Short stories

Immortality

Immortality. Some say it's a blessing, some say it's a curse. I say it's a burden.

I've lived over tens of thousands of years looking like a 25-year-old. I have seen prosperity and I have seen hardships. I have seen kingdoms rise and fall. Dynasties and the Warring States Period. The Roses War and the Hundred Year War. In my nightmare are the World Wars. I see the images of the bloody faces of soldiers who will never go home. Of genocide. Of bloodshed. Oh, the horror I've seen that I can never forget.

I've seen the makings of masterpieces and the destruction of villages. Peace and War. I've seen countries destroy each other and for what? I could never really understand until now the want for war, and I perhaps will never understand.

I've seen every bloody battle you can count and I'm tired. My mind can't take much of this. How much longer until the next battle is upon us? How many more loved ones must I lose? I lost too much and yet I wouldn't give away this immortality for the world. Perhaps it was when I saw the prosperity and the new generation of the countries I know and love. The happiness in the eyes of the people when they have their brief time of peace before another conflict arises. They always do. Or perhaps it was my curiosity.

Technological and scientific advances make me want to stay longer. Want to stay till the end. I want to see if World Peace could be a reality instead of a dream. I want to see people smile at each other regardless of skin, nationality, sexuality, or how they identify as. I want to see if people can put aside their differences and live in true harmony that would last for ages.

After all, time is ticking.