Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: End (02/13/06)
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TITLE: The Realm of Banishment | Previous Challenge Entry
By Benjamin Stephens
02/15/06 -
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The King once allowed me to test His best servant. I honestly thought the man would have sworn fealty to me, I certainly made it hard enough for him to honor a King who would allow me to interfere so completely in his life. I made sure those who would call him friend offered no hope. In fact, they denounced his claim to innocence and refuted his claim of injustice. Yet even in this he refused to break. I suppose this was simply preparing me for a later encounter with the King’s son.
You see, the son came to the realm of my banishment. I saw this both as a means of revenge and opportunity for conquest. I didn’t try to kill him at first, no, that would be too easy. If I could make him an ally, we could force the hostile takeover of his father’s kingdom. To his discredit, the son was extremely loyal. He endured many days in my own place of solitude. I made sure he had nothing to eat. Food and kingdoms were offered for allegiance, yet he would not yield.
My plans were altered when he refused to turn. He had to die! I made sure both government and religious leaders were in concert in their hatred for the King’s son. I played my hand well, and in the end the son was murdered. Why couldn’t he just stay dead? I didn’t recognize it at the time, but this was when my dilemma really began.
I consoled myself by encouraging others to join me in my quest for total domination. Yet, in the realm of banishment I discovered a growing number of those swearing loyalty to the very King I despised. I was being usurped by my chief adversary in my own domain. I gathered many who’d been with the King from the beginning. They became my loyal subjects and in our hatred we endlessly worked at destroying life. We were good at it. Our onslaught was relentless.
The King expanded his territory by exporting the ‘faithful’ and eventually placed all who would defy his edicts in prison. He had systematically striped me of everything I ever wanted. He denied me the ability to rule what was recognized as my domain.
During my incarceration I plotted revenge. He couldn’t keep me in here forever and when I was released I would recruit. I would confront the King in a winner-takes-all battle.
Today the battle commenced. The mass of the unfaithful can hardly wait. The shrieking I am used to, but this, well this provides unique clarity for me. So much time has passed and it comes to this? So be it!
So the King has determined to make an end of me. I will not go without a fight.
He stands with his followers across the valley from me. He knew I would gather my own militia and he did not stop me from gathering those forces, although I thought he would try. I was certain the legions with me would be enough. Hadn’t I been punished beyond what was reasonable?
The rage around me is palpable. I am deaf to all but the screaming which continues unabated.
We completely surround the city in a visual display of superior strength. If it were possible it seemed the sound from my troops only increased as the sense of domination engulfed us in utter blood-lust. My order would come soon enough.
Suddenly the sky changes color and the demons hush their unearthly keening. The blues of daylight have turned orange and red. The sky has opened up a rain of fire. I look across the valley and I see the King’s son. He sits soberly on a brilliant white horse.
I watch as masses of shrieking demons are consumed by the fire rain. All those who joined me are taken in the unearthly flames.
When the fire ceases I alone am left of my troops. It is not fair - it is over before it begins. I seethe at the conquering King who looks at me sadly and says, “Throw him into the lake of fire where you will be tormented day and night forever.”
I am led away and I know that in this moment my end has become eternal damnation.
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As always, after reading one of your entries, I've come away with something to think about. Well done.