The Ever War: Chapter 2.2

Josh sat at dinner that night eating like a madman. He hadn't realized how hungry he was until he had smelled the food. Jakul had laughed as the boy nearly double over from hunger. Sarah was deep in conversation with Ca'lel, discussing the application of the various spells and histories that the Katar had taught her.

However, all conversation had ceased when Jakul had made his report to James. Josh mostly ignored everyone, focusing on satisfying his hunger. Jakul looked about at the others. "I'm telling you; James might actually have something to what he's been saying all along!" He declared when James had left. Sarah had retired to her room, a book under her arm. Josh, who was washing the dishes, listened in with interest. He heard Kandrin snort. "He's been saying that for years!" Ca'lel's voice broke into the conversation. "But what if he is right? Sarah is a brilliant mind! Mind you, I knew Sophie. She told me all about her past, and even she wasn't nearly as brilliant as Sarah was. And Josh, Stars above!"

Jakul nodded. "During our training, his hand was sliced. Instead of halting, he clasped his hands, scorched the wound shut, left no scar to tell from, and kept fighting!" "And don't forget the Dark Dragon. No one has ever come out alive, let alone unscathed, except the Wanderer. But at his age? I barely believe it!" another voiced. There was a murmur of agreement.

Then the Neet spoke. 'Never have I ever encountered a more stalwart heart.' The murmurs fell silent.

Sa'rel leaned forward. "What do you mean, Old One?"

The Neet smiled. 'Josh has a strength of heart that has only been prophesied.' They all waited patiently for the old Neet to collect his memory. 'In the last days of my people, our Prophetess looked into the future and saw the Darkness consume our world. We asked and pleaded if there was nothing we could, and she replied with a no. But she saw a hope. All she saw was dark. Darkness was all around; there was nothing. No life. And then...a Light sprang forth. This Light, this brilliant pure Light, divided into six. Behind each of these six were two less Lights. When she realized what she was seeing, we were overwhelmed with joy.' One priest frowned. "What exactly did she see?" The Neet's smile widened. 'My dear friend, she saw the end of the Dark.'

"The End? She actually saw the End?" someone asked. "And the Third Generation will bring it about?!" another exclaimed in an excited, but quiet, voice. The Old One spoke again. 'Now do you see? James' belief was merely confirmed when I told him of this. However, we cannot know how the End will come about, only that Josh and Sarah will bring it about.' "The Wanderer and the Sage? They will be the Instruments?" Sa'rel asked. "They are but children!" Old One smiled. 'And that is how they will be able to do it. Already, they see things as they really are. They fight with the strength of their hearts. And they hear the Whispers of the Road.' His smile faded and he took a more serious turn. 'A storm is brewing the likes of which has never been seen. I fear that the Adversary has already taken form again.'

More murmurs spread throughout. Ca'lel suddenly hissed for them to be silent, and Josh quickly got back to work, hoping that they would think nothing of him. She seemed to have been satisfied, and the conversation picked back up. "If that is true, then we are in deep trouble. They aren't ready yet!" Sa'rel said. The others nodded in agreement. Old One nodded. 'Yes, they are. They may not have all the knowledge that their predecessors had, but they will not need it. They will forge a new path. They will walk the Road untraveled.'

A deathly silence fell upon them. Confusion spread throughout the others, but Ca'lel sighed. "So, they really will travel the Road?" Old One nodded. 'None of the others ever dared to, but they must. The Road will lead them to victory.'

"That's preposterous!" someone exclaimed. "Enter and confront them. You know what to say." The whisper came to Josh's ears. He dropped the pot with a loud bang, wiped his hands and walked calmly into the room.

"What's so preposterous?" he asked. The priest who had said it mumbled something. Josh frowned at him, then the others. "Really? What is so wrong in that?"

Old One smiled. 'Josh, tell them what you heard when your Mark appeared.' Josh nodded.

"After the burning left, my mind felt open. It was like...like I was hearing for the first time. Every sound sounded new and clearer than I have ever heard. I...I heard something. A whisper, as if the very wind was speaking softly in my ear."

Ca'lel smiled. "And what did it say?"

He looked up with a smile. "'Follow the Ever Road.'" More silence followed. Finally, a priestess cleared her throat.

"Do you hear the whisper often?" she asked. His smile broadened.

"It told me to come in here and put you straight. In fact, I came here to enter the Road." he answered honestly. Old One nodded sagely. 'You are tired, child. Go rest.' Josh opened his mouth to protest, but was cut off. 'You have another day of training ahead of you. Now, go on.' Josh nodded and left. Behind him, a new discussion had started, but he was too tired now to care.