text: The clearing was dark as the new day sun had only just began to rise. This was a holy place, known to very few for it was surrounded by miles of dense woodland. The only sounds were that of a near by stream trickling and of two pairs of boots as they entered the hollow. “Wow can you believe it? Finally here! You did it!” said the younger of the two men. “No Kurt”, said the the older man, “We did it.” As the two adventurers entered, they continued toward the middle of the clearing where they came upon a large stone sitting perfectly in the center. Jutting out of the top of the stone appeared to be the handle of an ancient stone. On the handle was an engraving of a language long forgotten. “So this is it?” asked Kurt. “This is what you’ve been looking for?” “Yes son” began the old man “this is what I have been looking for my entire life. The sword in the stone. It’s said that this very sword is what inspired Arthurian legend. And just like the legend, only the most good and pure of heart can free it from its stony prison.” As he finished his explanation, the old man knelt down next the stone and placed his weathered hands on the hilt of the sword and began to pull. The sword did not yield. The man smiled as he looked back up at a surprised Kurt. “This doesn’t make any sense!” exclaimed the young man. “Who could be more worthy than the man who has used his wealth and influence for philanthropy? The man who took me in after my parents accident? You have more than proved yourself to be good!” “Kurt, it’s true that I have tried my best to do good, but I have made terrible decisions that just can’t be undone”, explained the old man. “ But, taking you in was the best thing I could have done. Finding the sword was not my only life’s work. It was raising you to become a good and decent man. I never had kids of my own but you are my son Kurt and we are here today so that you can fulfill my work.” Kurt looked back at his surrogate father stunned. “I... I don’t know” “I do, son” Kurt took a step forward to hug the old man, and then he took another step toward the sword. He placed his strong, youthful hands over the hilt and began to pull. The sword started to release! In just a few seconds the sword was free and in Kurt’s hands. He could not believe it as he stared at the ancient weapon in disbelief. Suddenly a power started to flow through him. The old man had said nothing about this! “How does it feel son?” “Incredible! I feel like I could anything” “The legend says that the sword grants its wielder with immense power, this is the reason I have sought after it. I believe that it could help me rid this world of evil.” “Do you really think think it could do that?” “Of course I do, if I didn’t I wouldn’t have wasted this much time.” Holding the sword Kurt’s strength, speed and reflexes were heightened to the level of a superhuman. But love can be blinding, and he didn’t see the gun the old man had pulled from his belt, and he did not see him fire it. “D-Dad?” The old man caught the sword as Kurt fell to the ground with a new hole in his chest. The old man now felt the same awesome power his adopted son felt moments ago. “Son, I wasn’t entirely honest with you. I’ve been here before and the sword has denied me before. It was back before your parents accident. On that day I lost hope that my dream would ever come true but then you came into my life. And I saw you for what you were. A young soul ready for molding. So I raised you into the good-hearted man you are today. And you have delivered me my ultimate tool to fix this world. I’ve made many mistakes in this life, but you were not one of them.” The old man affixed the sword to his belt and began to walk away. As Kurt’s world was going dark, the clearing was filled with the light of the new day sun. The only sounds were of the near by stream trickling, and of a single pair of boots exiting the clearing.