Ash falls from the sky as the moon begins to rise. An orange glow bathed the horizon and the woosh of fire in the distance enveloped my ears, which meant that all the corpses were finally starting to be burned after getting collected into one big pile.

The streets once vibrant and bustling with life were now littered with weapons, military rations, tents and campfires. A city under military occupation, serving as a home base for Oliviand soldiers to stop and rest before marching onto Lyster.

I glance at a boarded up door. There used to be a pastry shop there, the owner was a sweet old lady who occasionally gave me a free roll when I stopped by.

I walk past roughed up enemy soldiers, going back to their tents ignoring me as they amble past, some were covered in blood, limping, some were dead, being carried on the shoulders of another. I couldn’t help but feel pitiful for them, but…

I don’t want to do this, but damn if I don’t.

I grip my blade tightly as I pass them, reopening a scab on my hands as a couple drops of blood leak out, I then stop walking, take a deep breath, and then turn around.

“Can you folks point me to the direction of the ghetto where all the Lysterians are kept?”

“Ah. You’re going the right direction then. Keep walking until you see a small patch of trees. It’ll be on your left.” One of the men points.

“Okay.” Swords begin to rise off the ground.

I squint, rubbing my eyes as blood drips into my eyelid, stinging a little bit.

It should be by the meadows then, pretty close to the walls. I knew that because I passed by this area whenever I was sneaking off to that rich kids school all those years ago.

“Oi! What the fuck are you doing over here rat? Thought you could escape?”

“No sir, I was just trying to–” The elderly man doesn’t even finish his sentence before I run a sword through the soldier’s skull.

“Fane! Is that you?!” I run over and shout.

“R-Raine boy?” Fane backs up in shock.

I smile for the first time in ages. “It is you!” I run over and hug him. He was an old man I liked to sit around and talk to back then. He had a remarkably clever tongue and his stories always captured me for hours. Despite his age he was the closest thing I had to a best friend.

“How- Did you join Oliviand? What are you wearing?”

“It’s not mine, just a disguise, don't worry.” I reassure him.

“You were alive this whole time… You’ve grown up.” Fane begins to tear up.

“What’s wrong?” I feel a hollow feeling spread through my chest. I knew what was wrong, I knew the whole time.

“I’m sorry… I tried to stop it, but your mother…”

“Yeah.” I try to keep my face stoic but couldn’t help but clench my teeth.

“I'm so sorry. She was… Put to rest when she couldn’t keep up with the workload. Happened a couple of months ago.”

“Yeah. I’ve heard of the conditions, sad stuff.”

Fane backs up and looks at me incredulously. “You’re calm.”

“Yes, because I already know what’s next.” I dig out a gem from one of my pockets.

“Who has the chain?” I ask very calmly.

“I— I don’t know. I didn’t see all of it.”

“Okay. Who killed her then? Can you point them out to me?”

“I… Yes I know who did it.” Fane nods slowly. “But, what about us?”

“Sorry. But I’m only one person. I may be as trapped in here as you guys.” I give him a faded smile. “Could you confirm my death if anyone asks? I owe someone a favor.” I then walk past Fane, eyes glazed, staring into the faraway distance.

This is it.

I feel a tug on my arm as Fane grabs my wrist.

“Give me the jewel.”

“What?”

“I’ll get the chain back. And then I’ll give you the completed necklace once you return to conquer Kaldros. Don’t worry, I’ll stay alive, you know how good I am at negotiating and smooth talking.”

“Huh?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “The war is going to turn very south soon after this failed invasion. We won’t have a second chance.”

“You will. I know you. You are the most amazing person I’ve ever known. If anyone could do it, it's you.”

“Not amazing enough to succeed I guess.” I chuckle. “I’m not the hero you are looking for.”

“No, don’t be a hero. That’s not what I’m saying. Heroes don’t necessarily have to be strong, they’re just lucky. You, however, are strong. You can achieve greatness even if the world didn’t choose you to achieve greatness.”

“Even if I return I’m going to be imprisoned or executed for treason. Tends to raise some eyebrows when the commander comes limping back alive when the rest of the army gets wiped out.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You really think you’d be punished? You’re Lyster’s only hope at winning.”

“Yeah but…”

“No buts. Don’t fucking run away. I will follow your ghost for all of eternity if you attempt to go out in a blaze of glory right now.”

I think for a couple of minutes, then pinch the gem between my fingers. “I have what? A decade until you croak of old age?”

“Take as much time as you need. I’ll stay alive until I see you on my deathbed.”

“Then, thank you Fane.” I hand him my amulet. “I will see you soon.”

I clench my hands. Just as my old dream disappeared, a new one rose up to take its place. Kaldros, by the meadows, on the path that leads to the rich kids' school where my late mother, who passed away a couple months before I arrived. There was now an old man whom I considered my best friend, waiting, with that cheap amulet in his hand.

As expected, when I was discovered to be alive, I was condemned by almost the entire country as the coward who fled his country. I was imprisoned for a couple of years, where I was able to condition my arms back to their original dexterity. It was not until I met with Yesenia was I given another chance at proving myself.

I’m weaker now, and was forgotten by most people as the years passed. Years of idling in a cell and a permanent injury will do that.

And Ponca… An orange hue bathes the river, a reflection of the world around it, as if the water itself was burning. It’s just a feeling but… That girl Celestia, she reminds me of her. But at the same time, she was totally different. All in all, I’m a little afraid to ask.

I could hear shouts in the distance as the water begins to vibrate and rumble from people jumping in.

I stand up as swords fly off my back. Wonder if anyone might try swimming upstream.