'War is a deadly poison, it could kill you fast but it could also destroy you slowely. The most commen form of war was the latter. The atack power of a country doesn't necessarily decide the ending of a war, but persistence and perseverance does.'

'Survival of the fittest is a natural law that would claim every living thing, but countries also follow that rule.'

'A new smaller nation against a strong united front is like a fight between a bunny and a lion. The bunny could evade the lion for some time, but winning against the top predator is an near impossibility.'

'What are we suposed to do against the united Empire, we should surrender instead of sending our childeren to die a useless war.'

'Those pigs of the empire should feel the anger and rage of our ancestors, surrender is not an option.'

'The king has send messengers, their objective is reestablishing peace between our beautiful country and the United Empire. The next two weeks could determine the future of everyone in New Bellum.'

A man well in his forties was reading through multiple papers about the dire situation his country was in. He had blue eyes, short blond hair with a few grey ones. His usual stern and calm expression had changed in worry and annoyance.

'These bastards, the war already started. There is no stopping it.' The handsome man thought.

He put the papers down on the table he was sitting at.

'I have been sitting in the kitchen for to long, let's see how the little ones are doing'.

The man took his long sword that layed against the side of the table and walked outside the kitchen. He was now standing in a big church hall. There was a large window in the back with a sun altar in front of it.

The altar was made from stone and marble, with an statue of the sun on top of it. This church belonged to an old forgotten religion that worshipped the sun. Now it was the home of the middle aged man.

Infront of the altar stood a woman around his age. Her long white hair danced around her body while she looked towards his direction. Her blue eyes were piercing him.

"Ah dear,Bill came to say goodbye." Were the words that came out of her perfectly formed mouth.

Next to her were a man and a woman he trusted with his life.

Bill was a younger man with whom he had trained, fought and celebrated within his younger years. Toghether they gathered some fame throughout the years by taking care of troublesome individuals like bandits, pirates and assassins.

Bill was a big man with muscles that would scare away most bodybuilders. He had short brown hair and brown eyes. Most people would asume that he had muscles for brains but that was far from the truth, he was quite the thinker and conversations with him would never bore you.

His newly wed wife next to him, Belle, was an interesting lady. She was an adventurer they met while whipping out some bandit outpost. Her muscles were also nothing to scoff at and she was the perfect example of an adventurer, well behavior wise.

"Ah Bill, the dreaded day of your departure has finally come. I wish that the threats of war will soon fade."

Bill walked towards the blond man and gave him a firm handshake.

"Well my dear friend, we both know that the war is inevitable at this point. With some luck we will be able to survive the take-over." Bill said with a somber smile.

"Hey, just hold strong for a bit, I will join you in about a month. The moment we meet, will be the downfall of that Empire." the blond man declared.

Bills somber smile than changed to a propper grin.

"Hahaha Arthur, lad you never fail to brighten my mood."

Arthur than looked to his right and saw 5 heads Peak around a corner. He instantly knew who they where.

"Jasmine, Ellie, Andrius, Lynn and Estell. Come say goodbye to uncle Bill."

Arthur and his wife Lanet weren't able to conceive childeren, this had saddend them both greatly. Their family without a kid left a void wich they had to fill, so they started adopting. It started with ten kids first, they came from an orphanage that was closing because of some financial scandal. But the kids he just addressed were adopted later. There was still one missing though.

The five kids slowely walked out the room and the little girl named Jasmine started with saying goodbye, the others followed.

"Redrick, I know that you are hiding In that room. Bill is going to leave for quite some time so come say goodbye".

A small boy with black hair than also came out ot the room. He bowed towards Arthur, wished Bill good luck and than walked towards Lanet.

"Ey little lads, I'll be back before you know it. Those Empire punks will be a peace of cake. Your dad and I will show them who they are messing with." Bill said while striking a strong pose.

The six little kids looked at him with wonder in their eyes.

"Allright big oaf, it's time to go. We already said goodbye to everyone and that carriage is leaving soon. We also have some things to discuss before you leave so move it." Belle said while grabbing Bill by his ear.

"Ohw thanks for having us lanet, I'll see you this Thursday. And Arthur, your group of sword fiends need some help in the garden." Belle yelled while walking out the door. Bill still being being led by ear.

*boom*

The door closed behind them.

Arthur now walked towards Lanet. He gave a fast kiss and than looked towards the six kids.

"Sorry dear, I think that the eldest need me right now." Arthur said

"Don't worry, I have these little guys to keep me company. We were planning to go to the city to buy flowers for the garden." Lanet replied.

Arthur nodded and said goodbye to his wife and kids.

The garden was at the back of the church. It used to be an old cemetery, but the younger kids and his wife had made it into a garden.

The garden existed out of sixteen triangles and one circle. The circle was in the middle while the triangels were circling around it.

They had chosen this form because it represented the sun.

Jasmine asked her siblings wich flower they wanted, every chosen flower would be planted in one of the triangles.

Lanet and Arthur wanted the same flower. The flower he had gifted her while proposing, many years ago. That flower was going to be planted in the circle.

White carnation.

Arthur had reached the garden, he saw his 10 eldest kids clash swords with each other. It was clear that this wasn't training, they were probably fighting because of a stupid argument.

"Eyyyyy" Arthur shouted.

The Ten fighting youths instantly looked his way. They backed of from each other and bowed towards their adopted father.

"There is no time for squabbling between each other. War is approaching and you guys will be under my direction. I will do everything to keep you guys save, but I am not invisible nor omnipotent. You guys need to be prepared for everything. So let's take this serious."

"Yes sir" the ten yelled in union.

Arthur than smiled. "Alright, let's start with a sparring match with me. Everyone makes teams of two to challange me. The winner will be the commander of our division during the war."

The 10 youths trembled. They were painfully aware that they wouldn't be able to defeat their father, even if they all went against him at the same time.

"Well who is going to start" Arthur said while pointing his sword towards his kids.

He than looked towards the oldest two.

"Ricky and Lena, show your siblings what initiative is."

The pair walked forward and started holding their battle position.

Arthur enjoyed training with his kids. This sadly enough, would be the last time for an relaxed sparring match.

The war was coming.

The lion was hunting, the weak would be preyed upon, and the slow killing poison had been taken.

And the Goldfields would be part of it.