The hero later opened up his eyes and looked around

he saw no sign of dragons but a claw upon the ground

the icy mountains all around looked silent and serene

it may have been more beautiful than anything he’d seen

The battle he’d experience then echoed in his mind

as he looked upon the scars the dragon left behind

canyons carved into the mountain still releasing steam

he was sure the battle couldn’t just have been a dream

In the blinding light, he knew he’d landed his attack

the last thing he remembered before everything turned black

the dragon cried in agony, or was it in despair

whatever words the dragon spoke, the hero didn’t care

If the dragon wasn’t here, he might have flown away

too scared to confront the hero which he’d fought today

as the hero thought about the battle’s awkward end

he waited for the dragon just in case it should descend

After several hours had passed with no sign of the beast

in the woods below, the sound of monsters had increased

he listened to the sound of chaos growing steadily

but hunting was a duty he accepted readily

“Now that their old king is gone, the monsters should be scared

will they challenge me just like their former leader dared”

he laughed as he assured himself that he had truly won

the reign of the old evil dragon here was really done

He looked at the memento of the dragon which he’d beat

the mighty dragon’s claw was lying near the hero’s feet

he picked it up and didn’t wonder where the king had flown

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“let this be the proof that victory is mine alone”

He started his long journey to report his victory

all the world would sing a song for him eternally

but in the woods around the hill he noticed right away

the monsters had increased since he was there the other day

Even passive creatures started acting very strange

the forest in its essence had begun a drastic change

monsters fighting monsters, there was chaos everywhere

sometimes he was so surprised, he had to stop and stare

Slowly he continued on while cutting monsters down

though his once triumphant smile was traded for a frown

such a nuisance didn’t suit so glorious a day

but still he was the saviour of an empire either way

The hunters were preoccupied when he passed through their land

but he had little time to stop and lend a helping hand

he didn’t stop in towns that hadn’t welcomed him before

and in a week he found himself before the castle’s door

Excitement spread throughout the capital without delay

the emperor arranged an audience that very day

“my loyal knight, the cornerstone of my great empire’s force

we witnessed an astounding light and wonder at its source

Did you really find a dragon on some northern hill

such a foe that no one ever dared to try to kill”

before the emperor and all the nobles in the hall

the hero raised his head and said with pride to one and all

“I fought many days and nights to carry out my quest

endless hordes of monsters leaving me no time to rest”

he took the claw out from his pocket holding it up high

even such a fragment was enough to mystify

“But atop the highest peak, with just my wit and sword

it was I who who conquered the immortal dragon lord”

confirming that the claw was real, the hall was full of song

the hero knew that this was what he’d worked for all along

As the nobles and the knights all danced around with glee

the emperor leaned back and looked upon him thoughtfully

the hero met his eyes and noticed something in his smile

but caught up in the dancing, he was busy for a while

The empire’s nobles all rejoiced to hear the hero’s news

revelling that such a knight was theirs alone to use

parties once again became the hero’s daily life

and still he hadn’t had the time to go and see his wife

After several days had passed the hero felt at peace

finally he’d done enough that his struggle would cease

the emperor arranged to meet the hero he adored

the hero wondered what might be his ultimate reward

Visions of the future flashed across his weary mind

he’d settle for some treasure or a prize of any kind

now his songs would echo through the ages for all time

even just the thought of his new legend was sublime

He knelt before the emperor to whom he owed his fame

and after he exchanged a greeting, then the order came

“now that there’s no dragon standing in our empire’s way

you’ll be leading our great army north within a day”