The Chosen Ones — Journey 1: Air

Has an individual ever selected you, designating you, predestined, for a role or purpose? I find it indescribable — a sensation that leaves you honoured and overwhelmed that I know from personal experience. A part of you has been called upon to fulfil a role that was always meant for you, a role that somehow completes you, even though you may not grasp its significance. At first, I found it hard to adjust to this new reality. Part of me had vanished, and I couldn’t locate it. A sense of emptiness gnawed at me from within. I would lie awake at night, my mind racing, attempting to make sense of this sensation, this sense of incompleteness. I would pray to myself, “What am I missing?”

It throbbed with an unfamiliar and powerful force, unlike anything I’d experienced before. It pulsed with strangeness and intensity, unlike anything I’d known. Inside, I positioned myself in a large, open field, the sky above me a shadeless sky. A voice, deep and resonant, echoed in my mind. “You are the chosen one, Theo. The world needs you.” Then, a surge of power coursed through me. The air seemed vibrant.

I woke up drenched in sweat.

Sunlight streamed through the cracks in my curtains, casting a warm glow over my cluttered room. I blinked, shaking off the remnants of the dream, but the words echoed in my mind: “You are the chosen one, Theo.”

I pushed myself out of bed with a sigh and made my way to the bathroom. Looking at my reflection, I splashed water onto my face. I looked the same as always - messy black hair, bright blue eyes, and a sprinkle of freckles across my nose. But something appeared different.

My eyes flashed, and my jaw tightened with new determination. I shook my head, dismissing the thought. The things I should have dreamed of. I mean, come on! Chosen?

“Morning, Theo,” Alex announced, sliding a plate of toast towards me. “You’re up early.”

“Yeah, I... I had a weird dream,” I responded, taking a seat at the old wooden table. I didn’t mention the ‘chosen one’ part. It sounded absurd.

Alex raised an eyebrow but didn’t press further. He knew me well enough to understand when I needed time to process things. Instead, he changed the subject. “Did you finish that page restoration on the ’61 Spidey?”

I nodded, swallowing a bite of toast.

“Well, that panel’s ink is difficult. But don’t worry. I’ve solved it.”

Alex grinned. “That’s my boy. You’ve got a knack for this, Theo. You should consider this a career.”

I cackled. “One step at a time, Alex. Let’s get this one done first.”

After breakfast, we settled into our usual routine. Alex headed to the comic store, his footsteps echoing on the muted street outside. My chamber became my refuge, my cognition keeping dream remnants.

I tried to distract myself with my current project, a worn-out copy of “The Amazing Spider-Man” #1 from 1963. Alex treasured the comic he discovered, its pages tattered. I was restoring it, page by painstaking page, under Alex’s watchful eye.

As I worked, I found my thoughts drifting back to the dream. Resonance occurred within the sound, force, and aim. I shook my head, clearing my mind. This was ridiculous.

That dream perturbed me, an outcome of too much pizza eaten before bed. I had to depart to refresh my thinking. I packed my restoration tools, and the comic remained open. As I stepped out of the house, I noticed the sky was a clear blue, dotted with wisps of clouds — a perfect day for a walk.

Emsworth remained tranquil, as most people went about their jobs or lived in their residences. The village seemed different; I walked down the cobbled streets, my footsteps echoing in the silence, past the thatched-roof cottages with their colourful gardens and quaint little shops selling everything from fresh bread to antique trinkets.

As I neared the edge of the village, I thought about continuing the Dungeons and Dragons campaign that Alex and I were playing.

I’d been considering a fresh campaign — something more profound — that could transport us elsewhere.

I walked past the picturesque church and turned onto a narrow footpath that wound through the woods. The air here was more relaxed and fresher, smelling of damp earth and pine needles filling my nostrils. I ambled in thought. The soft carpet of leaves muffled my footsteps.

My mind wandered to my character - a half-elf bard named Echo. He is halfway to his destination with his sidekick, Alex’s character, and asks himself, “What will happen to them next?” The vague memory of his strategy session with Echo looms in his mind. It had been weeks since he had last played D&D, and he missed his adventures.

I spoke with a chuckle. “Perhaps we’ll discover a dragon hoard this time. Or an ancient relic.”

Outside, the wind still howled, along with the pouring rain; it would not deter me. I tried, and I was determined to see it through.

“What are you going to roll, bro?” Alex shook the dice in his grip, grinning as the metal echoed in the subdued confines of his comic shop. His glasses slid down his nose as he tilted his head back, staring at me with his warm brown eyes.

“Wait, you need to let go before you roll.” I blasted and snatched the dice, rolling them with no tactical thought besides the idea of destroying Orc King, the current D&D campaign that Alex and our group had been playing for the past six months.

The dice, with their intricate patterns and numbers, lay scattered across the worn wooden table. Each possessed its own narrative, involving either fortune or misfortune, as in this current circumstance. The symbols etched onto their faces seemed to glint and dance in the dim light of the room, casting eerie shadows on the walls. The scene appeared static, capturing the cruel blow of fate.

Alex chuckled. “Another one bites the dust, huh? You should focus less on quoting ‘Guardians’ and more on rolling those dice.”

I grabbed a nearby action figure and tossed it at him. “Hey, Star-Lord’s wisdom is universal, okay? Besides, I’m just getting into character. Echo’s got a lot of... charisma, you know?”

Alex’s instincts prompted him to duck down. The figure, unaware of his presence, dodged him as he sailed through the air. The impact sent the figure crashing down onto a towering stack of comics someone had arranged on a nearby shelf.

“Hey, watch it! Those are vintage!” he called out, but his smile betrayed his genuine amusement. He picked up the figure and examined it. “You know, I’ve been meaning to ask you. Where did you get this?”

I shrugged, leaning back in my chair. “Found it at a garage sale last year. Why?”

He turned the figure over in his hands, his brow furrowing. “It’s just... It’s well-made. Better than most action figures I’ve seen. And this detail...” He trailed off, running a finger over the intricate carvings on the figure’s weapon.

“Looks like it’s made of some kind of metal I’ve never seen before.”

I leaned over, squinting at the figure. “Huh, yeah. It is pretty weird. But you know me, always finding the oddest stuff.”

Alex, with casual ease, retired the figure to my outstretched hand. Yet, his gaze rested upon the comic, which lay forgotten on the counter. ‘The Invincible Iron Man’, a rare and coveted edition, was the issue. The sight of it brought back a flood of memories, memories forever etched in my mind. I could still recall the sound of screeching tires, the shattering of glass, and the sudden, violent impact that had taken everything away from me. That comic book, treasured by me, perished during that dreadful day. The wreck that killed my mother shattered me, leaving a cavernous emptiness. The comic book now upon the counter reminded one of loss.

I disbelieved the turn of events that had just transpired. My father and I were fortunate to survive. However, the fallout from my actions was not minor. My prized possession, a gift from my mother, had been the unfortunate victim of the accident. The comic book, which I had cherished and held dear, now lay before me as a crumpled, broken mess. The force of the impact tore and bent its once-pristine pages, obscuring the vibrant colours and intricate details. I could see the remnants of the story, the characters I had grown to love, their faces distorted by the violence that had befallen them.

Alex followed my gaze, his expression softening. “You still haven’t given up on it, huh?”

I shook my head, picking up the comic. “No way. It’s a classic. Besides, I promised Mom I’d get it fixed up.”

Alex ran a hand through his curly hair. “Ugh! Well, if anyone can figure out how to restore it, then it’s you.”

That comic book, a relic of my past, represented one tangible reminder of the era preceding the destruction that shattered existence. The comic book brought me joy and provided an escape because I cherished it. But now, after the catastrophe, it became a shattered wreck. The once vibrant illustrations had torn and lost their colour, so they now only shadowed their former selves.

“Speaking of odd, how’s the restoration coming along?” Alex inquired, nodding towards the comic.

I sighed, picking up the comic and flipping through its delicate pages. “Slow. It’s like putting together a puzzle with half the pieces missing. I swear if I have to deal with one more torn page or faded ink...”

“You have a technical skill,” Alex grinned. I had a talent for finding solutions where others saw impediments. And my ability to read situations, find patterns, and see connections distinguished me, not just my D&D experience. Perhaps that was why they chose me for this unknown role.

“Yeah, I have my moments,” I responded, beaming at him.

I paused, enveloped in the ensuing pandemonium. The memory of the precious comic lying in shreds on the floor still haunted me. However, I understood I must restore focus, returning to the current task.

After my shift, the sun was a brilliant sphere in the sky, casting a warm glow over Emsworth. The village remained hushed during the daylight hours, its residents occupied with labour or rest.

Alex locked the door behind us, flipping the ‘Back in 15 minutes’ sign to ‘Closed.’ He turned to me, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. “You know, I’ve been thinking. We should make this hike a bit more... interesting.”

I sought, curiosity piqued. “How so?”

Alex leaned in closer, a wicked grin spreading across his face. “What if we made it a quest?”

I grinned back, my heart pounding with excitement. “Like a D&D quest?”

“Exactly!” Alex confirmed. “We could create a whole backstory and objectives. Perhaps discovery awaits involving concealed valuables. We could even contrive combatants to contend with along the route.”

Ideas flooded my thoughts; I envisioned a perfect location for dramatic combat.

“You know what, Alex?” I illustrated. “I have the perfect spot. There’s a clearing near a creek that’s hard to find unless you follow a secret path - an ancient, hidden spot, like our own secret world.”

Emsworth held many secrets, including this concealed treasure, unblemished and preserved. I remember spending hours and hours there as a child, exploring every inch of the area and marvelling at its beauty. “We must buy provisions prior to this undertaking,” I boasted with a flourish.

Alex’s eyes sparkled, and he nodded. “Yes, we can make a list of necessary items, but remember, this is D&D style, so that we can disregard realism.”

Intrigued, I played along and suggested ridiculous items such as a grappling hook gun, a portable hole, and a magic lamp. We both laughed and enjoyed the fun, reminding us of our boyhood days when life was less complicated. Once our laughter subsided, we started walking towards the small grocery store to grab snacks and drinks for our journey. Forming plans lifted the burden, as we expected the undertaking would.

After gathering sandwiches, crisps, chocolates, water, and lemonade, we set out, snickering as we fantasised about our enchanted items and the exciting escapades that awaited us. The sun was still shining bright, guiding us along our way as we ventured through the dense, fragrant forest that had always been there, shielding Emsworth’s secrets from outsiders.

The breeze whispered through the leaves overhead, a symphony composed by nature for the two of us travellers embarking on a whimsical quest.

With honorary rituals, we decided upon roles for this quest. Alex excels at navigation, while I took on the responsibility of weapons leader. However, the role Alex would play remained undecided, as his abilities fluctuated; today, he excelled as a rogue.

We had journeyed for an hour in the shade of the trees, layer upon layer of foliage disguising the dense forest beneath. As we meandered along the winding path, Alex awaited the iniquitous artifacts we were expecting, one by one - a Leonin’s Pounce potion, a Gnome Boots of Speed, the Dwarven War-Maul of unparalleled might, and assorted elixirs meant to bolster our strength or heal our wounds.

With the likes of these diverse artifacts along our sides, armed with their unique abilities, we exuded an aura of boundless enthusiasm, eager for the thrilling undertaking that the deep, verdant forest nestled amongst the rolling hills of the English countryside promised.

However, the scenery gave no hint of tangible magic, just the flora and fauna the forest had thrived on for millennia - albeit undisturbed and unspoiled.

The environment appeared typical. However, as we progressed deeper into the thick foliage, the sensations became unique. Another dimension seemed palpable, a world just beyond reach, a land concealed in shadows and whispering leaves.

We traversed through the woods, navigating rocky outcrops, beaver dams, and low-lying branches that threatened to entangle us at every turn. We arrived at our destination: a secluded glade bathed in dappled sunlight, with a babbling brook running through its heart.

Energy thrummed here, an otherworldly power emanating from the earth.

I took it all in, sensing a strange bond with this place — a sense of belonging. Did this emotion connect with the sound from my dream? I shook my head, letting go of the thought.

“This is incredible, Alex. It seems like we’ve arrived in another world,” I rumbled while glancing around the clearing.

Alex grinned, his eyes shining with excitement. “Told you this place was special. But wait, we haven’t finished our quest yet.”

“Right, what’s next?” I proposed, ready for action.

Alex’s grin became even broader. “We need to locate the hidden safe.”

“The hidden safe? How are we supposed to find it?” I pressed, brow furrowing in confusion.

Alex hinted with his nose.

“Well, that would be telling. Let’s say it’ll be a test of your skills, young Echo.”

I snickered at the playful banter and rolled my eyes, knowing full well he made this up as we went. These woods served as the setting for previous imagined quests Alex and I had undertaken. Magic and excitement surged through us as we unleashed our imaginations.

Alex, with a mischievous grin, produced a folded piece of paper from his back pocket. “Behold! The secret map!” He unfolded it, holding it up as if presenting a precious heirloom. He scrawled the area, marking a hidden corner in the woods with a red ‘X’.

“It looks like a six-year-old drew it,” I responded, squinting at the sketch.

Alex feigned a hurt expression and acknowledged, “This six-year-old is Rumpelstiltskin’s descendant? Don’t forget the enchantment!”

We shared another laugh and exchanged smiles. I couldn’t imagine what my life would be like without Alex. He was there when my world came crashing down around me, and his unwavering friendship gave me a sense of stability that I had longed for.

I paused a moment, my fingers tracing along the edges of the torn page on the map.

“I concede it’s basic, yet it seems to show that heading is significant.” The red ink seemed to shimmer, lending the drawing an illusory quality. I disregarded the sensation, understanding fear provided no advantage in this situation.

The jumbled undergrowth seemed to give way as we continued forward, leading us toward the specified location on the map.

As we ventured further, the trees grew older, taller, more gnarled, and twisted with every step. We felt a chill. A sinister silence surrounded us, as if the natural world was holding its breath, expecting something significant to occur.

Alex eyed me with anxiety. His hands trembled as he clutched the shimmering map. I could see his teeth chattering, although he tried to hide it with his usual nonchalant grin.

“You know, I never told you this, but if it weren’t for the leather bracelet you gave me, I’d have lost my compass long ago.” He stated, adjusting the trinket on his wrist.

The leather bracelet was unlike any I had ever seen. It appeared stark and unadorned, and I could feel the durable leather; someone had crafted it from that leather. Yet it had become Alex’s constant companion, a symbol of the camaraderie we shared.

I sent him a small smile, grateful for the distraction.

As we pressed deeper into the woods, the underbrush grew thicker and more unwelcoming. The eerie silence was nowhere to be heard — replaced instead by a thunderous bang. The amplified sound seemed to reverberate through my chest, shattering the tranquillity that had permeated the woods earlier.

I looked at Alex, his eyes wide with surprise and concern mirroring my own. We exchanged glances, agreeing to approach the source of the noise with caution.

As we inched closer, the sound grew louder, more insistent. The cacophony of crashes, groans, and metallic clangs shattered the woods’ tranquillity. I experienced goosebumps, and a premonition washed over me. This was no typical sound.

I sensed it deep down, a fundamental urge that stirred a facet of me I was unaware of. I looked at Alex, and I saw the same determination reflected in his eyes. Together, we were within it, whatever “it” existed as.

We crept forward, our hearts pounding in our chests, until we came to the edge of a clearing. The sight that greeted us was unlike anything we could have imagined. At the centre of the clearing stood a massive, ancient tree, its gnarled roots stretching out like sprawling fingers grasping at the earth.

“What the hell is that sound?” Alex confided, his voice audible over the clanking and grinding.

“I don’t know,” I reacted. “It sounds like it is coming from... below?”

My gaze was unwavering, fixed on the base of the towering tree. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the ground, making any subtle movements difficult to distinguish.

Alex shook his head, his brow furrowed in confusion. “I see nothing. But I swear, it sounds like someone’s down there, banging on pots and pans.”

I smirked, lightening the tense atmosphere. “It might be just a bunch of woodland creatures having a drum circle.”

Alex shot me a sideways glance, but the corners of his mouth twitched upward. “Hilarious. Let’s check, just in case.”

I gave a slight nod, a subtle acknowledgment of the situation that lay before me.

We continued our journey at a steady pace. The ground beneath our feet was soft and yielding, as if the earth itself were swallowing us whole.

The dense forest foliage seemed to close in around me, making the trees huddle together, their branches intertwined like gnarled fingers. An oppressive quietude filled the air, and that weighed upon my shoulders.

“Did you hear that?” Alex stood, his eyes wide.

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. “Yeah. It’s like... It’s like the noise just stopped.”

Alex looked around, his brow furrowed in confusion. “But why? We were getting closer to it, weren’t we?”

I shrugged, unease settling in the pit of my stomach. “Or perhaps whatever made that sound... it knows we’re here.”

Alex swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

“Is it behind us?” Alex offered, his voice above a whisper.

As we stood there, frozen in our tracks, our eyes surveyed the dense, tangled mass of foliage that lay behind us. The silence that enveloped us was so profound that it seemed to press down upon us, burdening our shoulders. Our creeping unease intensified as the strange noise disappeared, making my neck hair stand. An electric charge built up in the surrounding air, making it thick. I sensed a presence beyond, hiding in the darkness, observing us, anticipating the right time to attack. My heart raced, and my breath came in shallow, ragged gasps. I sensed sweat running down my spine, and I perceived the fear holding my friends, too. We were not alone, and we all knew it.

As they departed, the equipment’s customary booming sounds resounded again across the vast area. The sound was a harsh reminder of the danger that lurked within these walls. However, as I continued, the cacophony grew louder, more menacing. The walls vibrated in response to the machinery’s pounding. However, upon ceasing, pausing, the sound stopped.

I glanced at Alex, who shrugged, puzzled. “Theo, what’s happening?” His whisper held a tone.

I shook my head, my grip tightening on the makeshift sword. “I don’t know. But that crazy banging sound is coming from the ground.”

I extended my arm, pointing towards the lush carpet of green leaves covering the forest floor. My fingers quivered as I did so, but I tried to keep my composure. The air was thick with tension, and the silence was deafening. The solitary sound disrupting the quietude — a faint, patterned sound — reverberated through thick leaves.

“It’s below us,” I announced.