Work Text:
A warrior’s pride is not an easy thing to break, because to be a great warrior one must have an unwavering belief that one day you will triumph against all odds. One must be certain that you can overcome whatever obstacle lies before you, that there is no battle you cannot win. And when you don’t, one must take that failure as a lesson, to get back up, to learn from that failure and improve oneself so that you may tackle another day.
A warrior’s pride is what keeps a warrior moving forward, training and growing to reach new heights. It’s what makes a warrior undefeatable, powerful. This is what Akedar believed in ever since he started training under his master, for when he saw that man he saw someone who rose above every trial before him even when the world tried to beat him down.
So, when that pride is broken, when that belief falters and the obstacle ahead begins to look like an unconquerable mountain, its peak far too high to reach.
Akedar’s strength wavers and despite all the years and all the battles he faced he feels as though he is nothing but a young boy again cowering at his mother’s side. He begins to feel powerless.