- The Story of a Lizard -



written by Gilean




There was a pair of lizards that lived in the grassland near a river. They loved each other deeply, and were very happy and content with their lives...that is, until the humans entered their turf.

The humans were vicious, relentlessly cutting down trees and overturning rocks and soil. They built a farmland that drew all of the energy out from the ground. Soon, the river that the lizards called home was polluted from the waste of the animals; they knew they wouldn't live there much longer.

One day, the lizards discovered a monster who was injured near their home. They offered the monster some food and drink and provided a place for shelter.

Out of gratitude, the monster offered to grant the lizards three wishes.

The lizards were very excited because they did not expect such a gesture. First, one of the lizards asked the monster to restore the river that was being polluted by the humans.

Next, the other lizard asked for his wish. The lizard complained that ever since the humans arrived, they haven't been able to sleep peacefully. His wish was to have many eyes so that they can spot predators easily.
The monster granted both of their wishes.

There was one wish left. The lizards said that they will respond after a brief discussion. So the monster disappeared.

As the second lizard feared, that night, humans came to the lizards' habitat. The second lizard, which now had many eyes, was able to spot them quickly and retreat to safety.
However, the other lizard could not...

The lizard with many eyes was devastated at this news. However, he recalled that they still had one wish, so he went to search for the monster. But he wasn't easy to find.

The lizard continued searching until he finally located the monster.
The lizard requested that the monster raise his loved one back to life.

The monster, however, answered sternly that life and death was out of his control. Anything else he could do, but that.

The lizard with many eyes was grieved in spirit and greatly disheartened.

The lizard pondered for a long time before finally asking for his last wish: the power to punish the humans.
He wanted to never forgive or forget so that he might avenge the death of his beloved.

The lizard's wish was granted, and within moments, the lizard instantly changed shape and grew as big as a human being. The lizard came out of the dungeon and began pouring his wrath on anyone who came near his territory or polluted the river.

A long time passed, and eventually, the lizard died as well. But his descendents continued on with his mission, appearing in swamps and forests to antagonize the humans. The feeling of revenge stayed with them always; they would close their eyes, but vengeance would never allow truly deep sleep...

This lizard has come to be known as "Argus."

...Where did it all go wrong?
There is no quick answer, but one thing is clear: the need for vengeance only leads to the destruction of lives, including the avenger's. Perhaps Argus would never have existed...

...or maybe this was all part of the monster's plan.