{[All love is paid in full, with tears.]} The morning came, and Ashner found himself walking down into the kitchen, the aroma of eggs and bacon heavy in the air. What he found shook and confused him. “Good morning, Master.” Wearing nothing but an apron in the kitchen stood one of Ashner’s slaves. “Would you like breakfast, a bath… Or …

{[Don’t drown in your sorrows. Face them head on, don’t stop even if your body bleeds, your bones snap, and your mind breaks. Then and only then can you admit defeat.]} “Why are you here?” A drop of sweat ran down Ashner’s face. Melissa’s hair was a mess, her face had some dirt, and her eyes were lost. Like they …

{[Leaders carry the wounds of every mistake they make, every life they lose becomes a scar that cuts deep into their soul…]} “So, how was it?” Gio and Wong asked Alex the obvious question. Ashner drove the mini-van towards their destination. They had used their money to buy a van to transport the gold. He didn’t have any markings on …

{[The word ‘meek’ comes from the old Norse word mjukr, meaning ‘gentle, controlled strength.’ The meek will inherit the world. It is not through weakness or raw violence, but through the means to fight for what’s right and protect those who can’t protect themselves.]} Risa held Ashner tightly, somehow melting the ice inside his mind and heart. Sparks of warmth …

{[Trust can only be earned.]} Three weapon barrels aimed deep into the cave. Wong moved in first, aiming left and scanning right. Ashner did the same, except he aimed right and scanned left. Gio aimed straight ahead. In a second, the three had secured the cave. “It’s clear.” Ashner motioned for the others to join them. The female elves walked …

{[Sometimes all it takes is one moment to define who we’re going to become.]} Two shells bounced on the ground as two souls found freedom from their flesh. XP:450 The busty elf’s eyes studied Ashner’s resolve… Her heart raced, and her lips parted, making a smile. “You asshole!” One of the humans reached for a battle-ax. Two lifted their palms, …

{[The meek will never rule the world. Only strong men who tame their strength will.]} “A key that leads to another world.” Wong’s finger came up to his lip. “Can I see this key?” Ashner reached for his neck and removed the key. He had attached it next to his dog tags. “You’re still wearing those?” “Yes,” Ashner’s eyes came …

{[Asking for help doesn’t make you weak. Facing the world alone crumbles everyone.]} Nothing on television, or movies, or video games come close to the horrors of war. From evaluating every shadow as a threat. To the odor of rotting and burned flesh, and the gore that comes from witnessing how frail a human body truly is. War is savage, …

{[What you may not know, those that stay trapped inside a jail cell eventually learn to forgive themselves for their actions. Those who have nothing to forgive. They sit with a flame in their hearts, allowing anger to consume them.]} Ashner wasn’t the only victim in all this. The girl was. She had been so drugged up her perception on …

{[Your desires and shames shape your soul.]} The city was smaller than Ashner presumed. Their homes were made of mud bricks, asphalt roofs and fireplaces were commonplace. Ashner tuned in to the splashing of water running under his feet. They have a sewer system. Furthermore, the horned horses pulled carriages. The city did have roads made of broken stones and …