"Soldier of Love, Warrior of Hope"

& as Fear struck him down, his armor shattered to pieces, the armor that the soldier himself spent years forging with metals enchanted by his love. Armor, that withheld through battles with gods, withstood the mightiest of blows, and defended against the strongest of evils.

This armor had finally shattered, seeing a lifetime of battles, but battles that changed their meanings each time. His armor was tired. His armor was old. His armor had finally completed its job in protecting him.

A battle scarred body, covered from shoulder to shoulder, was now exposed to the world. Wounds from being sliced, diced, cut, and stabbed could be seen all over his body. Each one from a time where he sacrificed himself for those he loved. Each time he said yes, when he really meant no.

Here stood a penniless, scarred, and battered soldier of love. Lying on his back with his life flashing before his eyes, tears strolling down his face. Tired from thousands of victorious battles. Weak, from using all of his energy to keep those he loved happy. Sad, from having fought all those battles on his own with no help because he never felt he needed it, so he never asked. All making him stronger each time.

"Oh, soldier of love, was it all worth it?
Here you lay before me, on your back, with nothing left in you.
Your soul, is tired.
Your body, is tired.
 Your will, is tired.
Before I take what is left of your life, I must ask, was it really worth it?"

& as he laid there, the brisk, cold, breeze brushing against his cheeks, he felt, free... Weightless... Armorless...

As the god wielded the sword with both hands, swinging his arms above his head. Watching the sword fly over his and readying for the final blow, he felt something cold inside his chest. Looking back down, he was filled with shock. A sword penetrating his heart, a sword that was engraved with the words "hope."

"Although you shattered my armor of love, you didn't pierce my heart full of hope. Hope is what makes it all worth it, hope is what fuels my love, love is what shields me from you. Love protects me, while hope defeats you.

& As long as I have hope, I shall never lay defeated by fear, but instead, stand tall as a champion."