[Hermes]

Dear Fates,

I'm tired. I'm known by the few people I've ever let get close enough to me to be the one who never gets tired, never shows it when he's frustrated, I keep it to myself. But I am tired, so tired. I can feel the cracks in my mind growing, and I feel like I'm the only person who cares anymore about my sanity. I can't understand why I seem to be the most undesirable person in the world to hire, I can't understand why people seem to be looking down on me ever since I got back from Oklahoma, and I don't know what I want anymore.

I'm just tired. My shoulders are crunching, my mind is cracking, and my knees are creaking under this weight. But I don't mind my station, I don't care about the weight. I have chosen this, and I love it. But is it so much to ask that maybe something comes along to oil the joints once in a while? My shoulders were meant for carrying, my back is strong, my mind is a precise weapon and a sturdy barrier, but even the strongest shield can be cracked by enough swings of the hammer.

So life, I want a break, just one. Anything. Work, direction, self purpose, anything to make me feel like I'm not stuck going in circles. A body at rest tends to stay at rest, so I stay a body in motion, but I'm not going anywhere. I have no purpose, I'm just here, helping people sometimes, and going back to being just that guy.

The nightmares started again. I don't think they'll ever go away. I feel him ripping at my sanity again, and we can't stand against him much longer without a face-off. Maybe he'll bring a physical messenger to face me again. wolf contacted me again, and it scared me, because it was right after a nightmare of him being sent after me.

Am I to die as I am? I can accept that. But don't make it all for naught, please...I've begged the Gods, now I beg the fates: Grant me purpose. My quest may be immortality, but I will follow the path laid in front of me. I will not stop, I will never relent, but I can be crushed underfoot if you keep sending giants to stomp me out.

Your loyal servant,
Michael