Fight or Be Forgotten, Larkin Macintosh Winburgh [PK]

[Pegleg_Bob 1107]

 

Fight or Be Forgotten

I always believed in heroes, ever since my father told me about those who fought alongside my grandfather in the League of Veletz. I always dreamed of becoming a hero, a knight in shining armor. To die in a righteous battle for a noble cause, to have my death mean something. But as I looked down the hallway at people I once called my countrymen and heroes, I couldn’t bring myself to fight them, even to protect my newfound friends.

 

I never had the heart to kill those I once called brothers, and that was one of the main reasons I had ended up in this mess. I looked ahead to the two metal automatons, the potion-slinging medic, and… where was the man in golden armor?

 

Suddenly, I was struck by the templar’s spear, piercing my chest with the strength of at least two men. Then came a blow from my childhood hero, AP Warlock, smashing into my head. I stumbled back, unable to find any way to defend myself. I fell to my knees, and with one final strike from the automatons, I quickly blacked out.

 

I do not know what will happen next, but it feels like this is the end of my story.

Letters to Love Ones, and Friends

 

Spoiler

Viktoria @DeadraSlayer

 

I am sure you are doing well as a knight of the Empire. But if you are reading this, I am most likely dead. I do not know who killed me or why. Over my long life, I have made many enemies and many mistakes. I am certain you know that better than most.

 

Even so, though you have had to live with the consequences of my mistakes, I ask something of you: please take care of your siblings, and Malna as well. I know they must be rather upset by my death, though I cannot say why.

 

I trust you to do this, or to tell me to **** off. Either way, I love you, my little skull.

 

From your father

 

Spoiler

Magnus @TheHunter38

 

My Eldest Son

 

I want you to know that I am proud of you. I know we have never been the closest, but I believe you are going to do great things in this world. I believe in you.

 

Spoiler

Tiffany @sapphic_spidy

 

My brave little warrior, I hope you remember what I told you. I assume that I have passed on into the great beyond. I know it is a lot to ask—especially coming from a dead man—but I wish for you to tell your siblings about the secret I shared with you long ago.

 

I believe in all of you.

 

Spoiler

Everett @Tk4522

 

To my youngest son, I hope you go out and explore the world as I did in my youth. There is so much to see beyond these lands. And even though I am most likely gone, I shall be watching over you from the Seven Skies.

 

Spoiler

Celestia @Megahusky

 

I know you never wanted me to die, but I am still human, my daughter. My death was written in the stones long before any of us were born. There are greater forces at play than we could have ever imagined.

 

That is why I want you to live a long and good life. Please do that for me.

 

Spoiler

Ynx @minarichankun

 

I don’t have much to say to you Ynx, I know your mother is proud of you. I am proud of you, keep up your head. I love you. 

 

Spoiler

Malna @KillerMaid

 

I am so sorry that I am dead. I will not lie to you, I have wanted to die for a long time. I never truly enjoyed this whole living thing, even though people like you seemed to need me.

 

Honestly, I probably should have died decades ago, alongside Velkyn. But I kept living, trying to make changes that I hoped would make you proud. I do not know if I left this world in a better state than when I was born.

 

But I want to thank you for being my role model. I ask that you continue to look after my descendants.

 

Spoiler

Richard Rhoswald @ketof

 

To my brother, my oldest friend. I write this in case of my death, though I do not quite know what to say. We have both endured so much loss in our lives.

 

I simply hope that you are well, and that your children are well. I suppose I will see if the Seven Skies have a decent bar. I will save you a seat.

 

Spoiler

Dame Ark of Horen @Animael

 

I never wished for you to have to read this letter. If you are reading it, then I have failed you by dying. In truth, it was the main reason I kept on living. I believed that if I died… I do not know what you would do. But I believe you will get through this.

 

After all, I am just a simple human, go out and find another, and it will be much the same. I am joking, of course. But Ark, when I saw you and Zilvira falling for each other, it filled me with such joy. I am so proud that you have learned what it means to feel.

 

Do good in this world for me. Have a good life, Ark.

 

Spoiler

Qi Zeng @Eri

 

I hope this letter finds you well. I know you are still searching for your path in life, changing from magecraft to something new. But I see the good in your heart, just as I have seen it in all of Veilward.

 

I am certain you will become a force for good in this world.

 

Spoiler

Jackdaw @Halfirate

 

Jack, you are proof that not all of your kind are born evil. You are the very reason I left everything behind in the Empire. I saw too many crimes committed in the name of good and righteousness.

 

I watched the emperor I once followed kill unarmed civilians to teach a lesson to his own child.

 

The path God has set before you is a difficult one. But you must remain the exception. Never walk the path of wickedness. Do not become like Hadrian.

 

I believe in you.

 

Spoiler

Zilvira Nightblood @molly molly molly

 

I hope this letter finds you better than I most likely am, for I am likely dead. I do not know by what or how, but I feel I can finally tell you the truth, knowing that I am gone.

 

I have lied to you, and to most people in Veilward. I always wished to tell you, but I did not trust you then. Now, I have little left to lose. My real name is Larkin Mack Winburgh, former guardsman of the Empire.

 

I… saw too much, and I grew tired of the killing. So I came here instead. I hope I left a positive mark on your life.

 

Please, be safe, and do not join me in an early grave.

 

Spoiler

Joelina @Casualty

 

If you are reading this, I have most likely passed on. I know you might be upset by this so I wish to say I am sorry for passing on. But I wish to state how grateful I am for everything you have done for me. I think your father would be proud of you. 

 

Spoiler

Hilda @Aftrballini

 

Have you ever felt a sense of dread that never truly goes away? I know that if you are reading this, I am probably dead, but… this was a long time coming. I have never been very good at this whole living thing.

 

I was the third-born son of a baron. My role in the family was to die honorably and be remembered. But life rarely follows the path laid out for us.

 

I have a simple request for you, from beyond the grave: gather the names of any heroes you find and write them down. Give that list to anyone who will take it.

 

This world needs more heroes. We both know that.

 

Spoiler

Zubyar @ibraheemc2000

 

If you are reading this, Zubyar, then I have most likely passed on. I write this letter to thank you and your people. You have been among the finest people I have ever met.

 

I am sorry I could not spend more time with you all, that may be my greatest regret.

 

Be safe, my friend.

 

Spoiler

Khaleed @Chrisoulis777

 

I hope this letter finds you well, Khaleed. I remember when we spoke about death, likely in our early twenties. I do not recall exactly what we said, but… I hope I have been a good friend to you.

 

I know I have not always been around. I have been trying to make a difference. I think I am, but time will tell.

 

Be safe, my friend.

 

[Aftrballini 450]

     Hilda... Aloisa... Widow... All of these names for a woman left curled in her room away from the travesty of it all. A mess of dyes and disguises and emotions left to bare to the dim light of a hovel. Returned to the edges of society. The letter in her hand was nothing but crumbled parchment. 'How could he leave...'  .... 'Why did he stay..' ... 'Why couldn't I save him...'

 

'Why couldn't you..?' That voice would pester. Deep in her own mind where it forever lingered.

 

"Oh SHUT up you fool, you know I tried.. I always try.. I try.. And I try.. For what, to be labeled some.. some.. foul BEAST? Weak?! How many times did I lay my life on the line for our kin?! .. And even when I thought I got away from it.. somewhere I could be at peace.. To finally do what that old hardy bastard asked of me.. Live piously...  again I fail."  Her ramblings meant little. They fell on no ears but her own.

 

'You're pathetic.' That voice continued.

 

"Well I'm not DEAD.. Am I?! You'd like that I know. For me to burn and you to carry on fighting forever.. I bet you're NICE and happy.. Another poor boy.. Another hero.. Lost for what?!... What would you have done?! Sat and watched?.. Called him some heathen for following what he thought was right?! Maybe you would have given him that stupid smile. Told him he could still change for the better.. We were both young once.. We both made mistakes.. Why.. Why did he have to die... For wanting to be free? For wanting to protect his friends? To live like we once did? What do you say to that?! Huh?!..."

 

'....' A silence for the voice did stop..

 

 And she would sob for silence was a worse fate.

 

Goodbye. Mac. This world did not deserve you.

Rest now.

You have earned it...

 

 

[Wonderland_Boy 1081]

Across the Soulstream, a familiar figure appeared close to Larkin, his expression showing something akin to pity "So... they too decided to send you here..."

 

 

 

[KillerMaid 636]

I am so sorry that I am dead.

 

Those were the first words in the letter. He was sorry. There was no need to be sorry- the guilt ate away at the woman as she stared down at the letter. Despite all her mistakes, all her flaws, the man looked up to her. Now there was no body left for her to grieve: Only a letter, an empty home, and a family. All she could remember was seeing his face as a young man, how he looked up to her with such hope. There was nothing to look at but a small charcoal sketch made from memory.

 

"I'm the one who should be sorry."

[Nathaniel Maxwell 66]

"The words ''Hero'' and ''Empire'' do not in the same sentence belong.", The Aelkos sighed, mourning the loss of the man's life as he would any other.

[wolfersquad2004 207]

Celestia was wondering like she always did..she had been trying really hard to be independent like her papa wanted, she could do that and he would be there for her to go to and get a hug from! Always....right? That was when she got a letter even though she struggled a lot to read..after a bit she got it though the ink was quickly smudged by her tears and the area filled with sniffles and hitched breaths. 

 

She hugged her plushie that she had once been so happy to have been placed in her room and felt the handle of the blade her father had given her to protect herself. 

 

"tell mama, I said hi papa..." 

[Casualty 77]

 

---

 

She remembered being a snot nosed kid, following with bruises and scraps after that blond elven woman, who she had sworn a pact to, letters sent to Prince and the Reichsmarshall - leaving her stumbling the first time upon the one eyed “not baron - not pirate” and being told how to properly address the man.

Yet even as she outgrew her first pairs of gloves, her boots and chaps, learned her first art, ran home after that cursed trial, he was as sure of a presence as the tide of the ocean.

 

But the tide receded 

 

and it failed to return, 

 

leaving her stranded upon sandy shores, 

staring down upon that parchment that was miles away within her hand. 

 

“Pero, ¿te hice sentir orgulloso, amigo mío?”

 

Sandy shores could be traveled still, but there was something so inherently wrong about an ocean without water, he was more than just a man, he was the last fragment of a lost life. 

“Descansa”

 

 

 

Late within the night, upon shores looking skyward, is a bottle raised in remembrance and honor, a letter set ablaze within a fire that crackled away quietly. 

 

 

---

 

 

[PanicZealot 648]

The golden-haired captain sat next to Malna in the tavern, contemplating.

"How many funerals is this?" he asked simply

[Wolfy-D 466]

14 hours ago, Nathaniel Maxwell said:

"The words ''Hero'' and ''Empire'' do not in the same sentence belong.", The Aelkos sighed, mourning the loss of the man's life as he would any other.

Overhearing the comment a young tigrasi calls over "In the case of a 'hero' defeating the 'empire' it would work actually"

[sapphic_spidy 1089]

Something stirs in Tiffany. 

Grief she put off for so long.

Her pa was always so important to her. She wanted nothing more than to make him proud. Her hands shake as she reads the letter over and over.

 

He's faking. A small part of her mind screams. He's faking his death because he's smart, he's too smart to die, too smart.

 

But she's not a child anymore, and her pa was getting old.

He's gone. 

The cold reality settles. 

 

It's a hollowness unlike anything she's ever felt before.