The most ferocious storm could not compare to the thunder of artillery the surrounded David. As he found himself covered in mud, lying in a crater and clinging to his rifle, he reflected on his past. When news reached him seven months ago that his people were being pressured by all their neighbors during the ignition of the Great War, he assumed that his peaceful country would simply continue to export freely and bribe visiting diplomats to maintain neutrality. However, even if something did happen, David never imagined that the war would reach his home, a town that found itself cut off from the world deep in the mountains. David suddenly covered his ears as a new crater was planted but feet away. His entire body was almost consumed by mud as he stared into the sky, which only trickled some rain through the smoke. Was this how he died? Just then, a small little blue bird descended from the clouds, and its song seeming to pierce through lightning and thunder. Hope.