[ in-DAH-muh-tuh-bul ]
Adjective
- Incapable of being subdued: unconquerable.
Let’s Write…
** Either a story beginning, a story ending, a piece of flash fiction, a poem—inspired by the word, indomitable, where does it take me? Where does it take you?
He knew the thoughts of his men at this moment as they stared out to their enemy: we’re going to die today. General Tikomi looked at the formidable presence before him, the invading army of five hundred thousand strong, and his thoughts almost tipped in that direction as well.
No! He caught himself. This will work.
Tikomi’s plan was simple, but he believed it would be effective. An army so big, as the one they faced, would not suspect such boldness. He counted on their arrogance.
“Do not fear!” Tikomi shouted to his men from atop his horse. Most would not hear, but the energy of his presence, and of his effect on those around him, would spread. He hoped. “The lion is at our door. The monsters are here to take our homes. What would you say to them?”
The men knew what he was up to and didn’t respond with more than a nod of the head. Tikomi did not expect anything yet, though, and continued.
“This is the secret to great victory. The secret that all conquers forget, and what leads to their downfall!”
Now their interest was piqued.
“It’s how the greatest cities in history have fallen, the greatest armies defeated!”
Tikomi could see the men reeling for his answer, for the secret.
“Those who have the most to fight for, the most to live for, are the ones capable of godly feats!”
The men before him nodded more encouragingly. Some hitting the shoulders of the soldiers beside them.
“So, I ask you again! The monsters are at your door. What would you do to save that which you love?”
Tikomi raised his katana in the air, and the men before him followed yelling in furry at the enemy. It was time. Time to discover if what he said was true.
Notes/Thoughts/Ideas
I’ll be honest, I have no idea how Tikomi will win this fight. We could find a way, though. What attracts me to a story like this is the time period of ancient China or Japan. It fascinates me, and I would love to see more stories like The Last Samurai, or Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and so on.
I have this story idea, had it in my head for a long time, about a general in ancient China. He’s the greatest general there ever was, let’s say, second in command to the emperor almost. Perhaps married to the emperor’s daughter? Then, he suffers a significant loss of his best friend, also his wife’s brother, in a battle.
After the crushing defeat, he questions his life, the wars, and battles. Why? He wonders. Then, he decides to give it all up to live a peaceful life. His wife encourages it, and they leave together.
However, it’s a hard life to walk away from, and a great general like that would be hunted down to return. Conflict. Plus, just the general conflict of creating a life outside of what they knew. It’s been in my head for years, and one day I’ll write it down. I picture a movie scrip, though.
What do you think of Indomitable?
Does that story sound interesting? Would you go to the movies for that?
Leave your thoughts, your own story beginning/ending, flash-fiction, or whatever in the comments! Where did indomitable or my story take you?
If you liked this story, check out my podcast of short stories, More Than A Story.
Today’s word is from Merriam-Webster.
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