Where Legends Go to Die

#The following wasn't part of the manuscript but written on a loose sheet stuck between pages. It may or may not belong here.#

****(POV)

"At the very edge of this world legends say exists a tree older than the world itself. Surrounded by..."

"Is that true?! Is it?!"

"Stop interrupting boy! Anyway, no one knows for sure. But it is true that there is a mythical forest where every creature is strong to the point of shaming the most powerful of heroes. For confronted to them we are naught but specks of dust."

"*Gasp* Seriously?!"

"Yes seriously. There reside beings we cannot even fathom.

Any single ant there able to overpower the strongest warrior of the adventurer's guild. Any random bystander able to put to shame the wisest and most powerful of mages of the white city of knowledge.

Any weapon lying around able to make the most benevolent monk lose his mind from touching it. Simply walking around could traumatize the strongest of priests for they can stumble upon real deities. Any random …"

Then interrupts a voice showing obvious disdain.

"Don't listen to that man! There is no way any of that is true! You should focus on things that matter like getting accepted into a warrior's academy! Don't listen to the silly talks of the errant beggars like him!"

"Bye mister let's…"

"Just come already!"

A beggar is it? Silly talks eh? Well, it is true that it's been a while since I last showered. Also true that all these stories won't have anything to do with ordinary people at all.

In fact, everyone should stay really far away from that place for sure. Not just the ordinary people. The truly strong should avoid it too or have their pride shattered to bits. Then comes a melodious laughing voice.

"Haha, mothers these days are extremely protective, aren't they?"

I turn around. There stands a man dressed in colorful clothes. He has a lute across his back. A bard is it?

"They sure are. Still, it is kind of sad to hide a child from the world. At some point, they will have to fly on their own."

"Well, in their eyes fictive stories are nothing but useless talk. Can't say I completely disagree with them. Especially on days where feeding oneself proves hard."

"Oh? What is it about fictive stories?"

"Well, it lets one dream, keeps the morale up, and is awesome, but some people are just too realistic and don't see all the good it actually brings *sigh*.

We were not meant to live on this earth simply to toil and suffer. One needs to find a source of joy somewhere. That's where dreamers like us come in haha." I can feel both self-depreciation and hope in his laughter.

"Hum, you misunderstand me. What makes you think my stories are fictional?"

"Oh? Of course, your stories are truly real! Haha. Sorry I almost committed a faux pas. From one storyteller to another I need to admit you are doing a good job at it!"

"You see, every story I tell is veridic. It makes this easier, to be honest."

"Oh? I love your dedication! I am Willun, a traveling bard. How should I address you?"

"Grimweld, just an ordinary old man."

"Please you don't look older than 30. There is no way you are …. oh! I see, Grimweld the previous guild master of the adventurer's guild headquarters! Haha, just don't let too many people hear that some adventurers can be a bit fanatic at times. You see…"

He is trailing on and on. Should I scare the youngling a bit? Why not haha. I ever so slowly start releasing my aura. I want to scare him, not kill him.

"…he is a role model for most of them and their idol. If they know you are using his name to tell stories they might very well….OH MY GOD!"

0_0

He suddenly stops talking. I wave my hand in front of him a few times yet he remains blank. It takes a while until ….

"Y-YOU, Y-YOU …ARE HIM! You are Grimweld! What are you?! How?! Why?!"

"That's what I just said, didn't I? Weren't you listening?"

"Of course, I was but …Then the story earlier?!"

I simply look at him calmly. He seems extremely excited. Wasn't I some adventurers' idol? Why is he, a bard, acting like that haha.

"Wait what did you say about the strongest of warriors?!"

"A simple ant there can overpower them."

"Oh my god! How is that possible?! You are the strongest there is! How can ants even compare to your greatness?!"

"No, you have it backward. It is I that couldn't compare to their greatness. Any being able to live there is more deserving than I am. I barely survived my journey thanks to my luck. And I barely ever stayed on the edge of it."

"Then everything else you said about …"

"All true."

"Then why are you not using your legendary status to tell people?! Why are you here on the street and..."

"Would it make a difference? It would either unnecessarily scare some or spark some misplaced greed."

"That…there is no way …. Actually, no it would happen. Humanity is stupid."

He gets it at least.

"Say, is there anything about a bard in your story?!"

"Of course!"

I can see him holding his breath with expectation. Waiting for my every word as if it was gold.

"The most creative of the bards end up feeling like clowns…. for their wildest imagination cannot even hold a candle to what happens daily there. The normality of these beings is worthier than any epic that was ever composed or ever will."

He seems extremely fidgety. I can see his face turn red from the excitement. He clenches his fist. I can see his lips moving about as if doing a silent oath.

"Thank you so much! I will always remember your kindness!"

"Planning on heading there are you?"

He gives an embarrassed smile.

"Indeed. There is no way a true bard could ever resist the attraction of such a place."

"No matter what?"

"No matter what!"

He leaves happily.

It is nice to be young and to dream.

Oh well seems I killed another one.

I really need to stop recounting that story.

This place is one where legends go to die after all.

Well, younglings too.

What can I say, when getting older one gets the desire to ramble…