Ryouji Ototgi

~~~

I live my life vicariously

Variously through another

Hopes and dreams torn asunder, but

I'm ignorant for now

There's greatness just beyond me, yet

Can I be bothered?

Or do I just lack the know-how

~~

He sits there in my dream castle, but

I'm no mere dreamer

Sipping wine

He's my kind of leader

What kind of king has no crown, no throne

He's got it all and it all will be mine

Will he share it

Do I dare it

Would he throw me a bone

~~

I'd tell him and his dark chocolate voice

But that makes it seem as if I have a choice and

I don't

He's the better man in this Duel of wills

He's played all the games

I lack the skills

The number of kills to my name

It's sad, because I think he takes it for granted

To him, those victories

Sound all the same

~~

I don't really mind living through him

Though I never knew him

What's the difference, in the end

Lend me a life and I'll make you a deal

He could refuse it

Re-use it

Our signatures on a dotted line sealed

~~

That horse and his wings

His victories I'll sing

They'll never be truly mine

But I can fake

My takings

Pretend that I'm one of his kind

I know I'm just fooling

Make belief Dueling

But it's better than this life confined

~~

In front of a screen

I scream

Proposals and holographs

An epitaph for his tombstone

The king is dead and I should go to bed, yet

I must witness his death

Watch his last breath as

An ursurper takes over his rule

I'm alone

As I watch his final Duel

~~

The Pegasus wilts away

Too tired to face the day

And I sit here in my room so still

Baiting, waiting for just one last fight

From my idol wasted

Having tasted that power

Turned so suddenly sour

I'm resolved to finish his burial rite

~~

And with one backwards glance

On my way to a picture book castle

Spending my chance for one last vengeful battle

There are no more heroes left

The last one faded from my soul

Having heard his death rattle

Drained bereft

Avenging his defeat becomes

My own irreversible goal...

~~~