Quick Author's Note: This story (or series of stories rather) came to me after a test in Latin. I would like constructive criticism only please. And yes, I did mean for it to be all in one paragraph. It's meant to be sort of stream of conciousness. If you see something that is wrong or awkward please tell me, so I can fix it. Hope you enjoy!

And so it begins. Who knows who shot the first arrow? It does not matter. It only takes one arrow to start a battle. Now I begin to fight, destroying one evil being at a time. Orc after Orc falls, but more take their place. My people too, fall. Even the elves, their fair faces contorted with pain, stumble. But still I fight on. Voices reverberate in my head. What am I fighting for? Why am I here? I fight for the pain that has been inflicted on my people, I reply. I fight for the murdered children, the destroyed lives. And then, suddenly, it is not us and them. It is me, alone. Fighting not for a better life or to protect the innocent, just fighting to stay alive. A wildness throbs in my veins, turning me into a monster, terrible to behold. But my strength and will begin to falter. There is no hope under this black sky. My lord and captain suddenly appears beside me, fighting hard. He does not notice the Orc that approaches him from behind. I turn, and with one stroke save him. He is alive for one more second, one more step. He favors me with a brief smile and turns back to the Orc that threatens him. It is in that smile, the flash of thanks, that my strength is renewed. Again, my perspective shifts. I am united with the others around me. Then, I am above the field, watching the battle from afar. Like some impartial judge I note the losses, both ours and theirs. Sensing the Orc behind me, I swing – too late. I feel the sword pierce deep, feel it searching for the light inside me. My strength is slowly ebbing. I fall to my knees, since I no longer have the strength to stand. Pictures flash before my dimming eyes. A mother hugging her son. A tree standing, branches spread wide. The sun dawning. A child laughing. Only here, at the end do I understand. Only now do I see that my dying has saved another's life. Only now, only now.