Chapter 11: Moral Inconveniences
21th June - 18:00,Kosovo Field
Six days ago since the discovery of Alfreak's start of the construction of his so-called Camp Bondsteel,I couldn't believe my own eyes and mind. How the hell was it possible to build something so provocative without any permission? Because Alfred wants to remind me that he'll watch me above until Milosevic surrenders,as explained by Gilbert? If it's true,then not only does this violate the international law,but it also violates the very laws of warfare. That's cheating!
But three days later on 18th June,I was laying in the hospital in Urosevac to heal my wounds by the bullets on my left arm and leg from the battle in Slatina Airport against the KLA scum. It even hit my knee. I admit,it hadn't broke my knee,but it surely cracked my bone,making the immense pains whenever I'll run in the future. Athene was with me when I was in bed,along with Arisha too. They took care of me,the same way I did for them back in February and late May. Plus,I told them that I'll be busy safeguarding Kosovo for at least a week. Again,they're the best.
And today,I'm on the field near the memorial complex called Gazimestan,the place where Slobodan Milosevic delivered that famous speech,a decade ago,about the Battle of the Kosovo Field in 1389. His words motivated my people with vigor and charisma,and boosted the Yugoslav and,as soon as the civil war against Drazen and Amina started,Serbian pride and Nationalism. Even Tito hasn't delivered something grandiose as this,in his entire life and career.
Walking around the memorial on the stone-paved road and observing the abandoned podium from which the speech was delivered,it gave me the impression that my president could redeliver it on the next week at 28th June,or not. I'm not sure.
The skies of Gazimestan were bright and sunny,contradicting the ongoing war atmosphere of this land,and dusk is coming. I saw one or two planes flying away left and right on the skies,still reaching their way to bomb a random place (I loathe seeing them),most likely in Belgrade or Pristina. I really want to dedicate a day of downing as many jets as possible,as I did on late March against Nighthawk,but I can't do it just yet because of the battle I (and my allies) had at the Slatina Airport,and because I feel like there are no missions someone could give me,in order to help my people further.
As I was about to leave the memorial by walking away back to my home,not paying attention,I accidentally hit myself onto someone with a jacket.
"I-I'm sorry sir,it wasn't my intention to..." I apologized,stopping my sentence once I saw it's face. It's Ibrahim Rugova. "Mr. Rugova? What are you doing here?"
"Trying to find you." he answered "There's no need to apologize,but I want something to show you. I think that this could be important to you."
I took a paper from his hands,believing it's another mission to do against the KLA again. But instead,I got a "Wanted" poster with an image of a younger boy with messy black hair and red armless shirt,and even more slimmer than me. It was Dhimiter Luka.
"He's missing?" I asked him,shocked.
"Yes,since this Slatina battle happened,he sought to see you again,but he was too afraid to join the fight that you and the Russians had." he explained,smiling.
He could've,I thought to myself. Then again,his government is staunchly supportive for Alfreak and his followers (excluding Athene and Maria) of NATO,thus making it impossible for Dhimiter to join my side. I sighed.
"How do you know?" I asked him further.
"Dhimiter told me about it," he said "but the problem is that he's missing. He hadn't told me where will he return. Rexhep Meidani,his president,would kill him if he doesn't return by the deadline of 28th June."
28th June? That's the same date of the last decade's Gazimestan event. What a coincidence.
"Got it. Hmm,where's..."
"He's somewhere between Prishtine and Ferizaj." Rugova said,rubbing his nose.
"Specifically speaking,sir?"
"No really,it's between those two towns." he insisted.
After that,we greeted one another goodbye,but not before telling me to find and bring him back to Pristina,where he'll wait for him.
"Promise?" he asked.
"I'll gladly do it,sir." I exclaimed,waving him goodbye.
Once we separated,I went to Pristina,where I left the Slatina stuff in my private stockpile,in the form of an open wooden box inside a local church in that same city.
19:45
I'm inside the altar of a local church,examining the stuff from that stockpile. The church's name is the Church of Christ the Savior. It's construction was interrupted by the current war,leaving it unfinished.
I kneeled near the box and took three Coca-Colas,mentos',ammunition,my AK-47,small pistol,a map,binoculars,small knife,two walkie-talkies and a medical kit,should I hurt myself while being busy. In general,I took everything from the box.
Once I did,I flipped the box into a sitting object,sat on it,and I moved around my left arm and leg. They still hurt,despite having bullets removed from them. I know that they'll fade away eventually,but the injuries will be my second priority for tomorrow. Dhimiter is my first priority. I have to find and encounter to him for the third time,even if it means entering a random KLA's camp or worse,entering a place where the Atlanticists' bombs fly today.
Five minutes later,I got off the altar,hearing the hall's echoes from my steps,exited the church's door,crossed myself (by the Orthodox tradition,for both entering and exiting a church) and went to the nearest pub to sleep there.
22nd June - 16:30
"Excuse me,do you know Dhimiter Luka?" and "Where's he?" were my questions I asked to strangers while I was searching for him in a town called Gracanica. As I was circling around random streets and one park,everyone thought that I lost myself,and often asking me "Are you lost?" or "Do you have parents?".
Like elsewhere,I had to flex my left arm to numb my pain. However,before I'm about to leave this town,I stumbled upon a garden full of flowers,and a few...unique ones. These unique flowers are poppies. Poppies are Dhimiter's favorite flowers,because those types,like Dhimiter,are beautiful and fragile. Fragile,in the sense that he's incredibly weak and insecure,despite what Alfred and his media outlets would have one to believe. To that end,he's also very poor,given the fact that,even though he's not under economic sanctions and that he's not bombed,his GDP is half the size of my own. Plus,he's lucky as hell,being under protection of the West. The last thing I've just thought about made my blood boil,of jealousy and anger.
In the end,I picked a poppy up and exited the town,unsuccessful. Dhimiter,where are you?!
23:00
The midnight is nearing and I'm still rushing towards Urosevac from Gracanica. My broken leg hurt with every five seconds and I always paused by each pace. And,between each passing hour,I grew more tired and frustrated. The occasional deep and/or pounding breaths helped me.
I'm starting to wish I brought my bike with me,at least then I would reach the other city much faster,instead of going on foot. But then,soldiers don't ride bikes,or do they?
While I just exited Lipljan,I stopped running in the middle of the forests and fields,opened up the map of Kosovo and navigated the pathway. I went halfway from where I'm at. In frustration and anger,I crumpled the map and threw it away near me,only to crouch and pick it up after taking a deep breath five seconds later. I don't know if I could make it. I need to sacrifice one sleepless night in order to reach Urosevac.
A sudden airplane roar and the flying bomb made me rush,jump and duck into the field,scratching my right knee. It almost killed me.
"WATCH IT!" I yelled at the sky,angrily.
I slowly got up,kicked the fallen bomb and kept going. Yes,it's just a scratch,but I can't let Dhimiter go away. I'm THAT dedicated.
At around 23:20 or so,I saw a small black figure with a flashlight's light,moving itself constantly in random directions. Left,right and down. Is this a policeman?
"Excuse me,sir?!" I shouted,far away from it "Where's Dhimiter Luka?!"
It didn't responded,just releasing a weak echo.
"WHERE'S DHIMITER,БРЕ!?" I repeated louder,frustrated,clenching my fist.
This time,it was silent. I released a frustrated growl and advanced towards it. Once I did,it shocked me,at first,then relieved me. I've finally found him.
"V-Vuk,is that you?" he asked,shyly,in tears.
I merely nodded. Dhimiter rushed at me and hugged me tightly. I hugged him back.
"Thank Zot for finding me. You don't know how much I'm grateful for this!" he said,smiling out of gratitude.
Due to still being very frustrated,tired and angry,I wanted to lash out at him for taking me so long to find him whilst wanting to see me,and order him to get out. But instead I controlled myself by taking a deep breath,now smiling.
"It's always been a pleasure to see you,Dhim." I replied,calmly. "Where are we now at?"
"Grackë e Vjetër." Or Staro Gracko,in my language. It's a random village. Maybe that's why Rugova said that Dhimiter was in between those two mentioned cities.
23:40
We're sitting behind a rusty car,finishing up bandaging his bruises on his knee and right arm,as well as bandaging my own.
"You bruised your knee?" he asked me.
"That's nothing compared to what I've been through in Slatina." I replied,placing my hand on his shoulder.
A calm and soothing silence filled the environment,and even more so by listening to the crickets. Despite the night being pitch black,we could see the landscape from afar.
Dhimiter pulled my military shirt.
"Vuk,can I tell you something...honest?" he said,raising his sight at me. His eyes trembled,trying to sustain his tears.
"Ok."
He looked his eyes around,silent,being shy as he is.
"Don't fear me,Dhim. I won't tell anyone." I assured him,silently and smiling.
Dhimiter finally spoke up,but not before he released his tears.
"I-I'm scared..." he responded,with an agitated breathing "I'm scared of UCK,NATO and-and...and Alfred Jones. N-n-not of you..."
I was surprised. No,I wasn't surprised that he was scared. I was surprised that he had the time for the first time to admit something. He should've admitted it back in Djakovica or Korisa. I'm glad he shares my feeling.
"Then why are you with them?" I asked.
He raised his sight again,with tears in his eyes. He has a slightly longer black hair,younger face,small stature and puppy eyes. He blushed. I couldn't sustain myself and cried and whimpered,hugging him.
"Y-you look like my younger brother Scepan,the one I would always protect and take care of." I exclaimed,also with an agitated breathing.
We sat there hugging for half a minute. After we calmed down,Dhimiter spoke again.
"As for your question..." he said "I think I have no true friends. They claim they'll protect me from you,b-but in reality...they also attack my own people too."
Obviously,as proven by the attacks on Djakovica and Korisa. They attacked a horde of Albanian refugees in both of those two villages.
"I feel like I'm being used from the start...to manipulate me and help their filthy cause." he continued,in a sad tone "Meidani had lied to me. He had lied to my people shamelessly. NATO wasn't on our side. On which side they were? Not on yours,that was clear. Why had they intervened then?"
I firstly thought he enjoyed being pampered and protected by the West,but now...I feel sorry for him,for the first time ever. I doubted him and his words when I encountered him back in April and May,but that has changed from this point on.
"Which side? On the KLA's." I answered,in a serious and stern tone "If only your people and your government knew earlier,then they wouldn't asked the manipulators for "help",and Alfreak would've thought twice about starting a cowardly war against me."
"Alfreak? You mean,Alfred Jones?"
"Yes,him. I like saying it because that's what he is: an evil and disgusting freak,despite his violently attractive appearance."
"I wish I had been in that meeting on February in Paris. It'd have been useful to clarify many doubts I have now." he confessed "I-I'm s-sorry,Vuk...I-I'm s-sorry...for e-everything..."
"I don't blame you..." I told him,smiling,and placing my hand on his shoulder "I-I know it's not your fault..."
Afterwards,I told him that we should sleep before I send him back to Pristina,where Rugova is waiting for him. He accepted,after yawning,and him and I laid our heads near the car's wheels,sleeping.
23rd June - 09:10
A blurred noise was heard. I was still sleeping and Dhimiter was eager to wake me up. He woke up early.
"Vuk,Vuk!" he shouted,in a quite tone,pushing my body "The bombs are falling!"
I blinked and opened my eyes,slowly getting up.
"I don't seem to hear anything,Dhim." I yawned,in a tired tone "What are you talking about?"
Two bombs have fallen and exploded near the car,making us getting up,sprint and duck from getting hit.
"You were right,they are falling." I exclaimed "Come on,we have to save the injured!"
He nodded and we went back to the car. Everything was dusty and the place was covered in fog from the explosions. When the fog diminished into normalcy,we walked slowly into Staro Gracko. Everything was dead silent.
The roads were covered with dead bodies and blood beneath them. They laid on the road on the random spots,and some parts of the bombs have spread across the road. The bodies were mutilated and disfigured by them. Dhimiter,out of fear,hugged me tightly,and I took another breath.
We counted how many people had died,as some of the surviving people have hid themselves into their houses,watching us,and there were 14 dead Serbs in total. The last dead Serb didn't laid on the floor,but was lying on a tractor. Plus,a combine harvester was utterly obliterated,burning. Dhimiter asked one of the villagers about what were they doing before this happened,and they said that the farmers had been returning home after a day of harvesting wheat. A female child have rushed towards us and hugged Dhimiter.
"I-I...I'm scared..." she pleaded,crying "Why are they doing this?"
"War." I answered,simply,crouching and hugging her too. "It'll end soon,I promise."
The family of that little girl have complained to us that they couldn't hear the Anti-Areal alarms from the distance of Lipljan,making it seem that the villagers were too "lazy" to flee their village.
"Not everything is lost." I proclaimed,in a serious tone "You tell your relatives to flee with you into Lipljan while we'll (Dhimiter and I) tell the rest of them to do the same."
They did so,without giving any complaints. A minute has passed while walking 200 meters away from the girl and we saw two figures,one of them pulling a body. Must be one of the villagers,but we weren't sure yet.
"Vuk,can you please hand me the binoculars?" he asked,politely.
"It's fine for me." I said,handing him the binoculars.
Before Dhimiter put the binoculars on his eyes,we went behind the nearest bush so as to configure if we're seeing the survivors or the KLA militias (I hope it's former). Dhimiter looked through them for twelve seconds.
"Do you see anything?" I asked him.
"Yes,and it appears that they're not villagers,b-but...but..."
""But" what?"
"F-F...Foreigners?" he guessed.
"Can you hand my binoculars for a sec?"
He did,and once I placed them,I saw one male and one female,pulling out the dead bodies. When I looked up close,I saw Emily Kirkland and...and...Alfred? No,this guy has longer hair and red uniform but...did Alfred let his hair grow down? That would seem like a stupid question,but everything is possible.
"The Atlanticists." I said to Dhimiter.
"You mean...NATO?" he said,raising his brow.
"Yes,them."
"How do you know?"
I showed him those two people from afar,telling him to zoom in at them. Once he confirmed my sightings,I told him that he should stay behind the bush to wait for my signal and keep my backpack until I get back.
"And you're going to leave me there,Vuk?" he snapped at me,in a feared tone.
"As long as they don't notice you,you'll be safe." I explained my small plan,giving him a walkie-talkie to contact me through my own,smiling "I'll give you the signal through the phone you're holding,Dhim."
He smiled back at me and nodded,and I'm now heading towards Emily and the other guy to confront them myself,taking my AK-47 with me.
09:35
"Emma,how many bodies have you found?" some guy asked.
"Around ten of them,those dead innocent women and children would cause another damage at the relations between Serbs and Albanians." Emily said,touching the body's face.
"And who are you to judge?!" I shouted at them.
Emily and the blond long-haired guy turned to me,shocked. I advanced towards them,with a stern face.
"Well,well,well,look who we have here!" Emily proclaimed,folding her arms,smirking "The criminal brat has arrived."
I rolled my eyes and put my tongue on my upper teeth,annoyed. At least she didn't spat "genocidal".
"And you're,like,not. Right?" I said,angrily. Then,I coughed "What the hell are you doing there,Atlanticists?!"
"Well,nothing much,we're just dragging the bodies to relocate them to cemeteries." the guy on her left side explained.
"And who ordered you to do this?" I asked. But he did told a nice idea which I'll do soon.
"The Leader." Emily said,smiling.
"The Leader" Alfreak Jones,of course.
"You have NO RIGHT nor a moral authority to be there,criminals!" I snapped at them,angrily,and at Emily in particular. I raised my AK-47 "Every time you're intervening anywhere,you're making things worse!"
"How?" the guy asked.
"BY STANDING THERE!" I shouted at his stupid question,more angrily. "Your planes have just today bombed the village where you're now standing,killing God-knows how many. I and my friend have discovered 14 dead and the ones you're dragging are murdered by you. The blood is on your hands,scum!"
"How can the blood be on our hands while we're helping them to rest in peace at the graveyard?" he snapped at me.
"Their souls would far more likely rest when you're gone and/or at trial than by just placing them into their next position,moron." I answered,growing more angrier and frustrated "Also,what's your name?"
"Matthew Williams." he introduced himself,shaking my hand. It confused me. "And you?"
Another Alfreak's sibling,obviously. I know this when I was in Rambouillet. I slowly remembered their names from the NATO Member Table I red while I was there.
"Vuk Misic,the "Genocidal Brat" you two know about." I said,sarcastically,moving my arms and making the "quotes" symbol with my fingers.
"Well,can you help us drag the bodies into the nearest graveyard we've found an hour ago?" he suggested,in a friendly tone "It may be a hypocritical suggestion,but I won't tell anyone about it,not even my younger brother."
Matthew seems to be a genuine nice person,at least by his tone. Still,this won't change my opinion on NATO and Alfred.
"What are you talking about,Matt?!" she turned and snapped at him "Talking to an enemy like that murderous midget is against our principals and our campaign. Do you know how would Alfred react if he hears that you're supporting a criminal?!"
I'm now boiling,feeling the steam coming from my ears. Firstly it was "genocidal brat",and now it's "murderous midget". I'm not THAT SHORT!
"I think Athene already told you back in Macedonia,ćурко!" I seethed,baring my teeth. My eye pupils are trembling and my fist is shaking...and Athene is having a fit from the distance.
Everything was silent. During this silence,I contacted Dhimiter to come here after one or two minutes,also telling him not to watch me anymore,but to keep the borrowed walkie-talkie safe.
"My brother is not a criminal,you are! She's a liar!" she snapped at me,angrily. Then whined. "Because of her,my vehicles and tanks have ended up being pelted with fruits and vegetables after her "people" moved NATO road signs and redirected the convoy to an outdoor market in Salonika,and Alfred got a rotten tomato thrown at his face!"
Boo-fucking-hoo!
"That's your problem." I said,snickering.
She took me by my collar,swiftly.
"My problem!?" she yelled at me,more angrily "While they got pelted,you're murdering innocent Albanians,torturing,murdering and ethnically cleansing them in masses!"
Coming from someone who's doing just that,especially when she and,maybe,Matthew,are supporting the KLA,under the command of Alfreak-show. Let me tell you something: One who's so self-righteous that one would ignore their crimes while also hypocritically pointing at the victim of doing the same,has no right to make moral judgments on anyone. Period.
"Tell that to the Albanians in Djakovica and Korisa!" I snapped at her,also angrily,removing her grip by violently pushing her arms off of me "If you had any shame or decency,which I doubt you have,you would've just disown Alfreak as your brother. Better yet,push him of a cliff for all I care!"
"He's not a Freak,murderer!" he shouted at my face,growing red,enraged.
"Yes he fucking is!"
"Leave my brother alone!"
"WHY ARE YOU DEFENDING HIM!?" I exploded,jumping and stomping both of my feet on the soil,yelling at the top of my lungs,feeling the need to cry.
Another silence has been invoked. I heard my echo from the cold air. During that longer silence,Matthew suggested again that we should move the bodies into our graveyards,but I simply moved my arm at him,so as to say "not now.". Emily tried to speak up,but I blocked her from doing so.
"Liste..."
"I do NOT care if it's your brother,punk!" I cut her off,showing her that I'm still enraged.
An another silence,being short this time,has ended when Dhimiter arrived,giving me my backpack and binoculars.
"Oh Dhimie,I'm so glad you returned." Emily said,in a worried tone,crouching and placing her hand on his cheek "Tell me,what did he do to you? Everything will be fi..."
"LIES!" Dhimiter said,pushing her aside "You all lied to me! Vuk is my REAL friend and ally,not the murderers like you,woman!"
"Did he indoctrinated you?!" she retorted,still angrily. She didn't expected one of her "allies" to stand against her.
After her question,Dhimiter had an argument with her,with me occasionally interfering. Emily twice raised her hand at him and me,threatening us,but Matthew grabbed her arm. It lasted for a minute and a half,but it did not end until Matthew had had it.
"ENOUGH!" he yelled at all of us,stomping his foot heavily,seeing him angry and annoyed for the first time ever,making us stop ranting at each other. His patience has ended "STOP ARGUING FOR ONCE! The bodies will rot out and stink this place up if we don't put the bodies where they now belong. NOW!"
We agreed to his angry orders and we no longer wasted our time. Once we finished digging up the earth,placing the bodies beneath them and covering them from the dug up dirt,I quickly went up to Dhimiter.
"Here you go,Vuk." he exclaimed,giving me two 2L Coca-Cola bottles from my backpack,taken from Slatina Underground. The third one was shared between me and him "I've put many worms and a pack of hair,ripped from dead bodies,into one of them,as you'd told me about your plan!"
I asked him which bottle and he pointed at the right one. I put the remaining six mentos into the bottle,swiftly closed the bottle and shook the bottle for ten seconds. We both giggled without Emily and Matthew noticing us.
"Here's your reward for helping us doing our work,you too." I said,now completely calmed down and happy,giving them the Coca-Cola bottles. The one with worms,mentos and hair was given to Emily,for being a hostile and annoying jerk. "It comes from Athene's receipt and approved by Arisha,just for you,Emmie."
"Don't you dare mention her name,little brat!" Emily retorted "B-but thank...you?"
I winked at her and went out of the village with Dhimiter. Once I saw her and Matthew open the bottles up,we rushed as fast as possible,far away from them. Once we bypassed a kilometer,a high-pitched shriek was heard from the distance,cursing us. She finally cracked,especially when she was still pissed.
We high-fived at one another and went to Pristina.
16:45,at the gates of Pristina
We finally arrived. Pristina was almost same as yesterday,except two residential houses who got bombed,few hours prior.
Before getting to the Rilindja Tower,where Rugova's at,I congratulated Dhimiter.
"You were so brave confronting your "defenders",Dhimie!" I said,smiling,and rubbing his hair "If only you would do the same to your President!"
"You too,Vukie." he also thanked me "Without you,I would've never come to realize how NATO is so manipulative and ignorant. The only Albanians they support are the mass-murdering KLA!"
"That's right,if only you would say it to Alfreak's face." I replied,slowly heading towards the tower's entrance.
"Confronting Meidani is one thing,but Alfred...it's too risky." Dhimiter complained "I don't want to get bombed as well."
"True,but look how Athene,Maria and Arisha stood up to him and yet,they didn't got bombed the next day." I insisted,encouraging him "If not,then just pretend you didn't knew anything from yesterday and the day before. "Pretend" is the key word here."
"I will!" he exclaimed,firmly,winking at me "They'll never lie to me again!"
"That's the spirit!" I said,hugging him. He cried out of joy and gratitude,cleaning his tears afterwards "As my sister twice said: "Bravery,Honor and Dignity are the things they could only wish for having. But you do have them,on the other hand."
We were near the tower entrance,but just as we were about to head towards Rugova on the street,I spotted an invitation card nailed on the lamppost,taking it with hands. It got ripped at the top,but that's nothing. I couldn't believe it,it's the 610th Anniversary of the Battle of Kosovo rally,which will occur at the next four days. And I was at the Gazimestan three days ago,so it made me more happier than before. What a coincidence. If it wasn't for the bombings,he would've not even consider re-telling his speech at all.
"Would you like to join the speech rally at 28th June?" I asked Dhimiter,handing over the poster.
"I-I'm not sure." Dhimiter replied,shyly "My president and the NATO won't allow me,but I would really like to join in."
"Who gives a rats ass about their reaction. So what if they'll get pissed at you!" I told him,placing my hand on his shoulder "Everything that hurts and harms the Atlantic Alliance,Alfreak,the KLA and your government,is good."
He took the poster from my hands and rushed at Rugova,hugging him. After that,they waved me goodbye and Rugova thanked me for completing the mission. I then went to pick up more invitation posters for my friends and siblings. Most of the people in Pristina,the majority being Albanians,don't want to touch the poster,since they hate my great President,despite his controversies,flaws and mistakes.
25th June - 20:00
I'm in Athene's apartment in her hometown Larissa,laying in her bed. I risked a lot three days earlier,much like my friends,really. I didn't felt any good. I'm still having a very high fever. I also insisted her to have myself remove my dirty laundry,particularly my socks and military clothes,into the washing machine,but she did it for me anyway,telling me to stay in bed for my own good. She had the point,and I also didn't had any time to take shower since I was in Gazimestan,up until now.
While she was nearing the end of her work,she was suddenly laughing for ten minutes. When she calmed down,she sat next to me.
"Θεέ μου!" she joyfully exclaimed. She had a big bruise around her right eye "You should've been on the NATO meeting yesterday!"
"You recorded him?" I guessed,slowly moving my upper body and turning my head at her.
"Sadly,no,it wasn't Alfred this time. But it was similar." she said "Do you remember what had happened to Emily two days ago?"
"Oh yes! I fully remembered!" I also started to laugh "You should've been with me back then!"
"I know,but listen." Athene explained,smiling "After the meeting had ended and I was about to leave the building,she approached me and lashed at me for...he-he...f-for "my receipt" being approved by your sister Arisha,even though I've never heard of it before!"
"And what happened next?" I asked,pulling my bed sheet near my face.
"Emily was hostile towards me,I and her have had a fierce argument about that receipt of yours and my young brother Atreus and trembled every time I mentioned Arisha,Vuk and everything else that now triggers her and make her tremble with anger." she continued "In the end,I earned a black eye from her. It still hurts badly,but it was worth it. She and Alfred are the same devils as they were before."
"She now wants you dead?" I asked again.
"More than dead,gone. The same way Alfred now wants Arisha dead." Athene concluded. Her lips trembled out of not trying to laugh again "I've always hated her,but because of you and subsequently,Dhimiter,he hates me back,but even more. You're so great! You showed her!"
We then laughed again for few minutes and,after we calmed down,we went to eat dinner. She's a great cook,making a Souvlaki dish with Tsatsiki sauce. I had a difficulty to get up and numb my pain on my back,but I succeeded.
"So,would you come at Gazimestan at 28th June?" I asked yet again,knowing that she got the invitation poster from me "You know,to hear about the Battle of Kosovo?"
"Everything for you,Vukie." Athene replied,in a friendly tone,munching her meal "You were always been my young ally and friend ever since the war in 1389. We had a common enemy back then,and today,we have NATO."
After dinner,she got in her bed with me and,before we went to sleep,she red one Mythology story that her mother wrote to her when she was a child. I enjoyed it and thanked her for coming up with that idea.
28th June - 12:00,Gazimestan Podium
"At this place in the heart of Serbia,on the Kosovo Field,six centuries and a decade ago,610 years ago,one of the greatest battles of that time took place. Like all great events,this one was accompanied by many questions and secrets,it was the subject of continuous scientific research and ordinary people's curiosity. Due to social circumstances,this great six-hundred-year-plus-a-decade jubilee of the Battle of Kosovo happened in the year in which Serbia,after many years,after many decades,regained its state,national and spiritual integrity. Therefore,it is not difficult for us today to answer the old question: What will we do with Милош Обилић. Through the play of history and life,it seems that in 1989,Serbia regained its state and its dignity in order to celebrate a historical event from the distant past that had great historical and symbolic significance for its future."
That was the beginning of his speech. Like a decade earlier,he did so in order to boost the morale and national pride for his (and my) military and my people. But unlike that period,he did so as an act of defiance against the West and NATO.
The Podium was the same except the numbers. Instead of 1989,it was 1999,replacing the "8" with another "9". I,Athene,Arisha,Natalia,Daryna,Ivan,Scepan,Atreus and,amazingly,Dhimiter,were here on time,despite the difficulty to bypass the crowd and waiting for the rows,taking the invitation posters and letters one per one.
As the full speech is nearing the end,I heard a female voice behind the rows near us.
"Disculpe,gente,do you know where's my friend Athene?!" she shouted loudly,because the speech was spread through the megaphones. It was barely heard,but I recognize her language. It's Maria Fernandez. I believe Athene gave one copy to her.
"Can you move along,Señores y señoras?!" she shouted again,now more clearer than the previous one,since she's nearing us. "Please?!"
Once Maria came to us,she saw me.
"Oh,mi hijo,we meet again!" Maria said,hugging me.
"You too,Maria." I replied,hugging her back "Welcome back to Serbia!"
"Indeed,my dear!" she said,then she asked,shyly "Now,am I late?"
"Mostly,yeah." I said,in a sad tone,only to revert to a happy one "But that doesn't matter,Марија,you came back. I could be your traveling guide if you want to,introducing to many places and museums."
"It would be a major pleasure!" she asked "Uhm...what's your name?"
"His name is Vuk Misic!" Athene exclaimed,intervening.
"Thank you,Athene!" she concluded,joyfully "You've always been my best friend!"
"Everyone!" I suddenly spoke out to my friends and siblings "The ending excerpt of the speech is coming!"
"Six centuries ago,Serbia defended itself here,in the field of Kosovo. But it also defended Europe. It was then on its ramparts,which protected European culture,religion,and the European society as a whole. That is why today it seems to be not only unfair,but also unhistorical and completely absurd to talk about Serbia's belonging to Europe. He is in it constantly,today as never before. Of course,in his own way. But one that has never been deprived of dignity in the historical sense. In that spirit,today we strive to build a society which will survive,and thrive,in these dire and bloody times. And thus to contribute to the struggle of our beautiful,and at this moment unjustly attacked country. But also to contribute to the efforts of all progressive people of our time,which they make for a new,more beautiful world.
May the memory of Kosovo's heroism live forever!
Long live Serbia!
Long live Yugoslavia!
Long live peace and brotherhood among nations!"
Here's the Eleventh Chapter. As Serbia opted to help his people in Kosovo once again,he was tasked to find Albania,only to be met with an attack from NATO against the village of Staro Gracko,killing 42 people,all of them being the Serbs. In reality,it happened on 23th July - wiki/Staro_Gracko_massacre
As for England (and not Britain. Britain is Arthur Kirkland),well...poor her. Despite being a major villain,she didn't acted like one (see Anti-Villain),due to her friendship with Russia and Maria. But,ever since the (unwanted-by-Russia's) destruction of her embassy on 24th May (8th Chapter,along with America's and Germo-Prussia's),she has embraced the Face-Heel turn and,summed up to her another Freak Out/Mental Breakdown by having herself being splattered by hair and worm-infested Coke drink,she's now holds the grudge against Greece and reaffirmed her recently-established hatred for Russia,thus becoming a genuine villain and the Secondary Antagonist in this timeline.
Thanks for reading.