1 1 - Keep my Faith

I lift up my sword, the sunlight coming from the cross-shaped opening, glinting off the sharp edge of the blade, beautifully made by the best blacksmith in the kingdom, made for commanders like me.

I knew this was a battle we couldn't win, but I know that if I kept my faith in my king and my Savior, my soul would live eternally.

I looked at my sword for a moment longer, put it in the sheath on my back, and headed down to the battle below, for I have waited long enough.

I walked out the castle's ruined gates, and over the bodies of my comrades.

Most of my men were dead, few still standing, but for not much longer, taking their last breaths as they fight until the end, because they know as well, if they kept their faith, their soul would live on forever.

I took a deep breath, unsheathed my sword, and rushed wherever my assistance was needed.

It didn't take long for me to find a battle going on.

My men were outnumbered, two to four, and I jumped in.

A sword came crashing down on me, but I quickly put my blade in the way, and parried his attack.

I slashed at the attacker, the edge of my blade, going through his thrashed armor, and slicing his torso.

I was about to deliver the killing blow, but a sword cut my arm, and hindered me.

I looked around a second and noticed my men were dead, it was just me against 4 now, while injured as well.

I'd probably die here, but I believed in my faith, and resolved myself to continue fighting.

I threw myself at one, rolling swiftly upon his back and killed him easily.

A sword was coming from my direction, I blocked the attack with my sword while another was coming at my side.

I pulled an enemy in front of me, him getting pierced in the stomach, but my arm was caught by the blade, severing it from my body, the pain was unbearable.

It throbbed with waves of immense pain. I screamed in disgust and agony, as I looked at the arm on the dirt.

I realized there were only two left, but I'm already tired, and the pain was almost paralyzing.

The only way I'd survive is if I kept fighting, so I tried to ignore the pain. The sword wouldn't be effective with only one arm, so I drew my dagger by my belt.

A man charged at me, trying to slice at me. I ducked my head under him, and sunk my dagger in his back.

I kicked him away to get my dagger out of his body. I kneeled in pain.

"I can't take this anymore!" I said in thought.

I cried out in anguish, I thought, only one more, and I'd live. 

"Keep going, Ardent, unless you wish to die here." I said to myself

All of a sudden, I was tackled, my face pummeled into the rocky dirt.

I lost my grip on my dagger, and it flew away from me. Stunned and confused, I looked around for any fallen weapons, but to no avail.

I was kicked in the face, and saw my attacker standing on top of me.

He kneeled down, drawing a dagger from his belt, attempting to stab me.

I grabbed his wrist with my left hand, stopping him temporarily, but I was too weak to push him back.

I was hoping for a heroic appearance, anyone to appear out of nowhere, but no one was coming.

I struggled, trying my best to push him back, but he was too strong, and I was at a handicap.

With the dagger getting closer to my body, my remaining arm started to give up, but an unfamiliar voice in my head started speaking.

"Ardent, push yourself, live through this battle and I can give you the strength you need." 

"God himself is speaking to me!" I thought, But His voice was more of a deeper groan, and less of a calming, loving voice than I had thought.

I tried to push his dagger away with all my strength, my hands truly burning with rage,

with flames rushing from my knuckles but it did nothing to assist me, and eventually the dagger was sunk in my chest, killing me.

My vision went dark, but my mind was at peace, knowing that my soul would live on forever.