The Two Dragons

Posted on 14 Jun 2016 @ 5:29am by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Anthony Duval

1,123 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 11 - Divinum Mundi
Location: Holodeck Two - USS Galileo
Timeline: MD6 - 0400Hrs

Duval's Personal Log. Stardate 67884.30." Duval sighed softly "I am many things." Duval added quietly as he stood in the holosuite, an old school longbow in his right hand, it was simple of craft but elegant in design, it was also exquisitely made and had several little attachments crafted to Duval's own specifications. He was wearing a large conical hat, wreathed in feather and leather. "I am a man of the south..." he said softly as he walked slowly down the hallway.

Duval also wore a set of rather odd looking gloves, of which there were six points from the knuckles, also he had a large quiver of arrows attached to a belt wrapped around his waist, he noticed the odd looks he sometimes got from the crew. "When I was boy... I once read a story about two dragons..." Duval said aloud softly. "It was an old legend told by my family.. About two great Dragon-lords... The Lord of North Wind and the Lord of the South Wind. Two dragons who upheld balance and brought harmony ...... but the two argued over who could rule their land better... their fight turned to rage..."

Duval took aim with his bow before he loosed one arrow which missed. "The quarrel lasted until it darkened the skies..."

Duval took aim before letting loose several arrows in quick succession. "The Dragon of the south wind struck down his brother... Who fell to the earth, shattering the land.."

Duval regarded the target as he sighed softly. "I sometimes wonder.... If my family had gotten it wrong.." as he regarded the dozen missed arrows and the one that was smack center in the bulls-eye, as a smile appeared on his lips. "While I am a Duval.. I am also a Shimada on my fathers side." he said quietly to himself. "Its time for me to seek out who I was... and find the man I was meant to become." he sighed softly. "For... I have lost my way.."

"The Dragon of the South wind had triumphed... But as time passed be began to realize his solitude and his victory slowly turned from the sweet flavor of the most forbidden fruit to ash. His victory tainted by his loss and for years, the bereft dragon's grief threw the world into discord." Duval sighed. "He knew only bitterness and sorrow, he also knew only hatred for himself and sadness because he couldn't find another way to resolve his issues."

Duval drew another arrow before he nocked it. "South Dragon... guide my hand." as he let fly with the arrow, it flew true and landed in the bulls-eye. A smile appeared as he went on to repeat his minor feat once then twice and then three times.

"One Day a stranger appeared before the Lord Dragon and he asked "Oh Dragon Lord, why are you so sad... and the dragon responded. "Seeking power, I killed my brother but without him. I have lost my way.. I am lost..."

"The stranger responded 'you have inflicted wounds upon yourself... but now... you must heal.. Walk the earth on two feet as I do... find value in humility and compassion.... then you will find peace." Duval spoke the tale aloud.

Duval knocked another arrow before he fired it and missed then he missed with another but he hit the target with the forth shot but missed with the fifth.

"The dragon knelt upon the ground, for the first time he was clearly able to see the world around him as he became human... the stranger revealed himself as his fallen brother.. Reunited the two set out to rebuild what they had once destroyed." Duval said softly, a soft smile as he elaborated with the tale. "I miss my brother... Marcus Duval.. " he paused. "End log." as he knelt down on the ground.

"You always were too hard on yourself.... brother." as a hologram of Marcus Duval appeared before him, a wide smile upon his face, wearing similar attire to what Anthony himself was wearing.

"Computer... did I request a simulation?" Anthony Duval inquired, confusion on his face.

"Affirmative. you requested that Commander Marcus Duval appear before you. I have only created his appearance and personality." the computer intoned, its soft female tones washing away his darkened rage that was so comfortable to him.

"I am a hologram... in his form." the hologram approached. "I see you had taken up the trappings of Clan Shimada. Reborn as Clan Duval I assume?" holo-Duval inquired. "You still hold yourself responsible for Jiao's death brother... She would not have wished for you to suffer.. as you do... for I can see it.... You must let it go... brother."

"I don't know how..." Duval admitted quietly, he frowned not out of anger but in sadness. "I've fought with this demon for so long..."

"First... you must admit there is a problem..." Marcus smiled. "Mia would agree with me..."

"I know.." Anthony sighed softly. "Its'' I don't know anymore.. I got so used to the anger... the hate.."

"So you do remember the first precept of wisdom.... good." Marcus responded. "Call me sometime... I command the Manticore now, Mia and I would love to hear from you..." Marcus smiled. "Do you remember what your mother taught you?"

"She didn't teach me much..." Anthony responded.

Marcus regarded his twin. "Thats because you rejected her teachings... Same as you rejected her..." the hologram growled. "Why!" Marcus angrily demanded

"Because of family.. and how she treated our father!" Anthony responded.

"It is because of family that you must heal the rift that remains between you and your kin.." Marcus all but demanded in a very angry tone. "You have taken that hatred and turned it inward, blaming yourself for Jiao's death...Did you ever think she wanted this!"

Anthony then got angry in response, raising his voice. "What does it matter now!. Jiao has been dead fifteen years..."

"You dishonor her memory brother... by holding onto this rage... it affects you but .... you forget brother... she was my friend too."

Anthony stopped as he sighed. "Yes... you introduced us..."

"So what are you going to do..?" Marcus sighed softly

Anthony slowly lifted himself to his feet, as if he was a century old before he regarded his brother in holo-form. "I will attend to matters of family..."

"Good... Then my task is done.... Take care... brother.."

Duval nodded. "Computer, end program." as he went over to retrieve the fallen arrows scattered around the holosuite as these were real, his bow was too. "After all... Family... looks after family... and I have treated mine poorly." he paused as he slid the arrows back into the quiver. "I must... atone.." and with that he departed the holosuite.

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