Someone once said… the only way humanity will truly unite is when it faces another species.
The helicopters descended onto the capital's airfield.
The bay doors opened. Soldiers stepped out—wounded, exhausted, broken.
When my boots hit the ground, I realized there was no welcome.
No honors.
No one waiting.
Just as Frederick had said:
"Helping without expecting anything in return… that's what makes us human."
It didn't bother me that no one was here for me.
What burned inside was knowing how many lives had been lost out there… and that no one would speak their names. No one would remember them—except those of us who fought beside them. And their families… because those soldiers would never return.
A few relatives had come, waiting for sons or brothers to come home.
I saw a young woman rush into Frederick's arms, hugging him tight.
"Dad," she said.
Captain Frederick… has a daughter?
Thomas walked past with Leonidas and Aruka. He placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Good work. Now get some rest. See you later."
I nodded and kept walking.
Families stood waiting… for soldiers who would never return. The moment they got the news, some collapsed in tears; others froze in shock. The cries of grief tore through the air.
What have we done…?
I lowered my head and kept moving, weighed down by the guilt of not saving more lives—by the helplessness of watching war leave behind its inevitable wreckage.
Then I saw them.
Feet. Motionless. Familiar.
I looked up.
It was Herlin.
Her eyes shone, on the verge of breaking.
She threw her arms around me, holding on as if I might vanish.
"Why didn't you send me anything?!" she cried through tears. "I was so worried! I thought… you were dead!"
I gave her a faint smile.
"Let's just say… I didn't get the chance."
"Next time, at least give me some sign you're still alive."
"It hasn't been that long—"
"It's been nine days since you left!"
Nine days?
I hadn't even realized.
She met my eyes.
"The important thing is you're here. A little dirty… but alive."
We started walking together. She asked:
"Why do you look so… sad?"
Too much had happened. My mind had started shutting it all out—just fragments remained.
"I don't remember much… but none of it was good."
"Take your time," she said softly.
She helped me back to my quarters. I was still hurt—couldn't move easily.
I told her I'd wash up on my own.
When I came out, dressed, we sat facing each other in silence.
She studied me. I could barely meet her gaze.
"Are you okay?" she asked. "You seem… different."
I held my breath a few seconds.
"No… I'm not."
"What happened out there?"
"It was hell. From the moment I woke to the moment I tried to sleep—death, screams, blood, explosions… but that wasn't the worst part."
I stopped. I couldn't go on.
Herlin placed her hand over mine.
"It's going to be okay," she said, pulling me into a hug.
I rested my head against her chest. I wanted to cry… but I couldn't. I didn't even know what I felt. Just… blocked.
"I couldn't save them," I whispered. "They died helping us, expecting nothing in return. I should've died with them."
"Don't say that. They gave their lives for others—for their families, for strangers. That was their choice."
"I couldn't save the civilians either… they're just… damn it!"
Herlin lifted my chin, meeting my eyes.
"The strong protect themselves. The strongest… protect others. And you're among the strongest."
Slowly, I told her what had happened. Judging by her face, her soul trembled with mine.
"After staring death in the face at every corner… old memories came back. Things I haven't done yet. I wonder what became of my brother… or my mother. I haven't seen her in years. I never stopped to think about how—or why—my father really died."
"Why don't you visit them?"
"I don't know if my brother's even alive. He went to a battle… and I never heard from him again. But my mother… probably."
"If you want, I'll go with you."
I hesitated.
"No… I'll go alone."
She looked surprised.
"I won't get in the way. I just want to help."
"Thanks… but I need to do this on my own."
As I gathered my things, I realized I didn't have my phone. I turned to look for it.
Herlin was holding it, smirking playfully.
"Looks like you do need a little help."
We left together—on the bike, heading for the Capital District.
And there she was. My mother.
So I didn't end up going alone after all—Herlin came with me.
She seemed more excited than I was to be leaving the capital. She pulled off her gloves mid-ride and tilted her head back, letting the wind hit her face.
"It's been a while since I've seen the sky like this," she said.
We passed streets I no longer remembered. Places from my childhood. Slowly, memories began to surface.
Then—sharp pain in my head.
I braked hard.
"Traytros! What's wrong?!" Herlin shouted.
I clutched my head.
Visions. Voices.
You can hear us… you must stop it.
I saw a man trapped in an explosion, screaming. I saw space. Shadows.
We don't remember you, but you understand us…
A dark figure appeared before me, roaring with fury:
STOP HIM!
I woke up on the ground.
No helmet.
Herlin hovered over me.
"Are you okay?! What's happening?"
"I… I don't know. Just… a headache."
I couldn't tell her more. She'd think I was losing my mind.
We got back on the road. The closer we got, the more images flashed through my mind.
We passed the park—I remembered skipping class with Arthur and Thomas…
Arthur…
The pain returned, sharper this time.
At last, we arrived.
In front of my old house.
"This is it," I said.
"It's a nice house. Your mother lives here?"
"Yes. Let's knock."
We walked to the door.
The voices were still there. Whispering. I couldn't make out the words.
I knocked.
No answer.
"She probably had to step out," Herlin said.
I knocked again.
The door opened slowly.
For a moment, I forgot to breathe.
I didn't know if she wanted to see me.
I didn't know if I was ready to see her.
A silhouette appeared behind the door.
Those eyes… that face…
"…Mom," I whispered.