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

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