"A leader leads by example, not force." - Sun Tzu Naxos Cadfan 17 years old. District 3. 24th Hunger Games X Military history enthusiast X Mind of a tactician X Heart of a Warrior X I should have been born a few thousand years earlier. RP blog only. FC: Allan Hyde.
Here I'll stand on the firing line
Here I'll walk through the field where I died
I will fight and let the voice ring true
I am the ghost
Standing next to you
“Only the dead have seen the end of war.” - Plato.
In every story I’ve read about heroes, warriors and leaders they all seem to find peace in death on the battlefield. To fight and die with honor, pride, glory, knowing you are protecting all that you hold near and dear, that is the ideal fall. That there is more awaiting on the other side of the battlefield, so say the stories they heard about those who fought and fell before them.
The sound around me began to fade, my sight darkening and feeling beginning to leave my body. I knew that my fall was not for those principles I idolize and held true. There is no glory in the gladiatorial combat perpetuated by the Capitol, no pride I felt being chosen and no honor to be upheld by dying at the hands of a ruthless killer.
I thought of my family, the hole my passing will leave: how I’ll never be there to guide Troy and Carth on their paths, the sorrow and grief that will befall my parents and the depths Marathon will sink with my loss. Everything I’ve yet to experience with them, my plans for the future. My friends I am leaving behind, the memories. All becoming a part of history.
But even in these last fleeting moments, I had to be strong.
They say death is but another journey, so I ask myself: what awaits me on the other side of the battlefield?
Does one walk the Halls of the Dead and is granted access to eternal peace based on the weight of their heart, a measure of their deeds? Or do you travel through Hades and find peace in the fields of Elysium? Will the Valkyries take my hand and guide me to Valhalla? Will I pass through the pearly gates and be told I lived a good life and now it is time to rest? Will I be told that my work is not quite done and be reincarnated until the soul reaches nirvana? Or will I stay here, destined to walk the field where I died?
Or is what follows life a creation of our own ideals?
Will I find myself with Horne and tell stories for all eternity around the fire the way seasoned warriors do? Will I find myself in Mira’s wish of a never ending winter and show her the proper way to build a snow fort? Will I wind up in Meredith’s wonderland and meet her...friends? Will I find Cypress and Dani reunited with their parents? Will I finally hold that girl in my arms again, keep her safe and give her the love she deserves? And will one day I find myself reunited with my own brothers and family, knowing nothing will be able to separate us again and hear their stories and legacies they left behind?
Will I be able to tell them I’ve been watching over them their whole lives, guiding them along their paths?
That alone caused brought me peace as everything faded around me. The end of my story was just another beginning.
And you might ask which of the above were what I saw when my cannon fired and I crossed over the line between life and death?
Well, I don’t think I could tell you.
It would be rude of me to ruin the ending for you, now wouldn’t it?
Final Inventory: Hunter knife, *new* bow with 6 arrows, nightstick.
Injuries: cuts on shoulder, arms and neck (treated and healing), bruise on side and rib (healing), cracked jaw + bloody nose (cleaned and healing), gash on shoulder (treated and healing), bruised calf (healing)
Blinded are my eyes
Tied are my hands
Sleeping wide awake
Got lost within myself
I followed all the paths
Righteous in my heart
Slept without the dreams
Got lost within myself
Gear: Contents of Judas’s & Sawyer’s pack (1/2 ham sandwiches, 1/2 bottle of nestea, 1 persimmon, 20 matches, 10 1/2 feet of rope) 10 buffalo nickels, an ornate box, 1/2″ of leather, Bottles of Bug Spray, A Nestea Bottle Full of a Bleach/Paint Mixture, gas mask
Injuries: cuts on shoulder, arms and neck (treated and healing), bruise on side and rib (healing), cracked jaw + bloody nose (cleaned and healing), gash on shoulder (treated and healing), bruised calf (healing)
I steadied myself as the chute rose, my adrenaline leveling off and breathing slowing. I didn’t know where I was going, who would be in front of me when I was released. The nightstick was still attached to me, and as an extra precaution I kept an arrow at the ready.
I couldn’t see much, just a dim light that revealed concrete walls around me. This went on for about five minutes or so before I stopped moving and the panel opened up to what looked like a prison cell. There was a small bed, food, water and what I assumed was something to clean up with.
I didn’t trust this, and stood at the ready for several minutes before it became apparent I was in the clear...for now.
I dropped down onto the clunky mattress and put my belongings down, and finally taking the gas mask off. I took off the track jacket and my shirt, caring little for how self-conscious I usually am and began cleaning the blood, sweat and dirt off. Just as I did with Judas I didn’t dwell on what happened with Sawyer too much. It was a necessary evil of the situation at hand.
I can only hope what I did caused her little pain.
Setting my clothes and shoes aside I dug out half of the ham sandwich and began picking at it along with the soup, the water being a welcomed change compared to the sugary iced tea I had been drinking, likewise the broth against my throat. Then I pulled out the first aid kit and began patching myself up.
I was just finishing up when the Capitol anthem began playing in the room and a screen appeared on a wall. I had heard a number of cannons throughout the day. Our numbers were drawing to a close.
The first to be shown was Salem, taken out by...Cypress. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t impressed that he managed to hold his own, nor did it surprise me the Career went down on his ass. Pride does come before the fall.
And then I saw Dani, being torn apart by Meredith.
I couldn’t zone in on one emotion. But before I became too wrapped up in myself I remembered that this wasn’t the time or place to be concerned for others, mourn their loss and wish I could have been there to protect them, ”And sometimes acknowledging that change is in its’ own way a sign of bravery, courage, to overcome yourself.”
Averting my eyes for the briefest moment I remembered our time together at the pool, showing her how to light a fire and cooking. And then there was that last night in the Capitol, and I couldn’t help but smile slightly at the memory of that scene. “Buddy, I know I’ve asked for a lot already but...take care of her for me will ya?” I looked back at the screen as the fight faded, letting the memories go with it.
Judas came up next, followed by a birds-eye view of myself taking him out. It didn’t phase me much seeing myself like that. I did what was necessary.
Brunelle and Angus came up next, both of them taken out by Meredith. That girl had to have been going mad by this point.
I stood up and stretched a bit when my fight against Sawyer was shown. My calf wasn’t ailing me too much and I ran a few tic-tacs to keep it from getting stiff. As far as I can tell it was just a bit bruised.
And then I saw Cypress, slaughtered by Wednesday. I sighed and leaned against the wall. At least they’re with each other again. Just as I did Dani I didn’t let myself dwell too much on what happened.
There would be time for that later.
The anthem aired again and I was left in silence.
I slipped my clothes back on. Focusing on what was before me I took some time to sort through what I had brought out of the fight with Sawyer, finding uses for some of her items that would normally be overlooked and discarding those I knew I would need no longer.
Three of us left: myself, Meredith and Wednesday. I could only imagine tomorrow brings the final fight.
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