Big Black Book

The real Jay Chou.

A messenger ran frantically up to his general's camp. Huffing and panting he informed General Thicondrious that Stratonicea has been taken. As he heard that, the rose up from his seat and commanded the 3rd Cavalry to follow. He grabbed his sword and marched out of his camp. He mounted his horse and rode to Stratonicea with the 3rd Cavalry behind him.

"Ha! And this is the mighty fortress Stratonicea? You call this a fortress?" proclaimed Thicondrious upon reaching Stratonicea. Stratonicea was once a vibrant and glorious city. All that is left now is a smouldering ruin. Bodies with limbs missing was strewn all over the place. Thicondrious and the 3rd Cavalry rode into the city. Most of the buildings are still on fire. There was smoke everywhere. Cries for help can be heard.

Then suddenly something caught his eye. At a corner of a building there was a child, cowering in fear as Thicondrious drew out his sword from its shealth and dismounted from his steed. The child started crying. Thicondrious stopped beside. He raised his sword and uttered, "No Stratonicean shall live after what they have done to Graviscae, merciless scum!". Just before he swung his sword, memories began to flood his mind.

It took him back to his childhood days. He was raised by farmer parents on a serene and peaceful village on the outskirts of Graviscae. "Run Thicondrious! Run! Girta is on our tail!" called a familiar voice. He looked behind and saw a little boy running towards him. His face reminded him of Argos, his brother. "What are you doing standing there? Stunned by Medusssa?" yelled the little boy. Behind the little boy was a ferocious onyx colured dog. The little boy snatched his wrist and pulled him on. Soon, he was running with the little boy but he's still dumbfounded on how he got here and kept wondering. They kept running and soon they came to a river. The little boy ran and jumped into the river while still holding on to his hand. They went under the water from the impact and resurfaced. The dog stopped at the river bank and kept barking at them. Thicondrious looked down and saw his reflection. He wasn't the battle-hardened general now. An image of a little boy with blue eyes stared back at him. He brought his hands up and looked at them. They were smooth with no battle scars or dirt on them. He's back in his childhood again.

"That was fun eh? Let's do that some other time" said the little boy who is floating beside him. "Who are you and what is your name?" Thicondrious asked him. The little boy replied, "I'm your brother! Argos! You looked and sound a bit off today. Did you take those weird smelling Wicker leaves again? The last time you took them, you called Cerberus your father! Are you sure you did not take them again?" Thicondrious looked at him and smiled. He turned and began to swim to the other side of the river. Girta was still barking at them from the other side.

Both of them got up from the river on the other side. "What did you do to make that dog chase you?" asked Thicondrious. "Owh that.. I tried to steal some Pin fruits from old Hort's orchard," said Argos rather meekly. Thicondrious laughed and told him not to do it again as it would be quite impossible with 8 guard dogs there. Argos smiled. Both of them journeyed home.

They reached home when the sun started to dip below the horizon. Two figures were waiting for them at the village entrance. A man and a woman. Thicondrious squinted and realised both of them are his parents. He ran towards them and gave them a hug. Tears trickle down his face. "I thought you guys were gone.." said Thicondrious in between sobs. "We are always here for you. Although we may not be there physically, we are always there in your heart, watching you" replied his father as he held both his sons and his wife in his embrace.

Suddenly all of them faded into the background. The image of his village disintegrated into particles and he was transported back to Stratonicea. He knew that it was all memories. Happy memories. He opened his eyes and the child was crying and cowering before him. Pleading him to spare her life. "I cannot do this..." thought Thicondrious to himself. He dropped his sword and walked into the ruins. "Don't follow me." ordered Thicondrious to the cavalrymen behind him. They looked on as their general disappeared into the smoke.

I was scrolling through nuffnangs pictures and I saw this.

Mozilla as in Mozilla Firefox.