PART ONE: THE DESCENT

And now, as storm clouds gather,
As screams of lightning flash
The hero bows in solace
His shield and sword wink
Under flashing thunderheads
And still his breath remains
Unvanquished, subtle
He clears his mind for the path ahead
Pleasantly apprehensive
And prepares to take the test
“I have conquered fears abounding
I have stood before the lightning”
He breaths the warm, wet air
Smells the thunder
“Now, my time has come again
To bridle the storm”
With that he strides to meet it
His sword his pencil
His heart his shield
Soon it will be over
For better or for worse

PART TWO: THE CONCLUSION

Standing among the wetted trees
He kneels, exhausted
His frame is weak
Yet rested
The storm shocks once more
And then silence
The hero waits and thinks
And hopes
From everywhere and nowhere
A voice echoes in the night
“You have passed
And received an 82
You may rest, hero”
A smile spreads his face
The air seems warmer
The sky yellows with
The coming of dawn
“It is finished”
He whispers
“I am a free man”