adversity

[Frozen Heart]

adversity: difficulties; misfortune.

"When the odds are stacked against you, laugh. Laugh, and show no signs of fear or weakness." - ???

Words that are etched across the base of a tree, as a young boy with slitted eyes makes his way across the mountain. Stopping to read them, there's a grin which forms at the corners of his mouth.

A bamboo sword in hand is gripped tightly, profuse swings soon finding themselves against the bark of a tree. One after another.

"Fireblooded, Ebonblooded. Call it whatever you want. At the end of the day, we're dragons and we won't bend."

"Just you wait..."

A confident boy, barely able to hold a sword waits for what's to come - training day in and out in preparation to make his mark on the world.