And so it begins.

The crowd roars with excitement,

Banners lifted, colors blazing bright,

Armor and weapons ready, glinting by torch light

Lined in order, neat and set in stone.

I stand proud to serve.

Swords clash and metal rings,

Pistols blaze, and you can hear their screaming,

Once lively green fields now teemed with crimson red,

And the soldiers laid to rest on their final bed.

Adrenaline fills my blood, and all chaos reigns. I look for familiar faces.

Gloried from battle no longer,

Disillusioned and clad in torn and tattered rags,

Neither day nor night leaves peace behind,

Hands clutched tight to their remaining silver tags,

Aware of the blindness of humankind.

Familiar faces lost to time, and memories left but only to poison.

Growing old and weary,

And time continues,

leaving nothing untainted by its wispy hands,

Heroes exulted, villains condemned,

Winners celebrated, losers abandoned.

At long last, I can see the dear faces of old friends, preserved beautifully and laughing with vigor. Once again ready to share meals and stories at the evening fire.

And so it ends.