Story - Of battles won and love lost : Part 1

Under the azure sky, a gentle breeze blew. Up here, one would think it is a relaxing scene. However, things were quite different on the ground.

Within the barren canyon, standing a distance apart, stood two figures, a male.and female. The male, standing with a relaxed pose, won't strike as an outstanding character at first glance. Wearing a simple black outfit, a utility belt with a back pouch, a short sword sheath hanging from either sides and all of that under a worn dark blue cloak which covers all of his being up to just before his leather boots.

He was a young man with an average built and height, messy black hair and gives off the air of a typical adventurer. Nothing remarkable about him, except his eyes. He had bright blue eyes that just seem to sparkle under the sun. They are what draw the gaze of anyone that would walk by him and a good thing too.

For he was a Thief. Not the typical pickpocket or burglar types, but one set on riches and treasures. While it may sound glamorous, it is dangerous as these treasures would either be protected by ancient traps, and there are some that are also under the care of their zealous owners that would spend fortunes find and then protecting their treasures.

Normally, a life filled with danger like that would tend to leave those that walk its path with a relatively short lifespan. But he was a Thief unlike any other. Named the "Blue Lightning" from his blue cloak and the suddenness of his attacks, he has yet to face defeat. For he was not only skilled in the arts of deception, but in the arts of fighting too. There was no man alive that could match with the speed of his movements and attacks, as most that could has already fallen by his blade.

But this time, his opponent was a woman. And no ordinary woman, but a general from the Empire. She was tall and slender with long golden hair that just seems to flow behind her. Clad in a red coat with intricate silver designs with a sheath hanging on her left, she was known as the "Crimson Beauty". But no man would dare approach her, due to her static and cold gaze scaring away any that would dare get close to her.

Not to mention, her skills with the sword was unparalleled by anyone within the Empire. It was said that she could launch twenty attacks in the blink of an eye. It was also said that due to her skill, no normal rapier was able to withstand the intensity of the attacks with all of them breaking in a manner of seconds. Her longsword, named "Minstrel", for the soft sounds it makes when swung, was gifted to her from the Emperor on her becoming of a general. Made with the strong and lightweight metal, Mithril, the hilt adorned with gold motifs, it was the only blade that could withstand her ferocity.

Right now, the two of them stared at each other. Watching the movements of each other, the atmosphere between them was overbearing. The silence broke only when the man spoke.

"So... You come here often?" the man asked with a smirk on his face.

"Enough with your nonsense, you know exactly why I'm here," she replied with a serious tone. "Any and all enemies to the Empire must be eliminated!"

The man sighed and spoke, "You know. You gotta learn to take a joke! All work and no play makes lil miss Alisa over there a dull girl!"

Unamused and annoyed, Alisa shouted back at him, "You! You have no right to speak my name so casually! If you will not come to me, then I shall come to you."

With that said, she drew out her sword, took her stance and dashed forward. "Traitor Kiel Nighthart, by the order of the Emperor, I have come to take your life!"

Watching her quickly closing the distance, he muttered under his breath, "You fool." Kiel drew out his twin short swords and dodged her initial strike, by jumping to the side. Alisa, at the end of her attack, immediately turned to face him and released a barrage of attacks. Kiel, who couldn't get his balance back quickly enough for another dodge, started blocking reverently with his blades.

The sound of metal clashing on metal rang through the air, sparks flew whenever the blades connected. Both Kiel and Alise were holding their ground, with the former on the defensive. Neither was willing to create an opening to allow the other room to breath.

Frustrated as his lack of attacks, Kiel decided to change to the offensive. While generally a risky move, Kiel was wielding two blades. This allows him to be on the offense and defence at the same time. He bidded his time in order to find the best chance to attack.

Alisa, thinking that she had Kiel suppressed,  forgotten one thing. He was a Thief. A Thief doesn't simply get to his level without fair amount of skill, cunning and luck. And just as luck would have it, she dropped her guard. Even if it was for a moment, a moment was all that Kiel needed.

Just as Alisa's sword came for a strike, Kiel jumped into the middle of the swing. Using his left blade, he swung and stopped Minstrel mid-swing. Alisa, caught unawares, was momentarily stunned at the suddenness of his actions. Taking the chance, Kiel took a step forward and swung his blade, aiming for Alisa's stomach. She recovered herself and quickly jumped away from the attack. Unfortunately, she was not quick enough to dodge the entire attack. She clutched at the wound on her left side which bled slightly.

"Tsk. No only she dodged that, she even twisted the body such that only her left side gets hurt." Kiel muttered under his breath. The clash, while lasted only a short while, felt like it has been a long time for either party. And yet, both sides have yet to break a sweat.

"Well, well! Look at how you've grown! You're much stronger since the last time we meet." Kiel praised Alisa with his signature smirk.

"This is all so that I can defeat you! I vowed that I will, and I have, surpass you." she exclaimed.

Kiel raised his eyebrows and mockingly asked her, "And yet, who's the one with the wound, hmm?"

Alisa blushed and furiously shouted, "It was but a lapse in my judgement! The next time you won't be so lucky." She then took her stance.

Kiel gazed at Alisa for a moment. "You're so cute when you get mad, you know?", he whispered to himself, while bringing his blades in front of him. "You're right. I wonder if I'll ever be lucky to see that side of you again."

With that, he decided to take the initiative to be on the offense this time. He quickly closed the distance between them and swung both of his blades for a downwards strike. Alisa quickly blocked both blades while standing her ground.

The sound of the blades clashing never rang so clearly within the canyon.

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Just a lil story I felt compelled to write, after I finish reading a manga. This is part 1 of a three chapter story that I hope I can finish writing. All critiques are welcomed~

Government spending

Had a discussion with my cousin about stuffs and it end up to government spending.

Well, if you think about it, paid healthcare might be a lousy idea at first, but it is a long term solution. Look at countries with free healthcare, they tend to end up in debt. Also, with less need to spend on healthcare, the govt can spend more money on other things like education, military and so on. (*cough* not to mention free MCs = lowered productivity *cough*)

Its also not like we are paying 100% of our medical fees, as SGreans, we are given a hefty subsidy. Why would you complain about a flat fee for consultations from GPs all the way to specialist, when foreigners have to pay more the as they go up the "ranks" of the doctors?

Then some people might talk about the poor. They too aren't left out from healthcare yo! Medishield, medifund and etc. If you look at it, the poor are actually well off in SG due to them getting close to or even free healthcare in SG!

Me and my cousin realised that the ones that are complaining a lot are the people those fall under the lower-mid income range. Because they just missed the criteria to get subsidies so they end up being treated like any normal citizens. If you were to look at it, due to subsidies, the poor tend to be much more well off as compared to those in the lower-mid range.

We see that there is two ways this could go, the govt leave the low income to feel like they got "screwed by the govt" or the govt have to fork out money to make them happy. I, for one, agree with the "screwing of the low income."

Okay look, before you bash me for being either a rich bastard or coz I'm a kid so I have yet to taste how the govt is screwing with us, all that is actually personal opinion. You actually really do have enough to make ends meet. Sure prices are rising, the problem is that you can't indulge in extravagant stuffs, which is probably the reason why people complain so much. That or probably the low income prevents them from having savings.

Okay so if we look at the govt forking out money to help the low income, it will start a vicious cycle. Okay let's see here.

If govt. totally supports the low income > mid-low income will complain that they just barely passed the cut off point > (assuming) govt changes the cut off point to include mid-low income > mid income will complain that they barely passed the cut off point > govt changes cut off to include mid income > and the cycle continues until everyone gets covered under the govt.

Then SG goes into debt and when the govt can't support the citizens anymore, it will revert back to this current system. So nothing is achieved but a big debt.

So assuming the govt does consider doing that, they would have to reduce spending on things like education/military to pump more into healthcare. Bad move, especially in SG.

SG's only resources is us, the people. If we can't become educated or trained enough to contribute, we will have to end up depending on Foreign Talents (oh I know you guys hate that word). Meaning a more saturated SG simply because the SGreans aren't smart/trained enough to help in SG's growth.

Draining military spending is another bad move. Remember that SG is a very small country. We NEED to spend much on military or else we can't defend ourselves well enough. People might question the use of NS to prepare against an enemy that doesn't (yet) exist. But let's take a look at Japan, as the aggressor (WWII) and defended (current).

Back then, we depended on the British to protect us. But, the Japanese invaded us ON. FREAKING. BIKES. Why? Because the "big guns all pointing wrong". Not mention, if you were to look under morale, what's the point in defending a country that is "geographically" not yours?

Looking at Japan currently, while it does have a Defense Force, it is generally under the protection of the US. What happens when US withdraws their protection, because North Korea is trying to be an ass by throwing nukes at Amurika? The US troops in Japan will be used to defend the US, either retreating back to US or launching a pre-emp. strike on North Korea. This will leave Japan defenseless. You want this to happen to SG? Because we can't defend ourselves properly, we have to depend on other countries' goodwill to either protect or not attack us. Nope, if history teaches us anything, never, EVER, depend on others.

So you can see that SG actually has a well-thought out system. But at the slight cost of the citizens somewhat. "Sacrifice for the greater good" so to speak. Individually, you might feel that the govt sucks and what not, but hey! There are also others in the same predicament as you. If the govt, singles you out, sure! Go ahead and complain! But when a whole lot of people are also faced with the same thing AND some of them can still be happy with what they have, why the hell are you complaining?

Be thankful that it is a "blunt,dispersed" sacrifice instead of a "sharp,focused" one. There is nothing "unfair" when there are many others in the same situation, if anything, its about as fair as it gets.

TL;DR : Yeap. Singapore actually has a very fair, balanced system that seems bad, probably because the citizens don't look around to see the impact of systems in other countries and also due to our own nearsightedness. So let's up and look at the whole picture instead of sticking with your shoes on the ground!

My most recent wish

I've been wanting to share the world with someone, a feeling deep inside.

Like, wanting to show her, all that is beautiful in this society of ours.

That within this world where time is racing past, to let her slow down

and view this world in a different point of view.

To show her, in this man made jungle, the natural beauty hidden within.

Making her realize that despite how broken this world is,

there will always be hope so pure and untainted.

Letting her becoming aware of herself.

Allowing her to discover a new side of herself.

But alas, a wish I have to hold dear 

While destiny slowly brings us closer.

Waiting, praying.

Loneliness

Loneliness. Each and every single one of us has or are facing it right now. I myself will admit that I also suffer from a bad case of loneliness every night. Either my night depression is acting up or I'm just that alone.

But, I believe that there are different types of loneliness. Many people feel lonely about different reasons. So I thought, maybe there's like different "categories" for loneliness that afflicts each of us.

I'm sure you all have heard about the many different components that make up us humans right? I'm sure you have heard of many theories. What I'm looking at, however, is not the physical component that makes us human. Not organs, not blood. But what I look at is actually the more "spiritual" side of things. 

What are they? A few things, namely : The body, mind, heart and soul.

Loneliness. One word, so many pain that it brings along. The loneliness of the body, mind, heart and soul.

Each is just as painful as the others.

What I write is based on my own understanding and should not be taken as the truth.

You have been warned!

The loneliness of the body

The aspect of the body represents the presence, features of oneself.

This loneliness arises when you crave the physical contact with someone, or something.

It is because, you were used to having that someone or something being by your side, physically, that you depend on it.

Like how a child cries when you take away his favorite teddy bear, the pain that comes from this loneliness is that the physical distance becomes far too great for one to bear.

(Pun is not intended, but enjoyed nonetheless.) 

The loneliness of the mind

The aspect of the mind represents your knowledge, thoughts, experience, expression. 

The distance that is present due to the difference in the thoughts of yours compared to others.

When you can't seem to reach others via your thoughts/arguments and when others isolate you for thinking differently. 

When you eventually become unable to express yourself, this loneliness arises.

You end up fight for what you think by yourself. Never finding even a single ally. That loneliness.

The loneliness of the heart

The aspect of the heart represents your bonds, motivations, emotions.

The feeling of being unable to connect your heart with those around you.

Despite calling them friends, how many of them you can say that you know well?

How many of them would know you just as well?

Because there is a lack of people that you feel "safe" to talk with about your problems,

Won't you feel alone?

No one to help you but yourself. No one to pick you up but yourself.

A lonely existence.

The loneliness of the soul

The aspect of the soul represents you, truth, the final destination.

Have you ever went on a search for something, spending time, spending resources and yet, never finding it?

To search for the answer of your being. To search for one's soul mate. 

A never-ending quest. One that no one will ever know if it will ever be complete.

That feeling when you who have waited, have searched and that no answer is ever in your grasp.

Being unable to comprehend the world around you.

The fear that if you moved from where you are, you will lose any chances you might have.

Being trapped in a perpetual box of questions, fear, searching, retreating.

This loneliness, would be one of the more painful ones with little to no solutions.

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So let us take the chance to sit down, and think about ourselves. 

All of us are lonely, question is, what type of loneliness?

Which of this four aspects that is missing in my life?

How can I obtain this aspect?

What can I do with this knowledge?

Well, that's for you to decide.

Last love song

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Is this our last farewell?
Is this our last greeting?
Seeing your sad smile,
What can I do but face the truth?

Then let's go my love.
Instead of leaving this in sadness,
Let us dance it away.
Let's leave with our happiness.

Shall we recall
All the times that, in silence
We held hands together.
The lingering warmth of your hand
It's much if I asked for it
One more time?

I remembered when we first met
On that cold autumn morning.
My gaze couldn't leave you.
You who stood across from me.

The smile you gave
When you caught my gaze,
Melted away the frosted mask
That covered my face?

Because of you,
I found a reason.
A reason to mold my future.
A reason to always smile.
A reason to love.

Hey,
Would this be our last dance?
Under the starry sky we waltzed,
By the seaside we gazed
Upon the black horizon.

Would this the last chance
That I will feel your reassuring presence?

You said our love was like a candle,
Slowly melting away
As time passes.

Then, before it dies,
Would you grant me one final wish?
Remember when you used to sing love
From beneath the cherry blossom?
One more time,
Let me hear you sing.

Let me feel happiness.
Let me feel sadness.
Let me feel the bitterness.
Let me feel the sweetness.

One more time,
Write for me a song.
So that when we part,
The final memories I have of us,
Will be that of our last love song.
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So I found a new song from one of my favorite artist, KOKIA. The title of the song, Last Love Song. So just by the title, I decided to write something. Initially tried to make something of a bittersweet feel, but it looks like it ended up being, well, sweet.

This piece was done in a "rush". I was also testing myself as to how well would my works become if I set a time limit to complete it the moment I had the inspiration. For this piece, it was just one day. Supposedly, I seem to do better when I take the time to finish something instead of rushing it as this pieces was rather...vague, to say the least.

And here is the video of the song, just for your listening~

Hope you enjoyed this song, which to me, had that nice tinge of gentleness to it. And as always, critique is much appreciated~

Prayer : Lumière de l'espoir (Hymmnos)

Somewhat off the grid so... I finally made a (sorta) full version of the Prayer in the language of Hymmnos. What's Hymmnos you ask? It is a frictional language used in the Ar Tonelico game series. Hymmnos was designed in order to strongly convey the feelings of the speaker/singer.

 You can see examples of how the Standard Hymmnos letters look like from the banner of my blog.

For more in-depth info, visit: http://conlang.wikia.com/wiki/Hymmnos

Well... Here it is!
 _____________________________________________

Within the light of hope, I shall pray, Gently, As your heart awakens. Was touwaka erra sarla mea. Was touwaka erra ieeya. Fou ki ra presia reen ieeya mea. Was touwaka ra enne messe yor. Sos her ar dor oz manaf accrroad etealune. Was quel ga presia pak hyma spiritum. Was quel ga presia pak walasye revm. Was zweie erra wearequewie pitod ween shen. Was ki erra mea enne ryusse ciel. Was quel ga presia pak manaf hynne. Was quel ga presia pak walasye meo. Rrha zweie erra wearequewie pitod. Wee ki erra mea enne ryusse ciel en yorra, en dor. Accrroad etealune her dor ar dor pitod manaf. Was quel erra accrroad yos warce sos her ar dor oz manaf. As you slowly awaken, Gently I will pray, With this song, Within the light of hope.

Within the light of hope, I shall pray, Gently, As your heart awakens. I hope my song will last forever. I hope this wish will last forever. Please listen to my prayer. I wish that it will reach you. For this land filled with life, Grant onto it an eternity. One more time, Please listen, To the requiem of the souls, To the dreams of the people. In this light, I wish that we all may be together. So just this once, Let my prayers resound everywhere. One more time, Please listen, To the voices of life, To the visions of the people. I wish that we all may be together. Let my prayers resonate everywhere For the people, For the land. Grant upon it an eternity, This land filled with life. Grant upon it your blessings, This land bathed within the light. As you slowly awaken, Gently I will pray, With this song, Within the light of hope.

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Prayer : Lumière de l'espoir

So I tried to try to write a "prayer" for any future uses I might or might not have. So... Here goes!

________________________
Was touwaka erra sarla mea
Was touwaka erra ieeya
I hope my song will last forever.
I hope this wish will last forever.

Within the light of hope,
I shall pray,
Gently,
As your heart awakens.

Please listen to my prayer.
I wish that it will reach you.
For this land filled with life,
Grant onto it an eternity.

One more time,
Please listen,
To the requiem of the souls,
To the dreams of the people.

In this light,
I wish that we all may be together.
So just this once,
Let my prayers resound everywhere.

One more time,
Please listen,
To the voices of life,
To the visions of the people.

I wish that we all may be together.
Let my prayers resonate everywhere
For the people,
For the land.

Grant upon it an eternity,
This land filled with life.
Grant upon it your blessings,
This land bathed within the light.

As you slowly awaken,
Gently I will pray,
With this song,
Within the light of hope.
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The initial two lines were written in a language called Hymmnos. Depending on how I'll use it, might or might not take it out. The English translations are (just for those who can't tell) the two lines below it.

Haven't really settled down about the context behind this one. Not yet at least. Though any ideas would be appreciated. The current idea is that this prayer is used to awaken a sleeping entity, like a god or some benevolent creature, in order to bring peace and hope to the land, probably in turmoil with the forces of darkness or summat. Oh well, let's see what the future has in store for me.