I am the spirit of battle. Not the spirit of bloodshed.
I am the spirit of fearlessness, of courage, of recklessness. I am the spirit of a wild charge, a hoarse but determined cry, a final breath on the battlefield. I am the spirit of honorable defeat, of giving up your blood and fighting even when the odds are stacked up to Alavor. I am the spirit of justice, of rightful revenge. But I am not the spirit of giving up. I am not the spirit of betrayal. I am not the spirit of begging for your enemies' mercy, of sacrificing your legion for your life.
You may not know me, but I am a God. And I am Indomitable.
High King Cien roared, slamming his fist down on the marble table in front of him. "How DARE you suggest such a thing,
Bane! You know that that is an awful thing to do, especially for a God!"
King Bane narrowed his eyes, tightening his fist around the tall blood-red staff in his grasp. "I just thought that
maybe you would finally understand what's right for the people! But no, you could never change."
Cien growled, speaking through a clenched jaw. "Bane, you are in MY DOMAIN. Do you own the sky? NO. Do you own earth? NO! Only I own the Earth, Bane. Not you. So don't tell me what to do."
Bane opened his moth to yell at Cien before I took my sword and slammed it as hard as I could into the wooden floor. "STOP IT!"
The entire room fell silent at my voice. I glared at both Bane and Cien, my head swiveling back and forth. "We are Gods. yet we are bickering like children while the biggest battle of the century wages on below us! Let's just vote, and stop fighting."
Cien furrowed his brow at me. Still clearly upset with Bane, Cien grumbled out his words. "Do to these...urgent... circumstances,
the Gods will now hold a vote." Cien nodded at his silent servant-girl, who began passing out rocks to every God. When she came to me, I examined my rocks.
On my desk there were two rocks; A pale white rock, and a dark black rock. Our voting system was a little old-fashioned, but it worked fairly well regardless. When a topic was presented and the Gods couldn't solve the issue with a debate, they turned to a vote. The black rock that you got represented 'no'. It meant that you strongly disagreed with the topic at hand. The white rock meant 'yes'. It meant that you agreed with the topic at hand. In order to make things even, everyone had to put in a rock, whether or not you had an opinion on the matter. I gently pushed the black rock to the front of the desk, already knowing the topic and what my vote was going to be.
The room was silent as
Queen Misery spoke in her soft but ever condoning voice. "The Gods will now vote. The issue at matter is 'Should High King Cien advise the Goldenmen to retreat and surrender, or should they continue fighting?'. Please come up to vote now."
As soon as she had finished speaking, I rose from my seat. With a set jaw and a confident stride, I made my way to the center of the throne room. Letting everyone see my vote before I dropped it in, I flashed a defiant glance at Bane as I made my way back to my seat at the table.
But the whole 'showing everyone my vote' spectacle wasn't really necessary. Everyone already knew that the literal God of Battle would never vote 'yes' to something that would have people
surrender! It was ingrained in my very being to never reward soldiers on the battle field for surrendering, much less
tell them to surrender.
But to my every growing dismay, more and more Gods seemed to drop white rocks into the pit at the center of the room. My brow furrowed and my eyes slanted as I watched Minor God Bane sitting smugly back in his chair, staring straight at me. We had always been arch-enemies, Bane and I. And everyone in the room knew it. So why were they
purposefully urging me to fight him?
As I continued watching Bane, I saw his expression. And I just wanted to wipe it right off of his face. As I prepared to rise and epically challenge Bane to a duel, High King Lucien's voice rang out.
"Gods and Queens! We have now come down to the final rock. After this vote is cast, Misery and I shall count the votes."
I eagerly looked around the room for the person voting, and if I could identify their vote. My eyes fell upon the last Viscet who was slowly standing up;
Rosha.Internally, I groaned. This God was a
visiting God from somewhere out East. So far in all of our debates, he hadn't really spoken much or participated. I had labeled him as 'Indecisive' and moved on, but now that wasn't very helpful as he was the final voter.
With a bated breath, I watched the Fire God slowly plod to the center of the throne room. His back was to me so I couldn't see his rock, though. My eyes searched Bane's face for any signs of emotion, as he could probably see Rosha's rock, but his face was as stony as mine. I looked at Rosha's seat, a desk lower than all the other to symbolize his temporary seat, but both rocks were gone. It seemed he had taken both rocks up with him.
My ears pricked forward, waiting to hear the sound of a rock clinking against the rest of the rocks in the pit. But all I heard was the almost silent breathing of the other Gods, and the grating sound of Rosha's rocks scraping together in his hand. What was he doing? If he was now deciding his vote, he should have been figuring it out the entire time everyone else was voting. But now he seemed to be bowed over in thought, just shifting the rocks from one hand to another.
Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. I held my paw up to my mouth and gave one small 'Hurry up' cough into my fist. It was loud in the silent room, and several Low Gods and Queens shot dark looks at my interruption. I shrugged, still impatient. Everyone knew I hated waiting for very long. Well, everyone except the
new guy.
After what seemed to be an endless waiting period, I heard, in almost slow motion, the sound of a rock hitting the pile. I breathed an audible sigh of relief, having been so tense for the entire voting period. I stood up, pushing my chair back, and stretched my arms out. As Rosha made his way back to his seat, I shot him a glare. I hated to be kept waiting.
But then, I heard a noise from the opposite end of the room. Low King Bane was bent over his desk, shaking. At first I thought he was crying at his defeat, and I was relieved. But then, I heard him. I really heard him. I heard the telltale cackle, and instantly understood what was going on.
Bane was laughing.
My eyes narrowed. I felt my hands clench. A black haze began to swim over my vision, making everything seem blurry and far away. Dimly, I felt myself stand up, knocking my chair backwards across the floor. My hands fumbled for the desk without me realizing it. In my final moments of consciousness, I thought I remembered running across the room.
Then, the world went black.


"indomitable? are you there? wake up! i need you to wake up!""wake up!"I blinked, the world swimming before my eyes. A face loomed over me. I could barely recognize the six eyes and orange glitter.
"High King Cien?" My voice was questioning, and slightly hoarse.
"Indomitable! Finally! Phew, I thought you were gonna kill Bane! You should be thankful that Rosha stopped you in time."
I blinked. Why would I almost kill Bane? And... Rosha stopped me? Of all people. "What happened? I don't remember anything after I stood up."
Cien's eyebrows raised. "You, my friend, quite literally almost put Low King Bane on his deathbed. I tried to restrain you, but it was Rosha, the visiting Fire God, who managed to hold you back. If he hadn't kept you in check... I don't know what would have happened."
My jaw dropped. I tried to kill Bane?! I mean, I knew that certain things made me mad, but never anything had made me
blackout mad. Although, to be honest, in my mind I still thought he deserved it. But... I wasn't sure how I felt about
Rosha stopping me. I had mixed feelings about the guy, considering he had voted for Bane's side and all.
I put my arms beneath me, and pushed myself up so I was in a sitting position. Cien reached his paw down to me, and I used it to pull myself to my feet. Taking a deep breath, I brushed the dust off of my fur and looked around.
High king Cien and I were at the Medical Ward, a few steps of stairs lower than the Throne Room. I examined myself closely, searching for bruises or wounds. There was nothing that seemed to be hurting... Until I noticed the dull throbbing in my paws. I lifted them up, and realized why I was in the Medical Unit.
My paws were ripped and torn to shreds, with dried blood caking my forearm. Bits of marble shards were stuck in my palm, sending a twinge of pain up my arm when I pulled them out. My right hand was wrapped in a giant, white bandage. with splotches of bright red blood soaking through. What had I done to myself in my rage?!
Cien saw me examining my hands, and walked over. "When you flipped the table over Bane, you also ruined your hands. But your wounds are in no way even close to the wounds you inflicted on Bane."
I gulped. Was he in a coma? On his deathbed? Bleeding out right now, as we spoke? "Cien, can I go see him? And Rosha too?"
High King Cien blinked at me. "See him? I thought you were angry at him?"
I chuckled. "Cien, I'm not really the type of God to stay mad. I got my anger at him out, and now I need to apologize."
Cien regarded me for a moment, before smiling. "You really are a good guy, Indomitable."
I smiled, before it fell slightly. Someone very special to me had told me that long ago. But... I couldn't place my finger on as to who had told me that.
"Okay, take me to go see him!" I was ready to say sorry to Bane, and to maybe get a better idea of who Rosha really was.

I opened the door quietly, and waited for Cienkam to step in front of me before closing the door softly. I turned around, and almost gasped from shock. Bane was lying on a white hospital bed, or at least one that was white before it was covered with Bane's blood. The room was also covered in the stuff, from the floors to the walls.
But what I found most concerning was the state of Bane himself. Bane was lying on his back, his eyes closed. There was a thick cotton bandage wrapped several times around his forehead, and a golden vial with a countdown timer that indicated the level of nectar in his veins. Bane's body was all battered up, from torn fur to deep purple splotches that showed through his thick black coat. I stepped forward to Bane and bowed my head. Assuming he was asleep, I didn't speak.
"Who's here?"
I looked up startled. Bane was moving his head in my general direction, but was unable to see due to a large cloth covering his eyes. I winced, not wanting to tell him.
It was High King Cien who spoke up first. "It's... it's Indomidable, Bane. He's come to... Well, I'll let him speak."
I took a deep breath, then plowed on forward. "Low King Bane, I'd like to formally apologize for my actions. I got angry, and wasn't aware of what I was doing at the time."
Bane snarled, his head now swiveled straight in my direction. "You almost
killed me, you scoundral."
My face grew stony. I had apologized, so there was nothing left except for Bane to accept my apology. "I understand that. but now, I'm coming to say sorry."
Bane snorted, throwing his hands up in the air before wincing and bringing them down again. "So you almost kill me, and then expect me to instantly forgive you. Oh yay, the God of victory is finally being humble for once! Let's just instantly make amends and become best buds! Shut up, Indomitable. Just leave."
I narrowed my eyes, and bit back a snarl. "Rosha," I spoke between clenched teeth, "could I see you outside please?"
Rosha looked up solemnly from his seat in a chair and nodded. He stood up, and silently followed me outside.
"Nobody defies the God of Battle. At least, not some newcomer who decides he can just show up and instantly take the side of the God of Death. Do you understand me?" I growled.
Rosha looked up at me, wary. He wore a confused expression on his face, and his head was lightly cocked as if not understanding. "Ummm... What do you mean, "defied you"."
My eyes grew wide with a rage-filled disbelief. I roared right in his face, letting the full force of my rage come out in one breath. Rosha stumbled back and his arms came up across his face as if to protect himself as he fell on his back. I slowly lumbered towards him, towering over and casting a long shadow. I
roared again, this time closing my eyes and roaring at the sky before dropping to all fours with a thundering
BOOM.
"For the Gods, voting is
EVERYTHING! Politics are EVERYTHING! And if you
DARE waltz into this kingdom and just expect to defy every single powerful God there is, you're WRONG. You will receive
PUNISHMENT for your actions against the Gods, for your actions against US!" I boomed, getting right up in his face.
Rosha's eyes widened also, but they were widening in fear. He crawled away from me, then stood up and faced me. "Voted agai-?"
I lunged at him, interrupting him mid sentence. He yelled, trying to move away. But I reached my paw out and slashed across his stomach, leaving three bright marks that almost instantly began spilling blood. His paw fell protectively to his stomach, holding it together and trying to stop the blood.
I lurched towards him again, narrowing my eyes and growling as he continued to crawl away. I crouched down to spring on top of him when I fely myself be pushed aside. I tumbled over, rolling around before coming to a stop. I lifted myself up, wrenching my head up to see who had pushed me.
I was met with the sight of a panting but furious King Cien, standing over Rosha and helping him to his feet. I stood up, snarling at Cien.
"What're you doing here, Cien?! This isn't your fight!"
High King Cien whipped his head around to me, an expression of such disgust and hatred that I had to focus as to not run away. His voice was hushed, a deadly whisper that made my knees grow weak.
"You... You DARE call yourself a GOD while you just go around and ATTACK our GUESTS?! I'm disgusted with you Bane, I really am," He paused. striding over to glare at me.
My bravery faltered as i saw the look in Cien's eyes, but I gritted my teeth and stood my ground anyways. I tried to come up with a clever retort to make Cien let me fight this, but my tongue seemed frozen in my mouth. I could only watch as High king Cien berated me.
"I don't understand you, Indi. I really don't. One moment you're calm and smart, he next you turn into an angry, lumbering
idiot. I didn't raise you to be this way. So how did you fail me so horribly?"
My head dropped, my eyes wide. Cien... Thought I failed him? But... He was the one who told me to stand up for what i believed in. Wasn't he?
"B-But... Didn't you tell me to stand up for my rights?" I faltered at the beginning, slowly feeling the sense of anger and courage that had overwhelmed me drain away.
King Cien gave a harsh laugh, the smile not reaching his eyes. "I told you to fight for your rights, not to KILL innocent Viscets!"
My brow furrowed and my eyes narrowed. "He's not "innocent"! That lowlife Fire God went against our plan, voting to give up thousands of acres just to spare our measly army!"
[wip]
00000000We were lying in the field. The sky was an endless blue, with not a cloud in sight. The moon was still visible, a faint crescent to the West of me. And next to me, was Indi. I had always wondered what went through his mind when he was silent. He seemed to have only two emotions; peaceful, and furious.
When he was peaceful, as he was now, he was quiet. Thoughtful. He seldom spoke, and when he did it was a hushed whisper. But then other times, he would be so filled with rage that he seemed to stop thinking. To stop filtering in his mind what were good actions and what were bad actions. But he was never unfair. He never fought dirty. Not even if his opponent fought dirty, if he lost he would calmly shake their hand and accept defeat.
I knew he hated to lose, but he didn't show it. As his best friend, I was obliged to know things like that. And other things, such as when he was in second grade, instead of going to Reading, he sat outside and cried for his mom. I went out and sat by him and hugged him until he stopped. And at his tenth birthday when he started to cry after a kid told him his mom deserved to die. I broke the kids nose and got grounded for a month. We were inseparable.
But today, he wasn't angry at all. He was calm and quiet. He was peaceful, as was the world around us. The sun was hot, but its rays seemed not to affect us. We just layed there, watching the tall wheat bend and sway to the light music of the wind. His voice broke the tranquil hush, a voice full of wonder.
"Do you think the Gods are watching us right now?" Indi said, still staring at the sky.
"Yes." I answered without hesitation.
He rolled over on his side to face me. "Do you think they are
watching?" His eyes were clear, but I sensed the sadness in his voice.
"I don't know. Maybe." I answered softly.
"Then..." He hesitated, his eyes dropping to the dusty round beneath us. "Why did they let my mother get killed?"
I inhaled sharply, but let it out. I let my eyes close. "I-I think they weren't watching then."
I heard the rustle of grass as he sat up. I opened my eyes, watching him. "Indi?"
He turned to face me, and I saw a single tear trace a line through the dust on his fur. "Yes?" His voice quavered.
"Well, yeah. You don't have family, right?"
I grinned, then reached over and hugged him tightly. "Yeah. Yeah you do. And you always will."
I hugged my closest friend tighter, letting his head rest on my shoulder. And with kiddish resolve, I vowed to always stay with my friend. I leaned back, and looked at Indi right in the face. "You really are a good guy, Indi. Never forget that."