I clean my sweaty face with a towel and put on my battle boots. They protected my feet well, even if a bunch of cement came crashing down on them, I'd still be fine. This was a necessity for a soldier of this country, Intactus Regnum, the country funded by the Dominus Generis about 200 years ago. It wasn't the country I was born in, but I still saw it as my duty to protect the country that's been taking care of me for the last few years. I made friends here, I liked my comrade's, life was peaceful for me here. Much different than how it was in my home country Pardesia, which was still plagued by war, especially our village was under attack for our unchanging beliefs of being descendants of the Gods.

Gods, ancestors... I couldn't care less. We live in the here and now and dwelling on the past seemed more destructive than anything. It's not like I worshipped any type of God ever anyway. They might be up there, having created us, but I was sure they were more foe than friend. If they really cared about us and were our ancestors then they wouldn't allow us to suffer all this war and misery. They probably do exist, but they're not nice to us. They seem to be sadists, just enjoying our suffering.

"Dawood Saidi forward." Commander Dominik called out.

I saluted and stepped forward, my gaze firm and proud.

"There he stands, the beast of mixed race. Father from Pardesia mother from Milat, one of our finest soldiers, he fights like a monster, never caring how much his prey suffers at his hand. Haha! It's been a while since I've seen someone so brutal. Doing everything you order him and more. That's an example to take after, for all of you newbies.

Anyway Saidi , there came an order from the Praeses. His childhood friend and owner of the Jewel industry, Kevin Downar, wants to see you in the Stadium this weekend. The payment is spicy and you'll be rewarded something grand if you win. You are to fight a man from Tourikia. For years that country has been a rival to your mothers country. In fact, they stole the culture and philosophy of Milat, even its history and islands. And even today its sadistic leader still threatens to invade Milat and slay its population. How can such rudeness ever be forgiven?! It makes me angry even with no ties to Milat, the country of Gods.

You must be boiling Saidi?"

I thought about the question for a moment. Sure, Milat had a never ending conflict with Tourikia, one that wouldn't seem to stop anytime soon, but personally I had no quarrel with the people of Tourikia. In fact most of my friends were migrants from Tourikia who've been living here for a few years like me.

„Hah. Well I'm not one to hold grudges against someone for something their history or leaders did or do, but I'm always up for a battle where I can show my strength to my heart's content. May the brave survive!"

Dominik grit his teeth. Was he perhaps not satisfied with my answer?

„You don't understand Saidi. This isn't like the childish battles you fought before to entertain the mere infantry. It's a fight to the death to entertain two of the greatest men who have ever lived. Our Praeses Josef Kamilio von Wilmmsdorff and Kevin Downar. You either lose your life or you kill your opponent. Even if the battle continues for days, it'll only end with one party dead."

What? No way?! Why the hell should I kill someone outside of a war?!

I felt Dominik pat my shoulder.

„You'd better train day and night. I'd hate to lose a skilled soldier such as you." He grinned and walked off, leaving me baffled.

This had to be a joke right? My commander, proud and fierce in battle, would never expect something like that of me. Even if he was given such orders by our Praeses, he'd never follow it! He was the definition of a honourable man!

I clenched my fist.

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What on earth?

I felt myself getting carried away more than I should. This job was never meant to be done with emotions getting involved. Our priority was rationality. We were taught so for long enough so why did my emotions get in the way now?

All that should matter to me is winning that fight. I should leave immediately and devote all my free time to training. Yet something about this bothered me.

After my usual walk from the base to home, I entered home, closing the door behind me. The hallway smelled of mothers delicious food. There was no better feeling than a proper home. The moment I entered I felt this home's warmth.

„I'm back, family."

„What took you so long today? Get to the kitchen, food is waiting on you!" My mothers kind yet fierce voice yelled.

Walking into the kitchen, everyone sat at the table already, the only empty chair was mine. I walked over and took my seat. In between two of my younger sisters, Lapis at the right, Jazmeen at my left.

„Eat, I'm sure you're hungry and exhausted today too. You're the only one working really hard in this family." Mother said as she prepared my plate.

„Thank you mother." I smiled lightly before I began eating.

Delicious.

„Him? Work hard? You make me laugh mom. He might have strength in his muscles but that brain of his is utterly simple in structure and quite frankly it's empty. A person who can't think and decide for himself is nothing but a pawn." Lapis remarked rather arrogantly, I didn't mind, she's always been like this and she wasn't wrong either. I never liked doing anything that forced me to use my head. Books? Never read them.

Research? What for? Would it change anything?

Any type of deeper thinking just made my head hurt.

„Tell us all what a sheep you are brother. A sheep in a muscular body! Isn't that ridiculous? Hahaha!"

„Stop it Lapis let us eat in peace!" Mother interfered, but it didn't stop Lapis at all. Authority was something she never accepted from anyone. She was extremely strong willed and lived by her own rules.

„Me, stop? How about you tell him to stop being a petty slave to a country that steals and abuses other cultures? Now that would be an important piece of advice, more important than telling me to stop speaking my mind."

Lapis stood up. She was done eating. No one said anything to her. She was neither the oldest nor a male and yet she was like the head of this family no one dared to oppose. Not even father, or rather especially not father. Because after all, she was his favourite.

My three younger siblings , sisters Jazmeen and Kimia and my brother Kian, as well as, father, didn't bother at all.

„So tell us, how was today?" Mother asked me, she was trying to move the mood elsewhere. She couldn't know, but it was not the wisest decision, to tell her about today either.

This little ranting of my younger sister actually moved my head away from the task I was given to perform next week.

"Well...." I was never one to lie. My mother raised me to be honest, to never lie about anything.

With my uncharacteristic answer, everyone's attention was gained and father raised an eyebrow.

"Dawood?" Mother pushed for the answer. I was conflicted, should I really tell them?

I probably should keep it to myself for now and think about it.

"Sorry. I'm really tired. Today was tough, my body hurts. I'll go to bed for now."

Damn it. I didn't know it was so difficult to lie. But since they didn't question me they probably believed me.

I wondered as I stood up and started heading for my room.

"I sometimes forget how hard you're working. Good night Dawood, you'll need a good sleep to be at your best tomorrow morning." Mothers kind words were soothing to me.

Maybe I would be able to just sleep well and forget about all this until tomorrow morning.

I yawned then reached my room. When I opened the door I rubbed my eyes.

"......"

"Seems like you're waking up from your deep sleep, Godly brother."

Lapis was sitting on a chair in my room. Did she really realise I was lying? How did she even hear our conversation when she was in her own room just until a moment ago?

.... I suppose she was just too smart for her own good.

"What are you talking about? That imaginary history about the Gods again? Let me sleep sis it was a long day."

I slammed myself onto the bed, hoping she'd leave.