Apry Takes a Stand

The village was ablaze.

The first time I came to these parts, they greeted me with smiles and a warm meal. The second time I came, they welcomed me into their homes and regaled me with stories while we shared a fine cup of wine.

Now, however, there will be no third time.

I could see their bodies, strewn across the fields like so much refuse. Some of them were still alive. They cried for help, but I couldn’t answer them.

I was too far away to do anything.

And now, I am too old and weary to fulfill the task that is given to me this day.

I had failed them. I had failed Nefertara. And, in doing so, I failed myself.

My heart was heavy as I stared at the burning houses from my hiding spot in the woods, too afraid of the tyrant’s army to attempt a rescue mission on my own. My mind raced, filled with despair and regret; if only I’d gotten here sooner...if only I’d tried harder...if only it hadn’t taken me so long to find the giantess again...if only I hadn’t been so arrogant...so prideful...so stubborn...if only...if only...if only…

After what felt like an eternity of self-flagellation and second-guessing, a strange calm finally took hold of me as my mind drifted off toward the quietest recesses of my soul - where all my darkest secrets lay buried. It was a familiar sensation - one that I had experienced many times before in my life - and one that always brought an end to my inner turmoil…and something more. A feeling of security and acceptance; an understanding that things would play out as they were meant to play out and that sometimes all you can do is let go and trust in fate; to accept your fate and live your life as best you can - because there are worse things than dying trying...or living a boring and uneventful life just because you're scared of taking risks or making mistakes. Of course I didn't want to die here tonight - but if that's how my story ends, then so be it. Let me at least die knowing that I didn't give up until the very end - until all hope had been extinguished from within my soul…and then some!

As soon as I thought those words, some force deep inside me forced my tired legs up from their position seated on the ground next to me and propelled me forward into the darkness where death waited for me beyond the burning village square…and beyond the monster who had caused this atrocity! For all its might and cruelty, it was nothing more than another obstacle between myself and failure - a lesson learned through trial-and-error over many decades spent battling in many wars against many enemies! This time would be no different: it was time to get shit done!