I was lone and wandering
An island amongst many
Swordswoman and a dreamer

The drums beat at me constantly
Telling me, "Join in harmony!"
Yet my own path was different

I will not yield.

Fires consumed and burned everyone now
Everything destroyed and none alive
Lost and trembling I alone survived

Desperation held me tight in its grip
Resignation wanted to embrace me
Hope called out clarion, "Never surrender."

I will not yield.

Time passes as days turned to months turned to years
Enemies within of doubt, fear, and turmoil
Enemies without wanting to break and crush

Rising up out of the ashes as a phoenix
Renewed within Lady Aurora's holy Light
Healing within Lord Deucalion's purifying Fire

I will not yield.

Tomorrow is unknown. Yesterday is in the past.
Yet whatever comes will come and come it may one day
No matter what happens to me I can hear Hope say,

"Never surrender though turmoil arise.
Never lose sight of the next sunrise.
I am the beacon in the dark.
I am the cure for oppression.
I am the optimism that lies within.
I am the light that cries within you...

I will not yield."

Penned by my hand on the 4th of Ero, in the year 905 AF.