Crystalline Universe: Team Fortress 2 Overwatch - Volume 3: Crystalline Universe: Bloodline's Curse Chapter 78 Sparks Of The Flames

*12 years ago

It should’ve been a complete and joyful family living together by the countryside, away from the voices of corrupt politicians and the terrorizing sounds of war but fate decided it otherwise. I couldn’t look back because I never could’ve remembered how all got down to this point. People used to enjoy peace until subsequent wars happened; The Omnic crisis, the revolutions… then the 4th World War by Sniper.

I learned life the hard way just like many else when my father was conscripted into the German army when I was only 5. I still couldn’t remember how he looked because there is nothing left in his memory but did I really cared? No. He chose his life over our family and deserted the army during one of his missions where he disappeared by leaving us behind and taking all the valuables with him.

My mother… My little sister… and my cat… are all that was left. This is the Meyer family and I’m its last member. Mother told me to follow my young uncle into the city to get educated and find myself a job but before I left, she told me: “Little Mergiann, don’t come back to this miserable place if you are not rich enough to satisfy all your need because I don’t wanna see you fall to despair like the rest of us… like me. I need you to light the spark for your future and bring yourself out of this endless pit of suffering. Do whatever it takes, dear, but most importantly, never leave someone that helped you behind, help those who cannot help themselves and never step down, let the fire spark through your heart and leave the vile ones in their deserved hell.

Then it happened… The German revolution, a civil war that saw the death of over 300 000 people. It was a day in October where the cold wind blew the fallen leaves of trees against me while the weather announced a heavy rain except, it wasn’t raining water but bombs.

What can I say? Else than I was scared to death like everyone else, the street fighting started as soon as the city was devasted by the bombs; fire spread from building to building, bullets flew from every direction and the place was filled with ruins. I wasn’t joking when I said, I was supposed to die that day… huh… I still remember how the 3 thugs looked like when they were going to **** me in that alley. Until I was saved and killed by the thing I adore so much up until this day: explosives.

The last thing I saw before I lost almost the entirety of my memory is: “Modell 43 hochexplosive Splittergranate” or “model 43 high explosive fragmentation grenade” then it went dark… all that I remember… fading into the dept of the endless obscurity.

You see, when I woke up, I only remembered the words my mother told me: To not return if I’m not wealthy enough. I thought they were alive during all this time… but they weren’t. The sight of the farmhouse collapsing made me remember their ultimate fate… and how my dreams are nothing than lies.

After depositing flowers on each of the tombs of the Meyers, Mergiann gradually backed up and left the graveyard with Karson. As they marched, the girl slowly leaned toward Karson while letting out a few droplets of tears. Karson stopped in his track and hugged her in his arms.

[Karson] – “I won’t let you go, I swear I will protect you with my life. ”

Mergiann, while letting her tears run free, gently nodded her head.

I was temporarily taken care of by a mysterious man in a gas mask during the war. He adored fire for some unknown reasons, and he said people called him: “Pyro”. He was surprisingly kind, for someone with such strange intentions and mindset. He protected me as if he was my father but one day, he disappeared without a trace, never to be seen again.

But he left me with knowledge, he educated me and taught how to fight and even cook. I was called to join Talon later as part of their orphan recruits program. I was on my own once more, no one would reach out to me, I was lost until you showed that day with Mike. I still remember how he was the first to reach out to me, told me how amazing you two were and how I even had a chance to become an executioner just like you two.

You inspired me that day when you showed me the most badass explosion ever with your ability and you stood by my side up until now… even in moments of hardship like this.

Sitting by the roadside, Mergiann pulled the small black box out from her backpack, while Karson, after scanning the surrounding area for any potential threat, turned to realize the tubes hanging aside Mergiann’s bags.

[Karson] – “What are these? Rocket launcher? ”

[Mergiann] – “These? They are Panzerfuste 60, used by Germany during WW2, they can do some severe damage to tanks and other heavily armoured vehicles by melting their armour. ”

[Karson] – “Why d’you have those? ”

Mergiann opened the box and pulled out a medal that could easily be identified as a “Knight cross of the iron cross” from WW2.

[Mergiann] – “That’s because one of my ancestors is a tank commander in the Wehrmacht (german ground army during WW2). ”

[Karson] – “Your ancestor’s a Nazi? ”

[Mergiann] – “For f.u.c.k sake, Karson, it does not make someone Nazi because you fought on the wrong side of the war. He’s an honest man who even helped allied troupes liberate a concentration camp. ”

[Karson] – “Sorry, sorry, my bad, I didn’t mean to… ”

[Mergiann] – “huh… it’s fine. Forget it. ”

Mergiann took the medal and pinned it by her chest before putting the box back in her backpack.

[Mergiann] – “The important part is that we fight on. ”

[Karson] – “So what happens now? ”

[Mergiann] – “Let’s end this war. You said Mike wants to overthrow Sniper, right? We’ll give him a push. If Sniper dies, this war dies. ”

[Karson] – “And maybe we could find Kadyn for him too… ”

[Mergiann] – “I thought he didn’t care about her anymore. ”

[Karson] – “Honestly, when we are hurt, we have each other but when he’s hurt, he has no one. I know he couldn’t just give up on her like that… If he overthrows Sniper and becomes the new emperor, a broken man with power may as well be a man toward evil’s corruption. ”

[Mergiann] – “It’s reasonable. Since I will be following you, I’m ready to put up a fight, how about you? ”

[Karson] – “Let’s not let our past repeat itself with other kids. I’m ready to commit. ”

Mergiann walked toward Karson and reached her hand to him.

[Mergiann] – “For a better future! ”

Karson approached Mergiann and grabbed her hand with a smirk.

[Karson] – “For more explosions on the bad guys’ faces. ”

With a smile, Mergiann quickly grabbed her backpack while Karson rapidly picked up the rest of the luggage. But before they left, Mergiann took one last look at the town in which she grew up in before turning away. Determination in their hearts, dreams in their minds, the pair started their journey toward a path filled with danger as knights of passion and fantastic dreamers.

The wind gently pushed them as they slowly marched into the sunset.

To be continued… Next Chapter: [Mazzatello]