(A SPIN-OFF OF DEFEATED AGAIN)

I stood up despite my aching heart.

I looked down at my sword and smiled bitterly.

I lost again.

I took a step.

Then I started walking.

I kept walking.

Oh, I didn’t even have a destination.

Let me just keep going.

I really wanted to run away from everything, but I was too tired to run. So, instead, I decided to walk away from everything.

I kept sobbing as I walked through the bushy path.

Then I heard someone whisper my name, but I was too tired to even turn back.

I just continued walking.

Then I felt a tap on my shoulder.

I looked back drowsily.

“What do you want?” I managed to whisper.

“Where are you going?”

“I don’t know.”

“Anywhere but here.”

“Why?”

The voice was softer this time.

“I don’t know. I’m just really tired of everything.”

“Tired of what?”

I swallowed.

“Tired of all the work that doesn’t pay.

 Tired of all the reaping that refuses to bear fruit. 

Tired of trying and trying only to end up in the same place.”

I looked down at my sword.

“This isn’t the life I want.”

“And you think running away would be the best solution?”

I said nothing.

“You think you would truly be happy if you ran?”

“maybe I whispered.

The voice suddenly screamed.

“No

 You’ll be haunted by the regret of not putting up a fight.”

I sighed.

“You need to wake up.

 Fight for what you want. Fight for it. Prove to yourself that you can do it.”

I said nothing.

“Stop being negative for once.

 Stop drowning yourself in regret.

 Make something out of nothing.”

My eyes filled with tears.

“And one day, you’ll realize you were never a failure.”

I sobbed.

Then I screamed.

“I can’t do this anymore!”

“Yes, you can.”

“I’m tired!”

“I know.”

“I’ve tried!”

“I know.”

“I keep losing!”

“And you’re still here.”

I fell to my knees.

The voice softened.

“Have a little faith in yourself. You’ve come too far to give up now.”

I looked at the sky.

Maybe he was right.

Maybe I should give it one more shot.

Maybe failing the first time was never the real failure.

Maybe the real failure was choosing to give up.

So I picked up my sword.

And this time,

I turned around

 Ready to face my fears.