WARNING BEFORE YOU READ.

I want to provide a trigger warning before continuing with this chapter. The content may contain elements of hate speech, hate war, dying, and other sad story backgrounds. If any of these topics may be triggering for you, I suggest skipping this chapter.

It's important to acknowledge the impact that these topics can have on individuals and communities. Hate speech and hate war can lead to discrimination, violence, and even genocide. Dying and sad story backgrounds can cause emotional distress and trauma.

By being aware of the potential triggers, we can take steps to protect ourselves and prioritize our mental health. It's okay to take a break from reading or seek support from loved ones or mental health professionals.

In conclusion, please take care of yourself and prioritize your well-being when reading content that may contain triggering topics.

-Luke Past.

Luke Unciano was born into a family with a long history of military service. His late father, Jr. Lauren Unciano III, was a major general in an army battalion, and Luke was trained to be a soldier from a young age.

Luke had a younger brother named Niko, but he didn't know much about his mother, who had left when he was a baby. Despite this, he had a close bond with his father and admired him greatly.

He learned to handle guns and fight with various martial arts techniques, becoming a skilled fighter. He was also very close to his father, who instilled in him a deep sense of duty and loyalty to his country.

After his final service in Iraq and his last mission in Vietnam, Luke received devastating news about his father's death. He had always looked up to his father, who was a highly decorated officer in the military. Luke's father had passed away on a mission, carrying the weight of his team's safety on his shoulders, with no reinforcement and lack of information.

Luke retired from the military with the rank of Colonel, carrying with him the scars and memories of his past. He also mourned the loss of his comrades Roy and Rhea, who had died in the line of duty. The weight of their deaths had been heavy on his heart, and he knew he needed a change in his life.

On his last day in the military, all of his fellow soldiers and commanders gathered to salute him and bid him farewell. Luke knew that this was the end of his military career, and he was ready for a fresh start. He approached his commander, who had been a mentor and father figure to him, and spoke from the heart.

"Commander, I want to thank you for everything you've done for me. I couldn't have made it this far without your guidance and support," Luke said, his voice heavy with emotion.

The commander smiled at him warmly. "It was my pleasure, Luke. You were one of the finest soldiers I've ever had the honor of serving with."

Luke took a deep breath and continued, "I know this might sound strange, but I want a normal life. I want to leave the past behind me and start fresh somewhere else. I don't want anyone to know where I'm going."

The commander nodded understandingly. "I understand completely, Luke. You've given so much to your country, and it's time for you to take care of yourself. I promise to keep your whereabouts a secret, and I wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavors."

Luke smiled at his commander and saluted him. "Thank you, sir. I won't forget everything you've done for me."

The commander returned the salute and watched as Luke walked away, ready to start a new chapter in his life.

Luke was faced with a difficult decision after his father's death in the war. Despite being the rightful heir to his father's billions of assets and private military facilities, he couldn't bring himself to accept the inheritance due to the guilt he felt from their past. His father's name, Lauren Unciano III, held significant military power that was beyond anyone's imagination.

Luke's nightmares, insomnia, and anxiety had been getting worse since his father's death. He couldn't shake the memories of his father teaching him how to hold a gun and discipline him to his limits. At the same time, his father had also spoiled him, giving him everything he wanted, including sending him to a military school where he obtained more knowledge in a young age than most others.

One of his closest friends, Roy, had been with him since his school days. Roy was like a brother to Luke, and they had been through everything together. Roy had died shielding Luke from a bullet in their last war in Vietnam, and Luke felt like he should have been the one to die instead.

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Luke's other comrade, Rhea, was a girl who was more manly than anyone he had ever met. She was brave and courageous, and they had become close friends during their time in the military. Rhea had died in the war because of a lack of information, and Luke had never forgotten her sacrifice and also Sophia her Fiancèe.

One night, Luke's nightmares were so bad that he woke up in a cold sweat, tears streaming down his face. He sat up in bed, trying to calm himself down, but the memories were too much.

In his mind, he heard his father's voice, "Son, you have to be strong. You have to protect your team and your country."

Luke responded, "But Dad, I'm tired. I can't keep doing this. I can't keep losing my friends."

His father's voice softened. "I know it's hard, son, but you're stronger than you think. You have to keep fighting. You have to keep pushing forward. That's what it means to be a soldier."

Luke wiped the tears from his eyes and took a deep breath. He knew his father was right. He had to be strong. He had to keep fighting, even when it felt like he couldn't go on.

As he looked back on the memories of Roy and Rhea, Shopia he heard their voices in his head, "Don't give up, Luke. Keep fighting. We'll always be with you."

Luke knew he had to honor their memory by living his life to the fullest. He would always remember their love and sacrifice.

He tried to move on with his life and find some sense of normalcy, but the memories of war continued to haunt him. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had failed in his duty to protect his comrades and the innocent people caught in the middle of war. The guilt and pain of his past drove him to search for other ways to find meaning in his life.

Luke discovered a hidden talent for music and spent two years learning to play instruments and sing. He quickly became skilled in the art of music and started his own band, which he named "Echoes of War" in honor of his fallen comrades.

For a while, Luke felt like he had found a new sense of purpose and direction in his life. He poured his heart and soul into his music, and it brought him a sense of peace that he had not felt in a long time.

However, things took a turn when his band disbanded for unknown reasons. He was left feeling lost once again, unsure of where to turn next.

He stumbled upon a job as a bartender at a local club, hoping to pass the time and forget about his troubles for a while. One night, while working behind the bar, he met a woman named Alexandra. She was a regular at the club and struck up a conversation with him. They talked about music, movies, and other small things.

Over time, Luke and Alexandra became friends. They enjoyed each other's company and would often meet up at the club to chat and have a few drinks. Luke appreciated Alexandra's easygoing nature and the fact that she didn't pry into his past.

One day, while they were hanging out at the club, Luke mentioned that he had lost his father and two of his closest friends in the war. Alexandra listened sympathetically, but didn't press him for details. Instead, she offered him a friendly ear whenever he needed to talk.

As their friendship continued to grow, Luke learned that Alexandra worked at a large corporation in town. She didn't talk much about her job, but Luke could tell that she was a hard worker and very dedicated to her work.

Despite the pain and loss that he had experienced in his life, Luke found solace in his friendship with Alexandra. He also held onto the hope that someday, he would find a new purpose and direction in his life. Perhaps with her help, he would be able to leave the past behind and start anew.

Luke knew he had to get away and find a new path in life. He packed up his belongings and decided to travel to a new city, hoping to start fresh.

As he settled into his new job as a bartender, he began to meet new people, including a group of musicians who played at the club. They quickly became his friends and bandmates, and Luke felt like he had finally found a new sense of purpose.

But as time passed, the memories of his past began to creep back into his mind. He thought about his father, who had died on a mission when Luke was just a young man. He also thought about his comrades Roy and Rhea, who had died in battle alongside him.

He couldn't shake the feeling that he had let them down, that he could have done more to protect them. And he couldn't escape the guilt he felt for not being able to save them.

One night, as he was closing up the bar, he found himself lost in thought. That's when Alexandra walked in.

She had become a regular at the club, and Luke had seen her around before. But they had never really talked until that night.

"Hey, Luke. How are you doing?" she asked, taking a seat at the bar.

"I'm alright," he replied, forcing a smile. "Just closing up shop."

Alexandra nodded, sipping her drink. "Mind if I sit here for a while?"

Luke shrugged. "Sure, why not?"

They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments before Alexandra spoke up again. "You know, I've always admired people who can play music. It's like they have a secret language that the rest of us don't know."

Luke chuckled. "It's not really a secret language. Just a lot of practice and dedication."

"I guess that's true," she said, twirling her glass in her hand. "So, what made you want to start a band?"

Luke hesitated, not sure how much to share with her. But something about her kind demeanor made him feel like he could trust her.

"I don't know," he said, looking down at his hands. "I guess I was looking for a new direction in my life. Something to help me forget about my past."

Alexandra nodded, understanding. "I think we all have things we'd like to forget. But sometimes, it's important to remember where we came from. It helps us appreciate where we are now."

Luke looked up at her, surprised by her words. "You're pretty wise, for someone who comes to a bar."

Alexandra laughed. "Hey, even wise people need a drink every once in a while."

They continued to talk for a while longer, and Luke found himself opening up to her more than he had to anyone in a long time. He didn't tell her everything about his past, but he shared enough to let her know that he had been through some tough times.

As she left the bar that night, Alexandra turned back to him and smiled. "I'll see you around, Luke. Take care of yourself."

Luke watched her go, feeling a strange sense of longing. He didn't know what it was about Alexandra, but he felt drawn to her in a way that he couldn't explain. And he wondered if, maybe, she could help him find the closure he needed to move on from his past.

While asleep Luke woke up again with a start, sweat pouring down his forehead. He had been dreaming again, the same nightmare he had every night. But this time, something was different. In the dream, he saw Sophia again, the love of his life. They had shared some good times together, but Sophia had also tortured him to the extent that he almost closed his heart to love again. She was a soldier just like him, and they had met on a mission. But she had died, and he never got to say goodbye or give her a proper funeral.

Luke tried to push the memories of Sophia to the back of his mind, knowing that dwelling on them would only make it harder for him to perform his duties. But as he lay in bed, he found himself unable to shake off the thought of her.

In his mind, he started to remember a conversation he had with her before she went on her final mission.

(DANGEROUS MISSION).

"Sophia, I don't want you to go," Luke had said, his voice laced with worry.

"I have to, Luke. It's my duty," Sophia had replied, her hand on his shoulder.

"But what if something happens to you it's a dangerous mission and lack of information?" Luke asked, his voice cracking.

Sophia smiled softly, "I'll be okay. I promise. Just remember that I love you, and that will always be enough for me."

Luke was snapped back into reality, tears streaming down his face. He missed Sophia so much. He wished that she was still alive, but he knew that it was impossible.

He wiped his tears away and took a deep breath. He had a mission to complete, and he couldn't let his emotions get in the way to be normal again. But deep down, he knew that he would always carry a piece of Sophia with him & others, and that would never change.