Chapter 1
Central Berzerkian Territories
Votriaca, 1918
The sounds of crowds standing outside the Imperial Assessment Building filled the stale air, young men and women vying for a chance to see the latest results of the Aptitude and Intelligence Assessment. The nervous energy of Imperial nobility and general population alike was met with bemused smiles from the older generations as they continued their walks through the wet cobblestone streets of the Imperial capital of Votriaca, a strange understanding and nostalgic look in their eyes.
Exhaust fumes from factories from the eastern side of the capital worked to block out the sun’s rays, casting long shadows on the high-rise buildings of Votriaca. The multi-tiered city’s glass glinted in the few rays of light that reached them, freshly built buildings connected by an intricate network of subways, train bridges, and pedestrian bridges.
Hanging from every possible overhang were tall banners of the Empire of Berzerkia—a regal hawk with wings preparing to take flight, with a skull in its talons. Inked in black, accented in gold, against a red backdrop, the steel gaze of the Imperial hawk kept a constant watch on its people. Over a public announcement system, the Berzerkian National Anthem played over the sound of the bustling city, followed by a speech by the Emperor.
“To my comrades of our Motherland, I couldn’t be more proud to announce that today is the start of many prospects for our great nation. Today marks the beginning of another group of great promise for our Empire. If you happen to pass by the Imperial Assessment Building, don’t hesitate to welcome the Motherland’s newest hope for the future! They are the key to the Empire’s continued success. Our success! Glory to the Motherland!”
“Glory to the Motherland!” Many citizens shouted, raising fists with confident grins.
As the sound of the Emperor's powerful voice slowly faded, the sounds of the busy city returned, along with the regularly scheduled announcements on the P.A. system.
“Destruction of government property is destruction of the Motherland. Please report any suspicious activity to the nearest Peacekeeper. Glory to the Motherland…”
A car appeared from around the corner, coming to a halt in front of the test results posted on the outside of the building. The dull metal refused to reflect any light; only the small nicks were able to glint in the morning sun. The tinted windows hid its occupants, but everyone in front of the building immediately recognized who the vehicle belonged to. The model of the car was reserved exclusively for noble families, with rare additions for comfort instead of practicality.
One of those noble families’ heirs had participated in this year’s Aptitude and Intelligence Assessment. Their emblem was clearly displayed on the side of the car; its paint fresh, though scratched slightly.
An attendant disembarked, moving to open the rear passenger door as he turned to announce to the crowd. “Move aside! Lord Illyasov is here for his results!”
The attendant opened the door to reveal two men, a teenager and a middle-aged man. A small plume of smoke left the cabin, the younger man angrily waving away from his face as the older man stepped out with a cigar in his mouth. The man stroked his beard, then ran his hand through his salt-and-pepper hair as he scanned the streets with a slight squint from the morning sun.
“Is that…?” A young woman’s voice trailed off in disbelief.
“No...It couldn’t be…?” Another member of the crowd muttered to themselves with eyes wide.
The attendant cleared his throat. “Make way for General Antonovich and Lord Illyasov!”
The crowd fell silent for a moment before erupting in cheers. Many of them flocked to the middle-aged man, someone any Berzerkian could recognize in a heartbeat. The young generation revered him as the ultimate role model—a war hero who had crushed the recent attempt at expansion from the Republic of Ameridia, as well as the recent push from the Oceanian Federation into the Southern Territories of the Empire. The older generation held an unbelievable amount of respect for him for his earlier heroic missions to save captured Berzerkian troops in the last war with the Vasbekian Union thirty years ago.
The man’s name was known far and wide as a result of his feats, despite his young age, and because of his military success afterwards at the command of the Berzerkian Armed Forces. General Kazakov Antonovich was feared by enemy superpowers and praised by his home country of Berzerkia. Standing at least half a head taller than most Berzerkian men, years of battle experience showed in a well-honed body marked with scars.
Walking out after such a man was the rising star of the current generation of the Imperial Academy, an institution the aforementioned general had graduated from.
The young man left the cabin of his car, shoving his hands in his pockets as he eyed the crowd swarming to Kazakov. Wavy light brown hair which looked almost blond as it caught sunlight was swept back to stay out of the way of an intense pair of green eyes. A clean-shaven and hard-lined face, seemingly made by an artisan, first held a look of irritation, then indifference.
“We don’t have all day.” The young man said, shaking his head. “Why did you have to come anyway? It only makes it harder.”
“Alek,” Kazakov said, smirking. “I know you’re jealous that I’m getting all the attention, but there’s no need to be so impatient. Think of the people who have always wanted to meet a war hero!”
Aleksei Illyasov shook his head, crossing his arms as he met the general’s gaze. “If you wanted to annoy me, there are less public ways of doing so. And I have a right to be impatient. The sooner I know my results, the sooner I can fill out the paperwork I need to take care of.”
Kazakov sighed. “Why do you want to run off to fight Ameridians with me so badly? I’ll never know. It’s nothing but mountains and jungles where we’re fighting this time. It won’t be easy.”
“The sooner I gain achievements, the sooner I can achieve my goal. The more difficult it is, the easier it is to be recognized for it. You know that more than anyone, old man.”
“Hey, I’m not old yet!” Kazakov shot back.
The crowd laughed at the general’s response, the young men and women bombarding him with questions as Aleksei pushed past them and headed towards the massive poster protected by a glass display case.
Standing before it was a woman with dark brown hair, staring at the top of the board with crossed arms as she furiously tapped her foot. Aleksei smirked, walking up to the woman as he looked up at the list noted as “Officer Candidates”, known among the nobility as the only real listed aptitude that mattered.
One could find their names and a multitude of lists, which told the applicant and the Empire which fields of service in the military they were suited for. But for the nobility of Berzerkia, who were the descendants of war heroes and successful lineages of officers, having an aptitude for continuing their lineage as officers was all that mattered. The secondary lists they placed in would assist them in choosing a branch of the military to join, but were otherwise advisory to them.
However, the young woman Aleksei approached wasn't a noble. In fact, she was from Dyabursk, a small town in the Western Territories was mostly known for its scenic and relaxing views the nobility liked to visit for vacations. Since the town contributed next to nothing towards the war effort, it wasn’t sent any funding from the Empire. It was only a result of visiting nobility the retired citizens were able to live relatively comfortably there. Otherwise, it was a relatively poor area in the Empire.
Yet, a young woman from that poor, no-name town was looking nowhere else besides the “Officer Candidate” list with a sour expression.
“Lost again, huh, Katerina?” Aleksei chuckled, his eyes falling upon a sight he had expected: his name at the top of the list, with her’s just below him in second place.
“Piss off.” Katerina said, glaring at him. “I bet you rigged it, or something!”
Her attitude needs work, but her looks make up for it at least.
The woman’s grey eyes held a fire in them the Motherland had wanted to foster; her face perfectly proportioned and undeniably beautiful. Katerina Koval was an astonishingly talented woman who was able to rival Aleksei despite her humble background, matching him in every field, only for him to just barely pull ahead due to luck alone. Her skills and looks were unparalleled by the current generation of the Empire, but there was a glaring issue that couldn’t be overlooked: her attitude.
“Like I would need to resort to such methods against a country bum.” Aleksei said, shaking his head.
“Say that again, and I’ll drag that pretty face across a brick wall.” The girl said evenly, a vein at her temple threatening to burst from her barely reigned-in anger.
He meant none of it, of course, but it was entertaining to see such a pretty girl become so enraged over the smallest provocation.
Because Katerina was hot-headed, impulsive, and quite unsociable, many people didn’t like her. Her skills were genuine and possibly the best in the Empire, but no one wanted to follow her as a result of her personality. Such a thing would have been taught to her, had she been from a noble family. At the very least, the male population of the Academy had fawned over her as a result of her beauty. Though it did make it extremely hard for Katerina to make friends, since the female population of the Academy was either intimidated by her, jealous, or hated her for some other reason.
Aleksei understood that, to some degree. As they competed against one another for the best spots at every turn, he slowly grew to like the woman. She wasn’t afraid to fight for what she wanted and was extremely apt at learning new skills when it came to fighting, tactics, and technical areas of study. Her sense of pride couldn’t be beat, even by the most haughty of nobility. Aleksei admired her for her spirit, which made him feel a kinship with her he couldn’t explain.
He once confided in Kazakov about this when the man had returned from another deployment to visit his family. The general was a long-time friend of the family, and Aleksei looked to him like he would an uncle as a result since he was around ten years his senior.
Aleksei felt a slight tremble of annoyance at the smug look on the man’s face and the taunting tone in his voice.
Oh~? Has spring finally come for our widdle workaholic?
“So you think I’m pretty, huh?” Aleksei said, lifting an eyebrow in a taunting motion.
“Oh, shut up.” Katerina growled. “Do you only hear what you want to hear?”
The young man shrugged. “It’s a gift, what can I say?”
“Hopefully, it’s not too late to return it.” Katerina shook her head, then crossed her arms, “...I won’t lose next time.”
“You say that every time.” Aleksei said, the pair starting to move away from the crowd as it slowly began to return to the poster they had been standing in front of, “You haven’t won once in four years.”
“...I almost won against you in the rifle qualifications.”
“Yes, truly unfortunate that your gun misfired.”
“And in hand-to-hand combat.”
“Indeed, we need to make sure that they dry off the mats so you can’t slip like that again.”
“And in the tactics assessments.”
“Now, that wasn’t surprising. Sure, the plan was flawless, but no one wanted to listen to you, so it failed.”
“I would have beaten you if they had listened!”
“But they didn’t. But at least you got second place after the judges asked what was going on. The other teams forfeited.”
“They were weak. And stupid.”
“And you were impatient, and angry.”
“And you’re just perfect, huh? Never made a mistake in your life? Give me a break. You’ve never had to work a day in your life!”
Aleksei stopped, facing the girl with a level glare. Silence stretched between them as Aleksei fought to keep a sudden surge of irritation from making him do something he’d regret. His fist tightened enough some of his knuckles popped, the skin turning white from the exertion.
The countless hours he had spent to get to where he is, the sheer amount of effort it had taken to keep the top spot, felt like a weight on his shoulders. Naturally, before this woman had shown up, he hadn’t had to apply himself as much. The level of competition before Katerina’s arrival wasn’t at the level such effort was needed.
Hearing her belittle those efforts was...quite infuriating.
“What, cat got your tongue?” Katerina said, crossing her arms and looking away with a sour expression.
Aleksei sighed, turning away from her to hide his face in case he lost his composure. “It’s nothing. In any case, you still placed second. Considering your background, that’s an amazing feat. No one expects anything from scholarship students.”
“I don’t want your compliments.” Katerina said, almost mumbling.
“What are you planning on doing?” Aleksei asked, looking towards the central sector of Votriaca, whose high-rising buildings were obscured by a lower layer of clouds. “With an officer recommendation, and skills like yours, you’d be successful anywhere.”
“I’m going to request an officer placement on the frontlines, preferably against the Ameridians.” Katerina said evenly.
Surprised, Aleksei turned back towards her and cocked an eyebrow in confusion. “All of that work, just to run off and die on the other side of the world?”
Katerina looked away, furrowing her brow. “You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me.” Aleksei said, looking straight at her. “Who knows, we might even learn something about each other.”
Katerina looked at him from the corner of her eye, looking away almost immediately. She then turned, almost facing the opposite way. Aleksei could just see her cheeks redden.
Did I ask for something I shouldn’t have?
Aleksei had never tried to understand why Katerina had worked so hard to beat him, figuring it was out of some strange inferiority complex that made her think she had to beat him at everything. He knew she came from a small village, that she was on a scholarship at the Academy, and that she had a hard time making friends. Otherwise, it never crossed Aleksei’s mind to delve any further.
However, now that his days at the Academy were to be soon behind him, a small pang of curiosity gnawed at the back of his mind.
“I need power.” Katerina said quietly. “I refuse to rot away in that small village. If I want a better life for myself, then I need power. It’s that simple.”
“There are much safer ways for you to get that.” Aleksei said, not a hint of mockery in his voice. “The only reason someone like you would want to go there was if you wanted it as soon as possible, even if it meant death. You know that, right?”
To gain power and influence, I’m willing to risk my life. If I don’t hurry, my enemies will gain too much ground, and it will be impossible to be sure that I’m safe….If she’s aiming for the same thing, then what’s breathing down her neck that she would have to go to that same hell as me?
“I hate that you’re so quick on the uptake,” Katerina said, turning to look at him.
“Pardon?”
“I can see it in your eyes.” Katerina said, ruefully. “‘What would make her go there? What’s so bad that she would risk her life to get power?’. Seriously, it makes me sick how easy you are to read, Illyasov.”
Funny, since everyone tells me that it’s impossible to tell what I’m thinking. Only you can tell, it seems.
“I’m just concerned for my classmate, and a comrade.” Aleksei said, shaking his head. “They’re only sending veterans that way anyway.”
“I didn’t think you considered yourself a ‘veteran’.” Katerina crossed her arms, cocking an eyebrow. “Since when did you get so presumptuous?”
“Did someone tell you?” Aleksei said, seeing immediately that hiding his plans was pointless.
Katerina shook her head, “Do you think I’m an idiot? Anyone with half a brain could tell you were planning on going over there. You’ve always been an overachiever since I’ve known you.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Anyway.” Katerina said, turning to look directly in his eyes. “I’m going to be assigned to the frontlines, no matter what. If you try to stop me, I’ll make sure the entire Empire knows how hypocritical you are.”
It looks like she connected the dots, Aleksei chuckled despite himself.
“What? What’s so funny?” Katerina shot him a glare.
Aleksei shook his head, “Nothing, I’m just in awe of your wit, Katerina.”
“...I don’t need any compliments from you, alright?” Katerina said, looking away and crossing her arms.
“Fine, fine, I understand.” Aleksei smiled slightly. “If you don’t need any compliments, then how about a partner?”
“...A partner?” Katerina looked at Aleksei incredulously. “What are you talking about?”
“It’s simple, really.” Aleksei said. “We are the most qualified graduates of the Academy, we both are considered gifted, and we desire power for our own personal reasons. We will be walking into a hell that our parents and grandparents endured, so why don’t we help each other achieve our goals?”
“You want to help me?”
“I want your help.” Aleksei answered with a straight face. “Someone as talented as you will definitely be reassuring on the battlefield. In return for your help, I’ll offer you my aid. Sounds fair, right?”
A silence between them seemed to hang in the air for ages. Aleksei patiently waited for a reply, while Katerina looked down at the worn cement at her feet. The sounds of the city around them filled the void, conversations between families and friends melding together to form a drone of busy air. Cars for nobility, along with buses and military transports, drove past them on the streets, accompanied by intermittent beeps of horns. Above them on rail bridges, a passenger train was taking a payload of citizens from the train station to the manufacturing sector on the other side of the city.
As that passenger train eventually left Aleksei’s ears, he could hear Katerina take a deep breath.
“Alright, I’ll help you.” She said with a fire in her eyes. “I’ll help you gain more power, so you better help me too!”
Aleksei smiled, a warm smile that rarely appeared on his face. “Of course. I’m wholeheartedly looking forward to working with you, Katerina.”
