Rising Conflict

I am 12 years old now.

Life has been treating me quite well; however, this changed one night when I overheard my parents talking in hushed voices in the next room. I could make out just a few words.
Llanes ... Amir ... War ... War?

There was going to be a war?

I couldn't stop my curiosity and went into the other room to confront them.

"War?"

Vash let out a deep sigh.

"Yes, it looks like there will be a battle here."

Vash then went on to explain the details of why this war was coming. Currently, we are in the Kingdom of Llanes, which is ruled by King Flavus. We live in the city of Flavanius, which is on the border of the Kingdom of Amir, which lies to the east of Llanes. Conflicts between the two kingdoms have been going on for decades, and it seems like this is just another one of those conflicts. The King of Amir, King Kos Ural Rasen, has sent his armies out across the Ionian Sea to the port city of Decka and is making his way to our city. Apparently, their forces are massive and are only a month's march from the city, or that's what Father heard anyway.

"So we can't just leave?" I asked.

"No, King Falvus has ordered people not to flee the city to keep it functioning and encourage the soldiers to fight. And I am a city guard; I have to stay, you understand, right?"

I guess I did understand. But I liked these people, and I care for them. I care for them the same way I should have cared for my family in my previous life.

"It will be alright." Vash gave me a reassuring look, but I could see the underlying concern in his face.

I couldn't sleep that night. My thoughts were running wild, thinking about what could happen.
What happens if they take the city? What will happen to us? What happens if I die again?

Over the next few days and weeks, I could see that people were visibly nervous. I've never experienced anything like a war or battle, but some of these people probably have in some way or another.

A week before the Amir army was supposed to show up, I paid Kuno a visit. We had been meeting up for the past few weeks as well, but the conversation seemed to always end the same.

"Hey," I waved at him. Kuno was still up on a hill, overlooking the outer walls of the city. I walked up and sat next to him.

"Hey ... They say that the armies of Amir could arrive this week," he said. "But some people are also saying that King Falvus has sent reinforcements and should be here a few days before King Rassen's armies."

"This city feels like it's hardly defended. There's too much wall for such a small city garrison to defend," I remark while moving to lie on my back. "Plus, most of them are just defending the inner wall..."

"That's why I think you should stay with us! My family are nobles; we can always just pay a ransom."

I shot up from lying down. "Damn it! I told you this already, I can't! My father is part of the city guard, and my mother is staying here to help him ... I can't just leave them behind."

There is a short silence. Then I got up to walk away.

"Wait-wai..."

I could hear his voice trail off, but I didn't stop to look back. To be honest, I myself am not so sure why I'm mad. He is doing all of this out of concern, and he knows my father can't leave his post lest he become a deserter. If this had been my previous life, I'm sure I would have jumped on the opportunity. But this isn't, I want to change and not be the scumbag who would take a chance to run and leave them behind. I think ... I think I was mad at myself for even considering.
I'll have to apologize later.

Kuno

Sigh. I watched Sern as she walked away, down the hill, and into the wooded surroundings. I know about her circumstances, and that it's not easy to just leave them, but wouldn't it be better to live? I'm sure that even her parents would agree with me. I wonder if Sern's even told them. I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't. We should be enjoying our time before the war starts, not fighting each other.

I lay on my back and exhaled deeply. "Sigh ... And I still haven't given her this."

I was holding up a small silver-colored ring, rolling it around on the tips of my fingers. It was something I bought a few years ago, now, when Sern and I went to the city center. It is made of a high-quality metal and can be used as a conduit; at least that's what the vendor told me.

"I guess I'll have to give it to her next time ... I should probably apologize too."

I closed my eyes for what felt like a few minutes. That's when I was shaken awake by one of my household servants.

"My lord ... my lord ... we have to leave now."

"Hmm, what?"

I sat up and let out a yawn. When I opened my eyes, that's when I saw it. Smoke rising all over the city. Bells ringing. Soldiers on horseback, cutting people down. I quickly turned to scan the outer walls. In the far distance, a massive army marched over the horizon.

Sern

I was still thinking about what had happened earlier when I started to smell something burning.
What's that smell? Smoke?

I looked up to see columns of smoke rising all over the outer city. I could hear screams in the distance and the sounds of fighting. Instantly, I realized what was happening. I sprinted in the direction of my home.
I thought their army was supposed to be a week's march away! How did they get into the city?

As I approached my home, I slowed down and observed my surroundings. The door to the house was wide open, but I didn't see anyone around. Quietly, I snuck into the house and closed the door behind me. The inside looked ransacked, with stuff strewn about and furniture knocked over.
"Mom, hello?" I called out cautiously.

I checked the entire house; Mira was nowhere to be found. I walked back to the entrance of the house and debated on what to do next.
Oh god, what do I do? Should I go out and look for her? Ugh, I don't know.

I crouched down, rubbing my hair, trying to think of something, when I heard a loud thud behind me. The door swung open, and before I could turn around, I was hit in the back of the head. I fell to the ground, unconscious.