Snippet #2087150

Athos slowly rose his gaze at the sound of the clinking armor. Rolaf had gotten to his feet and began walking off, alone without a word to the rest of the group. None said a word to the solitary knight walking off. Perhaps uncertainty held their tongues in thrall, perhaps their own insecurities. Athos found himself drawn to speak up. Almost needing to call after the fabled knight of old. Athos pushed himself to his feet but didn't chase after him.

"Is this it?... Do we accept our defeat here and now?... Is this how it ends?"

He asked, honestly looking for answers. Some direction. It wasn't like Athos to look to others for help but recent events had shaken his confidence. His confidence may stand on unsteady ground but another emotion began to invade the space left by it. Anger, anger at the Gods. Both factions of them for what they've done. Anger at the Old Gods for forcing their curelty on Atherea. Anger at the New Gods for the arrogance in which they call the mortal men and women to fight their battles. His fists clenched as he spoke again.

"Do we lay down our lives and accept our fates are not ours to choose? Should we just commend our souls to Malakath's door for we are too weak to fight for them?... I say nay... Not anymore. Too long have we mortals suffered under the lash of the Gods, the Old and the New. Too long have we had to bear the weight of their lofty rule. Too long have we paid the price for their childish disputes. There must come a time where someone is going to have to take a stand. There must come a day where someone will have to say enough!"

Athos took a bold step forward, his heart beating with the rage of a man abused by forces beyond his comprehension. His blood burned with an anger of pure contempt for his so called heavanly masters.

"I say that day has come. I say that time is now."

His words were passionate and filled with raw emotion. His stirring speech reached out and touched the hearts and minds of all those in attendance. The spark ahd been lit and the time for mortal men and women to choose their fates for themselves had begun.