Whatever the Captain is “going through” doesn’t involve you. You’ve got your own concerns. If the world events get so bad that they reach your doorstep, then you deal with it then, but risking your life to the extent of going deep into the heart of demon territory isn’t what you signed up for.

You head home and tell your family that it’s permanent this time. You explain your reasons and apologize that you won’t be bringing in all the extra money like you used to. They aren’t mad though, your mom is actually relieved.

“Well son, I’m just as glad you didn’t go get yourself killed over there anyway. You’ll be helping us out plenty just by working on the farm like always.”

You’re glad to hear that. Over the next couple days you fall back into routine again. You still wonder about the future though and you briefly consider the army, but you’re a little weary of battle on a regular basis now.

You resign yourself to the farm life. You play your lute to yourself (and family) when you have the time to do so. It’s a simple life.

Another year passes and things are getting bad. War is everywhere. The Demons have been taken care of, (You heard your former mercenary captain died in battle with their leader Velzix) but the undead are stronger than ever. Reports even speak of the Necromancer Lord becoming The Great Lich Lord “reborn”.

To make things worse, the Zalan Empire has been becoming increasingly tyrannical. In order to help with the war effort they’ve started bringing back the draft and the talk of ceasing private property to be used for the good of the government. While they say owners will be able to live and still work on their lands and businesses, it will be owned by the Empire.

You know it’s only a matter of time when you get a knock on the door by Zalan army troops coming to take you (Especially you given your prior battle experience) and your brother Mallack away to the army and your family’s farm.

Another two year pass…

You’re on the eve of battle in a land known as the Garwold Confederacy although it’s steadily becoming a giant graveyard now. The undead hordes have been sweeping relentlessly across the entire landscape. Your own company has had to fall back several times. Morale is low. Not that yours was high to begin with. You don’t even know how you’ve survived this long. While you had lots of battle experience during your time with the mercenary company, you’ll never get used to fighting the undead. They are such emotionless creatures that are the embodiment of death and all that’s unnatural.

You briefly wonder if your brother Mallack is alright where he’s stationed, but it hardly matters at this point.

Battle comes as it always does and you are not so lucky this time. Horrible and powerful creatures known as Blood Specters and Death Knights utterly destroy your side.

You put up a more valiant effort than most, but eventually you fall to undead blades and chilling touches only rise up and join them in their goal of global genocide.