Homeland
I was a model citizen.
When we decided to leave. Well, when my parents decided to leave, I was but a toddler. I can hardly remember what our home looked like, back in Gyr Abania. Father was a warrior, fierce and powerful--or so mother told me. Mother said that he left because of us.
“He had a family to think of, Jax,” She would say.
We were luckier than most, I think. To be a conscripted soldier’s family. From what I understand, the others may not have been so lucky. So long as my father pledged his allegiance and his service, we would be citizens.
The only thing I’ve ever known was Garlemald. My father served and, when I would come of age, so too would I.
We were renamed and made part of Garlean society, given a nice fancy title to reflect that.
Yet, I was still looked at differently.
It did not stop me, however. Mother wanted to become a merchant. She wove beautiful gowns and loved for people to buy her wares. I promised, after school, that I would do what it took to help her see her dream come true. As a child and through to my teen years, I made the top of my class. I was a model student, on his way to becoming a model citizen. Yet, still, I was made to feel the fool.
When it came time to join the army, I began as a foot soldier. I was praised for my tenacity, and compared to my father. When a sword was placed in my hand, I knew exactly what to do. I followed orders. I struck down each enemy. I did what was asked of me, knowing that mother was back at home, safe, selling her wares. I volunteered for each battle. Whenever the researchers needed a subject, I volunteered. Whenever a pilot was needed for magitek, or airships, I proved myself.
Yet the word “savage” still surrounded me.
I was one of the first of the so-called Hypertuned. The experiment ended in success, sort of. And failure. Which was good enough for the researchers. But I still heard the whispers. That I was lucky to be alive. That I was still but a savage.
We had not seen father in many years. When I asked, they’d said he was doing work in Gyr Abania. I was to be stationed in the Far East. For many years, things were lacking. Boring. Quiet. The Domans were already conquered, and it was our job to keep them in line. I hated it. I didn’t like seeing families separated, people killed for little and less. But what could I do but hope to see my own parents again?
It wasn’t too long until the whispers of revolution began, and the Domans wanted their castle back.
I prepared for battle. Just like a good solider. Like a model citizen would. I was strong and reliable and would not falter. And one day, I would see mother and father again.
It was while I was stationed in the East that I received word. Mother passed. They told me it was from a sickness. I didn’t believe a word of it. Somewhere in Gyr Abania, my father likely received word as well. His wife was dead.
As I reported to the Castle, prepared with every fiber of my being to fight against those who sought reclamation. In my soul, however, something felt wrong. Watching the Domans fight back against the Garleans, watching the beauty of the castle crumble. The Garleans ruined this place.
I thought of all the stories mother and father about Gyr Abania, and Eorzea. I wondered what the Garleans were doing there. How much they were ruining it.
I didn’t want to do this anymore. I did not want to be a model citizen, a model soldier. I didn’t want to fight people who wanted to be free. People who would be called savages. Savages, like me.
I knew nothing of the Domans, of the East, of my homeland. I’ve only known Garlemald. And it was killing me. I remember what I did next.
I jumped.
I let the river carry me from the Castle. Assuredly suicide. I was captured by the Domans.
Captive, again. But they allowed me to live. For a while, I worked as an informant while some of their forces moved back to Eorzea. The whispers of revolution turned into a roar.
It wasn’t long until the Garlean’s responded. After both Doman and Ala Mhigan resistance forces took back their lands, it was only a matter of time. I wanted to join my true countrymen. Ala Mhigo was calling her son back.