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Description
A young traveler walks the paths of a marshlands, glowing eerily beautiful during the nighttime. It is warm, and the only thing heard is the croaks of frogs, flaps of bird wings and light footsteps of the traveler and four cohorts. Leaves and other various washed up particles crunch under their newly made, battle ready clothing, and lamented garments. The traveler himself, wields a weapon crafted to his liking. A sleek, thin blade made for cutting anything. Making the enemy bleed and fall was his idea. He was to be a skilled warrior, but he wished to travel the lands, with a few good fellows of his own. Today this young traveler was to come of age. He was at the age where a boy would become a man if he had taken on the challenge and succeeded. He was set, ready for tackling such a monster that could easily behead him if he had not been prepared. The traveler had been in a few rough gang clashes. He had drawn swords and almost cut his opponents in half. Today was the day he was true of heart. He would show his comrades he had meant business. Today was the day he proved his people's worth, and pursue his dreams. He was nervous, but his courage told him that he couldn't turn this down, and he was ready. He had taken on gangs one on ten and came out perfectly well. Today he would fell the monster. A monster, the one the kids called monster Eye. Iustis. If he was worthy, he would be given a token when defeated. The traveler had guessed it would be the purest of all the sacred marsh water, the Izmeneniya Spring. The freshest water in Moera Marsh. It was a common treasure among those who passed. He hoped in his heart that he would pass flawlessly and gain a special reward and position in the imperial capital, but that was only if he COULD do it. He would hold nothing back, but he would hope he could finish in record timing.

"Sire," asked one of his attendants.

"Hm?" he responded.

"Are you truly sure you are ready?"

"Don't bother asking something as pointless as that." he scoffed.

"S-sorry sire. I'm only concerned for your well being." he said shakily.

"Thank you, my good man." he nodded. "Also, how much farther until we arrive?"

"It's just over yonder, sire."

The traveler stared out into the fog, spotting a small light in the distance. Fixating his sight towards the small ambient light in the distane, he asked, pointing, "That?"

"Yes, sire. Approximately that."

He nodded back in approval and kept walking. All the men were quiet, and soon arrived at their mystifying location.

A much older clansman stepped forward. He raised a hand up and said, "Welcome, Roh'haelen. We have been expecting your arrival. We beseech thyne presence and thyne stature. I hope, and so do all, hope you achieve your coming of age."

The man shrunk down, and the attendants disappeared.

"Huh!?" Roh'haelen gasped.

There it was. A hulking beast. Covered in a thick, red, evil hide. Eyes dark as the swamp waters, claws bigger than his own blade, wings longer than 20 men. Face scaly and fierce. Taller than 15 men. Jaw and teeth easily as big as himself.

'Time to fight...' Roh'haelen thought, drawing his blade.

The beast roared mightily.

Roh'haelen charged forward, slicing his thick skin open. He flipped over the beast's head and sliced it's back skin in half. He was glad his blade could cut that deep at all. Now the fight was really even.

The monster cried in agony as it's protective hide split off of it's body, falling to the ground. It soared up, roaring loudly. Wings glistened like marsh trees and dew did in the mornings. It spewed a flame column out. Roh'haelen swiftly rolled out of the way, and jumped up, heading for the beast's long spiky tail. He barely grabbed on, and stabbed it's tail. He used his blade as leverage, flipped upward, and hacked at the neck of it. It swung, throwing Roh'haelen to the ground. Blade still caught in the monster's skin. Dark blood pouring everywhere. The monster gained energy, and swooped in, clawing Roh'haelen on his chest and arms.

Roh'haelen screamed in pain. The monster's claws were laced with a painful substance. He jumped up, and ran as fast as his legs could carry him. The beast swung it's mighty tail back, smashing Roh'haelen's chest, forcing all breath out of his body, and sending him flying. He fell, smashing his back, and sat dazed for a long time. Head and mind spinning, he ached back up, and pulled out a small shiv he had for backup. He wiped the blood from his lips, and charged again, slashing down, cutting into the monster's chest. It whimpered in agony and spewed more flames.

Roh'haelen was too fast for this beast's flames. He jumped off of the monster's thick knee and stabbed it in the eye. It roared in pain, blood staining Roh'haelen's garments, blending red and purple, turning many gross blends of interesting, unidentifiable colors. Just a big huge mess.

Both combatants weary from bleeding, both ready to fall. Roh'haelen, barely able to walk, went for a quick slash. He cut the monster's belly open, and it roared out, falling right near him. Barely breathing, he charged forward, scorching Roh'haelen's blade. He used this to his advantage and went in for a final blow. But, just then, the monster whined and cried out. A flash of light overtook Roh'haelen's eyes. He saw something different... Then anything he'd ever before. A paradise of animals, and lots of technology. Super advanced from anything he'd ever seen. It was beautiful.

He snapped out of the fever dream, seeing the monster whimpering and crying for dear life.

"I-is this not the courage our ancestors had set for us? Is it... Peace they wanted?" he thought out loud.

He took to the head of the monster. "Is it peace that you tried achieving?"

"Rrrrreeeewrrr..." it whined.

Roh'haelen was very conflicted. A monster similar to this one had nearly killed him as a child. He and one of his friends had wandered off, and they childishly ran away. He was publicly scolded by his mother, which made everyone think he was weak. From that day on, he trained to be a real warrior. This is why he had come for the coming of age ceremony. He needed to slay the beast, but what he saw told him not to. He wanted to hurt it, but, he didn't at the same time. He grew awkward as his hesitation could end his life.

With regret, he stabbed the monster's skull, hitting the cerebral cortex, breaking spinal connection, killing the monster. Once he let the blade down, he collapsed. His body couldn't handle the grief and the pain. He was in the worst of both worlds. Barely alive, he slept.

The monster stood above him yet again in this dream. Well, and not fighting. It was much smaller. Shorter than Roh'haelen's legs, and blue. It was more rounded and less spiky than it was when it was living.

"I'm sorry, young man. I have been plagued. You've purged me from evil and disease, in which I can live peacefully. Thank you, brave warrior."

"Hunh...?" he turned, confused.

The monster knelt before him. "This is what a true man really is. Being able to help with no regrets. Sire, if you knew I was sickened, wouldn't thou slain me?"

"Well... That is highly probable I would. It would be out of morality and justice."

"Glad to know. I want to inform my ancestors about your triumph. Congratulations Roh'haelen. You have come of age with flying colors."

"Thank you, grand beast."

"Call me... Ehren'haf."

"Thank you, Ehren'haf sir."

"Go in peace. Show the world your wisdom... And what you saw. Make life yours...!" his eyes glistened, as Roh'haelen faded back into conciousness.

Roh'haelen awoke from slumber to a congratulatory sermon. They blessed his soul and gave him grand high honor awards. They then celebrated with a pompous feast and good tidings. They all had a good time, yet, Roh'haelen still felt so philosophical and in deep thought. He would consider what the beast called Ehren'haf had told him. He knew he was truly the best. So, the next day, he penned and created masterpieces from what he'd seen and heard. He penned wondrous novels the young and thoughtful eye blissed and twinkled at it's sight. He had manifested ideas and simple thoughts into masterful artistic power. All from the one ceremony that he wished he could turn his life around with. And he was pleased. He was surely pleased he had come of age, and was truly ready for life, as a warrior, and an inspirer.

Description
A young traveler walks the paths of a marshlands, glowing eerily beautiful during the nighttime. It is warm, and the only thing heard is the croaks of frogs, flaps of bird wings and light footsteps of the traveler and four cohorts. Leaves and other various washed up particles crunch under their newly made, battle ready clothing, and lamented garments. The traveler himself, wields a weapon crafted to his liking. A sleek, thin blade made for cutting anything. Making the enemy bleed and fall was his idea. He was to be a skilled warrior, but he wished to travel the lands, with a few good fellows of his own. Today this young traveler was to come of age. He was at the age where a boy would become a man if he had taken on the challenge and succeeded. He was set, ready for tackling such a monster that could easily behead him if he had not been prepared. The traveler had been in a few rough gang clashes. He had drawn swords and almost cut his opponents in half. Today was the day he was true of heart. He would show his comrades he had meant business. Today was the day he proved his people's worth, and pursue his dreams. He was nervous, but his courage told him that he couldn't turn this down, and he was ready. He had taken on gangs one on ten and came out perfectly well. Today he would fell the monster. A monster, the one the kids called monster Eye. Iustis. If he was worthy, he would be given a token when defeated. The traveler had guessed it would be the purest of all the sacred marsh water, the Izmeneniya Spring. The freshest water in Moera Marsh. It was a common treasure among those who passed. He hoped in his heart that he would pass flawlessly and gain a special reward and position in the imperial capital, but that was only if he COULD do it. He would hold nothing back, but he would hope he could finish in record timing.

"Sire," asked one of his attendants.

"Hm?" he responded.

"Are you truly sure you are ready?"

"Don't bother asking something as pointless as that." he scoffed.

"S-sorry sire. I'm only concerned for your well being." he said shakily.

"Thank you, my good man." he nodded. "Also, how much farther until we arrive?"

"It's just over yonder, sire."

The traveler stared out into the fog, spotting a small light in the distance. Fixating his sight towards the small ambient light in the distane, he asked, pointing, "That?"

"Yes, sire. Approximately that."

He nodded back in approval and kept walking. All the men were quiet, and soon arrived at their mystifying location.

A much older clansman stepped forward. He raised a hand up and said, "Welcome, Roh'haelen. We have been expecting your arrival. We beseech thyne presence and thyne stature. I hope, and so do all, hope you achieve your coming of age."

The man shrunk down, and the attendants disappeared.

"Huh!?" Roh'haelen gasped.

There it was. A hulking beast. Covered in a thick, red, evil hide. Eyes dark as the swamp waters, claws bigger than his own blade, wings longer than 20 men. Face scaly and fierce. Taller than 15 men. Jaw and teeth easily as big as himself.

'Time to fight...' Roh'haelen thought, drawing his blade.

The beast roared mightily.

Roh'haelen charged forward, slicing his thick skin open. He flipped over the beast's head and sliced it's back skin in half. He was glad his blade could cut that deep at all. Now the fight was really even.

The monster cried in agony as it's protective hide split off of it's body, falling to the ground. It soared up, roaring loudly. Wings glistened like marsh trees and dew did in the mornings. It spewed a flame column out. Roh'haelen swiftly rolled out of the way, and jumped up, heading for the beast's long spiky tail. He barely grabbed on, and stabbed it's tail. He used his blade as leverage, flipped upward, and hacked at the neck of it. It swung, throwing Roh'haelen to the ground. Blade still caught in the monster's skin. Dark blood pouring everywhere. The monster gained energy, and swooped in, clawing Roh'haelen on his chest and arms.

Roh'haelen screamed in pain. The monster's claws were laced with a painful substance. He jumped up, and ran as fast as his legs could carry him. The beast swung it's mighty tail back, smashing Roh'haelen's chest, forcing all breath out of his body, and sending him flying. He fell, smashing his back, and sat dazed for a long time. Head and mind spinning, he ached back up, and pulled out a small shiv he had for backup. He wiped the blood from his lips, and charged again, slashing down, cutting into the monster's chest. It whimpered in agony and spewed more flames.

Roh'haelen was too fast for this beast's flames. He jumped off of the monster's thick knee and stabbed it in the eye. It roared in pain, blood staining Roh'haelen's garments, blending red and purple, turning many gross blends of interesting, unidentifiable colors. Just a big huge mess.

Both combatants weary from bleeding, both ready to fall. Roh'haelen, barely able to walk, went for a quick slash. He cut the monster's belly open, and it roared out, falling right near him. Barely breathing, he charged forward, scorching Roh'haelen's blade. He used this to his advantage and went in for a final blow. But, just then, the monster whined and cried out. A flash of light overtook Roh'haelen's eyes. He saw something different... Then anything he'd ever before. A paradise of animals, and lots of technology. Super advanced from anything he'd ever seen. It was beautiful.

He snapped out of the fever dream, seeing the monster whimpering and crying for dear life.

"I-is this not the courage our ancestors had set for us? Is it... Peace they wanted?" he thought out loud.

He took to the head of the monster. "Is it peace that you tried achieving?"

"Rrrrreeeewrrr..." it whined.

Roh'haelen was very conflicted. A monster similar to this one had nearly killed him as a child. He and one of his friends had wandered off, and they childishly ran away. He was publicly scolded by his mother, which made everyone think he was weak. From that day on, he trained to be a real warrior. This is why he had come for the coming of age ceremony. He needed to slay the beast, but what he saw told him not to. He wanted to hurt it, but, he didn't at the same time. He grew awkward as his hesitation could end his life.

With regret, he stabbed the monster's skull, hitting the cerebral cortex, breaking spinal connection, killing the monster. Once he let the blade down, he collapsed. His body couldn't handle the grief and the pain. He was in the worst of both worlds. Barely alive, he slept.

The monster stood above him yet again in this dream. Well, and not fighting. It was much smaller. Shorter than Roh'haelen's legs, and blue. It was more rounded and less spiky than it was when it was living.

"I'm sorry, young man. I have been plagued. You've purged me from evil and disease, in which I can live peacefully. Thank you, brave warrior."

"Hunh...?" he turned, confused.

The monster knelt before him. "This is what a true man really is. Being able to help with no regrets. Sire, if you knew I was sickened, wouldn't thou slain me?"

"Well... That is highly probable I would. It would be out of morality and justice."

"Glad to know. I want to inform my ancestors about your triumph. Congratulations Roh'haelen. You have come of age with flying colors."

"Thank you, grand beast."

"Call me... Ehren'haf."

"Thank you, Ehren'haf sir."

"Go in peace. Show the world your wisdom... And what you saw. Make life yours...!" his eyes glistened, as Roh'haelen faded back into conciousness.

Roh'haelen awoke from slumber to a congratulatory sermon. They blessed his soul and gave him grand high honor awards. They then celebrated with a pompous feast and good tidings. They all had a good time, yet, Roh'haelen still felt so philosophical and in deep thought. He would consider what the beast called Ehren'haf had told him. He knew he was truly the best. So, the next day, he penned and created masterpieces from what he'd seen and heard. He penned wondrous novels the young and thoughtful eye blissed and twinkled at it's sight. He had manifested ideas and simple thoughts into masterful artistic power. All from the one ceremony that he wished he could turn his life around with. And he was pleased. He was surely pleased he had come of age, and was truly ready for life, as a warrior, and an inspirer.