Exactly 84 years ago, on August 2nd, a military leader by the name of Coygator Tamarack grew tired of the wars that cursed the land of which he lived on; as it separated the people who were once united. The wars, which were caused by the differences of the people, stole the lives of innocent and guilty people alike. As a result, Tamarack devised a plan; a plan that merged the nine civilizations that littered the land, and settled their differences through an indirect form of 'Sameness'. Customs and originality would have to be sacrificed in order for this plan to succeed, but through the use of clever advertising and propaganda, the people did not object to any of this. For the remainder of 75 years, the land that had been spoiled with war, became a peaceful nation, under the rule of the leader, Tamarack.

But then, 9 years ago, something ticked inside the body of a group of people, something that detected something was wrong, and they cracked. They realized that without originality, people couldn't even be considered human. So they rebelled, taking nearly half of these 'Sameness Followers', and converting them into rebellious people. Ever since, my country has been at war with ourselves, tearing itself apart. Regardless, I will join the military of my country, and fight for what I believe in, even at the risk of death. In this act, maybe the war will end. Maybe someday our country can become like an elephant again; long-lasting and self-preserving. I doubt it, but I won't give up.

I could distinctly remember Viper's voice ringing in my head as she tugged on my arm. I was about eight years old then, and I had been in a hurry to get to the Learning Home like I did everyday. The smell of the fresh morning dew in the air filled my nostrils as I trekked along the path. As I reached the entrance of the home, I could hear a faint whisper that got louder every second.

“Crane! Craaaaneeee!” the voice had whispered. A long, low whistle followed it. It appeared to be coming from the large bushes that surrounded the home and its boundaries. As I looked around to find the whisperer who called my name, I felt a strong tug on my arm that made me collapse into one of the bushes.

Now I could see who was calling me; Viper. Her black hair was uncombed like always and her face was smeared with dirt. And considering she had been in the bushes, it was no surprise that her clothing was covered in grass stains. Same old Viper.

“What do y–,” I had tried to ask, but she cut me off abruptly.

“Come with me to the Military Camp,” she had said, her large dark eyes fluttering before me. Not this again. She had asked me countless times to skip learning and go with her, only to be told off. I don’t know why she even bothered to ask when the answer was inevitable. She had this obsession with joining the armed forces once she turned fourteen, since that was when you could join.

I started to sound out the “n” in “no”, but she gave me an angry and upset look. I felt bad now that I always said no, and I never went with her anywhere. But, this was something risky. My mind told me not to, to stay and learn and fill my brain with knowledge. But, my heart told me to go. I mean, she was my best friend, and if I must say, the love of my life. But that last part is between you and me. Maybe learning could wait, just for one day…?

“Fine.” I finally told her after thinking it through for roughly thirty seconds. It made me happy to see her expression suddenly become filled with happiness and gratitude.

“Okay! Follow me.” She said, running onto the trail that led back home. I ran behind her, as she turned left, off the trail, and into the lush woods that surrounded our village.

I was never really a fan of those woods, partly because of the stories my parents would tell me about ghosts that haunted the village. But Viper was tough. And I know it sounds cowardly, but I know she would be there to protect me from any dangers. It’s not like I stood a chance with the things that lurked there anyway.

She bent down and picked up a sharp rock that had been slightly buried in dirt on the ground.

“For protection.” She said, looking back at me. I followed her action because I knew she knew what to do.

We probably ran for about ten minutes before we arrived at the clearing, which was littered with tents. Viper and I were lying in the bushes, so as not to get spotted by the soldiers. The smell of burning cinders filled the air that surrounded us; probably from the numerous fire pits that were burning. The soldiers wore sleek black jackets, loose khaki colored pants and grey boots that went up a little below the knee. I glanced at her, her eyes focused on the marching soldiers that moved along ahead of us. That’s when I came to the sudden realization that there were probably more than one hundred soldiers present there.

“Woah…” I said, barely containing my newfound excitement before Viper glared at me and told me to be quiet. I never felt so excited, and I don’t recall why I felt so excited in the first place. But, I did. Over in the large clearing, there were pairs of men and women stabbing and jabbing at each other’s chests with short blades. In the distant mountains, soldiers were lined up while lying down, large guns wrapped around their arms. They fired at artificial objects that were thrown in the air with extreme precision and accuracy. On the left, past the river bed, archers climbed trees and fired arrows with such a speed that it was hard to believe. But my eyes returned to the sparring soldiers in the clearing, moving the daggers in such a variety of ways. Some who swung elegantly and smoothly, aiming for critical points to attack, and others who wielded the blade violently and roughly, their goal to tire you out.

Now I knew why Viper loved the armed forces so much. Because right then and there, I knew what I wanted to be. A soldier. But I was so naïve back then. I only wanted to join so I could “have fun” and swing the blade like a professional. I thought that was all the Military served a purpose for. But, oh, was I wrong. There is much more to war than what it seems.