The way back home

Von sat down next to his newfound friends and now loyal comrades next to one of the many bonfires that had been lit after setting up a temporary night camp. The fire danced under the moonlit sky, as the winds slightly graced the surrounding pine trees.It was a chilly yet almost lukewarm night, the fire providing all the heat needed.

Von, Miek and Jochen all sat down next to each other, a calm and sad silence setting upon them, the firepit and wind did all the sound for them, no words needed to be exchanged, all they needed was to go back home and be able to rest and reflect on everything they had seen in their seven months of war.

"you know.." Miek began "despite everything I think Markus was quite funny"

"Especially his deformed ass" Jochen said behind a small chuckle and suddenly the three started laughing, slowly it died as quick as it started. Von felt pain as he laughed, both from the bruises caused by the battle and his own guilt.

"He told me he just wanted to go home and relax" Von quietly voiced "I guess he can relax now" a small tear now cursed the side of his face slowly ending in his chin only to fall on the cold grass.

"I surely hope so" Jochen whispered and with that the small conversation ended. "I will get some sleep, so should you" He said to his mates as he stood up and headed for the tent just a few steps away.

Now only Miek and Von sat on the lonely bench next to the raging fire.

"Thank you" Miek said as he looked towards him with his one eye.

"There is nothing to thank, please don't.." Von began

"If it weren't for you that small rock wouldn't have just pierced my eye and you know it" Miek maintained.

"I guess so" Von replied "how do you feel?"

"It hurts, a lot, but Lieutenant Riege made sure I didn't have an infection" Miek explained "So in my book an eye instead of my life is a pretty good deal" He joked

"Or maybe you could have kept both" Von murmured

"Von, we are going home, we owe it to Markus to not let this destroy us" Miek reassured

"I'll go get some sleep, see you tomorrow Miek" Von stood up and left for the tent.

As he approached the tent Von stopped and turned to his side, there was an opening amongst the trees which led to a plain field, filled with leaves, leaves he had seen only once before in his hometown. The leaf's color was that of gold, gold which reflected the pale moon's shine, and lightly lit the field itself. He walked towards the field and upon reaching it just sat down and directed his golden brown eyes towards the provider of light.

"Von.." He started recalling his father's words "You see this are the leaves of the Kogane tree or golden blossom" The words filled all the sound around him, he couldn't hear anything but those words "They represent life, they are born, the grow and turn into a beautiful golden color, and at some point sooner or later they fall and die turning into black leaves; Some may fall sooner some later but they all fall in the end, and soon enough others will grow in their place. That is life" He finished explaining

"While this may sound scary, it's beautiful in it's own way son, maybe one day you'll understand" His father tried comforting

Von came back to his senses, tears started forming in his eyes. He grabbed a bunch of leaves nearby and crushed them hard in his hand.

"Im sorry father, I'm sorry Mother, I'm sorry Markus.. Im sorry" He started crying again, his promise raging within him, his promise of victory of never failing again. Von grabbed all his rage, all his pain and let it all out for one last time.

For this would be the last time he would fail, the last time he would need to cry.

Next morning the camp was quickly lifted as they still had a long way home. Von was able to walk so he did, however he walked alone slightly apart from his comrades, he needed time to think.

If one were to walk through these paths, filled with green grass, trees, small rivers and the everlasting wind one wouldn't be able to tell that a war was happening, you wouldn't be able to believe such beauty could be destroyed by pettiness and hatred, and yet it did.

Was there somewhere untouched by the bloody grip of war? Could peace be achieved through something else than just war? Could he play a part in that peace?

Von's train of thought was halted by the man next to him, despite being cleaner and better dressed out of the family clothes Riege was unmistakable. His black calculating eyes were the first thing one would notice of him, this was accompanied by his long black hair now over his shoulders and his slim figure. His clothes now from the army consisted of a wool shirt, leather pants and boots and the distinctive Kriel black and green overcoat.

"You fought well the other night, he only won by experience" Riege commented

"Thanks for saving me back there" Von replied

"We soulbinders need to watch each other's back" Riege said "Talking about that, maybe I could help you train, so you can be better using your binding in battle" He suggested

"You would do that?" Von said confused

"Of course, only one condition" Riege announced

"Figured" Von chuckled

"Are you a Richerz?" He asked casually

Von froze and his eyes widened.

"You wouldn't know anything about them would you?" Riege inquired again now looking straight to Von, halting.