Empire of Shadows

Chapter 14: Courage Comes from Purpose

Eighteen- or nineteen-year-olds are legally almost adults, but emotionally, they’re far from mature.

Elvin felt a deep sense of injustice. He had been fine at home until war broke out. His family, not wanting to see him dragged to a pointless death on the battlefield, sold their house to gather enough money to send him to the Federation.

He had thought this would be a “journey of growth.” After all, everything he’d heard about the Federation from the Empire was positive and beautiful.

Rumors said the air was sweet, the donuts delicious, food and clothing were freely distributed on the streets, and even those without a penny could find hospitals willing to treat them.

These tales painted such an alluring picture that everyone who came to the Federation was filled with hope and imagination for a new life.

But after arriving, everything had turned out to be horrible.

The air was thick with the smell of manure, burnt motor oil, and car exhaust. The people were unfriendly, every face sharp with self-interest and disdain, looking at him as if he were trash.

There was no sweet-smelling air, no taste of donuts.