R E C C A N T I

A youth climbs a mountain to confront a beast which has troubled their village for generations. They trudge through the snow with a determined look on their face until they discover the entrance to a cave.

> Entering the cave, the youth hears a voice: So, you've come to slay me. Now that I'm old and weak. How pathetic.

After hearing the voice, the youth turns, but they're too slow. Something slashes at their side. They turn to face their attacker, only to falter once they see.

In the darkness of the cave, a mass of eyes stares down at them

> The beast continues: I've burned nations. Flattened mountains! It steps forward. And they think I can be killed by some abandonded pup? Terrified, the youth raises their sword.

> Eyes closed, the youth swings their sword, cutting into the beast, which lets out a screech in shock. It evaporates into dust as a gust of wind blows it away. The youth stands there in shock. They hear a voice: so be it.

> As the beast fades, it continues to speak, its voice barely a whisper: You may have killed me, but I'll still live on. The survivors will remember their fear and the bodies I left behind. And when they sing of you, they'll also sing of me

The youth exits the cave, still gripping their sword, tears in their eyes.

The last thing we see is their sword lodged in the ground.