Chapter 1: The Day of Reckoning
A small boy wearing an overly large red coat was walking through the unforgiving sands of what seemed to be an endless dessert. His lips were chapped beyond belief, his mouth begging for moisture, dead eyes; focused in one direction, the east. He shuffled on through the blistering heat and sand, muttering the same words over and over again; “The Sea, the sea.” As he walked towards the east hoping to find the great big blue that he once dreamed about. “Can I make it?” “Am I strong enough?” “Were the others right?” “Was what I saw real?” These thoughts festered in the boy’s head as he continued his eastbound journey.
After walking for what seemed like forever, and suffering from severe dehydration, his legs finally gave out. As he hits the ground feeling the sand burying him, he utters the words “I deserve this.”
Chapter 2: The General History of the World
Five days earlier…
Conner Avetti was an eight year old boy, with long brown hair. He wore the traditional desert clothing that everyone from his area wore and was sitting on his mother Amelia’s lap. They were sitting in front of their small house located in a small desert country and far away from the major cities. She began to read a passage from the book “The General History of the World.” That Conner had picked up from one of the traveling sellers. Amelia began to read “So it is told, that it all happened right after the discovery of the new world; that magical powers were gifted to people all over the world.”
“Magic?” Conner questioned.
“Hmm the book doesn’t really go into it but basically, have you ever wondered why with a flip of a switch you can turn our lamps off and on?” She asked in response.
“Yeah but-.”
“Let me give you give quick example.” Amelia used her forefinger to trace what seemed to be random shapes on the page. “Now touch the middle of this page and say flip’.” Amelia gestured to the book. Conner obliged and placed his forefinger on the page.
“Flip.” Conner repeated. At first nothing, but as Conner lifted his finger the page started to glow and follow Conner’s finger as he lifted it, flipping the page. Conner looked astonished. “What else can it do?” Conner asked wide eyed.
“Well you could do almost anything with enough studying.” Amelia looked up as if she was recalling some old memory. “I’ve seen people use magic not just for leisure but for combat, for creation, I’ve even some people taking attributes of animals.” Amelia snapped out of her nostalgia and returned her attention back to Conner. “But back to the book.” She begins to read again“…This created the three main orders of magic: Slamism, Germnism and Chanism. These orders all believed that the force that granted them these new gifts must have been the creator of the world and needed to be praised and worshipped for their blessing.” She flipped to the next page. “The magic orders constantly bickered over how they should worship the creator leading to wars between nations swearing allegiance with different magical orders. None of them expected the creator to return.”
His mother and him have never really talked about the creation of the world, so this was the first time for him even hearing about the creator. “The creator of the world returned?” Conner asked.
“Well, that’s what the book reads.” Amelia responded with a blank face.
“Hmm.” Conner sighs as he thinks to himself. “Is the creator an actual person? Or maybe, could it be some kind of force?”
“Anyways.” Amelia looked down and continued to read from the book. “… The creator tore the world apart, before the world had giant land masses called continents but now the lands split apart into many; creating islands, most no bigger than a hundred miles. The three councils still argued what the creator wanted. Some nations argued if the creator even exists in the first place? This led to even more wars from the new small nations and even witch hunts. This was eventually put to a cease fire by…” Amelia's voice trails off, she stops reading as she stares off into the distance.
Chapter 3: Unwelcome Visitors
Conner looked up wondering why his mother stopped reading. “Mom?” he asked trying to get her attention. He followed his mother eyes to see what she was staring at. He saw something, coming from the east; they looked like ghosts blending into the back of the sky. Amelia closed the book and handed it to Conner, keeping constant eyesight toward the approaching strangers.
“Get inside, Conner.” Amelia commanded. Conner looked up and noticed her expression; all he’d known from his mother was a happy warm simile but her face looked angered.
“Okay.” Conner said as he got up from his mother’s lap. He ran toward their house, fearful on what was about to happen, the front door slamming behind him. Curiosity got the better of Conner and he moved toward one of the windows of their house. The white ghosts he saw were men wearing white and blue jackets, about five of them total, all who appear to be carrying swords and scimitars. They walked forward, toward his mother who stood there meeting them half way. The one who appeared to be in charged stepped forward and spoke. “Amelia, we have been sent by the Covana-“
“I don’t care.” Amelia interrupted shocking the man and the rest of the soldiers. “Now get off my property.” She said sternly. All the guards seemed were thrown off by her candor; this angered the one in command.
“Listen Ms.Avetti, we have the correct documentation, to not only to come on your land but to search your little shack you call a home.” He walked past Amelia. “This country has struck a deal with you to allow you this plot of land but the Covenant is being integrated into this country.” The commander sternly spoke the troops to smile in confidence seeing their commander being forceful. He turned around “All they want is to make sure that you are not holding any of their illegal spices.” The commander spoke more calmly hoping Amelia would see his reasoning.
“I know this nation sold themselves to be cattle.” Amelia said abruptly looking back at the commander. “But the treaty I have made with your government states clearly that me, my own and my land is not part of your country.”
“Yes but we are allowed to-.” The commander said as he looked back at his troops.
“The treaty already covers my travel around the country and gives me the final say on whoever enters my land.” Amelia interrupted “So if anything you and your men are in violation of the treaty thereby instigating a war.”
“Humph a war with whom?” One of the guards asked sarcastically. Amelia turned around to look at the guards, Conner could not see his mother’s expression but he could see the troop’s faces turn from confidence to fear as they jumped back. A few even started to reach for their weapons.
Amelia spoke in a low, solemn and menacing tone. “They must have not told you about me.” The commander seeing the fear in his men’s eyes walked towards Amelia placing his hand on her shoulder to get her attention.
“Amelia, please.” He spoke calm but strict “If it’s not us then it will be a higher up in the covenant.” Amelia looked back hearing the reasoning that seemed sympathetic. “And we wouldn’t want anything bad to happen.” The commander gestured to the window Conner was looking out of. Amelia turned around with no expression, looking down avoiding the eyes of the commander.
“Tell me.” She spoke softly. “Would you rather let your family die?” She glanced up with a cold expression that only another killer would understand “Or would you rather kill in front of them.” Stunned, the commander let go of her shoulder. He looked over to his guards who only offered up scared faces. Then as the shock wore off, begrudgingly walked back towards his guards.
“Fine!” He yelled back “But don’t expect whoever to come next to be anymore kind.” The commander and his troops began to walk, Amelia watched until they were out of eyesight.
Chapter 4: Our Heroes?
Conner watched Amelia standing there and he could have sworn he saw a tear blow off her face into the wind. She walked back to the house with a blank expression on her face and opened the door to see Conner waiting with tears starting to form. Amelia’s face immediately changed from a cold, nonexistent expression to the warm smile that Conner grew up knowing. She bent down with arms open wide, Conner ran towards her feeling her warm embrace.
“It’s okay, the bad men have gone away.” She spoke softly giving a small pat on his head.
“But who are they?” Conner said through a sniffle as he left his mother’s embrace.
“Just men who sold their individuality.” Amelia spoke softly, looking away as if she was talking to herself. “They are not people you need to worry about.” She looked back towards Conner giving another warm smile.
“But, but-. “ Conner stuttered.
“Your hair is growing out isn’t it?” Amelia said, deliberately changing the subject as she stroked her son’s hair. She took her long pony tail and untied her red bow that held her hair. “Here, hold on to this for me.” She began to tie the red cloth around Conner’s head.
“Mom! I don’t want a bow in my hair.” Conner protested forgetting about their previous conversation.
“It’s not a bow.” Amelia corrected as she finished tying it around the back of Conner’s head. “It’s your headband.”
“Thanks.” Conner said feeling slightly grateful that his hair was no longer in his face.
“Look, something has come up and…” Amelia ran her fingers through Conner’s hair. “I won’t be able to read to you today.” Amelia stood up.
“Okay? But why?” Conner asked confused.
“I have to write a few letters and then make dinner.” Amelia began to walk away. “You’ll be fine we were almost at the end of the chapter anyway.” She said looking back
“Okay.” Conner walked into their living room turning the switch to turn on the lamps, lighting the room. Sitting on their couch in their living room Conner opened the book and began to read to himself where they left off.
“…This was eventually put to a cease fire by the Covenant.” Conner eye’s widened.
“Those men his mother was arguing with said they were with the Covenant.” Conner thought to himself. He continued to reading.
“The Covenant was a new order made up of people from the three magic orders and others who didn’t even believe in the orders. They wore white and blue jackets that symbolized purity. This order, this idea that magic belonged to the people started on one island and expanded to the other islands and is credited for bringing world peace” Conner sat there stunned.
“The heroes of the world said we were doing something illegal. But we aren’t. Are we?” Conner questioned himself trying to make sense of this new information.
Chapter 5: Mother’s final Request
The sun began to set and Conner felt exhausted. He decided he would probably ask his mother about the Covenant tomorrow. He was about to go to his room and get ready for bed when his mother stopped him.
“Conner, tomorrow I need you get up early-“
“How early?” Conner asked rubbing his eyes
“Early honey,” Amelia answered. “I want you to go into town at dawn and use this gold to buy that new book you wanted.” She handed him a small pouch, His’s eyes lighted up at the thought of buying the book he wanted. It was called Anthem written by one of his favorite authors James Dimitri, the story is based on how a former slave freed himself and staged a revolution to free the rest of the slaves in his country.
“But why so early?” Conner asked. Usually both his mother and him would go to the closest city the Capitol together to shop and it was usually late in the day, Amelia always seem to want to avoid the main shopping crowd.
“It’s important dear; I also need you to buy the book from the book seller in Jonestown and NOT the Capitol.” Amelia emphasizing the word not.
“But Jonestown doesn’t have a good book selection.” Conner protested. Jonestown is a small town, further away from their house mostly residential, with a have few vendors, but was also unlikely to have the book.
“Please dear, do this for me.” Amelia pleaded. Conner seeing the anxious look in his mother’s eyes felt a pang in his heart.
“Okay.” He replied reluctantly.
“Thank you Dear, also hold on to this letter.” Conner reached for the letter, but he could feel the resistance as Amelia held onto it reluctant to let go, until finally the sealed letter slipped through her fingers. “When you have purchased the book, I want you to come back to the house right away. Go to the back of the house, place one of your hands on the bottom board and say your name; a chest will appear before you…” Amelia bit her lower lip feeling emotional. “I want you take the chest and make your way to the sea…” She took a deep breath “I’ll be waiting for you there.”
“The sea?” Conner questioned. “I… Don’t know where or what that is?”
“You’ll know it when you see it, sweetheart.” She gave him a little smile then said, “It’s a straight shot from the house, if you get confused just head east, follow the sun as it comes up and you’ll find it.” Amelia looked straight at Conner to make sure he understood.
“Mother I...” Conner said shaking, feeling the stress as he recalled what he read in the book.
“What is it?”
“It’s nothing.” Conner figured there would be a better time to ask her about the Covenant.
“Everything, will be fine Sweetheart.” Amelia said sympathetically. “I know you can handle this.”
“And the letter?” Conner asked.
“Open it when you reach the sea.”
“Okay.” Conner nodded.
“Now give me a hug.” She said with another warm smile. Conner reached out and felt again the warmth of her embrace except this time, Conner could feel her hold him tighter and longer. Amelia felt a tear running down her cheek but she kept her self together. “I love you Conner” She whispered
“I love you too Mom.” Conner replied as he left her embrace and went to bed.
Chapter 6: The Journey to Jonestown
Conner made sure he went to bed early that night; he knew that this was important to his mother; he just wished he knew why. Conner got up early the next morning, and dressed as he watched the sun rise. He grabbed the letter and the gold his mother gave him and headed out the door. Conner was going to say goodbye to his mother before he left but when he went to her room it was empty. He wondered where she had gone but figured she was busy with something and that’s why she was sending him alone. He left his house and began his long walk to Jamestown, dreading every step. It didn’t help that every time his mother and him walked through Jamestown they received dirty looks, whereas at the Capitol people just seemed to avoid them. As the sun beat down, Conner raised his head scarf to cover his head and face and continued through the desert.
It didn’t take long before he had the Capitol in eyesight. As he was passing he witnessed more men in white and blue coats entering the Capitol, but these men looked different. The men who came to his house looked like natives of the country these men looked out of place, more menacing, all well-armed with blank faces. Whatever was going on it required a huge military force to sustain it. Conner was tempted to sneak into the Capitol to see what was going on inside.
“It’s important dear.” Those words rang inside Conner’s head, causing him to stop in his tracks.
“Why was this so important?” He wondered. He decided to put the thoughts of the Capitol out of his mind for now. “Maybe I could stop on the way back.” he figured. “I might have to if Jonestown doesn’t have Anthem.”
Chapter 7: Bad history In Jonestown
Conner hated going to Jonestown. When he was growing up his mother would take him with her to the market, it was usually to the Capitol which is very busy city so they usually blended into the crowd but on rare occasion they would go to Jonestown which is sparse being mostly residential with a small market down in the middle. There he felt the stares of strangers giving both his mother and him the evil eye. Conner fantasized about this small town when he was younger because his first visit was also the first time he saw other children that freely played around the city. This interested him to a degree that when he was five, he snuck out of his house while his mother was cooking to join the other children as they played.
When he arrived he saw the children kicking the ball around to each other. They immediately stopped once they saw Conner walking up; they began to look around expecting to see his mother in the area. Conner walked towards them with a smile hoping they would accept him. As Conner stuck out his hand to introduce himself the children backed away slowly. Conner confused by their hesitation began to pick up his pace. The children’s pace went from stepping back in hesitation to turning around to run away from Conner.
“Help the demon spawn is trying to curse us!” They shouted, leaving Conner dumbfounded. Not knowing what they meant he attempted to chase them down, to know what they were talking about.
“Wait!” Conner shouted, trying to get their attention. The kids skidded to a stop and turned around to face Conner. “I just want to-.“ That was all Conner got a chance to say before a rock decked him right in the forehead knocking him to the ground.
“Kill the demon!” The kids yelled. Conner looked up in horror as he saw the kids began to run at him, throwing rocks. Conner quickly picked himself up and began to run away raising his arms to protect himself from the incoming rocks being hurled at him. They stopped following him as he left the town and reentered the desert. Conner was now sobbing as journeyed back to his home, not only did the pain sting; he began to worry.
“How will Mom react to the bruises?” He thought. “She’ll know that I snuck out.” All these thoughts entered Conner’s head while feeling sore from the beating. He finally got back to the house and walked in the front. Amelia heard the door shut.
“Dinner is almost ready.” She spoke. Conner began to feel fear as he heard his mother approach.
“Is she going to notice?” He thought. Conner put on a brave face and tried to think of excuse to tell his mother if she asked.
“Honey-, Oh no!” Amelia runs over to her son and swoop him up in hug. Conner felt a rush of emotions as he began to sob into her shoulder. “It’s okay, it’s okay, you’re safe now.” She comforted him.
“Ma… Mom, I.” Conner sniffled trying hard to catch his breath. Amelia placed her finger over Conner’s mouth to stop him from speaking.
“It’s okay honey I know you did nothing wrong.”
“But I-. “ Conner said with tears running down his face.
“You did nothing to deserve to this.” She cut off Conner again and took Conner to treat his wounds and they never talked about that incident again.
Chapter 8: Too Quiet
The memories of that day filled Conner’s head as made his way to Jonestown hoping that he wouldn’t run into those kids again. Conner was amazed as he entered Jonestown and noticed how quiet and deserted the place seemed. He let out a sigh in relief as he didn’t see any of the children that normally roamed the town playing.
Upon entering the market portion of the town, Conner looked to see only few adults browsing the market and disinterested vendors manning their stands. Conner walked up to the vendor that mainly sold books. This vendor was an older man and looked down at Conner with disdain, but he was a customer none the less and the only customer he had all day, so he kept his mouth shut allowing Conner to browse through his collection of books. As Conner looked and looked his heart began to sink as his assumption on the variety of books the Jonestown vendor had, was proving to be correct, none of the stories that he saw were Anthem, in fact many of the books he did see were old and beat up clearly used. The seller eventually got irritated with Conner’s window shopping and decided to speak up.
“Are you planning on buying anything!” The seller spat out at Conner.
“Oh uh-“ Conner flustered not expecting the seller to acknowledge him, he was used to conversing with some people besides his mother but most of the conversation experience he really knew were conversations he read in books “I was just wondering...” Conner continued avoiding contact with the seller “If you had the book called Anthem?” Conner started to hunch back as if he was about to hit by the seller.
“No.” The seller simply replied. Conner felt somewhat surprised not by the answer but by the seller’s reaction he couldn’t explain why but he thought since he inconvenienced the seller they would be more angered at him.
“Oh uhh…”
“Is that all?” The seller said in disappointment. “It’s bad enough I have to work while there’s an execution taking place.” The seller trailed off thinking out loud.
“An execution?” Conner wondered to himself. “Could that be what all the troops at the Capitol are there for?”
“Are you still there?” The seller looked down at Conner said breaking him out of his trance.
“Oh, I’m sorry for the inconvenience.” Conner bowed his head and turned away to make his way out of the city. The seller was surprised at Conner’s apology, it wasn’t many times he saw a customer treat him with that level of respect and certainly didn’t expect it from the rumors he heard about Conner.
“If there is execution at the capital then the shops are likely not to have much business, so I could get in and out fast, then get back to house so it wouldn’t make much of a time difference.” Conner thought to himself as he was leaving Jonestown.
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