Cast in a barren land ravaged by endless war, I struggled to gain footing.

A soldier sent forward with a cause held most revered, though things soon became futile.

To protect the sacred, I became all things reckless and primal.

But then the inevitable, the gruesome events flashed before me, as if watching from above.

I had been hit. The only thing left was to run. Struggle to save everything before it vanished.

My only objective was to preserve love as death's grip threatened to overcome me.

As a final attempt, I poured every last ounce of strength in order to hold it together.

Naught was left to chance, I had to act lest I lose it all.

And as I pulled the pin, I realized it lay beside me, and in my hand was grasped my heart, as both continued to tick away…