Embers of Peace

Somewhere deep within the forest, wildflowers curled around thick vines that climbed toward a giant tree. Its branches stretched wide, and at its heart, a soft green light shimmered, spilling from the trunk. Though night cloaked the forest, this place was bright as day. From within, a small clear voice drifted on the wind, carried by the leaves themselves.

"...Lady Maria, d-did you sense it? that mana from earlier?"

A gentle, soothing voice answered, "Yes, it's been over two hundred years since I last felt mana like that around these parts."

Her face, half-hidden among the giant leaves, curved into a small, enigmatic smile.

"Now then, let's see if they accept my invitation."

*****

Back at the village, things finally settled after the emotional storm.

Loid raised his jug with a grin.

"Well, gents, there you have it. Name's Nova Stoner."

The three soldiers exchanged glances, before the first one straightened himself.

"Uh, right. I'm Franklyn Hughes." His brown hair caught the firelight as his eyes flicked nervously around the square.

The second waved eagerly.

"And I'm Joe! Nice to meet ya properly!" He jabbed a thumb toward the tired man. "And this grumpy guy here? Scar Man!"

"Hey!" the scarred soldier barked. "That's not my name, you asshole. It's David!"

Laughter rippled through the villagers.

Shelly peeked out from behind Charlotte, blinking with soft eyes, a small frown tugging at her face.

"But I like 'Scar Man' better..."

David froze, momentarily disarmed, then rubbed the back of his neck with a defeated sigh.

"F-fine, I guess only you get to call me that kid."

The villagers chuckled again.

Charlotte's shoulders relaxed as she watched the unlikely group.

The village chief, cheeks flushed and words slightly slurred, raised his jug high.

"Well then—hic—we'd love to welcome you three to Luna Village! A toast, to our new companions!"

Cups were raised, and the crowd erupted into cheers, laughter and chatter filling the square as the music resumed, carrying the celebration deep into the night.

Later, near the fire, Loid sat quietly, flames reflecting in his eyes. Across from him, the three former soldiers nursed their drinks while a faint trace of uncertainty lingered on his expression.

What was that voice earlier when I fought Gaza? Gulo? It almost felt like I wasn't myself. I need to ask Estelle about it later.

A wobble, a hiccup, and Elisia stumbled into view, jugs in hand, cheeks flushed.

"Whaaaa, who're these three bozos, huh?" she slurred, pointing vaguely before collapsing against Loid.

He sighed, glancing down at her.

"Seriously? You pass out here of all places?"

"Whaaa—I'm not pass—"

She started snoring, a thin trail of drool slipping onto Loid's shoulder.

"Yeah," Loid muttered, unimpressed. "Could've fooled me."

Charlotte giggled softly.

"Lady Estelle, looks like I'll have to take her to her room."

"You don't have to," Loid said, shrugging.

"Oh, it's fine," Charlotte replied with a smile. "I was heading to bed anyway, and you probably don't want to see where she's going to end up if we don't move her."

She knelt beside Elisia.

"Come on now, up we go."

She helped her to her feet, Elisia groaned, then suddenly clutched her mouth.

Charlotte's eyes widened.

"Oh dear."

One careful step at a time, she guided the half-conscious witch around the corner, steadying her whenever she stumbled.

Loid exhaled, leaning back as he watched the fire crackle. The warmth and quiet contrasted with the chaos of the night, yet a twinge of unease lingered in his chest.

That voice, it won't let me forget so easily.

Across from him, David finally spoke, his tone sober despite the scent of ale oozing off him.

"Nova, was it?"

Loid looked at him.

"Yeah, what's up?"

David's jaw tightened.

"I know this is a celebration, but it's better to warn you now rather than later."

Loid took a slow drink, his eyes half-lidded.

"I take it, you're talking about the Nation of Ruwen?"

A bitter smile crossed David's face.

"How keen of you. Yes. Now that we're gone from the border, Ruwen will send more soldiers. It's only a matter of time."

Franklyn leaned forward.

"If they find out about Luna Village, they won't just ransack it like we did, they'll destroy it. Completely."

Loid's expression sharpened.

"Go on."

Joe clenched his fists, the earlier cheer long gone.

"The king... he's a tyrannical bastard. He doesn't care about people like us. To him, we're disposable tools. When he finds out a simple village humiliated his army..." He ground his teeth, his eyes dropping. "He'll attack just to prove a point. To protect his ego. He's scum."

A tense silence followed. The fire popped, casting flickering shadows across their faces. Loid's eyes gleamed faintly in the darkness.

"Then we'll just make sure he regrets it."

David lowered his gaze to the fire, idly prodding the flames with a stick.

"You see, the truth is... we're not real soldiers."

Loid remained silent, simply watching him.

David's voice dropped to a little more than a murmur.

"We were convicts. All of us. Ruwen drafts prisoners to guard the borders of the Dark Continent."

A moth drifted into the fire, its wings catching the light for an instant before vanishing with a soft sizzle.

Franklyn shifted, shoulders hunched.

"They promise your crimes get erased once your term's over, but we all knew the truth."

Joe laughed bitterly.

"None of the convicts before us ever made it back. Not one. That's when we realized there was never any freedom waiting. They were just sending us to die, dressed up with pretty words."

David nodded grimly. 

"We still went anyway. Maybe because we wanted to believe we'd be different... that maybe we'd get lucky."

"Captain Gaza, he was the real soldier, allowed to come and go from Ruwen. We were just disposable hands." Franklyn shrugged.

Loid stayed silent for a long moment. Then closed his eyes and smiled faintly.

"Don't you see?" he said softly. "Y'all did get lucky."

They looked at him, confused.

"You found this place, didn't you?" he continued, gazing at the stars. "People who accepted you. A chance to live, not as pawns, not as criminals, but as part of something worth protecting."

He turned to them with a small, confident grin.

"So if Ruwen wants to come, let them. I'll be ready."

They were completely baffled by Loid's confidence for a moment until Joe chuckled, rubbing his nose as he extended his fist.

"Heh, we won't be leaving everything to you, Nova. We've got your back... boss."

Loid blinked. Boss?

Franklyn and David exchanged glances, then followed suit, their fists meeting Joe's.

Loid smirked, tapping his knuckles against theirs.

"Just make sure you train hard before talking big about protecting anything."

"Hey, that's not cool, man," Joe complained, feigning offense.

Loid laughed softly.

"Guess you'll have to prove me wrong, huh?"

The fire danced between them. Faces that once met in tension now reflected the unity of a single village.

As the celebrations quieted, the villagers drifted home, one by one. By the time the last lantern dimmed, Loid, David, Franklyn, and Joe were sprawled around the dying campfire, too drunk and content to make it indoors.

Charlotte peeked from the hut, sighing softly.

"They all fell asleep outside." A small smile formed. "How reckless."

Carrying blankets, she stepped carefully into the cool night air. Moonlight brushed against her hair as she bent down to cover them, lingering a moment longer over Loid, whose faint smile never left his face.

Charlotte paused, looking at him.

He looks so peaceful, almost like a baby.

Her smile deepened, then she turned toward the hut.

Inside, Elisia mumbled in her sleep, drooling at the pillow's edge.

"Come... come on... one more drink won't huuuurt..."

Charlotte giggled softly.

"Lady Estelle still wants to drink, even in her dreams." She sat by the window for a while, gazing at the faint glow of the embers.

Ever since they came, the village has felt alive again.

Her smile lingered as the wind rustled through the trees, carrying the soft sound of snores through Luna. Then a second wind blew, stronger this time, sweeping toward Lake Euphoria and across it...

The uncharted forest.