There exists a magical sword stuck in a stone deep within a forest. All who visit try to take it for themselves, but none prove worthy to pull it from me. As the stone that sword is embedded into, I feel sorry for them.

I don't get to choose whose worthy. Most don't even know I'm there. But I've been witness to every attempt. I know the heart of the creatures who visit and what they wish for. Most come with heartfelt desires of heroism and grandeur. Some few come to prove themselves, hoping to be better than they were yesterday.

And while many a kind soul has appeared that I personally would've proven worthy had I the option, still yet, none have had the strength to pull it. And now here comes the best of my champions. A small boy, with the most heroic of dreams and the most heartfelt of desires.

And the deepest wish to be better than he was yesterday.

Illustration was created by DamayantiArts on Deviant Art for this story.