Calian grunted, he wasn’t feeling good. His spirit felt muddled, his mouth was dry, his back was sweaty, the humid sheets were clinging to his skin. Suddenly, he jolted awake, looking around him wide-eyed. He was… in his bed at Melody’s house, stuck in messy sweaty bed-sheets. He felt completely wrung and empty, his low mana was playing its part but it was mostly the emotional roller-coaster that had taken a toll on him.
Calian remembered butchering the boars, slaying them in a horrid fashion just because they were encroaching on his territory. He’d cried while disposing of them, he’d cried alone in the Clearing after the dead, he’d cried in Melody’s embrace. He vaguely remembered being guided to the car, walking without will, following orders. He’d fallen asleep in the car, had refused the meal Melody offered and slouched in his bed. He’d spent a few hours going back to the clearing in his head, slaying the boars again and again until the memories faded and sleep came.
A deep shudder was running along his spine as he thought back on what had happened. He closed his eyes, feeling the dreaded memories making their way to the surface. But Calian wasn’t having any of that, he shook his head and refused to witness once again the horrors his memory tried to show him. Still damp from his agitated night, he decided he could use a moment in the bathroom, the hot water usually soothed him.
Calian stepped in the small room he’d grown familiar with over the recent weeks. He used the sink as a support and looked in the mirror only to be greeted by a ghost. He was gazing in the green eyes of a tall skinny white-as-a-sheet man. His ash-brow hair was messy, sticky from sweat, he had bag under his eyes and red eyes from crying. He knew it was probably a trick of the light or his tired mind, but his cheeks looked sunken, his normally thin and healthy build looked like a walking skeleton in the mirror.
He shuddered and splashed his face with water, letting it trail down on his chin, then fall on his chest. The cold sensation brought him back to reality, anchored him in the moment, like a bubble keeping the memories at bay.
Calian took a deep breath, his sadness had slowly faded through the night, but it had only left more space for anger. Calian was angry. Angry at the fate that had sent him on that backward planet, angry at the god that had messed with his mind, angry at himself for being so weak.
Calian took a deep breath and clenched his teeth, when he was in the Empire he’d always found an excuse to avoid confronting his memories. But now was the time, he couldn’t take the risk to be left paralyzed at the first thing reminding him of his past.
When Calian looked back in the mirror he didn’t see a ghost, he saw a kid. A scared kid with a lot of guilt.
///
A little boy was running happily to his mum, eager to show a shiny rock he’d found while playing with the chickens. His mother and grandma were having tea on the porch of their cozy house on the outskirts of the village. His father was in the nearby grain shack, organizing the recent harvest and estimating the benefits.
“Calian, do you mind fetching your father ?” asked the fluid voice of his mother.
“Sure !” shouted back the little boy, running to the wooden building on the other side of the garden.
An instant later Calian was back, held in the arms of his father. Aedwinn trotted to the duo, joining for a quick family hug, burying her head in Ingeld’s chest while kissing the top of Calian’s head.
“We could use a few more vegetables and I’ll soon run out of yarn, do you mind going to the village and buying some with me ? Plus Calian said he hasn’t seen Turien in a while,” said Calian’s mother.
Ingeld remained silent and frowned, looking intently at his wife and Calian. Seeing none of them react to his “scary stare” he laughed, “Sure ! Do we need anything else while we’re out ? We haven’t eaten beef in a while and his birthday is coming up, we could go by Gurvan and grab some ribs.”
“YESS ! Ribs ! My favourite !” excitedly screamed little Calian, threatening to deafen everyone around.
The family of three departed to the village, lead by an energic Calian.
[-]
Aedwinn was at the yarn shop, buying new clothing material and discussing with her friend, while Ingeld was buying a large piece of meat to Gurven. Calian wasn’t with them, he’d been left with Turien and his family.
Everything was peaceful in the little village, the inhabitants were going to their usual activities, but a strange tension was buzzing through the calm air of autumn. The few patrolling guards were twitchy, travelling merchants were scarcer and scarcer, people were looking over their shoulder, everyone acted as if everything was going for the best, but people knew trouble was at their doorstep.
The country was at war and the front was shifting ever so slowly close to their village. The Gorlassian Empire had declared war on Viridia. Well, not only Viridia, but the whole Anvines planet. Viridia was one of the countries of said planet. At first it had started with some scout party scouring their countryside and some banditry. But soon the problems had escalated, companies of soldier had set ablaze whole districts of cities, fields were trampled, and sacred ritual locations were vandalized. Soon after the more serious events the army had gotten involved and had started to coordinate with other neighboring countries since the Empire was causing trouble everywhere.
After five years of guerilla tactics the Empire had spread economic instability and insecurity across most countries of Anvines while gaining intel about all armed forces. The Empire was ready for phase two, one fateful night a bright sphere of light brightened up the sky. In the morning, one of the capitals of a country of Anvines had fallen and the Empire had an official foothold on the planet. Over the years the Empire spread slowly, raiding city, towns, and villages. The Gorlassian forces weren’t advancing fast, but they were better equipped, had a number advantage and rendered each strategic point conquered impregnable.
We were now eighty years into the war and half of the planet had been conquered, one capital after another had fallen and the Empire had only grown more powerful. The Gorlassian Empire was on Viridia’s doorstep. While no open conflict had started yet it was only a matter of time before a spark set the whole country ablaze with war and bloodshed.
[-]
Everyone was done with shopping, they had met at Turien’s family home and were having a drink, chatting while the children were playing. Ingeld was frowning deeply while talking with the other dad and Aedwinn was biting her lip listening to Turien’s mother.
The children were living in blissful ignorance, but parents were having hushed and concerned discussions while the sun was slowly approaching the horizon. As Calian’s parents were getting up to leave and be home before dark the village alarm bell rang. The slow and deep gong echoed throughout the village, sending shivers down the spines of everyone hearing it. Aedwinn froze for a good two seconds, panic and fear flashing in her eyes. But the quick-witted mother got ahold of herself before everyone else, the instructions of the village garrison coming back to her.
Aedwinn snatched Calian’s hand, pulling him to her and holding him against her leg. She exchanged looks with the other parents, nodding to a silent agreement. They all knew how the Empire proceeded, especially on tiny villages like theirs. They didn’t have great talents, nor rare resources, the most valuable goods in the village were the granaries and food stocks. Farmers like them were given two choices when their villages were taken over, submit or die. If most people submitted obediently fair treatment was given, and most properties were respected. But people rarely submitted, fooled by the small size of the troops deployed.
Aedwinn and Ingeld had already discussed it, they were proud of their Viridian origins, and they weren’t willing to abandon their precious country, but they weren’t willing to die for it either. They’d rather keep their traditions and culture alive in secret rather than die in vain. They had always felt it was the most reasonable choice but about half of the people in the village disagreed. It had led to some heated discussions before everyone had settled on creating a militia with the goal of defending the village the day the Empire marched their way.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
As they all scrambled to their feet, they started to hear noises of battle outside. Turien’s parents looked at the other couple and simply pushed Turien toward Calian before retrieving a sword for the man and a staff for his wife. Once equipped they stormed off, joining the militia outside. A heavy silence befell the house, only broken by the repressed sobs of Aedwinn.
Ingeld turned to Calian, “Son, go hide Turien in the house, he mustn’t be found. We’ll come get him once everything is over, but he cannot go with us, it’d be too risky to take him right now. Quick ! go hide him somewhere, we’ll stay here as a distraction if anyone comes in.”
Calian, overwhelmed, just nodded and grabbed Turien who seemed lost and pale, eyes empty he followed behind Calian. Once in the bedroom Calian shoved Turien in the wardrobe and hid him under a pile of clothes, taking a few steps back he ensured that nothing seemed too obvious and closed the door, ready to run back to his parents.
As he was running down the hallway to the living room, he heard a loud thud that startled him and made him stop dead in his track. In the next few seconds shouts and cry echoed until everything calmed down.
Anxious, Calian stepped slowly out of the hallway and into the living room, where he found his parents on their knees and hand raised under the scrutiny of two. Further back, by the kicked down door was a higher ranked person who was scrutinizing his two kneeling parents.
“Would you look at this, they didn’t even lie, here’s the son ! A clean surrender without causing any difficulties and no lies, I like these people already,” declared the officer with a toothy grin. “Now tell me sonny,” he said, his gaze piercing through Calian, “What did they send you in the house for ? Shouldn’t you have come running to your mom as soon as you heard the bells ?”
The question floated in the living as little Calian visibly paled. His mind paralyzed by fear, his heart burning with adrenalin, he opened his mouth, but no sound came out. Calian’s mind had stalled, he was lost. He could only lower his eyes and stare at his feet.
The stuffy silence was too much for Aedwinn to bear, her sobs resumed and between two hiccups she managed to squeeze a “We told him to hide, we were afraid of what you’d do to him !”
The officer looked intently at her before landing his heavy gaze on Calian once again. “Son, would you mind showing me where you hid ?”
Calian, still frozen in fear didn’t respond, cold sweat was beading on his forehead and his hands were shaking.
“Slap the mother !” barked the officer, seeing no response from the boy.
A crisp sound echoed in the otherwise silent living room, the slap not even drawing a cry from Aedwinn but leaving a clear red mark on her cheek. Calian closed his eyes when he saw the hand land on his mother’s face, tear pooling in his eyes.
Distressed by the attack on his mother, he managed a faint “follow me” before walking slowly towards Turien’s room. He extended his finger and showed the space under the bed. The officer stood behind him and inspected the room, before patting his head, “Good boy, you didn’t let me down.”
As they were about to go back to the living room a faint thudding sound came from the adjacent room and sent shivers down Calian’s spine.
The officer’s eyebrow arched and he looked back with his piercing gaze at Calian, “Tell me son, is there anyone else in the house ?”
Calian looked at his feet and shook his head.
“Are you sure son ?” he asked while grabbing Calian and sitting him on the bed, “Let me put it this way, if there is someone else in the house and you show me where he hides I’ll let you and your parents go. But if you insist there’s no one else and I find someone, I’ll let them live and kill you and your parents instead.”
The officer voluntarily left a long pause and stroked his chin before continuing, “Now what do you say sonny, wanna go in the next room with me and show me something interesting ?”
Without skipping a beat the officer stood up and started heading towards the next room. Panicked, Calian jumped to his feet and ran after him. The man had stopped right next to the door and was waiting for Calian to come in. His heavy gaze was resting on Calian, the gravity of the situation and the pressure exerted by the officer weighting on his shoulders. The boy froze at the door and looked around him, his gaze slipping toward the wardrobe sometimes.
A long moment seemed to pass by in Calian’s perception, the threat echoing in his mind. He could save his family and give away Turien, or he could sacrifice himself for Turien. It was his best friend since he could ever remember. It was his parents’ lives at stake. He had his dearest memories with his friend. His mom had always been his safe haven, his dad was this invincible warrior that had taught him so many things.
Calian wanted to cry, but his eyes had no more tears, he wanted to disappear, but reality kept him anchored here firmly. His hands were shaking, his throat was painful like he’d swallowed a bundle of thorns, his legs were threatening to give up on him. His best friend or his parents. His best friend, his parents. Friend. Or. Parents.
[-]
“Good choice kid !” roared the officer as Calian’s stretched index was still pointing the wardrobe, “let me just see what kind of rat lives in this little hole and you’re free to go.
The man pushed Calian to the side and took two stride towards Turien’s hiding place. The door flung open by itself and clothes flew out, leaving a sobbing and shuddering mess of a kid on the floor.
The man slowly drew a knife from his belt, the deliberate slowness only accentuating the fear in Turien, his panic only increasing with the pace of his breathing. The man drew one step after another towards his target, his pace steady, like a predator savoring the helplessness of his prey. As the man drew close Turien’s breathing was ever increasing, the distance shortening and the kid’s panic increasing. When the knife started to press on Turien’s throat the kid’s eyes shot wide open and a wall of fire materialized between him and the source of danger. The blast forced the officer two step back while the heat charred his hand.
As suddenly as it had appeared the wall of flames vanished, leaving behind a grinning man and an unconscious boy.
The officer turned to Calian with a toothy grin while dusting himself, “You’re good to go son, this one’s interesting, I’ll deal with him later. Go with your family and scram now, we’re done playing.”
A few moments later Aedwinn and Ingeld holding a panicked Calian exited the building, guided by the previous two guards to the village central square. On the usually lively area occupied by merchants was standing a mass of people kneeling or sitting, guarded tightly. The family of three was ordered to wait here until further notice.
Aedwinn quickly located one of her acquaintance and waved at her, “What are we all doing here ?”, she asked.
The burly women quickly approached and explained, “I believe only those who surrendered are here, the other who decided to oppose are held somewhere else I suppose.”
Both women exchanged a few more words before returning to their respective families. As the last lights of the sun died down so did the remote screams of battle, the cry and outbursts becoming rarer and rarer as the night settled in.
After a few hours a group of beaten-up prisoners were brought to the square, on an isolated space with a tighter security. Following the prisoners was a group of soldiers led by sergeant with a dangerous look, a murderous glint intimidated anyone looking at him.
Once both guards and prisoners were in place the sergeant cast a whistling firework to grab everyone attention on him. “People of Yarrin, citizen of Viridis. As sergeant for the Gorlassian Empire I hereby declare this land propriety of the empire and under martial law. The people behind me are enemy of the Empire for insubordination and revolt. Those of you who complied were led here before me to witness the fate of those who oppose the empire. Death to the insubordinate and the futilely resistant is necessary.”
While Calian was still a bit too young and shaken to understand exactly what was happening, the display of bright lights that followed the sergeant declaration caught his full attention.
About one hundred men and women of the militia and half as much as town guards were lined along the border of the town square. Some had stopped struggling, too despaired to continue, others were too beaten up to move, and some others were still fighting their restraints to the point of scratching their arms and legs against the cold metal.
The sergeant and soldiers said things Calian couldn’t remember nor really understand. At some point however the talking stopped and an eerie silence fell on the town square. The sergeant raised his arm and soldiers reacted to the gesture by standing straight with hands at the ready for a spell. The sergeant lowered his arm to point at the prisoners which prompted the soldiers into action. Each soldier made a few hand signs in pure silence and with perfect coordination. When the casting was completed a purple fog appeared on the square and blood-curling screams echoed. Grown men were calling for their mothers, some moaned in pain. The flesh of every person parted under an unseen force in the violet fog. Arms and legs were split in two along the muscles, leaving the white bone under to be seen by everyone. Torsos were opened in two, leaving the still beating entrails for all to see. A pool of blood soaked the barren earth of the town that night.
When the spell ended nobody was left alive, only piles of flailed meat were proof of the atrocities committed. Calian had been held by his father and mother and hadn’t seen the worst of the spell happen, but the sceams, the smell and the looks in the people around him left him no place to doubt what had happened. When the sun rose the town square was red from blood, and so were Calian’s memories.
///
Calian opened his eyes, only an instant had passed, he was still in the bathroom, staring at his reflection in the mirror. The memories had hit hard, but he needed that kick, he couldn’t continue with his life like that, weighted by that trauma. Calian couldn’t let himself be weighted down during an emergency. His life and death could depend on his ability to react and be decisive at a moment’s notice, his memories playing tricks on him when he needed his focus the most was unacceptable. He needed to grow and go beyond what he’d seen during his childhood, his eyes that were dull a moment before now had a light of determination burning brightly.
Calian stood straight, straighter than he knew he could, he was still shaken but he knew with focus and a bit of time he could shoulder that and go on. He splashed once again some water on his face, put some clothes on and went for a breakfast or whatever meal it was time for. He had a ritual to prepare in honor of his mother.