Crusader

A crusader - a fighter

My journey began from my first breath.

In that moment,

I vaguely recalled a woman;

whose lights had glared,

flickered,

brightened like an angel’s,

then faded like the mist.

Then I saw,

darkness,

melancholy,

agony,

and a man shrouded in the shadows.

A hero - a warrior with a journey

The path I took was said to be perilous.

Covered in thick forests

of hardships,

hungry wolves with fangs

made of mistakes and choices,

and wicked phantasms;

trying to stop me with words of

discouragement.

In a cruel world,

I was told I would be in need of

a guide;

someone who knew how to

tie the laces of shoes,

fight for what’s right.

Someone who had seen the tough terrain.

A mentor - a guardian

My father was a veteran knight,

yet he was a ghostly presence,

sitting at a blank screen.

Long has his armor been in use.

Now, it was rusted

and sullied from neglect.

His sunken eyes gave

emotionless stares.

His wrinkled skin,

sagging on his body like

crinkled fabric.

His story had finished.

His legend was recorded.

His rewards reaped.

forsaken - to be alone

My obstacles weren’t special

Every warrior must face

the villains we meet in our youth,

the challenges and trials of

growth and maturity.

The tribulations met

when we’re set thrust upon,

the world that needs saving.

failure - to live in guilt

My quest had ended abruptly.

I couldn’t reach the forbidden castle,

for I lost the battle.

How could I have won

barefoot and weak?

I had no map,

no steed,

no sword,

and no armor.

haunted - to be followed

I begged my father to teach me to be a hero.

to face slay dragons,

to complete a mission,

to climb the tower,

to give true love’s kiss.

monster - a villain to kill

My father’s corpse-like body

gave me a deathly glare.

He couldn’t help me slay monsters,

rescue damsels.

He said he would never fight again.

For his fair maiden was gone,

and to help me,

was to help the monster

who slayed her in the end.