Honor Thy Veteran

Sound of Silence(One-Shot)

It has been quite sometime that I had spent centuries in this realm. This world. They call it Earth. A world of humans that dwell within. Similar to Nirn, but inhabited by humans. I walked and watched many fight for their land they call America. I know I posed as a woman named Asteria Zure, I often sang and performed for local communities. Even for events such as one they call Memorial Day.

Veterans who served in previous wars and others after that came to this fundraiser I agreed to take part in. Not many know it yet, but my real name is Azura. I am the Daedric Prince of Dawn, Dusk and Fate. Goddess of Twilight and so on. Dunmer saw me as their mother as they would pray at my shrines in Tamriel. 

Religion is far different here on Earth. Some cathedrals built in places around the world dedicated to one God that humans who call themselves Catholics and Christians. But there is some would shun the unworthy because of what they choose to love or believe. It pains me to see this. Love is love. Thats the way I see it anyway. Man and woman love one another. If they love the same gender then they have my support. Hate is such a strong influence to many places. Some are forced to live in fear. I had a few come to me to tell me how they feel as their families or friends never understood them.

I decided to take a career in psychology though I wasn't into it. But I gave people great advice. It was a side job also but I worked in counseling. Odd a goddess who is considered high and mighty among mortals but chose to help mortals.

But when I performed for Veterans, I had some who were elderly come to me and told me their stories. I wasn't bored by it but more intrigued.

War Veteran: Some of the youth wouldn't want to hear my tales. Not even my grandchildren. I'm surprised you gave me a chance to talk about my days when I was young.

"You looked like you had a story to tell. I rather hear how you served this country and triumphed. Pity that they don't want to hear it."

War Veteran: They're more into the tech they have today. I'm widowed, but I know they wanted us to come out here. I have a feeling it will be my last.

Hearing this made my heart sink. But he took my hand and explained to me he had a terminal illness and only had a few months to live. I asked him if his kids ever keep contact. He said his youngest daughter but had so much going on.

"Did you need someone to make your last few months count? Maybe that would ease the pain you're feeling."

I took out a business card and placed it in his hand. He pulled me into a hug and said he will let his caretaker know.

No one should ever live their final days in loneliness. His own kin won't give him the time of day. But during those days after, I met up with the caretaker and the war veteran. He had a cat that he saw as his way to heal. Very beautiful creature she was. Friendly too. But when his caretaker needed a day off and had me come help him. His kids showed up as they saw me there.

Mary: Who are you?? What gives you a right to be here taking care of my father?!

Greg: Dad. who is this?

War Veteran: This is my friend I told ya about or were you too busy like you always say?

James: No dad that's not it. We had no idea.

"It is all right. He said that you never reached out to him."

Mary Ann: Dad, you know we had busy schedules. But we made time to come out here. Does your new friend need to be sent away?

War Veteran: No no. She can join us. I invited her. I didn't anticipate you all coming out here.

"I don't want to be in the way. But if you want me to stay, then I'll stay."

This man had great children and his grandchildren were here too. But one of them said one of their kids didn't join them to come out here because they were stubborn or stuck up. I can't say I'm surprised but I knew that their son is pretty much having his head in the wrong place. Or is blinded by arrogance in his way. Some usually are to that or believe their religion is what keeps them from family. Petty excuse to me. Reminds me of how the Dark Elves used to worship the Three Living Gods and that they chose them over me, Boethiah and Mephala.

Weeks gone by and I was now sitting next to this man's hospital bed. It had gotten worse and I know his caretaker had other issues going on. The nurses asked if I was taking care of him but the old man answered for me.

War Veteran: Yes. She was there when my health was failing. I don't have much time as this is the end for me.

Nurse: Sit tight I'll go get the doctor.

Then, that's when I saw it in his eyes. His fate. I know he smoked a lot and it caught up on him. He used whatever strength he had left to take my hand as he spoke to me.

War Veteran: Calvin. My name is Calvin. Thank you........for making my final days count. Thank you........Azura.........

The nurses and doctors got there as he told me his name..........and said my real identity. They didn't get his pulse or revive him. They said time of death was 3:25pm. But when they weren't looking, I sent his soul to Moonshadow. I spent hours later that day scrying for his wife's soul and found it.

I took a moment of silence as I weeped in my home. I mourned for him. He told me his real name right before he died. He told me to call him Cal at times and now I know.

I attended his funeral as I performed a song in his honor. He was buried at a cemetery located at a fort in Kansas. He was buried with his wife. He died too soon. His children all mourned but a few of them had to hold it in. Emotions are a tricky thing for mortals.

"Hello darkness my old friend, I've come to talk with you again........."

I sang those words the next day as I stood in the rain looking at his grave and headstone. How do mortals do it? To carry that burden for decades when they served wars that plagued across the world? To hold in all those emotions. They bare war wounds, heartache and even those that never made it home to their loved ones. 

I placed my star insignia on his tombstone to know his grave is now to be watched over by me. I visited another cemetery which was a headstone to the woman one of Cal's sons was married to. I placed the same star insignia over his headstone. Seemed he died four decades before, but I saw the last name. Cain. 

Some veterans are often left homeless as I saw some struggling to survive. Some live in shelters too. I treated some to meals at indoor places so they have something in their stomachs. This world has become a dark and cruel place. I know that something had brought the worst out of people and it's hatred all over. So much chaos and evil creeps within every corner. Not even the low life mortals don't care.

The society is crumbling but some are trying to restore and keep the peace. They say peace is never an option, but hostility and violence is? But I'll never forget my friend I met. His cat Cleo stayed with me as I took her in. So from this point on, I'll always pay tribute to those who gave their lives for decades and lived long to tell it until their final hours.

".........And touch the Sound.........of Silence."

~END~