As we pushed the Central forces further back into their own territory I thought about the family that I had met months ago. Hoping that they were fine I slashed through another enemy soldier. Feeling his blood spray on my face I roar at the other enemies who take a step back in fear.
I was out on another solo infiltration mission, bare chested so that I wouldn't ruin my uniform. I cut my way through the enemies as their screams were lost into the night. Once the last soldier had fallen I cleaned my sword on a scrap of cloth I had taken from a fallen enemy. Walking over to a nearby fountain I washed the blood off my face and body as best as I could before throwing my uniform back on and speeding back to our main camp. Reporting my success I retired back to my tent to get some rest.
Waking up the next morning we broke down the camp and headed to the town I had cleared the previous night. Some soldiers lost their breakfasts at the sight of the carnage I had caused. I had gone a little overboard this time around. Everyone walked over severed limbs, entrails, and decapitated bodies. Jones slows down to walk beside me.
"You know, you've gotta rein it in a little. Command is already on my ass. What you're doing is giving us much needed breathing room but it's bordering on war crimes. Jesus Williamson, you're smashing their heads in for crying out loud."
"Jones, you know what happens when I flip the switch. I take a back seat and let my inner Viking out."
"Just, just rein it in okay? I don't need my best soldier getting pulled out of this fight because he kept desecrating corpses."
"They were still alive when I smashed their heads in!"
"That's even worse, why do you even do that?"
"Gotta make sure they're dead right?"
Jones shakes his head and jogs forward up, he gives a few commands and soldiers begin clearing the houses. Clearing the town took up half the day, by the time we had set up a temporary camp the sun was already past its apex. I told Jones that I was going to wander around again, looking for any civilian survivors.
The town is quiet, aside from my unit, their silent whispers, and the sound of soldiers cleaning their guns. Sighing I drew my sword, brought out a whetstone and sat down by the fountain I had washed up in the previous night. Soaking the stone I began sharpening my sword and honing its edge. The thing stayed sharp no matter what, probably from an enchantment that Morgana put into it. After being satisfied with the edge I resheathed the sword, pocketed the whetstone and dried by hand on my pants. Laying back I closed my eyes and focused on my surroundings while I rested.
Before I knew it the First World War had come to a close. The Central armies had been decimated by the 'Reaper of the Trenches'. I grimaced at the name I had been given, out of everything they could have dubbed me I was given a name that made me sound like a complete asshole and an edgelord. Sighing, I packed my bags and bid the few friends I had made farewell.
"You gotta come visit me sometime Seth."
"I will Billy, I've always wanted to visit New Zealand."
"Oi Reaper," I glare at the man. "Stop by for beers yeah?"
"Maybe, if you stop calling me that god awful name."
"Aw, relax mate, I think it's a fitting name."
"Fuck off Collins, I'm leaving now. If any of you get thrown in prison I'm not bailing you out. I've got a date to pick up."
Saying my final goodbyes I made my way out of the building and looked around. Men were boarding planes to head home. I would board one of the planes too but before I had one more stop to make and a promise to keep.
The town was silent, there were soldiers talking or having a smoke at every turn. I eventually found the home and I knocked on the door. I heard a clatter of something and hurried footsteps to answer the door. Anais greeted me with a hug just as Amelie came from behind her mother to hug my leg. Over the months that had passed she had grown another few inches. Patting her head I turned to Anais.
"I'm back."
"When you didn't return after a time I grew concerned, but little Amelie her told me you'd be okay."
"Is that true young lady, did you have faith I would come back for you?"
Amelie didn't reply, she kept hugging my leg, her teddy was in her hand. Scooping her up into my arms she finally let out a laugh as I carried her.
"Maman said you wouldn't come back, I knew you would though. Monsieur Lupin told me so."
I tickled her befor handing her back to her mother.
"Are you two ready? I can go get a spot on the plane for you while you pack if you're not."
"We do not have much left, we can just go."
"Don't worry yourselves, I will take care of everything."
Amelie reached out to me and I took her from her mother. She hugged me close while I carried her. I held out a hand to Anais, taking it she gave me a small smile. With that I led them out of the remains of their broken home and into the future.
It took hardly any convincing to get the pilot of a plane to allow them on with me. After I buckled Amelie to her seat she kicked her feet back and forth while playing with her teddy. Anais looked around the plane nervously and tightened her belt.
"First time flying?"
"Yes, I still fear that we will fall from the sky."
"It'll be okay, nothing of that sort will happen."
I took her hand and squeezed it to comfort her. She sighs and leans her head back, closing her eyes. Amelie looks up at me.
"Is Maman okay?"
"Yes sweetie, she's just worried about flying."
"Like a bird!"
"Like a bird, get some rest Amelie. Lupin and I will watch over you."
Amelie rubs her eyes and yawns. Soon she drifted off to sleep and her head leaned onto my side. Wrapping an arm protectively around her I heard her whisper.
"Goodnight papa."
My breath caught in my throat for a moment. She called me dad, had I really had that big of an impact with her? Thinking about how this would affect me in the future I leaned back and soon followed the girls into sleep.