“Sun-Tzu said: The art of war is vital to the State.” He could not have been more right. I have studied the Art of War until I could recite it perfectly. It is the law when it comes to war. It is what every soldier, lieutenant, and general should follow. I have based all of my tactics on what is in the book, and I have never lost. Now, with victory in my sights, I will end the war in one stroke.

The Imperial Capital is within my sights. With the whole army at my command, it will fall to the overwhelming force of Freedom. I have planned for this day throughout my six years of being the General of the Free States, and now it is about to bear fruit. I have been victorious in all of my battles. “What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels at winning with ease”. With the ancients on my side, the palace will fall.

I have surrounded the capital, and I will either capture it or attack with heaven’s fire. Either way, it will fall. With my word, the soldiers pour onto the field of battle. The enemy pours out, but they are weak from worry. Their archers on the walls fall, not by arrows, but by starvation. However, their commander orders them to fight only to retain the illusion of dignity within himself; weakness at its finest. Victory is within my grasp. The fruit is sweet, and it is of the best quality. However, I feel that something is wrong; there is something that I have forgotten.

Now I recall what I have forgotten. I have been blind to it. The most important 9rule of battle. 8uhgThe Unwritten Rule: Never underestimate your enemy. Their armies had risen from the dead and now they are destroying my forces. The enemy was well fed and well rested, fully prepared for the attack.

I have lost the battle. I have lost the war. I have lost myself. I walk down into the city, place my blade in my hand and impale myself in front of my enemy. I have lost, but I still have honor.