Chapter Text
Barry cleaned the sweat in his forehead. It's been a busy morning, and the afternoon won't be any easier.
“Thanks. This should keep us going for a little while.”, thanked Iris, his close friend whose family adopted him.
“No problem. Just doing my part for our village.”
“If only things weren't like this…”, she sighed.
“Can't be helped. Ever since the new king got in charge, things have changed… We can only push through.”
“True tha-”. Iris gets interrupted by a guard grabbing her hand up high.
“Hey, where's the shipment for the king? It should've been on its way by now and it's not!”
“Ah! Let me go!”, she tried to break free, but it was in vain. The guard was holding her firmly. “We were just about to get the shipment moving! Let go!”, she squirmed.
“Is that so?”
“Yes!”, Barry chimed in. “Look for yourself, it's right here. We had some trouble with some of the items, but everything's in order and ready to go now.”
The guard let go of Iris and started inspecting the merchandise. It was just some farm animals and crops, but it was all they could give. Their little village depended on it.
The guard scoffed. “You get off easy this time, but no more delays!”, and the guard walked away.
“Geez, I want to see them do this themselves.", Iris snarled as she composed herself.
“You ok?”, he worriedly asked, checking her over.
“Yeah, just a bruised wrist from the grabbing. It'll pass.”
Making one final round of the shipment and ensuring everything was in order, they sent it on its way and returned back home. It's time for lunch.
“There you are.”, greeted Joe, Iris’ father. He was just finishing cooking. “I heard a commotion. Is everything ok?”
“Yeah, just a guard that couldn't wait ten more seconds for us to get the shipment for the king going.”, Iris explained.
“That smells so good! When do we eat?!”, asked Barry, stomach always thinking louder.
“Set the table and we can start.”
“You have that look on you.”, Iris said as she sat beside Barry on the ground. They were by the tree in the house’s backyard.
“What look?”
“That you're thinking really hard about doing something. Probably something stupid, if I had to guess.”, she chuckled.
“Hey! It's not- Well, I…”, he stumbled. He couldn't deny the idea was a bit dumb.
“So what's this idea of yours?”
“I was thinking of… meeting the king. Have an audience with him.”
“WHAT?!”, Iris shouted perplexed. This was a whole new level of stupidity, even for Barry. “Why would you even want to do such a thing?!”
“Because there's something wrong.”, he started, face full of determination. “Things were good while King Alan reigned, and I know he has now passed, bless his soul, but things were also good during the beginning of King Hal's reign!”. His voice never once wavered. “Something must have happened to make him so ruthless now. Some power he shouldn't have obtained or doesn't know how to control and it took over, I don't know. But there's something going on, and I will find out!”
“Barry…”
“I know, I know… it's stupid… hopeless, but… you must see my point, Iris!”, he pleaded.
“I do, but you don't have to be the one to uncover this!”
“If not me, then who? Someone must take the first step, I might as well do it myself.”
“But who says there's not someone already on the case? You don't know what goes outside our village, Barry, and we need you here.”, she tried to reason.
“There could just as well be no one investigating.”, he argued back. “Look, I've been thinking about this for a while now and I've made up my mind. I'm going to the capital and depending on what I find there, I'll either return immediately or return only after uncovering the whole truth.”
“Are you certain? The road is perilous, there's lots of dangerous creatures and men out there.”
“I'll be careful.”
Iris stayed quiet in thought. She wasn't 100% on board with this, but Barry was set on it, and all she could do was give her support. But Barry wasn't a fighter, neither was she, and without proper skill one won't survive out there for long. There had to be someone who could help… Oh!
“Ok, I'll let you go, but on one condition.”
“What is it?”
“Talk with Jay Garrick first. He's a former soldier, let him train you, at least a little.”
“Oh! That's actually a good idea. He was also close with King Alan, wasn't he? Maybe there's something I can learn about the capital from him. Thanks, Iris!”, Barry said with a wide smile and then rushed in the direction of Jay's humble hut by the outskirts of the village.
“Be careful! Don't do anything too stupid!”, she shouted as her friend ran, hoping the words would stay in his brain for once.
“Who is it- oh, Barry! So nice to see you!”, greeted Jay as he opened the door and let the young man in. “Come in, chump. Can I help you?”
“Well… You see, Jay, I'm planning on going to the capital, but, well, I'm not that good of a fighter. Figured you could train me, a little bit at least?”
“The capital? What business do you have there?”
“I… I want to know what changed the king.”, Barry said, an unwavering determination in his eyes.
“Hm, then you'll definitely need to gain some shape. Come.”. Barry followed eagerly.
For weeks, Jay taught him basic punches and kicks, and how to wield a knife, for extra precaution. Put him under rigorous training that increased not only his strength, but his stamina and endurance too. Taught him how to dodge and parry enemies, the items sold throughout towns, and although none were particular magic users, Jay also told him all he knew of magic, which was still a lot!
Alongside the training, Jay told him tales of King Alan. Turns out they were close friends, despite their different ranks. Jay was an unofficial advisor of the king, according to him. As for the king himself, he was what Jay called a Green Lantern, someone whose green magic is born of will. Apparently, it had been Alan himself that came up with the name. The older man explained it was that power that made Alan king, by the will of the people, how the old king deeply valued the trust the city placed on him.
He also talked about similar powers to that of King Alan, but of different colors, born of different emotions. He knew the colors were that of the rainbow, but he wasn't aware of what emotion each encompassed. Except for one: the yellow color of fear. Long ago, Alan had warned him of it, often bringing it up in discussions since apparently those who wield that power often target others instead of keeping more to themselves like the rest. And just like back then, Jay too told him to be wary of people with a yellow aura around them.
Finally, turns out Jay got to meet the current king, Hal, while he was a child. Apparently, he appeared in Alan's court one day, saying he was told the king could help him understand his mysterious powers. Noticing Hal was a Green Lantern like him, Alan immediately took him in and raised him as the son he never had. Talking about Hal filled Jay with melancholy; he kept repeating he was a good child. Clearly, deep down, he too wanted to know what changed the kid he knew from long ago.
“I hope all I've taught you aids you in your quest, chump.”, Jay said one day, all he could teach already taught.
“I'm sure it will, Jay! Thanks!”
“One more thing before you go.”. The elder raised his hand to signal Barry to wait.
“What is it?”
“A spell passed through my family. I want you to learn it too.”
“Oh? I thought you didn't use magic?”, the younger inquired, a confused look on his face. Jay had told him about magic, but this is the first time he talks about actually learning a spell.
“This is the only spell I know. Have you ever heard of Haste?”
“Haste? The spell that makes things move faster?”
“Indeed. It can be applied to people too, you know. It's how speedsters come to be, though not many know that. I'm sure it'll help you greatly. Pay attention.”
It took three days for Barry to master the spell. Now with truly all Jay could possibly teach him, Barry went to say his goodbyes to Iris and Joe.
“Be careful. And don't hesitate to ask for help if you're in danger, you hear!”, advised Iris, hugging him tightly, afraid to let go, for it might be the last time they're together.
“I have a thing for you before you go.”, said Joe, quickly exiting the room before returning just as fast with some clothes and armor pieces in hand. “It ain't much, but I hope these provide you some extra protection out there.”
Barry took the clothes and went to change. When he returned, he looked more like the adventurer he was about to become than before. A burgundy shirt and common brown pants accessorized with shoulder and knee pads for extra protection and high boots. He could also carry a pouch in his belt! All of it was topped with the special ring Jay had given him before, said it helped with recovering and retaining mana so Barry could cast Haste frequently. He was finally ready to depart.
“Take care, kid. May your quest bear fruits!”
Barry had been walking for days. Turns out the capital was further than he anticipated, especially when going on foot. He refused to cast Haste for the trip, first because he didn't expect such a big distance, and then because the sights were very pretty and he decided to enjoy them.
So far, he hasn't encountered any large danger, only some wolves that attacked him but he managed to repel them. He remembers hearing the animals weren't always this aggressive, often keeping to themselves and only attacking if provoked. But everything changed years ago…
Anyway, although his rations have long been consumed (and he did pack plenty), thanks to passersby who generously offer him some of their food, he has managed to survive thus far. Unfortunately, none took him with them, most said they didn't have space for him, some weren't going to the capital and others outright ignored him. So he kept walking. There was nothing else he could do.
According to a merchant that was coming from the capital, Barry's destination was only a few kilometers away now. Finally, that means I should start seeing the capital soon, he thought.
However, fate had other plans for him, as out of seemingly nowhere, a giant water flan sprouted a water ray at him. Barry just barely dodged it, all thanks to the quick Haste he cast on himself.
“This is bad… This is very bad…”, he kept muttering. Where did this creature even come from? I don't remember hearing about water flans in this region, and definitely not such a big one. Could it have escaped from somewhere?, the young adventurer kept thinking, running deeper into the forest to drag the monster away from the way.
He successfully pulled the monster away from the main road, however he now faced a new problem: he can't fight this thing! Flans like this are weak to elemental magic only, and Barry has nothing of the sort, only Haste to get him going faster.
His only option is returning to the main road without the flan following him, but… Where's the main road again?
Oh no… he's lost, as if this couldn't get any worse. He was so caught up in his thoughts and panic that he didn't evade the flan’s next water ray, which in turn sent the speedster straight to a tree, knocking him out cold almost immediately.
Before he closed his eyes, he saw only a flash of light hitting the flan, whatever that could've been…
“What should we do with him?”, asked a man, voice deep and with a growl to it.
“The captain might like to know him.”, his companion responded. “After all, he used Haste on himself! I heard that's not something for everyone.”
“Very well.”, the first man picked Barry and placed him on his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. “What about the flan?”
“Well, the rumors were true, there was a giant water flan around and we dealt with it as per our orders. It didn't drop anything, though, so we can't bring back any proof of it. Hopefully, the captain will believe our word.”
“Our guest is soaked from the attack. He's our proof.”
“Ah, true. Looks like, if nothing else, he'll be useful for that much. Let's go before they start to get worried. Go through the portal!”