CHAPTER 18: A SOLDIER’S BURDEN

The sun hung low in the sky the next day, casting long golden streaks over the peaceful town of Ezakar. The warmth of the evening breeze carried the faint scent of fresh bread from a nearby bakery, the streets still lively with merchants packing up their stalls for the night. Laughter echoed from the distant fields where children played, blissfully unaware of the storm that was brewing just beyond the borders.

Within the Tanaka household, however, the air was heavy.

Takeshi sat at the wooden dining table, his hands clasped together, deep in thought. Across from him, Alice moved about the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared their evening meal. Myura sat near the hearth, carefully tending to a small flickering flame, watching it rise and fall in the dim evening light.

Myura toyed with her magic.

She focused intently, trying to control them the way Zenko had taught her. She let the darkness coil around her fingers, shifting in fluid motions like liquid. But no sooner had she begun than she heard footsteps approaching.

Alice.

In a split second, Myura extinguished the shadows.

Her heart pounded in her chest, but her face remained neutral. If her mother saw her using dark magic… she would have questions. Questions Myura wasn’t ready to answer.

Alice stepped past her, placing a freshly baked loaf of bread on the table. “That smells wonderful,” Takeshi commented, forcing himself to sound normal despite the thoughts swirling in his head.

“Thank you, dear,” Alice said, smiling as she wiped her hands on a cloth.

For a moment, everything felt normal.

But Myura had noticed something off about her father for the past few days. He wasn’t talking as much. His usual confidence felt forced. And now, as he sat at the table, his hands were curled into fists against his lap.

Her crimson eyes lingered on him. He’s hiding something.

She wanted to ask.

She wanted to know.

And then, Takeshi spoke.

Breaking the Silence

Takeshi exhaled, straightening in his seat. “Alice,” he called, his voice steady but carrying a weight that made her pause.

Alice turned to face him, a wooden spoon still in her hand. “Yes?”

He hesitated.

Myura needs to hear this too.

“Myura, come here,” he said.

She blinked but obeyed, standing from her spot near the hearth and walking over to sit across from him. “What’s going on?”

Takeshi met both of their gazes, his expression unreadable. Then, finally, he spoke.

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“I can’t keep this from you anymore,” he said, his voice firm yet gentle. “War is coming.”

Alice’s eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. Myura’s fingers twitched.

Takeshi continued. “Ezakar and Aetheria have been on uneasy terms for a long time, but things have escalated. Skirmishes along the border have become frequent. The demihumans are preparing for war, and our kingdom is mobilizing its forces in response.”

Alice placed a hand over her mouth, her eyes searching his face for any sign that this was some kind of cruel joke. But there was none.

Myura’s hands trembled slightly, but she clenched them tighter beneath the table. And… what does that mean for you? she wanted to ask, but her throat felt dry.

Takeshi exhaled, leaning forward. “I’ve been ordered to the front lines.”

The room fell silent.

Alice sat down slowly, her hands resting on the table as she tried to process his words. “For how long?”

Takeshi looked at her, and in that moment, she knew.

This wasn’t just a temporary deployment.

This was war.

Alice swallowed hard. “When do you leave?”

Takeshi looked away, guilt flashing through his eyes. “…In three days.”

Alice’s breath hitched. So soon.

Myura’s heart pounded. Three days.

“NO!” she shot up from her seat, slamming her palms onto the table. “You can’t go! What if—what if you don’t come back?!”

Her voice cracked, and her vision blurred as she fought back tears.

Takeshi stood, moving to her side. He knelt before her, placing his hands gently on her shoulders.

“Listen to me, Myura.” His voice was steady, but there was something else beneath it—a father’s sorrow.

“I promise to do everything I can to return. But you must stay strong.”

Myura trembled, her crimson eyes locked onto his.She wanted to demand that he stay.

But she knew that was impossible.

So instead, she asked: “What about Mother? What if something happens while you’re gone? Who will protect us?”

Takeshi’s grip on her shoulders tightened slightly. “That’s why I need you to be strong. You’ve been training. You’re getting stronger. But you need to keep pushing yourself. Protect your mother. Hone your skills. The world is dangerous, Myura, and I need to know you can defend yourself if it ever comes to that.”

She swallowed, her throat dry. “I will. I’ll train harder than ever.” Her voice wavered but carried a newfound determination.

.

“I’ll come back,” Takeshi said, standing.

Myura held his gaze. “You have to promise me.”

Takeshi smiled faintly, his eyes filled with both pride and sorrow.

“I promise.”

But in his heart, he knew—some promises were impossible to keep.

A HUSBAND AND WIFE’S FAREWELL

Later that night, long after Myura had gone to bed, Takeshi and Alice stood outside, beneath the moonlit sky.

Alice hugged herself, her gaze distant. “You should have told me sooner.”

Takeshi exhaled. “I know.”

She turned to face him, her auburn hair swaying in the breeze. “You always do this. You always try to carry everything alone dear.”

Takeshi sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t want to burden you until it was necessary.”

Alice’s expression hardened. “Burden me? Takeshi, you’re my husband. We bear burdens together.”

He looked at her, his gaze softening. “I know,” he repeated, quieter this time.

Alice took a shaky breath. “I won’t ask you not to go. I know you don’t have a choice.” She clenched her hands into fists. “But damn it, Takeshi… you’re asking me to let you walk into a war that you might not return from.”

Takeshi reached out, gently cupping her cheek. “I will return,” he whispered.

Alice pressed her forehead against his chest, her fingers clutching his tunic. “I don’t need promises,” she murmured. “I just need you to come home.”

Takeshi wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

As she clung to him as they stared at the stars together.

Myura lay awake in bed and saw that there was no way for her to stop or mess with the upcoming war. She stared at the ceiling until she fell asleep from exhaustion.