Post by The Blue Collared Philosopher on Sept 14, 2010 17:02:49 GMT -5
(This is just a story i wrote for fun. Thought you guys might enjoy it.)
Tyler lay in bed, wide awake. Thoughts plagued his mind. Everything was quiet except for the constant humming of the ceiling fan. Julia, his wife, lay beside him sound asleep. On the surface, it was a normal night. Underneath it all, in the depths of the heart, conflict raged.
It was Sunday night. Tyler had gone to the morning service as he usually did. Nothing was abnormal, got coffee, dropped the kids off in their rooms, and then went with Julia to the service. He didn't go because he enjoyed it or gained anything, he did it for Julia. She was big into this church stuff, so he went along with it. This service however, caught him off guard. The pastor spoke about the end times. When Jesus would return to conquer and judge earth and rule as King. It wasn't anything new, but something twitched in Tyler's heart.
He was a good guy. Had a nice job, took care of his family, spent time with his wife and kids, went to church, didn't cuss, smoke, drink, or anything like that. Occasionally, he even tried to help out those poor people he saw around him. Yet, something the pastor said held his attention. 'We may be good people, but that doesn't save our souls. Who are you living for? And where does that leave you in the end?' It had never occurred to him this way. He had always assumed he was on Jesus' side. Yet, when he thought back on his life, he'd always acted as if he was on the sidelines. He wasn't a part of this huge moral conflict. And now, it hit him. He was a part of it. He always had been, and now...who was he living for? Where would it leave him in the end? These questions had consumed him all day.
Thoughts still occupied his mind as his eyelids slowly drooped and Tyler drifted to sleep. He faded to the dream lands where peace usually meets the weary soul, but it was not the case this night. Tyler found himself standing in a desert on a dune. Below him was an astonishing army. All of the soldiers were dressed like kings. Crowns of various sizes sat on their brows, royal purples, reds, and gold lined their robes, and their jewelry was abundant. Their hard faces convinced Tyler these men and women meant business and wouldn't back down for their lives. The soldiers held their proud heads high in defiance and shouts of self glory could be heard from their ranks.
On the dune next to Tyler another army stood, very different from the first. While it still held an awesome aura, it was almost humble. Every man and woman wore simple armor, a sword, and a shield. No noise could be heard from them. Their ranks stood still and organized, ready for the up coming battle. In front of the army a man, dressed ready for war like the rest, sat upon a white horse. His sword was drawn and he paced back and forth speaking to his troops. Tyler couldn't hear much, but the few words he heard were smooth, kind, while also commanding and determined.
A figure in a white robe, with a hood drawn over his face appeared next to Tyler. It didn't startle him, which was curious. The man didn't say anything at first, but took in the view himself.
After scanning both sides of the conflict, the cloaked man asked, "Which side will you join?"
Now genuinely caught by surprise, Tyler stammered to find an answer, "I-I-I-"
"You don't know," said the man. "Did it ever occur to you that you must choose? You cannot stand on the sidelines. There are no sidelines. This is a battlefield, and you are standing on it."
"I didn't make any plans to fight. You can't shove me into this!" said Tyler getting annoyed. "What happened to my freedom to choose?"
"I am not shoving you into anything. You were born. So you must choose. There are only two options: them." The man pointed to the army dressed as kings. "Or them," he pointed to the army in white. "There are no more options. Now choose before the battle starts. If you do not, your indecision will decide for you."
"I don't know. You can't rush me. I've got plenty of time."
"Can't rush you!?" the man yelled. "We are at the brink of a battle! What time do you have? Pray tell me, if you can, when will the battle begin?"
"I don't know. I can't see the future! Why do I have to choose? This isn't my battle! I have my own life to worry about!"
The white man grew grim, "This is your life boy. Whether you want it or not, you will fight in this battle."
"You can't-" Tyler was interrupted by the shouting of voices. He looked over at the white army, they were about to charge.
"You didn't choose. So this is your fate."
The man rammed into him and they both crashed down the dune. When Tyler gathered his bearings, he was standing in the army of kings. His attire had altered tremendously. A crown of his own rested on his head. He pulled it off and on it was engraved the words "King of myself." He held a shield and realized that words were on the back of it as well. They said, "I love my wife, I care for my kids, I got to church, I don't cuss, drink or smoke, I don't treat others wrongly, and I'm a good guy." The sword he held was no different. Words marked the blade, "My father abused me; my friends aren't faithful, bitterness, anger, remorse, hate." Everything about his life weighed upon his body. The jewelry he wore all signs of his accomplishments. The robes pointed to his flawlessness. He had worked so hard to create this image.
Suddenly, the army in white didn't look so kind. It was a threat to all he had done. No one would take his freedom. No one would take his crown. He would fight. As his expressions turned stone hard, he understood why everyone else looked the same. Their own kingdoms were in danger and they would do anything to protect them.
The white army rushed down the dune towards him. A wild war cry escaped his lips as he ran to face them. The two armies collided and the battle was in full. Tyler met his first foe and swung his sword violently. Each strike was blocked and easily thwarted. His frustration grew when he couldn't overcome his enemy. The warrior he fought moved like lightening with a counter-strike. The blade cut through his robe and bit his side. The pain was too much and the anger overwhelming. Tyler raged at this offense to his precious work.
The enemy blade came again, but it glanced off Tyler's shield. With the impact, Tyler suddenly felt his shield quiver and crack. How could it? It was strong! He had spent years building these defenses! And now with one blow it had already begun to crumble! Swinging his sword he went into an onslaught. The years of bitterness, anger, and hate flowed through him in the frizzy. And still, nothing could bring down the warrior.
His energy almost completely spent, he was slowly driven back. He could feel his shield failing, legs faltering, and his courage waning. The warrior gave a brutal swing and his shield shattered. He fell to the ground and his crown tumbled off. This wasn't what he wanted. Tyler lay there, waiting for the final blow, but it didn't come.
"Tyler! Tyler! Tyler! I love you! Why did you choose this?!" wailed a voice above him. His heart nearly stopped when he registered it – Julia.
With an effort he got to his knees and looked up. Julia stood there, her helmet at her feet and tears streaming down her beautiful face. Her blue eyes glistened kindly and sorrowfully.
"I love you too," he choked. "I didn't know that this is how it would be."
Julia shook her head and cried, "But you did! Tyler, what happened?! All those times we talked about God? What happened to following the truth? Why didn't you choose him? Did you really think you would be a better king? Tyler! I love you! Why did you choose to end this way? I cannot go against my King."
She held her sword up. Tyler watched how beautiful she was, even if she killed him. This was the end, Tyler thought as the sword bit his neck.
Tyler shook and sat up out of bed. Beads of sweat littered his forehead. His heart raced and a million thoughts and images circled in his mind. It was just a dream. It wasn't true. He looked at Julia. She was still sleeping peacefully. After catching his breath he lay back down and stared at the ceiling. It was just a dream he told himself again. His car popped into his mind, he had spent so much time working to get that car. His TV, his house, food for the family, the kids' birthday and Christmas presents...so much time spent making everything better, by getting more stuff. Who was he living for? Maybe he had been wrong...
The room faded again as he drifted back to sleep. He found himself again on the dune. The two armies faced each other as before. The kings shouting their arrogance and the white rider paced before his army.
The hooded man in white stood next to him again. "So you've come back. Didn't like how the first time went?"
Tyler took a breath before responding, "No, I didn't. It wasn't what I expected."
The hooded man nodded, "That is understandable. Now will you make a choice? Or are you stubborn as so many are? Time is still short and there is little difference than before. Only your choice can alter your future."
Tyler understood this time, "I choose to join them." He said pointing at the army of white.
The cloaked figured didn't say anything, and again rammed into him. Tyler found himself in the ranks of white. No one moved and everyone waited. It wasn't tense like he had anticipated. Rather, peaceful and almost soothing. He didn't really want to fight, but he knew he had to. It was such a contrast to the feelings he felt while in the army of self-proclaimed kings. The simple garments were a relief compared to the luxury of being a king. All the worry and stress was too much. The peace was unbelievable. Never again would he take the crown and responsibly as a king. He couldn't handle it, under his rule, everything would fall apart.
Curious, he took off his helmet and looked at it. It said "Salvation." His sword and shield said "Word of God" and "Faith." He didn't quite understand it, but it was much better than being a king. The rage and unrest was gone. This was the freedom he had been looking for. He truly understood now. Why hadn't he seen before? Taking a chance, he looked around; beside him stood Julia. His excitement almost over took him, but he didn't do anything. This moment was big, the end was coming and the final battle waited minutes away.
The white rider paced back and forth shouting in a strong, commanding voice, "My brothers and sisters! Today we fight to take what was lost so long ago! The paradise turned into chaos at the beginning of time. The lands that were corrupted are about to be cleansed! No more will the vile wretches consume the world. Our time is here! Oh those called blessed, arise! Fight for freedom, for liberty, for love!
He wielded his horse around and charged down the hill crying, "For Elyon!" Tyler's heart pounded excitedly as he joined with the rest, "For Elyon!" They rushed down the hill. The kings screamed their rage and taunted them, but the white army was not to be stopped.
The lines collided once more, and Tyler was proud to be fighting behind the white rider. He struck down his first foe. The ease with which he won was shocking. The victory was amazing, yet somewhat unsettling. He remembered how he had been on the other side himself. A tear trickled down his cheek when he thought about all those poor people dying for a false truth. Where they so blind? To understand them, and see where he was now changed everything. What the hooded man said was true. Only he could change his future. Whether willingly or unknowingly, these men and women he cut down had chosen this.
The battle was over quickly; much fast than he thought possible. He scanned the battlefield. Dead littered the ground. Yet, to his surprise, not a single white warrior had fallen, but not a single king survived. Sorrow mingled with joy filled his heart. This was a great lose yet a marvelous victory. The world was cleansed, but at what cost? Did all those have to die?
Tyler's vision blurred and he awoke again, starring at the ceiling – the dead kings still on his mind. It was just a dream, or was it?
"Now you understand."
Startled Tyler sat up. The man in the white robe stood at the end of his bed. "You're real."
He nodded, "Tyler, learn from what you have seen. The choice is yours. Which side will you fight for? What path will you choose? And most importantly, what will you do with the path you have chosen?"
Tyler started to respond but hesitated as the hooded man slowly vanished, then was gone.
Laying back down Tyler shook his head. What would he choose? He knew now. Fight for love, for freedom, for Elyon, that's what he would do. Tomorrow would be a new day. A smiled turned his lips, wouldn't Julia be shocked. He turned to his side and closed his eyes. As he fell back asleep a final thought popped into his mind, and rescue those that didn't know the truth.
Tyler lay in bed, wide awake. Thoughts plagued his mind. Everything was quiet except for the constant humming of the ceiling fan. Julia, his wife, lay beside him sound asleep. On the surface, it was a normal night. Underneath it all, in the depths of the heart, conflict raged.
It was Sunday night. Tyler had gone to the morning service as he usually did. Nothing was abnormal, got coffee, dropped the kids off in their rooms, and then went with Julia to the service. He didn't go because he enjoyed it or gained anything, he did it for Julia. She was big into this church stuff, so he went along with it. This service however, caught him off guard. The pastor spoke about the end times. When Jesus would return to conquer and judge earth and rule as King. It wasn't anything new, but something twitched in Tyler's heart.
He was a good guy. Had a nice job, took care of his family, spent time with his wife and kids, went to church, didn't cuss, smoke, drink, or anything like that. Occasionally, he even tried to help out those poor people he saw around him. Yet, something the pastor said held his attention. 'We may be good people, but that doesn't save our souls. Who are you living for? And where does that leave you in the end?' It had never occurred to him this way. He had always assumed he was on Jesus' side. Yet, when he thought back on his life, he'd always acted as if he was on the sidelines. He wasn't a part of this huge moral conflict. And now, it hit him. He was a part of it. He always had been, and now...who was he living for? Where would it leave him in the end? These questions had consumed him all day.
Thoughts still occupied his mind as his eyelids slowly drooped and Tyler drifted to sleep. He faded to the dream lands where peace usually meets the weary soul, but it was not the case this night. Tyler found himself standing in a desert on a dune. Below him was an astonishing army. All of the soldiers were dressed like kings. Crowns of various sizes sat on their brows, royal purples, reds, and gold lined their robes, and their jewelry was abundant. Their hard faces convinced Tyler these men and women meant business and wouldn't back down for their lives. The soldiers held their proud heads high in defiance and shouts of self glory could be heard from their ranks.
On the dune next to Tyler another army stood, very different from the first. While it still held an awesome aura, it was almost humble. Every man and woman wore simple armor, a sword, and a shield. No noise could be heard from them. Their ranks stood still and organized, ready for the up coming battle. In front of the army a man, dressed ready for war like the rest, sat upon a white horse. His sword was drawn and he paced back and forth speaking to his troops. Tyler couldn't hear much, but the few words he heard were smooth, kind, while also commanding and determined.
A figure in a white robe, with a hood drawn over his face appeared next to Tyler. It didn't startle him, which was curious. The man didn't say anything at first, but took in the view himself.
After scanning both sides of the conflict, the cloaked man asked, "Which side will you join?"
Now genuinely caught by surprise, Tyler stammered to find an answer, "I-I-I-"
"You don't know," said the man. "Did it ever occur to you that you must choose? You cannot stand on the sidelines. There are no sidelines. This is a battlefield, and you are standing on it."
"I didn't make any plans to fight. You can't shove me into this!" said Tyler getting annoyed. "What happened to my freedom to choose?"
"I am not shoving you into anything. You were born. So you must choose. There are only two options: them." The man pointed to the army dressed as kings. "Or them," he pointed to the army in white. "There are no more options. Now choose before the battle starts. If you do not, your indecision will decide for you."
"I don't know. You can't rush me. I've got plenty of time."
"Can't rush you!?" the man yelled. "We are at the brink of a battle! What time do you have? Pray tell me, if you can, when will the battle begin?"
"I don't know. I can't see the future! Why do I have to choose? This isn't my battle! I have my own life to worry about!"
The white man grew grim, "This is your life boy. Whether you want it or not, you will fight in this battle."
"You can't-" Tyler was interrupted by the shouting of voices. He looked over at the white army, they were about to charge.
"You didn't choose. So this is your fate."
The man rammed into him and they both crashed down the dune. When Tyler gathered his bearings, he was standing in the army of kings. His attire had altered tremendously. A crown of his own rested on his head. He pulled it off and on it was engraved the words "King of myself." He held a shield and realized that words were on the back of it as well. They said, "I love my wife, I care for my kids, I got to church, I don't cuss, drink or smoke, I don't treat others wrongly, and I'm a good guy." The sword he held was no different. Words marked the blade, "My father abused me; my friends aren't faithful, bitterness, anger, remorse, hate." Everything about his life weighed upon his body. The jewelry he wore all signs of his accomplishments. The robes pointed to his flawlessness. He had worked so hard to create this image.
Suddenly, the army in white didn't look so kind. It was a threat to all he had done. No one would take his freedom. No one would take his crown. He would fight. As his expressions turned stone hard, he understood why everyone else looked the same. Their own kingdoms were in danger and they would do anything to protect them.
The white army rushed down the dune towards him. A wild war cry escaped his lips as he ran to face them. The two armies collided and the battle was in full. Tyler met his first foe and swung his sword violently. Each strike was blocked and easily thwarted. His frustration grew when he couldn't overcome his enemy. The warrior he fought moved like lightening with a counter-strike. The blade cut through his robe and bit his side. The pain was too much and the anger overwhelming. Tyler raged at this offense to his precious work.
The enemy blade came again, but it glanced off Tyler's shield. With the impact, Tyler suddenly felt his shield quiver and crack. How could it? It was strong! He had spent years building these defenses! And now with one blow it had already begun to crumble! Swinging his sword he went into an onslaught. The years of bitterness, anger, and hate flowed through him in the frizzy. And still, nothing could bring down the warrior.
His energy almost completely spent, he was slowly driven back. He could feel his shield failing, legs faltering, and his courage waning. The warrior gave a brutal swing and his shield shattered. He fell to the ground and his crown tumbled off. This wasn't what he wanted. Tyler lay there, waiting for the final blow, but it didn't come.
"Tyler! Tyler! Tyler! I love you! Why did you choose this?!" wailed a voice above him. His heart nearly stopped when he registered it – Julia.
With an effort he got to his knees and looked up. Julia stood there, her helmet at her feet and tears streaming down her beautiful face. Her blue eyes glistened kindly and sorrowfully.
"I love you too," he choked. "I didn't know that this is how it would be."
Julia shook her head and cried, "But you did! Tyler, what happened?! All those times we talked about God? What happened to following the truth? Why didn't you choose him? Did you really think you would be a better king? Tyler! I love you! Why did you choose to end this way? I cannot go against my King."
She held her sword up. Tyler watched how beautiful she was, even if she killed him. This was the end, Tyler thought as the sword bit his neck.
Tyler shook and sat up out of bed. Beads of sweat littered his forehead. His heart raced and a million thoughts and images circled in his mind. It was just a dream. It wasn't true. He looked at Julia. She was still sleeping peacefully. After catching his breath he lay back down and stared at the ceiling. It was just a dream he told himself again. His car popped into his mind, he had spent so much time working to get that car. His TV, his house, food for the family, the kids' birthday and Christmas presents...so much time spent making everything better, by getting more stuff. Who was he living for? Maybe he had been wrong...
The room faded again as he drifted back to sleep. He found himself again on the dune. The two armies faced each other as before. The kings shouting their arrogance and the white rider paced before his army.
The hooded man in white stood next to him again. "So you've come back. Didn't like how the first time went?"
Tyler took a breath before responding, "No, I didn't. It wasn't what I expected."
The hooded man nodded, "That is understandable. Now will you make a choice? Or are you stubborn as so many are? Time is still short and there is little difference than before. Only your choice can alter your future."
Tyler understood this time, "I choose to join them." He said pointing at the army of white.
The cloaked figured didn't say anything, and again rammed into him. Tyler found himself in the ranks of white. No one moved and everyone waited. It wasn't tense like he had anticipated. Rather, peaceful and almost soothing. He didn't really want to fight, but he knew he had to. It was such a contrast to the feelings he felt while in the army of self-proclaimed kings. The simple garments were a relief compared to the luxury of being a king. All the worry and stress was too much. The peace was unbelievable. Never again would he take the crown and responsibly as a king. He couldn't handle it, under his rule, everything would fall apart.
Curious, he took off his helmet and looked at it. It said "Salvation." His sword and shield said "Word of God" and "Faith." He didn't quite understand it, but it was much better than being a king. The rage and unrest was gone. This was the freedom he had been looking for. He truly understood now. Why hadn't he seen before? Taking a chance, he looked around; beside him stood Julia. His excitement almost over took him, but he didn't do anything. This moment was big, the end was coming and the final battle waited minutes away.
The white rider paced back and forth shouting in a strong, commanding voice, "My brothers and sisters! Today we fight to take what was lost so long ago! The paradise turned into chaos at the beginning of time. The lands that were corrupted are about to be cleansed! No more will the vile wretches consume the world. Our time is here! Oh those called blessed, arise! Fight for freedom, for liberty, for love!
He wielded his horse around and charged down the hill crying, "For Elyon!" Tyler's heart pounded excitedly as he joined with the rest, "For Elyon!" They rushed down the hill. The kings screamed their rage and taunted them, but the white army was not to be stopped.
The lines collided once more, and Tyler was proud to be fighting behind the white rider. He struck down his first foe. The ease with which he won was shocking. The victory was amazing, yet somewhat unsettling. He remembered how he had been on the other side himself. A tear trickled down his cheek when he thought about all those poor people dying for a false truth. Where they so blind? To understand them, and see where he was now changed everything. What the hooded man said was true. Only he could change his future. Whether willingly or unknowingly, these men and women he cut down had chosen this.
The battle was over quickly; much fast than he thought possible. He scanned the battlefield. Dead littered the ground. Yet, to his surprise, not a single white warrior had fallen, but not a single king survived. Sorrow mingled with joy filled his heart. This was a great lose yet a marvelous victory. The world was cleansed, but at what cost? Did all those have to die?
Tyler's vision blurred and he awoke again, starring at the ceiling – the dead kings still on his mind. It was just a dream, or was it?
"Now you understand."
Startled Tyler sat up. The man in the white robe stood at the end of his bed. "You're real."
He nodded, "Tyler, learn from what you have seen. The choice is yours. Which side will you fight for? What path will you choose? And most importantly, what will you do with the path you have chosen?"
Tyler started to respond but hesitated as the hooded man slowly vanished, then was gone.
Laying back down Tyler shook his head. What would he choose? He knew now. Fight for love, for freedom, for Elyon, that's what he would do. Tomorrow would be a new day. A smiled turned his lips, wouldn't Julia be shocked. He turned to his side and closed his eyes. As he fell back asleep a final thought popped into his mind, and rescue those that didn't know the truth.