Ash clouds thickened the sky like mourning shrouds, casting an eerie cloak over the battlefield. It was as if even the heavens had gathered to bear witness the events below.
The ground, soaked in blood and destruction, trembled at the final efforts displayed in this war-torn valley.
Vice Commander Kael Aerous stood at the front lines, his sword pierced into the earth, his armor soaked in the blood belonging to both him and the enemies.
It would be surprising to see someone of his age—only thirty—holding such a high position in the army, but his achievements, strength, and relentless effort had proven him more than competent and deserving.
His face, worn by months of unending battle, bore a deeply exhausted expression. But his eyes—sharp and resolute—scanned the chaotic scene before him.
Bodies were strewn across the field—some allies, some enemies. All fallen in a war that began nearly a year ago, when these invaders first arrived.
They came without warning. Creatures that looked nothing like humans—pale as snow, glowing yellow eyes, long claws, and strange powers. Some even had wings and tails.
No one knew where they came from. Or what they were.
Countless lives were lost in their initial onslaught. The fight that followed left deep scars on the world, reducing the population to a mere fraction of what it once was.
Today was their final stand against the last group of these invaders—by far their most crucial and grueling battle.
'This ends today,' Kael thought, tightening his grip on his sword.
Their army was battered, most soldiers injured and weak. But only about a hundred of the creatures—called the Yel'vani—remained.
"Have you recovered enough?" Commander Revar, an older man standing beside him, asked.
"Yes. The rest are too tired. We should be able to handle the remaining ones ourselves," Kael replied, pulling his sword from the ground.
Without another word, the two shot forward with great speed, leaving cracks in the ground where they had stood.
In an instant, they reached the remaining Yel'vani as they had been named.
Their weapons blurred as they unleashed a flurry of attacks, cutting down the invaders one after another.
Kael faced the final Yel'vani, who smiled eerily before Kael buried his sword deep into its chest.
A roar of victory echoed through the mountains.
Their year-long war—months of sacrifice and loss—had finally ended in triumph.
Now, only one thing remained. Reuniting with the families and friends they hadn't seen in so long.
---
The journey back to the capital was long and exhausting. They were low on supplies and had to carry the sick and injured.
The war had taken place far away from home. The journey was expected to take eight days—and today marked the eighth.
They were close.
"Now that the war is over, what do you plan to do?" Commander Revar asked Kael, who was gazing up at the sky.
Kael had spent the entire journey pondering that very question. Now, he finally had an answer.
"I was planning on getting married before the war started. Being so close to death made me realize how precious and short life really is. It made me fight harder—for the people praying for us back home."
"I prayed too... that I'd make it back alive. That I'd get married and live a peaceful life with my fiancée, mother, and sister. I just wonder... is that too selfish?"
"Nonsense!" Revar said firmly. "You've done more than anyone could ever ask. You're one of the main reasons we won today. You've earned a normal life. Let us old folks handle the rest."
A soft smile—one not seen on Kael's face in a long time—formed.
Revar had always been a father figure to him, teaching him everything he knew.
As they continued, large buildings began to come into view.
Many of the soldiers teared up at the sight. Some even ran ahead, unable to contain their emotions.
It was understandable—even for warriors like them.
"Ha! Ha!" came the voice of one of the few surviving women in the army. "Vice Commander, make sure to take me out for dinner before you get married!"
She winked at him before bolting forward in excitement.
Kael and Revar both laughed.
As much as Kael wanted to rush ahead too, he stayed behind to support the injured. It was his duty.
"Go!" Revar urged. "We can manage here."
Kael hesitated, but the look in Revar's eyes made him nod. He turned and began to move forward.
The capital's grand gates opened, welcoming their heroes.
Songs of praise and joy rang out in the distance.
One by one, the soldiers were greeted by cheers and applause—from the people they had fought so hard to protect.
This was the happiness they'd bled for.
One by one, they searched for their families.
Kael was no different.
He looked around, eyes scanning the crowd, when he heard light footsteps racing toward him.
A smile formed across his face as he turned—only for a blur to crash into him.
A young teenage girl with short black hair grasped him tightly with trembling arms, sobbing in his embrace. He held her more tighter, reminded then of several memories. Her laughter, together with the times they played and she followed him around often.
"Brother! I've missed you so much!" she sobbed.
"I missed you too," he said, with a smile and tears slipping down his cheeks.
Two women—one in her fifties, and the other much younger about half her age—approached.
His mother and his fiancée.
"Mum! Andrea!" he called out, rushing into their embrace.
"You're alive! Thank the gods!" his mother cried.
"Welcome home," Andrea whispered, their eyes locking.
He couldn't say he was fully in love with her yet—they had only just begun to know each other before the war—but now, they would finally have time.
Waves of emotion washed over the kingdom. Many had died in the war. But for now, they were safe.
Or so they thought...
"Truly a spectacle. You've almost moved me to tears," a voice echoed from above.
Heads turned.
A figure floated high above, shrouded in shadow—but one feature was unmistakable.
Skin, pure white.
"Get behind me!" Kael shouted, shielding his family and drawing his weapon. 'One survived? No... this one's different.'
Other soldiers reacted the same. The air turned cold with tension.
"So fragile… the hope you clung to. The fleeting smiles. The hollow laughter. The empty promises.
You raised your blades for them—charged into war, screamed their names with every strike.
But tell me… who were you fighting for?"
"BEHOLD! YOUR REALITY!"
He snapped his fingers.
Their vision flickered like a dying flame— sounds faded, warmth vanished.
Before they knew it, everything turned to a nightmare. The streets were no longer filled with happy reunions, but rather with corpses. Friends. Families. All of them—in pools of blood painting the ground like a crimson tide.