FLASHBACK (War)
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The air was thick with smoke and blood. Screams echoed across the war-torn field, where men fell like broken dolls and magic scorched the earth.
Kaelen's breath came in ragged gasps as he staggered through the chaos, his robes torn, his face streaked with blood. The faint remnants of spells still glowed at his fingertips. He was bleeding from his side, but he didn't stop.
Through the swirling smoke, he caught sight of her.
A girl, no older than fourteen—surrounded by enemy soldiers at the edge of the ridge, her silver hair whipping in the wind as she fought to stay on her feet. She kicked, twisted, and lashed out with every ounce of strength she had, her hands glowing with wild, untamed wind magic. But she was outnumbered, her power raw and unrefined.
The youngest heir of the Laventhren family.
They were trying to subdue her while the others were too distracted to notice.
Kaelen's body moved before he could think. Pain stabbed through him—his injuries screaming in protest—but he didn't care. Fire surged along the blade of his sword as he charged forward.
A roar tore from his throat as magic sparked violently from his fingertips, flames racing down the steel as he threw himself into the fight.
When the smoke cleared, three soldiers lay motionless on the ground.
Kaelen stood before the girl, panting, blood dripping from his lips, barely upright.
She stared at him, still poised to strike, her chest heaving—eyes wide not with fear, but with shock.
He managed a faint smile. "You're safe now, young miss…"
Then the world went black.
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The scent of blood and ash still lingered in the air, even as night settled over the camp. Most soldiers were either asleep or tending to their wounds. Kaelen sat alone near a dim lantern, bandages wrapped tightly around his torso. Every breath was a dull throb. Every movement sent a sharp pulse through his limbs—a constant reminder of the price he'd paid that day.
The tent flap rustled softly.
He looked up.
There, silhouetted against the moonlight, a soldier.
"Lady Amira," Kaelen said, rising slightly out of instinct, though his body protested.
"You were the one, weren't you?" she asked quietly, stepping into the tent. "The one who saved me."
Kaelen offered a faint smile. "It doesn't matter who did. You're safe now. That's all that counts."
"But you are do badly injured." Her voice lowered. "Why didn't you say anything when the others took credit?"
He shook his head gently, "It was never about recognition, young miss. I did what I had to… because it was the right thing to do."
Amira's jaw tightened. "Still. You should've been honored for it."
Kaelen chuckled under his breath. "I've already been given my reward."
She blinked, confused.
"I'm going home," he said, voice quiet and warm. "Got a letter last week. My wife gave birth to twins—two boys. I wasn't there to help her through it, and that eats at me. But I can make it right now. I can go back. Be a father. Live a simple, happy life."
He looked at her with quiet admiration. "Even at just fourteen, you were out there—fighting bravely. I was honored to serve beside you. If I ever had a daughter... I'd hope she'd grow up to be just as strong and courageous as you."
For a moment, silence settled between them.
Then Amira gave a small nod. "Thank you."
Kaelen smiled again, easing back onto his cot. "Rest well, Lady Amira. You've got a legacy to uphold."
She turned and stepped back into the night, the flap closing behind her with a soft whuff.
Kaelen exhaled slowly, a contented smile on his face.
He may not have gotten the medals. But he had his life. And a family waiting for him
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Flashback – The Final Moments of Kaelen
Amira arrived at the heart of the destruction—too late.
Kaelen lay amidst the scorched earth, his body bloodied and broken. Each breath was a shallow gasp, pain etched deep into his face. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he reached out with trembling fingers toward a motionless figure nearby—Aeris, his beloved.
"Sir Kaelen..." Amira's voice trembled.
His meet hers. "Could you help this defeated man? Just… help me get to my wife."
Without hesitation, Amira dropped to her knees beside him. Her hands shook as she helped ease his broken form closer to Aeris. Kaelen's fingers finally brushed his wife's hand.
"Aeris…" he whispered, voice cracking. "I'm sorry. If I'm ever given another life... I'll spend every second of it with you. Forever and ever."
More tears fell as he stared at Aeris's peaceful face. "Why… why do I have to see you like this? I wish I could've taken the pain instead..."
Amira wiped her cheeks, struggling to stay composed. "I should've come sooner… I should've been here to protect you both."
Kaelen turned to her, the last flickers of life in his eyes. "Then… do one thing for me. My daughters… Pearline and Elysia. Please… save them."
Amira's breath caught in her throat, but she nodded firmly, through her tears. "I will. I promise."
A gentle smile touched Kaelen's lips. And then, with one final breath—peaceful, yet heavy with love and sorrow—he was gone.