In the distance he could see them darkening the skies

　　knights that flew on wyverns, all with evil glowing eyes

　　giant beasts like monstrous bears were marching on the ground

　　every step they took soon followed by a heavy sound

　　Riding on the giant creatures, mages dressed in black

　　summoned clouds of poison and made ready to attack

　　an infantry of twisted men and monsters all insane

　　smiling while they made a wasteland of the grassy plain

　　In time they`d reach the nation were he`d almost been a king

　　his friend would die along with everyone and everything

　　he asked the mercenaries if they`d stay behind and fight

　　but like the merchants they were more intent on taking flight

　　Panic struck the caravan, and chaos filled the air

　　the army, fast approaching, seemed to radiate despair

　　"if you fight that army, there is no way to survive

　　once they find you, they don`t leave a single soul alive"

　　The merchants took their horses and whatever they could hold

　　the mercenaries ran without a second thought for gold

　　all the slaves were bound and left behind to act as bait

　　the hero sighed at how his friends all chose to meet their fate

　　The hero wanted badly to rebuke his fleeing friends

　　but he knew well the way a hopeless battle often ends

　　he ran ahead to meet the army`s forces right away

　　sure that fate had brought him to this place to save the day

　　All the armies he had ever seen in any war

　　wouldn`t be a fraction of the force he stood before

　　then he noticed, when they saw him, all their movements ceased

　　and how the army looked at him was strange to say the least

　　Wyverns landed near him and the giant monsters bowed

　　the hero found himself the centre of a kneeling crowd

　　the hero put away his magic sword and looked around

　　then a single, elder mage approached without a sound

　　"We are all but humble servants of the king of death

　　since our kingdom`s birth, we`ve served him with our every breath

　　though we feared we may not live to see our king revived

　　now we may be sure the promised moment has arrived"

　　The hero didn`t understand a word the mage had said

　　"why do you all bow to me, and not your king instead"

　　the mage looked slowly up and held the hero in his view

　　"we could only hope to be as blessed by death as you"

　　The hero summoned two great swords of fire and then cried out

　　"I`m no king and never will be, let there be no doubt

　　leave this place and go back home or face my righteous blade

　　heroes spare no evil, so declare the choice you`ve made"

　　The mage stood up and smiled with adoration in his eyes

　　"we had only known of you from rumours heard by spies

　　you shall be essential to the sacred one`s ascent

　　none could be more worthy of this holy sacrament"

　　The hero`s sheer confusion had become a blinding rage

　　and just as he had had enough the army set the stageThis story has been unlawfully obtained without the author`s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

　　since he`d been surrounded they could quickly pass him by

　　if he didn`t stop them now his friends would surely die

　　He jumped into the air and cut the wyverns in their flight

　　and threw his fiery spells at every living thing in sight

　　as he fought them desperately to hold their forces back

　　he worried that his friends could all be killed in one attack

　　Many knights were strong enough to take a hit or two

　　and archers hid among the shadows, somewhere out of view

　　since he`d found his magic powers in the woods that day

　　never had he worked so hard to keep his foes at bay

　　He struggled, fighting harder, shrouded in a cloak of fire

　　a raging battle shook the land as flames kept burning higher

　　after several hours and battles, he could barely see

　　he just hoped he`d keep his friends from harm til they were free

　　While a swirling storm of fire was circling all around

　　turning everything to ash, the hero heard a sound

　　the elder mage with twisted eyes was walking peacefully

　　like strolling through a park without a sense of urgency

　　The hero looked at him and then demanded he explain

　　"why should all you madmen live for suffering and pain"

　　the mage`s eyes were nothing like he`d seen in any wars

　　"we would all be honoured to exchange our deaths for yours"

　　The mage then cast a spell which turned the hero`s fire to smoke

　　the hero tried to cut the mage but he could only choke

　　"thank you for your service to our cause, but we must go

　　I cannot express the debt of gratitude we owe"

　　The hero caught his breath and used a minor healing spell

　　then he made a gust of wind before he tired and fell

　　from his knees, he looked around once all the smoke had cleared

　　but when he looked behind him it was just as he had feared

　　Though he`d sent a half of all those monsters to the grave

　　many more had caught up with the friends he tried to save

　　the army had no trouble catching up to those who ran

　　everyone`s escape had failed as fast as it began

　　Overcome by chaos while he fought with all his might

　　the army`s remnants now converged at once to end the fight

　　sorcerers and cavalry attacked him one by one

　　leaving him without a chance to counter or to run

　　The mage who seemed to cherish every moment of their war

　　made the hero sick with the expression that he wore

　　every time he killed a monster or some ghastly knight

　　the mage would only smile a little wider in delight

　　"Though this sacred act has been a pleasure and a joy

　　it seems as though we`ve reached the end of what you can enjoy

　　die now, and we`ll go ahead to carry on your will

　　thank you for this dance of death, it`s truly been a thrill"

　　The mage directed all his forces to attack as one

　　then the hero`s long and brutal battle would be done

　　the hero knew he`d failed to save a single person there

　　but as the army closed around him, he became aware

　　Somehow during battle, while the world was all a blur

　　a smile had crept across his face, though when he wasn`t sure

　　maybe it was fate, but even if that wasn`t true

　　all he knew was he was free to see what he could do

　　The mage was well impressed the hero hung on for so long

　　he`d never seen a single swordsman even half as strong

　　but as he watched the man before him facing his demise

　　he felt a slightly different power starting to arise

　　Since he`d left the forest where his powers were acquired

　　he`d fought so many battles but he`d never once grown tired

　　now he felt he`d found a way to let go of control

　　and let the fire consume his weary body, mind, and soul

　　The twisted, evil mage in black was overwhelmed by joy

　　"it is certain, death itself has blessed this righteous boy"

　　the hero could no longer hear the mage`s strange remarks

　　all the air around him filled with dancing flames and sparks

　　He didn`t even notice in the flaming clouds of dust

　　the army and its weapons turned to charcoal, ash, and rust

　　he simply walked toward the mage, whose smile was like his own

　　a feeling coming over him like he had never known

　　The mage began to chant a spell that made his eyes turn red

　　and summoned forth the souls of knights, an army of the dead

　　basking in their power he unleashed a fierce attack

　　but all the hero had to do was punch the wizard back

　　The mage was cloaked in darkness, and impervious to heat

　　he could walk through any fire and never fear defeat

　　but now the hero took the mage and held him by the throat

　　striking him repeatedly through his protective coat

　　He struck the mage who simply laughed despite the blood he shed

　　the hero was surprised to see the blood was mostly red

　　the mage no longer had the strength to cast a single spell

　　and when the hero let him go, the old man simply fell

　　Looking down upon the man whose army he`d destroyed

　　he didn`t think of all the lives with which the man had toyed

　　the old man rose up to his knees, and once again proclaimed

　　"you truly are the saviour who will see this world reclaimed"

　　The hero was too tired to even listen anymore

　　his eyes and ears and every other part of him were sore

　　before succumbing to the flames, and with his dying breathe

　　the smiling mage just whispered, "see you soon, oh lord of death"

　　The hero held his head and laughed until he couldn`t see

　　the battlefield was his alone now, roaring endlessly

　　as he laughed he thought he heard a whisper in his ear

　　a chilling voice that said "well done" but it was hard to hear

　　The hero stumbled awkwardly, and felt a gentle breeze

　　feeling such a soothing wind while falling to his knees

　　he looked around to see the hell he`d made then closed his eyes

　　and fell into unconsciousness while his fires touched the skies