The Sword of Light

[Man... oh man...]

Stumbling through the valley, the man hobbled on.

Badly wounded, with no hope of escape, he looked at what he held onto this whole while.

His sword.

Silver in the moonlight, the blade retained its edge throughout the fight he had fought, and lost badly, to an opponent whom he had no knowledge of.While his opponent knew his every strength and weakness.

[I never stood a chance...]

The taunts echoed through his mind, the laughter of his enemy, as every effort the man made was countered, and he faltered.

He turned tail and ran.

Now, sitting on a rocky outcrop, exhausted from the numerous battles he fought, with each one getting tougher...

...and tougher...

...and tougher...

[Its no use]

His opponent blocked the way, theres no way for him to proceed on.
The valley is deep, and turning back will only end up in the failure of what he set out for.

[No use...]

He stood, with grim determination, not to turn back, neither to face his enemy again.

He will take his own life. Mark his defeat with his own hands.

[Now... slowly...-]

"[What are you doing?]"

The man looked up. He saw nothing. But he heard the voice.

"[What are you doing? Giving up?]"
[Theres nothing left for me to do.]
"[Oh? Theres a challenge waiting for you up ahead.]"
[Dont talk about it.]
"[Why shouldn't I? After all, you still got to get past him.]"
[Its NO USE!]

With that, the man swung his sword against the wall. Sparks flew, and the weapon fell him his hand as he fell weeping.

[Its no use, i lost, its too hard for me to overcome it. Theres no one to help me here.]
"[Of course, why involve others into fighting your struggles?]"
[You've said it.]
"[I've said nothing about them not supporting you from behind.]"
[Huh?]

He looked up. The sword shone against the moonlight. Lines of silver ran along the blade.

"[I've never, ever, let you down in all your previous fights. Even when you felt hopeless, i was there, to hand you the victory, as long as you put your trust in me.]"
[...]
"[What will your decision be? For all the other people who care about you, who look to you, they're all across this valley, cheering you on, if only you will take time, and listen to them, you shall hear.]"
[I do...]
"[They are across this valley, its only a hundred feet more, will you give up now?]"

Eyes widened in surprise, the man immediately got to his feet.

[Hell no, i've come MILES to this point, and theres only a hundred feet more?]
"[Yeah, just a little bit more. If you will put your faith in me, and let me aid you in your fight, let me be your sword in times of trouble.]"

Eyes on the sword, the man picked it up. The edge sparkled, as if the blade was calling out to him.

Looking ahead, he saw his opponent. Imposing as it was, the man did not feel the fear when he first fought it.

[Here goes, lets do it.]
"[Knew you would get back up. This guy here is called Discouragement, and hes the Enemy's elite. Once he got to you, you will feel nothingness, and will falter. However he has a weakness.]"
[Which is?]
"[Encouragement. The perfect counter. Recall all the words your people gave you, and know in your heart, that they ring true to this day.]"

Nodding, the man steeled his gaze upon his enemy.

[I have it. I have faith in my people, and in You. Be my Sword in times as these.]


The man ran forward... determined... to defeat his enemy.