"Damn, they beat you up pretty good." Wesley said as he examined my bandage on my skull.
"You really shouldn't have joined. I knew this would have happened." Tomas said.
"Oh come on. Don't be too harsh on him, he already went through a lot." Gideon said next to me.
"You guys should have seen him fight. He was just throwing hands at them without giving a single hit." Amelia joined.
"I bet a million, he did." Wesley joked.
And you would lose a million.
"I did not just throw my hands around! I was at least trying to give a good fight." I said.
"Not what I've seen. You're the only person I've met who fought like that." Amelia scoffed.
Oh WOW! Still narcissistic as ever. I've thought you changed?
"Wait until I tell them how you introduced yourself to them."
"OKAY! Nevermind, how about we just have fun!" Amelia responded.
"Wait, what happened?" Tomas said.
"When I was getting beaten up, she just showed up out of nowhere like some hero coming to save the day. I mean it literally looked like it where the sun casted over her into a shadowy person. Before she said-"
Amelia immediately puts her hand on my mouth right before I said it.
"OKAY! How about we just have fun!"
Tomas pushed her aside.
"Wait! I want to hear what happened!"
"NOTHING HAPPENED! HAHAHAHAHA" She laughed sarcastically with her face full red.
"She said-"
Suddenly, I was kicked in the head by Amelia.
Launching me from my position and fell right on the concrete floor.
"How many times do I have to tell you...NOTHING HAPPENED!"
My mind was in a daze.
My vision being blurry and the excruciating pain from her karate kick.
Soon I was star circling around my head.
Am I hallucinating now?
"Uh..." I said dazing off.
"Dude! Are you alive right now! How many fingers am I holding up." Gideon said.
As I focused my attention on his finger.
His hand was all warped and blurry before I said.
"Uh...six seven? HAHAHAHAHA"
"Huh? I'm holding up two fingers?"
As they tried to save my life from the brutal kick.
Something rang out in the distance.
Ding! Dong!
Church bells rang out.
But today wasn't mortisday where followers or prayers will gather up in church and do their stuff or whatever they do.
Neither was the pattern of the bells ringing.
It was very odd.
This wasn't an annual prayer. It was something more.
Quickly, I cleared my mind and gotten up.
"The hell is happening?" I said.
"Don't know, maybe something major happened with the church." Tomas said.
I stood up and looked at the direction where the church bell was coming from as the others did as well.
I looked around my surroundings to see all of the pedestrians also doing the same.
"The Emperor has made an proclamation! The Emperor has made an proclamation!"
Kids ran from streets waving their newspapers around.
"Proclamation!?" Gideon said.
"Ah Sh-"
I looked around my pocket if I had any centime.
Why the hell am I even looking. OF COURSE I DON'T HAVE ANY!
"Guys! Do you have any money!"
"Nope."
"Nah ah."
"No."
"Not a single dime"
"Sorry."
Of course.
"We could check the bulletin boards." Gideon said.
"Your right! Where is it?" I asked.
"There should be one near the roundabout." Tomas said.
"YES! Where is that?" I asked.
Wesley sighed before opening his mouth.
"Follow me. I know where it is."
We all nodded and Wesley soon started running to the location as we followed behind.
***
We followed Wesley through the crowded streets.
Moving pasts many people around us and blocking our way.
Soon I saw a mob of people gathering around.
"That's where the bulletin board should be." Wesley said.
We came up near the crowd as we realized that we couldn't be able to look.
I tried to look around if I could somehow go past them.
"Come on what does it say!" Someone said.
"Can you all move away! I want to see what the emperor has said!"
"Can someone say it out loud for us at the back!"
Many people were screaming to see the proclamation.
But suddenly, someone yelled inside the crowd.
"Everyone quiet down! Let me read this!"
"Guys listen! Someone's about to say it!" Gideon said.
I paid full attention to my hearings and waited patiently for the announcement.
"By the order of the Leopold von Falkenhayn, Emperor of The Nathland people:
The state of was has been declared against the Nation of Varia.
All able-bodied personal of military age are hereby commanded to report immediately to their local military authorities for mobilization.
As we liberate the Varian people for their freedom.
Citizens are requested to remain calm, obey all orders of civil and military authorities, and provide all assistance necessary for the liberation.
The nation relies upon the loyalty, courage, and discipline of its sons and daughters in this grave hour.
Issued this day, May 25th 1314, by the imperial Nathland Government,"
The moment his speech was done.
Everyone went silent, unsure what to think.
A man prayed to himself. Another cursed himself under his breath.
A women smiled mischievously and another annoyed.
Gideon gulped, sweat shotting out from his forehead.
Wesley gave a little smirk and Tomas was just indifferent.
Amelia thought of it deeply but I.
I stood there frozen.
How convenient.
I knew what was coming. And the fact that I was at the ripe age of fourteen.
Made it worse.
Gulp
***
I held the pendant Nina once gave to me.
Pondering about the future.
"You've been looking at that since we left the town hall. How long are you gonna stay pondering." Amelia said.
"Oh. Sorry, I was just thinking about the war."
"What is it that you think of huh? I bet the war is going to be over in like an year or something."
"That's what they all say." I replied.
"How do you know that? Not like you have friends or anything."
"...Do you need to go to a mental ward or something?"
"Pfft."
We walked together along the dirt road to our village.
It has probably been some minute when we left from town.
"Hey! Look!" Amelia pointed her finger at a crowd in the middle of the road.
As I noticed the small crowd gathering, what peaked my interest was the lady that stood in front of them holding a paper in her hands.
I looked closer trying to see who that was.
Until I realized who she was.
"Is that my mom?" I said.
"What is she even doing right now?" Amelia asked.
I quickly sprinted at her, leaving Amelia behind.
"Ok then, deal with it yourself." Amelia said.
"And that's basically it." Sabine said.
"I can't believe it! They actually declared war." One person said.
"It was the right choice. Those nasty deserves what they got." Another one said.
"Probably good news for us because they can trade for our crops to feed their soldiers."
"She's right, our farming business might boom soon."
"I wonder how our neighboring countries will think of this?"
"Probably not too lightly."
Everyone started to have a conversation to each other.
"Mom what's happening." I pulled her clothes to get her attention.
"Oh, Lukas! you got here so quick. Um...hey, how about you head back home to see your sister! She's home as well. Maybe even play."
"I know what happened."
Her expression instantly changed gloomy.
Before sighing and said.
"Just head back alright? You still need to rest after your injury. I just need to deal with them first." Sabine raised her hand and placed it down on top of my head.
And patted me like I was a cat.
"Yo! What's happening here-" Before Amelia could continue talking.
I completely ignored her and ran straight to my house.
"K Geez. I didn't your help anyway." She crossed her arms in frustration.
I followed the poop filled dirt road to my home.
Only thing I could think of was how we were going to deal with this.
As I stood at the front door.
It slowly creaked open as I took a step inside.
Laura was sitting at the table reading a newspaper.
With her back hunched forward.
Hand over her head and quietly muttering.
"What are you reading Laura." I asked.
She jumped over my sudden intrusion and quickly closed the newspaper.
"Lukas! You scared me! You shouldn't be doing stuff like that!" She said.
"Heh, sorry." I lightly placed my hand over my mouth and chuckled a little.
She followed with another chuckle as well.
A light chuckle...
What's with that goddamn sad look on your face sis.
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
"Hmm? Oh no! Of course not. I was just thinking about the proclamation."
"But is there really a reason to look...I don't know sad? Maybe like stressed?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." She said.
"I'm talking about the fact that you are definitely planning something. What? Do you want this war to happen or something?"
"Of course not! I'm not a monster."
"Then what the hell is with that expression of yours earlier or rather days ago!"
"...Look, Lukas. I'll tell you about this later. Until mom comes home, I'll tell both of you what has been going over my mind."
"You sure?"
"I'm sure."
I raised my hand and extended my pinky finger.
"Promise?"
"Promise." And crossed my pinky with hers.
***
The wind roared through outside as the moonlight illuminated the plains.
Most people have gotten inside of their home.
Warm yellow and orange lights came out of the buildings windows.
As I looked over the town inside of my house.
Laura was sitting down on the table.
Hands over her mouth.
Sweat dropping from her forehead.
fingers tapping the wooden table.
And legs shaking.
Click! Creak!
The door slowly opened as Sabine stepped in.
"These always can't handle something for themselves. My lord that was tiring." Sabine said.
I turned around to look at Laura.
Still having an anxious face.
I exhaled.
Is it really that bad Laura?
I walked over to Sabine to ask her something.
But Laura intervened.
"Mom...I want to tell you something." Laura said.
She slowly stood up from her chair and crossed eyes with Sabine.
I backed away from them. Letting them to have a room to breath and talk this out as I listened closely to their conversation.
"Is something wrong Laura? Is it about your boss again? Don't worry I'll dea-"
"It's not that mom."
Oh boy, this is gonna get interesting. I wish I had popcorn right now.
Sabines expression turned serious and nodded.
"I um...I'm enlisting in the army."
...what?
"What did you just say?" Sabine said slowly but firmly.
"You heard what I said! I am enlisting!"
"...Lukas! Head to your room! This is a family matter."
"What! But wait, I wann-"
"Don't make me say twice!"
The moment she said that, I turned around and headed upstairs.
But rather than actually going inside my room.
I stood behind the wall upstairs.
Where they couldn't see me.
And to listen closely to their conversation.
For a couple of second, they were silent as if they didn't know what to say next until.
"Don't play games with me girl."
"What game! I'm being serious here! You have always not taking serious with me."
"What your tone-"
"No! I am not! I don't wanna be with you or this house! I wanna leave this city."
"By enlisting!? Not happening!"
"I'm not doing it just to get out of this place! I'm doing this to find my father-"
"Don't you dare! Say his name!" She yelled at her face.
But Laura didn't back down.
"Or what? HUH! What will you do? Ever since he left, nothing has ever been the same!
You have always said to yourself that everything is fine but no it isn't! You know it!
The only thing I want in this whole world is bring our family together again!"
"Even at the cost of your own life? You won't even last a day there! Think of what will happen if you die! What will your brother think of this!"
When Sabine said that, Laura was shock like she didn't expect her to say that.
"I don't wanna lose another person I dearly love to leave and never return! Your brother will be devastated if he found out you died. Think of what will happen after then!"
"I'm not going to die there! I'm just going to be a nurse their attending the injured and in the mean time, I would find my father."
"Do you really think you will find him!?"
"Yes! I will find him, I just know on our lord!"
"What if you didn't? What will happen then?"
"...I will"
"Your not thinking clearly! You don' even know what you're even doing in the first place!"
"I do! Just give me a chance! I can't live under a lie in this goddamn house any longer! I want Lukas to know! To know the truth!
Imagine if I did find him and bring him back! Don't you think Lukas will be overjoyed finally being able to see his own father?"
Sabine stood her ground with an enraged expression.
"Mom...please just for once. Give me a chance. Please...
Don't you think Markus still loves yo-"
Without hesitation, Sabine slapped Laura in the face so hard, she fell on the ground.
When I heard her hitting the ground.
I dashed downstairs and saw Laura on the floor with her hand covering her red cheek.
I ran and confronted Sabine right in front of her whilst I guarded Laura.
"Mom stop! Don't you think you have gone too far!"
"Get out of my way Lukas!" She yelled.
My heart jumped when she yelled. This never happened to me before so this was a shocking experience.
But I continued.
"Mom! Think about this! You just slapped your own daughter you've raised for decades! Is it really right to do this!"
Sabine was stunned at what I said.
I turned over and kneeled down to see Laura.
"Laura! Are you ok?"
Tears started to slowly form on her eyes and the redness on her cheek slowly swelled and grew.
"...Laura, please don't do this! I don't wanna see you leave and die for no reason. Finding a person that probably doesn't even exist! The only thing I want is our family and that is more than enough!"
But then Laura pushed me to the side and I fell to the floor.
And she quickly got up and ran upstairs to her bedroom.
"Hey! Get back here!" Sabine yelled at the top of her lungs.
But I laid on the floor.
trying to grasp what just happened.
I looked closer to my elbow to see all bruised up.
And bloody.
Caused by her pushing me so hard I fell on the floor with a large impact.
Leaving me with a scar.
***
I laid on my bed.
Holding my pendant from the necklace as it dangles.
The pain still sored on my elbow.
I couldn't think.
I don't want to think.
Just wonder.
Who know this would have happened.
Is it my fault for starting this?
Who was my father?
What lie have I been living in?
That my family is not truly happy?
But the bedroom door slowly and steadily creaked open.
I looked over on who it was.
Only to see it was Laura. Still holding a smile.
She got inside revealing her clothes.
Wearing a old and ragged clothes. Probably for travelling.
And holding a baggage with both of her hands.
"How are you doing?" She whispered.
"...Not great."
Her smile slightly pulled down before forcing it up again as she approached me.
"I um...I'll be leaving."
"I can see that."
The room stayed silent.
Only the roaring cold winds hitting the window and the moonlight illuminating the room.
"I'm sorry for what I did to you earlier. I didn't mean to."
"I understand, your anger took over you."
She placed down her baggage and kneeled beside my bed.
Her hands reached her pocket and pulled out a chocolate bar.
Before handing it over to me.
my eyes widened in shock at the chocolate but I didn't refuse.
I picked the chocolate bar with both hands.
"look Lukas...I won't be coming back for a while but can you promise me that you will continue to endure? Even without me?
It is inevitable to face through hardship in life even without any help.
Sometimes you have to do it alone.
Even if you lost all strength, motivation and something you love.
Continue."
"...How poetic. And quite embarrassing to say coming from you." i chuckled lightly.
She scoffed a gave a smile that revealed her teeth.
Laura stood up from her feet and picked up her baggage.
But before she left, I said something.
"Who was father like?" I asked.
Laura was a bit shocked but recovered before saying.
"It was the only time in my life where I felt truly happy."
She rested her hands on her chest as if she was placing it on her heart.
I looked at her with solace.
"can you promise me this?" I asked.
"Promise what?"
"Promise me that...you will come back. If you find my father or not. Please return home."
"Heh...Okay and can you also promise me this? That you will continue to strife forward."
I slowly nodded and pulled out my pinky.
And got close and crossed her pinky with mine. Sealing our promise.
And left.
I pulled the bed sheet away, a surge a coldness hit my skin.
My feet stepped foot on the cold wooden floor and walked over to my window.
My breath made a smog on the window.
Before I placed my hand on the cold crystal window.
The icy coolness bit my hand.
But I continued to rest it there as I looked over the dirt road.
And saw Laura walking on it.
Slowly getting further and further away from my view.
Before I opened my mouth and said.
"Liar."