Lightning lit through the sky of darkend clouds, as winds and rain pummeled down upon him. For it was he, and he alone who had made this far. The others, gone now, sacrificed themselves so that he might have a chance, albiet a slim one. How small and foolish he must have looked. He armor broken and rusted, his sheild long since destroyed. Even his sword now carried cracks and breaks. He who was destined to destroy the darkness...

The desert heat beat down upon him, and the sand bit deep into his skin. The sun burned his eyes and sapped his strength. The endless dunes rolled on and on, taunting him. Yet, the evil he sensed was near. All the others had thought him mad. Yet he had seen it sapping at their souls, knew that if he did not stop it, none would ever. He laughed hysterically, as he continued on, for his spear was weak and splintered, and his water supply was gone two days past. The evil must be stopped...

Looking down from his tower lookout, he observed the troop movements. An army larger then any the world had ever seen now marched against one man, him. Even with his vast knowledge and mastery of magic, he could not stop them. He could not summon enough demons, bring enough power to arm, for they would still roll over him. Deep down, he knew, the end was near. But they would pay dearly. Perhaps he could hold out long enough for the empires to mount a decent defense, he would take as many as possible. He began to summon forth his power, when the mass of dragons filled the sky, against one man...

Father smiled as he watched, for some down there hated him, most did not even know he existed. He was pleased as he watched the most evil of men sacrifice themselves for children, the most humble of farmers take his fork courageously into battle, sometimes even turning the course of battle. Never was he so proud, as when he watched a deity throw himself into the path of destruction to save but one boy and his dog. Most likely they would not win. Yet, all persevered in the face of danger and rose to new heights of honor and morality.

Never underestimate the power hidden within oneself.

And on the last day, Father Time strode onto the battlefield with the humble farmers, broken knights, fallen assassins, and once mighty kings. And all in the world were one for an instant...

11/08/2001

Posted on 11/08/2001
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