Leones Astra

[Aene]

Per Aspera Ad Astra

Early in the year of 1736AC, the retired knight Berrios Falstaff would find himself on his deathbed.

 His final, actual 'will' was already given to a specific individual to see its final wishes carried out, no word until well after his passing. A particular bishop would give his announcement in his own time, but as the sickly elder lay upon his resting place, there would be a handful of whispered words, his last public wish.

"I...have lived too long. I have seen those I loved passed on. Those I considered friends, comrades. I have seen war and strife, death and life, and the wonderful between. There are things I would love to tell you all. To stay strong, to stay true to your values and the righteousness I know in your heart to be the truth. I would preach morality and justice over the inevitable darkness of false freedom, or false truths."

A cough. A shake.  "But I don't think you would listen. Some would, yes. Others...your life is your own. Who am I to dictate such a thing? A relic of an age long gone, nothing more. I see the way the world is turning, the way the stream flows. I can give nothing but a semblance of finality. Perhaps some few 'wise words' that would drive those without purpose. Yet there is a strong independence to this new generation. Your strength comes from within, from yourselves. Nothing can stop you. It is both amazing...and terrifying. So I give a few words to the masses, before the finality of the few."

"A final lesson, if you will. A lesson of threes."

"There are three defining moments in our lives. When we are born, when we live, and when we die. The first and the last are...obvious. But what does it mean to 'live'? To have life, that standing inbetween? We all have breath, bleed. Have souls in our chests, and feel. You could say that...going to the bazaar, or in the midst of a spar, you are living. A nice conversation, a quiet family dinner. Drinks with friends. When you get to know someone. Romance. These feelings are false." A shudder.

"You are alive when you find your purpose, and no longer sit idle. When you evolve into the man or woman you envision yourselves to be. Is it a brave, young soldier? A true friend, someone who will stand against the darkest of days next to someone? A hero, a warrior? Un-shaking lineage passing on for generations to come? A King? A knight, with a duty and oaths to uphold? When you find yourselves, that is when you are truly alive." What will be your next evolution? Will you watch alongside the fold as the dark and the wolves creep forward, meek at the jaws of something lesser that would torment your own? Or will you be a Lion, standing upon the bones of those foolish or bearing the false forthright to combat you and the righteousness you carry in your hearts?"

"There is a series of words that a small amount of us used to utter before battle, something that gave strength to our souls. 'Hic Sunt Leones'. It meant 'Here Be Lions'. We are lions. Here we are. Challenge us, and beware our might and power we can muster and bring to the battlefield. It is a foolish thing, but if you believed enough, it would work!"...Believe! In yourself. In others. It is my last wish. My dying one. 

There is little that I can give to those I cherish. No wealth, small amounts of knowledge, no lands. My possessions are likely already passed on. Only a will to go forward, and to fight on. To bring about lightness in a world of turmoil and dark, of shaking shadow that seeks to grasp at the edges of civilization." Light would dim. A final whisper.

"Do not cry. But live to the best of who I know you can be. The world is full of evil things, and though every prayer will not be answered, though every wish you make will not be granted...know that there is light in the dark. I will be watching over you always."

"Always."

The inevitable. The last word he would give before the dull blue eyes Berrios carried would begin to glaze over. Surrounded, perhaps, by friend or family, or even nobody at all. Either way, there would be a thin smile on his face, eyes slowly closing to see...an inevitable nothing. The darkness he spoke so fervently about in one of its aspects. Slowly would his body begin to shimmer, a final quake. A pulse of scarlet energy, so brilliant that it would be akin to a star itself before it would begin to fade. Crimson and silver stardust, sinking downward into the floor as the man passed. His body seemingly...vanishing, to join the stars he held so close to his heart.

Fin

A small transcript would be written and published, an incredibly well-worn page titled 'Thirty-five important rules to live by.' More than likely, another final gift that the old man wished to pass on to those willing to read.

1. Have a firm handshake
2. Look people in the eye when you speak to them
3. Sing, dance, embarrass yourself.
4. Do the former in the bath, if not in public.
5. Hit first, and hit hard.
6. Keep secrets.
7. Never give up.
8. Always accept true help.
9. Chin up and be brave, even if its fake. Nobody will be able to tell.
10. Choose the person you want to spend your life with carefully. It will be the answer to all your happiness or misery.
11. Do nice things.
12. Give a second chance, but never a third.
13. Be romantic.
14. Be positive and enthusiastic.
15. Relax! Nothing is as important as it seems.
16. Be a good loser.
17. Be a better winner.
18. Think before telling a friend a secret.
19. Never be the first to release a hug.
20. Be modest.
21. Beware those who have nothing to lose.
22. Have no regrets.
23. Be bold, and have courage.
24. Never waste the chance to tell someone you love and care about them.
25. Nobody can do everything alone.
26. Your attitude is your own. Don't let others choose it for you.
27. Always eat breakfast.
28. Take the scenic route.
29. Show respect for all, no matter their job or creed.
30. Send flowers. People love flowers.
31. Be someones hero.
32. Marry for love.
33. Don't expect life to be fair.
34. Wave at small children.
35. Be yourself. Be happy.