Peace is the hush of the world exhaling—where time slows, and even the wind dares not speak.
We speak of peace, we claim to cherish it, yet we seldom truly value it.
War, however, is inevitable. My father serves among the kingdom's highest military ranks; duty calls him to the battlefield. I've always looked up to him—not just as a soldier, but as a protector of our people.
Someday, I want to follow in his footsteps. To serve the kingdom. To safeguard its citizens.
A war has broken out between the Alden Kingdom and the Virdia Kingdom. The Alden Kingdom, known for its fearsome reputation, is isolated from the rest of the world—accessible only by traversing the perilous Jungle of Wild Beasts.
For years, an uneasy peace had held between the two nations, maintained by a treaty forged after generations of conflict. But that peace shattered when the Alden Kingdom abruptly violated the agreement.
What makes Alden truly feared is its use of forbidden magic—arts that were outlawed following the Great War of the nations.
These dark spells manipulate the dead, forcing them to fight as mindless soldiers. While the ruling powers of Alden embrace this path, the people of Alden did not agree to abolish the use of forbidden magic
The people of Alden are called "Vigorians" ; they worship a god who is said to have killed the king of dragons during the Great War of the nations.
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I woke up early once again, haunted by another bad dream. The lingering unease pushed me to rush through the halls, searching for my father. Today was my birthday. I would turn 11 today — I hoped he would be here. I looked for him everywhere.
"Your father has gone to protect the nation…"said my mom
"Oh…" I whispered, feeling a wave of emotion rise in my chest — pride and something heavier, something I couldn't name. I can't be selfish, I told myself. Shaking off the thoughts, I quickly took a bath and got ready for the academy. After a light breakfast, I stepped outside and began my walk. The academy classrooms were as noisy as ever, the usual chatter now replaced with tense whispers — everyone was talking about the war.
I took my seat as the professor entered the classroom. He was someone new — a different face from yesterday. We were told he had come for a job appointment. He introduced himself as a geography teacher.
The entire class fell silent as the professor began to speak. Without wasting a moment, he turned to the board and began to draw a map with swift, practiced strokes.
"To the East is the kingdom of Viridia, the kingdom in which all of us live"
"To the West is the City of Elves, and below it lies the Kingdom of Alden"
"If we move further to the West, There lies another Island on which the kingdom of Atheria thrives, but below it lies the forest of the most dangerous predators, but Atheria is protected by them through the barrier of mountains"
"Pay attention to the class! The professor called me out with a firm voice".
During the War
"We, the people of Virdia, shall avenge the fallen—the brave souls who gave their lives in the battle against the Vigorians! We will not falter. We will not yield. We shall rise!"
Screams echoed through the stone walls of the war hall. Among them, I stood—one of the many soldiers of Viridia. And yet, unlike the cries of war around me, I held onto something rare: hope. A hope that burned steady, a belief that it would never crumble.
Night fell like a heavy curtain. One by one, the soldiers retired to their tents, seeking rest before the chaos of dawn. I alone remained on duty, stationed outside the king's tent. Inside, His Majesty and the general were locked in quiet, urgent discussion—voices low, but weighted with the fate of our kingdom.
"Once I deploy the soldiers tomorrow, my plan will be set in motion, and its success will be inevitable."
I was hearing voices from within, though I knew I shouldn't interfere, but an insistent curiosity tugged at me. With a flick of my hand I used wind magic to guide the sound toward my ear.
"Unleash them upon the enemy, and when their blood stains the earth, the forbidden magic will be mine to wield—bought with their lives."
"They think they're fighting for their nation, blind to the truth. It won't be long now before I seize the power, and when I do, none of them will matter."
What am I hearing? Is it true? Is this the king's real self? Is the king possessed? Is he the majesty I have been loyal to?
NO!! I calmed down myself
I pulled out the sword, the sword which hung upon my waist, I barged into the tent, my sword was overflowing with mana.
*STAB* I saw blood, a large amount of it… I could feel it, I could feel the warmth…
I lowered my gaze just to realize, the blood was mine…
I had been stabbed, I looked behind
"Rudies!!! I thought you were my friend, H-How could you…"
At that moment, I was powerless, I couldn't do anything
"Luring you here was my motive" a voice could be heard
I sat down, laying my back on the wall of the tent, all I could see was my family,
my son Luther… I couldn't wish you, I am sorry it looks like daddy can't hold on longer. Cynthia… I-I love you…
Can't move my legs. Arms are... heavy. My blood's soaking the dirt like it's in a hurry to leave me behind. This body—once strong enough to lift a sword and shield for days—now just... crumbling.
Luther... if you could see me now.
Chuckles *coughs*
I should've told you more.
You always wanted to make me proud. Always looked at me like I was unbreakable. But the truth is, you were the one who gave me strength. Every time you stood back up after falling… every time you clenched your fists and kept going, even when the world pushed back... you reminded me what kind of man I was fighting to be.
There's so much I never said. So much I kept buried beneath orders and silence. You deserved more than that. More than this.
But I never said it. Not once. I never told you how proud I truly was. I should've looked you in the eye and said, "You're already everything I hoped you'd be."
*A long exhale.*
If you feel something... a shiver in your chest... that's me, lad. Just my soul brushing past. I'll be with you, in the wind, in the silence before a battle. Listen for me.
His fingers twitch once, then go still.
Live well. Live strong.
And forgive me... for not saying goodbye.