text: [Themes: fantasy, fantasy]
  
  You hold your father's sword in your hand tightly as you walk along your village's rocky path. Holding your head up high, you march triumphantly uphill with a very special goal in mind.
  
  Today was the day you were going to do it. Today was the day you were going to kill the monster who dwells the cave near the village.
  
  For your thirteenth birthday your father entrusted you with his sword, the very sword that he has fought countless battles with. You run your fingers along the blade, it's cold to the touch yet you feel a unexplainable warmth swirling inside you. It's almost as if you are being filled with the power of all the monsters and sinners your father has slain with this very same weapon. It wasn't as beautiful as it once was, that happens with age after all, however in your eyes it was a gorgeous and unbeatable weapon.
  
  Your father was a warrior loved by the village and you knew that you would always live in his shadow, especially since he was such an honorable and endearing man. How can a young boy such as yourself ever live up to the expectations pushed on you by the other villagers for having such a great man as your father? You don't even have any prior accomplishments in your 13 years of life! Luckily for you, just last week you came up with the perfect plan that would surely make a name for yourself.
  
  The monster who lives in a nearby cave always takes from the village's food supply. Despite it being such a nuisance, nobody has ever successfully killed it. Until today, that is!
  
  You grip the sword's hilt so tightly your hand began to throb from the pain. You're finally here, just outside the cave.
  
  [Author's Note: You are a boy who goes to the cave near your village to kill the monster who lives there. Will you be able to do it? I started writing this series years ago. I really didn't want to leave it unfinished, so I finished it after all this time. I apologize if there's any inconsistencies, I tried to catch what I could but it's hard when you're coming back to a story after so much time has passed. I would really appreciate some constructive criticism in the comments, I've always wanted to become a good writer it's just very hard for me to finish things I've started because I lose confidence in my writing. Thank you for reading!]
  
  > enter the cave.
  With a deep breath you enter the cave and to your surprise you see the monster there, just leisurely sitting, all four of it's golden eyes are now affixed on you.
  
  The monster was definitely hideous, but not as unsightly as other monsters you have seen in the past. It was as tall as a giant with gray fur covering its entire body. It had long lanky arms and legs with two black horns just as long as its limbs. Probably its most prominent trait was its razor sharp teeth and four reflective eyes that looked like pools of molten gold.
  
  Despite how it looked, you were far from scared. You've seen your father defeat countless monsters, some twice as bad and ten times as terrifying. If anything, you were itching to kill this thing. You wondered why nobody has ever killed it before you! Just as you were about to raise your sword, the monster opens its mouth to speak to you.
  
  "Did you come for a story, child?" the monster's voice was nothing like how you expected. In fact, it was a very soothing, almost motherly voice. The kind of voice you could fall asleep to... an unfamiliar yet curious voice.
  
  For some odd reason you can't quite explain, you nod your head yes.
  
  I wasn't born like the rest of you
  
  I just happened to exist, it's true
  
  One day I wasn't and the next I was
  
  And now I exist, a creature with claws
  
  Much like the creation of your universe
  
  It was all by chance, I call it a curse
  
  On this planet of green and blue
  
  Choked and shrouded by gray
  
  I'm living like the rest of you
  
  If you can call it "living", anyway..
  
  Now, what is it you want to know?
  
  You blink in surprise, but decide to play along with it's little game. You swallow anxiously before replying.
  
  > tell you about humans
  The monster grimaces before continuing,
  
  An animal lacking fur or a fin
  
  Writhing in it's disgusting, fleshy skin
  
  Their drive is war and chaos, my greatest fears
  
  Their shrill voices and laughter pierce my ears
  
  How can such hideous beings exist?
  
  So much sin, they just can't resist
  
  If it's humans you must know about, ask away
  
  I'll tell you my tales, child, I have all day
  
  How could you even begin to reply to such an insult?
  
  > What makes you so bad?
  Humans are demons in disguise
  
  Cruel creatures who ignore innocent cries
  
  To them war is a competition, and they're after first prize
  
  As hellfire reflects off their blood lusting eyes
  
  And as flames rise into once blue skies
  
  They'll continue to say that they are the "good" guys
  
  Child, humans are not and could not be my allies
  
  And I hope to one day cause their demise...
  
  > Cause your demise...?
  I started to think fondly of you when you entered my den
  
  But humans will be humans, again and again
  
  Child, don't think I don't see that sword in your hand
  
  Just what exactly did you have planned?
  
  To kill me? But why? Because I'm not like you?
  
  This will be a day that you won't live through
  
  Because I finally know my purpose on this earth
  
  To cleanse it thoroughly and allow a rebirth
  
  A planet with no humans, it will bring peace
  
  All the war and pain and violence will finally cease
  
  And it will start with you, my child, so hold your breath
  
  For I will give you a merciful death
  
  You raise your sword to attack the monster but it was much too powerful for you. You are quickly overtaken, and before you can react your neck is snapped by the monster's powerful hands. You didn't feel a thing...a merciful death indeed.