Framed against the setting sun, a solitary man with an enormous blade slung over his shoulder walked, a calm expression on his scarred face – and crimson red scarf flowing in the wind. He knew not where he was headed, yet he simply followed wherever the roads lead him. And today, it seemed that the road lead him to none other than Rome – a famed city with an absolutely incredible wealth of history behind it.

Catching sight of the city from afar, the man with the giant sword grinned slightly and stopped in place, holding his blade against the ground to act as a support. It was truly a sight to behold, the city of Rome – at least, the lone wanderer certainly thought so, for his eyes were transfixed on the city. However, the red-haired man began to speak. This was despite the fact that nobody was nearby, however.

[color=8dc73f]“I knew this day would come!”[/color] The scarfed man, utilizing his free hand, posed dramatically, an open palm held a slight distance away from his face, his eyes taking in the visage of the famed city Rome. [color=8dc73f]“Rome is a land of the greatest heroes and grand sweeping tales of adventure… it’s only fitting that destiny itself would lead adventure and heroism given form - I, Strife Firegaze, here!”[/color] A few more minutes of admiring the city passed until the man with the giant blade, Strife Firegaze, lifted said sword up onto his shoulder once again, ceased his posing, and continued following the path. Though, several thoughts ran throughout his head, which he saw fit to say aloud – once again, his words were to nobody else in particular – Strife simply communicated his thoughts to himself. This time around, his thoughts were focused on the fact that he was heading to Rome - and an old saying about roads.

[color=8dc73f]“They say ‘All roads lead to Rome’… but that’s clearly untrue, now that I think about it.”[/color] Strife Firegaze uttered, as he moved his finger to his chin, pondering the legitimacy of that saying, while he continued travelling the road to Rome. [color=8dc73f]“Some roads lead away from Rome. If I walked this path backwards, it wouldn’t be leading to Rome. I reckon the people who made that phrase are a bunch of goobers. It only took me a minute or two to disprove it.”[/color] 

A few moments passed, but as it turned out, Strife Firegaze wasn’t done pondering this topic, as his mind drifted back onto that lingering question. Yet, at that moment… with a shocked gasp, the red-headed swordsman dropped his blade onto the ground, as he fell to his knees in a dramatic fashion. There was an audible thud as his legs collided with the ground below. [color=8dc73f]“Ack! This is simply inconceivable How could I, mighty Strife Firegaze have forgotten such a fact?! The Earth is one colossal path that dwarfs the mightiest of Giants, the tallest of towers – a path that each and every one of us as human beings carve! For that path is our destinies! And if I see a fate I don’t like – then I’ll take up the legendary blade…! [b][i]The Omeeeeega Cleaaaaver of… the Faaaaaates![/i][/b][/color] He called out, raising his green blade into the air with both hands. Strife Firegaze spoke this with a grin – clearly impressed with his own words. There was no doubt in his mind that these words would inspire even people drowning in despair, for the sheer flame of Strife Firegaze’s passion burned bright! Brighter than the fury of ten suns! Or at least, in his mind, it did. Nonetheless, the scarred-and-scarfed man pulled himself to his feet, and in no time at all, continued following his path – the road that lead to Rome. Strife knew not what awaited him in Rome, but that only added to the allure for the wandering swordsman. It was the mystery, the uncertainty of adventure that drew Strife in. One never knew what would come next – and that revved Strife’s engine, so to speak.

In the dead time that passed as Strife walked closer and closer to Rome, he began thinking about various topics, though their importance or relevance was rather arguable. His mind drifted over to legendary weapons - specifically, Excalibur. [color=8dc73f]“They speak of another ancient blade… none other than the blade from the Arthurian tales, wielded by King Arthur himself in the history books – Excalibur! Someday, I will find it – and I will wield the divine powers of both blades! Double the swords... double the power!”[/color] Strife bellowed, once again to nobody, though he was looking down at his emerald pendant, the so-called ‘Supreme Amulet of Ultimate Power’ as he spoke this. Shortly thereafter, he placed a hand onto it. [color=8dc73f]“Actually, I don't need a wimpy blade like that, when I've got all I need, right here! All I need is my sword and my amulet. And together… our power transcends the very stars themselves!”[/color]

Strife immediately began pointing forth towards Rome in an over the top style.

[color=8dc73f]“We’ll take destiny into our [i][b]big, strong, hands![/b][/i] For I am [b][i]Striiiiife Fiiiregaaaaze, Caller of the Verdant Flames, Wielder of the Omega Cleaver of the Fates!”[/i][/b][/color] Strife was close enough to Rome to see what appeared to be a citizen of Rome, clad in a blue shirt, looking at him with a quizzical expression, seemingly a glare. Strife took notice of this, but paid it no mind. Hey, he was enjoying himself! He wasn't going to let some fella put a damper on his day!

And with that, Strife Firegaze entered Rome, his heart itching for adventure, excitement, his passion burning like the most raging of infernos! Who knows what would await in Rome, for the mightiest, the strongest of heroes, Strife Firegaze, Caller of the Verdant Flames? Who knew what the future would hold for the self-proclaimed legendary hero. But one thing was certain... he couldn't wait.