A few weeks later, Vivian and Delilah, who had become friends in the meantime, were watching TV when the Emperor made a statement on national television:

  'The brave souls who fell trying to give Zethea a bright future by fighting in the War will be remembered in years to come! The Empire thanks them for their service, and may their souls forever rest.'

  "Bullshit!" - shouted an angry Vivian. - "He doesn't give a rat's ass about 'the brave souls' who died on foreign lands. What does he even want from Sartheria?"

  "I'm not sure, maybe they have something he wants?" - questioned Delilah.

  "Whatever it is, it can't be that important to waste so many lives. My parents are dead, I hope he's happy with tearing so many families apart."

  Then, a knock was heard on Dell's bedroom door.

  "I'll go get it." - said Vivian - "You can stay there."

  "No it's okay, it's probably my grandma calling me for dinner." - Delilah reassured before asking. - "Hey, do you want to stay and eat?"

  "I, uh, is that okay?"

  "I mean, I asked you, didn't I? So, yeah, it's okay."

  "Well, in that case, sure!"

  "Awesome!"

  They sat down at the table and began eating. Dell's grandparents were heavily religious, and their prayer before the meal made Vivian, who did not believe in Kynera, the goddess of the state mandated, monotheistic religion, and hated the Government with a burning passion, very uncomfortable.

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  "Psst, Dell. When we're done eating, wanna go out for a walk?" - Vivian whispered during the dinner.

  "Sure." - Delilah replied.

  When they went to walk out the door, Delilah's grandfather said:

  "I want you home by 11, young lady."

  "Papa, I'm an adult now..." - she sighed.

  "Doesn't matter, the streets are dangerous at this time."

  "Okay, fine..."

  They went out the door when Vivian heard her friend whisper:

  "Like hell I'm gonna be home by 11."

  "Hey, if you gotta be home early I don't mean to..."

  "It's okay, don't worry." - Delilah interrupted.

  "I just don't want to get you in trouble..."

  "I mean it, Viv, it's fine. Now, where do you want to take me?" - Delilah asked.

  "I know a place that looks beautiful at night, come on, let's go!" - Vivian laughed, grabbing her hand.

  "Alright, lead the way!"

  They went to the hill nearby where the Statue of Kynera was built, overlooking the city of Derohak, as well as the ocean beyond. The stars reflecting on the water created a beautiful spectacle.

  "Sometimes," - Vivian started after they had spent a while looking at the sea. - "I wonder what life is like outside of Zethea...Y'know, in Zarkaria or Korvinia, those places."

  "It can't be as bad as here, that's for sure." - Dell replied.

  "Yeah, I'd like to believe in that."

  "I bet the sky looks different there. Y'know, constellations and the sort." - Delilah wondered.

  "Yeah, and I bet it's beautiful. When this war is over, I promise to take you to Korvinia!" - Vivian winked.

  "I'd love that, haha!" - she giggled.