On the Worship of Power, Part Ii

...Liking something just for the fun is no longer allowed, you see. Every action is political, and you are on guard constantly. You must like what you have to like, or the power could be at risk, life and choice no longer your own, or the addiction will get pissed. And then, of course, there’s family, perhaps the deepest cut of all, they disagree, they get cast out, but they can stay if they play ball. The love that none should condition becomes a weapon of the mind, if they should disagree with you then quickly enough you will find yourself stuck in a position of choosing power or your kin, and history shows quite clearly most folks would rather be the king. To the point they fight their brothers if they imagine them a threat, rebel against fathers and mothers if they think it is there best bet. Lock up or execute children for the power they find in a throne, the powerful can’t have families, not the kind where real love is known. In the end, what even do they gain? Power is helpless against Death, and afterwards all your victims will curse you with every breath. To not know love or family, to not know joy or real honor, all so you can feel dominant for just a few moments longer? Will the powers of the next world be impressed by the years that you reigned? Do you think they didn’t notice all of the betrayal and pain? Will even this world remember all the power wrapped around you? Most tyrants are long lost to time, those remembered, vanishingly few. All of this for an addiction that never can truly be fed? Only a fool would worship power, worship a god or freedom instead.