The hero`s unit moved toward the front line of the war

　　but only he could know the kind of life they had in store

　　the hero`s awkward presence in the unit carried on

　　and there was little time for conversation come the dawn

　　The prince had planned to make this trek the army`s last advance

　　they`d found a new momentum and he wouldn`t miss this chance

　　but when the day arrived that they would finally proceed

　　the northern army came upon them like a great stampede

　　The camp was overwhelmed and there was little time to think

　　chaos overtook the men before a man could blink

　　and though the prince`s army wouldn`t be so quick to fall

　　it was clear the hero`s comrades weren`t prepared at all

　　The prince had meant for him to be a mentor to his peers

　　after all, he`d been a citizen of war for years

　　but now the best that he could do was swing his heavy sword

　　and struggle against weaklings that he once would have ignored

　　The warriors he faced were just like any he had known

　　like thousands he had saved or many more he`d killed alone

　　and while his unit cried in terror at the bloody sight

　　to the hero this was just another pointless fight

　　But there would be no time for talk of peace with enemies

　　now he lacked the power to control a war with ease

　　now he was but one of many fighting just to live

　　there were no mistakes that these invaders would forgive

　　He recognized their armour and the way they bravely fought

　　but when the first attack found him, he gave it little thought

　　his own sword moved to save his life and kill his enemy

　　and still he couldn`t find a way to set his magic freeIf you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

　　He looked into the eyes of the first warrior he slew

　　filled with pain and then an emptiness the hero knew

　　for just a moment as the blood was dripping from his blade

　　he almost wondered if there were mistakes that he had made

　　But then his sword was moving once again without delay

　　and didn`t stop for anyone who dared get in its way

　　the prince`s knights were quick to mount a vigorous defense

　　but to the new recruits that battlefield made little sense

　　They wandered here and there like children while the captain wept

　　wishing for the war he dreamt of last night as he slept

　　but even as the madness brought his unit to its knees

　　a single man was keeping them all safe from harm with ease

　　Not a trace of hesitation slowed the soldier`s sword

　　as if the heavy blade was moving of its own accord

　　embarrassed by the way a single man had saved them all

　　the captain somehow found the strength draw his sword and call

　　"Don`t let that old fool do all the work you lazy fools

　　are those decorations on your belts or are they tools"

　　the hero couldn`t help but smile at what the captain said

　　he`d heard such words from many who had quickly wound up dead

　　He drew his sword out from the neck of on more fallen foe

　　and turned around to tell the captain where his men should go

　　acting as their guard, he said while guiding their retreat

　　"these enemies aren`t something any farmer`s child could beat"

　　Once regrouped and well equipped the captain raised his voice

　　"I would have been the first to face them if I had a choice

　　although that honour went to one as ill mannered as you

　　perhaps we all might benefit from fighting like that too"

　　The captain swallowed down his pride and looked toward his men

　　"what if in the future we were caught off guard again"

　　the farmers hesitated to respect their newest friend

　　but favoured higher odds of living longer in the end

　　And so they followed him as he dove headfirst into war

　　saying not a word of peace or demons anymore

　　the man who`d dragged his feet the whole way to that muddy field

　　made it look like swords were made for him alone to wield

　　But what surprised his men more than his swordsmanship and skill

　　was the way he seemed to cheer up more with every kill

　　"for one so bored of war he sure is giving all he`s got"

　　"he said he didn`t like killing, but maybe he forgot"

　　The hero`s eyes were only on the enemies that came

　　not hidden behind clouds of smoke or lost in endless flame

　　a simple matter of the sword was all he dealt in now

　　and he was well aware that it was changing him somehow

　　Ignoring all the battle cries and songs that filled the air

　　and watching heroes go ahead of him, he didn`t care

　　he felt invisible to the whole world, as if he`d died

　　but even without magic he felt fate was on his side

　　"Come here, any warrior still brave enough to die

　　I fear no man`s sword and I would love to show you why"

　　he let loose such a battle cry, a smile upon his face

　　excited just to fight, regardless of the army`s race

　　His was just a single battle on those bloody plains

　　and his was blood like any that flowed through a soldier`s veins

　　but there was one who noticed what no other man could know

　　the prince looked with concern at his old friend, the first hero

　　~