Fire (for 5.20.12 and 5.21.12)

I am roughly forced into a kneeling position. The sickening smell of a burnt field wafts up to me as my knees hit the ground.

“This boy killed the Shadow!” I hear a roar of anguished anger from what must be a legion of warriors. When the yelling dies down the first voice speaks again.

“Now he must pay for the life he has taken.” cries of agreement echo from the crowd. “You are here to witness his death.” I feel something it my head, then drip down my face.

He spat on me!

The crowd erupts into loud cheers.

“Remove the blindfold, and look me in the face!” I challenge.

In reply, something heavy and damp is draped over me.

“He thought destroying the Shadow would end the attack, but he was wrong! The attack will end only when the entire world is conquered, and pays tribute to us.”

The crow roars again.

“So now he will burn with his country!”

I hear the faint crackle of fire.

The cloak grows warm…then hot.

“Be warned, you Legions!” I yell. “The world will fight back. This is only the beginning of a rebellion. We will not be ruled by tyrants!”

Decision (for 5.13.12)

The camp is dark. The fire has dwindled to embers. The warriors who were put on guard duty are asleep. I creep through the camp, being careful not to stumble over a sleeping body, or make any noise.

My heart pounds in my ears with the thought of what I’m about to do.

What would he think if he could see me now?

No! I can’t think of my brother now. I’m doing this for my brother. This is the only way to stop the crusade, to spare what few lives are left.

I can’t do it!

But I must.

The Shadow's Attack (for 5.11.12)

The village awoke, just after dawn, to see the hillside black with soldiers. The dark warriors came, like lightning, in a steady stream of fire and weapons. There was no escaping their attack. They pillaged, slew, and burned the entire village. By night fall, the village was reduced to glowing embers, not a child or woman remained. The army sat around a great red fire, eating the rewards of their attack. They laughed at how feeble the villager’s attempts to save themselves were.
And as they sat around that great red fire, the thumbprint burned deeper into their forehead.

Behind the Shadow (for 5.2.12)

They came and went like lightning, leaving a shadow of destruction behind. They came with waves of fire and weapons, burning, pillaging, slaying. Now the walls of once majestic buildings are crumbled; and only the skeletons of the huts remain. Crows feast on the bodies strewn around the dark remains of the village.

A red light burns on the mountain. On that mountain they are rejoicing. On that mountain they are celebrating another village vanquished. On that mountain they feast. Their sickening joy fills my bones with rage, and turns my blood to fire and I realize…

I’m all that’s left.