The Hero Within: The Hero Within Saga, #1

By Jason Langin

What 14-year-old boy would turn down the opportunity to fight alongside ninjas, fly with dinosaurs, and battle Ice Giants? Probably none. Which of those boys would willingly give up childhood in order to do it is the real question.

In The Hero Within, Alex is that regular 14-year-old boy. He isn't really concerned about the pressures of young adulthood that await him, but with high school looming right after the summer Alex is forced to take a closer look at his life and his future. One day, Alex discovers a puzzling medallion hidden in his bedroom. Once he puts it on, his life changes forever. He is charged with the implausible task of completing an interdimensional scavenger hunt to find the lost Treasures of the Elders. In doing so, he would assist Melanie, the imprisoned princess of the magical ice world known as Krisslyn.

Alex is then whisked away through time and space where he must rely on his wits, special skills, and a lot of luck to complete his mission. Alex must battle knights in a fierce medieval-style tournament, help an mysterious ninja warrior defeat an ancient foe, and thwart the wicked plans of a clan of vampires, all while avoiding the evil Redeemers who work to foil Alex's plans at every turn. And what will he do when he actually encounters the Princess? In this exciting adventure, a boy is allowed to relish his youth and learn the importance of growing up at the same time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jason Langin
• Release date: Nov 18, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301197736

Jason Langin

Jason Langin is a middle school language arts teacher residing in the greenish suburbs of the great city of Philadelphia. A Brooklyn, NY native and graduate of Villanova University, Jason has published five novels for middle grade readers. He has two beautiful daughters. In his spare time, Jason enjoys writing, reading, riding roller coasters, listening to music that is much too loud for his age bracket, and performing with his improv troupe.

Book preview

THE HERO WITHIN

By Jason Langin

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2012 Jason Langin

Published by Jason Langin on Smashwords

Cover art by Alfred Ventura

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Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Chapter 1 – The Road Begins

The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.

- Lao-Tzu

The world’s greatest thinkers spend their lives pondering life’s greatest questions. What is the essence of love? Is there life beyond the confines of Earth? What is the meaning and purpose of life?

At this particular moment, however, the most important question on Alex’s mind was whether or not he would be able to reach beyond L if he tried the ginger ale instead.

He had gotten to L earlier with root beer, but, of course, there was no witness. His cousin Carl had burped almost the entire alphabet, but Alex still contended that he skipped a few letters in the L-M-N-O-P part. Alex was determined to best his cousin sooner or later.

Yes, summer vacations and deep thoughts just didn’t mix. Oil and water. Especially not for Alex. No, thinking in the summer time was relegated to such questions as What movie should we see? and What flavor ice cream do you want? Nothing deep.

What made this summer different was that 14-year-old Alex was about to embark on a remarkable spiritual journey that would change the course of his life, although he didn’t know it at the time. Alex was consumed with the present; he rarely spent the time to think about anything else. So, it was really quite natural that when Alex heard the noise coming from his backyard, he acted without thinking at all.

It was about 3:30 on a Thursday afternoon, and Alex was waiting to be picked up for summer league baseball practice. It was late June, and the days were getting warmer than your typical spring weather. It was full-fledged summer now, and there was nothing better. Alex had always loved the summer more than anything else. Baseball, picnics and, especially, no school or homework. Long carefree days of nothing but fun. He also knew that he had to make this one count, because it was his last summer before entering high school.

High school, according to his parents, was the absolute end to anything even remotely resembling fun. Alex’s parents kept telling him that he would really need to rethink his priorities to make it in high school. That meant, in theory, that Alex had actually thought about his priorities in the first place. Mom kept saying, You really need to get your act together, mister, if you ever want to get into a good college. Dad chimed in with, A good start will be getting your head out of the clouds and into your books. And not those comic books either. It was too bad that most universities didn’t care about debating who would win in a fight between the Silver Surfer and Superman. Otherwise, Alex might have gotten a scholarship years ago.

Alex wasn’t necessarily a bad student. He did what he had to do to get by. He heard the same thing from his teachers every year – if only he would apply himself more he would be a straight A student. What does that mean anyway? Alex always wondered. Apply myself to what? Am I a stamp? It had been a glorious time finishing middle school, but soon all that fun would come to an end. It was time to grow up.

Alex often wondered what would really change when he entered high school. Would he actually be any different? Would he stop playing with his friends? Yes, he knew he was too big for the ball pit at Uncle Marty’s Fun Zone now that he was 14, but that was a decent tradeoff now that he could drive the go-karts. Would he have to give up video games, baseball cards, and everything else that was fun?

And what about girls? Would he have to ask them out on dates now? Was it like a rule or something? A week ago he had a dream that it was the first day of high school. He was waiting on line to register for his classes. On the form were three blank lines to be filled in: Girls I will ask out in first semester. He panicked because he couldn’t think of any. He woke up and quickly skimmed his 8th grade yearbook to see if he could have actually done it if it had been real. Reality wasn’t much better. Oh well, he thought to himself, at least I can start shaving soon.

It was all too confusing to think of right now. He downed his last bit of root beer, saved competitive burping for later, and ran to find his glove. He pushed the door open to his bedroom and waded through the piles of clothes, comics, and other junk. He opened his closet and pulled his glove off the top shelf. When he did, he pulled over the entire pile of clothes he had stacked on top of it (because he was too lazy to put everything back in their proper drawers), and everything fell all over the floor.

Oh man, said Alex as he pulled aside his sweatpants and t-shirts. Not that it really mattered – what were a few more snowflakes after an avalanche? He sifted through to get to his glove, and as he picked it up he noticed something he hadn’t seen before.

It was a medallion made of silver. It glistened in the sunlight shining through his window as it rested on his messy floor. It was attached to a long chain that seemed just right for someone his size. Alex swore he had never seen it before. (He didn’t even own any jewelry. His aunt gave him a gold ring when he was in third grade. He lost it after a week when he wore it while swimming in the ocean. Mom shared a great story about responsibility after that episode.) For some reason, Alex was transfixed by this object, as if the world had actually stopped so he could view it undisturbed. It just somehow felt like it was his. Then, without contemplating its origin, he put it around his neck. Just as he had thought, it was a perfect fit. It was almost as if it was made to fit around his neck and his neck only. It was too weird.

Alex examined the medallion more closely. It was exquisitely designed and carved in the shape of a deer’s head with imposing antlers. The two eyes were made out of small gems, and they seemed to be looking at Alex with an intent, penetrating stare. Alex peered into them, and as he did, the eyes glowed with a bright, pinkish hue. Alex rubbed his eyes, thinking he was just seeing things, and as he looked again the color was gone.

BEEP! BEEP!

The horn of Mrs. Schalda’s station wagon brought Alex back to his previously oblivious self. He tucked the medallion under his jersey without a second thought, and it felt as cold as ice against his bare chest. Whatever this mysterious piece of jewelry was would have to wait until later. But just as he was about to open the door to exit his house, he heard the loudest, strangest noise come from the backyard. Normally, Alex would have just let it go, but something about the way the afternoon was going made him turn to check it out.

It sounded like a crash, and he ran to the back door to see what had happened. He was relieved to see that it was only his cat Sophie that had made the noise. She had knocked his mother’s favorite potted plant off the sill, and it lay shattered on the patio.

What happened, Soph? Alex said as he knelt down to pick up the pieces. Did you get chased by the McGowan’s dog again? I told you to not bother him anym…

Alex stopped in mid-sentence, because he was focusing on something other than speaking. He had started scraping up the potting soil with the shattered pieces of pottery when he noticed that there were large footprints in the dirt. Upon closer inspection he discovered that they weren’t footprints at all, they looked more like hoof prints!

Hoof prints? He looked over at little Sophie – it sure wasn’t her feet! But what could have made those marks? Mrs. Schalda honked again, but in his curious state, Alex didn’t even notice. The day was getting stranger by the moment. He scooped up his cat and mindlessly followed the prints tracking them around like a zombified bloodhound. He walked across his patio into the yard and followed them behind his mother’s rosebush and his father’s tool shed and walked right into…

A horse!

Alex yelled as the horse reared back. He couldn’t believe it! A real live horse in his backyard – and it was huge! It was magnificent – a rich dark brown – and hooked up to an old stagecoach. The carriage was rickety and worn and, more amazing than anything else, it was in his backyard! Alex stood there in silence and absolute disbelief as he looked up and down at the animal as it eventually calmed down. Then suddenly, he heard another noise that startled him even more.

Well don’t just stand there, get in! There isn’t much time! said a strange-looking man with a high-pitched voice. The man poked his head out of the stagecoach window revealing a shiny, bald head and a comical, bushy red mustache that bounced when he spoke. He reminded Alex of the gatekeeper in The Wizard of Oz. Alex stood there amused by this rather portly fellow who seemed very anxious to be on his way. Why you lookin’ at me so funny for? Come on, let’s go! he called again in a squeaky voice.

Umm…I think you’ve got me confused with somebody else, Alex replied rather shyly. I have to go to baseball practice.

The man mumbled something under his breath as he hopped down from the carriage with a huff. Alex noticed the man was a lot shorter than he originally appeared as he waddled in his direction. Alex back-pedaled, suddenly a bit frightened at what was happening, as the strange fellow backed him up against the fence. The man, for all Alex knew, might have been a serial killer that suckered kids with his horse and stagecoach. Then, the stranger reached up and grabbed for Alex’s throat, confirming Alex’s suspicions. Quickly, Alex jerked back in defense and whacked his own head into the fence.

Ow! Alex moaned. The small man ignored Alex’s strange maneuver and reached under his jersey pulling out the deer medallion!

Nope, you’re the guy! he said in a cheery tone. How could the man have known about the medallion Alex had found only moments ago? Now let’s get goin’ before it’s too late!

Too late for what? asked Alex as he rubbed his sore head. The coachman howled with laughter at this comment as he led Alex over to the carriage by the hand. Ho, ho ho – now that’s a good one! It’s good to see you’ve still got your sense of humor at a time like this. They say laughter is the best medicine. Too late for what! Ha!

He opened the door of the coach for Alex who peered inside. It was dark, but not unlike any stagecoach he had ever seen in movies before. But what does that matter, Alex thought to himself. You can’t go with this guy. You don’t even know who he is.

Just at that moment the horse bucked again. It whinnied as little Sophie slashed at its ankles. In a flash, the horse charged after the mischievous cat pulling the carriage with a jerk.

Oh well, laughed the man. Ready or not, we gotta go now! He grabbed Alex with his right hand and the back of the carriage with his left. With a remarkable feat of strength unbefitting a man of his size, he pulled himself and Alex onto the back of the cart and told him to hold on.

Before Alex had a chance to stop the coach or say another word, the carriage tore through his backyard, picking up incredible speed and demolishing every plant in its path. And before he could ponder just how angry his mother was going to be about the mess or why the horse wasn’t stopping when a fence was right in front of it, Alex looked down at the medallion bouncing wildly around his neck. The deer’s eyes were glowing again…

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