The sun began to creep up from above the horizon. The various creatures that inhabited the world of metal began to wake up and walk around the plains. In Bladehenge, the sunlight slowly worked its way down the massive blade that dominated the center of the village until the entire mighty sword was enveloped in light. People slowly began emerging from their stone houses and huts. In the 200 years since Doviculus had been defeated, the once small town had expanded into the center of human civilization. Over 500 humans now lived there, most of them hunting for a living.
In the center market, citizens were already moving about stalls and shops, haggling and purchasing things. Despite the fact that music wasn't something the people were fighting for anymore, it was still a big part of the culture and lifestyle. Blue jeans and Black T-shirts, some with designs were much of the wardrobe of the population. Leather, studs and spikes were also worn by many and plain black and white, canvas and rubber shoes were very dominant.
There were lots of people getting ready setting up for a large festival. Today was the 200th anniversary of the day the old Ironheade faction had defeated the evil Demons, led by Doviculous. This day was to be celebrated with of course, a huge metal concert and plenty of beer. Today is a day to remember…..
***
"Wake up Thomas! THOMAS! Get up! NOW!"
Tom rolled over in his sheets. Damn it. Not wanting to get yelled at more by his mother, he fumbled his way out of the bed and stepped onto the wooden floor of his room.
"I'm up mom!" He yelled from his bed. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he glanced out the window. It was about noon. Lots of people were in the market today, getting ready for the festival. Tom turned back to his room. It was pretty simply outfitted. His bed was close to the ground and outfitted with simple wool covers. There was a nightstand which had an oil lamp and a small dagger, and which contained one of two books Tom owned, a huge leather bound history of the World.
On the other side of the room was a bookshelf. The different shelves held random pieces of things he had found while exploring and hunting, quills, pieces of metal pipe, guitar picks, a drumstick signed by a Zaulia band of musicians who had passed through a few years back. The other book he owned was on the shelf, it was also a huge leather-bound book, containing tablature from many a metal song, with about a hundred blank pages left, to write new songs in. On another wall hung Tom's electric guitar and his sword. His guitar was his most prized possession. It had been given to him on his sixteenth birthday, although it wasn't his first guitar. His old acoustic guitar, which he had been playing since he was barely four years old, he had given to his little brother Jeffery. His new guitar was a piece of work, it must have cost his mother a lot of money. It was a beautiful sunburst color, with the best strings that could be woven, and made from the finest wood in the land. On the top of the fretboard was the loopy signature of the man who had crafted it. Gibson.
Tom slipped into some jeans and one of his many T-shirts, this one his Tour of Destruction T-shirt an old roadie had given to him. He also put some spike wristbands on and his Leather belt, with a large metal Iron Cross buckle. He then walked downstairs.
"Good morning Tom," His mother said. "There is still some food on the table. When you are done I think Joseph wanted you to go see him."
"Thanks mom." Tom said as he sat down and started piling sausage and egg on his plate. He wondered what Joseph wanted. His dad wasn't letting Joseph out of the house right now, because he had gotten in trouble a couple weeks ago. Tom wasn't sure exactly why Joseph was grounded, but was pretty sure it had to do with the copious amounts of weed he had been secretly growing in his closet. His dad had been pissed that Joseph had been doing it in secret and not sharing the love with the rest of the family. Tom had never gotten into smoking, unlike about every other person in Bladehenge. Sure, he'd take a few hits when he was hanging out with his buddies, but he never bothered growing his own or buying any. He had spent his money on other things, like his family and musical passions.
Upon finishing his breakfast, he set his plate down in the washing basin and put on his leather vest and aviator sunglasses. He yelled a goodbye to his mom before shutting the door and walking out into the streets. The sun was bright and the air was warm. Today was a good day for an outdoor rock festival. Tom began walking down to Joseph's family's hut. As he walked along the road he noticed that his people had slowly evolved over the years. His forefathers had all been hunched slightly, with huge necks and thick skulls, from working in old General Lionwhyte's caves centuries back. Now, mostly everyone was straight-backed and looked, for the most part, normal. Only the old-timers (well they called themselves headbangers) looked odd and hunchbacked now.
"Tom! Wait up!" Tom spun around. There was a skinny guy with a brown leather trenchcoat there. He had long black hair, and a handlebar mustache. He was wearing a headset. He was Edmund, the head of Bladehenge's engineers.
"Hey what's up Edmund?" Tom asked.
"Oh man, I'm glad I found you. We don't have enough people to set the stage up for tonight, and you're the only person left I know who knows how to rig the thing. Can you help us out?"
"Ah shit Edmund I was just going to hang out with Joseph,"
"Joseph? He's not at his house man, he's out somewhere practicing with his band. For tonight man! But yeah, he's not here right now."
"Oh alright….I guess I can help you out Edmund. Let's go," The two turned around and started out of the town to the field, where the stage was set up. Or at least, mostly set up…..
***
Five Hours Later….
The stage was finally set-up. Tom sat off the stage with some of the Roadies and Engineers, a smile on his face. People filled practically the entire field, people who had come from as far as the jungle to witness this spectacular show. The sun was setting, and the moon began to rise. `One of the Roadies had handed Tom a beer, which he now sipped appreciatively. All the work had made him pretty tired. He decided to take off without telling anyone. He walked out of the area of the concert and decided to hike the small hill with the Maltese cross on top. He could rest from a hard days work and still enjoy the show from the vantage point. He finally reached the top just as the show began. A smile cracked across his face as the opening power chord of the concert was hit. The crowd was so alive, and the music was so real. Tom felt as if he could just get sucked in…
A pair of hands suddenly grasped his shoulders.
"Hey Tom," Said a feminine voice.
"Rose." Tom said comfortably, as her hands had started to massage his aching back muscles.
"Yeah…what have you been doing? Your muscles are tight." Rose sat down behind him, her jean-clad legs going on either side of his hips.
"I've been working. I helped the guys build the stage. Speaking of that. Why aren't you down there? It sounds like a great show."
"Yeah well, I saw you come up here, and you looked like you could use some company," Rose said soft and seductively. "And you know, we don't really hang out much."
Tom gave a comfortable hmmm in response and there was a pause for a bit. For the first time today since he had gotten in bed, he could really relax. Rose's perfectly curved legs were great to sit in between, her scent was intoxicatingly beautiful, and the soft music from the field soothed him even more, as the band playing switched from playing heavy metal to a slower ballad. Tom was sure a lighter tribute would be going on right about now.
"You give a great massage you know." He murmered.
"Thanks," Rose giggled. She suddenly swung around his hips and landed on his lap facing him.
"You are acrobatic too." This made Rose smile, a weird kinky smile that made Tom suddenly wonder where else she was acrobatic.
"You know, everyone is down at the concert….we are all alone up here…" Rose leaned in close to whisper those last few words in his ear. It also gave her a chance to rub her chest against his and ride her legs further up, so they were practically interlocked.
"Yeah….we are alone. It's really nice up here…Don't you just love the scenery?" Tom said.
"Oooh I love it when you act like this Tom!" She pushed him back so that he was lying on his back, so she was now straddling him. She picked up his hands and placed them on her hips.
"Thank you. My back was hurting, it's a lot better now that I'm lying down." Rose giggled and than adopted a fake serious face and voice.
"Don't act all funny with me Tom! I'm trying to be serious here!" They both laughed and Rose bent her body down so she was face to face with Tom.
"I've waited a long time to be face to face with you Tom. Face to face…..and alone……ever since that time you played that concert last year I've……I've been in love with you…" her face was so close now to Tom's that their faces were practically touching. Tom said nothing yet. This was practically a dream come true for him. He had been looking at Rose for years as a possible wife. He had never been all that good at talking with girls, and here she was, proclaiming her love for him! It seemed almost to good to be true.
"I love you! God Tom, I love you so much! Please, tell me you love me too! Tell me! I need to hear you say it!" Rose, for the first time Tom had ever seen her, was desperate. Tom slid his hands from her hips to her back and rolled her onto her back.
"I don't need to say it Rose….I can show you." He said softly. He leaned forward and their lips met. Her hands trembled as they moved up to the back of his head, ran her fingers through his shoulder-length brown hair. Their kiss grew more and more passionate, while back at the concert, someone caressed the strings of their guitar, making it weep with a noise so beautiful, a noise that seemed to echo Rose and Tom's feelings for each other……it would indeed be a night to remember…..
