Part 5: Different Points of View
I was taken aback by his display of happiness in the face of death. I took in the moment while I regained my stance, and shifted my aim. He grunted up another wad of blood, spit to his side, and cleared his throat while he chuckled to himself in defeat.
“Son, when I left your mother and you, I was in a bad place and knew I would do more harm than good for you both. I knew this world was going to be one hell of a ride, and if a young boy was going to make it, he had to grow up tougher than leather, and sharper than nails, especially in Texas. So, I named you after my sweet
grandmother, your great-grandmother, Sue.
A few women on the porch awed a tone of forgiveness as they resonated in anticipation for the rest of his speech. They waved their hands rapidly onto their flushed faces and tearing eyes. Some were fortunate enough to hold a fan.
“Now I know you never met her, it was before your time, but she was the strongest mule of a person I knew; Kinda like you is now. I walked out that door before you could ever come to hate me for a thousand other reasons I would rather not re-hash, and I knew that you would be forced to thicken your skin quicker than a flash flood in a Texas drought, or you be killed and eaten alive by the ravenous world around you. It seems to me like that name helped you become one hell of a man.”
A couple of men in the crowd nodded and tipped their hats as they grunted in support, but others shifted around uncomfortably from the sappy tone this father-son fight had turned into.
“I know there is a fire in your belly and your hatred of me has been burning for some time. It shows in how well you fought. You fight with passion; asking questions later, and I respect that. Hell, I would not blame you to kill me now. I certainly gave you a damn good reason to do so, but before you do, I ask you to think about how you came to receive that gravel in your gut, and the spit in your eyes. No matter how horrible I have been to you, and all of the mistakes I have made throughout my useless life, I am still the son of a bitch that named you, Sue.”
The rain was the only thing that broke the silence throughout the crowd. It continued crashing against the beaten and tattered roof. One harsh droplet after another dripped down my head and streamed onto my face. I was speechless. My mind raced to calculate my next move. I stood there still, gripping my gun; sure to keep a bead on my father. The crowd was filled with individual statues, some gaping at the jaw, all motionless. Everyone waited, including me. On one side, I had an unbearable past, solely created by the man in front of me, and my revenge was just on the other side of a bullet. I was angry and seeking relief. On the other side, I had my old man who I never came to know, who stood in front of me alive, mercifully explaining his heart, and showing me a different side to what I thought I knew all my life. What could I do?
I moved my mouth to speak, but could not formulate words. I got all choked up. He was right, I was a passionate fighter, but that passion could go both ways. I lifted my thumb to the cocked hammer, pulled back, and eased it forward. I lowered my gun and holstered it. My father stood still, but you could tell a sense of relief moved through his body. Tonight, I chose compassion.
“Pa, I reckon we’re gonna need a drink after this one.”
He took a moment, nodding his head in agreeance.
“We sure as hell are, son”
The End
The Renaissance of a God: Kratos’ Epic Journey in God of War
In ancient times, when Greek gods ruled Olympus and unrestrained violence was commonplace, there was a god named Kratos. Known for his unwavering ferocity, he was feared even by his divine peers. But tragedy and remorse darkened his existence.
Kratos' story is a journey of redemption. It begins when he is tricked by Ares, the god of war, into killing his own wife and daughter. Haunted by nightmares and the weight of his sin, Kratos seeks to break free from the bonds of his past and put an end to his life of senseless destruction.
He leaves ancient Greece and arrives in the lands of the Norse gods in the company of his son, Atreus. Together, they carry his wife's ashes to the top of a mountain, following her final wish. This journey is the starting point of an epic odyssey filled with dangers, discoveries, and transformation.
The relationship between Kratos and Atreus is at the heart of the story. Kratos, a father tormented by his past and his inability to show affection, struggles to guide his son in a world teeming with mythological creatures and divine beings. Atreus, curious and eager to learn about his divine heritage, seeks his father's approval.
As they progress, they face monumental challenges, such as clashes with the Norse gods, including Thor and Baldur, as well as the consequences of Kratos' actions in the past. Each battle and encounter pushes them to grow and learn, both as individuals and in their father-son relationship.
Kratos' estoe s solo de psdfdfssdfdfsfdssdf
Blood and Barcelona
Hello, Writers and Dear Readers.
Hope your week has started off metal as possible, or classical as possible, or new wave as possible, or... Look, I couldn't think of a way to start off this post to introduce a 41-second poem on the channel. But we thought it would be cool to change it up once in awhile. Plus, I got this badass new webcam I wanted to test drive. Anyway, here's the link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYvN5aQGHWw
And.
As always.
Thank you for being here.
-The Prose. team