Passing the Torch
Fighting runs in my veins people tell me.
Left swing.
Block.
Feint.
Lunge.
Is it really a bad thing that I want surpass my father so badly? Is it a crime to want to leave the shadow of someone you despise? Can't anyone understand that I hate being trapped in the darkness, unable to see the sun because he is in the way?
Swipe.
Backstep.
Stab.
Why do people worry so much? Is sitting under the shade of an old oak tree reading novels and stories unhealthy for you or something? Its not like I can tolerate the other children in town anyways. Immature brats the lot of them; getting boyfriends and girlfriends at their age? Don't they realise how important they are to Kanto and its future?
Charge.
Parry.
Kick.
We are the next generation. Our parents have protected this corrupt world for decades and soon it will be our turn. And yet the others just waste their time trying to convince themselves that they are "normal". They ignore the darkness that is waiting for us as if it will resolve itself. How can they be so ignorant? How can their parent's allow them to get away with it all? They know the dangers but take no measures to prepare them.
Retreat.
Duck.
Sweep.
If they don't prepare them now, then when the time comes they will fail and they will die. I will NOT let that happen. Even if it means that I have to do all the preparations for everyone.
Keep Retreating.
Defend.
Defend.
Even if they all come to hate me in my isolation, that won't matter. They don't have to see me as a friend, I will protect them anyways. That is what you would do, right Dad?
Keep Defending.
Keep Retreating.
Breathe.
Breathe!
Maybe being in the shadows isn't a bad thing. Perhaps the greatest good isn't done in the light visible to all.
Defeat.
My father stands above me; wooden sword held limply by his side, his other hand outstretched offering me a hand. His loving smile makes me think that maybe I am the real ignorant one.
"You are getting better." He tells me, giving me a pat on the head. Patronising me. "Let me ask you something; why do you want to wield a sword?"
"…" 'Because you can.' I think bitterly.
He smiles at my silence as if he knows my answer. "Then answer this, what's more important; a sword that protects or a sword that destroys?"
"Protects is clearly the answer you are looking for."
"Then why aren't you protecting your friendship with the others?"
I shot him a glare. "I don't care about friendships. Especially with those ignorant morons."
He shook his head. "If you feel nothing for something then it isn't worth protecting."
I wanted to argue, to protest in some way, any way. But I couldn't.
I lowered my head. He was right.
"When your friend is crying, cry with them. When your friend is worried, you should worry with when your friend has an awkward bowel movement, then you must have an awkward bowel movement too. If you are a friend, you should be able to share the other's pain, no matter what."
I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. How could he possibly say that seriously?
He just laughed. "The key to living a fun life is to never forget what it's like to have a child's heart."
"Yes, but you never even grew up." I deadpanned.
He smiled once more. "It may be tough now, but the worst is surely yet to come. Keep that in mind, and you'll be fine. Vallorie."
And then he left me standing there, feeling a lot worse then I had to begin with.
…
People wonder why I hate my father. I guess the main reason is, out of all the children in town… He is the worst.
But I guess its also the reason why I want to protect him the most.
END