Eternal The Sentinel
For D.K. Shepard's Keep It 100 Challenge
One hundred years of longing. Patiently waiting. Watching empires rise, then fall and crumble. “Lonely the centurion,” the inscription reads. I stayed at the gateway. Where we promised one another, we'd meet. Eventually.
Alas, it never happened. Still, I waited—until waiting was no longer loving patience but just debilitating pain. While body, soul and heart hardened, I kept my vigil as a commemorative statue on guard, eternal the sentinel. Though unfulfilled, I’m glad I kept my promise.
I may never see you again.
Still, I do not regret our forbidden love.
Born, we were from families divided by lines drawn by powers-that-be. We saw beyond their pettiness, past their illogical hatred.
I waited alone, not for empires, but for you.
*
Thanks for reading!
Author's Notes: 123 word count according to Vocal. This is my microfiction entry for D.K. Shepard's Keep It 100 Challenge. Which you can find out more about below:
Here is my poetry entry for the same challenge:
Here is something a bit more lighthearted:
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!
Streams and Scratches in My Mind coming soon!
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Keep reading
More stories from Paul Stewart and writers in Fiction and other communities.
Comments (21)
"I waited alone, not for empires, but for you." "Still, I waited—until waiting was no longer loving patience but just debilitating pain." My favorite lines.
This reminds me of Amy and Rory, only sad instead of storybook. The lonely centurion. How heartbreaking, yet I feel you made it logical and realistic. Very well done! Congrats on winning DK's spotlight!
Well deserved win! Brilliantl!💙🤩
DK is right. This story stays with long after the last phrase was read. Great take on the challenge, Paul!
Such a great story, Paul! This was a perfect entry to the challenge :)
Oh this made my heart ache! Brilliant Paul!
A huge congratulations Paul on winning the place for Honourable Mention 🎉🎉🤗 You truly deserve this sir✨
Congratulations, Paul❤✨ For your honorable mention story 💖 What's with dishonorable mention that you always talk about?
Congratulations on the Honorable Mention on this week's leaderboard for this piece, Paul. Well done.
⚡♥️⚡
In your submission comment you said you weren’t sure about it, well I can’t say the same. I 100% loved it! The fact that you picked a centurion for a 100 focused challenge was a clever choice. Love the massive scale of this with the imagery of empires balanced with the minutia of one heart waiting for another
Such longing. Great entry!
Great job! So poignant! I concur with Caroline… the last line packed a punch!👍🏼
Oh that last line. That was outstanding.
Oh my, the longing and yearning here was soooo palpable! Loved your take on this challenge!
I love this Paul!! The sense of forlorn and the poetic feel of the story was just beautiful!
Great work, Paul. You are one as Amanda says a flash fictionist. One should always remember whomever if they are really important to them.
Oh my, Paul!! You have some truly STUNNING lines in this flash! "Still, I waited—until waiting was no longer loving patience but just debilitating pain. While body, soul and heart hardened, I kept my vigil as a commemorative statue on guard, eternal the sentinel." Gosh it just gets into your heart and squeezes! I like that you have 'soul and heart hardened' as a description while talking about a statue! AND THAT LAST LINE! Gah, a true punch in the gut! A perfect ending line. Well done, Paul!!
what a unrequited love story... nicely done
why do I picture the Knight (admittedly not a centurion) from The Last Crusade patiently waiting for Highlander? (which I know is totally not the point, but my brain has been reduced to mush, don't hate me, great entry)
Great entry, pal!