Sweetheart

If Sweetheart ever had any say in it, he would’ve changed his name in a heartbeat. His name is too sweet, to dainty for his liking. He would much rather have a stronger, more masculine name. But alas, Sweetheart’s name was chosen for him by his parents, and he had to wear it. So, in order to be strong and masculine, he has enlisted as a trainee for the military. Stories of war and glory have always interested the Banescale, and he would love to one day be a part of a story like that.

So Sweetheart trains hard, studies harder, and fights to join the ranks of the military. To officially be a soldier. His name did not make it easy, but Sweetheart manages to prove himself every time someone questions his strength of determination. He gradually earns the respect of the upper ranks, and eventually is taken as a student by one of the veterans. Sweetheart gets so much more than what he was looking for when he gets to study planning, logistics and war tactics together with his mentor. And he relishes every minute of it.

Then, suddenly, the fabled moment is here. Sweetheart’s clan enters a war with a neighboring clan. The enemy was seen stealing precious supplies from his clan, multiple times, and the conflict quickly escalates. Sweetheart is proud and honored to lead troops into battle, and eventually they even overtake the enemy clan on their own grounds! But as Sweetheart gets ready to declare victory, a strange bloodlust seems to fill the eyes of his mentor. “Leave no one standing!”, the old veteran screams. And Sweetheart can only watch in horror as his soldiers tear every enemy dragon apart, even if they surrendered just moments ago.

That night, the military celebrates. But Sweetheart doesn’t. He sits alone, outside, staring into space. This wasn’t what he had signed up for at all… And he would never, ever do this again.

Never.

Sweetheart left in the early morning for the clan of an old acquaintance. Seeing his distress, the clan took him in. Sweetheart now spends his days recovering and trying out new hobbies, hoping to keep his mind off what he's seen.


Changed secondary to Saddle on January 11th, 2024