Reignite the spirit

The night was young, but the upcoming struggles of new day light seemed to burn bright in the covering of the realm of shadows. Though the moon cast her eerie glow upon her subjects, with the chill of winters breeze stalking the backsides of the unsuspecting soldiers as a thief lurking in the darkness, the confrontation of tomorrow took a toll in the mind of the army. Their minds unsure as the continued to play their part, in the covering of the old, forsaken woodlands. The swaying of the decaying, old branches made fear all the more powerful as it planted seeds of discord into the hearts of all the men.

The General took a gaze into the night sky as his counselors stood before him, discussing their strategy. His mind focused not so much on the words of his counsel, but on the condition of his men. They were weary, traveling all this way, fighting so many battles, waging war on many fronts. He could see it just as clearly as they could feel it.

The General marched with an upright posture in front of his men, eager to make his voice known. The counselors completely ignorant of what was about to transpire. “These men are weary. The enemy is marching upon our doorsteps, and we take refuge in the uncertainty of these old trees. We have little time before the slaughter begins. They are not ready to fight. Not yet,” one of the Counselors noted.

“Well then: What do you propose we do-,” another Counselor started to shout before the shouting of the phrase, “VICTORY!” thundered into the realm of the heavenlies.

The General with a right hand raised into the air then lifted with his palm facing upward into the heavens as a silent stillness fell in their midst. “In your eyes, I also see it. The weariness of soldiers looking for rest, eager to catch a nights sleep. The calm before the storm, if you will! But I ask of you: Why is it that I see a defeated gaze in each and every one of your eyes? How is this possible? How can I see defeat in the eyes of my country men, my very own kin, and brothers! Sons of our nation, looking into the depths of despair as defeated folk. As if death has some early claim to you already? Is that so? Have you conceded into the clutches of defeat? Into the very depths of hell?” The General aggressively questioned.

“VICTORY!” the soldiers chanted once more. “Yes! That word is what we all want to hear tomorrow after the conquering of the battlefield! Victory! The sound of trumpets boasting into the heavens as victory is assured! Laying claim to the spoils of war as our enemies either retreat or fall into your hands! The sound of our men chanting victory over our enemies! Victory! So then why do I see such defeat in the eyes of my sons? How can we remain steadfast for land and kin, if I see such defeat in the eyes of my children? What say you? What say you to our outcome on the battlefield?” The General demanded to know.

“VICTORY!” the Soldiers sounded into the heavens. “Yes! That is what we will achieve in the midst of our fight! Victory! The sweet victory over those whom would dare strike fear into our own! Who would dare threaten our women and children with slavery, and our elders with death! What will we say at the end of battle tomorrow? What lies before us at the end of day?” The General sounded off a final time!

“VICTORY! VICTORY! VICTORY! VICTORY!” They continued to chant as the General gazed upon his counselors. “To what, I ask, do I have you here for?” The General lightly teased with a smile.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my content. If you like my work, then please follow me here and on Instagram @cccreativewriter, read and rate my work on Inkitt so I can potentially receive a publishing contract, and consider donating to my support my efforts! Keep your head held high, and laugh a bit! ;) Praise

https://www.inkitt.com/stories/fantasy/610198?utm_source=shared_ios&fbclid=IwAR2gIDKmJWMYXuhngshiNbFHo2fVfAVqMGA30QoBy0BgqzNhhvXuMPhSlGU