Love, War, Change, And Loyalty

The will to survive is a human instinct.

But the call of love is one you choose to answer.

These were the first words that came into my mind as I lie there on the bare earth. A huge gash was cut in my stomach, where a rival sword had slashed into it. Blood and stomach fluid poured out of the wound, turning the dirt around my torso an earthy red, and filling the air with the stenhc of bodily fluid. Normally, I should have been experiencing excruciating pain, but I was in a dreamlike state, as life seeped out of me. I couldn't feel anything at all. All I could do was lie on the ground with my eyes closed and think.

I was lying in the middle of a battlefield, where a war was going on at that very moment. The sound of swords clashing echoed across the bare and distant plain, as did the screams and groans of dying men who had encountered the same fate as I had. The stench of blood was in the air, as the ground was covered thick with it. But I was oblivious to all of it. When you're dying, your senses seem to go away, and you are granted a few last moments to reflect on your life, before finally passing away.

Those first words I had thought were those of the commander of the army. He told us that he had meant "you can't choose not to live, but you can choose not to love." In any other situation, I would have agreed with those words. You don't need love if you're happy. The problem was, no one was happy. Everyone had been forced to fight in the army. We had to learn how to use a sword or bow and train in combat. And it was just for this huge field that I was dying on right now. It was so stupid. My kingdom, once peaceful, inevitably became greedy and wanted the land for themselves. So did another kingdom at the other side. And so, a foolish war broke out. I wished it didn't happen. It shouldn't have happened. But the inevitable always happens.

And so, despite the commander's warning, many relationships formed, all for the sake of happiness; the only happiness they could find. He warned us again. He siad that many would be killed, and that these couples would be torn apart, the survivors even sadder than before.

It turned out to be true, and many soldiers were torn apart from their loved ones. But couples still formed. It was a risk they were willing to take for true happiness.

I was one of these soldiers. I had someone I loved very much. Her name was Ski, and I would die for her. I love her so much, although I don't know why exactly. Maybe it's the happiness she brought me in times of sorrow. The way she laughed. her great sense of humor. Her blue eyes, her flowing, silky brown hair. One of these things. Any of these things. it didn't matter. I still loved her.

That's who I was thinking about right now in my dying moments. Ski. I wanted more than anything to live, just for her. And as fate would have it, she fell struck down by my side just a moment after I was.

I reached out and grabbed her hand. "I always told you...we would die together." I whispered softly.

"I just wish we could live together," her soft, melodic voice said. Such a sweet voice...

"Well, there's nothing we can do about it,"

No answer, but I knew she wasn't dead. Just silent. I knew she couldn't be dead. She just couldn't.

"I love you," I said with one last breath. Then I closed my eyes and waited for my life to end.

Suddenly, the air around me became very cold somehow, and another melodic voice spoke to me. "Do you wish to live?" It asked me, very softly. I suddenly felt stronger, but I still remained on the ground. Maybe I was just dreaming, but I replied anyway.

"Yes!" I shouted. "Anything. I'll do anything to be with Ski." I didn't wonder about the voice. Who, or where it came from. I just didn't care. I felt a surge of hope go through me.

"Anything at all?" the voice asked, sounding curious. "Even pledge loyalty, blind loyalty, for the rest of your life?"

"Yes, and Ski too! She'll do it too. Please let her." I didn't think twice about the female voice's offer. There was hope now. I'd do anything.

A sigh. "You're too near death to make a good descision, but youe mind is made up. You'd do anything for her. So now, open your eyes."

I opened them, feeling strength flow through me once again. I looked down at the gash in my stomach. There wasn't one. I was completely healed. I couldn't see where the voice was coming from though. But suddenly, a cold blue hand took mine, and a feeling of cold flowed through me, like a thousand needles prickling my skin. I saw it took Ski's limp hand too.

She spoke one last time. "You two will be together forever. I promise."

Then, everything went white.