Ballad of Darkness and Light

[reticence]

They met on the battlefield covered in snow,
The Shining Bright Soldier and his court-sworn foe.
With banners held high and proud, no one would know,
Who first did sound the attack.

For over the sound of the bitter-cold wind,
A bone-deep roar sounded, and their hope it dimmed,
For Sura the dragon, acid-scarred, sturdy-limbed,
Behind him did take to the sky.

Their battle lines broken, the Soldier stepped forth,
And cleaved through the ranks giving all he was worth,
Biding his time so that up in the north,
His troupes might surmount their attack.

But it wasn't long after, the enemy found
That the dragon was but tricks and magic compound,
And the enemy forces gathered themselves 'round
And began to surmount their defense.

Magic hissed through the air like oil thrown in a flame,
Spells to vanish and hinder, bewilder and maim,
And over the war-sound there came the proclaim
That the dead rose again where they fell.

While the battle raged on meanwhile elsewhere at hand
The Shining Bright Soldier's men, far 'cross the land,
Took to the dark castle and just as they planned,
In one charge took the whole structure down.

Though their home had been taken the enemy fought,
At once both exhausted, their blood too ran hot
To see they were paid for what damage was wrought
'Twas vengeance not victory they craved.

The fighting grew fiercer, and with that as well
The coming of creatures one might say from hell.
Drawn forth to the turmoil and the sound of death's knell
Through their ranks the Old Shadow walked.

But through all the chaos, the Soldier stood strong,
For he fought for the Light to the tune of Hope's song.
And when it arrived that he saw through the throng
The Dark General, the enemy lead.

He saw that before her, a man was laid spread
With her bare hands she ravaged, staining all near blood-red
If he did not act the man soon would be dead
Thus the Soldier did draw forth his bow.

He hitched up an arrow and let it take flight
It sailed o'er the space between, across the night
Surprising its target, with a great burst of light
The arrow affected a change.

For when it connected, there followed a rush
Of light all throughout her, and seeking to crush
All signs of darkness, then followed the hush
Before the black then came back tenfold.

The battle inside her was a sight to behold
Darkness fighting to claim her and around her unfold
From the arrow that stuck her the light still shone bold
And thus the Dark General was had.

The Shining Bright Soldier stood strong as she fled
A beacon of hope and strength, firm in her stead
And though it was hours till things came to a head
No one doubted which side had won.

For whenever darkness should become a threat,
Swirling and swarming and you feel beset,
Then you would do wisely to never forget
The example that he set that day.
That the light from inside oneself wins over all
So long as you've hope in your heart.
So long as there's Light in your heart.