[ WP ] An aging hero visits an old friend for the last time .

`` It has been a long time, Onda. It's probably too late at this point, is n't it?'' 
 
 Barbus the Mighty, he was called once. Back in the day, he had the body of a god, wielded a warhammer called Your Majesty and sported a thick red beard that covered half his head and his chest. The warrior monk had always been solemn and stable, like a stone pillar defying the sea, unyielding and holy of sorts, simply for his ability to stand tall now matter how many had dragged him down. 
 
 Now he had grown crooked under his own weight, bending over his potbelly while supporting himself on a cane. His face had gone skewed and his beard had grown into a wisp. His swollen joints had n't made it easy for him to walk over here, but the stubborn man had done so anyway. He had become a shell. Unlike me. I withstood the power of time, but not by means I was particularly proud of. 
 
 I simply gestured him to sit. The crowd outside was uneasy, muttering and shuffling as they were all pressed together in the town square, waiting to see the spectacle. Barbus put his cane against the table, leaned on the armrest of the simple wooden chair and carefully slif down. His size was an advantage once, but now his back had malformed and tortured him for a long time. He should have stuck to exercizing instead of drinking, he would have been in better shape. 
 
 `` So, it has come to this. Are you proud of yourself after all these years?'' 
 
 `` In a way. I have accomplished a lot recently.'' 
 
 `` Accomplished.'' Barbus said as turned and spat on the floor. His lack of subtlety made me crack a smile. Sometimes I miss those days. 
 
 `` You've become that which we swore to defend the common folk from.'' Barbus said with a tone of malice in his voice, `` You conquer realms left and right, destroying cultures across every land you set foot on with your monstrous armies. You disfigure your friends for trying to do what's right-'' 
 
 `` Sikoni betrayed me. Tried to murder me.'' I interrupted, `` He got exactly what he deserved and is *very* lucky to be alive today.'' 
 
 Barbus turned around to behold Sikoni. My former partner stood in the corner, looking away from both of us. Several markings of the blood gods had been carved into his new body, filling him with power he never knew before. It was consuming him faster then I expected though, so his flesh was starting to fail. The poor state of his soul was n't helping. I was going to have to say goodbye to him too, earlier then I wanted to. 
 
 `` He does n't look like he's very happy.'' 
 
 `` He's still coming to terms with it. And he's been very busy, so he's a little tired.'' 
 
 `` I am ashamed of what you've become, Onda. I taught you better then this.'' 
 
 `` You taught me to do whatever I could do to save the people I care for. That there are goals larger than me that deserve to be preserved. That maybe one day, I'd have to sacrifice myself so that generations after me can live.'' 
 
 `` You recite it like I told you this yesterday.'' 
 
 `` Indeed, I have not forgotten. I still serve that purpose today.'' 
 
 `` You are mad with power, Onda. You are lost.'' 
 
 `` They said the same about the King Who Became The Sun. How'd that work out for us?'' 
 
 Barbus had no answer for that. He knew that story was no fairy tail. Occasionally, the watchers would see a burst of the dead king's flames sprouting out of the sun, reminding the world that the greatest dragon of all time sacrificed himself so we could all live in his glowing warmth, despite the fact that we killed his only son who would have risen above him, salted the earth he ruled and parade the remains of his people annually through the streets in celebration. 
 
 `` People will hate me for what I did, am doing, and will do. And it will all be worth it. I am willing to drag myself through the dirt and shit to save the millions of people yet unborn. If that is not worth living or dying for, then tell me what is.'' 
 
 After a minute of saying nothing to eachother, the mayor came into the room. It was time. Barbus rose with some difficulty, but gave no complaint. I walked with him outside to the crowd who remained sullen and angry as I came to execute their patron saint. 

