Eastern Zhonguo – Outskirts of the Old Capital
Dust swirled in the midday light as workers and soldiers moved through the ruined districts. What once stood as a bustling trade square was now a skeleton of stone, fractured walls clinging to old memories. The clang of tools echoed through the clearing—hammers driving stakes, shovels overturning hardened soil. The work had begun.
Callum stood beside Lu Yin atop a ridge overlooking the site. His overcoat was slung over one shoulder, the sleeves of his tunic rolled up as he reviewed the new blueprints laid out on a makeshift table between them.
"We'll start with shelter blocks here," Callum said, pointing to the northeastern sector. "There's access to a fresh spring below. That'll serve well for long-term habitation."
Lu Yin nodded. "And here," he tapped another section of the map, "a temple used to stand. It was a place of peace for many—if we rebuild it, it'll give the people a sense of belonging."
Callum glanced at him with a slight smile. "You think like a man who's already seen the other side of war."
"I've seen what happens when peace is treated like a pause instead of a goal," Lu Yin replied. "We build not just with stone, but with hope."
"You speak like Erebus," Callum noted, not unkindly.
Lu Yin gave a rare, small smile. "He's more than just our general. He's a vision we want to protect. That vision lives in all of us now."
A voice called out in the distance. "Lieutenant! First foundation is set!"
Lu Yin raised his hand in acknowledgment. "We'll be down in a moment."
Callum took a breath and looked out over the valley—soot-darkened, yet kissed with green in places where nature was daring to return.
"There's something poetic about rebuilding," he said. "It's an act of defiance. Of faith."
Lu Yin stared forward, silent a moment. "We owe that to those who never got to see this day."
Callum didn't respond immediately. He only nodded, and together, they descended into the valley—two men, forged by different wounds, united by a shared vow to bring life back to where death had once reigned.
---
Later that Night – Lu Yin's Quarters...
The oil lamp flickered against the stone walls, casting long shadows across the parchment laid on the table. Outside, the night hummed quietly—no alarms, no screams, no thunder of war drums.
For once, there was peace.
Lu Yin sat in silence, sleeves down, armor removed. Only a simple robe clothed him now. A stark contrast to the man who once stood before legions. In his hand, a pen hovered above the page.
Then he began to write.
---
Dear Lu Mei,
You always told me that I carried the world on my shoulders and never once looked at the stars. Tonight, I finally did. The sky here is clear, no smoke, no fire, no ash.
You'd love it.
The land is quiet now. Almost unnerving, but beautiful. The kind of quiet you always wanted. We've begun rebuilding the village—what's left of it. I stood where our house used to be. The stones are gone, but I swear I could still hear your laughter near the stream.
I haven't forgotten. I still plan to build that home. By the waterfall. Surrounded by the wildflowers you loved so much. I've already chosen the spot—clean air, steady water, no more monsters.
Just peace.
I hope you're safe. I pray you're with good people, away from the chaos. If fate is kind, it'll bring us back together soon. If not now… then know I'm building a life worthy of you.
I'll keep writing. Until I see you again.
Your brother,
Yin
---
He set the pen down, folding the letter with care. There was no address, no messenger yet, but he would hold onto it—perhaps for a day, or a year. Or until fate turned her eyes his way.
Outside, in the night, a flower bloomed in the cracks of an old wall. And Lu Yin, in all these years, allowed himself the fragile hope of home.
He neatly folded the letter and went out to pay a visit at his parents' graves.
"Mother, father....I'm finally home. Watch over your son. I will soon rebuild this place. Better then it once was."
He looked up at the stars. They twinkled as if they were responding to him on behalf of his late parents.
"Not just this village. He plans to reunite the realms."
He let how a chuckle.