I scream mercy into the unrelenting darkness and there is no let up, there is no tenderness to be found.

All there is, is what I make of it.

Kick and claw and pry and push. It makes a mockery of my efforts. I sally forth unyielding.

I lose ground, I gain. Exhaustion overwhelms me.

For a moment.

My resolve shows cracks. I put it to flame as so much steel and reforge. I am relentless.

I am nothing but my conviction.

I will show it no mercy.