Chapter 53- ….

Vyse and Aika were nearly finished getting ready to depart from Naggiar. Vyse had just finished putting some supplies and his civilian clothes into a duffle bag; Aika was folding up her cot. The tent set up for Squad 7 was nearly empty, save for Vyse, Aika and Cordelia and her guards. This was allowed to give Vyse and Aika the distraction free environment they'd need to get packed and leave the plains of Naggiar, and then head back to Randgriz. Both of which were mere stepping stones on their long journey home.

Vyse finished loading the last of his supplies into his duffle bag and sighed. He stood up and took one last look at his footlocker. The one which held his former Blue, black and white Gallian militia uniform and battle armour. The same ones he had worn during the many months of his service in the war. But now, would no longer be needed. For he was now dressed in simple civilian clothes, as was his best friend Aika. Their lives as soldiers were now over and it was time to go home, back to Arcadia.

Vyse stood up, put his duffle bag over his shoulder by the strap and took one last walk around the squad tent. A sad look on his face as he gave everything he had grown so accustomed to one last final look. He then looked over at Aika and said "Come on baby… time to go home."

Aika simply nodded her head and walked up to Vyse, and stood next to him. "I'm ready…" she replied

"Care for an escort?" Cordelia asked

But Vyse shook his head, "No, we'll make our own way to the transport," he said "For there are still some people that we need to say farewell to first."

Cordelia nodded her head "As you wish, we'll await your arrival at the camp exits." and with that she departed with her royal guards.

Aika was nervous about leaving the solitude of the squad tent. For she knew what awaited them outside. But she put on a brave face and followed Vyse as he exited first, with her following right behind him. And sure enough, her fears were met in the form of the cries and pleas of all her squad mates, begging them to stay. Why Vyse opted to go unescorted, she didn't know, for she knew this would happen.

"Vyse, Vyse please don't go!" Ramona cried, she followed for a few steps, but stopped when she noticed Vyse was paying no attention to her.

"So you're just going to cut and run is that it?" Edy asked angrily, Vyse just walked past her and kept on going, even as she continued to glare at his back, ever growing further away.

"Mr. Inglebard, Mr. Inglebard, you can't leave us!" Aisha cried sadly, grabbing a hold of his sleeve and pulling on it. But Vyse continued on, eventually pulling away from Aisha and leaving her behind.

And on he went, some members were begging him to stay, others were a little bit angry at his unwillingness to stay and fight any longer. And still, there were some others just silently watching from a distance.

But Vyse walked past all of these, always keeping his eyes forward, searching for those he needed to speak to before leaving. His normally happy face was gone, replaced by a blank, emotionless gaze. The loss of Nadine was still very fresh in his mind, as well as all those members of his squad that had also died. Both of those kept him unable to smile or to be the brave, bold, confident and fearless man that he once was. He wanted more then anything to just leave and never come back, for he had no reasons left to stay. But still, before he left, he had some loose ends to tie up.

He eventually found who he was looking for, the senior officers of Squad 7. All were standing outside of a small, private medical tent. This was set up for Alicia Melchiott. Sadly, she was unconscious after being shot during the last great battle that raged all across the plains of Naggiar. But as he got closer, he noticed that he only saw Rosie, Largo and Captain Varrot standing outside, talking to each other.

Vyse gulped and made his way over, and eventually their eyes turned and watched Vyse approach. Their eyes were just what he expected to see, sad and disappointed. Not the smiling faces that he was used to seeing anymore.

Eventually Vyse reached them, but no one spoke for a few awkward seconds as they each looked at each other. So Vyse spoke first "Is the Lieutenant in?"

"You mean is Welkin around?" Rosie corrected, looking at him with a strong glare.

"Y-yeah… that's what I meant." Vyse said, breaking her gaze.

"You can still call him by his first name; it's what he'd want. You don't have to change it just because you've decided to leave." Largo added.

Aika's heart was beating hard and deep in her chest. For she was nervous about being around the senior officers now, the same ones she had served under for so many months. Even now, she could feel their resentment towards the two for giving up their uniforms and cause to fight, while there was still so much fighting left and so much at stake. All she wanted to do was leave the base and head back to Randgriz, then for home.

Captain Varrot nodded her head, "He's inside, and you may enter if you wish." Varrot said, pulling the entrance flap to the side, wide enough to allow Vyse through.

"Thank you." Vyse said

And with that he ducked under the flap and entered the tent, Aika following right behind him.

As soon as they were in, they saw Welkin. He was sitting on a small stool, with an unconscious Alicia across from him. She was lying in a white medical cot, covered in a white sheet and wool blanket. Her trademark red and white headscarf was removed, showing all of her long brown pig-tailed hair. She looked so vulnerable right now. Before her injury, she was one of the rare soldiers who never stopped smiling or trying to do whatever she could to help others. But now, she was severely wounded and unconscious.

Welkin had his head in his hands and didn't notice Vyse or Aika standing there. So Vyse cleared his throat and immediately got Welkin's attention.

"Oh… hello Vyse… Aika…" Welkin said softly, he then stood up and walk towards them.

He seemed a little bit shaky on his feet as he walked towards them. And Vyse couldn't tell whether it was because of his previous injuries he had received during the last battle or because of his sadness and grief over the condition of Alicia and the loss of Juno Coren, his best friend.

But he managed to reach them and smile a tiny smile. Vyse and Aika instinctively saluted him, as they had many times before. But Welkin didn't return the salute, "No need for that… you're not soldiers anymore." Welkin said "Let's just… shake hands and say our farewells."

Vyse and Aika nodded and both reached out and shook Welkins hand, one after the other.

"It's sad to see you leave…" said Welkin, "But at the same time I'm happy. If you two can get out alive while you still can… then please do. I've already lost too many squad members in this war. If I can let two leave alive and well, then maybe it'll help make up for all those who have died in this war."

Aika nodded "How… how's Alicia?" she asked

Welkin grimaced slightly at that question and Aika immediately regretted asking. But Welkin eventually replied, "It's hard to say, she's been unconscious for days and not showing much sign of improving. She might not make it either…"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to-" Aika started, but Welkin cut her off with a raised hand.

"No, it's not your fault," said Welkin "I'm sure you're both worried about her, the same as I am. But I think… I think she'd be happy to know that you two, our bravest heroes get to go home and be safe from this war."

"Thanks Boss." said Aika

"The both of you have already done more then we could ever ask for. You've saved so many lives in this war, done so much for a country that isn't your's and fought just as hard and as long as any full blooded Gallian has throughout this entire war. Even now I still can't believe you've both been here since the first days of the recruitment drive at Randgriz."

"Yeah… we have…" Vyse replied, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

"All the same, good luck on your trip home. You should both be very proud of yourselves and all of your accomplishments throughout the war," Welkin said "I and so many others owe you our lives, let us repay you by wishing you the best of luck on your trip home, wherever you call home is."

"Arcadia…" said Vyse. Aika looked over at him and gritted her teeth together. Arcadia wasn't well known throughout the many places he and Aika had travelled to, including here and she didn't want Vyse telling anyone. As it was an agreement that Vyse and Aika had made with Vyse's father, Dyne. Their home was a nice secluded paradise and he wanted to keep it that way.

"Right, well good luck on getting back to Arcadia… my Arcadian friends." Welkin said. Smiling once more before going back to his sitting position beside Alicia's bedside.

"Good-bye… my Gallian friend." Vyse said in return.

"Good-bye Boss… it's been an honour serving under you." Aika added.

And with that, the duo left the tent and shook hands with Largo, Rosie and Captain Varrot, biding them farewell. The two then began the walk towards the awaiting transport, the one that would take them back to Randgriz.


Along the way, they happened to pass by Squad 7's tent, set up among the others. And both inside and out, they saw a lot of movement and activity. Like there was a massive operation about to take place. So Vyse stopped in his tracks, but Aika tried to keep going. But she too finally stopped after she saw that Vyse was no longer following.

"Vyse… come on, time to go home." Aika said aloud.

This caught the attention of Lynn, who was outside with Karl, helping him load equipment into his engineers backpack and pouches. But she only looked at the two for a moment and continued on.

But Vyse went back, rather then continue on. He had to talk to Lynn before he left; he had to apologize, even if she wouldn't listen. He needed to say he that he was sorry for all he had done and for all that had happened.

However, once he reached the two, neither paid any attention as they continued on with what they were doing before. Vyse cleared his throat, but was only met with two glares, one from each of his former friends before they looked back down at their original task.

"What is it…?" Lynn asked without looking up at Vyse.

"I just wanted to say… I'm sorry, sorry for all the mistakes I've made in the last battle. I cost you both two very dear friends…" said Vyse.

"…" Lynn didn't reply, neither did Karl.

"I… I hope you two get will still get married some day, when this war is over." said Vyse

Lynn shook her head, got up and turned her back to Vyse, crossing her arms at the same time. But Karl got up and walked to Vyse and removed his right glove and held up his hand. This was now ring less. "The weddings off…" said Karl.

"Why?" asked Vyse, shocked to hear this news. The two seemed so excited and happy to get married to one another and now this.

Lynn turned around and walked towards Vyse. She was looking at him with an emotionless gaze. "There's no point anymore…" she said, "Anyone that we ever wanted to invite to the ceremony is dead… Nadine, Isara and Wavy were to be our most honoured guests. The one's that we really wanted to have attended. Neither Karl or I have a family to invite, so there'll be no witnesses now and there's no one else I can think of… who's worth inviting anymore."

"Lynn, I'm… sorry." Vyse said sadly.

"Sorry… sorry… you're always saying that you're sorry!" Lynn screeched "Sorry doesn't bring back any of my friends, sorry doesn't change anything that's happened, sorry doesn't make up for all of this."

Vyse just lowered his head, and Aika had finally come back and began pulling on his arm. "Come on Vyse… let's go." she begged, still pulling him by the arm.

"Yes, go home. Leave all of this behind, it's not your fight anymore." Lynn said "Why should you care, you get to go home, away from all this war. Now you'll get to grow old and die a peaceful death many many years from now."

Vyse again stopped in his tracks, but didn't turn around. "So go home! I look to real Gallians for their courage; none of us would ever leave, not even if we had the option to!"

Vyse remained where he was, looking down at the ground sadly. Lynn was still shouting angrily "After all we've done for you foreigners! YOU COWARDS, TRAITORS!"

Vyse turned, but Lynn was already stomping away angrily. But Karl remained where he was, but now he had an angry glare on his face. A change from his normally timid and nervous face. Vyse walked up to him and lowered his head. He then held his arms out, presenting his Medal of Honour that he was given to him by Princess Cordelia herself.

"Send this to Wavy's wife and kids… I don't care for medals." said Vyse

Karl took the wooden box and opened it. He looked down at the large silver medal with a blue and white ribbon. But shook his head, "I may not be able to deliver it for you. Very soon we'll be moving out, to the East. So find someone else to do this for you."

"Why?" asked Vyse

"Because, we're heading out East. All of us, the entire army and all of the Militia squads." said Karl "We're making one last stand against the Imperials. But we are greatly outnumbered, by at least three to one. And the enemy still has their Valkyira on their side. It is a battle that we cannot and will not win. But we will not retreat, we will not give up. We know what awaits us… and we are prepared to meet it. We may not survive this battle, but still… we'll march. All of us for our own reasons. For our friends, for our families, for our lands and for our freedom… we'll march. "

Vyse lowered his head once again, "I'm…" but he didn't finish, for two reasons. He knew that Karl didn't want to hear him apologize again and he had also turned his back and was walking away.

So Vyse turned, still holding his medal and returned to Aika. She took his arm and together they continued towards the camp exits.


Lynn was walking past the squad tents. There were tears of anger and grief running down her cheeks as she walked and tried to wipe them away at the same time. But just then she heard someone calling her name.

"Lynn… Lynn…" said the voice weakly.

Lynn stopped and turned. She saw a very tired, but also very drugged up looking Cezary Regard lying in a stretcher with many other patients on either side of him. They were the injured soldiers who were already being loaded into transport trucks that were to be taken away from the battlefield on Naggiar.

Lynn sniffled loudly and wiped her nose with the back of her sleeves, she didn't look at Cezary, but asked "What is it?"

Cezary must have been given a lot of medical ragnaid, to dull the pain of his badly broken leg. The same one he had received from the massive fall from his sniper tower, after it was taken out by enemy mortar fire.

Cezary looked up at the cloudy, grey sky with glazed over eyes. "I'm… I'm sorry…" he said softly.

Lynn just scoffed and shook her head, "I'm not the one you should be apologizing to," Lynn said, still looking forward, not towards Cezary to her right. "It's Nadine that you should be saying sorry to…"

Cezary nodded his head, "I can't now…"

Lynn finally turned to Cezary, hands placed on her hips, while glaring at Cezary. "No, you can't!" Lynn growled, "She's dead, but before she died she… she saved your life. I don't know why she did it. Even after all your racism, all your arrogance and all of your hatred and teasing that you vented towards her, time and time again… she didn't hesitate to come and save you."

Again Cezary nodded, and now she could see tears forming in the corners of his eyes.

"Now you feel sorry… only now, when it's too late, do you feel sorry for what you've done to her!" Lynn screamed.

And now, nearby medics took notice. Both moved in quickly, one on either side of Cezary's stretcher and bent down, taking hold of the handles, trying to get him away from Lynn. Also, Karl had come running, after hearing how worked up Lynn was getting towards Cezary.

Karl ran in front of Lynn and tried to hold her back from attacking Cezary as the medics scrambled to get him away from her and onto a nearby medical truck.

A crowd was starting to gather, made up of regular and militia soldiers, all curious to see what the shouting was all about.

Karl was still trying to hold Lynn back, "Cezary! I swear, I will never let you forget this. You, and I, as well as every member in Squad 7 and here WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER! THAT YOUR LIFE WAS SAVED BY A DARCSEN!"

Cezary was then loaded onto a medical truck, with Karl trying his best to hold back a kicking and screaming Lynn.


Back in the camp, as Vyse and Aika neared the camp exits. They happened to spot Marina Wulfstan, leaning against the sandbags. She raised her head and watched the two approach. Once they were close enough, she got up and walked the rest of the way towards them.

"So… you're really leaving?" Marina asked

Vyse looked away, but Aika nodded, "Yeah, we're all packed and on our way back to the Capital," Aika said "From there, we'll have a ship take us back home."

"So on the eve of the biggest and possibly final deciding battle of the entire war… the two of you are going to abandon the men and women of Squad 7?" Marina asked next, giving a slight glare.

"They're better off without a screw up like me getting in the way…" Vyse responded, still looking off to the side sadly.

"What makes you say that?" Marina asked while tilting her head.

Vyse sighed long and sadly, "Everyone… everyone I lead on that rescue mission… died because of me." Vyse responded, "Even… even Nadine and Juno died that night. So much death… and it's all because of me."

Marina shook her head, "As I remember it, you asked for volunteers. The rescue mission wasn't because you ordered it, it's because the others wanted to follow you and to help rescue THEIR lieutenant."

Marina took a deep breath and sighed, "And do you know why they followed you?"

Vyse raised his head and looked over at Marina; Aika also remained quiet and awaited Marina's answer.

She finally opened her eyes and looked directly at Vyse, glaring. "Because they BELIEVED IN YOU!" she screamed. "They believed in what you wanted to accomplish that night, by not standing by and letting our lieutenant die. I'm sure that they believed that if they did die, then you'd still be there to carry on the mission and cause of Gallia for them."

Vyse was shook, surprised by Marina's angry outburst. But she took a deep breath and continued on, a little more calm this time.

"You've had more of an affect on this squad then you both realize," Marina said, she then pointed to Aika. "You, always the first to follow Vyse into any situation, no matter how dangerous. Always standing up for him and defending him when other's question his decisions. You made other's want to do the same."

Marina then pointed at Vyse, "And you, you may not be from Gallia. But you've fought just as hard, if not harder then any full blooded Gallian. Also, you've more then made up for it with your daring, confidence and popularity that you gained very early in the war… everyone in the squad looked up to you.

Aika was starting to get angry; she was only making her best friend Vyse feel worse about leaving. "Marina, that's enough!" she shouted "He already feels terrible with all that's happened. Don't make him feel any worse!"

Vyse was starting to get teary eyed, "How can I forget that all my squad mates… died because of me. They were like a second family to me," Vyse said, his voice cracking with sadness. "Even… even my beloved Nadine, the girl I loved so much and made a promise to… to take her away from all of this, so that she could finally be happy."

Two tears fell from Vyse's eyes, "But I couldn't keep my promise… I couldn't protect her or any of them. I failed…"

Marina shook her head; her patience was starting to wear thin as well, for nothing she was saying was registering with Vyse.

She walked forward and placed her hand on Vyse's shoulder, causing him to look up. She then motioned with her head towards the camp behind Vyse. "Look at the squad Vyse, look at their faces." she said.

Vyse looked back, as did Aika. And most of the 7's were still preparing to move out. But many had their heads down; hopeless looks were painted on their faces. He then turned back to Marina, but didn't say anything.

"Think about what you're doing, Vyse," Marina said, "How do you think it makes everyone else feel… to see the bravest, strongest and most daring member of the entire squad… running away with his tail between his legs. If the strongest man in the entire squad has given up and flees the upcoming battle, then what hope do they have to survive it?"

Vyse's eyes looked off to the side sadly once again, "What am I supposed to do?"

"Stay." Marina said, "Stay and fight."

Vyse looked back up, eyes red from crying. "Stay…"

Marina nodded, "You Vyse… you truly have become the heart and soul of the squad. When so many have given up, you always push forward. You even came and talked me back into rejoining the fight, after I had given up on ever being able to pick up my rifle again. Your confidence, willingness to fight and never ever give up has given hope to so many. For if one man, not from here can do that, then those who do live here, have to fight just as hard for their home."

But Aika wasn't going to have any of this kind of talk. So she stepped forward and gave Marina a shove out of the way, grabbing Vyse at the same time with her other hand and pulling him past her.

"Our decision is made, we're leaving." Aika said quickly, while pulling Vyse right behind her.

As they were leaving, Marina spoke aloud once more "If you leave now… then I saw you truly are cowards, the both of you!"

Aika stopped and glared back at Marina, Vyse just looked over his shoulder.

Aika stomped back towards Marina and drew her hand back, to give her a slap across the face for those insults. But as her hand neared Marina's face, she easily caught her hand by the wrist and stopped it, looking back at her with a cold, emotionless gaze.

"Enough! Both of you!" Vyse said running back to the two.

Marina scoffed and released Aika's wrist, which she rubbed.

"Aika… just give me a few minutes alone… I'll catch up." he said. Aika sighed and nodded her head and continued on towards the exits.

Vyse then sighed and looked back up at Marina; she looked back at him with her single, unblinking violet eye for a few silent seconds.

Marina shook her head, "You're definitely not the same leader that we once had… what happened to you?"

Vyse lowered his head, "I can't forget what happened… I shouldn't have led that mission."

"I'd hate to say this, but those lives that were sacrificed were for the better good. You saved our Lieutenant, Welkin Gunther. Do you think any of them regret dying for that cause?

I don't think so, so many would have given up if he had died. He's the single most important man in our squad. Our squad, Squad 7 might not even exist right now if you, Vyse Inglebard, hadn't have saved him that night."

Vyse sighed once again, and then looked at Aika, who was still walking towards the camp exits.

"This decision is not just for myself. It's for Aika… I owe it to her for dragging her here. She followed me, even when she didn't want to. Now I owe it to her to go back with her now that she wants to."

Marina balled her right fist up, causing it to shake. But she then unclenched her fist, "Alright, then leave." Marina said, turning and walking away slowly.

Vyse closed his teary eyes and nodded his head; he too then turned and started to walk away.

But after a few steps, he heard Marina call his name. "Vyse!"

Vyse stopped and looked back, and he thought he saw Marina smile a small smile. "You've also done one more thing for us!" she said, "You and Aika have shown us that this Valkyria, this Selvaria Bles… can bleed, just like any other human. She can be injured, she can be hurt and maybe… she can be killed. So thank you for that."

Vyse didn't respond, but Marina now smiled a visible smile and made her way back to the squad tent.


Vyse watch her walk away for a while, then turned his head forward again and continued on. Finally reaching Aika after a few minutes walk. He looked at her, she looked back at him and she could see his cheeks quivering and some more tears in his eyes. So she walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close, giving him a hug. He didn't return the hug as she cried on her shoulder, but still she held him.

Princess Cordelia and her guards were also near the car. She looked on with sad eyes and moved up to them to speak. "It's alright. There's no need for you to cry," she said "Please don't feel bad about leaving, know that we are happy for the both of you. Just return home, with your heads held high, filled with pride for how much you helped a country that is not your own."

Vyse looked over at Cordelia, but didn't say anything. She just responded with a smile. "Go now, be on your way."

"You're not coming?" Aika asked.

Cordelia shook her head, "My place is with my people. I'll stay here with them, on these very fields… no matter what the outcome."

Vyse looked at Cordelia, now extremely worried for her safety. And she could see it on her face. But she shook her head, while still smiling. "Don't worry about me, my men will fight to the very last, to protect me." she said, she then nodded and her smile disappeared. "Now go, please, I beg of you. Go while you still have time!"

Aika nodded and ducked into the awaiting car. Vyse stood there, looking at Cordelia with sad eyes. He was then pulled into the car by Aika, the door closed by one of her guards. Once Vyse looked out the window, he saw Cordelia's royal guards salute him and Aika, Cordelia bowing low to the bow of them. The car then started up and the driver began to pull away from the encampment.

Vyse and Aika looked back through the rear window, watching the camp grow smaller and smaller, until finally it disappeared.

The next few moments were sat in silence. Aika sat on one side, near on of the windows, Vyse on the other. She looked over at Vyse and he had his head hung low, eyes closed, but he was still awake. So she moved over and leaned against him, grabbing his arm and wrapping it around her as she laid her head against his chest. Vyse opened his eyes and looked down at Aika; she looked back at him and managed a weak smile.

"Don't worry Vyse, soon we'll be on our way home." she said, "And once we finally reach home… we'll be able to forget all of this someday."

Vyse didn't say anything, so Aika continued. "We'll be safe at home, together. And maybe… maybe some day we'll finally be together, as lovers. We'll get married, start a family, and name our sons and daughters after our friends here. Then we'll grow old… and watch them grow up to be fine young men and women."

Vyse then raised his head up, "Stop the car!" Vyse ordered.

The driver looked back, "Sir?" he asked.

"Stop the car!" and this time the driver obeyed.

"Vyse… what are you doing?" Aika asked.

Vyse took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He then looked over at Aika, "Aika I… I won't… run away…"

A look of shock and horror immediately covered Aika's entire face. "WHAT?"

Vyse's breathing increased, "I'm going back…"

He then began to open the door, but Aika grabbed his by the back of the shirt. "No VYSE!"

But he pulled away from her and began to walk through the mud, back towards the encampment. Aika got out and ran up to Vyse, sinking to her knees as she grabbed him around the waist and tried to keep him from going.

"Vyse, don't do this. We can get out of here, we can go home and we can live." Aika cried.

Vyse was silent for a few moments, but then spoke. "No… we couldn't. I couldn't."

Aika released Vyse and stood up, turning his body with her hands until he was facing her. She then grabbed and shook Vyse by the arms. "What are you talking about?" Aika asked "Didn't you hear what they said. They want us to leave, to live and be happy."

Vyse nodded, "I could leave and I could live, but to be happy… I could never, never again do that if I left now."

"If you go back there, you could die!" Aika screeched.

"If I die, it'll be doing what's right." Vyse replied, "I will not abandon these people, these people who have become our friends and who've come to look up to us. Marina was right, if I leave, then the squad's moral goes with it."

Angry tears were welling up in Aika's eyes, "So you'll go back and be a hero for doing so, even if you could very well die doing it!" Aika cried "You just love being a hero don't you! Promotions, celebrations, respect, love from your peers… Hell you'll probably become the Militia Commander someday right. But Vyse… why don't you ever think of me and what I want."

Vyse shook his head, "This isn't about being a hero or getting something out of going back." Vyse said "I go back because I could never live with myself if I abandon everyone now."

"But-" Aika started

"I know what it is you want Aika… but I cannot give it to you… not now." Vyse said, "My heart tells me to go back, to help these people fight for their freedom."

Tears fell from Aika's eyes, "But this isn't our home Vyse!"

Vyse shook his head, "No… but it is Nadine's home. It is Ted's home and Alex's home. It's the home of all those who have died in this war and it's up to the living to fight for it. To protect it with their very lives if necessary."

Aika sighed in defeat and lowered her head, "Alright, if that's what you want… we'll go back."

"No, not you." Vyse replied

Aika raised her head back up, "What?"

Vyse walked up to Aika and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Aika… this is a decision I have made for myself and myself alone." Vyse said "I have absolutely no illusions about this choice; I know what the odds are that our friends in Squad 7 face. But I also know that not one of them… will ever give up. They'll head east and make their last stand against the Imperial Army, even without officers like myself or Lieutenant Welkin to lead them. Older soldiers like Rosie and Largo, the young ones like Aisha are all on the march, even though they know what awaits them… even though they know that it'll most likely be their last battle.

But if my going back can give them strength and courage to face death, then I'd return a million times over to give it to them."

Aika shook her head, "But why… why are you doing this to me…" Aika cried, tears flowing down her cheeks.

Vyse pulled her close and hugged her, letting her cry against her chest. And with his mouth close to her ear he whispered. "Do you remember the day that we arrived in Gallia…" he asked.

Aika continued to sob, but nodded her head. "Do you remember that beach we ended up on after jumping ship? The one where we took our first steps on Gallian soil?", again Aika nodded. "The sky was so blue, so few clouds… the waters were so cool and clear. The sands were so warm as we walked across the beach inland."

Aika softly rubbed her head against Vyse's chest. "The grass was so green on the fields, the mountains in the distance so beautiful and snow capped…"

Vyse nodded, "And everything we've seen since then… has been just as beautiful. The woods of Kloden, the sparkling city of Randgriz. The beautiful town of Bruhl, surrounded by grassy plains, filled with all those beautiful flowers. Even the burning sands of Barious had their own kind of beauty."

Aika nodded in agreement, but then moved her head away from Vyse's chest and looked back up at him. "Why are you talking about such things now?"

Vyse sighed and placed his right hand underneath Aika's chin and slowly turned it to the side, towards the dead, barren, black, crater filled plains of Naggiar. The sky never seemed to clear here and was always black and gloomy.

"If the Empire wins… I think all of Gallia will looked like this. And… and all of that beauty that we once remembered will be gone. Gallia's soils will be dug up in search of Ragnite, their waters polluted with waste from the mining machines. Their trees will be torn down and cleared for more mining. The towns and cities that we've come to know will be burned and razed to the ground… Gallia as we know it will be gone.

Even if I leave and survive… and maybe someday returned, I couldn't bear to see such a beautiful country destroyed and in such a said state."

"Vyse-" Aika said

"That's why I'm going back." Vyse said, "Those are my reasons… I know what it is that you want me to do, but I won't leave."

Aika continued crying and said nothing, "If you want to go back, let it be because it's what you want. Make the decision as if I weren't here and as if my opinion didn't matter. It's the only way I'll let you come.

Don't follow me because you feel that you have to or because it's your responsibility. Make your own decision and take all of the risks involved into account. If you can do all that and choose to stay, then I'll let you come along."

Aika nodded and looked down, her face showing that she was deep in thought. But Vyse took a few steps back away from Aika.

"What's your decision?" he asked after a few moments.

Aika's cheeks trembled and some tears fell from her eyes, she shook her head. "I'm sorry… I'm not like you; I don't have your courage…"

Vyse nodded his head, "I have to be getting back, and I should have enough time to reach the camp before the army moves out." Vyse said, turning and starting the walk back along the road.

"What am I supposed to tell your father… and your mother when I get back?"

Vyse stopped, but kept his back to Aika. "You tell them that their son, Vyse Inglebard, is still in Gallia. Tell them that he's fighting with everything that he has to help a country win their freedom. Tell them that if I don't come back… then it's because I gave my life, in service to this great country and these great people."

And with that Vyse continued on.

"VYSE WAIT!" Aika cried, running up to him.

Vyse turned and looked at Aika, but didn't say anything. Neither did she, instead she took hold of Vyse's dog tags with her right hand and pulled them up and out from underneath Vyse's shirt. She sighed sadly and reached up to her ears, unhooking her two, beautiful, and green ragnite Crystal earrings from her ears. She looked up at Vyse with teary, red eyes and clipped both onto Vyse's dog tags chain, one on either side of his dog tags.

She then took hold of Vyse's hands, looking deep into his eyes. "Kiss me Vyse… kiss me before you go. Please."

Vyse took hold of Aika and pulled her close, pressing his lips against hers. And their kiss was long, but sad, as each was going their own way now and may never see each other again. A few seconds later Vyse moved away from Aika and looked down at her, staring into her beautiful green eyes.

He then reached up with his right hand and removed his large black eye patch from his head and placed it into Aika's hands. Aika held it to her chest, "Please Vyse… promise me that you'll come back. If you say you will, then I'll believe it, no matter what. Please Vyse… give me something to hope for…"

Vyse looked off to the side sadly, "You know I don't make promises that I don't think I can keep. I only promise something if I know that I'll fulfill it 100%

And I have absolutely no illusions about what I'm about to do. I know that my going back probably won't change the outcome of this battle on bit. I know that I probably won't be coming home, but I also know that I'd never be able to live with myself if I let Nadine down by running away, not trying my hardest to fight for her home.

And I know… that this is likely to be a one way trip…"

"Please Vyse… promise me." Aika begged.

Vyse gave Aika one last look, then turned and continued on. He didn't say it; he wasn't going to promise something that he knew he probably couldn't keep. But he had said everything that was in his heart and given all of his reasons for going back. So there was nothing left to say.

"Good-bye Aika…" Vyse said softly as he quickened his pace and was now running as fast as he could back to the encampment.

And almost as if Aika heard him, even though she didn't. She watched him get further and further away before she replied "Good-bye… my love…"


Hello Readers, sorry, but this is an extremely rough draft right now. But I told myself tonight, "Sit down, write the next chapter and don't stop till it's done. I said that at 10:30 P.M. and it is now 3:05 A.M.

So sorry if this is extremely rough and unrefined, but I think it'll get the point across. check back in like 2 or 3 days and maybe I'll have re-edited this with an improved and refined version if this one doesn't seem right. I know it's probably not, but I spent 4.5 hours on it. and delayed the story for far longer then I intended. My schedule is extremely busy, so I may not get to re-editing it in the next few days, but let me know what ya think.

Maybe I'm over reacting, just my sense of this not being perfect :P. But enjoy and as always, Read and Review, all kinds of comments are welcome. Shout out to the one who asked me to insert a memory/flash back to the beach scene.