My battle.

They were beautiful. Daughters. Glistening locks of black hair playfully

caressing each movement of the wind. Their skin were of olive tan, smooth and
faultless. Their bodies move with perfection, the rhythm of the earth. Their
eyes were black. Deep. You could see into their souls. Their was no love to be
found here. Just lust. The yearning for companionship, the need to be held.
Touched. The need to be real. The need to be alive. It was all false. They
would brush his face, their touch was warm and gentle. Their lips touched his
skin. Tiny hairs of his body would rise, begging for more. Wanting. His mind
was stronger. He needed to be stronger. He closed his eyes. The daughters
continued. Massaging his bones, his aches soothed. This wasn’t a satisfaction
that would last. The momentary pain would die but another would be born in its
place. This is the way. His mind was strong. His skin became cold. His body
hardened. The wind blew a fierce gale. The tree that he rested under responded.
Its leaves would fall from the branches. The branches would fall from its body.
One hitting a daughter. The girls withdrew. Their faces in scowl. A hiss came
from their lips as they backed away from him. The gale gave birth to a storm of
dust. Circling the daughters. They continued to walk and soon they disappeared
into the soiled mist. The calm returned to the tree. The wind died. Leaves
rested on their branches. The sun was shining again. Rays of warmth broke
through the canopy of the tree and rested upon his face. Peace had returned, for
the moment.

An old man walked by the tree. Upon seeing him resting in the shade the Decrepit
stopped. It was a beautiful scene. The old man could not help but approach him.
“The day is so beautiful. This is a perfect spot to rest. I can see why a smart
young man as yourself would choose to rest here.” Said the Decrepit.
His eyes remained closed. Not moving from his state. His breath was calm. The
chest expanded as air seeped through his body. His lips gave way in the slightest
as the air expelled from his body. He continued with his breathing.
“It is fine to not talk to me boy. I am an old man. My bones are old, they creak
as I move. Your body is strong. That of a thousand elephants. Your mind must be
sharp too. Thoughts would enter like lightning. Ideas and fantasies would be so
creative. My mind is
ancient, only wisdom is left. But it takes a little while to get the right answer
out.” The old man chuckled.
His back grew tall. His shoulders forced back. His eyes remained closed.
“So young. You have such a full life ahead of you. Why would you spend your time
here under this old tree. Sitting on this dirt floor. In my town we have many
great things. Comfort beyond your dreams. Beds so comfortable you would sleep
forever. Would you like to come with me?” he tempted.
His eyes remained closed.
The wind grew stronger. Clouds engulfed the sun filled skies. The leaves rustled
and shook beyond its control. Flashes of lighting broke the blackened skies.
Thunder pounded the ear drums.
“I have been so calm and gentle to you boy.” The old man cried, “How can you
ignore an old man? Have you no respect?” The senile old eyes became as black as
the sky. The Decrepit's old cloak dropped to the ground and the old man was
towering over him. Arms raised to the heavens the old man swore. “You will not
survive this. Your life means nothing. It can easily be snapped like a weak
branch from a dead tree. You will be weak for I am stronger.”
His eyes remained closed.

In the distant shadow of the night there was a slither. A creature had been
watching. Its eyes glowed in the moonlight. It was careful to stay hidden till
it was time. It moved so quietly. Crawling over rocks and leaves. Taking
advantage of the placid evening it moved closer to him. The creature had made its
way behind the tree. Sliding itself around the trunk. It climbed. Making no
noise. Complete silence as it made its way to the first branch. Entangling its
body around the branch it was able to support itself. Slowly the creature lowered
its head towards him. Opening its mouths. Its fangs were ready. Soaked in
poison and dripping to the ground. Lower it moved. Soon it was close enough to
strike. Moving slowly back to ready an attack. The snake hissed. It lunged
itself towards him. Drops of poison flew against the wind. Then in a sudden
something had grabbed the snakes head. The grip was tight. All the snake could
do was wrap itself around the arm, the arm of the monkey. Unafraid the monkey
climb to the top of the tree. Curious with its new toy the monkey pulled the
snake. Hissing with hatred the snake was paralyzed. Crying out the monkey opened
its jaws. Monkey fangs are fierce. The snake was eaten. Head first. The
snake’s body was loose untangling itself from the monkey’s arm, it hung. The
monkey grew bored and dropped it. The monkey scattered away in the branches of
the night. He remained still. Breathing ever so calmly. His eyes remained
closed.

The new day did not bring a fresh peace into the morning sky. Clouds had
gathered. It was grey. Sunlight could not penetrate the thick army of clouds.
The grass turned to brown. Hundreds of snake had slithered through the foliage.
Soon followed by hoards of rats. Dirty grey rats. Diseased. Boars grunted
through. Their fangs long and sharp. Vile snot dripping from their steamy
nostrils. Wolves advanced. Growling with their furs standing on end. Eyes red
with blood. Able to smell their next meal. Huge savage dogs barked as they
approached him. Rivers of drool had frothed their mouths. He was surrounded by
these horrid creations. The noise was deafening as the animals barked and grunted
and hissed at him. Then it was silence. A path had been cleared by the beasts.
A gargantuan form rose from the distance. As it approached him he could smell a
foul stench. A stench of old air, wet fur and old meat. The figure was gigantic.
Its head covered in scars. Eyes black as evil. It skin was tough made of green
scales. Its teeth stained yellow from the blood that it drank.
“You!” It pointed to him, “You shall rise from you seat. It does not belong to
you. This world and you soul, it belongs to me!”
Lighting flashed and the sky thundered. There was a moment of silence. Then the
earth trembled. The creatures were uncertain. The giant unstable, trying to
regain its balance. The earth shook harder. A thunderous sound could be heard
approaching. Trees were seen toppling to the ground like blades of grass being
crushed under feet. Dust had filled the air. Thousands of elephants startled by
the thunder had stampeded. They left a path of destruction as they passed. The
lead elephant with its long ivories tilted its head as it charged the giant.
Unable to move from fear the giant was carved by the tusks. The other ghastly
animals were crushed as the mighty elephants raced through the army. Animals
squealed as bones broke and flesh ripped. As the dust begins to settle the sky
had given way to a stream of sunlight. Shining beautifully over the tree. The
creatures returned to the shadows of the forest. Birds began to sing. The wind
returned to caressing his face. He closed his eyes.

He woke in a sudden. His eyes filled with a new found joy. His body rejuvenated.
A glow was about him. The tree swayed as the wind flowed through its branches.
He rose to his feet and stepped. He walked. As he passed flowers blossomed and
blades of green grass stood tall. He was...awake.