《Hero's Song - A Novel in Verse》Chapter 10 - The Lost Soul
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A family of farmers, with an honest way of life
a man who owned the house he built, a strong and loving wife
seven healthy children, led a life with no surprise
cold and wet, the dreaming hero opened up his eyes
The river current fast and strong had carried him away
he woke to find himself upon a riverbank mid-day
he heard no sound of battle, but he still could smell the blood
exhausted from his brush with death, he lay there in the mud
Eventually he brought himself to crawl beneath a tree
found some bitter plants to eat, and saved his energy
he didn’t count the days that passed, before his health returned
he made a fire to keep him warm and watched it while it burned
He scavenged like an animal, for berries he could pick
but half the time whatever he could find just made him sick
the forest wasn’t like the one he passed through as a child
never had he felt so lost and helpless in the wild
He wandered down the river, through a forest dense and tall
content that he could see no other soldier there at all
too tired to wonder how much longer he might have to live
regret would take more energy than all he had to give
He walked along in broken armour made of blood and rust
wandering through the forest like a lowly speck of dust
unconcerned with what might lie ahead, beyond the trees
he ventured slowly onward as if carried by a breeze
Ever more uncertain of his own identity
thinking less of who he was or wasn’t meant to be
sounds of battle sometimes echoed softly in his mind
visions of the dying allies he had left behind
Woken from such hopeless dreams one humid summer night
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he was captivated by some otherworldly light
glowing in a way no fire or star could ever glow
even if it were a vision, he would never know
Sure that he was dreaming he was drawn toward the light
but when he found the source, it left him questioning his sight
little fairies flying by on sparkling little wings
danced without a care with countless other magic things
“Welcome pilgrim, how you’ve struggled in your stubborn way
has your thirst for magic led you to the land of fae”
a voice he heard inside his heart, had asked him why he came
whether it was real or not he’d answer all the same
“I’m a hero, off to fight with monsters and their kind”
even in his weary state that dream stayed in his mind
“give me power, strength or wisdom, help me to be strong,
on this journey, I’ve been far too weak for much too long”
All the fairies laughed and jeered, “A hero, look at that
a tired rambling killer, less a hero than a rat
you were given chances but you never even tried
for all the blood you’ve spilled, a hero would have rather died”
“wanderer, you’ve killed so many people to survive
pirate, don’t you know the reason why you’re still alive
dreamer, do your heroes all survive until the end
broken soul, do broken hearts of heroes ever mend”
“How can you accuse me of an unheroic deed
I’ve never cut a man who didn’t try to make me bleed
my destiny is greater still than any of you know
I won’t throw my life away for any honest foe”
Shouting through his weary tears, he cursed his wretched lot
he’d come too far and worked too hard, not knowing why he fought
“all I need is power and I’ll save a thousand lives
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I’ll swing my sword for justice til no evil thing survives”
The fairies were confused about the boy’s absurd request
many felt his presence put their patience to the test
“still, we can’t deny that though he’s uninvited here
he caught fate’s attention, though the reason isn’t clear”
“Fate has not abandoned such an uninvited guest”
“what are we to do about a pirate’s last request”
“even flowers on a fallen tree can sometimes bud”
“surely fate has other plans for one so stained with blood”
Mesmerized by what he saw, he watched the fairies shout
“should we bless the boy or should we quickly cast him out”
at the end of their debate, one fairy met his eyes
“In the end it’s fate who will decide who lives and dies”
The young boy thought it strange the way the fairies spoke of fate
but knew whatever destiny he had, it couldn’t wait
“I’m sure that I’ll be of use if you can make me strong
make me like those heroes who I’ve only known in song”
“Very well, you stubborn lad, we’ll give to you some power,
but know you’ll never be a hero, til your final hour”
a fairy came and placed her little hand upon his head
“now that you have magic, go redeem the life you’ve led”
Never more to falter on his path to save the day
he took his newfound power and continued on his way
the strength of fifty warriors and swords of ice and fire
running faster, punching harder, even jumping higher
In the years since he had left his home and family
he always knew one day his dreams would find reality
far from any city, town, or kingdom that he knew
he overheard a cry for help, and knew just what to do
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