1 Chapter 1 : A dream

In the far east lands of planet Arret (This universe's earth) is the land of Kalkarra. Rich with vast plain lands, rivers, stretches of mountains near its beaches and people who live simply for their ambitions or family. King Ermas rules the land and has been good to its people, often giving away his riches to the poor every now and then. For once, Kalkarra had a king that cared about its people and much less cared about social hierarchy. The center of Kalkarra is the capital, Alagor, with the king residing in the Heikelr Castle. To the east of Alagor, five hundred miles away is the tiny village of Patho. A fishing village consisting of no more than fifty people. Life was simple there, you either became a fisherman, a hunter, a merchant or if you're lucky, a sailor or in extreme circumstances, you actually travel outside the village to become an adventurer. To an eight year old boy named Edward Hars, this extreme circumstance would be a dream he wishes to happen.

Panting heavily, Edward runs towards the woods, his legs carrying him faultlessly across the grass plain land. He needed to find a tree to hide in and it needed to look subtle, one that did not stand out from the other trees because he was getting hunted. Edward glanced around, looking for a tree with a hole in it so that he could squirm in it with his tiny body. Sweat trickled down his forehead. He did not have much time, he could hear the rustled footsteps in the distance. His hunters were closing in on him. Edward could not find a tree with a hole, forcing him to move deeper into the woods, completely disregarding his parents' warnings of the mystical beasts that inhabit the deep, dark forest. As Edward advanced deeper and deeper into the forest, his surroundings became darker and in Edward's mind, filled with malice.

"I can't believe I'm running right through the forbidden forest! Man, this is scary... Hopefully nothing happens to me..."

Edward panted, he was running out of breath from all the rigorous sprinting. As Edward stopped to catch his breath, he looked up. Realisation dawned on him, perhaps a little too late. His surroundings were pitch black, he could not see anything. It's as if he was transported to another world. Edward's pupils expanded and he started to perspire with a stupefied look on his face.

"This can't be. I was just running a few seconds ago and then... *looks back* "Where did I come from?" *looks left* " Was it there?" *looks right* "Or there?" *looks forward* "Perhaps there... How am I going to get home?"

Edward walked backwards, fear still clouding his sense of reasoning. As he moved, he noticed the ground had become uneven which made him lose his balance and eventually, with realisation coming to him too late, he had already fallen into a pit. A scared Edward had fallen into a seemingly deep pit- six feet to be precise. Edward panicked with a petrified look on his face. He tried to climb out of the pit with his little hands and feet but kept losing his footing as the soil was damp and uneven.

"Why? Why now of all times? I should have just listened to mother and father... How did a game of hunter and prey lead to all this?"

This was the first time Edward had experienced such fear and indignation. This new feeling was a life and death situation. One of which an eight year old boy should not be experiencing.

"Help! Help! Somebody please! I'm stuck here!"

Edward screamed at the top of his lungs, hopeful that someone will save him. He continued to scream for two more hours, his throat drying up from all the indiscernible noises left coming out of his mouth.

"Where is everybody... I'm so tired. So hungry, so thirsty... I could really use a drink right now."

Edward collapsed from exhaustion The thought of getting hydrated had made him fall into a slumber.

Edward was standing on top of a castle wall. He could see the city, vast plainlands and river at the horizon. The sun was glazing its rays across the land with wind blowing over the grass causing a wave. It was beautiful and peaceful, it eased Edward's mind of the future. He wanted to live here. Free from everyone's expectations. Free from the daunting task of what's ahead and simply free to live as how he wants to. A beautiful lady dressed in white approached him.

"Do you like it here? It's nice isn't it?", asked the lady in white.

"Who are you Miss?", asked Ed.

"I am not anyone. I am merely an entity made up by your consciousness.", answered the lady.

"Are you saying all this isn't real?", Ed pondered.

"Yes. Just a dream, an illusion made up by your mind. Your inner consciousness. Specifically, your desire for what you want in the future. Your ideal world." Answered the lady.

"Well I guess this is pretty much how I want to live my life... just plain and simple. Just to be free." said Edward.

"My, oh my. Such big ambitions for a little boy. I hope to see you achieve your dreams one day. I'll be watching." said the lady.

"Watching? But how, you are just an illusion so how will you-"

"Oh will you look at that, the sun is setting. Time for you to wake up. *moves closer to Edward; placing her hand on his shoulders and shaking him lightly* Wake up... wake up... wake up! wake up! wake up!"

Edward wakes up from his dream. He looked around; his vision adjusting to the surroundings as he had just woken up from his slumber. He saw his best friend's face, Alice looking at him with a worried look.

"Thank goodness you're safe Eddy! You had me so worried!", exclaimed Alice. *hugs him*

"Uh yea..." *looks around and sees that he had been sleeping next on the river bank. * "Huh, how did I get here? Wasn't I in the deep forest?", Ed thought to himself.

"I'm so glad you're alive Eddy! We've been looking all over for you! *makes a pouting face* Your game of hunter and prey has gotten too dangerous by the way! I suggest you-"

"Looking all over for me? How long was I missing for?", asked Ed.

"Three days. Or was it four? Hmm..."

"Four days?! *stomach growls viciously* Man I'm hungry and really thirsty..."

*Alice passes Edward a canteen* "Here, drink up."

Edward drinks the water, overcoming his insatiable thirst and dehydrated throat. It was the first time water ever tasted so good and fulfilling. In fact, it tasted so good that he gulped everything in the canteen, down to the last drop. He wanted more to quench his thirstiness as he had not been eating or drinking for four days.

"Shall we go?", asked Alice. *extends hand to Edward* "Everyone's been looking for you. Your family, especially your mother."

Ed had a dreaded look on his face.

"AHHHHHHHHHH! Mom's going to kill me! I knew I should have just stayed home that day!"

Alice makes a doleful face. "Hmph! You ungrateful brat! At least you have a mother that loves you!"

"Oh, right. I'm sorry, I forgot.", said Ed.

"Whatever, shall we go? Can't stay here forever.", said Alice.

Ed takes Alice's hand.

"Yeah. Let's go."

*In Patho village*

Edward scooped up his food with his wooden spoon, intensely gobbling up the meat, vegetables and potatoes, completely disregarding the act of chewing. He never tasted food this good, in fact everything tastes delectable when you are famished in Edward's case. The ambiance of the warm and comfortable wooden hut also made everything delightful. It was perfect. Everything was simple and so carefree. But to Edward, this was not the life he wanted, he wanted something more fulfilling. He wanted an adventure. To explore the lands of Arret, experience its different cultures, lifestyle and political systems. Basically, true individual freedom.

"Mom! Ed's eating all the food, there's no more left for me!", exclaimed Lily.

"There is still some left, look. *points at the wooden bowl that contains a speck of food* I did LEAVE some for you.", replied Ed. *smirks*

"I hate you so much, you are so annoying! Mom!"

"Now, now! I cooked more than enough, since your brother has not eaten for days." *places new portion into the wooden bowl*

"Hmph! This is already his fifth serving, if he eats anymore he'll become a fat pig!" *looks away with arms akimbo*

"What did you say?!", exclaimed Ed. *clashes head with Lily*

Elizabeth stroke Edward's and Lily's heads with the side of her palms.

"Table manners please, children.", said their mother.

"Ow... Yes mom....", said Ed and Lily concurrently.

"HAHAHAHA! As expected of my family! Truly amusing!" *slams cup down the wooden desk with sheer strength causing the beer to surge up out of the cup.*

"My god Adam can you please take this more seriously, I don't want our children to be unruly.", said Elizabeth.

"It's fine Liz, what matters is that everyone is safe and happy. Right Edward?", asked Adam.

"Yes!", Ed exclaimed, smiling gleefully.

"Anyway Ed, tell me about your dream again when you fell into the pit.", enquired Adam.

"Oh. I was standing on top of a castle wall, it was peaceful and all with vast plainlands and a river along the horizon. The sun contrasted well with it too. It was really beautiful Dad! You should have seen it! I wish it was real, all the villagers were happy and -"

"What else was there? Did you speak with anyone?", Adam asked, interrupting Ed.

"Well, there was this woman in white, she was beautiful. She talked about her being an illusion and everything... that what I was witnessing was also the case.", answered Ed.

Adam crosses his fingers when after hearing Ed's sentence.

"Hmm. I see, you have met one of them.", said Adam.

Edward looked at his father with a confused face.

"Them?", asked Ed.

"You see Ed, the forbidden forest or more commonly known as the deep forest, contains some peculiar creatures and even some evil ones if you are unlucky. What you have met is a faerie. Specifically, a dream wish faerie. They bring out the inner intentions and desires of people, they prey on people who are unconscious or asleep and feed on souls that have dark and deceitful intentions. Luckily for you, you're a good kid.", replied Adam.

Edward had a look of horror on his face.

"That means..."

"Yep! You almost died but luckily for you, you're a good person!", Adam interrupted.

Edward nearly fainted from the thought of having nearly died from the supernatural experience.

"That's what I've been telling you Ed, don't go too deep into the forest. You make up these new games and always play like a monkey! You almost lost your life! Be grateful luck was by your side!, said Elizabeth as she slightly smacked Ed's head.

"Let him enjoy his childhood Liz. He's just a kid, soon he'll have to fulfill his duties as the next village chief when the time comes.", said Adam.

Edward had a determined look on his face, he knew when to stand up for himself.

"But even then, feeling something so scary and so life-threatening, I want to experience more... I want to find out more about the world! I don't want to be stuck in this village! I want to be able to do whatever I want, I want to be free!", exclaimed Ed.

"You ignorant child! You don't know what it was like out there! Your grandfather built this village so that we of the last Angrotorrians could live away from the war-torn Valea!" *looks at Edward with stern eyes and grabs his arms* "It's a dangerous world out there; people steal, kill and betray. You don't want to be a part of their demeanor and schemes. Just live your life peacefully and happily in this village.", Elizabeth said to Ed, with fierce eyes.

Ed knew that his mother was serious, her eyes were proof of it, but his ideals were too strong for him to back down on.

"Happy? Living here? When I'm forced to? Is that true happiness? I don't want to be a part of your so-called happiness then! I don't care about the dangers of the outside world! I want to experience it! Whether it be bad or good, I'll at least know what goes on and experience it myself rather than listen to you guys!", Ed shouted, shoving his chair out.

Ed ran to the door, away from the kitchen where his family was. It was not the first time that he had ran away from the harsh reality that was set for him.

"Edward! Come back here!", exclaimed Elizabeth.

Adam grabbed Elizabeth by the arm and looked her in the eyes.

"Let him go Liz."

"But Adam!"

"You can't. He does resemble my past self after all. Out-going, adventurous and has a strong sense of personal justice. He'll grow up and understand when the time comes.", said Adam.

Elizabeth looked at her husband with an angered look.

"Hmm. He really does, doesn't he? Hard headed and stubborn." *sighs* "When the time comes Adam, we'll let him know. I don't want him to keep hating me. Hating us. We are doing this because we have to protect our family. Our livelihood.", said Elizabeth.

"I know, Liz. We'll be together as a family. We'll explore this world together. But right now, Ed needs a reason to listen to us. His ideals clouds his sense of judgement... He has to know the importance of our village. Our origins.", said Adam.

"No point keeping it forever, go after him Adam. Perhaps he'll listen to you more than me.", said Elizabeth.

Adam dragged his chair out and headed for the door.

"I'll go after him."

Edward was bewildered by the beauty of the night sky. The light illuminating from the stars contrasted well with the void of space. In his eyes, it resembled freedom, the unknown into space and what lies beyond is what Edward had been longing for. He closed his eyes and laid back on the trunk of his favorite tree, reminiscing the days of when his grandfather was still alive; they would go fishing together, sometimes hunting for small animals and on special occasions, doe hunting. It reminded Edward of the times when his grandfather instilled a sense of personal freedom into him, to be adventurous and do whatever he wanted. He just wanted to go back to the good old days. As Edward laid back and relaxed on the tree, a mysterious figure was approaching from the distance. *rustle* Edward heard the faint presence of someone approaching him. Afraid that he was getting attacked, he grabbed hold of a short stick and asserted a defensive stance.

"Who's there? Show yourself!"

A dark mysterious figure emerged, it approached Ed.

"I see your grandfather has taught you well."

"Oh, it's just you Dad. Yes, he did teach me well. How'd you know I was going to be here?", asked Ed.

"Well, whenever you are upset or annoyed, you always come here. This huge tree your grandfather built. An ando-"

"Andodengigatius. Grandpa used to call it 'The World Conqueror'."

Adam laughed intensely, causing him to tear up.

"Grandfather sure had a knack for these things didn't he?"

"He sure did. I miss him."

"I do too buddy. *sighs* I think it is time for you to know the origins of this village Edward, you are old enough.", said Adam.

"Really?"

Ed moved closer to his father, his body attentive. Ready to listen to what his father had to say.

"Yes, but do not expect some nice fairy tale story."

Ed's eyes lit up with curiosity.

"Ok! I'm ready!"

"Far away from Kalkarra, towards the east, is the land of Valea. A land of warriors and constant battle for the throne a daily occurrence. This constant battle for the throne occurred when the great King Alpheus and his whole lineage had been assassinated, causing mass disruption and chaos in the country. Many people tried to claim the throne, from merchants, nobles, and even commoners. Bloodshed was a constant occurrence in the country, no one knew what to do. Until one day, a man named Paltoras established The Union, a new form of governance, where it was the 'survival of the fittest'. His army men were ruthless, they would kill anyone who opposed Paltoras' ideology and even killed those who were not of pure Valean blood. Another man by the name of Angussius, formed the Liberation Army, where it opposed everything the Union stood for, it's ideology was one of which was personal freedom, officials that are elected by the common people and that progression was an utmost priority. There were many proxy battles between the Liberation Army and the Union. Bloodshed grew more gruesome and gruesome, everywhere you walked, there were dead people. It was two superpowers fighting for the country, The Army in the North and The Union in the South. Their battle for the state of Leidsa would determine which faction was superior. Your grandfather was an inhabitant of Leidsa, and so was every Angrotorrian."

"Grandpa was? Did he fight in the war for Leidsa?", Ed asked curiously.

"Your grandfather was a supporter of The Army, he believed in personal freedom and was very much adventurous, like you Eddy.", replied Adam.

"How was grandpa in the fight, did he kill those bastard Unionists?", Ed said interrupting.

Adam whispered to himself, "Thank god, Elizabeth is not here."

"Well, your grandfather hadn't really fought in the war. In fact, he did not even fight at all.", replied Adam.

"HUH?", asked a confused Ed.

"The Angrotorrians were set up from the very start. On the day where the battle was to commence, the city of Leidsa was set ablaze. Your grandfather had come to a shocking realisation."

"Realisation?"

"The Army and The Union had been colluding, both factions wanted an end to the war. An end to the unseeingly unending bloodshed. The only way to do so, was to share a common enemy and they made us, the Angrotorrians, the common enemy. The Army and Union propagated a lie across the whole of Valea that the caused of the bloodshed was due to the Angrotorrians assassinating the King Alpheus and his whole lineage."

"That's absurd! Surely the rest of Valea did not believe that! Did they?", Ed asked with an angered expression on his face.

"The people of Valea were desperate, they would believe anything as long as it ended the bloodshed and as long normal life would ensue after. To them, sacrificing a couple of Angrotorrians was nothing, to Valeans, they never even viewed Angrotorrians as people."

Edward tried to contain his anger when he heard that statement. He made a fist and he punched the dirt ground with it, sinking his hand into the earth.

Adam looked at his angered son and continued on, "Many people died in Leidsa, only a couple of them managed to escape, including your grandfather and me. My mother unfortunately died in the massacre, in a gruesome way to say the least."

"You guys fought back right? You killed those bastards didn't you? After all grandpa trusted and believed in the Army's ideology, he must have been enraged!", Ed shouted, looking at his father with wrath.

"Your grandfather was heart broken and shattered, he just witnessed his wife, friends and fellow Angrotorrians murdered for the peace of Valea. But surprisingly enough, your grandfather did not seek revenge.", said Adam looking back at his son.

"Why?", Ed asked, his face turned from anger into that of confusion.

"I was confused too at that time. I wanted revenge just like you, I swore that I would kill every single Valean that wasn't of Angrotorrian descent. But as for your grandfather, he thought well of the consequences of what revenge would do."

"Consequences? Who cares about that? Just kill-"

Adam interrupting his son, "If the Angrotorrians were to take revenge, the tensions between Valeans and Angrotorrians would worsen. Not only that, the war between the Army and the Union would further ensue, causing more bloodshed. And lastly, there could have been a likelihood that if the last remaining Angrotorrians were to take revenge, they would fail and that would lead to the extinction of the Angrotorrian race."

"But still! Grandfather should have tried to scheme a plan or something! Where are the Angrotorrians' sense of honor and pride?! They killed people, families, friends…"

"I know that, I felt the same at that time too. But what I've realised is that revenge won't bring back the dead, it'll just cause a cycle of bloodshed unless one of the parties is willing to end it. Killing just for the sake of it, is not ambitious but rather a selfish endeavor into self destruction and despair."

Edward clenched his teeth at that statement. He was angry that the surviving Angrotorrians did not avenge their fallen brethren. But his father's reasoning for why did not do so was also convincing. Ed's reasoning and his ideals were clashing. To avenge? What would that do? Should they just move on? Would the dead Angrotorrians forgive them? All these thoughts made it hard for Ed to reconcile his father's reasoning and his ideals. Perhaps not avenging was both the right and wrong choice.

"Anyway, enough with the moral lessons. After the massacre of the Angrotorrians in Leidsa, your grandfather and the remaining living Angrotorrians ventured towards west, into Kalkarra to settle away from the constant and continuous discrimination and persecution from the Valeans.", said Adam.

Edward, trying to keep his composure, "What happened to Valea? Who took control of the country?"

"Valea was split into two, the Northern part of the country was taken by the Army; North Valea. Southern part was taken by the Union; South Valea. The nations have agreed to leave each other alone and focus on carrying out their own ideologies. They have come to a mutual understanding that instead of one faction ruling the whole of Valea and causing more bloodshed, they instead agreed to split the country in half. Needless to say, the Angrotorrian's were a necessary sacrifice for this to happen."

When Ed heard those words, it infuriated him. How can anyone just sacrifice human lives like that? Especially on a massive scale.

"Necessary? How can it be necessary to kill a few innocent people just for the peace of a nation? What did they ever do? Why did grandfather not do anything? It's not like they were bad people were they?", responded Ed with a distraught face.

"I know bud. If the circumstances were different, if only people knew how to talk or in fact were willing to talk it out, perhaps the world would be a much better place. We, human beings are after all, not too different. We all have hopes and dreams we wish to accomplish and sometimes, people have to be sacrificed for those dreams to come true. The future of a country. The lesser of two evils.

Ed could not help but agree with his father's reasonable statement. After all, would it not make sense to move on and build a greater future? Why hold on to the past? What good would it do? But his heart was uneasy, he had to rid of this feeling.

"What you're saying makes sense father. But I just can't. I swear I will kill every single Valean! Even if it's the last thing I -"

Adam chopped Edward's hand lightly with his palm.

"Still going on about revenge? *sighs* When the time comes when you have to kill, you'll be hesitant and when the time comes when you do kill a person, you'll see the world in a different light. Trust me bud, you don't want to see that light."

Edward moved his father's hand away from his head.

"Tsk."

"Basically Ed. *stares at Edward with somber eyes* Always try to understand why people do things that they do, you might not know that they are suffering themselves. Every life is precious, never take a life of another. Ever. I know all this doesn't make sense but one day you'll understand."

"Hmph! Whatever! *stands up* I'm going home!"

Edward ran hastily across the uneven path towards his home. He felt angry. But why? He doesn't know himself. He did not witness the Angrotorrian massacre, he was never even a part of it. But he just felt so angry.

Adam sighed, "He really is like me when I was young, huh Liz?"

The room was really dark; Edward could barely make out his surroundings. He had to get out of here. If no one was going to grant him his desired 'freedom', he'll have to give it to himself. But for him to do so, he needed a map and compass. After all, he wouldn't want to needlessly roam around Kalkarra and end up going nowhere. A rope was needed too. Why? Ed felt like he just needed it.

"I need that map, compass and rope. If I remember correctly it's all in Dad's room. In his trunk. The problem is, how do I get there without making too much noise… Guess I'll just tip-toe there.", Ed thought to himself.

Edward made his way towards his father's room, he felt uneasy as sweat dripped down his forehead. He was so close but yet so far from achieving absolute autonomy. His hand shook continuously as he grasped the door handle and turned it slowly. *Creak* Edward's heart pumped furiously; he feared that the noise from the turning of the doorknob would wake his parents up. He took a quick peek into the room. To his relief, his parents were fast asleep. Edward opened the door, just enough so that his tiny body and even tinier bag could fit through. He meandered across the room and eventually reached it. The trunk. Where his freedom was trapped in. He was finally getting it.

Edward whispers to himself, "I'm finally going to get out of here! *opens trunk* It's here! The map, compass and rope. Oh, father's dagger... guess I'll take it too. *grabs them and shoves them into his bag* I can finally get out here..."

Edward had never done something so bold. Normally, it would just be speaking out against his parents. But this, in Edward's mind, seemed like a great achievement. An achievement in obtaining his personal freedom. Edward tied the knot of his bag and swung it across his shoulder and tip-toed towards the door. He continued tip-toeing, this time towards the door of his hut. He finally reached it. He grabbed the doorknob and turned it counter-clockwise. He could see the outside, the night sky still illuminated by the stars. The houses were not lit. Everyone else in the village was still sleeping. This was his time. He had to get out. The very last step towards his own adventure. Edward ran expeditiously out of his house. He ran past his friends and neighbors houses. He never felt so exhilarated before. He felt like he could fly. He set his eyes on the exit, it was close. His already fast speed became even faster, it was as if he was weightless.

"I'm almost there! I'm...….. Free!"

Edward jumped out of the exit soaring, he made a fist and punched through the air as he did so. He had never jumped so high before and smiled doing so. As he landed gracefully on the ground, he adjusted his legs and continued running.

"What is this feeling? It feels so good. I feel like I can conquer the world! HAHAHAHAHAHA! *childlike laugh* I feel like I can do anything! I'm so excited!"

Edward's heart raced furiously, adrenaline rushed throughout his body. Nothing in the world could stop him. Nothing. He was on his way to make his story. A tale to be told throughout generations and he'll be remembered in the history books.