Chapter 73: Memories of the Past

Sebastian sat on a simple chair in the former soldier's modest room. The environment was austere, without many decorations, just the essentials. On the walls, some old weapons and a family portrait framed the memories of a time that had already passed. The man, whose name was Rodrigo, sat in front of Sebastian, with a serious expression marked by suffering.

"Do you know what you're talking about, old man?" Rodrigo asked, his eyes fixed on Sebastian's, as if he were trying to read his soul.

Sebastian nodded slowly. "I know. I heard that you've fought before, that you know war like few others. But I also know that you've moved away from it, that you've decided to live in peace. What I'm asking of you is difficult, Rodrigo, but the city is in danger, and without someone like you, everyone here is doomed."

Rodrigo looked away, staring at the portrait of his family on the wall. A heavy silence fell over the room as he struggled with the memories that were coming back to him. "I lost everything in the last war," he said finally, his voice hoarse with pain. "My wife, my children... They were taken from me, and no matter how hard I fought, how hard I tried, I couldn't save them." Sebastian felt the weight of Rodrigo's confession, and for a moment, he was silent, respecting the pain of the man before him. "War takes so much from us, more than we are prepared to lose," the old man said, his voice firm but full of compassion. "But if we don't fight now, other families, other lives will be destroyed. We can't change what happened, but we can prevent history from repeating itself." Rodrigo stood up abruptly, walking to the window and staring out into the darkness. The inner conflict was evident in his every move. He wanted to refuse, to turn away again, but he knew Sebastian was right. There was no more time to run. "I'm not the same man I was before," Rodrigo said, without looking back. "The war changed everything about me. But if it's true that the enemy is coming, I can't just stand by and watch." Sebastian stood up as well, approaching Rodrigo with slow, sure steps. "I didn't come here looking for a hero, Rodrigo. I came here looking for a man who, like me, understands that sometimes we have no choice. You may not be the same as before, but what matters is what you do now." Rodrigo remained still for a few seconds, processing the old man's words. Then, finally, he turned around, his expression a mix of determination and resignation. "If I accept, I want it to be clear that I'm no longer a leader, just a man trying to survive." Sebastian smiled, with a slight nod. "That's all we need." With that, a new alliance was forged in that small room, under the cover of night. Sebastian knew the road ahead would be difficult, but with Rodrigo by his side, the chances of protecting the city increased. Now, they had to gather more people, find those willing to fight, and prepare the defense. War was getting closer and closer, and the time to prepare was running out.