Journey

Ch 1.3

The soldier is walks back to his horse and gets back on it. He rides on to the camp where the general is waiting for him. While he is riding through the forest slowly he can't help but feel like shit. He didn't want to kill that boy but he had to do it. If one got away then he would be hanged for a crime that is false Mostly likely sexual assaulted or child abuse. But after all it's not true. But.... it's scary if he gets charged as one. He puts his hand on his chest. He feels as if he is a child pretending to be a man.

After a 5 hour ride he makes into the camp. As he is walking past everyone he feels the same as everyone one else. Nothing about about him stands out after all he is your everyday sword fodder. He knows he and all the others will die on the battlefield..... everyone dues. But no one dares speck about it. He sits down he sighs. He wishes he can change it to it to be better. I mean just look at that noble, he looks like he dues not know the first thing about war, fighting, or even how to take a head. But he's pretty goddamn arrogant. He grabs his journal to write in it.

Journal #600
~ dear Clayton,
I just killed a kid... I feel like shit in this hell-hole. I would like to die but the gods cursed me with life. I have no home, The only home I have is the battlefield. I know I'm going to die here, so please let me vent to you while I still have the energy and time too. I'm suffering... I hate being a soldier for the "all honorable" slave army of 400 men. People who have been hand picked from the gold mines, slave masters, or simply kidnap. I happen to be kidnap and grow up with all these assholes who I call my brothers and sisters in arms. But I wouldn't change them for anyone deep down.... I love them too much to lose them. Before it was 5,000 of us in this army. But most of the good ones either died or transferred somewhere better. I'm  supposed to be a leader. What is a leader? How can I become a leader when I can't stop my men from dying ? How can I stand up to people when I cant stand up to my demons that keep me up all night?  We are all suffering. We need....... I need hope.... Anyway I got to go....Bye Clayton....

From present:Clayton (age: 50)
To future Clayton (age: ??)

As he puts his book away he just looks down at the mud. He thinks to himself that he is a A worm. He dues not even deserve to be a soldier. He killed what looks like an 3 year old boy on the orders of an general. He can't stop thinking about him Specially the way that boy looked at him. At least I can take the satisfaction of knowing he dues not have to go through everything that he did... is that's the reason I smiled? He try's to forget about it and walks up to the Noble to find a solution.

Clayton: sir! why do we have to fight? I mean I know we fight for our god and kill heretics. But..... why did we have to burn a Village and kill innocent people. They weren't even in the conflict.

Noble: shut your mouth you low-blood. Be thankful i didn't Cut your tongue out and leave it for the dogs. shall I tell you the story of our divine god?

Clayton: I heard it many times from the preachers but whatever don't mind hearing it again.

The noble back hands him cross the face hard and it was so loud that everyone heard it and looks at them.

Noble: how dare you?! You dissed tasteful, run of the mill nave!! Do not ever disrespect your god! Let me remind you of the Great tell!

Noble: our beloved goddess of blood, she gave her blood to Create us. She and the god of life did a ritual to create the planet. But then the god of life got Greedy with his powers. Using it to amass riches for himself. This ultimately caused a power struggle between the two god and they started a war. The war lives on in our kingdoms.

Clayton: you mean our kingdom? The kingdom of Storm and blood ?

Noble: Correct

Clayton: we always go to war with the kingdom of sound and life. Can't to be a different way? We're basically throwing away life's. I mean really, there's so much potential to do a lot ! We could build more cities! No villages can go hungry ! We can make an nation of hope and positivity!

The Noble looks at him and laughs at him as if he is a he saying some nonsense.

Noble: you fool. You're such a dreamer. The only thing that's ever going to happen is you going to be under my boot. Speaking of which Get on your knees and start licking.

Clayton: I would rather be lynched in a Temple begging for forgiveness.

The noble pulls out his whip.

Noble: get on the pole. You are receiving 60 whiplashes for showing disrespect to your superior and for being a sympathizer.

The old noble makes Clayton Strips him naked and tied him to an pole. Showing his back to the Noble. All the men and Women starts to surround him and watch.

Noble: Clayton dragoon prieree of the 500 slave army is receiving his punishment for being sympathizer and heretic to our goddess!!! For everyone who feels sorry for him or looks like it I'm going to add on 20 more !!! While I'm doing that, my second in command will read his journal out loud to all of you to hear!!!

The man start whipping him

Clayton: by the goddess!!!! Please stop!!! I'm sorry!! Mercy your lord!!!

He is crying in agony and The torn skin bleed down from the back of his back. He looks up to the clouds to see a cloud of the boy he killed a few hour ago looking down at him. Not with rage or vengeance... But of pity and remorse.  He's going to die.... but he is not going to remain silent anymore...... he is going to give everyone his peace of mind.

Noble: mercy you say?! There is no mercy
for sympathizers! There only my will and my agenda!!! Now die pathetic Welp. Your blood is getting my clothes dirty.

The pain is bearable, the only color he can see is red.  Red teardrops, red eyes, red blood, red everything.

Clayton: is..... is this what being a leader looks like?!Bleeding for those you care about ?! Giving them someone to look up too ?! Giving them a symbol of hope when it looks dark and Grimm in this fucked up world?! Am I your symbol of hope or am I your scapegoat for killing people who don't even deserve it?!

He is breathing hard. He keeps speaking as if it is the last time he will ever be heard. As if he is giving everyone a prophecy of great importance.

All the men and women is looking at him laughing and their eyes glowing red as if they are enjoying him being on the brink of death from the pain and being exposed for showing how much he cares about them. As if it a sign of weakness.

Clayton: what's the point of living?! If you are not going to be happy?! What's the point of worshiping a God who sits back and watching the land as it destroyed and calls it a fucking day at the end!! Why are you not rebelling and taking up arms against a God for your right to fucking live!!

Noble: silence you!
Clayton screams in agony but he will not stop speaking. His speech continues

Clayton: I may dying But I will make sure my voice is heard before I pass on into the The flaming pits of hell!!!

Take up arms! Don't run away from scary situations! Run towards it!

The noble hits him harder with the whip. But it dues nothing to him. He can't feel the pain anymore.'

Clayton: even when shit gos down  Keep on pushing with the hope I'm giving you!!! Let me in empower
you!!!Let my light and blood give way to innovation And down with those Who oppress us !!! if this is not being a leader I don't know what it is?! I don't care if I dying anymore I am transcending into the void!!

Clayton screams and really loud voice echoes through the camp making everyone watch him give his speech.

The noble shaken back falling on his ass. But can't help but to listen to what he saying and all the rest of the people there. It's as if the soldier has a light that's shining around him as if he was a God.

Clayton:  My only regret is feeling powerless all these years and killing innocence people . For those who kill just to get by..... Let me be the first to say......I forgive you......You don't need a god. You just need to..... forgive yourself.....

All the eyes are on you. They're just looking at you. Trying to document everything you're trying to say.
As if you are the messenger of the gods.

The light around him fades As he falls to his knees laying in the mud that is full of his blood.

Clayton: ..... sorry....... Clayton....... I'm...... dead...

End of chapter 1