J Says (Pt. 9)

     Beaming from the uncontrollably uplifting life high that now overwhelmed his entire body, the thought of fear had never even peaked through X's skull, for he was an adventurer now, the leader and sojourner of his sole, self appointed metaphorical, yet all too physical journey. Rummaging through the wooden fortress in search of any sign of mere inhabitants, he found himself in an awkwardly warm state of fascination. No, there was no sign of life as we think of it, but  it was almost as if he had stumbled upon an enchanted museum filled with a plethora of unimaginable artifacts, the kind of items one never expects to experience first hand, in their entire existence. 


     Bracing himself for a moment of solitary rest from his exuberant state of awe and wonderment, he managed to lean back upon an old, cob web laden, dust cloud covered, chest conveniently tucked just beneath the bend of his knees. Before succumbing to the innate notion of enjoying a rechargeable sit down, he glared downward to read what appeared to be an inscription placed just above its' crest. Wiping the exhaustive amount of debris with the back of his outstretched right hand, he could almost get a grip on the wording. Leaning closely, he attempted to make it out. 


     Initially, what he thought was a line filled with incoherent gibberish, suddenly smacked himself right between the eyes. He then realized why it had taken him a moment to gain his sense and calculate  the strange wordage. It was Latin, but fortunate for the travelled adventurer, he had taken a few linguistic courses involving such, during college. Regaining himself, he then began to make out what appeared to be read, "Pro bellum pro diligo pro nex pro vita pro prosapia usquequaque." Naturally puzzled, X began to pace to and fro, dissect the mysterious phrase over and over, repeating it under his breath. "For war for love. For death for life. For."  He froze. What was the last bit of wording? "For war for love. For death for life. For." Like a bewildered broken record, until something finally clicked and he jolted in excitement. "For war for love. For death for life. For family always." 


     Feeling quite accomplished, he focused himself back to the task at hand, the chest. Slowly stepping forward and positioning himself squarely in front of the equivocal wooden container, knees cracking, eyes securely locking in, he reached downward to separate the two sections of the caged fortress...


-J.Sawyer