War... War never changes.

The cold passed reluctantly from the earth, and the retiring fogs revealed an army stretched out on the hills, resting.

War is an odd thing, it can come so quickly, devastate entire countries, and be gone in just a matter of days. To think that I thought we were through with wars and fighting for once. It was foolish of me, no not foolish, but hopeful. At the end of the day I'm a warrior. I would do anything for a peaceful life. Anything at all. But that won't ever happen. War follows me. It walks beside me, it lays next to me while I sleep, and it watches and waits. Waits for an opportunity to rear its hideous face once more.

Waking up, and seeing thousands of men preparing for battle, preparing for war. It's the saddest thing I have ever seen in my life. Not because many of them won't be alive a week from now, and not because of the family they'll leave behind. But because they're happy. They cheer, and scream for battle. Their swords are hungry for blood. And for what? Honor... what a terrible word. More good men and women have died for that word than any other. What does it even mean?

They talk of previous battles, of great warriors who've killed hundreds. They talk of them like they're heroes. Those men aren't heroes. They're hot-headed fools who can't control their tempers. People speak of Achilles like he's some sort of god. Sure he may have been one of the greatest fighters of all time, but he fought for all the wrong reasons. I don't care what the Greeks said they attacked us for. The Greeks were just greedy, they wanted more. I fought in defense of my country, I fought for my king, I fought for my family. I fought to stay alive. If I had it my way, I would never fight. Unfortunately, I happen to be a decent fighter, or maybe I'm just lucky. I'm really not sure which of the two. Either way, I fight. I always fight. Not from choice, but still, I fight.

Aeneas left a while back. He went to go to the Arcadian king and ask for more troops. More men to die. More wives to leave without husbands. More children to leave without fathers. Of course, the Arcadians joined us. Just as hungry for war as my foolish companions.

Venus brought Aeneas some new armor and weapons today. As a reminder to why we're fighting today. Because mortals have no control over their own lives. Their lives are controlled by the gods, and that's how it always will be. If gods want battle than they'll have battle.

We march to battle today, and I'm not sure if I'll live. Honestly, I'm starting to think dying might not even be that bad. At least I would stop fighting, and I'd finally get to rest.

As we marched towards the enemy army I remembered a poem my dad once told me. I always run it through my head before a fight. It keeps me focused, and it gives me inspiration. Inspiration to keep fighting for the hope that some day, I may finally be through with it all.

"Once more into the fray
Into the last good fight I'll ever know
Live and die on this day
Live and die on this day"