Marcus Zahner VIII: In search of the One

The last battle for the supremacy of the earth had been waged. The armies of Gordinola were led on the plains of Samaigo, by the erstwhile lieutenant and now my commander – Raiden. He was leading the armies ably and we had made some strategic incisions into Zelokos’ army. We rammed our arrows into the souls of every Penhaskian on the battleground. It was nothing less than a treat – watching Commander Raiden – as he maneuvered the troops. He was simply awe inspiring. Egged on by Raiden, we marched unscathed – tearing through the vast collage of brave soldiers – tearing them down with the swipe of our swords. The stakes were simply too high to afford to let ourselves loose at this juncture. Victory was near and every Gordinolan smelt its sweet essence.

The rummage continued for days and at the end of it, we had butchered every Penhaskian – who stood between us and our claim to the supremacy of the Earth. Our soldiers went around searching for Penhaskians alive on the battleground and killed them with a vociferous stroke from their spears. It was an ugly carnage. But that’s what we had come to do.

Filled with fervor, I went ahead looking for some ‘to-be-martyrs’. As I was walking, I heard a groan - a groan with fear – a groan that spoke with it – a stream of unfulfilled promises. I moved the rock aside. An elderly soldier looked on to me and begged for mercy. I looked into his eyes. They spoke a thousand words. I looked around the battle ground and saw my fellow brothers continuing the pillage. I lifted my spear and pierced it into his heart - and walked proudly towards my victorious Gordinolans.

The victory huddle was raucous – as a ruffian contingent of soldiers – embraced each other – celebrating a victory that had been evading us for years now. And we all hoped that this would be the last battle for supremacy. Strange, that we had to fight for peace. But knowing our history – we knew that the Penhaskians would strike back with vengeance. But that was for future generations to ponder over. This was our moment – and we live true to the wishes of the mighty Emperor - who would now rule over this Earth. May peace be upon him!!


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It had been about six months since we had won the battle against the Penhaskians. And since that day, every moment I had slept, the images of the old man and his pleas bombarded me with a thousand questions. I had killed countless men before, but never had anything bothered me. But the last stroke from my spear had thrown me into this black hole of never-ending questions and worries. Had the battle made me so cold that I could no longer see the feelings of a hapless human? And all that he had asked for was to pardon his life, so that he could have gone back to his family. And live his life happily as a slave. Life was going to be tough, but at least I could have given him one. But that monster inside me - chose not to.

Throughout my childhood and adolescence, I had heard about a heavenly place at the end of the mountain ranges. The people of Gordinola believed that - in Miroga - lived great souls who cure your heart and lead you to bliss. But legend has it that, none of the folks who had undertaken the arduous journey made it back to the city. They believed that they had either perished or found eternal bliss! Only the lord of heavens could answer that.

Towing those unfortunate brethren, I decided to make my walk towards the mirage city of Miroga – searching for my heart. And then I sunk into a vast pool of nothingness surrounding me. Right from that unfortunate day of victory, I had tried filling up my mind with knowledge from all across the world. But it did not help me in breaking the walls that I had built for myself - a wall with windows, but not with doors. Lest anyone come inside that, to enter into that sheepish little life of mine - inside which I gleefully bask in pseudo intellectualism and little-found success.


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I finally reached the place. The place had some divine persona to it. The trees towered high towards the skies. And I felt inconsequential within this sea of infinity. I saw a cave and entered it. No one ever told a brother, the way to Miroga or towards the great souls. I just walked unknowing of what I was doing – just as the countless people before me. Ambling through a labyrinth of caves, I finally reached the holy sanctum.

The last few days had been a complete mystery. I was lead by some unknown force to a place – I had heard about from countless people and their countless stories. But today, I found myself surrounded by a strange sense of calm – an ironical culmination of my countless butchered days as a warrior. Suddenly, in a flash, I saw a figure covered all over by bright shining light. I was dumb struck.

Was this heaven, I thought for a second. “Lead me towards my bliss”, I begged. The One took a spear in his hand and rammed it right into my heart. At last, I had found my peace. I had found my heart. I had perished. And I had attained eternal bliss.