Chapter 4: Dreams Across Centuries

That night, Grant and I talked straight through till dawn. I started with the rise of the Sloane family and the chaos of the Five Tribes, all the way to my own era. In between, I hopped back to the store and brought Grant a globe and a world map.

The tent turned into a makeshift classroom, maps and atlases covering every surface. I spun the globe under the lantern light. Grant traced the continents with a calloused finger, his mind racing centuries ahead.

When I described the eight-year war against the Eastern Isles, Grant jabbed his finger at Japan on the globe, jaw tight. "Is this the country here, the one that brought so much suffering to our people?"

His voice was clipped, knuckles white against the table. The air chilled with the gravity of his anger.

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Grant’s silence was heavy, his anger simmering just beneath the surface.

He stared at the globe, lost in thought. I could see the gears turning, his mind processing the weight of future wars.

After a long pause, he sighed, voice trembling. "All my life, I thought my ambitions were big. I fought to restore the Union, to save our people, to honor the trust placed in me. But tonight, after talking with you, Mr. Cole, I realize I’ve only seen a sliver of the world. Time is endless, the world is vast. What I’ve chased is just a firefly in the grass."

He slumped in his chair, weighed down by centuries of struggle. The tent felt small, the night pressing in.

I reached out and squeezed his arm. "General, don’t lose heart. You lived with loyalty and integrity. The candles at Grant Memorial burn for a thousand years. You’re already a legend."

My words were awkward but sincere. If only he could see the statues, the school kids, the flags waving in his honor.

Grant wiped his eyes and waved me off. "How much hardship have my people endured in a thousand years? How many storms and bitter winters?"

His voice was barely more than a whisper, but it carried all the pain and pride of his people.

After a while, Grant straightened up and bowed deeply to me.

The gesture was solemn, almost sacred. Everyone in the tent fell silent, watching their leader honor a stranger from the future.

"I have a wish. Will you help me?"

He met my eyes, his gaze blazing with purpose.

"General, name it."

I stood a little taller, the gravity of the moment settling over me.

He leaned forward, voice low and urgent. "With your help, I can unite the continent. But I want to do more."

He looked straight at me, his resolve clear as day. The firelight flickered across his face, casting deep shadows.

"What is it?" I asked, my heart in my throat.

Grant’s eyes burned. "I’ll give everything I have. After uniting the continent, I’ll make sure no future enemy ever threatens our people again. Even if it costs my life, I want to protect those who come after us."

His words rang out, fierce and determined. The tent seemed to pulse with his will.

He stabbed his finger at Japan on the map, voice cold. "Especially that country across the sea. If I don’t stop them, I’ll regret it forever."

He pressed his hand to the map, the paper crinkling. The men around us nodded, their faces grim and resolute.

My chest tightened, eyes prickling with tears. I helped Grant to his feet.

For a moment, I forgot about time travel and history books. I saw only a leader, determined to protect his people at any cost.

"With a vision like that, who wouldn’t want to follow you? I, Ethan Cole, will do whatever you ask!"

I meant every word. In that moment, I knew I’d give anything to help him succeed.