We packed up all of our things fully in the morning. All of the townsfolk that we knew came to bid us goodbye.

  "Please be safe," Maria told me, giving a tight hug, "I won't forgive you if you aren't."

  "I suppose that you have nothing to forgive if I can't keep myself safe," I responded. She hit me right after it. I didn't mind. It was nice to see her again, even if there was a hefty chance that it might be the last time.

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Before leaving the village, Yuri announced, "We lost a lot of time in this village. Not saying that we minded, just saying that they might be expecting us a lot sooner than we are going to get there, so we need to make up our last time. We will push ourselves to extremes, but we will also push through these trying times. We will stand strong and finish our mission, returning to the light of our lives. Whether that be here or back in our motherlands. When dark times strike, remember what you are fighting for and what lies on the other side. Let's move."

  It is a bitter cold and we cannot stand it. I want nothing more than to turn back and wait until it is not winter or go to the southern base. It is too far to turn back now.