— OPEN NOVELLA CONTEST LONGLISTER—

Vincent Pareja longs for the day when his family won't worry about money and his siblings can go to school without skipping a meal. With his choices limited and with the wage, however small, promises to help his family with the bills, he enlists into the military where he can be of use to his country.

When the president declares Martial Law all over the country, Vincent and his comrades become the forerunner of the administration's will. Not long after, Vincent is ushered into a world of abuse, violence, and corruption where the only choice is to walk away. With the advent of chaos and anarchy, his morals are put to the test. He has to stand his ground in the midst of injustice and oppression or else, the cruel claws of circumstance will crush him before he can escape.

From the author of the high fantasy series, The Chronicles of Fantasilia, comes a tragic tale about truth, the many ways it can be twisted, and the price people pay in order to fight for it.