Challenge Submission The Day To Die

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Challenge Submission The Day To Die

Fenn

Baron
Inner Sanctum Nobility
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Today 1:51 AM
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134
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they/them
This was hardly the day to die... but was it ever?

A cloud loomed heavily above them all and blocked the sun from reaching the earth. It made the world look as monochrome and cold as it felt; colorless, dark and empty. The silence was deafening - the only thing that could be heard was distant ocean waves crashing into each other. The smell of sea water hung around them in the chilled air and the wind that cut through the large crowd made them all feel as though their bones would turn to ice if they didn't start moving soon. But there was no relief in sight, nor did anyone want to begin marching into their death just yet. Bodies upon bodies all stood close together in their tightly pulled cloaks and jackets; a mass of misery that stared up at the top of the hill where they awaited their orders from their unorthodox leader.

Staring down at the pendant of her necklace, the woman was not ready to face any of the people behind her. She was far too lost in her own thoughts. It felt all too hopeless, too desperate, too... much. Odelia had never envisioned herself as a lead of anything, let alone the face of a rebellion. It had started off as something so simple; to find the truth of her father's death.. and yet look where she had ended up. In a war, fighting against the corruption and lies of the people that she had placed her trust within. Saddled upon her mount at the top of the valley, the young woman looked out upon the empty fields that would lead them straight to the central temple. Peasants against trained mages. Steel blades and hands against magic. What were the odds?

One glance over her shoulder and toward the mass of followers immediately told her not very good. None of them wanted to fight against the system that they felt safe.. but it was the right thing to do. Odi stared down into the crowd and took note of the faces that looked up to her. Skin pale and cold, mouths turned into thin frowns. Eyes heavy. Grips on their weapons tight. Who was she to order them to fight? Who was she to say what the right thing was?

After all, Odi was no better than any of them. Despite the fact that she had been chosen, she was nothing more than a poor peasant herself. The only experience she had was.. was nothing! These men were going to give their lives for a cause that started because of her. The grip on the reigns of her horse tightened as the young woman felt overwhelmed in self-doubt. She squeezed her eyes shut, sucking in a shaky breath that would return as a cold puff of fog from her pale lips. It just wasn't fair for any of them.

The soft clank of armor made Odi glance up, eyes swiveling over to look at the man at her side. He was looking at her as he always did; unwavering. "It's time." His deep voice bellowed, even in the gentle whisper. He was right. She swallowed down the lump in her throat as she forced her shoulders to relax, chin lifting. Soft eyes took one last glance to the pendant; a tiny golden coin once given to her by her father, all those years ago. It was the only thing that she had left of him.. and it was the only that she would need in this journey going forward. This was no longer about Gregor The Paladin, nor his heir Odelia.

All at once, it seemed the darkness that clung to them moved. Sunlight began to peek through the clouds and dosed the people in it's light and warmth. Several men took a deep gasping breath as though it was the first that they had taken in days. Odi was one of them as she basked in the sunlight and stared up into the sky with vibrant blue eyes stained with the remnants of tears and a newfound relief. Odelia's red hair was brought to life by the rays - the red color reflecting and shining similarly to a burning flame.

A flame that burned hot within all their hearts.

"Forward."
 
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