Piecing Together the Shards: A Shards of War side series

Half and Half

In the vibrant realm of Cascadia, a land woven with both mystique and tension, Angelo Rocklead entered the stage of existence. Born to an Arkladian mother and a Desolan father, his very existence bore the mark of a union between two distinct worlds. His arrival, however, was not without its challenges, as it coincided with heightened tensions between Cascadia and the Solstice Kingdom, the ancestral home of the Desolans in Lukadia.

Angelo's father, a Desolan with sharp ears and distinctive eye markings, was compelled to return to his homeland due to the political turmoil. This separation cast a shadow over Angelo's early years, with his father absent but ever-present in spirit. In a thoughtful exchange of letters, Angelo's father, proud of his heritage, encouraged his son to embrace both his Arkladian and Desolan roots.

His mother, faced with the delicate task of raising a child with a unique heritage, applied makeup to conceal the sharp patterns at the edges of Angelo's eyes. This artful camouflage, executed with love and care, became Angelo's shield against the scrutiny of a society that might not have understood the fusion of his dual heritage.

As Angelo navigated his childhood, he was instilled with a deep sense of pride for both sides of his lineage. The letters from his father, filled with tales of the Solstice Kingdom and its rich Desolan culture, painted a vivid picture of his paternal roots. Despite the physical distance, Angelo's connection to his Desolan heritage remained strong, fostering a sense of identity that would shape his destiny.

In those formative years, Angelo developed a fascination with tactical takedown, a passion that would later manifest in the exhilarating world of airsoft. His mother, recognizing his burgeoning skills, supported his interest, understanding that this sport provided an outlet for him to channel the strength of both his Arkladian and Desolan ancestry.

One crisp evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting hues of pink and orange across the Cascadian sky, a five-year-old Angelo gazed at his reflection in the mirror. The makeup on the edges of his eyes concealed the Desolan markings that made him unique. Confused and curious, he turned to his mother with innocence in his eyes.

"Mom," Angelo began, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness, "why do we have to do this? Why do I have to hide who I am?"

His mother, kneeling down to meet his gaze, gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Oh, Angelo," she sighed, "it's not about hiding who you are, my love. It's about protecting you. In these times of tension between Cascadia and the Solstice Kingdom, not everyone may understand the beauty of our differences. This makeup is like a shield, a way to keep you safe until the world is ready to see and appreciate the wonderful mix that you are."

Angelo furrowed his brow, trying to grasp the complexity of the world beyond his tender years. "But I want to tell people about my Desolan side and my Arkladian side. Why can't I just be me?"

His mother smiled, brushing a strand of orange hair away from his face. "You will, Angelo. One day, when the world is more accepting, you can share the richness of your heritage with everyone. Until then, we play this little game to keep you safe."

A somber silence enveloped them, but his mother quickly shifted the mood, her eyes sparkling with a glimmer of hope. "And you know what, my sweet boy? If we're lucky, we might get to visit your dad in the Solstice Kingdom. You'll get to see where you come from, and he can tell you all about your Desolan roots."

Angelo's eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and anticipation. "Really, Mom? Can we go see Dad? But I don't even know him."

His mother hugged him tightly, reassuring him, "You may not know him now, Angelo, but one day you will. And when that day comes, it will be a beautiful reunion of hearts, bridging the gap between the two worlds that make you so special."