At the age of 13, I experienced a full decade of Arkania. We had witnessed this nation alive for ten years. As a milestone, we celebrated. But it was a day that all humans would remember forever.
All Arkanians gathered in front of the grand palace in the capital city of Pharkis to hear the words of their Idol, Michaela. I, along with my father, went to the palace just to hear some patriotic words. For me, this was all a waste of time. Spending ten years doesn't mean we are safe and powerful. By noon, Michaela arrived at the palace balcony, only to repeat his ten-year-old words.
"My dear Arkanians, we all know why we have gathered here. We have survived another year and completed our first decade. The nation of Arkania has completed its first ten years." He repeated these same words every year, only changing the number.
"We spent our years in oppression, exile, and death. The Zyphlisian treated us like animals, and we could only watch, wishing to die quickly. But we endured all that pain and suffering. Then we stood up for our lives to save our children. We fought so the world knew that Arkanians exist. We sacrificed so our children could live better lives. Our ancestors bore that burden, and so did we. But no more—we couldn't watch our children being slaughtered mercilessly. So we fought, sacrificed, and reclaimed our land. Some of us became martyrs, the heroes of Arkania. And some of us lived to tell the tale."
"My dear brethren, we have a land to call our own. We have a country to care for. Our duty is not over and never will be. Our children will grow and lead this nation. But what they become depends on what we teach them. So, brothers and sisters, keep moving and make this nation great. Just as we dreamed."
"Long Live Arkania! Long Live the Arkanians!"
As I expected, it was the same speech we heard every year, word for word. The crowd applauded, voices rose in chants of 'Long live Arkania!' before slowly dispersing from the palace. I couldn't understand the reason for war, nor could I understand the concept of patriotism. We have all become soft, weak, and vulnerable. If we were attacked at any moment, we would fall. People were relaxed, just because we survived for some ten years. But the eyes of every Arkanian shone with hope. They wished and hoped for a better country. They were happy.
"I know you hate wars and conflicts, and of course, this old speech," my father said happily, trying to make me smile.
"Yes, war isn't the only way to solve problems. Sometimes peace is the best option, but most fail at that. I don't want you to follow every child your age and join the Crescent Army. Work hard, rise to higher posts, become wealthy if you wish—but above all, do what makes you truly happy. But whenever you get the chance to fight for Arkania, give it your all. Because, as a father, this is the least I can wish for you."
His words were the most patriotic I had ever heard. I embraced him. And as I saw children running and playing, I forgot the hatred for war. I understood that this day comes every year, but its significance is greater than just a day. It reminds us why we fought, why we struggled—for a future that is free and better than the past. This day shows us that our dreams are no longer just dreams. We are now living in them. We have achieved our dreams. We just need to improve them.
Then, something in the sky caught my eye. A small dot approached from above, growing larger and larger until it landed and took everything with it.
In that instant, I realized hell had never truly ended for Arkania—it had only been waiting above us.