Chapter Three — The Judges
The twelve mighty Judges of Israel had felt a shift in the heavens.
For a long time, they had known that war with the Philistines was brewing. Conflict between the two nations had steadily worsened, and at this point, war seemed inevitable.
But something had changed.
Something—or someone—had entered the world, and every Judge capable of sensing the heavens had felt it.
Whatever had arrived would accelerate everything.
The calamity was coming.
For thousands of years, a prophecy had been passed down from generation to generation. Their fathers had heard it from their fathers, and one day, they would pass it down to those who came after them.
It foretold the coming of the Breaker of Chains.
A child who would rise when Israel stood upon the brink of destruction.
The prophecy read:
"When the destruction of Israel becomes imminent and inevitable, the Lord shall send forth a child born from calamity.
This Child of Calamity shall mark either the revival—
or the annihilation of Israel."
Simple words.
Yet the terrifying omen contained within them had haunted the Judges and their forefathers for generations.
Now, for the first time in thousands of years, the heavens had shifted.
And the Judges knew what that meant.
The Child of Calamity had finally entered the world.
At the centre of Israel stood an ornate palace.
Pure white granite formed its towering walls, while golden details twisted around the enormous pillars supporting its structure. Under the light of the afternoon sun, the palace seemed almost radiant.
Within its deepest hall, however, beauty was the last thing on anyone's mind.
A heated meeting had been raging for several hours.
Twelve enormous thrones surrounded a massive circular table, although three currently sat empty.
At the head of the table sat an olive-skinned, middle-aged man adorned in spotless white robes.
Unlike most of the others, his expression remained remarkably relaxed.
Othniel the Mighty.
Current leader of the twelve Judges of Israel.
"What do you think about this, Othniel? You've been sitting there quietly watching us argue this entire time."
A younger man sitting beside him finally spoke.
Crimson robes covered his body, perfectly matching his fiery temperament. A sabre hung from his waist, its blade forged from obsidian-black metal while its hilt carried a deep blood-red finish.
His name was Jair.
One of Israel's newest Judges.
"Be patient, Jair." Othniel rested comfortably against his throne. "I'm still mulling a few things over. What exactly is the point of stressing ourselves right now?"
Jair's brows twitched.
"The Child of Calamity has appeared and you're asking why we should be worried?"
Othniel said nothing immediately.
He had spent the last several hours thinking about the situation.
At first, even he had felt some trepidation.
The prophecy was not something any Judge could simply ignore.
But after considering everything they currently knew, their situation was nowhere near as desperate as it had first appeared.
I only hope we can hold back the Philistines for another decade.
Othniel finally looked towards Jair.
"We know the Child of Calamity has been born."
The room quietened.
"And while you are correct that there should be some urgency, you're forgetting something important."
Jair frowned.
"Your faith."
Several of the Judges looked towards Othniel.
"The Lord is on our side. He has not abandoned Israel, and we have remained faithful to Him."
Othniel leaned forward slightly.
"And more importantly, Awakeners do not usually awaken until around ten years of age."
Several pairs of eyes widened.
A brief silence fell across the hall.
How did I forget something so obvious? one of the Judges thought.
Othniel continued.
"That gives us years to locate this child before his Awakening properly begins. Years to find him, understand him and, if the Lord wills it, nurture him."
His gaze moved around the table.
"So be patient and allow our diviners to work."
Jair crossed his arms.
"Diviners?"
"Why do you think I did not summon Tola, Deborah or Jephthah to this meeting?"
Understanding appeared across several faces.
"They are currently attempting to divine the child's birthplace," Othniel explained. "Something is interfering with their sight, so it may take years before they narrow down an exact location."
His fingers tapped gently against the table.
"But luckily for us, time is currently on our side."
Othniel looked directly at Jair.
"So, once again…"
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Be patient."
Jair stared back at him.
For several moments, neither moved.
Then heat began spreading throughout the chamber.
The air surrounding Jair distorted.
A fiery light washed over his eyes as his aura leaked from his body, raising the temperature of the entire room by several degrees.
Othniel merely looked at him.
Jair froze.
His aura disappeared immediately.
He closed his eyes and released a long sigh.
"I suppose you're right about this matter."
"Mhm."
Othniel stroked his beard.
"It appears I've been skimping on your training."
Jair's eyes opened.
"To think you would dare flare your aura at me."
An amused smile slowly spread across Othniel's face.
Jair stiffened.
Every hair across his body rose.
He knew that smile.
He knew it far too well.
Although his status had recently been elevated to that of a Judge, one thing had never changed.
His master was still terrifyingly stronger than him.
"Hahahaha!"
A booming laugh erupted from Othniel's left.
"Othniel, stop frightening the boy!"
A towering, brown-skinned man sat several seats away. His body was lean yet heavily chiselled beneath simple brown robes, and his enormous frame made even the throne beneath him appear slightly too small.
Shamgar.
He slapped the table as another burst of laughter escaped him.
"Of course he would panic in a situation like this! He's still wet behind the ears! Hahahaha!"
Jair's face darkened.
"Shamgar, who do you think you're laughing at!?"
His anger only caused Shamgar to laugh harder.
"At you!"
"Why you—"
"Could the two of you stop fighting for one moment?"
An effeminate voice travelled calmly across the table.
The room quietened.
At the far end sat a pale-skinned woman clad entirely in black robes. A leather mask concealed the lower half of her face, leaving only a pair of cold eyes exposed.
Ehud.
She rested her head against one hand.
"Othniel, could we reconvene tomorrow? This meeting stopped being productive some time ago."
Othniel glanced at Jair.
Then at the still-laughing Shamgar.
"Ah, Ehud. Your suggestion is reasonable."
He sighed.
"This conversation is becoming more counterproductive by the second."
Shamgar finally managed to control his laughter.
Othniel stood.
"We reconvene tomorrow at noon."
His expression hardened slightly.
"No one will be late."
The moment his judgement passed, Ehud vanished.
Her body silently melted into the shadows beneath her throne as though she had never been there at all.
Othniel looked around the chamber.
"I suppose that concludes today's meeting."
Several Judges immediately began standing.
Then Othniel added:
"Jair. With me."
Jair stopped.
"We have some training to complete."
His face went pale.
"Training?"
Othniel smiled.
Jair's survival instincts screamed.
"FLAME!"
Fire erupted around his body.
He spun around and attempted to flee.
He did not make it a single step.
A powerful hand clamped around the back of Jair's neck like a vice, lifting him as easily as someone carrying a newborn cub.
Jair's flames immediately flickered.
Othniel stood behind him.
"To try and escape after I so kindly extended an invitation for you to train?"
Othniel shook his head.
"I truly have slacked off these past few months."
"Please, Master!"
Jair struggled uselessly against his grip.
"Allow me some rest today!"
"Mmh."
Othniel looked over his shoulder.
"Shamgar! Would you like to join us?"
Silence.
Othniel blinked.
The entire hall was empty.
Every Judge had disappeared.
Even Shamgar.
Othniel looked back towards Jair.
"I guess it's just us…"
That sinister smile returned.
Jair's face lost all colour.
"Lord help me!"