Night Prince

So it Continues

"Friends, Comrades, lend me your ears."

Standing in the middle of the room, the royal highness effortlessly commanded everyone's attention in a blink of an eye. The soldiers who had been resting straightened up, regarding their future leader with curious yet tired eyes.

From across the room, the king gave his son a nod, silently conveying his support for the speech Ri Jeong Hyeok chose to make to comfort and persuade their people.

Little did they know, Ri Jeong Hyeok's speech would one day be known as the greatest war speech in existence, for it was filled with charisma, persuasion, but most importantly, empathy.

"We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us much uncertainty and struggle, one which I cannot promise you would end with no further suffering. I stand before you now with my palms open, for we cannot go on like this.

"You see, I had a brother once.

"Ri Mu Hyeok." Ri Jeong Hyeok paused as he bowed his head in respect.

"Long live the royal highness." Ri Jeong Hyeok waited for the murmurs to die down in the hall before he continued his speech.

"If you have a brother, you would know how they can be the most despicable beings yet you would trust them with your life if it ever came down to life or death. It was unfortunate that such a test of brotherhood was taken so literally during the first attack.

"Like many of you now, I mourned. I mourned to the point that I became a man who lived and yet was cursed to an eternity of damnation – damnation that I dealt upon myself. The world quickly lost its' colour and life simply lost its' meaning.

"That is why my heart goes out to all of you who had lost a comrade, a friend or family." Ri Jeong Hyeok took a deep breath as he took his time to glance at everyone, conveying the sincerity in his voice through his eyes as well.

"It is true that they are all honourable people – honourable people who deserve to live. Some, we made promises, to have a celebratory meal once the war is over. Some who have a family waiting for them at home. These people could be a parent, a sibling, a friend; a family to the support system around them.

"And it hurts. That much I am certain because I have been through it all.

"I understand. I know that many of you are questioning why you are fighting in the first place. For what cause and at what cost?

"You've lost sight and I confess, for a time, I did too.

"But I realised that all this time, I haven't been fighting for myself, and neither have I been fighting alone. Around you are people who are experiencing what you are feeling now. Even if no one experience is the same, these are the people who get you. I am amongst you all too. Even in the midst and heat of the battle, I am here to live or die amongst you.

"I am afraid, but it is normal to feel fearful of the uncertainty ahead. The path we have all chosen presents challenges unlike what we had experienced before. Yet, this is the same path that is the most consistent with our character and courage as the people of this country. This is our commitment, our pride, our honour and it is time for justice to be served.

"It was never about revenge nor victory. We fight because we have a cause to believe in, a vindication of right. That one day, there will be peace and freedom again in a world where we are free to roam.

"We shall go our way into battle, holding onto the hearts of those who had gone before us, accompanied by the faith of our people and the courage of our comrades. My only question to you is this.