The Revolution Came

Intermission: Your world is just a fantasy

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After the tribunal and the sentencing of the coup leaders, Cody and his wife, Jazmin, journeyed up the province to briefly stay at Karlos’ countryside home. The streets of the capital were still tense, the scars of the uprising fresh. Vichisburg awaited their return, but for now, Cody allowed himself a rare pause from the endless Cabinet meetings, security briefings, and tense discussions in the Assembly that had dominated every waking hour.

Night had fallen. Candlelight flickered gently against the wooden walls of the guest room, casting long shadows. Cody lay beside Jazmin in bed, his eyes fixed on the ceiling above, his thoughts lingering on the tribunal: on the vote to execute Cassius, on the cold expressions of the judges, and the heavy silence that followed. Justice had been served, but peace still felt distant.

Jazmin watched him in the dim glow. She knew that look. He wore it the night Mey was nearly killed in Vichis Square. He wore it when he had to sign off on military orders that sent young men into danger. That quiet burden of a man trying to hold a fractured Republic together.

She placed a hand on his chest. "Cody," she whispered, her voice barely above the candle’s hiss. "Can you promise me something?"

He turned, his expression softening. "Of course, love."

She hesitated. "Promise me you’ll spend more time with me and the kids. You’ve given everything to the Republic. But lately... it feels like there’s nothing left for us."

Her voice trembled. "I was terrified during the uprising. When we heard about the attack at the Cathedral, when Mey nearly died... I thought, I thought I’d lose you too."

He pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her as if to shield her from every burden. "I’m here, Jazmin. I promise I’ll come back to you. Always."

Her tears soaked into his shirt as he stroked her hair gently. "You look even more beautiful without tears," he said softly.

Jazmin gave a quiet, bitter laugh. "You always say that."

"And it’s always true," he replied, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

For a long time, they lay there in silence. Then Cody spoke again, his voice faint but steady. "You know why I fell for you?"

She shook her head.

"Because you’re the star that lights my path. You’ve always been there, even in my darkest moments. And no matter what happens, you will always have my heart." He squeezed her hand. "I’ll give you the world, Jazmin. I swear it."

His words struck her harder than he knew.

The world. That was what the Imperialists had promised her too: power, clarity, order. They whispered of a nation remade through fire and will. And now, in the quiet of this room, with Cody’s arms around her, she wondered: would they take him from her too? Or would she have to choose?

"My work is important," Cody continued, unaware of the storm behind her silence. "But nothing is more important than you. Than our children. Than our life together."

Jazmin forced a smile, burying the guilt deep down.

"Come on," Cody said, kissing her temple. "Let’s get some rest. We have a big day tomorrow."

He reached over and blew out the candle. Darkness blanketed the room.

As Cody drifted into sleep, his breathing steady, Jazmin remained awake, her eyes wide in the dark.