Alex's heart pounded as the train rattled through Zalovnia's countryside, carrying him further from Rostov and closer to his new life. Rows of green pastures and the golden expanse of farmlands blurred together outside the window, the peaceful landscape a stark contrast to the growing unease within him. Though he'd spent countless days working up the courage to leave, the reality of it now felt both surreal and overwhelming.
Seated across from him was a group of young men around his age, all dressed in similar, well-worn traveling clothes and carrying bags heavy with essentials. Like him, they were on their way to the capital, Granzholm, to enlist. Alex caught snippets of their conversations—nervous laughs, whispered concerns, bold boasts—and realized that behind the bravado, each of them was wrestling with their own fears.
One of the men noticed him watching and grinned, nudging his friend. "Hey, quiet one! First time on the way to Granzholm?" he called out in a Zalovnian accent thicker than Alex's.
Alex gave a small smile, nodding. "Yeah, first time." His voice sounded steadier than he felt.
The young man leaned forward, extending a hand. "Name's Lukas. And this here is Jarek," he said, gesturing to the broad-shouldered man next to him. "We're from Malakova, a little village up north. Ever heard of it?"
Alex shook his head, but his smile widened. "Nice to meet you both. I'm Alex…from Rostov." He realized it felt strange to introduce himself as if he were starting over, leaving behind the familiar life that Rostov represented.
"Rostov, huh?" Jarek said, eyeing Alex curiously. "Heard it's beautiful down there, but quiet. So what brings you out to the big, bad capital?"
Alex hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Well…I guess I wanted to do something that mattered. Something my family could be proud of." He thought of his father, the legacy Viktor Von Muller had left behind, and the heavy responsibility he felt to carry it forward.
Lukas chuckled, but his gaze softened. "We all want that, I think. Feels like there's something in the air these days, doesn't it? Like everything's…changing. Even out in Malakova, people talk about the outside world as if it's just waiting to come crashing in."
Alex nodded, a chill settling over him. It was true—the quiet security Zalovnia had always known now felt fragile. Tensions in neighboring countries were rising, and every week seemed to bring another rumor of unrest. He'd seen it in his mother's eyes when she spoke of old friends leaving for Granzholm, seeking better opportunities, or even enlisting to serve. It was as though the country was preparing for an unknown storm.
"Guess that's why we're all here, then," Alex said, his voice quieter. He leaned back in his seat, watching the scenery change from open fields to the dense forests that signaled they were nearing Granzholm.
The rest of the journey passed in a blur of conversations, laughter, and shared tales of hometowns and dreams. By the time they arrived at the bustling train station in the capital, the sun was beginning to set, casting an orange glow over the city's towering buildings and historic stone bridges. Granzholm was nothing like Rostov. The streets were alive with the hum of carriages, merchants calling out their wares, and the murmur of hundreds of voices.
Alex, Lukas, and Jarek stepped onto the crowded platform, their eyes widening as they took in the vibrant scene. It was thrilling and intimidating all at once, the energy of the city both inviting and overwhelming.
"Come on," Lukas said, nudging Alex and grinning. "Let's not look like country bumpkins on our first day here."
Alex chuckled, following Lukas and Jarek as they wove through the throngs of people, their destination just a short walk away. The Zalovnian Army's recruitment headquarters was housed in an imposing stone building near the city center, its high arches and engraved national seal a reminder of the honor and weight that came with enlistment.
As they entered, they joined a line of young men waiting to be processed. The room was filled with the low hum of voices, the heavy clink of boots, and the sharp, metallic clatter of equipment being sorted. The recruiter's desk stood at the front, where a stern-looking officer was speaking with a young man, giving him instructions in a no-nonsense tone.
When it was Alex's turn, he stepped forward, his heart pounding. The officer, Captain Voss, looked him up and down, assessing him with a calculating gaze.
"Name?" Voss barked.
"Alex Von Muller," he replied, voice steady but respectful.
"Von Muller…from Rostov, are you?" Voss raised an eyebrow, looking slightly impressed. "The same Von Mullers known for engineering all those bridges in the south?"
"Yes, sir," Alex replied, feeling a surge of pride.
Captain Voss nodded approvingly. "We could use more men like you. Zalovnia's going through changes—big changes. What we need now are soldiers with conviction, loyalty, and strength. Do you have that in you, Alex?"
Alex felt a flicker of nervousness, but he met the captain's gaze, thinking of his father, his family, and the reasons that had brought him here. "Yes, sir. I'm ready to serve."
The captain held his gaze a moment longer before nodding. "Good. Report to the training camp tomorrow morning at dawn. You'll find barracks and meals provided there. Dismissed."
With a nod, Alex turned and rejoined Lukas and Jarek, his heart racing with equal parts excitement and apprehension. The three young men left the headquarters together, walking in silence until they were back out on the city streets, the reality of what lay ahead beginning to settle in.
Lukas finally broke the silence. "This is it, huh? The start of something…big."
Alex smiled faintly. "Yeah. I guess it is."
They spent that evening exploring the city, their spirits lifted by the sights, the sounds, and the realization that they were part of something larger than themselves. By the time they returned to their temporary barracks for the night, exhaustion had set in, but so had a new sense of purpose.
Lying in bed that night, Alex stared at the ceiling, listening to the soft breathing of the other recruits around him. Tomorrow would be the beginning of a journey into the unknown, a path that would demand strength he wasn't sure he yet possessed. But he would face it one step at a time, holding close the memory of his father's legacy, the love of his family, and the promise he'd made to himself to protect them.
As his eyes drifted closed, he felt a sense of resolve settling within him. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he would face them with courage. Because here, in the heart of Granzholm, his true journey was just beginning.