Hope's Despair

400 years ago... The Dythorik General stood on the battleground and surveyed the c*****e in front of him. Tens of thousands of lives lay in heaps on the field, their spilled blood turning the grass a dark shade of brown. Magical creatures and non-magical alike had been killed. Some species may have even gone extinct in the fight. Only time would tell. The land of Praelia would never be the same. "This was not the victory we envisioned," he whispered as he stood next to his second in command, Reliath. "History will be kind to us," Reliath replied to the general, Mattias. "Because we will write it," Mattias replied with a smirk as he turned to glance at Reliath. "Aye," Reliath agreed with a curt nod of his head. Mattias looked to his left and surveyed the great plain, stained with the blood of the creatures of the lower world. "It will take decades to restore the land," Reliath said softly, surveying the damage next to Mattias. "What hours destroyed, centuries will rebuild. Such is the way of war," Mattias said, his voice getting stronger. "We will build the world that we want. A world where we decide how the future unfolds." He looked over at the remaining troops and spoke solemnly, shouting over the chatter of the men as they stood surveying the wreckage. "THE STRONG HAVE PREVAILED," Mattias shouted over the plain. The men turned to look at him, their eyes clouded with despair. Mattias was their leader, they looked to him for direction. "WE WILL REBUILD!" He paused to turn to look at the men, seeing a spark come to life among those left standing. "WE WILL RECREATE WHAT WE HAVE LOST, AND WE WILL RESTORE THE LAND TO ITS FORMER GLORY," he continued, his voice gaining strength as he shouted along the field. His eyes surveyed his troops, bloody and broken from battle. They would be rewarded for their valor where others had died. "WE HAVE DEFEATED THE ENEMY! THE EVIL THAT PLAGUED OUR WORLD!" He could see the fury in the eyes of those left, fury at those that had destroyed so much. "YOUR BRAVERY WILL BE REMEMBERED! YOU HAVE SHOWN DETERMINATION AND STRENGTH IN THE FACE OF GREAT TYRANNY!" His voice gained strength as the troops murmured in agreement. "YOU SHALL RULE THOSE WHO RAN FROM THE WICKED! HISTORY WILL REMEMBER YOU!" His voice carried over the plain as shouts erupted from the men on the field. "THE STRONG! THE BRAVE! THE VICTORIOUS!" His head moved from left to right, looking each man he could see in the eye. "YOU ARE OUR FUTURE! YOU ARE OUR PRIDE!" Next to him, Reliath let out a shout of agreement. He knew his place, he knew what had to be done. "YOU WILL RULE THOSE WHO RAN, YOU WILL RULE THOSE TO COME!" Mattias shouted as the men roared with approval. He had done his duty; he had fulfilled his purpose. Satisfaction filled his chest as he listened to the roar of approval from his warriors.