by FF Fanatic 80 » Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:38 pm
"...Today marks the beginning of a new path for all of you, should you choose to follow it.
But I must warn you now, it is not a path for the weak-hearted.
All who follow the teachings of the Goddess, know that the gift of life is fragile, yet precious. It is a gift that must be protected at all costs. But the oath you will take today is far more difficult. Our brethen need only concern themselves with how best to protect Her gift.
We, however, must decide when to willingly end it.
You may be asking yourself, how is it possible? How can one hold all life as sacred, yet take an oath to end it? I wish that I could give you a clear answer to that question. But unfortunately, I cannot. For there are many answers, and you will need to find it for yourself. For some, perhaps you only feel such action is justified defending your own life. For others, you do so to protect another life in danger. For many, it is a desire to stop any who wish to end Her gift of life, without good cause.
You must search within yourself, and find your own answer.
If you are prepared to make that choice, and bear this burden, then step forward and take your oath. If not, do not think less of those who stay. For someday, the life they save may be your own.
When you are ready, raise your weapon before you, and repeat after me..."
Those words, which felt like a lifetime ago, play through Daniel's mind as he looks upon the fallen orc leader. He thinks of his own answer, one that took many years of soul-searching to find.
Any who would try to take another's life for no reason, or simply for their own gain, had to be stopped by any means. But no matter how terrible that person may be, the end of their life should be quick. They should not suffer needlessly.
He knew they were going to kill them all, there is no doubt in Daniel's mind about the orc's intentions.
...still, to see anyone suffer like this...
He walks over to his halberd, picking it up and looking down at the fallen orc leader.
"...I'm sorry it had to come to this."
Without wasting a moment, he raises the halberd overhead, then brings it down on the orc's neck. He then brings it back up to his side, as he says a small prayer to Ishtar.
"...Goddess, forgive us for what we have done..."
He then watches as Myrnal goes off to scout around, not entirely sure what to think. He knew her line of work often involved death, something that took him years to accept with his own sibling. He also knew it was necessary to save Neb, Paul, and himself.
But to see it like this... and watch the way it was carried out...
...there would be time to think this through later. Right now, he needs to worry about the others. He walks over to Neb and Paul, looking them both over for injuries.
"...are both of you alright?" Daniel asks.