With the weight of worlds and dreams upon my shoulders
I feel the ice beneath my prostrate body extremely thin. In truth, it is almost thick enough to support a person. I will have to do with almost. Slowly crawling forward with no time remaining for us... But it is the only way. For even a little bit more pressure at any one point would send both me and our hopes in the frozen deeps of the Yamahara lake.
I had to leave my armor behind what feels like ages ago. Then my weapons. Then my boots and most of my leathers. I am allowed to freeze but not before making the cross, then the run, then the climb. Not before tossing the vial behind enemy lines. Then General Subira can work her magic and navigate the people of Kumono, through the Water Pathways and to safety. First, it is paramount that I succeed on my mission, though. No pressure. Also, no self-pun intended.
However,
Fear kills the soul
I need to laugh at myself
Otherwise, I fail
So, no pressure! No pressure...
The terror, while moving barely at the speed of a worm while lying flat on the icy crust, comes not from the fact that my body's warmth, and what remains of my nimbleness, are being quickly drawn away. The thing is that with my cheek to the surface I am all too well able to hear each groan of this solid state entity that is now my nemesis, at the same time best ally and closest friend. How it groans with the tension between us!
I place my left palm forward with the sharp tiny hooks at the base of my glove's fingers only slightly catching on the ice. I must not puncture, only scratch. Never more than an insect's legs would. It takes all my strength to control my limbs so carefully. I slide my right foot. Especially when I pull myself forward. Now my right palm in front of me. Left foot. I hear the terrible groans again. I can do nothing about it. Left palm, right foot. I must not even pray, lest somebody hear me. Right palm, left foot. The 'Gods' are The Enemy, after all.
Dawn is soon to break
The thaw to bring conclusion
I could use the sleep
However, they all need me to stay awake. No pressure.
...
Apocalypse Diaries, entry #112
'Emerging ever victorious, the Sorashindzo army has been finally spread too thin. Future military historians would have no choice but to write about this campaign as the most valiant, the most brilliant, and at the same time - the most foolish one to echo through the eons. Oh, but echo it would, from one world to another! So many have been saved...
For the last three Old Earth Standard months the child-emperor's name has turned into the most recognizable symbol of hope for billions and whispered with awe by the gods themselves. So far, our samurai legions have been able to anticipate the enemy's moves and protect or evacuate the people of each planet the media has been quick to proclaim doomed.
So far..'
...
'You must have some sleep, too, Kato!',
comes my captain's hushed voice through the skins of my tent in the small hours of the coldest night I remember. This one. It may well be our last...
...
I jump awake in the darkness
and start strapping my equipment into place before the signal whistle dies. Then I'm out in the frozen forest for a bite and a hot cup of tea while being briefed. Hordes coming from all sides to lay siege on Kumono. The capital was built on a high ground surrounded by abyss and connected to seven plateaus nearby via hanging bridges and cables. To cut it out of the world any enemy would need to split in seven and hold each area against all that we could throw at them in any one place. It appears they do have seven armies now.
Time extends
to an eternity when Captain Yamada produces the straws for us to draw. Because it is my turn. And Karma is against me, I know it. After all, I have spent two hours in the tent while the others have been on their posts or out, scouting. And because I can already see it. I can see the shortest splinter in my hand even before I touch any of them. I cannot stop, though.
Why me? I love my books and scrolls. I am just like a monkey on the top shelves of the library. I am not the lion of the battlefield.
My arm cannot slow down. Only my mind makes it seem so...
Body feels like stone
Thoughts run like mountain rivers
In Spring, deafening
It must be an illusion. An optical trick caused by fear. Is this the same length as the other two already drawn? Is the short one still in our captain's clutches?
As my heartbeat subsides I come to a cruel realization.
Hold on, I can see it...
As heartbeat subsides
A cruel realization
Damn! It must be me
For I weigh much less than any other.
This is my original photograph.
The short story above was created thanks to the #writingprompt initiative of @themarkymark. Learn more about it:
@themarkymark/writing-prompt-week-1-theme-announced-current-prize-pool-64-5-steem
As most stories I did for various challenges across the Steem blockchain, it is part of a whole concept... Not yet built but someday I think I will make it whole. See if I don't. I know it is not easy to connect the dots. Since they are connected in my head, only. But who knows...
Thank you and have a nice time being creative!
Yours,
Manol
