Chapter 2

"This must mean that you're the Chosen One," the person spoke.

Aria blinked. "What are you talking about? Who are you? What is this book? What's going on?" she asked.

The person raised a hand to tell her to listen. "My name is Ur and I'm the Lightning Spirit. What you're holding in your hands is the Book of Prophecy."

That got Aria to widen her eyes. This can't be real, can it? The tale I read all the time...really did happen? People say that it was only a story!

As if he read her mind, Ur explained, "The reason the Book appeared is because it's a sign that this world will soon end, but we do not know when. All that matters now is that you are to record everything you consider valuable to be written for the next world."

Aria then asked, "You mean...to record anything that I think should be in the next world?"

Ur nodded. "Precisely. It's up to you." He then shook his head. "Where are my manners? I told you my name and I didn't ask for your name. I apologize for my rudeness."

"Aria. Nice to meet you, Ur. So...there WAS another world, wasn't there?" she asked.

Again, Ur nodded. "Yes, but that about 860 years ago. Our last Chosen One, Tia, and her brother, Yumil, passed away 45 years after the birth of this world. After that, the other spirits and I were back in the book, and waited until the arrival of the next Chosen One, which is you."

Aria then said, "I...I don't know what to say about this...I mean..." She shook her head. "I must be dreaming this..."

The Lighting Spirit shook his head. "I'm afraid you're not. This is real. Now, we have to start to find the other Spirits and record anything valuable for the new world." He then got close to Aria. "Are you ready for this?"

Aria took a long time to think about it and then she nodded. "Yes! If it's to create a new world, then yes! I'll do my best, Ur."

Ur smiled. "Good. That's what I like to hear." His smile then wiped off. "There are some things you must know. We spirits are weak to water and that makes our power useless, so be careful when we are near water."

"Got it," Aria stated with a nod.

Then the two were going through the fields until Aria saw a couple of Hobgoblins and several Goblins attacking someone who seemed to be very familiar to her. She widened her eyes when she realized that it was her friend, Matt.

Ur instructed, "I'm going to teach you how to use the Book's power. First of all, open the book and take out a weapon."

As if she knew, Aria did so and when it showed a picture of a sword, she touched the image and as she pulled her hand back, that very sword emerged from the book. She was amazed and then closed the book once it was out.

"Now, attack and let's see how you handle these monsters. First, scan them with the book," Ur continued.

"How?" Aria asked.

"Just slam the book at them like crushing a small insect."

Aria nodded, charged for the nearest Goblin, and scanned it. She saw its image appear in one of the blank pages of the book, along with its information. She did the same with the Hobgoblin and wet to Matt's side, helping him up.

Matt said, "Am I glad to see you, Aria! I thought I'd be dead."

"Matt, go and run! Tell my father!" Aria instructed.

"But, Aria, what about you? There are too many of them!" Matt protested.

Aria gave him a reassuring glance. "I'll be fine. I am my father's daughter, right? Now go!"

The red-haired boy nodded and went off. Aria then began to fight the monsters. She managed to wipe off most of the Goblins, but then got hit by one of the Hobgoblins' hammer. She grunted and glared at it before slashing its stomach. It screeched in pain and then the other was coming at her from behind. Before Aria could react...

"Strike! Zeus Rampage!" Ur called out.

Then lightning striked the two monsters and the one in front of Aria died, while the other fell to the ground, but got back on its feet.

Is this really the power of the Spirits? Aria thought in her mind.

"Aria, finish it off!" Ur said.

Then the girl nodded and finished it off with a few slashes from her sword before it died. She panted and then fell on her knees. Already this day was going to be a long one.

"Aria!"

Aria turned and saw her father and Matt running towards her. They stopped on their tracks and looked around at the corpses of the fallen monsters.

"Unbelievable!" Matt spoke.

Then Aria said, "I dealt with them...all..."

She fell to the ground, exhausted from the fight and from the shock of the past events of the day.

Aria woke up and she was in her bed. She then shook her head and then a glass was handed to her. She looked to her right and saw that it was Matt.

"Matt? What happened?" she asked.

"That's what I want to know! Your father and I can't believe you handled that many monsters on your own. You used to be able to do half of them and then let your father do the rest," Matt said.

Aria then looked around. "The Book!" she cried out.

Matt then said, "Oh, you mean that strange book you had with you? Don't worry. It's here on your night table."

Aria looked at her right and saw the Book of Prophecy on her night table. She sighed with relief. Then Ur came to mind and she looked around for him, but he wasn't anywhere in sight.

"Are you all right, Aria?" Matt asked.

The young girl shook her head and said, "Yeah. I'm all right. Where is Father?"

Matt replied, "He went to dispose of the monsters' bodies." He then smiled. "I'm glad to see you're alright, though, Aria. When you fell unconscious, I was frightened."

Then Aria smacked him on the head. "You idiot! What were you thinking, trying to take on that number on monsters on your own? Are you trying to get killed?"

"Sorry..." Matt whined, rubbing his head. "I just wanted to help out the town with the monster problems we've been having."

"Don't be an idiot by doing that. You should have went to my father and the town guards. They can handle them just fine!"

"Aria, just listen. I only did that cause I want to be like you and your father!"

That got Aria to bite her bottom lip. Matt wanted to be a hero, but was always trying to act tough and think he can handle monsters on his own, even though he would wound up getting hurt, and she or her father would come to his rescue every time.

Aria then said, "Matt, if you want to be a hero, ask my father to train you. He's been asking you that so many times."

"But...it's just that I don't think I'm worthy to be his pupil. I'm just a coward, no matter how much I try," Matt sadly said, looking down at his feet.

Then Aria got over to hug him. "You're my best friend, Matt, and I believe in you. You just need to believe in yourself and not let your fears get in the way of your goals and dreams. Believe it or not, but I felt that way when I started training with Father, but I kept on believing in myself and doing my best."

Matt then looked at her and asked, "You sure?"

"Did I ever lie to you about something like this?" the girl asked with a wink and a grin.

Then the young boy shook his head. "You never did. You're right." He stood. "I'll go talk to him about it right now. I'll come check on you later, okay?"

Aria nodded. "You got it."

Matt went off and Aria nearly jumped when she heard someone say, "He's quite the fellow."

Then Aria looked and saw it was Ur. He was floating next to her.

She said, "Yeah, he and I known each other since we were babies. Our fathers known each other since their school years, so yeah." She looked at Ur. "I was thinking you disappeared."

Ur shook his head. "I'm bound to the Book, so I just went in there until things settled down. People unlike you can't see me, but I just wanted to give you some time to settle in with what happened." He turned to her. "I'm sorry that this is too much of a shock for you."

Aria then said, "Relax. I'm alright with it. Now that I think about it, this will give me a great opportunity to improve my fighting and to go on an adventure."

Ur tilted his head a little. "I take that you enjoy adventuring?"

"Yeah! I want to see more of this world and meet new people. Learn new cultures and all that." Aria then laid back on the bed. "We can leave tomorrow to search for the spirits."

"Good idea," Ur said.

After scanning the townsfolk, getting things ready and packed, and saying goodbye to her friends, Aria went to say goodbye to her father.

"Aria," he said. "You've grown to a young adult, so I'm proud that you're going out on your own. You promise to write to me, right?"

"Yes, Father. I promise," Aria spoke, hugging her father.

Ur was watching and he smiled at the family.

Her father then said, "Have a nice trip."

"Hey! Wait, Aria!" Matt called out as he was running towards the two.

Aria and her father blinked.

"Matt? You don't mean to say you're coming with me, are you?" Aria asked.

Matt nodded. "I thought about it and I came to a conclusion that I could learn more of being a hero and train more by coming with you."

Aria then cried out, "Then what was the point of asking my father to train you if you're coming with me?"

Her father said, "You should let him join you. I'm sure he'll get better during your travels."

Aria thought about it, shrugged, and said, "I guess I can't argue with that. Come on, Matt. Let's go."

Matt nodded and then they were off.

Next Chapter...

Aria: So we have to find Mieli, right?

Ur: Yes. She's somewhere in the Grantuam Forest.

Matt: Aria, who's this with us?

Ur: ?

Aria: Join us next time on the next chapter! See you then!