WWI – month of July

The small familiar village. All of the strong young men have answered the countries call to join the army without hesitation. Their female family members as well as the young and the weak were saying their goodbyes. Here and there you can hear a woman crying, but mostly people are talking quietly.

A very young girl, maybe not even 16 yet, is audibly sobbing making everyone around her uncomfortable. Her husband, looking equally immature, takes her to the side and wraps his arms around her. "Don't cry. Don't you see that this is my duty?" he whispers into her ear. The young girl buries her head into his chest still crying. "No, it's not. You're not even of age yet. Why do you have to leave me?!" we hear her muffled reply.

"Hush! Someone might hear you...Now, while I'm away" he says and she starts sobbing again. The boy gently hold her head and quickly kisses her cheeks, nose, forehead and finally lips. The girl calms down. "Be good to my parents when I'm away. They love you like a daughter. And help my sisters with the chores" he says more as a request than an order. His wife wipes her tear-stained face and nods.

"I will. And you keep away from promiscuous women. Promise me that" she says pointing to his face. The boy chuckles and rolls his eyes. "Don't laugh. Don't force me to bound you with a curse. You know how powerful a girl's curse is. Especially if injustice is done to her" she says serious.

The boy slowly nods and they hug again. He then takes his father's gun and joins the rest of the village men. The girl wipes her face with her handkerchief and joins the other family members.

Next scene: A simple room made of white plaster. The strong but shy man watches his wife prepare his bag in complete silence. Their two children stand watching them both, not completely understanding the whole thing. When she finishes, they all go outside.

The woman grabs her stomach and makes a face. "Are you alright?" he jumps to grab her hand. "Yes. Just a strong kick" she says with a neutral expression. "Here, I packed you three pairs of woolen socks and a chicken for the trip" she says giving him the bag.

Her husband takes it and says: "I'm sorry I won't be here for the birth. But fatherland is calling. The baby knows I'll be fighting for him."

The wife bows her head.

"I do this for you and the children. You understand that, don't you?" he says touching her timidly.

She turns her head so he won't see the scornful face she made. She sighs and composes herself. "Yes. Please keep yourself safe. May God protect you." Her husband smiles, kisses her and the children. He gets out and waves walking towards the men. His children's godfather is among them.

The group heads to the nearest city walking and singing together. Their loved ones wave.

The pregnant woman, seeing his back finally let's her emotions go. "Mom, when is dad coming back?" the boy asks. In her head, she answers: "Never. Your father is never coming back because he is too kind and gentle for this world. He'll probably die saving a stranger or a stray cat..." She quickly covers her eyes to stop the tears.

Her children look at her scared. "I don't know honey. Now, let's show them off, alright?" she says with a tight-lip smile. They all wave, watching the men leave. Seeming smaller and smaller they eventually disappeared from sight.

WWI – Battle of Cer

Two nations stand on mountain tops. They seem grander than usual. Austria on one side and Serbia on the other, in their military uniforms stare at each other without blinking. The wind blows through their hair announcing a storm.

Austria extends his arm into her direction. Folding the little and the ring finger, he 'fires' his finger gun making a bullet sound. Serbia inhales through her nostrils and clenches her gun even harder. It's time for the battle to start. They both scream charging.

Next scene: After the battle. Austria, in a torn and damp uniform, walks into his palace. He trudges towards the first armchairs and plants his body into it. His servants and Hungary quickly notice and gather. They all look puzzled at his emotionless expression.

On the other side, Serbia not looking any better enters her salon where Montenegro and the girl, who liked to be called Macedonia, are eagerly waiting for her. She sits down tired, grabbing her head. The two nations look at each other. "What happened?" the girl asks.

"We won" she says raising her head to reveal a 'can-you-believe-it' smirk.

Next scene: Austria's sad face covers the screen: "The plan was so clever. Make them believe that we will come from the north and then hit them over the Drina river."

Next scene: Serbia's face is seen while she tells her part of the story: "Not gonna lie, he had us scratching our heads. The men needed to be spread all over the boarder."

Next scene: Austria continues: "I wanted to be there myself. My general said that it will be an easy victory. I was eager to go and strangle the little cross-dresses myself."

Next scene: Serbia says: "When it was certain that the attack will come from Drina, all of my forces had to quickly run east. They were exhausted from the long march and outnumbered. Luckily, the Austro-Hungarian's divisions had difficulty crossing the mountainous terrain."

Next scene: Austria says holding his face: "The cowards attacked in the night. A terrifying storm hit. As if the sky had opened. You could barely see your hands, let alone your enemy."

Next scene: Serbia says: "It took a few days of intense fighting but we managed to chase away the enemy soldiers from the area and continued to retake the occupied cities."

Next scene: Austria: "It was humiliating. The soldiers panicked and retrieved in the most disorganised way. That damn general ruined everything. He didn't have the slightest idea what he was doing!"

Next scene: Serbia laughs: "You should have seen Austria's face when his men scattered all over the place. They couldn't even find the river."

Next scene: Austria sighs: "And then..."

Next scene: Serbia smiles: "And then..."

Next scene: Faces of all listening saying in unison: "And then?"

Next scene: Austria, his uniform badly damaged looks around traumatised. His soldiers are running towards the river with their enemy firing at them. He stand near the bank not sure what to do. A cold cylinder stabs his back. It's Serbia's rifle.

She smirks, watching the nation too scared to turn around. "Send my regards to the palace" she says sarcastically. She pushes him with her weapon harder yelling a loud: "BANG!"

The terrified Austria jumps and starts swimming. She observes the whole thing as her men cheer and taunt.