The Capital

"Of course I know about them, they are the most infamous clan" Von said after regaining his composure, "Why? What's that have to do with training?" he inquired

"Well, their fire techniques are the most advanced, learning from them could be beneficial" Riege said nonchalantly, Von didn't respond, he was doing the same thing Riege was doing, analyzing.

"Aren't they forbidden?" Von asked searching for any hint, that could lead him to learning something else about the mysterious man,

"Technically yes, but if it's for the Kingdom's benefit, then it could be allowed" Riege explained

"Could?"

"Could, we'll discuss this further" Riege ended and stepped up his pace, moving quickly to the front of the column.

As soldiers marched and their feet made a rhythmical sound, Von's mind started wondering, worrying about that seamlessly inoffensive question. As harmless as it sounded any answer that could remotely link you to them meant certain death. While his guard was kept up, Von tried to relax and assume that Riege's inquiry was just that. He kept walking, calmly, focused on the rhythm of the march.

As they got closer to the Capital, more towns appeared, more roads were seen, people were walking by, moving so the army could march. Von, now walking next to Miek and Jochen watched as three kids played with the grass, running, pushing, laughing an innocent laugh. The leaves danced around them as the wind blew ever so slightly, the sun caressed their skin, cleansing them from the pain and guilt, Von tilted his head towards the sun as he walked and finally for a little while, he felt calm, at peace, a small smile adorned his face.

Miek noticed this and smiled himself, "What's got you all smiley?" he asked gently

"I'd like to think that those smiles and laughter" Von said as the swayed his head to face the kids "happen because we are fighting on far away, protecting them"

"I want to think that too" Miek answered with another smile

"I know" Von just replied and kept walking

A few hours later, they arrived at the gates of the Capital, the 20 metre walls surrounding the city were now imposing in front of them, the doors, with the same height, now awaited instruction of opening. The dark colors of the stone made the walls seem like a shadow covered and protected the residents inside them, the same walls that had once been a symbol of power, then of despair now just settled with its original function. The doors had the Kriel flag draped over them, the old flag of the empire, the golden sun and laurels over the red background, now replaced by a red pointed sun over a white background. The flags dirty from duty, covered in dust and rain now just awaited to be flung upon the opening of the great gate.

Suddenly a rumble was heard, the floor began to shake, the doors began to move.

"Everyone, we are home!!" Lieutenant Groman shouted over the deafening sound of the doors moving. Last time Von had seen the doors open was to let him and the rest of the regiment outside the Capital eight months ago. The excitement and adrenaline rush could be smelled in the air, all soldiers were eager to go back home, for the long awaited rest of the survivors. They started hugging, pushing each other playfully as they made jokes about how much they were going to drink, Von just awaited silently.

The door now fully open gave view of the Capital, now a shadow of its former glory, the once marble and polished white stone structures, were now replaced with more common grey stones and wooden buildings, the once crowded streets filled with people chatting and trading were now also filled with patrols and homeless, the starving and the sick. Von heard stories of the great Capital of the Empire, but that was the problem, it wasn't the Empire's Capital anymore, it was Kriel's.

"Von" Jochen said behind him, Von turned around to see his friend "Once we enter, I'd like for you to meet my future wife, and.." he said now more shyly "Come stay a few days with us, you are my friend and savior afterall"

"Jochen, please we just arrived, I'm not going to intrude between you and your future wife" Von said dismissively as he waved his hand. The doors were finished opening and the regiment walked inside slowly, "Please I insist, also it's not going to be just me and my partner, we are going back to my family house, maybe you can also meet them" Jochen tried again

"Fine" Von said chuckling "But just a few days I need to go see my mother" he finished

"Deal" Jochen extended his hand with a smile

"Deal" Von said while shaking it

As sundown graced the walls of the great city, darkness and coldness plundered over it. The streets dimly lit with binded fire provided a slight visual over the stone roads, the Capital was the biggest and most developed city of all of the once Empire and now Kriel.

Von entered the military barracks, The structure was all made of polished white stone and great pillars, of all the structures broken by the fall this was the most salvageable. The underground floors contained the barracks and weapon deposits, the most protected area, while the more administrative sections were on the upper floors. Von entered through the main doors, upon entering he was blinded by the light reflecting upon all the walls and floors. The main hall consisted of a round room all filled with pillars and soldiers next to each pillar conforming 12 in total, in the middle was a desk with several people, behind them an imperial staircase joined the upper floors. He approached the desk as he looked towards the roof and saw a painted representation of the Unification war.

"Von, soulbinder, 34th Regiment" He said as he showed his plaque, a small metal cast with the symbol of Kriel, made with a special alloy that allowed it to be extremely hard to forge. One of the people behind the desk, a tall man with short black hair, eyed Von up and down and grabbed the plaque, placed his hand on top of it and closed his eyes. Metal binders can recognize certain metal patterns they learnt before, this one seems to recognize Von's as he returned it and only said "You can pass". Von grabbed it, shoved it into his overcoat pocket and grabbed the stairs that led to the lower floors.

All soldiers on leave were provided with a week of room and food in the barracks before they needed to pay or look for somewhere else, but since most of them went home , or left for somewhere within the nations confines to visit someone it was pretty empty. He along with a few others were the only ones currently residing on leave, the rest were soldiers awaiting orders to leave to one of the fronts.

Von, tired of the journey, just took off his boots and laid in bed, closed his eyes and awaited for tomorrow.