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A glittering beam of sunlight penetrates your eyes as you lie on your bed that early morning. Beside you lie your clothes and your weapons, eagerly waiting to be used in battle. Inside this spacious room you share with your friends, you hear nothing but the peaceful sound of the old man's breath and the occassional snore of the young archer. Other than that nothing but utter silence penetrates your ears. You look around the room as beams of light hit the floor through the curtains. You can already hear the hustle and bustle of the town beyond satin sheets. You peer outside the window and see people going about their business, buying and selling goods, singing early praises as they eagery prepare for their day.
It is quite ironic that, despite the peacefulness of the world outside, you could not sleep. Countless thoughts assault your mind. Unlike the world around you, it is just you and your party who know the important battle that is about to come; the batle that would determine the fate of the world and those that dwell upon it. You can't help but worry that, considering all that you have gone through, you are unsure if you would emerge victorious from the battle. You and your party are prepared to face the prospect of death, whether it stem from victory or defeat. Yet, in truth, that is not truly what plagues your mind.
They have her. In a moment of weakness, as you and your friends lay beaten and bloody on the stone floor, they took her away. Unable to to move as unimaginable power forced you to concede, they took her for whetever reason you could not understand. Finally getting back your bearings you searched the area, yet you could not find a clue to where they have taken her. It would only be days later that you discover where she was taken, with the news that she might already be dead. You could not accept it, yet you somehow find the strength to move on, to finish what you had begun. However, on this early morning mere hours before the final battle, a question haunts you....
What am I fighting for?
As you and your party begin preparing for the final leg of your journey, you hear noises on the floor below. Going below you see the innkeeper in an argument with his wife. You arrive downstairs just in time to see his wife throw a vase at him as he yells obscenities at her. Outside a young woman screams as a thief snatches her bag and runs to a dark alley. Beside them a group of drunken men play cards as they converse in their intoxicated banter. Seeing them you ponder the question again.
"Is this what I'm fighting for?" You ask yourself. You become bothered by the decadence you see outside. You remember how you've seen this in other towns, and how it never seems to change wherever you go. And yet, despite everything else, you still believe in the goodness of man. You still believe that man is innately good, and that good, no matter how small it may seem at times, is something worth saving. You heave a sigh as you tie you sword on your belt. And yet, this self-assurance still does not calm your inner turmoil. Your mind and your heart is still troubled.
What am I really fighting for?
Hours later the question again enters your mind. The last of his followers lie fallen beneath your feet as you take a moment to rest. Beyond the doors before you does he lie in wait. He knows that you have arrived, and he knows that he alone remains to fight. You look at your friends, on their weary faces as they take their rest. You can clearly see on their faces why they are here with you, fighting by your side. They all have their own reasons why they fight, and is some way you envy them. They know what they are fighting for, and yet you yourself are unsure.
But this is no time to think, you say to yourself. You've taken enough time to rest, and no more time can be spent to prevent the arrival of doom. You signal to your party, and you hurry up to the doors that lie beyond you. Slowly you open the door, and go in first.
You see him there, standing by the window, looking at the setting sun beyond. He looks towards you with his malevolent eyes, the same eyes you saw all those years before when your own village was destroyed in a blazing inferno. You feel the rage grow inside you as memories of that fateful day come back to you. You look into his eyes as he draws his weapon. And now, you believe you've found your reason to fight. Vengeance.
You draw your sword and lunge at him.
Is this why I fight?
Blood drips from your sword as you pick up the near lifeless body that lay in the other room. She is alive! Your heart leaps in joy as you find her locked up in chains, unconscious but breathing. She is badly hurt, but you know deep down inside that she will be alright. Dropping your sword, knowing you will use it no longer, you carry her on your back as the castle walls begin to shake. It is unmistakable; the castle itself is beginning to collapse. You know there is no time to waste as you and your friends run back to the entrance, falling slabs of rock behind you. A few close calls later you've managed to escape the falling debris. She whispers your voice as she rests her head on your back. She is alive, and that is all that matters.
She lies in bed at the inn, recuperating from her injuries. Still, even though everything is going to be alright, your heart is still troubled.
Vengeance.... is this why I fought?
As the villain took his last mortal breath, you truly believed that you would be satisfied, knowing why you fought. And yet.... no satisfaction came to ease your troubles. Lying next to her now you realize that you did not fight for vengeance. You find yourself still troubled and confused. It is the end, you say to yourself, but you can't seem to find peace.
Why? What did I fight for?
You close your eyes for a few moments to think. Slowly you open them and you gaze upon her sleeping face. She opens her eyes and looks at your face. She smiles. There, at that very moment, you realize what had been plaguing you all this time.
You fought not for the world.
You fought not for vengeance.
You fought simply for one person: her. And now.... that is all that matters.
You.... what do you fight for?
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