Kyle's POV
I was once a General of the Army.
I used to lead millions of soldiers on the battlefield. We ravaged the field like hungry beasts. We killed those who stood in our path and brought victory to our nation, which our people rejoiced.
Though many had died in every war we waged, yet they all died for their nation. The soldiers who have died during the wars I've been through, I honored them and respected them. They could've lived an ordinary life, but instead, they chose to serve their country and die for their beloved nation.
But every sacrifice gave us victory.
It is the same vice versa.
Every victory comes with a huge price. What price am I talking about? Countless lives of my comrades.
I grew up deep in the slums of the city. Me and my family were so poor, that those who were poor like us, treated us harshly. The laws of the government didn't reach the area I was born in. So, there were a lot of crimes back then when I was a child.
That place… The slums were like a field. Those who were strong were on the top of the chain while those who were weak were at the bottom. If you are weak, you are given two options: to become their slave or to die by their hands.
And I chose… none.
At the age of six, I learned how to swing a knife. I killed dozens of those so-called strongmen in the slums. Soon, my name spread out through the entire population of the slums, and in a blink of an eye, I was at the top.
That's right. Survival of the fittest.
I learned that when growing up. I wasn't fighting because I wanted to. I was fighting to protect my loved ones. I was fighting to survive. It's either: to kill or to get killed.
When my parents had enough money, they spent it for my school. They wanted me to live a good life and to abandon them. They kept blaming themselves for my misfortune. They kept blaming themselves because I was born into a poor family that I had to learn the roughest way.
But I didn't hate them.
I cared for them, just like how they cared for me.
"I won't abandon you." I told my loving parents. "Let's live a peaceful life together."
Few years have gone by, and I was able to graduate from high school. I also went to university with the money I earned by working a part time job. I took an engineering major and after getting my masters, I joined the Army as an officer.
Officer school was tough. But thanks to my rough past, I was able to pass and graduate from the school.
I kept my promise. I came back for my parents, only to find them almost dead due to the physical abuse they went through. From that moment, everything went black.
The entire slums… I killed them.
I burnt every single town and sick people in the slums.
In the end, I had the last laugh.
Thanks to the benefits the military had, I was able to get housing for my parents to live in. Their health got treated as well thanks to the free health care benefits I had.
That was the starting point of my life.
But the more I achieved, the more I strayed from my loved ones.
Throughout my career in the military, I found a loving woman who became my wife. I also had children with her whom my parents were taking care of. I was glad to see them happy, their faces filled with joy and love as they were taking care of my children and my wife whenever I was away from them.
War began to plague the world. Soon, I became busy to the point that I missed a lot of events with my loved ones.
My parents died, yet I wasn't there during their funeral. When my wife had our second and third child, I wasn't there to be with her during her painful labors.
I missed a lot.
Twenty years have passed, and I had dropped my retirement packet so I could spend the time I lost with my loved ones. But another war happened.
I was forced to set my retirement aside and lead the war.
But…
But… I…
Died.
Yes. I had died.
In my last dying breath, I had one regret… I wish I could've spent more time with my loved ones. I wish I could've been there by their side. I was so focused in trying to achieve more, that I lost sight of my true goal.
What was my goal anyway? I forgot.
I felt my life leaving my body. I closed my eyes so I could rest in eternity. Or rather, to be punished by my Creator for the sins I had committed.
I was ready.
But a bright light appeared in front of me.