Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Years ago, the land was no stranger to destruction. From a century of calamity, the soil knew no rest. Dark magic seeped into every inch of the earth. The malice flowed through the rivers, settled in the dirt, flew through the air.

Monsters plagued the roads, day and night. Tall beasts with unyielding strength wrought death, leaving broken bodies strewn across the ground. They wielded crude weapons, landing hard blows that promised a quick death. The kingdom’s people fled and separated. Many towns were left in ruins. Crumbling towers and deteriorating houses were overrun by twisting vines and sprawling moss.

The morning air was tainted with ash, the evening light tinged with an ugly red. The sun shined too brightly, a heat stroke likely peaking around the corner. The stars hid in the dark, offering travellers no guidance. The moon was often dim. On the nights it glowed, it was perverted into gleaming with the colour of blood.

Famine was a well-known friend, greeting the people at the end of every harvest. Crops wilted from the burning heat, the dry soil provided no support. Drought swept through the kingdom at the end of every year. The river beds cracked and crumbled. They needed change.

Here and now, the people build homes: small villages hid in the safety of the forests. Neighbours are made up of glowing creatures and furry critters, although they are too skittish to say hello. Tiny shining fairies glide along with the breeze. Shy beady eyes hidden between the trees gaze at the humans, coming from the little rabbits to the slender deer.

The kingdom’s remaining citizens learn to adapt and overcome. Using their own strength, they fight valiantly against the monsters. They carry heavy swords and sturdy bows, paranoia and fear buzzing underneath the artificial peace. Children learn how to fight after a day of playing. Mothers watch over their homes while fathers scout the borders of the trees. Using their intelligence, they work around the lack of food and water. They create fail-safe after fail-safe, refusing to lose to the forces of nature.

In the distant future, the kingdom will reclaim a tender hope. The skies will be clear, with only chirping birds residing in its space. The sun’s soft golden rays will cover the land, a gentle warmth on dewy grass. Flowers will bloom in the wild, acting as small bursts of colour among the endless green fields.

Small slabs of stepping stones will form a trail to a cave on a plateau, overlooking the kingdom. Towering trees will surround the cave, protecting what’s inside from the years of tragedy passed. Within the cave’s cold walls, a boy will awaken. He will stand up from his bed of rock and walk towards the sunlight. His piercing blue eyes will analyze his surroundings, watching for the monsters wreaking havoc on the kingdom. Dirty blond hair will be combed with rough fingers, with hands that will harden from fighting. Leather boots will walk a long way, travelling from town to town.

The boy, courageous and fearless, will pass through the healing land and rid it of its troubles. Once his battle reaches its peak, he will brandish his sword and vanquish the curses, the unrelenting evil.

A hero will rise.