Do you believe in destiny?
That you were born for a certain need

A certain path you are told to follow
Which you've no choice but to heed

I was born to be a hero
To protect those who are weak

I'm the one that will come running

When others begin to shriek

I jump in the way of battles
And protect the young from pain
Seeing the people that I love be happy
Is what I hope to attain

Sometimes it gets lonely
Standing out amongst the pack
Sometimes it gets scary
Having a target on your back

When people see great power
They want to make it their own
The fact that one day I might lose
Is something I've always known

But knowing I've done some good
And that I might've saved a friend
Every single sacrifice I've made
Was worth it in the end

So it's with a smile on my face
And with a kiss, I say goodbye
Don't you shed a tear my love
'Cause sometimes heroes die

--- Poem "Warrior by Willow-Anne" (with permission, https://hellopoetry.com/poem/1652017/warrior )

This wonderful commission by the incredibly nice Akineza ( https://www.furaffinity.net/user/akineza/ ) shows my character Rakan ( https://www.furaffinity.net/user/rakan/ ) as he is ridding into battle. Judging from his grin, it looks like he is very much looking forward to the fight...