Chapter 39: Maybe, Meet Your Heroes

No sooner had the doors opened, fans and attendees of the book signing event steadily streamed in.

Each had their ID tags either hanging around their necks or clipped to their clothes as they eagerly took in the ambience and decorations in the hall.

While others took their time, perusing through the venue, and others enthusiastically sought out their favorite authors, practically half of them were already checking the direction placards, all in an effort to locate where the reading would be taking place.

Quickly, they surged in that direction, arriving at the far corner of the hall a fair few minutes later.

And there, seemingly awaiting their arrival, was a genuinely stunned Niall, his expression clearly implying that he hadn’t expected such numbers.

Within minutes, the seats were filled, eager eyes expectant and enthusiastic to be seated before the young author.

Noting a couple familiar faces amongst those in the room, Niall smiled in their direction, his eyes crinkling with warmth and appreciation.

No sooner had Maya experienced it, she remarked whilst clutching at her mum’s and brother’s arm;

"I can die happy now,"

Rolling his eyes at his elder sister’s shenanigans, Troy and his mother simply reciprocated the smile with one of theirs.

Meanwhile, Robbie whom was seated next to them and had noticed the interaction much like others in the room, glanced between the family and Niall, a curious expression on his features.

It was then that Niall spoke, his words drawing everyone’s attention back to him;

"I promise you guys, I’m working on the next book,"

"So, if you came here to make a statement, I hear you loud and clear." he joked, flashing them a light grin.

A ripple of chuckles spread across the room, Robbie equally joining even though he actually hadn’t read [The Token of Fate].

Judging by the initial reaction Niall had to seeing them arrive, it seemed the man hadn’t genuinely expected this much of a turnout.

Yet, instead of being overwhelmed by it, he had instead used it to his advantage to set a relaxed environment.

"But, before we get to all your burning questions regarding that," he flipped open the copy of his book on the podium.

"Let’s do a recap." he stated and then, began the reading.

Quietly, everyone in the room listened as the young man began reading excerpts from the first Chapter.

Meanwhile, as that event was playing out, Victor was engaged in an important discussion with Henry.

Just a minute ago, the agent had arrived at his buddy’s condo and yet, Henry was already seated, his demeanor professional and his expression serious;

"Vic, the script was great. The music, even better. But those conditions,"

"Those conditions are insane and you know it." he bluntly stated whilst gesturing for the man to sit on the chair just opposite of him.

"I can understand wanting to be the male lead, heck I can even understand wanting to keep the IP rights,"

"But 10% of the box office cut? That’s where I draw the line." he declared, his gaze resolute.

"I know, and I understand." Victor leaned back into the chair with a small nod.

"But you have to understand,"

"My client will eventually get to the point where he can produce that movie, all on his own," the agent interlocked his palms.

"Might be longer, yes, but he’ll get there. At the rate he’s going in fact, maybe even sooner rather than later,"

"I should also add that he isn’t the least bit desperate so his conditions won’t be changing anytime soon," Victor continued, his ice-blue irises holding Henry’s gunmetal-blues.

"But for you, for Vrael Productions, this could be it. So, make a compromise," Victor simply stated, inquiring just after;

"What do you propose?"

For a while, Henry’s unflinching gaze remained as is.

Yet, internally, he was already weighing the pros and cons.

’A low stakes movie with little investment,’

’If it flops, the company loses very little. If it’s successful, it gains a lot.’

’It really isn’t a bad deal on paper,’

’But, just to be on the safe side...’

"Ten million dollars. That’s all I intend to invest in the movie. And it’s coming from my personal finances."

"Also, I won’t be paying him, or you upfront. Only after a favorable box office return will I pay you both. Deal?"

Victor didn’t think twice before extending a handshake to cement it.

Afterall, Niall had informed him that he would be more than willing to get paid nothing upfront in return for all his conditions been met.

In any case, half an hour later, after reading an excerpt from the last Chapter and equally responding to a couple questions in the Q&A, Niall was currently seated by the booth designated to him.

One after the other, Niall greeted each individual that walked up to his booth, appreciating them and signing their copies of [The Token of Fate].

At the same time, there were just as much people that walked up to him, gushing about [Polaroid] and how they’d loved his performance as Julien in [The Promised Knight].

And though Niall genuinely appreciated their enthusiasm and entertained them, he limited it as best as he could due to the others on the line.

Added to that, this was a book signing event for authors and he wanted to respect that.

Soon enough though, a familiar trio reached him.

"Maya, Troy and Mrs. Helen, right? It’s a pleasure to see you again." Niall politely greeted, stunning the family.

"Here for another signed, copy?" he curiously asked.

Afterall, he had previously given them three signed copies of his book.

"Yes." Helen was the first to respond, her smile warm.

"One for me, and my husband. We’re all big fans of your book, and now, your music too." she extended the copies.

"I’d be honored," Niall obliged, signing both books.

"Lisa also says ’Hi’. She has to practice for a decathlon so she couldn’t attend," Maya spoke on behalf of her younger sister.

"Well then, kindly send my warmest regards to her and tell her I appreciate her checking in on little ’ol me." Niall replied, his smile honest.

That earned a genuine chuckle from the family.

After interacting a bit more, all three soon left, and Niall continued responding to others.

Soon enough, he watched as a fairly bulky man in a simple attire walked up to his booth, a buzzcut on his head and his demeanor, stony.

Not the kind of person to judge a book by its cover, at least until they said or did something worth judging, Niall simply beamed the man a soft smile.

"Good day to you. Reckon you’d like to have a book signed?" he asked.

In response, the man’s stony demeanor morphed into a respectful nod as he extended the book and Niall promptly signed.

However, just before he left, he said;

"You know, I’ve never actually read your book,"

To that, Niall cocked an intrigued brow. Why then did he want a signed copy?

’Perhaps an errand from someone he knows?’ the author mused to himself.

"But, having listened to [Polaroid]," the man continued.

"I just had to thank the man who gave me the strength to grieve after so long of struggling to accept the death of my mother,"

To that, Niall’s eyes widened slowly, his pupils dilating.

"So, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you. Thank you, so very much." Robbie gave another respectful nod of his head, his expression softening and his eyes teary.

Hearing that, Niall was genuinely moved, a poignant air gripping him.

Promptly, he got off his chair and exited the booth to offer the man a hug.

Seeing the gesture from him, Robbie couldn’t help but oblige, his expression thankful as both individuals shared a comforting hug.

As for the people on queue--at least those whom were close enough to have heard the interaction between the duo--they couldn’t help but look on in genuine admiration at Niall.

Though the saying, ’Never meet your heroes,’ had a real implication to it for all the right reasons, people naturally tended to ignore if for the chance that theirs would be different.

In this case though, their ’hero’ didn’t disappoint them.

In fact, if everything that had been going on in the media regarding Niall Parker was to go by, he was definitely better in person than any curated image they could’ve have had of him online.

*

Currently driving back home after the event, the wind gently tousling his hair, Niall looked notably full of mirth.

Though he’d always known his book had reached a wide audience and his song was genuinely good, today was the first time he’d truly felt it firsthand.

Yet, shifting gears a couple minutes later, he began priming his mind, sifting through the core plot points of the first act of the second book in the Fate trilogy; [The Spire of Fate].

-

Following up from where Tristan had plunged into the sea below, one that he unsurprisingly survived thanks to Rayleigh’s spell, he wakes up a few days later to find himself in a familiar grotto.

There, the seer reveals herself to be an Elder God to Tristan, going by the name of Cassarae, Goddess of Prophecies.

She also explains to him that the destruction of the Token of Fate did not end Aelderon’s entanglement with the Elder Gods’ design, but rather, simply removed the stabilizing anchor of a much larger system.

The Spirepoints. Five distinct fractured zones that have suddenly appeared across Aelderon.

After the explosive ring of energy that rippled from the token’s destruction, each and everyone of them was revealed, each lighting up in different hues of colors to the skies.

And in each one of them, is a trapped Elder God, waiting for the very day they would be released to exact their retribution upon their fellow gods whom had failed them.

Now, with exponentially decreasing time on his hands due to Cassarae informing him that the Spirepoints also functioned as a barricade to prevent the Elder Gods from descending onto Aelderon as they pleased--a contingency and equally a form of retribution on the part of the trapped Gods themselves--Tristan proceeds to venture into each Spirepoint to free each God before the arrival of the other Elder Gods.

Afterall, with each God he frees, the barricade was bound to get weaker and weaker till there was none, hence heralding the arrival of the other Elder Gods.

-

Having already written the first few Chapters over the past few days leading up to the signing event, he was even more motivated to continue.

Arriving home half an hour later, Niall simply changed into casual clothes, picked up his laptop, and then proceeded to continue working.

Reviewing the previous Chapters, improving upon and lightly refining as best as he could, he then proceeded to begin the fourth Chapter.

However, just as he was about to begin the new Chapter, his phone buzzed, prompting him to pick it up.

Seeing the name of his agent on the screen, Niall’s expression morphed in pleasant surprise, his head tilted curiously.

Though his agent had mentioned he’d contact him soon regarding [Silver Comets], he hadn’t expected it to be this soon.

"Hello Victor. What’s up?" Niall greeted as he picked up the phone.

"Nothing much. Just a couple things I’d like to discuss with you and someone I’d like you to meet," the agent got right down to business.

"Think you can come in tomorrow?" he casually inquired to which Niall replied;

"Sure. What time?"

Advance Chapters are available on Patreon!

/Caer07

Also guys, I’m writing a new book called ’Locking In With My Life System’. Kindly support it if you can. I’d most definitely appreciate it.