Sleep had come easily for you in your tired and weary state, but that didn't mean your dreams would be the same. A terrible nightmare rattled you in your dream. It felt as though you were caught in quicksand, but this substance was liquidy and black as night. Right away you figured it was ink, but it wasn't the fact you were trapped and slowly sinking down into this horrible abyss that scared you. It was the how little you struggled. It was almost as if you were at peace with something like this happening, possibly even accepting it. Your body then suddenly felt incredibly warm. Like a fire was lit inside your very skeleton as the intense burning feeling managed to invoke a painful scream from your lips. The ink around you started to bubble and hiss as you seemingly boiled from the inside out. Your pained scream reached no one in the infinite expanse as you quickly struggled in the thick substance to try and turn only to see a gun, a revolver of sorts being pointed at you. With a quick pull of its trigger, you would think the dream would end and yet you could feel every single excruciating detail of the wound inflicted into your neck. You gagged and gargled as you fell back into the ink, sinking faster into the abyss. As the ink overcame you, your eyes shot awake.

You shot awake in the confined space that was your former room. Your body was covered in a cold sweat that drenched your clothing. You panted heavily as you tried to remember the details of the fading nightmare. What did any of that mean? You questioned this as you collapsed back into the bed. The ink, the gun... what did it mean? This question crossed your mind as you tried to decipher the hidden meaning of the fading nightmare. This attempt at rattling your brain for answers also brought up other questions. What were you going to do? You couldn't stay in the city due to the patrols and you couldn't exactly up and leave your family again. And what of Emilia and Sebastion? Word will reach Youst eventually of what went down and Emilia might make the journey to the capital and you couldn't let her do that. A deep sigh left your lips as you stared up at the dark cieleing. Maybe if you stared into the darkness long enough you would finally go back to sleep. Your theory proved right, but about an hour later.

When morning broke, or what you could assume was morning from the small amount of light entering the room, you sat up groggily in bed. That nightmare made it hard to sleep let alone get any rest in the already cramped space. You slid out of bed and trudged over to the door. Upon pulling it open, you found your little sister on the other side reaching for where the doorknob had once been.

(Y/n): Hello Diana.

The girl stared at you with a slight frown. A cough racked through your body suddenly before you ran a hand through Diana'a hair, ensuring to capture the caught in your sleeve so that it didn't hit Diana in the face.

(Y/n): I'm sorry little one. Last night wasn't all that comfortable.

You offered a small grin to the younger female and walked past her. Diana trailed behind you immediately, hovering near you for the most part of your time since arriving. Finally making it to the bottom of the stairs, you found laughing and giggling. You smiled fondly and moved to join your family in the kitchen. However, your heart broke slightly as you entered. Once everyone took notice of you, the laughing and giggling ceased. The twins who had been playing cards with your father now looked awkwardly at their cards. Your father simply waited for one of the boys to make a move and your mother... your mother hurt your heart the most. She didn't even glance in your direction as you entered. She was cooking something in a pan, but you knew that wasn't her excuse to not even acknowledge. Another sigh left your lips before you turned, wobbling toward the door.

Father: What are you doing (Y/n)?

Your father called out to you.

(Y/n): I'm clearly not wanted so I'll just eat breakfast somewhere else.

Your voice was monotone and dull as you pulled the door open. You took a step outside only to be wrenched back and the door slammed closed by your little sister.

Diederich: Are you out of your mind?!

Diana walked up to you with an angry pout on her face and smacked you in the chest. Diedrich sat you in the living room while he cursed to himself lightly. You could only chuckle lightly.

Diederich: What's so funny?

(Y/n): This is how you treat a veteran?

Your brother let out an annoyed sigh before returning to the kitchen. Diana sat next to you as your mother walked in holding a plate of sausages.

Mother: Don't ever think we don't want you.

She set the plate in front of you and took the seat opposite Diana. Your siblings and Father entered next, dragging their chairs from the table to have places to sit.

Father: We love you son.

(Y/n): I know... I'm just so tired.

You lifted a sausage to your mouth and took a bite. You all sat in silence till it was broken.

Dieter: Not to dampen the mood more... but (Y/n)?

(Y/n): Hmm?

Dieter: Have you figured out what you are gonna do?

(Y/n): Ah.

You gave the plate to Diana who happily took the food from you and started nibbling on it

(Y/n): I have been trying to figure out what I should do... and I think I have something.

Mother: Can't you just stay here?

Father: Of course he could, but you know him. He's not going to put us in dang-

Diederich: Screw the danger! We finally got our brother back!

Mother: Language!

Dieter: Sooner or later a patrol will investigate our house looking for him.

(Y/n): Everyone stop.

Thankfully you managed to get them to halt as their voices seemed to have been growing louder and louder. You didn't want to snap again.

(Y/n): Father's right. I could not live with myself if I put all of you in danger. However, there are two other people I need to make sure are safe in Youst. So I think I have a plan.

Dieter: And?

Diederich: What is it?

You paused for a moment before speaking.

(Y/n): I'm going to re-enlist.

Diederich: Are you-!

Mother: -Fucking kidding me?!

Dieter: Language mother...

Mother: The bastards try to have you killed and nearly succeed and you want to go back?!

(Y/n): I said it was a plan, not a good one. 

Diana set the plate aside and hugged your arm tightly.

(Y/n): I can't stay in the capital as long as they are hunting for me, but I can't stay knowing there are people in Youst who don't know what has happened. So what is better than re-enlisting and getting stationed near here-

Father: And if you don't? What if you get posted in the north?

(Y/n): That's the risk I'm willing to take to make sure I don't put anyone in danger.

Diana clung to your arm fiercely. You ran your free hand through her hair in a comforting manner.

(Y/n): I promise nothing will happen little one! Big brother will always be there for you!

You spoke confidently, but you had no clue if this would work. Much like your Father said.

Dieter: So... how are you going to do it?

(Y/n): It's simple, but if I luck out I should be able to cheat my way into the army with a high rank.

A man in a cloak outfit walks into an enlisting station. His features are covered, but anyone could spot the brilliant onyx eyes her sported.

Soldier: Name?

The hooded man looked up at the sluggish-looking soldier.

Heinz: Heinz von Mackinson

Soldier: And what do you want to do exactly?

Heinz paused and then brought his gaze to stare into the soldier's. His brilliant onyx eyes shone from under the hood as strands of his (H/c) hair showed. His stubbly face in need of a shave sometime soon. 

Heinz: I'm here to be an alchemist.

A/n: Hey folks! If you enjoyed the update do leave a comment telling me how I did so I can feel good about my writing skills to update quicker! Thank you all for reading and I'll see you all in the next update.