from the fact that he hadn''t told anyone his address. Yet there it was, a small box with no sender. He climbed up to the third floor, where his room was located. Sitting on the bed, he tore open the wrapping. Inside was a moderately-sized book of about four hundred and fifty pages: "The Silmarillion" read the title; there was a handwritten note:
"Dear Gabriel,
I''m sending you this gift because I know of your fondness for fantasy works, especially those of Tolkien. I''m glad my previous shipments pleased you (or at least I assume so).
I understand that receiving anonymous deliveries from a stranger over the years may cause you some surprise, and even annoyance, but there''s a reason for it. Soon we will meet (although you have already seen me before).
Warm regards,
Don Anselmo
P.S. The friend of J.V."
It was the first time a letter had arrived signed; before, they only stated: "the friend of J.V." Every time he read those initials, a smile spread across his face, remembering the conversation with Ana, the cook at the orphanage, and her "Jotave." What this last letter said was true; while he loved the books, he was bothered by the mysterious nature of the sender, and no matter how much he pondered who the initials could refer to, he came up with nothing. Some time ago, at the orphanage, he had taken the time to think about all the people he knew, and he had written down their names on a piece of paper. The list mostly consisted of people from the orphanage and some he had met when his parents were still alive, but none of the names matched the initials J.V. This only intrigued him more and gave him an extra reason to be annoyed.
That "soon we will meet" had not come when Gabriel turned twenty-four. He worked during the day at the offices of a supermarket performing administrative tasks and banking procedures, filing endless files. At first, he liked it because he wasn''t trapped within four walls, but soon he found himself caught in something bigger: endless bureaucracy, endless lines, dealing with the municipality, taxes, and so on. Rushing frantically from one place to another, he witnessed the indifference of the employees and the bad mood of the people; the suffering of the elderly waiting for long hours on their feet to collect a meager pension; the insults of the drivers stuck in traffic. In short: generalized chaos.
He felt disappointed. Life was bewildering. The news reflected the constant global turmoil, the continuous conflicts, mankind''s self-destruction due to its unchecked ambition. Millions of people died of hunger, thousands in wars, millions more from diseases. The world rushed recklessly along a narrow ledge, and on both sides, only destruction and death loomed. At this rate, humanity was headed for certain destruction despite technological advances. He felt a great emptiness in his soul, unable to comprehend seeing all of this; he felt like a tiny being who could do nothing to change it; an insignificant being; just another number within that chaotic design. But one day, everything changed. When he turned twenty-six, he finally met Don Anselmo. 4 - The Watchmakers Workshop
"Dear Gabriel:
The time has come and there is no more time to waste. We need to meet urgently. I am living ten blocks from the boarding house. The address is Azcu¨¦naga 320.
Don Anselmo"
5 - Tales and Relics
6 - The Legacy of the Five ¡ªThere is something I don¡¯t quite understand. You say that a god could not be in or pass to another plane because he would destroy himself; therefore, Kalhanor, who was a negative god, could not enter the plane of Dontar. That¡¯s why he transferred powers to the wizard Aldirk so that he could do evil. Why didn¡¯t Kalhanor create his own world and do evil directly there? ¡ªDo these words mean anything to you: "In his own image and likeness"? ¡ªIt¡¯s from a biblical passage,¡ªGabriel answered. ¡ªWell yes, it¡¯s from a passage in Genesis that will answer your very good question. Kalhanor, being a negative god, would create negative beings. They would not suffer because they would be born of evil, and evil would be their joy; but since the beings of the world of Dontar were good-hearted, they would suffer. ¡ªAnd couldn¡¯t Dontar destroy Aldirk? ¡ªDontar is a good god and does not destroy; he builds. He also couldn¡¯t destroy him now, because Aldirk, the wizard, has the powers of a god without being one. ¡ªI still have a doubt: if Aldirk is the creation of a positive god, how did evil take root in him? ¡ªI cannot answer that question because I do not have the answer, Gabriel. Some claim that the plan was devised by Kalhanor; perhaps that is true. Perhaps it was not Aldirk who made contact with Kalhanor, but rather Kalhanor who first reached out to the wizard and planted that initial seed of evil that Dontar foresaw. Don Anselmo paused again. He lit his pipe once more and took a deep puff. Then he continued: ¡ªWhen Aldirk managed to obtain extraordinary powers through Kalhanor, nothing could stop him, and he began to create his own creatures, malevolent beings that now serve his cause. Meanwhile, distrust, envy, and hatred began to grow in every living being of the Primordial Earth¡ªa paradise until then¡ªwhich started to experience its first atmospheric changes and the emergence of diseases and plagues that decimated a large part of the population. Dontar once again summoned The Order of the Five to the summit of Danmajera and informed them that they had to fight against Aldirk to the bitter end, enduring his siege until he, Dontar, could find a solution before the world fell. The great wizards did just that, and bloody battles raged for centuries. Thanks to the sacrifice of the united peoples, Dontar found the solution and pronounced his sentence against Aldirk: "A firstborn shall be the chosen one to put an end to the Age of Darkness, and with it, all its malevolent creatures and the serpent that governs them." This filled Aldirk and his followers with dread, and a glimmer of hope shone for the oppressed peoples. But the response of the evil one did not take long. Gathering all the power at his disposal, he launched the most atrocious attack known until then, managing to separate humans¡ªthe firstborn¡ªfrom the rest of the peoples. He placed them in different dimensions within this very plane of existence and made the existence of one invisible to the eyes of the other. Thus, a single world was born, divided in two, both parts created on malevolent foundations. By separating the human race from the rest and remaining in the initial dimension, Aldirk has so far managed to prevent Dontar¡¯s sentence from being fulfilled. This is how we arrived at what is today the world of humans, a world heading directly toward destruction, and when this happens, Dontar¡¯s sentence will not be carried out. In that case, Aldirk will have triumphed definitively. The wizard had to gather such an enormous amount of power to carry out this terrible attack and distort space-time that he nearly destroyed himself. He was left extremely weak. Then he fled and took refuge in the dark lands of Mundark, and his scourge disappeared for centuries. The peoples overcame the terrible loss of the humans, while the humans began a new life, believing themselves to be the sole survivors of the cataclysm. As time passed, collective memory on both sides was transfigured, turning what was once reality¡ªthe communion of different races¡ªinto mere fantasy. Dontar did not rest, and after several centuries, he summoned The Order of the Five one last time to the summit of Danmajera. There, he entrusted them with The Key that would open the portal, allowing only one inhabitant of the united peoples to enter the dimension where humans had been exiled by Aldirk. The mission of The Order of the Five was to entrust this key to a people of their choosing, and the mission of that people was to designate the person who would undertake the journey to the land of the humans. After leaving The Key in the custody of the elves, the five wizards withdrew. They now dwell in the Great White Palace atop Danmajera, awaiting the moment when The Chosen One calls them to the final battle. Aldirk secluded himself in the Dark Lands to gather the necessary power to definitively subdue the united peoples. He no longer worried about the humans, believing it was only a matter of time before they sealed their own fate¡ªa time that was now about to be fulfilled. All this, without knowing until then about the existence of The Key.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! The elves had to guard it and choose the envoy who would carry out the mission; but Aldirk awoke and began to spread evil once more. Resentment, hatred, and plagues began to ravage the now disunited peoples. Civil wars followed, and diseases led immortality to be thought of as a myth. Only the elves managed to preserve it, but at the cost of their exile; they had to leave the beautiful Valari¨®n and entrust The Key to a group of noble half-elves who sacrificed themselves to fulfill their duty of delivering it to the designated envoy. Time passed, and in the beautiful Valari¨®n, the great council gathered and, by common agreement, chose me to embark on a crucial mission: to find the right man. I was designated the Envoy. I hold the Key that will open the portal, allowing only one person to pass into the other world¡ªthe Chosen One. This Key was named the Legacy of the Five. What I never expected was that my search would take so many years. Let me explain why: The mission was not meant to last more than two thousand years¡ªenough time to find the Chosen One. But the secret of the Key¡¯s existence reached Aldirk¡¯s ears. In his panic, and in another display of power, he distorted human space-time even further. That¡¯s how my arrival in your world was drastically altered¡ªI emerged at the cradle of civilization, at the dawn of humanity. Of course, I didn¡¯t know this at the time. I only knew that within two thousand years, I had to find the Chosen One. Centuries passed, and I realized with horror that something had gone wrong when I crossed the portal. Everything depended on me and how long I could stay alive. The centuries passed. My eyes have witnessed nearly five thousand years of human history. Throughout my stay in your dimension, I have seen entire civilizations rise and fall; I have been a direct witness to unique moments. Gabriel, I have traveled this world far and wide hundreds of times¡ªthousands of times. I know practically all the written and unwritten history of humanity. In my relentless pilgrimage, I have learned much from every culture and every people; I have spoken hundreds of languages and dialects; I have fought alongside great heroes in countless battles. Thousands of years rest upon my weary body. All these centuries, I have fruitlessly searched for the Chosen One among those whose lives bore a heroic essence, among those who have shaped history, among those who have filled pages of glory with their deeds at the cost of their own sacrifice. But no. I was never able to find him. Then I understood that our hope lay in the common man, in someone with well-formed values¡ªsomeone simple, unaware that deep within, in the very depths of his being, a seed lay dormant, waiting to sprout with these values and ideals that would drive him to fight to the last consequence, beyond the unimaginable, to make them a reality. That person, at first, would not know it; he would feel like just another among the crowd, someone struggling to survive, witnessing in despair the slow decline of his species. And today, after so much, so much searching, I can finally tell that person that they have a unique opportunity to change the course of things¡ªto bring an end, once and for all, to all of humanity¡¯s suffering. ¡ªWhat are you trying to tell me with this fascinating story? That I am the Chosen One? ¡ªhGabriel said with a hint of sarcasm, unable to believe a word of the old man¡¯s tale. ¡ªI know you don¡¯t believe me, boy. I know it¡¯s hard to open your mind these days. In the past, humans were too superstitious. Now, they are too skeptical. I only ask that you grant me the benefit of the doubt. Don¡¯t close yourself off completely or succumb to total disbelief. ¡ªHow do you expect me to believe you? I don¡¯t even know you. This is only the second time I¡¯ve seen you in my life. You sent me those books all those years I spent in the orphanage, and I had no idea it was you. Now you summon me to your house and tell me this legendary tale, trying to convince me it¡¯s true, and on top of that, you tell me I have a role to play in it. Who do you take me for, sir? I don¡¯t mean to be rude, but I don¡¯t like being treated like a fool.¡± ¡ªI¡¯m sorry, Gabriel. I truly am, and I understand your anger, but I have only fulfilled my duty. I don¡¯t make the rules¡ªI follow them. And if my role was to find you, then I have done so. It is not my fault that your role in this story is the central one. I am old, very old, and I have little time left. I could simply throw my hands up and say, ¡®Enough, to hell with it.¡¯ If you want to accept it, accept it. If not, do as you please. But no¡­ I won¡¯t settle for that. I have values, and I have friends who still hold onto the hope that I will keep my word and that you will fulfill the role meant for you. If you want proof, you shall have it, boy. Now leave and think about it. ¡ªYou speak of proof. Show it to me, and perhaps¡­ perhaps I might start to believe your words. ¡ªI am not human. I could show you my pointed ears, and you still wouldn¡¯t believe me. But I do have a gift, one that most humans do not: perception. Something will happen this week¡ªsomething that could hasten the end of the human race. I don¡¯t know when or where, only that it will happen sometime this week. Be attentive. And if that convinces you, I will be waiting for your answer. The old man said nothing more. He took an old book from the table and began reading, leaving Gabriel confused and furious. ¡ªI can assure you, I will never set foot in this house again. The old man did not respond. Gabriel climbed the stairs and left, slamming the door behind him. Don Anselmo closed the book, took a deep puff from his pipe, and, smiling, said: ¡ªOh, yes! Yes, you will be back!
Si necesitas ajustes o quieres un tono diferente, dime y lo perfeccionamos. ?? 7 - The Decision in the Chaos It was 8:30 on Monday morning. Gabriel was running along the train platform. Once again, he would be late for the office, and he had no valid excuse to justify himself. After his conversation with Don Anselmo, he had walked back to the boarding house. The old man''s words echoed in his head over and over again, keeping him awake for most of the night. It wasn¡¯t until five in the morning that sleep finally overtook him, and he didn¡¯t hear the alarm clock that always woke him at seven. He managed to catch the subway an hour later than usual. By then, the crowd was much larger, and passengers were packed together like cattle. His destination was the offices of Supermarc, a major chain where he performed routine administrative tasks. Once again, he would have to deal with the head of personnel, Pedro Bruguera. Gabriel had been working there for three years, and from the very beginning, his relationship with Bruguera had been poor. They never spoke; Bruguera was always lurking, waiting for Gabriel to make a mistake so he could unleash all his arrogance and hostility. Today, he would have the perfect excuse. After leaving the orphanage, Gabriel had drifted from job to job until he landed this one, which was the best he had been able to find. His daily routine consisted of eight straight hours at the office. He finished work at four in the afternoon, went home, grabbed a bite to eat, took a shower, reviewed his coursework, and at seven, left for the university. He wouldn¡¯t return home until after midnight, eat a quick snack, and collapse into bed. Many times, he had been tempted to throw everything away, but "And then what?" he always asked himself. He wanted to escape from this exhausting world, from this society that, with all its rules and laws, had become the most perfect and cruel jungle¡ªone from which no one could escape. The absolute monotony repeated itself day after day, not only for him but for the vast majority of people. As he approached the supermarket, he could already imagine Bruguera¡¯s face filled with satisfaction. This time, he had all the cards in his favor. Gabriel reached the entrance, punched his time card, and headed to his desk. Almost immediately, as if propelled by a spring, Carlos Bruguera shot out of his office and marched straight toward Gabriel¡¯s desk. This time, he would enjoy reprimanding him in front of all his colleagues. ¡ªGood afternoon, Mr. Lozada! Gabriel tried to come up with an excuse, but Bruguera kept talking. ¡ªDo you know what time it is? ¡ªWell, I believe it''s nine twenty, sir. ¡ªDon''t just believe it, Mr. Lozada! It is nine twenty in the morning! What excuse do you have for such a failure!? ¡ªBruguera shouted, turning purple. ¡ªI overslept. ¡ªYou overslept! ¡ªBruguera repeated, looking around to make sure all the employees had heard¡ª. Mr. Lozada, leave at once. You are suspended. Gabriel had been reprimanded many times before and had never reacted, but he was tired¡ªtired of so much humiliation. ¡ªYou know what, Bruguera? I''m sick of you. Sick of hearing you, sick of seeing your stupid face every day. Sick of this miserable job. And sick of my own lack of guts to stand up for myself. So, you can take my job and shove it right up your ass! I quit! Bruguera didn¡¯t react. He stood frozen, like a statue. He had never expected such a response from an employee, least of all from Gabriel Lozada, who had always been so quiet. Gabriel stood up, grabbed a few belongings from his desk, and without saying goodbye to anyone, walked away under the stunned gaze of those who, until that moment, had been his coworkers. When he left the supermarket, he felt strangely good¡ªfree from pressures, from the stupid burdens imposed by an unjust society. He felt good about what he had done, even if he would regret it later. It was like going against the current, flipping the board, if only for once in his life. He walked aimlessly for a couple of hours. It wasn¡¯t cold. The sky was cloudy, and a light drizzle had begun to fall. He entered a bar and ordered a coffee. He thought about his life up to that moment¡ªsad, devoid of anything that could motivate him. He was alone in the world, without family, without friends. His one great dream was impossible to achieve because he had no money. Traveling, discovering, observing the different cultures of the world was nothing but a utopia. Work had served only to help him survive. Suffocating, exhausting jobs that fulfilled him in no way. He often wondered why he had been born in this era. He wished he had lived in a time when the world was still unexplored, when much of the Earth remained an attraction and a mystery¡ªa world waiting to be discovered.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. As a child, he had imagined himself as a great adventurer, setting sail toward unknown lands in a fragile vessel, driven only by the fortuitous mercy of the wind. But no. He had been born and raised in a fast-paced, technological, and utterly materialistic world, where magic, fantasy, and the excitement of the unknown had given way to struggles for economic power, environmental destruction through industrialization, and the arms race. Wars, hunger, misery, diseases, and utter disregard for human dignity had replaced old values like friendship, solidarity, loyalty, and respect for others. Everything was permissible as long as the goal was personal gain. Conquer, subjugate, plunder¡ªthese seemed like words from ancient times, yet never had they been more relevant than now. These actions had only grown, disguised under false facades portraying great powers as victims in need of defending themselves¡ªjustifications for the suffering they inflicted upon weaker nations. People today lived in absolute apathy, constantly seeking fleeting glimpses of amazement in technological advancements¡ªamazement that lasted no more than an instant. How far would humanity go with its technology? And if it reached its limits, then what? Would people sink into endless lethargy, an eternal lack of interest in everything? Sometimes, too much superficial knowledge could be harmful. He thought about the old man, and his words repeated in his mind over and over again. Could it be true, or was he just a crazy old man obsessed with fantastical stories? Now that he had been given this strange opportunity to escape from this sick world, it sounded irrational, out of place. But what if it were true? And what if it wasn¡¯t? What did he have to lose by trying? Saying ¡°yes¡± just to see what would happen? He shook his head in denial. Smiling to himself, he thought it was all nonsense¡ªdelusions of a man who had lost his sanity. Now, without a job, he would have to start searching again. Long lines of applicants competing for a miserable position¡ªone that, sooner or later, he would manage to get. Another job, more absolute tedium¡ªan office, paperwork, bureaucracy, falseness, boredom. He would take a few days to rest and reflect. Read a little, watch some television, and maybe, just maybe, entertain the old man''s madness. He smiled. What else could he do? He had no other options, and he knew it. He could only bow his head and keep moving forward. A swarm of customers crowded in front of the bar¡¯s television. At first, Gabriel paid them no attention, but they were so agitated by what they were watching that he had no choice but to look. Breaking news had interrupted every channel¡¯s programming. The screen showed a terrible explosion in the United States, in New York City¡ªan event reminiscent of the attack that had brought down the Twin Towers. But this explosion was monstrous. Every update was confusing, and aerial footage showed a devastated city. Gabriel stood up and approached the television, dazed by the report, just like everyone else who was only now learning about it. He continued watching as the information kept changing. The United States had not been attacked by terrorists¡ªthough that¡¯s how they would see it. They had been attacked by a coalition of Arab nations, fed up with American arrogance. It was the beginning of a new war¡ªthe war over oil, one that could drag the rest of the world into a global conflict. ¡ª¡°Something is going to happen. Something that could bring about the end of the human race. I don¡¯t know when or where, but within this week, something will happen. Stay alert, and if that convinces you, I will be waiting for your answer.¡± The old man¡¯s words echoed in Gabriel¡¯s mind. ¡ªThe old man¡­ the old man knew, ¡ªhe thought, shocked. He tore his gaze away from the television and stepped out onto the street, hypnotized¡ªnot by the images he had just seen, but by the prophetic words of the old man, who had promised him proof. The proof had arrived, bringing with it a glimmer of truth in everything the elder had told him that night. The street was packed with pedestrians rushing to find a store window where a television might be showing the images of the disaster¡ªimages that, instead of frightening them, were treated as just another form of entertainment. People had grown accustomed to watching death unfold on their screens. Attacks, murders, suicides, even full-scale wars were broadcast live, providing amusement through horror and the suffering of others¡ªwatched as if they were mere movies. They had no idea that these massacres affected the entire world, or that, sooner or later, it would be their turn. At first, you are just a spectator in this Roman circus, watching as the lion devours its prey. Later, you are the prey. Gabriel kept walking as if blind to everything around him. But suddenly, clarity struck his mind like lightning¡ªan absolute divine revelation of what he had to do. A unique sensation filled him¡ªthe undeniable understanding of why he had been born. Decisions formed in his mind, clear and spontaneous. He would go immediately to tell the old man that he accepted his offer. If Don Anselmo was crazy, then Gabriel would be even crazier for saying yes. But everything inside him told him that this was no madness at all. He hurried down the stairs leading to the subway station. Halfway down, he stopped. An elderly woman, her leg amputated, was begging on the ground, leaning her weary back against the wall. ¡ªHere, Grandma. This is all I have, and I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t notice you earlier. ¡ªSon, you have nothing to apologize for! Come closer! Gabriel knelt down. The old woman fixed her dark eyes on his, stretched out a frail, wrinkled hand, and brushed his cheek. ¡ªYou are not like anyone else! I can see it in your eyes, my son! You are not like anyone else! Gabriel took her hand in his, smiled in gratitude, and walked away. 8 - The map of the past The world was in turmoil, and for good reason. The United States had been attacked and was now preparing a counteroffensive that threatened to drag the rest of the nations into a third world war. Although daily activities had not been completely halted, they had been significantly affected. What had initially plunged people into a desperate need for media satisfaction gradually turned into an urgent demand for real information. A growing concern gripped the hearts of every inhabitant of the planet as the first official reports emerged, estimating thousands of casualties from the attack. Amid this collective psychosis, only one person had absolute clarity on what needed to be done, and it was not running towards a television or a radio in search of news. Gabriel stood on a packed subway train of the A line, surrounded by people who did nothing but stare at a small television positioned at one end of the car. Unlike usual, the murmur of conversations was completely absent this time. An eerie silence had settled in, allowing everyone to catch the latest updates, though the train¡¯s noise nearly drowned out the broadcast. However, Gabriel was not looking at the screen. He was lost in thought, eager to reach the old man''s house as soon as possible. An hour and a half later, he stood in front of the door to the old man¡¯s clock repair shop. He stepped inside but did not see Don Anselmo. Almost immediately, a voice echoed from the back of the small workshop, where the elderly man spent most of his time reviving ancient relics. ¡ªCome in, boy. Step closer. Gabriel walked around the small counter. He found the old man just as he had on his first visit. ¡ªLook at this watch. A dear friend gifted it to me in 1781. It is one of the first chain watches ever made¡ªa true relic. It had never failed before. Every three years, I would clean it, but it had never stopped working until today. Strange coincidences, don''t you think? Perhaps it is telling me that my time has finally run out ¡ªsaid the old man. He stood up and instinctively slipped the chain watch back into his pocket, a gesture he claimed to have repeated since 1781. ¡ªCome on, boy. Follow me to the basement. I have something to show you. ¡ªShould I close the shop door? ¡ªLeave it. I doubt anyone will come today. As they descended the stairs, the old man continued speaking. ¡ªYou know, Gabriel, I have no regrets about taking on this mission, even though it forever separated me from my loved ones, my hometown, and my friends. I have met wonderful people and lived unforgettable moments¡ªthings that would never have happened if I had not accepted the legacy entrusted to me. I have experienced an epic and glorious adventure. They reached the bottom of the stairs. ¡ªSit down. I need to find something. Just let me think where I put it ¡ªhe stood hesitantly in front of one of the shelves, filled with books and dust-covered papers. ¡ªAh, yes! Now I remember! I believe it¡¯s in this pile. He pulled out a stack of old, yellowed papers and carried them to the table. Sitting down, he began searching while continuing to speak to Gabriel. ¡ªAs I was saying, Gabriel, I have lived an epic and glorious adventure from my perspective, and I do not regret embarking on this journey that is now reaching its conclusion¡ªa journey spanning thousands of years. Throughout all this time, I have loved, suffered, laughed, and cried. I have composed my own epic poem, much like the Sumerians composed their tale of the great Gilgamesh. My only regret is that I will not witness the continuation of this story. And although I will be remembered as the one who made Dontar¡¯s final wish possible, your journey, which has now begun, will overshadow all others ever recorded and transcribed in the Grand Book of Legends, kept by the magi. Your journey, Gabriel, regardless of its outcome, will be inscribed as ¡®The Last Legend.¡¯Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. The old man spoke as if he already knew Gabriel¡¯s decision. By now, Gabriel was no longer surprised by this¡ªhe merely confirmed everything the old man had revealed the night before. ¡ªUnfortunately, events have unfolded in the most violent manner. Many people have died today, Gabriel, and many more will perish in the days to come. We cannot prevent that. But we must act swiftly to provide an opportunity for salvation to the remaining humans and, consequently, to the rest of the races. You must leave as soon as possible. Gabriel¡¯s heart skipped a beat. ¡ªRight now!? ¡ªTonight, Gabriel. But first, you must see this. Here is what I was looking for. He pulled out a wrinkled and yellowed parchment, designed by him hundreds of years ago. He spread it on the table and blew dust off its worn surface. It was a map, featuring continents with rivers, forests, and settlements entirely unknown to Gabriel, whether by their configuration or the names inscribed upon them. ¡ªLook closely at this map, boy. Observe my world as I left it thousands of years ago ¡ªthe old man said, his eyes clouded by ancient memories¡ª. I am not a great draftsman, but I managed well enough to recreate what was known of the world at that time. The biggest problem with all of this is whether the towns marked on this map still exist. Most likely, some have disappeared. ¡ªSo, I suppose you¡¯ll give me this map? ¡ªYou suppose wrong, boy. That¡¯s why I told you to look closely, to imprint as much as you can into your memory¡ªespecially the X¡¯s I¡¯ve marked and the lines connecting them. ¡ªBut why not make me a copy if you want to keep this one? ¡ªIt¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to give it to you; it¡¯s that you cannot take it through the portal. That is one of the things I needed to explain to you. When you cross the portal, everything material, everything that is not a part of you, will vanish. You will appear on the other side completely naked. ¡ªAnd where exactly will I appear? ¡ªHere, at this first X: The Tranquil Forest ¡ªthe old man said, pointing with his finger. ¡ªBut I can¡¯t just walk around naked! ¡ªIf everything goes as planned, you will appear at the foot of Old Thom, the most majestic tree in the Tranquil Forest. You must check inside a hollow in its trunk, and if they haven¡¯t turned to dust, you will find suitable clothing there. Now, listen carefully to what you must do. But remember: all of this was planned over five thousand years ago. Many things may have changed. If you encounter any setbacks in finding those you need to meet, you will have to solve them on your own. The most important thing in this first stage is to avoid danger, as you are not yet ready to face it. The old man then detailed, step by step, what Gabriel had to do in a conversation that lasted over three hours. Afterward, Don Anselmo urged him to rest. The passage through the portal was not a pleasant experience, according to him, and for that reason, he also advised him not to eat. Gabriel returned to the boarding house. Do?a Zara was not surprised to see him at that hour; she assumed many activities had been suspended due to the attack on the northern country. Nevertheless, Gabriel told her he was taking a leave of absence, which further satisfied the woman¡¯s curiosity. He went up to his apartment. He wasn¡¯t hungry. His mind was swirling with thoughts. Something unreal was about to happen to him. He had no more doubts. He stepped out of the bathroom after a refreshing shower. Drying himself off, he walked naked to the large wardrobe mirror. Staring at his reflection, he asked himself, ¡°Me? A hero?¡±- He wondered as he observed his body, a bit thin for his six-foot-one frame. Gabriel was a handsome young man, but nothing out of the ordinary. He wore his short, dark hair slicked back, his thick eyebrows and long eyelashes framing his deep, piercing hazel eyes. His straight nose and average lips complemented his square, firm jaw. He finished combing his hair and got dressed. He would ignore the old man''s advice about resting¡ªit would be useless to try with so many thoughts running through his head. Instead, he would go for a walk and eat something light to avoid overloading his stomach. He needed to clear his mind, to free himself from his thoughts. Perhaps all of this was just a dream, the dream shared by thousands of people who, like him, felt trapped in a ruthless society. A dream from which he might wake up at any moment, realizing that nothing had actually happened, that he was still imprisoned in that inescapable cage, the one into which everyone was born and sentenced to a lifetime of confinement. That was how Gabriel saw society, but he would keep going. He would enjoy this supposed dream until the very last moment. 9 - The Portal to the Unknown Ten o¡¯clock at night. Gabriel walked slowly toward the old man¡¯s house. The streets looked unlike ever before¡ªlonely and sad under the drizzle that had not ceased since morning. Everyone was at home, gathered in front of their televisions, watching the latest news coming from the United States. As the hours passed, a growing nervousness¡ªmixed with fear, anxiety, and the desire to leave¡ªhad taken hold of his heart. The memory of his parents had surfaced more than ever. During the day, he had gone to the cemetery, something he hadn''t done in years. He cleaned and tidied their graves, placed fresh flowers, and let the happy memories of his childhood come back to him, piercing his heart like needles. For the first time since that fateful day he lost them, he cried. It was mourning he owed them. He continued walking with his head down, soaked from head to toe, his hands tucked into the pockets of his old and beloved denim jacket. As he walked, a conversation with his father came to mind: ¡ªWhen you''re scared and feel alone, remember that even if you can''t see me, I will always be there with you. And if you ever have to make a decision, just listen to your heart, son. Close your eyes for a moment and listen to your heart. It always has the right answer. He arrived at Don Anselmo¡¯s house, knocked on the door, and, without waiting for an answer, stepped inside. ¡ªI''m down here, Gabriel! ¡ªThe old man¡¯s voice came from the basement. Gabriel went down and found the old man rummaging through piles of ancient books, grumbling and sweating. Judging by the scene, he had been at it for hours, searching for something. ¡ªI''ve been absent-minded and messy all my life ¡ªthe old man said¡ª, but I never thought I''d reach this level. ¡ªWhat did you lose? ¡ªGabriel asked, standing by the table, still with his hands in his pockets. ¡ªLose? I haven''t actually lost anything. It''s here, in this room, hidden among all this junk. I just need to remember where I left it. ¡ªBut what is it? ¡ªGabriel asked impatiently. ¡ªA book. An old hardcover book with a closed eye drawn on it. That¡¯s where I¡¯ve hidden The Key that opens the portal. ¡ªIs it a yellow-covered book? The old man turned around, removed his glasses, and looked at Gabriel in astonishment. ¡ªYes. How do you know? ¡ªThere¡¯s one just like that here, on the table ¡ªGabriel said, lifting the heavy tome. ¡ªBy all the demons in Dante¡¯s Inferno! ¡ªthe old man exclaimed¡ª. That¡¯s the book! I¡¯ve spent hours looking for it, and it was right here on the table the whole damn time! The old man walked over to where Gabriel stood, took the book in both hands, and set it back down where it had been. He searched among his tools for a sharp knife and slid the tip along one of the book¡¯s cover edges. ¡ªI couldn¡¯t think of a better place to hide it than here, inside the covers of this old tome that no one would ever care about. That way, in case of a robbery, this book would be completely ignored as loot. I took this precaution after misplacing The Key for five years, back in 1820 in Berlin. I thought I¡¯d never recover it, but I managed to track down the thieves. By the way, they tried to melt it down¡ªwhat they didn¡¯t know is that it¡¯s indestructible. He finished cutting along the top edge of the cover and inserted the knife inside. With a twist, he pried it open completely. From within, he pulled out a thin golden plate, about twenty centimeters long, ten wide, and three millimeters thick. It was an ancient, gleaming golden plate, crafted by the Five. On one of its surfaces, a closed eye was engraved in low relief, positioned at the upper center. Below the eye, there was an inscription in characters indecipherable to Gabriel, though he had no doubt it was written in a strange language. ¡ªThis is The Key, Gabriel! This is the Primordial Key, the one that opens the portal¡ªthe portal of hope or total destruction! Stand up.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Gabriel obeyed, dazed, his gaze fixed on the golden plate gleaming in the old man¡¯s hands. The man stepped closer and handed it to him. ¡ªAm I leaving now? ¡ªGabriel asked. ¡ªIt is time, Gabriel. When you are on the other side, I don¡¯t know if it will be day or night, if it will be cold or warm, or how much my world has changed since I left. Remember everything we discussed today. You will appear beside an old tree, which I hope is still standing. Inside, you will find a map and proper clothes to wear. The map will guide you to Valarion, where you must present yourself to the reigning king. Also, remember that the Tranquil Forest is guarded by the Scrillch. They were my friends and knew all about this plan, which is why it was decided that your arrival would be in that forest¡ªa place few dare to enter. ¡ªI wonder why I can¡¯t just appear directly in Valarion. It would save a lot of trouble. ¡ªValarion was in turmoil when I left. I even fear that Valarion might already be in the enemy¡¯s hands. That¡¯s why the tree¡¯s guardian will give you the latest news. If anything has changed, you must make your own decisions. ¡ªAnd will I never see you again? ¡ªI already told you, Gabriel, my time has ended. This is no moment for sentimentality. Gabriel stepped forward and hugged the old man. ¡ªThe fate of all rests in your hands, boy. Whether you like it or not, you must take on this responsibility. Give it your all and more. My people will aid you, for their future also depends on you. Now, it is time for you to leave. Take The Key with both hands. You must read what is written there. ¡ªBut I don¡¯t understand any of it! It¡¯s all hieroglyphics! ¡ªLet me finish explaining. Calm yourself, relax, and soon you will understand the unreadable. And please, no matter what happens, do not let go of it under any circumstance. Now, focus and carefully look at the engraved eye. Gabriel stared in confusion at the gleaming golden plate in his hands, especially the closed eye carved into it. A millennia-old relic, built and forged by powerful beings¡ªThe Legacy of the Five. This is what the human saw written in Lumin?lfic: Nu i M¨ªr?o S¨¢ma, L¨²menna calma emeralda, Neldor Valin M¨¢ron?, Marn? andon ¨²olva. Nu i laum?a lammen, Nu i viswa lilm?, T?annar sindar latya, Mett? mirwa umbar. Ai, l¨¦lya i Elenw?, Lasta i linna, Nai ty? Imin, i manwen, Umbar cenin. Nu ty? n¨¢ ¨²l¨®, ¨²valm? n¨¦ falmar, Ty? n¨¢ i asina tello, I andon an i alcar. Lir? nu v¨¢ra ar estel, I quetta antaina, Sens? manw? orlya, Ar l¨²m?an lanta. Tirm? an i lelya, An i ruin? nu s¨¢ma, An quenelya y¨¢ ty? tanna Nai osto latya. ¨²ri, ¨²? atarin i Tell?, Nu sina luss? senda, An i ruin? cena, Mal ¨²m?a anta. Nai arinwa ar vanima, Mar? andon, Na i menell¨® l¨®m?, Ty? umbar enta. Gabriel was extremely nervous, and calming himself was the last thing he could do. A quarter of an hour passed before he managed to focus all his thoughts on that golden plate. Suddenly, what had seemed like a simple engraved eye appeared to come to life and slowly began to open. Gabriel was about to let go of the plate, but the old man reassured him. ¡ªDo not let your mind drift, Gabriel! Do not release The Key, or all will be lost. The eye finished opening completely. A beam of golden light shot out from its center and projected directly onto Gabriel¡¯s forehead. For an instant, the room around him darkened completely before his eyes, and the ethereal image of five elders leaning on their staffs appeared, staring at him with piercing, severe eyes, probing his mind. It was just a flash, and suddenly he was back in Don Anselmo¡¯s basement, still gripping the golden plate. The Eye of the Five had opened, had scanned his mind, and had acquired his knowledge. And with this knowledge, it had begun to transform the indecipherable characters into a language he could understand. Slowly, the hieroglyphs shifted, twisted, and translated themselves, allowing him to read the magical words that would open the portal to the other land. This is what Gabriel read: In the Sphere of the Mind Under an emerald sky, Five mighty wizards Forge a gate without mesh. In the echo of their voices, In the whisper of the wind, They weave threads of spells, In a mysterious shroud. You, traveler of the universe, Listen to their call, You are the chosen one, the bearer Of a fate unveiled. Within you, there is no lie, No cowardice nor fear, You are the longed-for key, To the portal of radiance. Recite with pause and faith, The enchanted words, Feel how power rises, And magic is unleashed. Prepare for the journey, For the fire in your mind, For within each verse dwells A latent power. Do not flee, nor release The Key, Upon this winding path, For the fire is seen, Yet its burn unfelt. With bravery and honor, Cross the threshold, Into a different world, Your final destiny. Immediately, before Gabriel¡¯s frightened eyes, the golden plate began to melt in his hands. ¡ªDo not let go, Gabriel, and do not move! ¡ªthe old man shouted. ¡ªIt is only an illusion for those who lack faith! Gabriel thought he felt an intense pain, but then he remembered the words inscribed on the plate: "the burning is not felt." Yet the golden plate kept melting in his hands¡ªand now his hands, too, were beginning to melt as if they were made of wax! Gabriel¡¯s mind wavered between horror, madness, and calm. He thought he felt unbearable pain, and in the next second, it was gone. ¡ªThere is no pain! There is no pain! There is no pain!...¡ªhe repeated to himself. The golden fire consumed his entire body, which melted away like a wax statue. Through the flames, Gabriel saw Don Anselmo and everything around him slowly dissolve, until at last, total darkness swallowed him whole.