Chapter 1
Kate breathes deeply as she walks through a graveyard. The air after rain feels fresh, but here it carries a distinctive scent of sad flowers, that shortens the gap between living and dead. The atmosphere feels spiritual, but Kate isn’t a believer in the true meaning of the word; the rational mind doesn’t truly comprehend what it can’t explain. Her emotions however don’t let her rest, and so she’s come to ease her heart - at least she thinks so.
She stops at three new graves, staring at portraits of young faces, that are put into the white stone. Royal symbols engraved around the portraits are a sign of their honor and service to the country, namely to the king himself.
We all die one day, so let’s make it worth it. Isn’t that what you said, Sherry? We all agreed to it so easily...
“They made it worth it.” A familiar rough voice resounds behind her. She slowly turns her head around and notices a fairly young man smiling at her. His green eyes look sad, but determined too.
“Indeed.” She turns around, feeling more at ease thanks to his presence. She knows that he was hit the hardest, but he hasn't broken down yet, nor does he intend to, so neither can she.
“Now that’s a pretty gloomy face. Are your wounds better by now at least?” She can feel that he honestly cares, helping her to feel better.
“Not all of them, fortunately, but I suppose that’s fine.” She shrugs her shoulders as he lets out a slight laugh.
“Well, of course. Aside being human, want to tag along? I’m about to get some good cake for mood.”
“My, how convenient.” She replies with a similar laugh. One last glance at the graves and she walks away, following him through the city streets, as there’s nothing much else to do; she just doesn’t feel like doing anything.
They walk silent, so Kate continues thinking about her dead friends. They shared many happy moments, that now repeat in her head like an old movie of golden times. Thinking about it too much starts sinking her into depression again.
“Don’t think about it so much, Kate. They wouldn't want us to be depressed, would they?” His penetrating look startles her. She forces a smile, slightly shaking her head.
“You’re right, I know that, but it’s still hard to compete with emotions. Willpower isn’t everything, you know.”
“You can’t deny that it is crucial however.”
“Can’t argue with that.” She nods.
Still, it’s not enough.
A buzzy sound from afar reaches them. It sounds numerous, rather familiar and ominous. It doesn’t take long for Jeffrey to realize what it truly is. He grabs Kate and forcefully throws her into an alley nearby, rushing there afterwards.
A series of explosions follow, most structures get hit and their fragments become weapons themselves. Tons of rubble falls on the streets and dust spreads, rendering vision useless. It makes sense that panic settles in, but hearing the screams between the explosions is a horrible experience. The city no doubt got hit by the heavy artillery.
Some rubble falls into the alley too, but Kate’s barely hurt. Jeffrey, who’s lying on top of her, has probably somehow covered her from it. He’s bleeding from his head and probably body too, but Kate can’t see, all she sees is blood dripping on her.
“Hey, Jeffrey! Talk to me! Say anything!” She yells and tries to shake him, but it doesn’t help, he remains motionless. Fear kindles inside her; he might be dead, dead just like her teammates. She doesn’t want that, she has to do something.
She tries to push him aside, but it appears to not be so easy; his weight is great, it takes all her might to somehow free herself. But her task doesn't end there yet. She needs to treat Jeffrey, but none of them have anything med related. Finding a hospital in this situation is unthinkable and she can still hear the artillery rounds. What can she do?
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