A beautiful and wam day is what today was. With all of my chores done I decided to go on a hike. I should have known better than to go up by the waterfall. I was crossing a log bridge when the unthinkable happened - I slipped. While hanging on by my fingertips I shouted for help, yet nobody came. My grip gave out and I plummeted with the grace and glory of a clay pigeon. I was fortunate enough to land in the deeper part of the pool at the bottom of the waterfall. I guess my luck is better than I thought, since the deep section of the pool is VERY small and one foor or so in any direction and I would have been a pancake. Dripping wet and somewhat shaken I dragged myself out of the pool and over to a rock, where I sat down to dry off in the sun and to rest my nerves.
     A pool a little further off had an odd shimmer in its midst, which looked a little like a person. I rubbed my eyes and only saw water and sun, which I guess means I just saw an illusion or a mirage. Once I was sufficiently dry and rested I decided to go and check out that pool. Unfortunately that meant I had to take a long route since somebody built up barriers around it, probably to keep animals or people out, or give them the run around. I followed the path, eventually reaching the pool. In the center of the pool, thrust into a marble alter, rested an old and weather beaten, not to mention rusted, sword.
     Looking back, I don’t know if taking the sword was the best thing to do, but I needed something to cut through all the brush with, especially the bushes which blocked the way into the village. Mounting the alter, I took hold of the sword and, with all my might, pulled it free. A wave of light washed over the area, knocking me on my butt.
     “Thank you for releasing me,” a voice said in my head, “I bequeath my power unto you and will protect you.”
     I believe the sword was talking to me, since nobody else was around, and it spoke in a soft feminine foice. I remember such a voice in my distant past.
     As I walked through the woods towards home, monsters like none I had ever seen attacked me. I’m not very well trained in the use of a sword, but somehow I knew how to swing with accuracy. Many times I needed to swing two or three times before I was able to defeat a monster, but after a while I was able to smash them with one mighty swing.
     As I got closer and closer to the village, the monsters became stronger and stronger, some attacking me in groups. These took more effort to kill, but sure enough I was able to slay them. Suddenly the trees to my left shook and then parted, revealing a large ant monster. I turned to run, but found my way blocked by the trees this thing threw like they were twigs. The sword glowed, giving me the strength and will to fight.
     By charging my weapon with energy I was able to release stronger swipes and slashes, eventually defeating the ant creature. As it fell its chest split open, a single crystal orb falling forth and landing at my feet. This I tucked into my shirt before I slashed through the brush and entered town.
     The elder greeted me at the entrance, wondering what had taken me so long to return from my hike. I explained, as best I could, about all the trouble that had befallen me. He listened to my story, nodding the entire time. I felt uneasy when he wouldn’t say anything, and it showed. He eventually told me that I must under go a quest to seal the monsters away and save the world. He told me that the place to begin my quest was the beach, where a water spirit named Undine could help me in my quest.
     I returned to my bed tonight, knowing it would be the last time for a while. Unable to sleep I packed some things I would need for my journey, polished my new sword, made sure my armor was sound, and this eventually tired me out. Tonight I sleep, tomorrow I set out on my journey bright and early. I will miss this town and my friends here, but it is for them that I fight.