*It’s getting late, * Luke signs to me. *Are you ready to go? *

  I took a few more moments to sit and relax. I know I will need to go home soon, but I had to take some time to go outside for a walk. Well, maybe not a walk, but I had to take advantage of the beautiful weather before winter’s fury started. Being paralyzed from the waist down for many years has taught me to value and seek out the time I can spend outside. It also taught me to hate winter and the ice and snow on a whole new level than before the accident, but that’s neither here nor there.

  Before I give my answer, I gaze out at the gorgeous scenery before my eyes. It is a view that Bob Ross himself would have loved to paint if he was able to. The sun is setting, leaving the sky on fire with majestic shades of red, orange, yellow and purple. The clouds, with their indigo and navy blue hues, provide a perfect mosaic to compliment the sun’s rays. The mountain range behind the lake rise up, a dark and imposing landmark at this time of the day. The surface of the lake, only occasionally disturbed by the wind, mirrors the grandeur of the setting sun. Such a view would not last much longer, and I want to take as much of it in as I can.

  I turn, reluctantly, towards Luke. *I want a little more time, * I reply. *It’s beautiful this evening. One of the last good days we may have. If you want to go back now, that’s fine. I’ll be fine. I’ll call my mom and tell her to come pick me up when I’m ready. *

  That surprises Luke a little bit. *You sure? * he asks. Which was a fair question. Despite being wheelchair bound, I’m able get around decently well. However, there are times when I do appreciate the assistance. Luke was someone I could always trust to push me when I needed the help or got stuck. However, the paths we took today are well maintained. I can manage on my own if I needed or wanted to.

  I give Luke a quick nod. *Yes. Thanks for checking. I’ll see you tomorrow. * I sign back.

  I can still see a little hesitation in his expression about leaving me behind, but he dropped it. *Okay. See you tomorrow, Mike, * he says, before heading back into town.

  After Luke left, I take a minute to close my eyes, relax, and listen to the world. I can hear the wind gently flowing through the branches. I can hear the insects starting up their nightly chorus. I can hear the soft roar of traffic in the direction of the town, where Luke is going.

  I can feel autumn’s chilly breeze on my arms. I did have a sweatshirt with me in my backpack just in case, but I tried not to wear it as much as possible. I’ve had the sleeves catch in my chair’s wheels too many times to count. However, this might be a time when I need to bring it out. It was just warm enough for me to hesitate, but just cold enough to make me think that I’ll be happy to have it, especially as the night gets colder. Reluctantly, I grab my bag off the back of my chair and rummage around for my sweatshirt. It takes a few seconds, but I find it and put it on, making sure to roll up the sleeves.

  Just a few more minutes. Then, I really should be going.

  The thought makes me sad. As much as I wish I could stay out later, it really is best if I start heading back while there is still at least a little bit of sunlight. I look back out towards the lake, drinking in whatever sights I can, the serenity of the lake, the darkness of the mountains, the brilliant colors of the sky, the-

  Wait, what’s that up there?

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  In the sky, there is a tiny speck, surrounded by an aura of light. It’s slowly getting bigger and bigger the closer it falls to the ground. I stare at it for a bit, and then...

  SHING!!!

  The object pierces the surface of the lake and sticks there, the lake barely disturbed by the effects. It’s a sword that fell from the sky. It stayed there for a few moments. The scene reminds me of the legend of the sword stuck in the stone, waiting for its chosen wielder to come free it.

  Of course, I don’t know what to do. I’m still in shock, seeing an actual sword fall from the heavens. All things considered, it did land really close to where I sat, even if it is several yards from the edge of the lake. All I can do is stare at it.

  CHILD.

  I suddenly hear a voice in my head. That’s… not mine. I don’t think it was, at least. I’m still at a loss for what’s going on. Strange swords falling from the sky, sticking in lakes. I swear I’m going crazy

  RISE CHILD.

  There it is again. That voice. I look around the trees to see if anyone else is around. It’s not impossible, given the time of day it is, but I’m alone. Unless…

  The sword?

  Slowly, I turn my attention back to it, and from it I see a shimmering light.

  RISE.

  And I stood up. When a strange magic sword tells you to stand up you do so.

  Wait.

  I’m standing up.

  Holy crap I’m standing up.

  How am I doing this? After the accident, I was completely paralyzed from the waist down ever since. I feel nothing in my legs. I can’t walk. I can’t stand. And now, I’m standing up. What is going on?

  It must be the sword. There’s no other explanation for any of this. I look out at the sword again. It hadn’t moved since it fell. Being a sword, I guess I should have expected that, but at this point, if it managed to unstick itself from the lake and start flailing around on it’s own, I doubt I could be more surprised than I am now.

  COME TO ME.

  Well, guess it’s time to listen to the sword again. I walk forward to the edge of the lake. I take the first few steps cautiously since I haven’t done this is over a decade, but after getting the hang of it again, I continue forward, and stop at the edge of the lake.

  COME TO ME.

  Hold up. Go to it… in the middle of the lake? At this point, guess there’s only one way to find out. I take a cautious step onto the lake’s surface, and it seems to hold my weight. I take another step, and the water supports me just as well as concrete.

  Okay, so now I’m walking on water. Sure. Whatever.

  After getting over the initial shock of standing on water (and standing in general) I approach the sword stuck in the surface. Now, I’m getting close enough to look at the details. It is a captivating blade, easily a one-handed weapon. The weapon was clearly kept in immaculate shape, either because it wasn’t used much, or because someone took really good care of it. The cross guard looks like a pair of angel’s wings spreading out, and the pommel houses a gemstone that genuinely looked like something from out of this world.

  TAKE MY HANDLE, AND USE MY POWER FOR THE GOOD OF MAN AND ANGELKIND.

  I do so. I grab the handle of the weapon and draw it out of the surface of the lake. A flash of light erupts from the impact site, almost blinding me. I hold the sword aloft, pointing skyward in the direction where it came from. I feel an amazing power flowing through my body. It feels… divine, in every sense of the word.

  Once the feelings subside, I look down at my reflection in the lake, and see I have wings now. Because of course I do. Again, it’s probably the sword that did that, because what else would it be. I take a few moments, staring at myself, my wings, and my weapon. If this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up.

  I close my eyes, listening to my surroundings again. All is peaceful after the chaos that happened with the sword. I still hear the cars in the distance. I still hear the wind. I still hear the bugs.

  And I hear something else.

  It sounds… mechanical. Eerie clicking, metallic rubbing. Almost robotic. I catch glints of light from the setting sun off of something shiny from behind the trees where my chair is, darting in and out of view. Eventually, I feel a light emanating from me. With my new powers, I can see what creatures lurk behind the trees.

  Numerous. Mechanical. Demonic. And they are all waiting for me on the banks of the lake.