25-07-13
“I can’t wait to finish this house!”
“You should put a roof and a door before doing anything else. A storm is coming and if you do anything else, it will be destroyed.”
“I don’t know you. What are you doing here?”
“I was just passing by and I saw you were about to make a big mistake. I’m just the only one to tell you.”
“Well… Thanks I guess. But what do you want from me? No one acts by kindness here.”
“… I’d like to speak to you.”
“Why me?”
“You are young. You can write your destiny rather than follow it.”
“What is in for me?”
“I believe that knowledge won’t be enough, so I’ll give you some money if you listen to my story.”
“I’m listening.”
“Please follow me. I’d like to walk a bit. Don’t worry about your home.”
The old man starts walking in the streets, followed by the young one. The city is huge but under reconstruction due to a recent war.
“You know, this city is not even a century old. It was built over the blood shed during the fights and the sweat of the workers. It grew extremely rapidly but it attracted the covetousness of the neighboring cities and bandits. An army was formed to defend ourselves against any threat thirty years ago. I was a part of it. I swore to protect the place that welcomed me when I needed it. At any necessary cost. I bathed my sword in the blood of the dead fighter to impregnate it with their energy. I lived through battles more often than you can imagine. Now that my body is old, I’d like to transmit my heritage. Our city needs someone strong and you are.”
“You gave me all this speech just to try to enlist me?!”
“I offer you to become a hero. Not a soldier.”
“What would it cost me?”
“Nothing but dedication. I train you and if I think you are worthy of it, I give you my sword.”
“What is so special about your sword?”
“It is one of the most powerful weapon of this world. The one who possess my bravery will possess my power.”
“Why would I do that? I mean, I am no fighter and I don’t want to fight, except if it is necessary.”
“You’re not after glory. Great. Don’t worry. If I offered you this, it is because you are one of those who can fight against a spreading evil. You are a descendant of beings that dominated us long ago, either by strength or wisdom. You will have to take the place of your ancestors.”