INTRO SONG: Kono Sekai e Moeru

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"Auf, Ansbach-Dragoner!

Auf, Ansbach-Bayreuth!"

Gerhard sang the song of his ancestors, a song that was forged from the fires and victories of battle, a true Prussian song still remembered in Germany as a tune, but the words forgotten. Until now. Words were hammered and instilled with courage, as Gerhard remembered his father and his father's father singing it on the remembrance day of Prussia's unification of the German states, refining the song to match the swing and grace of his sword.

"Schnall um deinen Säbel

und rüste dich zum Streit!

Prinz Karl ist erschienen

auf Friedbergs Höh'n,

Sich das preußische Heer

mal anzusehen."

Although Gerhard could easily kill the guards, the Orc clan chiefs and human bandit leaders were proving to be an entire matter altogether. The most he could do was alter the trajectory of their strikes away from his vital points and that of Eric's. The two men, fighting back to back, moved in sync to a rhythm of war set forth by Gerhard's song.

"Drum, Kinder, seid lustig

und allesamt bereit:

Auf, Ansbach-Dragoner!

Auf, Ansbach-Bayreuth!"

There were perhaps 12 Orc clan chiefs, and double that for the bandits, but nevertheless Eric was proving his worth, obviously at a much higher level compared to the current bosses, as he usually took no more than 4 to 6 strikes to slay his foes before switching to another target. And yet he might had fallen already, swarmed under by the high damaging alliance leaders, were it not for Gerhard valiantly hurling himself into harm's way to avert any critical damage on the red armoured giant.

"Ein preuß'scher Dragoner

tut niemals nicht flieh'n!"

Gerhard hurled those lines defiantly, and at some point during the battle he had drawn the sword given to him by the instructor in his offhand, and was using it as an impromptu shield in a reverse handed grip. He was no dual sword wielder but he sure as hell can use it to block at least, learning in the midst of combat, decreasing the margin for error until it seemed Gerhard had a whispering aura around his arm that reflected attacks back at his opponents.

Und stünd'n sie auch noch

so dicht auf Friedbergs Höh'n,

Wir reiten sie zusammen

wie Frühlingsschnee.

Eric seemed spurred on by the song, not by the buffs that was flowing through him… but by the words that reverberate somewhere inside him, a martial beat chipping away at his heart… so much so that he felt…alive.

Ob Säbel, ob Kanon',

ob Kleingewehr uns dräut:

When Gerhard sang those lines, Eric stamped the ground without warning, the earth rippling outward violently and causing the enemies to falter. As boss level mobs, they weren’t going to fall so easily, but Gerhard took this opportunity to land several critical strikes, aiming for the face or throat with his sword, where he knew that it would be most effective. However, Gerhard almost stumbled in surprise when Eric lifted up his voice in song.

"Drum, Kinder, seid lustig

und allesamt bereit:

Auf, Ansbach-Dragoner!

Auf, Ansbach-Bayreuth!"

The combination of the two warriors had made the melee last barely three minutes although for them it felt unbearably long, each moment they wondered when the enemy reinforcements would arrive to slay them. However, in those three minutes , even the guards surrounding the tent hadn't joined in the fight and when they both ran out of the tent, to fulfill their own separate missions, Gerhard finally knew why. A wall of sound returned to him the moment he stepped outside to which Gerhard intuitively surmised that the tent itself was, perhaps, sound proofed in an arcane manner to prevent spies from listening in, hence why no help came to the alliance leaders.

"THE ORCS HAVE BETRAYED US!", Gerhard shouted in warning whilst running through the human quarter full pelt, acting all panicky as he kept yelling convincingly, "THEY HAVE KILLED OUR LEADERS! TO ARMS! TO ARMS!"

Startled faces turned to look at him in shock but quickly hardened when they saw orcs chasing one of their 'own', Gerhard's words still lingering in the air as the human bandits race to engage the orcs in combat. It wasn't long before brawls and deadly melees broke out like spot fires till it began to spread, merged and then encompassed vast sections of the encampment, the barely concealed racial tension that was simmering beneath both sides brought to the surface in a violent outpouring of mad butchery and unchecked hate.

In the Orc quarter, the soldiers were rampaging about, grabbing flaming sticks from cooking fires and hurling them unto the tents, Lydia casting fireballs, her lowest mana cost spell in every direction, as two men assigned to guard her kept any Orcs away from her in order that she could better concentrate. Everything was not going their way though. Screaming could be heard as three soldiers were surrounded, disarmed and were being slowly torn limb from limb, the sound of cracking bones and flesh tearing was gratefully drowned out by the pandemonium caused by the flames and rage filled cries abounding that the humans had turned on the Orcs.

The deceit that Gerhard had laid became reality as human bandits came surging in from their quarter screaming, "TRAITORS! MURDERERS! KILL THEM ALL!"

This was the moment that the troops and Lydia were waiting for, the shattered remnants of the Rosenheim squads racing towards the gates to escape. However, the way ahead was teeming with Orcs blocking their path. Threatened with encirclement, they could only desperately fend off the attacks as they became bogged down… until Eric arrived and cleaved a path for the soldiers to follow. The desperate troops took this chance, Lydia sheltered on all sides by the NPCs who were fighting and dying all around her to ensure that she was safe. She had never seen anything like it before… that the NPCs were acting so humanlike that Lydia almost reached out a hand when one of them was speared through the stomach, the soldier falling face first, dead unto the churned and muddy ground.

The air was grim with desperation until a voice raised in song was heard… Gerhard appearing out of nowhere as he barrelled into the back of an Orc that was about to cleave a hapless disarmed soldier. Immediately morale rose, and strength flowed with vigour through tired limbs, giving them a final surge of fighting prowess for the now depleted group to reach the gate. Except Eric had stayed behind…

"…that IDIOT!", Gerhard cursed, turning to his men and shouting, "Come on! First squad on me! The rest HOLD this position!", before leaping back through the gateway.

"…that makes two idiots…", Lydia complained, unable to do anything but watch, her mana completely drained and left with no option but to only follow Gerhard's insane rescue with her eyes, the squad led by him slowly progressing forward.

"ARE YOU TRYING TO DIE!?", Gerhard roared in fury as he reached Eric, standing shoulder to shoulder and surrounded by thousands of Orcs and Humans slaughtering each other in wild abandon, all sanity lost in this maelstrom of flashing blades and glaives. The ring of Rosenheim shields slowly shrank as one after another, a soldier fell dead and trampled by the mad crush of bodies that was filled with unbound savagery, seemingly spurred by their animal instincts to kill.

"We are leaving NOW!", Gerhard yelled into Eric's ear, and for a moment he thought that the giant was going to ignore him until he saw a minute nod given as reply, to which Gerhard yelled to the men around him, "SQUAD! WITHDRAW ON THE DOUBLE TIME! MAINTAIN FORMATION! ON MY COMMAAAND……. WITHDRAW!"

With a visible heave, the soldiers leaned behind their shields and pushed abruptly, the bodies surrounding them reeling back a step or two and allowing the tired troops to quickly retreat until they were surrounded and crushed again. However, Gerhard repeated his command and the move was done once again…. and again, and again, and again… to them it felt like they were caught in a cycle, doing this infinitely, each time harder than the last… until they finally reached the supposed safety of the gate.

Without another word said, they fled for their lives into the forest, chased after by a few enemy warbands that weren't engaged in the fatal brawls within the encampment.

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Max woke up spluttering water from his throat, rolling onto his stomach as he coughed all the fluids out of his system, his brown hair plastered all over his face. Raising himself on his elbows, Max finally noticed his surroundings, a soft blue light emitting from the damp walls as he sat up and checked his stats to see how much HP he lost. Sighing in relief, it only accounted for less than ten percent of his life as he stood up slowly, turning around in a circle to see just where he was.

Becoming a little anxious, he noticed that he was in a cave of some sort with no visible exit, except the pool of water that nearly encircled the sandy ground he was on in a crescent half moon. However… there appeared to be ores of various grades all around him, and the tingling sensation of easy money flowed through him as he shrugged at his predicament.

'Might as well make the most of this situation', he thought as his pragmatic nature instilled in him by his father and grandfather took over, pulling out a pick axe and carefully chipping away at the ores.

"…..Mister… what are you doing?"

"Hmm? Oh… I am just collecting materials to make some stUUUUFF!?", Max yelled out as he finally realised that he wasn't alone, gazing about wildly and tucking the pickaxe close to his chest like a pseudo weapon.

He couldn't see anyone around him, and the first thought that raced through his head was…ghost… Yes readers, some people just have phobias that can't be controlled…

"….D-don't hurt me…", the voice sounded as though it was about to burst into tears.

To which at last, Max noticed the eyes peering out from the water, to which it belonged to… the face of a beautiful girl. "Eh? EHHHHH?"

Instantly, he flung the pick axe over his shoulder as he laughed robotically, "Hahaha, I wouldn't hurt you. It's my policy to be nice to pretty girls"

"…You promise?…"

"I promise", Max swore.

The girl seemed to glide forward in the water, and Max became startled as he saw her figure…

"…what is it?...", she asked quizzically.

"Just who are you?", Max wondered aloud.

"Me? I am Lorelei", she replied hugging what appeared to be a wooden doll close to her chest, "Nice to meet you".

"…N-nice to meet you too", Max replied stuttering. He…he was talking to a mermaid!

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Barely fourteen soldiers made it out alive with Gerhard, Lydia and Eric, all of which remained of Gerhard's proud command as the survivors trudged through Basterni with backs hunched in fatigue, beyond the point of exhaustion from the flight of their perilous escape. Onlookers in the form of villagers and players looked on aghast at the state they were in, covered from head to toe in mud, blood red stains and dented or cracked armour under which their clothe was ruined beyond repair. Nevertheless, the soldiers had gain vast amounts of EXP… and would be promoted to Centurion once Ernst Rommer received and rested them.

The squad that returned with the prisoners appeared ashamed, however, the surviving soldiers waved back at them, gesturing and calling out to them to say that it was good to see familiar faces… to which the squad then came forward and helped the wounded into the fort, broken from their indecision because of the strong camaraderie forged by Gerhard.

Finally standing before the old man, Gerhard still retained enough pride to salute smartly at Ernst Rommer, who responded wearily, "The task is done?"

Gerhard replied woodenly, "The mission is accomplished… at great cost. I beg forgiveness for the annihilation of my command".

"…I placed a hard assignment upon you… even I wasn't sure I would had been able to accomplish it in my heyday… so, there is nothing to forgive"

"I would like to recommend the men for promotion-…"

"All in due time… however, first accept your reward…", Sir Ernst Rommer replied solemnly, "Kneel"

The crowd of villagers and the few players that followed the group gasped as they realised what was happening as Gerhard, bound by the moment, knelt on tired knees upon the stony ground, head bowed.

"Gerhard von Natzmer, for your meritorious service in the Kingdom of Rosenheim's army, for continuous valour beyond all odds, by the power invested in me by the King, I induct thee into the Royal Knightly Order of the Rose, guardians of the King and the Kingdom. Furthermore, I name thee my heir, with all the rights and titles that this entails upon my retirement, or my death."

Everyone looked on stunned, including Gerhard who raised his head up in shock but the old man wasn't finished.

"Also… I present to you my sword, Duty, given to me by my predecessor and his before him, for we are the first and last line against the darkness".

"…And I pray you never know what that darkness is…", the old man finished cryptically.

You've leveled up!

You've leveled up!

You've leveled up!

You've leveled up!

You've leveled up!

You've leveled up!

Fame has risen by 150 points

Charisma has risen by 10 points (+10 CHR)

Quest Completed: The Shadow War

The Orc raiders and Human bandits have fallen upon each other as their alliance collapsed leaderless, although it is far off in the distant future that peace will return in the region, already raids have fallen considerably, allowing nearly safe travel along the main roads and between villages.

Difficulty Level: C

Quest Reward: You have received the title of 'Knight' and named the heir of Sir Ernst Rommer, Lord and Master of Basterni. You have also been inducted into the Royal Knightly Order of the Rose, to be finalised by trials set forth by the King. You will receive a monthly stipend of 100 gold and all items purchased within Basterni will be discounted by 60%. Additionally, the sword Duty has been gifted upon you that pulses with unknown arcane energies.

"…Your task is done…", Eric stood behind Gerhard who turned around and smiled wearily.

"…Tomorrow then… early morning I suppose?..."

Eric nodded, before turning away and marching off, the crowd and soldiers parting before him, averting their eyes from the look he was giving. It was the face of the Grim Reaper himself.

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Max ogled at the creature before him… which he felt he has been doing a lot lately so he mentally slapped himself and regained his composure, slowly coming forward to the shore's edge and crouched down.

"Ummm… did you bring me here?", was the first and important question to be asked.

She nodded shyly, the gesture so cute that his heart began beating like crazy, before he repeated to himself over and over, ' she is not human, she is not human, she is not human', like a mantra to retain some form of cognitive process before this beautiful creature.

"…w..why did you bring me here?"

"…I…I was just lonely…and you seemed nicer compared to the two scary people.."

"Scary people? You mean the people I was travelling with? No, no, they are not scary-…", Max stopped suddenly, "except for one person… she is the devil herself…"

"Uuuuu, see, I knew it…."

"Yup, thank goodness you weren't caught by her evil claws, who knows what she will do to you…", he blushed red as his imagination took control and veered his mind into….unhealthy thoughts. Well healthy if you were male.

"But", Max continued, "why are you by yourself?"

"…Lorelei doesn't know", she replied whimpering, "I have always been by myself"

"Eh?", he felt his heart constrict at those words, "What do you mean by that?"

"When I opened my eyes….there was only me and 'doll'", she lifted the wooden figure over her head to show Max.

"….just how long have you been here?..."

Looking up at him with eyes full of questions, she replied, "I…I think the water turned very cold 12 times, and sometimes ice would flow down into my home"

To which Max drew in a breadth in shock. If what she was telling was accurate… that was 12 seasons… the amount of time since Royal Road first began…she had been alone since the game was first created!

"Lorelei…do you…want to be my friend", Max asked gently.

"...Friend? What is that?", she tilted her head in question whilst hugging the doll. The word seemed to resonate inside her somehow.

"A friend is someone who you can always talk to, play with, and still… reach out for help no matter how far apart you are"

Lorelei sank deeper into the water until it was up to her lips, bubbling the words out shyly", …I…I would like that, Max"

Max smiled as he reached out his hand to her, "Then lets shake on it"

"..Does it hurt?"

To which he chuckled softly, "No, it's kind of like an agreement or contract"

"O…ok", she seemed to come to a conclusion to herself as Lorelei swam closer to the shore and slowly reached out with one hand, the other securely clutching the wooden doll.

Their fingers touched and Max thought for a second that it glowed briefly, but Lorelei acted like nothing had happened so he must have imagined it. Taking her hand in his palm, he shook it up and down once, saying, "And now we are friends. I hope to be in your care"

"…Me too", and she smiled so brightly that Max felt tempted to cross that boundary between species.

"Anyway", Max stood up, "I guess it's time for me to get back to the others", he shivered, "who knows what Mayumi will do to me since I have all their luggage…"

"…Can I come too?", Lorelei looked up, seemingly on the verge of tears at the possibility of already losing her first friend.

"Eh? How will you do that?", Max asked in genuine surprise. It's not like he can carry her out of here, plus she was half fish… don't she need water?

"…Can you hold my doll?", she lifted the figurine up to Max.

"Ok…", as he accepted it, a soft glow surrounded Lorelei, becoming increasingly brighter until Max had to avert his eyes for fear of going blind. When the afterglow of the light faded, she was nowhere to be seen.

"Lorelei? Lorelei?! Where are you?!", he asked in panic.

"I am here", a voice echoed in his head.

"W...what! where?", he looked wildly about.

"In your hands silly", the voice replied sounding crossed.

"…U..UWAAAH!…", Max shouted.

"Eh? W..What is it?", she asked puzzled.

"Oh…oooooooh..it's nothing", Max replied shakily…to which he was not alright at all. He felt like he was holding a cursed doll… however Max didn't want to hurt Lorelei's feelings so he reined in his rampaging emotions with a laborious effort.

"Soooo… now how are we going to get out of here?", Max asked to put his mind elsewhere as he gingerly placed the doll in one of his side pouches.

"It's ok, you will be saved soon"

"Eh?"

"One of your friends is coming"

To which, he heard a loud shuddering as the walls around him vibrated, so much so that he fell on his backside as one portion of the wall caved inwards, the figure of Masumi striding forward with fragments of rocks falling all around.

"Masumi… did your eyes just glowed red?"

"Eh? W..What's wrong with you? Are you still drowning?", Masumi replied defensively.

Looking closely again, Masumi's eyes had returned to normal and Max truly wondered if he had not hit his head somewhere along the line in the water. He was seeing a lot of weird things lately…

"Ooooh Maaaaax", A voice said all too cheerily behind Masumi, "I hope you are reeeady~"

"Eh? What for?"

"For making your master chase after you…"

"SINCE WHEN DID I BECOME YOUR SLAVE!?"

A rope looped itself around his neck and forcefully dragged him forward, "Since you ran off with all our spare clothing. Dirty panty thief", she admonished him by stepping HARD on his head.

"….forgive me….master…"

"That’s better", Mayumi smiled as she continued, "I guess I will let this slide since I have such a generous heart"

'….please apologise to all the saints in the world!', Max yelled inside his head. It looked like he wasn't going to be able to escape from her clutches anytime soon.

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Lydia watched on in silence as the two men stood facing off against one another, wondering how she can safely stop this duel before it got out of hand. Gerhard seriously did not even have any chance at all… and the new sword he was given can only be equipped at level 100, to which he only shrugged and said it didn’t mattered.

'OF COURSE IT MATTERED', she shouted inside her head, 'just what kind of player thinks that levels are inconsequential, can someone please drag that person forward to me!?'

The whole village had gathered, Sir Ernst Rommer acting as the witness to the duel, and players who were up early in the morning wondering what kind of event was going on in the village. Since the roads became safer, players once again began to return to the region and though as soon as they saw Eric, most blanched and fled as soon as possible. However, a few bravely stayed due inherently to curiosity, wondering why the giant with a fearsome reputation was standing in the middle of a village and not attacking anyone. Eric suddenly stirred and the onlookers held their breath, feeling like a momentous occasion has come.

Eric planted the head of his battle axe into the ground, donning his war helm prior to announcing sombrely, "You will keep your word now?" more as a statement rather than a real question.

"I will always honour it", Gerhard replied sadly, assuming a fencer stance with a slow graceful salute to Eric, kissing the flat of the blade lightly before regrettably pointing the sword towards the man who he had saved and been saved by, fought and bled beside with.

"Then, it ends", Eric stated then erupted into motion, running forward with battle axe held high.

There was nothing left to do but conclude their fight, Gerhard moving in without hesitation, sidestepping the axe stroke that would have beheaded him, before launching an attack of his own. To which this was deflected by the armoured plate, Gerhard's sword no match for such high level equipment and he could only shave away piecemeal at Eric's HP, mindful of the fact that any return stroke could be fatal for himself. As for Eric, the sword hits that do succeed in getting past his armour were only a minor irritation, he having long surpassed his endurance mastery in his quest-less journey of slaughter.

To the untrained eye, it looked like a wild dance, of sweeping axe strokes and thrusting sword points, of minute dodges and blunt indifference to hits, the contrast between Gerhard's graceful movements matched by Eric's animal ferocity as they fought back and forth across the courtyard of silent and apprehensive observers. However, Ernst Rommer could be seen grimacing, perhaps the only person, NPC or otherwise, that knows that Gerhard is losing. And losing badly.

*Clang*

Gerhard once again diverted another axe stroke away before stepping in, thrusting out with his fist for Eric's throat. It was instantly caught, and Gerhard stifled a cry of pain as his left hand was viciously crushed, before Eric pulled him and hurled the slight body of Gerhard into the air. He crashed brutally into a fruit stand, shattering it as Gerhard coughed out blood, his HP dropping to half health as Eric strode unhurriedly towards him.

"Haha, brutal as ever", Gerhard chuckled grimly, rising to his feet, feeling bones shift within his body uncomfortably, "urgh, you broke my ribs... again".

"Noooo!", a voice cried out and the figure of the boy whom Gerhard had saved came running forward as Eric swung down with his axe. There was a moment of slight hesitation that Gerhard noted, and suddenly the memory of his previous fight with Eric resurfaced in his mind.

Lydia grabbed the boy to prevent him from getting hurt, surprised by her own actions and that of this NPC… just what was happening to the both of them… unable to explain her inexplicable deeds.

"Eric…you…you are still a good man after all", Gerhard smiled happily after he painfully dodged the blow.

"……"

"You… you weren't ever going to kill that child were you"

"… I don't know what you are talking about", Eric growled as he swung his axe again, aiming for Gerhard's now weakened left side.

"I saw that axe stroke into the ground where the child lay… it would have missed anyway even if I didn't intervene".

"… Shut up…"

"… You are a father, aren't you?.."

"SHUT UP!", Eric roared as he increased his attack speed, going berserk at Gerhard.

"WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ME!?", Eric screamed, "WHAT DO YOU TRULY KNOW WHAT I HAVE BEEN THROUGH!?"

"I SHOULD HAVE DIED WITH MY MEN! I SHOULD HAVE DIED LONG AGO!"

"NOW… I HAVE NOTHING!!", he roared, "I RETURNED HOME TO NOTHING!"

To all this Gerhard was only silently listening, however he was caught unprepared by such a flurry of attacks, Gerhard receiving a blow to his right hand that held his sword where it was smashed into a wall shattering his fingers, the weapon falling from his useless hand. Eric was going out of control, madness and rage in his every movement as one such strike connected into Gerhard's abdomen, the axe blade biting deep into his left side, Eric still bellowing.

"I SHOULD HAVE NEVER SURVIVED!", Eric wailed.

Gerhard grabbed the handle of the battle axe with his ruined hands to trap Eric in place, looking up to gaze into the eyes of the armoured warrior before him. Roaring out in a voice laced with iron and power, Gerhard commanded, "SOLDAT, STILLSTE-HEN!"

Instantly, years of discipline took control over Eric's body as he obeyed, unable to resist the authority of a voice that expects immediate and unflinching obedience, the voice of a true officer reaching into Eric's soul to pull the soldier that he once was back to the fore. His arms fell to his sides, leaving the weapon still embedded in Gerhard, Eric stamping his feet together as he stood straight with chest out and in perfect textbook military stance.

New Skill: Words of Iron

A natural born leader of men, your commands are expected to be obeyed without question, followed without doubt, trust given when asked. Enemies are affected as well, though only temporarily. Duration and Skill chance increases by Skill level.

Improves when you successfully turn an enemy or convince allies to do the unreasonable.

You may not distribute bonus stat points to Words of Iron

To which, dying, Gerhard reached out with bloody hands to grasps either side of Eric's face, ignoring the agonizing pain and blood threatening to escape from his lips, he spoke softly, " Soldat…Kamerad… … your war is over now. You have fought well for the Vaterland… because you LIVED. You are alive and nothing else matters. With life you can still hope, rebuild… be with the ones you love the most"

Pulling their heads together till they touched forehead to forehead, Gerhard declared, "You are NOT dead Eric. You are still a soldier, a father, a husband, a son to someone. You are ALIVE! SO LIVE! Live for the others who never returned. Live on and don't soil their memories DAMNIT! I COMMAND YOU TO LIVE!"

"….It's ok for me to be alive…?", Eric whispered.

Gerhard chuckled, "Just what have I been saying dummkopf . Of course it is ok"

"But… I am crippled..", Eric voice becoming hoarse with emotion.

"You are crippled in body, but not in mind, Eric"

"… So… I can live?"

"It's great to be alive, isn't it?"

"But the others...?"

"They STILL live, as long as you do in here", Gerhard tapped Eric's temple, "and in here”, Gerhard said as he tapped Eric’s heart.

"….I am not allowed to die..?"

"Request denied", Gerhard smiled beatifically.

"Herlizh willkommen, Soldat. Thank you for your service", Gerhard saluted weakly before finally his strength failed, his legs buckling out from under him as he collapsed forward into Eric's chest.

With silent tears streaming down his face, Eric laid Gerhard gently down upon the ground, trying to stem the flow of blood as Lydia finally ran over and urgently began casting her low level healing spell, worry deep in her eyes. She didn't want to witness that scene from when Gerhard was near death ever again… the memory still haunting her due to how bizarre it was…

Author's Note: There is more after the Song.

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Ending Song: Promise You

"Countless knights went to battle, and many were hurt, as the dragon moved closer and closer to the palace. The King declared whosoever killed the dragon would be granted half his kingdom. On hearing this, knights came from across the sea. They were the fiercest, the bravest and the largest knights anyone had ever seen. Thousands gathered to attack the dragon. But for all their effort, they couldn't defeat the dragon and the countryside became strewn with ruins. They were left with a riddle after every battle. 'My defeat will be an empty cup filled'.

Only the little blacksmith's heart was full of hope, fashioning a suit of armour and a sword out of old tin cups, mounting his pony, and then rode to court. Bowing before the King, he said, 'I wish to defeat the dragon'. There was a moment of silence, then everyone but the Princess began to laugh. The King said, 'You are no match for this dragon. It takes might to fight. You are just too small.'

The tiny blacksmith responded with pride, 'I may be slight, but I can fight.'

He travelled far and wide until he found the dragon's cave and entered it without hesitation. There he found the dragon lying in misery with its eyes swollen shut and its forked tongue lying on the ground. It hissed at his approach, for it could smell him, but the tiny knight wasn't afraid. With his chivalrous heart all he could feel now was mercy. He wanted to help the beast and so returning outside, he climbed down the cliff to the stream below. At the bottom there was plenty of water, but nothing with which to carry it. Then he spied a chipped cup, carefully picking it from the sand, he filled it as best as he could and climbed back up.

But when he got back to the dragon, he discovered that not only had the cup been chipped but it had a crack he had not noticed. What little water there was had leaked out while he was climbing. He moved toward the dragon and said, 'I'm sorry. I meant to help you, I really did. But the cup is empty.'

To his surprise the dragon rose up with a roar of delight.

'Thank you, oh thank you, tiny knight,

You have saved me, all right!

An empty cup it may be,

But it was filled with kindness, you see.

And an empty cup filled, sets me free!

I'll guard you forever, I tell no lies.

I'll be your wings, if you'll be my eyes.'

The tiny knight was shocked before becoming delighted. The evil dragon wasn't evil at all, only bewitched, and now that the riddle was solved it showed that it was kind as well. Then the tiny knight, astride his flying dragon, flew home. The tiny knight then married the Princess and received half the kingdom. The dragon got back his eyesight and, true to his word, guarded the kingdom faithfully."

"Hehe", the two young boys laughed happily to the conclusion of the story.

"Come on boys, visiting time is over", the woman closed the book she had been flipping the pages… for Eric to read.

"Awww mamaaa. We want papa to tell us more stories", they exclaimed.

"Now, listen to your mother, boys", Eric scolded as his wife affectionately stroked the hair from his eyes, "if you misbehave, I won't let you visit me again".

"Noooooooo!", they yelped before quieting down, as their mother placed a finger on each of their lips.

"Shhhh, don’t disturb the other patients", she reminded them.

"Its fine dear, they are all too busy being jealous of me to care", Eric joked.

"Screw you, Eric! My wife was prettier… ten years ago", someone yelled, and the hospital ward broke out in laughter.

As she took the boys by the hands and packed their belongings, readying to leave, she turned back around and kissed Eric deeply, to which the boys said, "ewwwwww".

"I am so glad you are alive", she whispered.

"I am too", he smiled, "And I won't regret it ever again."