i won't die.

[Ocean Side]

I understand it all now.

They tore their way into our city and ransacked it in one petty dispute for not only one of their criminals, but a girl who they would only persecute at home. We defended it with everything we had, and in the process, the man whose wedding I was to officiate was shot and killed in our very streets, with none of us able to stop it. They got away, and we had nothing to show for it. I watched a mother weep for her beloved, my people demoralized and our swords lowered in defeat.  Until she came.

Our Stellus.

A product of years of our city's most trusted Faith - the very thing that we draw our strength from. Not blind savagery, or technological advancement. Just Faith. We came together in that moment with tears in our eyes, and we brought his body back to our sanctum, where we used the highest of powers to bring him back. A process that we were certain would be in exchange of our Stellus' life. As it proceeded, we all watched with our own very eyes until..

We just couldn't any longer.

It was there that I watched them all act - the people, our Magi. They wept tears for one of our own. Cried out to the heavens to not take him on that day. Their howls rung throughout our hallowed walls louder than it ever has before as everyone of out citizens poured in to bear witness to what would be a miracle. I was awestruck. Amazed. I could feel it all.

The utter resplendence of the very light of our gods beaming down and looking upon their people. It was in that moment that the stars and the heavens looked down upon us in unison, as Eternia's heart itself throbbed at our willful beckon. Everything was clear before us, everything that was in motion was something we could feel beating. The very universe, the lessons we were taught, how everything operates, and how they are looking at us and each noble action we took. We gave everything we had, and it was answered. A dead man had been brought back to life through our combined efforts.

I'm proud that I was born here.

I'm a sick man, but I am not a dead man. I feel as though when I walk into battle now, righteous fury to temper my blade, I do it not as a mere soldier, but as a man who sees this city as his family. The doubts are gone. They've given me all the reason I ever needed.

Nothing, not even death itself scares me anymore.