N O . M O R E . H E R O E S

As the light faded to black one night
And I lay in silence upon my bed
all my memories slowly slid away
and a strange dream filled my head.

A new land streched out before me
I saw a man clad in shinning steel
A sword he grasped in his right hand
and on his left he had a sheild
I approached the man and asked him
the cause for which he fought
He turned to me and answered
"listen close and you'll be taught"

He spoke of an ancient order,
the cause for which he served,
he told me of his lifelong purpose
and the code which he preserved.
thoughout the land i followed him
he taught me of his cause
he showed me the different peoples
and this is what i saw...

The man first showed me his kind
the men of honour and truth
they were dressed like my companion
I was sad to see so few
I asked the man if there were more
And a deep sadness filled his face
"Once our numbers were many, but
We are the last of a dying race"

Next we saw many clad clothes of white
What hypocrites these were
they hid stoney hearts and shadow souls
benieth false robes they wore
they sat in seats of judgement
condeming all those with flaws
they forgot to love each man the same
and thus betrayed their cause.

Next he showed me the normal folk
those who toiled for their gold
the power on top controlled them
and time swallowed up their soul
these people were the foundation
that evil sat enthroned upon
each man could've been his own king
instead each was a pawn.

Finally he showed me a darker place
The lands of his mortal foes
a land thick with the stench of greed
where anger is all that grows
the residents of this evil place
had hearts as dark as night
their blood ran black with hatred
in their souls there was no light.

Just then a horde of evil men
attacked him from behind
they outnumbered him 10 to 1
but he fought with strength devine
I ran and hid behind a tree
as they battled to and fro
the villains had him surrounded
and he fell beneath their blows.

the horde then ran off in hideous glee
and i came to my heroes side
He lay there in a pool of blood
as i knelt beside and cried.
As he lay dying within my arms
he looked up and spoke these words
"My friend, the light is fading fast,
will you now pick up the sword?"

I wiped the tears from my cheeks
And quickly looked around
Then i saw the mighty blade
lying lifeless on the ground.
I brought it to my dying friend
he looked at it and said,
"it has served me well in life
now it serves you in my stead."
As i held the sword within my hand
I saw a smile cross his face
he said he now could die in peace
for he had been replaced.

when i awoke from this vision
It had opened my eyes
I swore that day I'd carry the sword
until the day that i died.
As for what happens next
God only knows
Yet i fear for darkened day when
the world will have no more Heroes.

Dustin Vaughan 2000