When people say 'Life comes at you fast,' I have the urge to laugh in their faces. I can only wonder how fast does it really go? I've never known the quick glances that the others feel, or the fine feeling of missing a day due to it flying by. Oh no. I've never felt that. I've been stuck in a slow motion, going through all my old haunts for years. Seeing so many faces, so many things. Gods and the like, things that have been long gone. My own teacher...dying before my eyes, and a young woman whose eyes were so lovely...I knew she could never be mine. She seemed so happy with him, having two children. I can only wonder what it would be like if it were myself instead? Wondering never did much for me, so I tried to evade the idea, and look beyond that. I only ended up thinking about it again and again, about the priestess of the small temple.
I remember when I took up the black armor, the metal glowed like fine silk, dyed black like the skies at night. Wearing the helm, I could hear myself think, breathe, and I knew what I was doing. I've seen things only I could have through that helm. The pain of a young man I would face so many times. Castle walls caving in on me, a young silver haired maiden that would change the world, the anger of her beau in her defense, he cared deeply. The Dawn Brigade itself. The fall of the Begnion reign on Daein, a war of beasts and the determination of the one who looks like the one I cared for...
Kings who took up their duties, I've seen. Boys grown to men, and the seasons changed. Winter to Spring, Spring to Summer and the like. They may have changed, save a few who are like me, but I will always be like this. Perpetually young, and stopped in time.
Recent events brought me back to the Tower of Guidance, where I challenged my Teacher's Son again, his expression set to rage. He wondered why he hadn't thought of it before, and how he didn't know it was me. Oh the things a helm of black can hide. He looked like Gawain, fighting in the same manner as he. It was like seeing his father fight if he hadn't cut out the ligaments needed to wield a magnificent sword like that. It brought me back, smiling when I attacked, commenting on the few missed hits that he threw at me. Set into a fierce and perpetual scowl unlike the first time, he was doing well. I knew he'd be something great, hearing about him all over when the first war was over.
'All hail the Greil Mercenaries!' I watched as he walked out onto the balcony with the Queen of Crimea, the two joined hand in hand as if they were bound together. She was so nervous, but smiled through it all. I can only think of what the Silver Haired Maiden's coronation will be like. She and the child, no, man she is with will be thoroughly remembered.
Going back through my memories, I can smile, knowing that my life is fulfilled. All that I've done, all that I haven't, it's nothing to me as I breathe my last breaths, looking at a formidable foe, and the son of my teacher...I will never forget, even after death...that comes...so...peacefully...
I really felt like writing for Zelgius. I love the character, so mysterious and in need of love. Criticism is open, so just tell me what I did or didn't do in the reviews.
-Nirr