Fable IV
The Next-Gen Heroes
Prologue
The Hero of Oakvale had done what others believed impossible, he triumphed over the evil known as Jack of Blades who had taken the form of a dragon; Albion was finally free from his grip and entered a state of peace. His heroic bloodline continued to flourish throughout the centuries, every time the power of these unique few awakened within their blood; Albion would chance. But no one person could have imagined the terror that would unfold upon the land.
The mask that belonged to the Jack of Blades has been cast into the hellfire of Archon's Folly and the hero returns to his home at last avenging his family. But in secret, someone has been watching the battle, watching the hero, watching Jack of Blades fail. Standing on the highest ledge, a tall man in black steel armour; a dark tattered hood covering his face with a long cloak covering his chest and drapes down to his ankles with his waist and legs exposed covered in black cloth and black steel boots. This being is one even I do not yet comprehend.
"Jack of Blades, you disappoint me"
The hooded figure spoke in a deep, distorted, demonic voice that radiates with more darkness than Jack himself. And unlike Jack this being radiates with no human qualities, no vessel nothing but darkness.
"You were too prideful and like the Knight before, you gave the enemy too many openings. Learn from your mistakes this time and I shall give you one last chance to redeem yourself."
The hooded figure stretched his right arm over Archon's Folly; his hand glowed and was surrounded by a deep red light as the last remaining fragment of Jack's mask rose out from the lava still burning and into the palm of the hooded figure. The fragment is what is left of upper right side with the eyehole barely intact, but it pulsates weakly with Jack's aura.
"Now Jack of Blades, listen well, for this is your most important task. You will lay dormant and allow your mask to reform using the energy given by these humans. You will get your chance for revenge, when I signal it."
Using instant teleportation; the hooded figure disappears in red light, teleporting himself and the mask fragment to Bargate Prison, inside a prisoner's cell where he fell down and cried out in terror as the hooded figure suddenly appears before him.
"W-who are you?"
The prisoner cowered and shook as he looked up at the terrifying robed figure.
"Do you wish for freedom?"
The figure spoke to the prisoner.
"W-what?"
The prisoner could barely get his voice above a whisper, thinking the figure wouldn't hesitate to end his life if he answered wrong.
"Do you wish for freedom, to roam theses lands once more?"
The figure repeated to the prisoner who still in his terror couldn't do much more than nod.
"Very well, wear this mask and you have your freedom, power beyond your wildest dreams, and stand unopposed to all who stand in your way."
Temptation to be released from Bargate and for limitless power; the prisoner slowly stands up and reaches his shaking hand out for the mask. The hooded figure, places the mask onto the right side of the prisoner's face; and just as it was for so many other people, the mask took control of its new human host, and struggle as he might, Jack of Blades lives again.
"Do you know your place?" The figure stood before Jack and Jack summated to his imposing will.
"Yes" Jack answered, his demonic voice restored.
"My connection to this world is fading; you will find the only item that will allow my rein to be absolute. Find their souls, keep them with you and soon we shall return and wipe this wrenched bloodline from existence."
This demonic hooded figure could not exist in our world for too long, in fact it was never in our world. The figure was just a shadow weak enough to enter our world created in the shape from the power of the original. With that power spent the shadow withered and crumpled to ash.
The Spire has shown me much over the course of time. But never have I seen such a dangerous vision; for soon the shadows of three fallen blades would be cast across Albion to merge into a terrifying force; casting it's malevolent shadow, to destroy the bloodline and conquer this world.
If Albion is to have any chance to survive this dark fate the light of hope must be ready. Four of them, the next generation of heroes will rise. The Hero of Strength; a young boy filled with doubt seeking to be his father's pride. The Hero of Skill; a woman whose heart is filled with courage and confidence. The Hero of Will; a boy filled with the desire to explore the world and discover new places.
The fourth hero is a strange boy, who journeyed from a far away land. His power is beyond even my ability to understand; I see it like an aura surrounding his existence, but what it is, I cannot see. A power that can hide itself at will even from prophecy; such a strange boy will be the key to salvation or absolute destruction. This is what the Spire has showed me.