Duty and Redemption: Odyssey of Elias

bright neon lights that once glimmered in his heart now felt like a mockery and a reminder of a happy life he lost after serving in the fields of war. It was

ond skin. For even when he caught a glimpse of himself in the rearview mirror, he could see the tired eyes ringed with dark circles that do not scream "hero"

r auburn locks fluttered with the soft wind and her face was that of the warm meal waiting at the end of an arduous jo

rapped her arms around him. It was the first time in his, at best complicated and, at worst, well-worn relationship with he

n, his phone buzzed angrily in his pocket, an unwanted intrusion into this peaceful mo

rkness of a storm cloud on a bright spring day. "Janovich, back at base, you are needed. We have a situation, coo

e obstinate rice in his throat and Elias felt

found himself holding the phone and a maelstrom in his heart. He had wanted a peaceful return, a chance

on his arm, her eyes searching his as if with

d just tossed off a heavy blanket. "It's

r the edges, flooding his mind with evidence and truth and the heart-stopping betrayal that had almost destroyed their friendship. John, previously his

. Clara's hand fell away, and a chasm opened that only widening eyes could

" Elias said, squintin

one something wrong, before shoving his hands into his pock

rass. "You've no idea how rough it's been," he snapped, his

ing between them. "He just got hom

d always be the voice of reason, the one who could gracefully ride storms. "Elias, I know it's difficult," he said softly, plac

ere was the way of untangling these emotions. He looked back at Clara, whose worried eyes s

is when I resolve not jus

burnt rainbow over the meticulous MIDI towers of Las Vegas, Elias stood on the edge of the

eal its intentions. Under the heavy strip of neon glow, his internal crisis had truly