Garo
Boy Wonder
Welcome back! It's been only two weeks since our last competition, but it feels like much longer. At any rate, it's good to be back with new pieces to read!
Last round, our theme was "A New Adventure". Spectators were treated with three entries, and ultimately voted to give the win for the week to regular contestant A Link In Time! Congratulations - always a pleasure to read your work, and the voters certainly agree!
On to this week - unfortunately we only have two entries this week, which I'll blame on a lack of publicity on my part. I was moving this week and have been conspicuously absent from the forums. Hopefully for the next round we'll have more entries! At any rate, what we have is in the spoiler tag below.
Make sure you leave a comment in the thread and vote for your favorite in the poll up top.
Now on to next week's theme: let's dispense with the fanfare and get right to the point.
Entries are due in two weeks - that is, Friday, September 7th at 9:00 PM EST.
Last round, our theme was "A New Adventure". Spectators were treated with three entries, and ultimately voted to give the win for the week to regular contestant A Link In Time! Congratulations - always a pleasure to read your work, and the voters certainly agree!
On to this week - unfortunately we only have two entries this week, which I'll blame on a lack of publicity on my part. I was moving this week and have been conspicuously absent from the forums. Hopefully for the next round we'll have more entries! At any rate, what we have is in the spoiler tag below.
A Link In Time
Gathered in His Name
A dark storm cloud brewed over the land. Another imperfect day approached. But for the boy every day was a nightmare. They were always waiting for him, pawns of the Combine-three reckless teenagers who had transformed into agents of the party. Every single time he bought groceries they spit in his face, savagely beat him, decried his faith. They were opponents of religion. The youngster knew they would strike Father Murphy soon.
The market was surprisingly empty that day at noon. Most had sought shelter from the elements. As the boy approached the vendor, the gravel cracking under his feet, three hooded figures appeared from the corner.
“What’re you up to, pretty boy? Where is your messiah when you need him? There’s no hand of judgment here to strike me down!” the tallest of the three exclaimed.
“Good afternoon,” he said; he uttered these words so timidly that he was ashamed and stammered like a little girl, “Oh-er-I’m not sure what you’re talking about”.
“God’s disciple is as stupid as a stump,” another of the three chimed in. “Bet he couldn’t land a solid punch here either,” he stated pointing to his chin.
The boy clenched his fists but did nothing. Closing his eyes he prayed to Him above. A few seconds later and he was alone, bruised as usual. Everything was a blur. A policeman helped him to his feet. It was comforting to know not all of the area’s authority figures had succumbed to party propaganda.
The youth placed the food which had not been pillaged into his back. It wasn’t much-two fish and five loaves of bread-but it would have to suffice. He scurried back to the monastery to speak to the friar.
The boy entered the shrine where he knew his master awaited. True to his convictions the monk had refused an ornery finish in favor of a courser, more common aesthetic.
“In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, what brings you here today, boy?” the priest inquired.
The youth inhaled and exhaled loudly, well aware of the repercussions which awaited if he abandoned the religion.
“I no longer know who I am, father. My notions of good and evil are crumbling before my very eyes and my faith falters if it means martyrdom on the cross like our savior, Christ the Lord.”
The old man gazed at the ground, a haggard expression on his face. He had confronted many doubters but never before had one of his own pupils strayed from the paths of the shepherd.
“Why do people choose a rose over any other flower? Is it because everyone recognizes the luscious red and fragrant odor? Society has adorned its petals with a most distinguished award as the charmer of lovers. Similarly many are flocking away from the Father today because they see others doing so and the party condemns such practices. But is that the right choice? Few ask these hard questions and in doing so you uncover the truth about yourself.”
The old man sighed and stood up, strolling across the room at a leisurely pace. He continued, “The right decision is often the harder one and you chose the path of justice earlier today at the marketplace”.
The boy stared ahead with a bewildered look on his face. How did the ancient know of his activity?
“Father, who informed you of these tidings? I’m sorry for not telling you. I-er-was afraid you wouldn’t…understand”.
The stammering has returned once more. The youth was allowing the fear to flow to his mind. “Snap out of it,” he told himself.
The priest enunciated a loud bellow permeating the entire chamber. “My child, Officer Louis is a good friend of mine. As long as he monitors the streets those goons will never lay waste to this place.”
The apprentice rose and approached his master. “I’ve pondered over what you’ve told me, Father, and I truly believe you are correct. Only through Him can we obtain eternal salvation. Our society is one of merit and learning devoid of crime and squalor. I will continue to accompany my Lord. He shows me that patience is more important than power and those who plan adroitly shall triumph in the final showdown”.
“Very well then, my boy,” the old man pronounced, an exhausted air about his features.
The lad exited through a side door to his dormitory.
***
One week elapsed from that day and the boy went off to the market once more to obtain supplies. Surprisingly for the first time ever his oppressors were not there to greet him. Then it happened. Upon purchasing provisions he heard the alarm sound.
He rushed back to the monastery and found it in flames, poisonous vapor escaping through the remains of the windows and chimney. The paramedics were huddled around the scene and reported no survivors.
A tear dropping from the corner of his eyelid to the gravel, the boy knew the opposing faction desired for him to strike back. He wouldn’t offer them that satisfaction. Continuing his master’s efforts was the only way to end this bitter struggle. It was only a matter of time before the hammer and sickle faltered to the strength of the human spirit.
SpartanGibbles
[Host's Note: Due to an error on my part, this piece - which was entered for the last round - was not entered into the competition. In an attempt to rectify the mistake and give Spartan a fair shake, I'm running it this week. Keep in mind when reading it that the theme it is based on is not "Wisdom" but "A New Adventure". Apologies for the mistake.]
The morning was eerily silent as the boy awoke from his slumber. Nothing but the trees rustling from a gust of wind penetrated his ears. He lay in his bed, the same as any other day.
“Could it already be time?” he wondered aloud to himself. “Surely I must have more time left”.
As he groggily got prepared for the day he looked at himself in the dim glow of the lanterns adorning his house. Each mark and scar on his body told of an adventure or battle that was lost to time.
“Time,” he thought. “That’s what she said as she sent me back, that I needed to recover my time”.
Had it really only been a few months since he stopped that dreadful menace and saved his people? He imagined that they must have had an enormous celebration, although he could never know for sure. After all he was the only one who knew what would have happened had the King not listened to his pleas against the tyrant.
“But now I’m nothing more than some boy to them all. Abandoned by my partner and denied my hero’s rights.”
Of course no one here knew about my heroics, after all they never happened in this world. All that effort I poured into saving them shall never be known.
“But why would they even believe me. I certainly don’t look like someone who could have saved the kingdom. Even those who I grew so close to are now complete strangers in this life. Enough of this thought!” He shouted to the heavens. “I know what I have to do and there is no putting it off now. I have my horse, I’ve said goodbye to those who I used to know, and now it is time to look for my friend”.
It seemed so strange to him when she left his side. After returning to this time she simply floated away saying nothing, like their adventure meant nothing to her. But he knew that couldn’t be, she had to have had a reason to leave so abruptly. She wasn’t where she used to be before she met him, she wasn’t anywhere really. The only thing he had to go on was that strange forest imp’s clue.
“She flew deep into the Lost Woods,” he giggled as played. “You can still catch up to her if you leave before the Moon disappears”.
“The moon disappears?” he questioned the imp. “Why does it matter if the go now or after it starts anew”?
“If you truly care about her, you’ll figure it out,” he cried gleefully before disappearing into the shadows he claimed contained his friend.
That’s why he was here now. He didn’t know what the imp meant about the moon, but he was determined not to let his friend slip away. As he approached the edge of the Lost Woods he wondered what existed deep inside. None had gone as far inside as he had in his other life. Yet he had only touched the surface of the confusing realm.
“I don’t know what awaits me in this confusing place but I will find you,” he said aloud. “Even if it takes me years, I will find you. I don’t care if I ever return home, because without you it isn’t truly home”.
As he entered the forbidden wood, he whispered something to himself and set off. Unsure of what awaited him, he rode onward as the trees started to blend and he felt like he had entered a whole new land.
As the greatest hero the land will ever have left, all that was heard from the winds across Hyrule was one word. A word carried on the breeze from the hero they would never know.
“Navi"
Gathered in His Name
A dark storm cloud brewed over the land. Another imperfect day approached. But for the boy every day was a nightmare. They were always waiting for him, pawns of the Combine-three reckless teenagers who had transformed into agents of the party. Every single time he bought groceries they spit in his face, savagely beat him, decried his faith. They were opponents of religion. The youngster knew they would strike Father Murphy soon.
The market was surprisingly empty that day at noon. Most had sought shelter from the elements. As the boy approached the vendor, the gravel cracking under his feet, three hooded figures appeared from the corner.
“What’re you up to, pretty boy? Where is your messiah when you need him? There’s no hand of judgment here to strike me down!” the tallest of the three exclaimed.
“Good afternoon,” he said; he uttered these words so timidly that he was ashamed and stammered like a little girl, “Oh-er-I’m not sure what you’re talking about”.
“God’s disciple is as stupid as a stump,” another of the three chimed in. “Bet he couldn’t land a solid punch here either,” he stated pointing to his chin.
The boy clenched his fists but did nothing. Closing his eyes he prayed to Him above. A few seconds later and he was alone, bruised as usual. Everything was a blur. A policeman helped him to his feet. It was comforting to know not all of the area’s authority figures had succumbed to party propaganda.
The youth placed the food which had not been pillaged into his back. It wasn’t much-two fish and five loaves of bread-but it would have to suffice. He scurried back to the monastery to speak to the friar.
The boy entered the shrine where he knew his master awaited. True to his convictions the monk had refused an ornery finish in favor of a courser, more common aesthetic.
“In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, what brings you here today, boy?” the priest inquired.
The youth inhaled and exhaled loudly, well aware of the repercussions which awaited if he abandoned the religion.
“I no longer know who I am, father. My notions of good and evil are crumbling before my very eyes and my faith falters if it means martyrdom on the cross like our savior, Christ the Lord.”
The old man gazed at the ground, a haggard expression on his face. He had confronted many doubters but never before had one of his own pupils strayed from the paths of the shepherd.
“Why do people choose a rose over any other flower? Is it because everyone recognizes the luscious red and fragrant odor? Society has adorned its petals with a most distinguished award as the charmer of lovers. Similarly many are flocking away from the Father today because they see others doing so and the party condemns such practices. But is that the right choice? Few ask these hard questions and in doing so you uncover the truth about yourself.”
The old man sighed and stood up, strolling across the room at a leisurely pace. He continued, “The right decision is often the harder one and you chose the path of justice earlier today at the marketplace”.
The boy stared ahead with a bewildered look on his face. How did the ancient know of his activity?
“Father, who informed you of these tidings? I’m sorry for not telling you. I-er-was afraid you wouldn’t…understand”.
The stammering has returned once more. The youth was allowing the fear to flow to his mind. “Snap out of it,” he told himself.
The priest enunciated a loud bellow permeating the entire chamber. “My child, Officer Louis is a good friend of mine. As long as he monitors the streets those goons will never lay waste to this place.”
The apprentice rose and approached his master. “I’ve pondered over what you’ve told me, Father, and I truly believe you are correct. Only through Him can we obtain eternal salvation. Our society is one of merit and learning devoid of crime and squalor. I will continue to accompany my Lord. He shows me that patience is more important than power and those who plan adroitly shall triumph in the final showdown”.
“Very well then, my boy,” the old man pronounced, an exhausted air about his features.
The lad exited through a side door to his dormitory.
***
One week elapsed from that day and the boy went off to the market once more to obtain supplies. Surprisingly for the first time ever his oppressors were not there to greet him. Then it happened. Upon purchasing provisions he heard the alarm sound.
He rushed back to the monastery and found it in flames, poisonous vapor escaping through the remains of the windows and chimney. The paramedics were huddled around the scene and reported no survivors.
A tear dropping from the corner of his eyelid to the gravel, the boy knew the opposing faction desired for him to strike back. He wouldn’t offer them that satisfaction. Continuing his master’s efforts was the only way to end this bitter struggle. It was only a matter of time before the hammer and sickle faltered to the strength of the human spirit.
SpartanGibbles
[Host's Note: Due to an error on my part, this piece - which was entered for the last round - was not entered into the competition. In an attempt to rectify the mistake and give Spartan a fair shake, I'm running it this week. Keep in mind when reading it that the theme it is based on is not "Wisdom" but "A New Adventure". Apologies for the mistake.]
The morning was eerily silent as the boy awoke from his slumber. Nothing but the trees rustling from a gust of wind penetrated his ears. He lay in his bed, the same as any other day.
“Could it already be time?” he wondered aloud to himself. “Surely I must have more time left”.
As he groggily got prepared for the day he looked at himself in the dim glow of the lanterns adorning his house. Each mark and scar on his body told of an adventure or battle that was lost to time.
“Time,” he thought. “That’s what she said as she sent me back, that I needed to recover my time”.
Had it really only been a few months since he stopped that dreadful menace and saved his people? He imagined that they must have had an enormous celebration, although he could never know for sure. After all he was the only one who knew what would have happened had the King not listened to his pleas against the tyrant.
“But now I’m nothing more than some boy to them all. Abandoned by my partner and denied my hero’s rights.”
Of course no one here knew about my heroics, after all they never happened in this world. All that effort I poured into saving them shall never be known.
“But why would they even believe me. I certainly don’t look like someone who could have saved the kingdom. Even those who I grew so close to are now complete strangers in this life. Enough of this thought!” He shouted to the heavens. “I know what I have to do and there is no putting it off now. I have my horse, I’ve said goodbye to those who I used to know, and now it is time to look for my friend”.
It seemed so strange to him when she left his side. After returning to this time she simply floated away saying nothing, like their adventure meant nothing to her. But he knew that couldn’t be, she had to have had a reason to leave so abruptly. She wasn’t where she used to be before she met him, she wasn’t anywhere really. The only thing he had to go on was that strange forest imp’s clue.
“She flew deep into the Lost Woods,” he giggled as played. “You can still catch up to her if you leave before the Moon disappears”.
“The moon disappears?” he questioned the imp. “Why does it matter if the go now or after it starts anew”?
“If you truly care about her, you’ll figure it out,” he cried gleefully before disappearing into the shadows he claimed contained his friend.
That’s why he was here now. He didn’t know what the imp meant about the moon, but he was determined not to let his friend slip away. As he approached the edge of the Lost Woods he wondered what existed deep inside. None had gone as far inside as he had in his other life. Yet he had only touched the surface of the confusing realm.
“I don’t know what awaits me in this confusing place but I will find you,” he said aloud. “Even if it takes me years, I will find you. I don’t care if I ever return home, because without you it isn’t truly home”.
As he entered the forbidden wood, he whispered something to himself and set off. Unsure of what awaited him, he rode onward as the trees started to blend and he felt like he had entered a whole new land.
As the greatest hero the land will ever have left, all that was heard from the winds across Hyrule was one word. A word carried on the breeze from the hero they would never know.
“Navi"
Make sure you leave a comment in the thread and vote for your favorite in the poll up top.
Now on to next week's theme: let's dispense with the fanfare and get right to the point.
Power
Max. 1000 words
Max. 1000 words
Entries are due in two weeks - that is, Friday, September 7th at 9:00 PM EST.
). But that could very possibly just be me reading it wrong!
