Lafrenia

“Damn bastards, they swarmed like ants…” Tao muttered, peering out the window. Seeing the Aeolians among the guards – the very ones they were supposed to liberate – the warrior was stunned with surprise and anger. While the other members of the squad were piling up their newly upgraded equipment and exchanging sad words, Tao also took off his heavy armor, his brand-new cloak, and his uncomfortable hat. Then, Tao found a dark corner in the room, knelt down, and clasped his hands in prayer. “How could this be, Goddess…?” the warrior murmured regretfully. “First, the Aeolians who turned to banditry disgraced Tao. Now, the Aeolians who serve as loyal dogs for foreign officials are humiliating Tao. Is this what Tao was supposed to fight for? Tao and his comrades were supposed to be greeted as liberators with flowers and bread and salt…” Drawing his trusty blade, Tao slashed himself across the chest. A fresh stream of blood gushed onto the floor of the apartment. Feeling the poisonous venom spreading through his veins, Tao shook his head in a righteous rhythm. “Eight years have passed since Tao promised not to fall into the web of lies. But Tao betrayed himself, Tao betrayed the Goddess. Tao betrayed his friend. Tao can humiliate himself many times, but Tao will still not achieve his goal. Aeolia is not worthy of Tao’s salvation, as long as the people of Aeolia are so weak and insignificant.” Another strike. “Tao thought he had to avenge his fallen village and save Aeolia. But now Tao understands. Tao’s village and Aeolia were weak. And if that’s the case, then they have no rights. That means strong countries have the right to conquer and humiliate them. And their people will only bow and fawn over the invaders. They do not deserve salvation.” With difficulty, Tao got up from the floor and found that he was completely alone in the house. Or perhaps it was just an illusion caused by the exhaustion that was closing in. Perhaps he hadn’t even gotten up from the floor and was still lying there. Be that as it may, whether it was a dream or reality, Tao’s fate was now no longer connected to his comrades in the unfortunate squad. “…But now Tao understands everything, yes…,” the warrior croaked with difficulty, dragging his leaden legs in an unknown direction. “You were right, my friend. Our village, our dream…” Bright sunlight painfully struck the warrior’s pale face. In one hand, he tightly gripped the hilt of a dagger, and in the other, the last medallion of his long-forgotten village. “Tao Kug is no longer with your squad! Tao Kug is no longer with your country! Tao Kug will not be deceived and humiliated anymore! Tao’s ancestors are smiling as they look at him. And you… you are not even worthy of knowing your ancestors.” With fury, Tao struck himself in his disfigured chest and, in desperate rage, rushed forward. For a moment, the solar halo disappeared behind a rain of arrows. And then Tao saw nothing. “Where are you, my friend?” Tao asked in vain, but all he saw was his own reflection on the water’s surface