Despite her grace, he cursed himself for leaving them behind

　　but hearing her goodbye, he knew that fate could still be kind

　　at peace she left the world behind, and swore they`d meet again

　　he promised he would follow soon, although he knew not when

　　He felt the weight of loss but now he had to let her go

　　maybe in another life they`d meet and then he`d know

　　but in this life no longer would he rest before he died

　　the peace he`d known was fleeting, but at least she knew he tried

　　He took her words to heart and promised he would not be long

　　he`d find the reason fate had made a broken man so strong

　　but now, of those who`d known him since before he ran away

　　there could only be a single one alive today

　　He left the mercenaries, heading north into the wild

　　passing through the forests that his war had once defiled

　　but all the battle scars had healed soon after his defeat

　　nature had erased the past beneath his heavy feet

　　Ashamed of how he`d long romanticised a life of war

　　he vowed he wouldn`t lead a life of conflict anymore

　　he walked along the mountain trails in silence like a ghost

　　resolution found in thoughts of those he loved the most

　　Lost in his own thoughts, the man was slow to realise

　　the eerie chill that filled the air, the colour of the skies

　　he hadn`t even noticed in the green, unpleasant haze

　　not a single monster had appeared in many days

　　The poison in the air would quickly kill a normal man

　　but his own healing cured his sickness before it began

　　now he looked around and knew that something there was wrong

　　no guardian would let this problem go on for so long

　　Searching for the source of the miasma in the air

　　he noticed that he didn`t see dead bodies anywhere

　　no animal or monster corpses, not a single bone

　　just a poison mist that stuck to ever tree and stone

　　He wondered if he`d ever see a living thing again

　　he`d never seen such desolation anywhere or whenUnlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

　　but in the midst of such despair, a moment quick and brief

　　he found the woods engulfed in flames that burned with no relief

　　With ice he kept himself from harm and headed to the source

　　fires like these belonged to just one overwhelming force

　　and so he found his oldest living enemy and friend

　　a dragon locked in combat with an army without end

　　An army made of demons, monsters, humans, beasts, and all

　　which even in the dragon`s fire would never seemed to fall

　　they fought the dragon mindlessly, the battle was surreal

　　fighting in the heat of fires they couldn`t even feel

　　But even more surprising than the way that army fought

　　was how the dragon struggled, looking helpless and distraught

　　more than most, the hero knew the dragon`s awesome might

　　and how it ruled the lands in peace in spirit and in flight

　　With his staff the elder pilgrim summoned ice and snow

　　slowing their attack and making icy spears to throw

　　every ghastly beast he tore apart was hard to kill

　　they fought as if they felt no pain with one collective will

　　Chaos then unfolded as the pilgrim joined the fight

　　thousands of those corpse-like beings were a horrid sight

　　the dragon`s fire and mage`s ice combined in one attack

　　until together finally they pushed the army back

　　Suddenly the dragon turned in panic and in fear

　　and sent his flames toward the mage before the air was clear

　　the mage had been defeated by the dragon twice before

　　but now the dragon`s fire could barely reach him anymore

　　With his icy spells he overcame the mythic beast

　　binding it with icy chains until its flailing ceased

　　the weary dragon looked upon the mage with vengeful eyes

　　but when he looked more closely he was frozen by surprise

　　"You`re the little human boy who told me I should leave

　　for all the lives your wars would cost, the world will always grieve

　　but now there`s something different when I look into your soul

　　why do you hold powers that no human could control"

　　"I`m here to find an answer to the question of my fate

　　if there`s a purpose left for me, I hope I`m not too late

　　several times the fairies gave me luck and guided me

　　but in their words the fated path is still too hard to see"

　　The dragon pondered long and hard upon the mage`s tale

　　the mage released his bindings as if lifting up a veil

　　he even healed the dragon`s broken bones and bloody wings

　　confirming that his power now surpassed the king of kings`

　　"Little human, wielding strength beyond the realm of man

　　more than once, a guest of fairies in your short lifespan

　　fate has taken hold of you, though why we cannot know

　　but fairies have been messengers of fate since long ago

　　The lands which I have guarded all my life have now been cursed

　　I thought it strange but after meeting you, I fear the worst

　　fate is moving quickly and I cannot match its pace

　　you must be the one to keep the balance in my place

　　This curse is from the north beyond the lands I`m bound to guard

　　my duty to this forest isn`t one I can discard

　　go and face the evil that has risen and beware

　　the forces that befall this time and place are truly rare"

　　The dragon was about to leave when suddenly he turned

　　turning once again to see that man he would have burned

　　"I`ve known many heroes who find strength within their cause

　　and many evil mages have escaped my ancient claws

　　But what they had in common was a knowledge in one`s self

　　from the cruellest wizard to the kindest forest elf

　　none who reached the pinnacle of strength had any doubt

　　they all fought their battles with an honest heart throughout

　　If this world should come to place its fate in your hands now

　　you must come to terms with who you really are somehow

　　whether you`re a hero or some tortured, evil soul

　　you will fight and lose this war unless your heart is whole"

　　~