Slasher imagines

Fables

We've heard of the knight in shining armor, venturing up the mountain and vanquishing the dragon. The monster with so much gold and fame that they've become popular amongst the tales and fables.
But..as a child why would I waste my time climbing those steps just to reach the top and find a misunderstanding. A sight so broken and so gut-wrenching that I just want to turn around and throw myself right back down that same mountain.
I spent all the time, blood, sweat, tears, and agony trying to reach this beast only to find a fable masking a greater fiction. The dragon, so malnourished and old, that I need no sword to capture its head, only a twig. The craftsmanship and effort put into this strong blade only for it to be shattered by the pathetic thought of use.
Let's not mention the gold, now decayed and pushed away, that it reminds me so much of bronze. Mere penny used for garbage barely getting by the stash. Yes, there's plenty there but the king will take more than I knew. Calls it taxing, calls it such a burden and he's sorry. He doesn't want to do it, but oh, he has to. Boo hoo to me.
The travels I endured to reach this far have been so lonely and depressing that I now contemplate why I've wasted so much potential on a mere fable. A mere fable told to me as a kid. Encouraged and dropped heavily on my burdened shoulders as I grew older. Now that doesn't sound so appealing to me anymore.
So why would I waste my time climbing those steps when I could stay here in the comfort of a blade and the rush of the light? Grow old enough with everyone around me until I finally pass. Without or with children to pass these same fables on to, despite the doubt etched into my heart. Though, I just hope they realize how truly misleading such a fable can be.