Pride in Hearts

As the great hawk flew through the darkening sky, the wind cut into Shen's face like a knife. The steady beat of its powerful wings was the only sound for hours, a steady drum against the storm in his mind. They had won. They had broken the Duke of the Night and scattered his Hunters, which was a blow to the Empire that would take a long time to recover from. But winning felt empty, like a gold cup full of ash. Fenix and the Warlord's ghosts rode with him, and he could see their last moments playing out in his mind, a weight that was heavier than any armor.

It looked like a jagged shadow against the bruised sky as they got closer to the kingdom's fortress. The huge, black stone walls looked like they were drinking the last of the light. But as they went down, Shen saw something strange and humbling. The news of what they had done had already reached the citadel, faster than their own wings. The main courtyard, which is usually busy, was full of people who were all looking up and watching in complete silence. It felt like everyone in the kingdom had been holding their breath for this moment.

As Shen and Kelly got off their horses, he could feel the weight of a thousand eyes on him. The huge courtyard was eerily quiet. There was no talking, but the air was thick with tension, and everyone knew that the world had changed. The worry and hope on every face showed how big what had happened was. The echo of his boots on the stone was a lonely drumbeat in the quiet of the palace as he slowly and carefully walked toward his brother's rooms. He could feel their hope, which was a weak thing that he was afraid he might break. Kelly walked a little behind, and her silence showed how much they were both going through. Shen's stomach felt like it was tied in a cold knot of fear. He had done the unthinkable: he had attacked the Empire head-on without thinking. He had won the battle, but by doing so, he might have started a war that would kill them all.

He stopped at the entrance to the great hall, where his brother, the acting Admiral, was waiting in the middle of the room. There were a lot of questions in the air that people weren't saying. Shen got ready for the storm of criticism he thought he deserved. He had put their future at risk, and now it was time to pay the price.

Shen stood still, like a soldier waiting for his punishment. But when he looked into his brother's eyes, he didn't see the anger and disappointment he had expected. Instead, he saw his own tiredness and an incredible, fierce pride in the mirror. His brother closed the distance in three long strides and pulled him into a strong hug before Shen could process what was happening.

"I'm proud of you, brother," he said in a voice that was thick with emotion but strong with determination.

Shen was shocked by the words, which were so different from what he had feared. There was no scolding or talk about how careless he was; only the firm, steady pressure of his brother's arms. Kelly's stoic face softened with a flicker of disbelief as she stood just behind. The unexpected warmth of the welcome clearly relaxed her body.

The silence was broken then. There was one cheer from the courtyard, then another, and another, until a loud roar came through the open doors. It was a wave of sound that shook the stones of the hall. Everyone in the kingdom seemed to be yelling their names. The crowd's roar was so loud that it took Shen's breath away for a moment. It was a raw and beautiful cheer. He saw the sergeant and his old friends in the crowd. They were all smiling and punching the air with their fists.

Shen's soul felt something new at that moment: not the grim satisfaction of a job well done, but a deep sense of gratitude. The sacrifices of Fenix and the Warlord would not be forgotten; this victory would make their names live on forever in the heart of the kingdom.

Shen and Kelly walked through the cheering crowds with his brother by his side. They were going to the castle's throne room, where the kingdom's most important people were waiting. His brother, who was very happy, spoke to the nobles who were there.

He said, "Today is a day of great sacrifice and great victory." "We have lost brothers-in-arms, but the dawn you have secured for us will keep their memory alive." People will sing about what you did in this kingdom's history books for all time.

After that, the king himself came to see them. As he sat on his throne, he looked out with deep, royal pride. The Knights of the Royal Guard stood like stone sentinels on either side of Shen and Kelly, who were tired but not bowed. The king stepped down from the dais in a slow, royal way.

The king's voice was strong when he said, "There will be promotions in rank and a ceremony to honor our fallen." "We remember those we've lost tonight." In their honor, we will keep fighting tomorrow.

It was a serious ceremony. The names of their dead friends were said out loud, and each one hit the hall's quiet like a hammer. When the Warlord's name was said, there was a deep, respectful murmur. Then they announced the new ranks. Kelly, whose face was a mix of pride and sadness, was given the title of Royal Commander, which is one of the highest military honors in the kingdom. Shen was shocked to learn that he had been promoted to Admiral, taking over the job that his brother had just held. He had never thought he would get such an honor. Finally, his brother was given the title of Warlord, which made him a national hero. He took over the role of the fallen hero.

The king spoke to them one last time, and his voice echoed through the hall. "You've lost enough blood for one day." Take a break now. Your kingdom is thankful.

Shen felt a heavy weight lift off his shoulders when he heard those words. He had finished his job. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt a deep calm inside him. The war was over, at least for one night. He was able to go home.

He stopped when he finally got to the simple wooden door of his house, took a breath that seemed to draw in the whole city's quiet, and knocked. Lina, his wife, opened it. The sleepless nights of a long vigil had left dark circles under her eyes. Shen's face showed how tired and sad she was from her journey, but she didn't say anything. She just fell into his arms, and the way she held him was desperate and strong, and it said a lot.

Her hug told the story of her waiting, of the constant worry and the prayers she said in her head. There was no need for words. Shen married her because he felt like he had to and because he felt guilty about something he had done wrong in the past. He knew the truth when he felt her warmth seep into his bones: he loved her. The biggest fight had never been on the frontier; it had been here, fighting for a future with the people he loved.

Shen pulled Lina closer and held her. At that moment, the noise of his life—the clang of steel, the screams of the dying, the roar of the crowd, and the echoes of his own grief—stopped completely. His wife was the only thing that stayed steady and grounded. Lina held on to him just as tightly, and her silent embrace showed how much she loved him and how happy she was.