We all rise together
Cold, the water and air flowing
Anfitrian was not a city that burst with life every single day.
Rather, it was a city that endured.
Its inhabitants are hardened, sturdy, and adaptable, living each day in search of the next. They sought fortune in the tomorrow, and knowledge in the present. They stood against destiny.
Hard, the land we call our home
Anfitrian was surrounded by a great mountain range, in the middle of an even greater sea.
From the top of a mountain, the immense ghostly shadow of an elf stood watch over the village. From the furnaces that burned day and night, producing weapons from blueprints, and tools to build more in their limited space, to the humble farmerstead, to the widow’s small hut.
A child dangled from a fence, kicking his feet in the air, as the night’s mist ran past him. A small, unknowing smile on his face, his voice hummed lullabies to fellow lost children.
A rugged man hugged his blade ‘neath a tree’s shadow. He looked at the bright and big moon upon the starless skies. A raspy sigh escaped his lips, as he closed his eyes, the wind’s kisses upon his skin and cloak.
Push, to keep the dark from coming
In a tavern, a girl of small stature, but insatiable appetite, feasted. From blood dumplings and soup, to great chicken drumsticks, to mischbrot. Yet, that food could never quench her true hunger, her lingering thirst, just sate it until she could indulge herself in true blood spilled again.
On the pound near a mountain’s base, a lonely chef sharpened her pan. She cleaned it and stared at her imperfect reflection upon the metal. Spices, salted meat, herbs, and much more were stored near a humble mud hut nearby, awaiting until daybreak, and until she could serve others again.
In one of the many crypts of this decrepit, but lively place, a flaming figure hid. He stared at the lights from the city. He stared at the warmth, so close, yet so far, a yearning for it, but an even bigger yearning for doing what was right in his chest. For what was right, he could not get closer.
Feel the weight of what we owe
One lonely man worked hard in an attic, he rehearsed, he learned, and relearned what he was taught. Knowledge, means, figures, and what to do in his never-ending quest. Nobody was there, and so no one expected anything. For it, he would deliver.
A redhead watched the lively bar. From the outside, she sang sweet nothings that no one could understand, but it soothed the pains and minds of those inside, like a reassuring spell, a mother’s comfort, the promise that things would be alright tomorrow.
In the middle of the night, a medic treated a sick child and his father. He had nothing left to lose, and neither did his patients. That was why they came to him, for help from a place most unexpected. To the only help they could gather that night. With so many close to them, but so few willing to touch them.
This, the songs of sons and daughters
The drowning moonlight shone above her head. A woman as beautiful as a mermaid, with a voice just as soothing, lying alone beneath the lake, her gaze fixated on the bright reflection of the moon. Her voice was swallowed by the small, rippling waves, crushed by the weight of guilt and water.
A statuesque giant rested in the forest. Rambunctious and energetic children awaken in the middle of the night, play on his body, climb on him, draw on his skin, and use him as an obstacle or a place to sit. His hammer stared at the scene with an imaginary smile.
Hide the heart of who you are
Heroes slumbered in the depths of Anfitrian, awaiting their time of rebirth. They awaited their time ot fight once again. To come back to what they were robbed of.
From those who were as solid as stone, and those who were as frail as a flower. Born of stone and water, dust and clay, salt and ash, they all waited.
Making peace to build our future
Those who had awakened, too, awaited. For their missions, to plunder and loot dungeons, to push the darkness once more. In this bid, they were trapped, but standing in indolence, they would not. Back to life once again, this time they would make it count.
Strong united, working until we fall
Dolls stormed within the city. They worked, they toiled, they did all they could, all they were ascribed. Like a never-ending flame, their work never paused. From the furnaces to the farms, to attending the rich and poor’s houses alike, their work never ending.
Cold, the water and air flowing
They all looked in unison towards the skies. Black now, red tomorrow, but not forever. For those who remembered the bright yellow touch of the star above their heads.
Their purpose is known, even now, and forever more.
Hard, the land we call our home
For those who strived for better in their previous life.
And the children who never had a chance to live in a better world.
And the man who endured hard times, searching for a time of peace for his brethren.
Push, to keep the dark from coming
For the warriors were on the verge of losing themselves, but kept walking the path forward: to uphold their ethos, and slay the wicked.
To those who died without fulfilling their purposes, humble as they may have been. For the love of the craft, or the love for their passion, their small purpose didn’t die.
To the flame of hope that burned in the hearts of those who remained and stayed behind. Small as mustard seeds, but one day, those seeds would shake the mountains over them.
Feel the weight of what we owe
Many nobodies died in this war waged across the eons, but on the mountain of corpses built by their sacrifice, one day a flower would bloom, their work not for naught.
And those who lost their homes will find in this befouled, forsaken, yet not forgotten, a shelter to hide and endure the night and the gruesome days.
Every wound made will one day heal. Their sins will be forgiven one day, but until then, they shall help those lonely and lost people, for they are all they have.
This, the songs of sons and daughters
A gentler place, to avenge a mother lost, to rebuild a legacy broken, and find within oneself the peace we crave so much, but can never achieve.
To let children play freely, without fear of hurt, in a better garden than the ones they all lost.
Hide the heart of who you are
They all fought for this. They all bled for this. They will bleed again, with or without gods, blessed and possessed, they will fight.
For long-lost blueprints of life, or to protect the new, fragile home they were given.
Making peace to build our future
No longer will tomorrow be robbed of light, or the shattered remains of the sun cry over the sky. Bring back our days filled with joy and happiness, not filled with anger and wrath.
We will once again be free to sail the seas and see the beauty of the oceans.
Strong united, working until we fall
A day where even dolls may sleep soundly, their god-given rest finally achieved.
And we all lift, we are all adrift together, together.
Through the cold mist, ‘til we are lifeless together, together