18 years later...
The city of Echo Creek was a large city, filled with buildings made of sticks and stones with stone walls that were meant to protect it from the outside. The towers of the castle in the middle of the city stood out the most, the home of the Warriors of the Sun. This was the great symbol of this city.
But the story does not start here.
In the outskirts of the city of Echo Creek stood the Lakestone Blacksmith forge. The building was only a two story structure where the majority of the first floor was used as the forge with a big weathered furnace standing right in the middle. At the entrance was the shop's sign and on both sides of the shop's walls were different choices of weapons and armor. Long swords, short swords, shields, spears, chest plates, and helmets hung off of the walls. On the back of the shop and the second floor lived the owners and workers of this fine forge; the Lakestone family.
As the sun began to crawl high into the morning sky, on the second floor of the room a young man with messy short hair, and lightly tanned skin stirred in his bed. He moaned and turned under the brown sheets, his eyes shut as if he tried to avoid the sun. The young man let out a sigh, knowing that he had indeed woken up. This young man was once upon a time a little baby, but he was all grown up.
"Damn," the young man grunted.
A knock on the door of the small room fully cemented the young man's awakening.
"Adam, wake up son," Jason called from the other side of the door. "Wouldn't want to miss you birthday, would you?"
Adam blinked a couple of times before his eyes fell upon a calendar next to a poster of the Warriors of the Sun. He got on his feet now filled with energy, and not wanting to waste another minute of the day. He quickly grabbed his red long sleeved shirt, his dark blue pants, brown shoes and his brown vest.
"Today's the day," Adam said. "I'm ready."
Adam Lakestone dressed himself as fast as he could before walking down the old worn out stairs to the kitchen. He then spotted his mom preparing some eggs on toasted bread, his father setting the table and his younger brother sitting down. Jason and Anna had aged rather well with only a few grey streaks and a couple of wrinkles in their bodies. The younger boy, Duncan, had dark brown hair, a couple of freckles in his cheeks, an old blue shirt, brown pants, and black shoes.
The crispy smell of the eggs was a great motivator for Adam. It was his favorite breakfast.
"Good morning, mom," Adam said before giving his mom a kiss on the cheek.
"Morning honey, I hope you slept well," Anna replied with a sweet motherly smile. "Breakfast will be ready in just a minute."
Adam walked towards the table and sat down next to his dad with a smile on his face. He grabbed hold of his fork and using the reflection to fix his hair.
"Hoping to see a girl later, son?" Jason asked with a smile on his face. "I remember back when you were no bigger than a loaf of bread. And now you are out to find a nice girl."
"Ew," Duncan said. "Can it please not be Higgins. She's a stick in the mud."
"Don't worry Alex, I'm not going out for that," Adam said as Anna placed the food on the table. "I'm going to apply for the Warriors of the Sun today."
A silence befell the table as Jason turned to his son. The father had a dark depressed look on his face, not because of his son's decision, but because of what the inevitable outcome would be.
"But Adam, the scouting process of the Warriors is a very strenuous one and they often go for royal or noble blood," Jason said with a sombre look. "And there's only hard work on ours. Besides, I need you to help me with the orders in the forge. Duncan is still too young for that. One more year and I'm sure I'll be able to hire some help."
"That's what you said last year when Marco was taken as a squire, and he's a knight now," Adam replied slightly annoyed. "I want to see what's out there and have adventures."
"I'm sorry son, but fate can be a cruel mistress," Jason sadly said as Adam looked down to his breakfast depressed. "We can't change these things."
Far from Echo Creek, and deep in the Fablefolk forest a white and blue castle stood surrounded the trees and thick fog. It had three tall towers with tear drop shaped tops with magical runes inscribed on them. Flags stood at the very top of the towers and on either side of the drawbridge. The flags had a large butterfly shield on them.
Inside the middle tall ivory colored tower another interesting person was starting their day. A young girl coming of age as well. She had long blond hair, fair skin and heart shaped cheek marks. Her eyes opened and she smiled.
"It's my BIRTHDAY!" she screamed with her overly happy voice. "I. STAR BUTTERFLY! AM A GROWN WOMAN!"
Star Butterfly, the princess of the Fablefolk and daughter of Moon the Queen of the Day, jumped out of bed. She put on her green dress that reached up to her knees, stripped socks, fur boots, and her royal tiara that had horns on it. She bubbly jumped up and down before she turned to face her large mirror.
"Looking good, awesome princess," Star told herself.
Star's palms shun brightly before a blast of golden magic fired out. She flew out of her room and down the spiraling stairs. She did this every morning and did so to cause chaos, which gave her some form of entertainment.
Star knew that she had power, so she should use it.
She blasted through the castle until she found herself in front of the throne room. She jumped and skipped across the room until she was right in front of her mother and father, Queen Moon and King River. Moon now wore a blue dress that resembled a flower upside-down with wind shaped shoulders and a golden crown on top of her hair tied in a blue bun. On the other hand, River wore a kingly blue uniform with shoulder pads, a blue cape and a golden crown.
"Morning, your Majesties," Star said half heartedly. "So what's the plan for my party?"
"Star, how many times have we told you not to burst and fly through the castle like that?" Moon inquired causing Star to whistle innocently. "A princess must keep grace at all times. Now as a woman you must be ready to uphold your destiny as a queen."
"Yeah, when can we get to the fun stuff?" Star asked. "I wanna fight some bad humans."
"Star, a queen should never seek out conflict! Regardless of how much we may be prepared for it," Moon shot back before turning back to her throne. "Now, go to your studies and reflect on those thoughts of yours."
Star grunted narrowing her eyes. She turned back and made her way to begin her studies. She reached the door before giving her mother one last dirty look before reaching to the doors with magic. She then closed them behind her, leaving the throne room.
Once the king and queen were alone once again, River turned to his wife.
"Honey, I think you were too hard on Star," River said. "You can't just order her around like she's some hunting hound."
"River, we need to stifle these ridiculous notions out of her head while she's still a princess," Moon replied with a bored tone. "She cannot do whatever she likes when it strikes her fancy. When she's queen then she'll have to make tough decisions for the kingdom and her lack of control is only going to get in the way. Worse case she'll end up like her aunt Eclipsa. And I'll be damned if that happens. That's why she needs discipline."
Unbeknownst to Moon Butterfly, Star stood outside the throne room. She had heard every word that her mother said. She grunted and cursed under her breath before running angrily back to her room. She stomped every step of the way back to her room. Her mind was filled with angry thoughts. She mumbled cursed to herself just loud enough for her to hear but not loud enough for everyone else.
"How dares she, I am the princess?! I'm her daughter, I can't wait till I get the damn throne," Star muttered.
Star reached her room after a minute of walking up the stairs and slammed the door behind her. She stood before the mirror and waved her hand leaving a trail of gold colored magic. The reflection of the mirror changed and turned making an image appear before her.
"Time for me to stir a little trouble," Star said with a grin before she began chanting her spell. "Let the window to the world appear before me, show in the mirror an escape to it. Open with my command. I command magic."
The mirror began to glow and a blue swirl appeared on it.
A smile appeared on Star's face. She wasn't going to wait for her mom to make her a dull china doll. She'll get her adventure. Star jumped in without a second thought.
Back in Echo Creek, Adam and Duncan were walking through the market with a shopping list. Adam carried the shopping list and Duncan carried a bag that they used to carry groceries in. Adam half heartedly looked at the list as they entered the market.
The market was as crowded as usual with stands of food and products set up on either side of the old market center. The shacks were made with wood and showed all sorts of goodies. Ranging from vegetables to meats, loafs of bread to trinkets that were supposedly magical. The old ragged spots had seen better days but everyone in the city could get the food that they needed to live through their day, and now Adam and Duncan had to do some shopping.
"Alright, if we get the vegetables first we can then save the sweets for last. Sound good, Adam?" Duncan asked.
Adam didn't respond.
"Adam, you there?" Duncan asked snapping his brother out of his thoughts.
"Oh, yeah sure that's a good idea," Adam answered.
"Still thinking about what dad said, huh?" Duncan asked as they walked through the market. "Why do you want to be one of those knights any way. They're just a bunch of guys wearing metal suits."
"That's not it. I don't want to be stuck where I am now," Adam replied as he grabbed a couple of carrots and potatoes. "I don't want to wake up one morning and see that 10 years have passed and that I'm still a blacksmith."
"Why not? Guess that's a grown up thing," Duncan said before a sound of a horse caught their attention.
They turned towards the noise and saw a four knights of the Warriors riding their horses. Everyone stared while the knights went on to some of the food stands. Two of the knights were not as impressive as the other two. They were overweight, had no manners as they gobbled up the food that was in front of them. The third knight was quiet and kept to himself looking around the market place for any signs of trouble, always keeping his helmet on. While the fourth knight just stood there with an intense look in his eyes.
Adam cringed at the thought of those slobbering guys being actual knights, but then recognized one of the other two knights. His thoughts quickly changed as he recognized her.
The knight was female and wore a tight chainmail armor under a green shirt with a heart crossed by a lightning bolt on her chest. She had white gloves and boots a metal helmet on top of her violet hair tied with two long pig tails. This was the current leader of the Warriors of the Sun; Mina Loveberry.
An opportune idea popped in Adam's mind.
"Hold this for a second, Duncan," Adam said handing his brother the shopping list and the vegetables.
Adam walked towards the four knights while straightening his own shirt. He put on his best smile and confident posture.
"Hello there, Warriors of the Sun," Adam greeted. "I've come before you to offer my application to join your illustrious ranks."
All four knights turned around to see who was addressing them. They all took a good look at the young blacksmith. The two overweight knights began laughing with chunks of their food flying out of their mouths. Their laugh was like a nail slowly digging into Adam's chest.
"You want to join our ranks? As what? A stable boy or a spittoon carrier?" asked one of the knights laughing.
"Perhaps he could be a jester!" the second knight laughed.
"No, um, my lords I want to be a knight like you," Adam replied hoping to save something.
Mina gave the two laughing knights a glare ending their laughter. She stepped forward and looked at Adam directly.
"What's your name, boy?" Mina asked.
"My name? My name is Adam Lakestone, ma'm," Adam stated.
"Ma'm, do I look like an old lady?! Or maybe you think I look like a mama, hm?" Mina questioned getting in Adam's face. "I am not your mama, boy!"
"I-I meant no disrespect, ma'm- I mean, sir!" Adam said.
"What position does your family have? Lord or something?" Mina questioned. "Come on boy I don't have all day!"
"I am not a lord," Adam answered with a sad tone. "I'm a blacksmith, and I work in Lakestone Blacksmith, sir."
This caused the two fat knights to start laughing once more with even more gusto. They said things like 'not even a royal' and 'what a helpless fool'. They were then stopped by Mina whipping them with her long pigtails.
"Then sorry boy, you don't get the job," Mina said as she and the laughing knights went back to their horses.
Adam was distraught at those words but very confused above all else. He followed after them hoping to change their mind.
"But, Captain Loveberry, you could test me. I trained with a sword three hours a day, I know my way around armor, and I'm a hard worker," Adam pleaded his case, but it seemed to fall on deaf ears. "I beg you to give me a chance to prove myself."
"Are you deaf? You ain't cut out to be a knight," Mina said looking from her horse. "Being a knight must be in your blood and you don't have a killer instinct. No desire to seek your enemy and destroy it. So begone I say!"
Mina rode away and one of the knights kicked Adam down to the mud.
"Stay there, it suits you better," the knight said laughing before leaving.
Adam felt disappointed, frustrated, and most of all angry. He looked down as he got up from the dirt and the mud.
How could they judge him like that with no trial?
Duncan rushed to his side before an armored hand appeared in front of Adam.
Adam looked up and saw the last knight handing him a helping hand.
"You don't know when to give up do you, Adam?" said the knight in a voice that Adam recognized.
"Marco? Is that you?" Adam asked before grabbing his friend's hand.
The knight pulled Adam up to his feet. He then went to his fenced mask and pulled it upwards, showing the person underneath it. The knight was a young man with tanned skin, brown hair, brown eyes, a mole under his right eye and a scar running down his left. His armor was a little bulky with rounded shoulders, thick chest plates and armored gloves and boots. He then proceeded to grabbing hold of his helmet and pulling it off of him.
"In the flesh, if you could say that," Marco greeted his friend. "I see you want to join our ranks live always. What about you pipsqueak, looking to join too?" he said to Duncan.
"Hey! Who are you calling pipsqueak?!" Duncan snapped. "You and your walking trashcan friends should beg to have Adam next to you!"
"Duncan, knock it off!" Adam snapped before pausing with a little bitterness about the last statement. "Sorry about my brother Marco, he's the fighting man of the family."
"No worries here, he should meet my sister," Marco laughed.
"I heard you became a knight and that you fought against a troll and almost killed you," Adam said hoping to change the subject.
"Yep, a big one with a thick stony hide. He did this to me and almost got done by the beast," Marco said pointing to his scar. "But I knew I wasn't going to die, even with my broken bones and blood leaving my body. Just like you, Adam, this place is in our blood. And I'll die in it."
Adam didn't know how to respond. One of his oldest friends had just told him something quite... hauntingly and he wasn't sure of what he meant.
"Well, I've got to get going," Marco said putting on his helmet. "Loveberry will chew me off if I'm behind her for too long. 'Doctor's orders'. See ya around Adam,"
"Bye, Marco," Adam replied before looking down.
A short while later both Adam and Duncan returned to their home with the groceries. Their father was working on a brand new ax that had been placed a couple of hours ago.
"Kids, how did things go?" Jason asked his sons.
"We got the food that you asked for, but I think Adam is a little down right now," Duncan said, causing Jason to look at his eldest son.
"Son, what happened?" Jason asked with concern in his voice putting down the ax.
"Nothing, I just need to go for a walk," Adam said before dropping off the groceries and walking away.
Jason looked in worry at his son, wanting to help him feel better but not knowing how. His son had always been restless and wanted adventure but perhaps reality was the thing that he needed to clear his mind. At least that's what Jason hoped for his son. He taught Adam all he knew about his trade in hopes of making him a decent man, but now like a hammer and fire forge a man Jason would have to trust his son to do the right thing.
Adam was furious. He cursed his luck. He cursed the knights that looked down on him. But more than anything, he cursed not being born under different conditions. He stomped and kicked the ground before him until he reached a tall tree. He looked at the tree up and down before spotting the markings on it. They were all strikes from a wooden sword and real sword. Adam's eyes began to water when his eyes fell on the scars that the trunk had.
"Guess I'm back here without knowing it," Adam said to himself before wiping the tears off of him.
Adam walked around the tree before spotting an old wooden sword. He grabbed hold of it with both hands. He pulled the sword forwards, holding the tip straight before swinging it downwards. He took a step and swung in the opposite direction. He was by no means a well trained swords man but he wasn't a novice, copying the moves that he'd seen some knights do while training.
He circled the tree, pretending to be facing a rabid beast or a wild Fablefolk that he had heard so many stories about. Right now, Adam imagined that he was facing a vile sorceress wearing a dark cloak and a crown made out of animal bones.
"Prepare yourself, Fablefolk. For you face, Adam Lakestone," Adam said before thrusting his sword forwards.
Adam then dropped his hands before letting out a sigh. He could feel the intensity of the sun going down beyond the horizon and the wind rustle the leaves above him. He had lost track of time once more. He pressed his head on the tree in front of him and then slammed into it.
"Time to grow up, I guess," Adam said looking at the sword.
Then suddenly a scream cut through the forest, snapping Adam out of his thoughts. He scurried to his feet and held his old practice sword as he would a real sword.
"Who's out there? Show yourselves," Adam said mustering his courage.
Just then, from the bushes emerged a blond running like a rabbit chased by wolves, and right behind her was a large black boar with red eyes.
Adam jumped out of the way letting them pass. He stared with disbelief as the blond girl ran in circles with the boar chasing after her.
"What the hell is going on?!" Adam demanded.
A couple of hours earlier, Star Butterfly found herself traversing through the thick foliage of the forest.
"Ha the forest isn't the slightest competition for me, Star Butterfly," Star said before stomping on the ground like she owned it.
She felt as if she could take on the world right now and nothing could get in her way. She laughed at her superiority over the foliage but her laughter was cut short.
A growl caught Star's attention, followed by a large shadow appearing next to her. She slowly turned around and saw the black boar with red blood eyes glaring at her.
"Oh, no worry piggy. You'll be a great snack- AAAHHH!" Star screamed as the boar grew in size before it started chasing her.
Back in the present, Adam saw how Star was chased by the boar and he was unsure as to what he should do. He knew that there was no way to beat a boar with a wooden sword, but he couldn't leave the pretty girl to her fate. Just then he armed himself with valor, and then charged swinging his wooden sword hoping to catch the beast's attention.
"Have at thee, beast!" Adam said forcing the beast back with some wild swings.
Star turned to see the beast being occupied by Adam, and laughed.
"What a dumb-" Star began before running into the tree.
Adam kept swinging his wooden sword before the boar bit into it and snapped it with its tusks.
The boar stepped closer to Adam, making him fall back. He feared the worst when suddenly the boar ran away.
"What just happened?" Adam asked before he looked down between his feet.
He spotted an orange dagger. He looked around for the owner before he tried to grab it, but the dagger disappeared. Adam got back to his feet wondering what had happened, but then saw the unconscious girl.
Adam didn't waste any time and picked her up. He couldn't just leave her there.
Unbeknownst to Adam, Hekapoo stepped out of the shadows with a frown on her face.
"I am so sorry for what's going to happen to you, Adam. But this was all foretold by the old gods," Hekapoo said sadly. "We will talk soon. I promise."
