Scattered, torn, and dead: the once full mob of bandits was now just one.

A fierce Bandit Leader sauntered over, weapons dangling and smacking along his leather tunic which hummed with power all his own.

Every bit the Boss.

Every bit the immovable object

The problem was, I was no unstoppable force.

I was weakened, drained, and waiting to be defeated.

My health was only a fraction full.

My energy was only a portion of my total power.

My spirits were low.

My soul was bleak.

The voices, the ones that urged me to run, to flee, to survive, had abandoned me long ago.

Every major ability, any card up my sleeve, had been played.

The only thing left for me to do is die.

Time suspended.

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Life came to a crawl

Decisions that I once thought were correct now seem wrong.

Pathways left unexplored now certainly held the answers to my current dilemmas.

Somewhere along the way, I made a mistake.

Even the tiniest one can snowball into run-ending events.

Boots on leaves.

Boots were growing nearer.

Growing ever so near.

Death waited for no one.

It marched on.

A power that was once overwhelming no longer triggered a response within me.

Acceptance grew as I looked up to see a black blade raised up to the night sky.

A beautiful black night.

Stars hovered and prayed.

How many are enjoying tonight?

A breeze came in.

A gentle one that touched and cared.

Life's final gesture of goodwill.

I hoped that others were enjoying the night breeze and the open sky.

Even her...

Some had to pay for nights like these.

Paying prices that one can't afford.

The ultimate price is always paid in full.

"Peace be upon you, boy"

Came a voice that did not crack or boom.

That did not wax or wane.

It was calm, it was pure, it was true.

And then the blade followed the words in a harmony... to end a life.