[ WP ] You are the leader of the rebel faction , you finally come face to face with the leader of the group you 've been fighting against for so long . Before your final fight you take a moment to talk to them , your once best friend .

We had stormed the capitol, forcing the Union into their own corner in the process; I'm still not sure that was wise... it's not smart to corner a dying beast. The metropolis had been laid to waste over the course of the battle, pillars of black rose to the sky as if they were keeping us all from being crushed, the flames resembling shrubs of fire as they engulfed the once beautiful garden that was Belotin. This war had brought only death and misery to this once beautiful country, everyone was tired and I'm sure I was n't the only one regretting this conflict. 
 
 As I stood there looking upon the concrete battlefield, the Union flags being torn down for our bright green ones, Naomi Watts, my second-in-command, placed a hand on my shoulder. 
 
 `` We've secured the Citadel, General.'' A white bandage covered her forehead, her once pale face covered in ash, blood, and sweat. 
 
 `` And the President?'' I replied, my arm in a sling and armor barely holding onto my frame. 
 
 `` In his chambers, unharmed as you requested.'' 
 
 I turned and made my way up the stairs, thinking back to what started the war in the first place and how it had all come to this, a nation at war with itself. We shared the helm of this'ship' with three others, leading this great nation into a new age but when it came to dealing with a rising rebellion... we were divided. 
 
 My boots clacked against the barren floors of the Citadel, both sides had begun to sell all they could to fuel their efforts. Paintings were missing from frames, chandeliers gone, rugs rolled up....there was no room for luxuries in times of war. 
 
 Some wanted to destroy the outlying villages once rumors reached the Council on them possibly housing the rebels. Punishing a large portion of our population for extremists was a stupid move, it would only breed more rebels. Sadly, he was hearing none of that... ever the patriot. 
 
 I let my hand rest on the door leading to his chambers, it was cold. The door slowly opened, heaving against the heavy wood as the President sat in a simple chair behind a small desk; he even sold his favorite chair. 
 
 `` Vincent.'' He nodded, wearing simple armor as his hands idly played with a scrap of paper on the desk. 
 
 `` Mister President.'' I nodded in return, my free hand closing the door behind me. 
 
 `` I'd offer you a seat but...'' The President gestured to the room, stripped almost clean save for a simple bed in the corner, his desk, chair, some curtains, and his books. It took a lot of money to go to war. 
 
 `` I'm fine, Mister Pre-'' 
 
 `` Cut the shit, Vince. We both know I'm out, no need for titles now.'' He leaned back in his chair, his dark eyebrows furrowed and arms crossed.'' 
 
 `` I'm sorry it came to this, Gideon.'' 
 
 `` Are you?'' Gideon raised an eyebrow, voice raised, `` You're *sorry* you brought a war to this country? For what? *Rebels*?'' 
 
 `` You know it was n't just about the rebels! *You* went behind the Council's back and destroyed the towns anyways!'' My fist clenched in my pocket, I could feel my face getting red. 
 
 `` It worked, did n't it?'' He shouted, throwing a hand to the window, `` Do you see traitors out there?'' 
 
 `` Only in here....'' 
 
 Despite it being in the middle of winter, I could feel the room grow hotter with anger. He rid our country of the rebellion, looking to overthrow the government in favor of a new leader but at what cost? Leaders who lie to their people are no worse than those who wish to destroy them. 
 
 `` If you're going to do it, let me have a drink first.'' 
 
 `` You're still an alcoholic.'' The tension was receding, only in favor of both sides reminiscing about the old times. 
 
 `` And you're still short.'' He stood up, my hand gripping my pistol in my holster until my knuckles turned white, he simple raised an eyebrow as he went to his bed and pulled out a bottle from under it. 
 
 `` Hiding liquor is a sign of a problem, Gid.'' 
 
 `` Seems I wo n't have any of those soon. Best to sin as much as possible.'' He smirked a little, `` Go big...'' 
 
 `` Or go home.'' Our dusty glasses clicked together as we shared one last drink. His blue eyes bore into mine for what felt like an eternity. I could see the wear that not only the war, but life, had put on him; my oldest friend. 
 
 `` Good luck, Vincent.'' He muttered, pulling the bottle to his lips once more and taking a long drink from it. The man had earned that at least, `` It's not as easy as it seems. Tell Na-'' 
 
 `` She knows...'' His eyes began to water as The President turned away from me, I'd never seen him cry once and I was n't surprised he was willing to keep that going until the very end. 
 
 A moment passed, both of us soaking in the small peace we had in this room before the gunshot rang through my head. The soldiers outside opened the door quickly, rushing in to make sure the right person fired the gun; I was making sure of the same thing. 
 
 Years passed and I still hear that ringing...
