They're all dead.
Everyone I hold the most dear has all perished, their corpses displayed before my eyes.
It is enough to break any man.
But… I have come to realize something as I witness all of this pain and loss.
This is life.
It is simply part of the vicissitudes of life.
Do I grieve? Yes, of course!
Even now, in my moment of clarity, I can feel such an overwhelming pain swirl within me, threatening to eat me alive. It burns hot in my chest, tempting me to either scream in madness or fall into the pit of absolute despair.
I have been tempted to take my own life as well, just to escape the pain.
But… no.
It has taken me so long, but I have finally come to terms with it:
'I don't want to die.'
I refuse to.
Who am I to defy the wish of the strong? To resist the will of my superior? I am but a powerless man, yet hope has made me refuse to accept my inevitable defeat.
And so, I slowly rise to my feet.
