The next couple of days flew by. I'd wake, work through katas, eat, and then train with my aura. My projected mana wasn't on the level of domains where I could exert my will in a given space, but I was getting closer. I could now create several ice shards and even freeze small distant objects. My aura hadn't reached the range of my awareness yet. I was only at half the distance that I could project my will. Still, if anything soft got within fifteen feet, they risked a severe chance of ice piercing, and the closer they got, the more prone to freezing they became.

The extension of my aura did make my mist wraith form more effective. I all but disappeared in my clouds. My ice armor also improved. Now, I could crudely shape the ice forming my body. I guess I could always manipulate the form before, but I never thought to alter the appearance of my armor outside of adding spikes for offensive reasons. I no longer looked like a naked man covered in ice. Instead, I looked like a naked man covered in cheap armor.

My new control allowed me to dismiss armor at chosen places as well. For a fight that wasn't a benefit, for a stroll around town, it was kind of nice. Not that one usually strolled around town with mana armor flashing. That was just boastful. However, there were some good use cases for the armor; anything was better than nothing. My rags were pretty much nothing, and that wouldn't do.

A quick trip into the dungeon to collect hides solved this problem.

I spent the rest of my evening and night chilling in a spring, purifying my mana. Tomorrow, I'd head to town. That meant I needed the entire night to prepare.

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I strolled the edge of the forest, wearing a combination of wolfbear hides and ice armor. I knew I looked every bit as savage as I felt. My orc heritage gave me a bulky body and didn't help my image.

Fortunately, the people residing in the village were familiar with orcs.

Tom's Pond had a population of one hundred-six people. It wasn't the smallest town, especially considering its secluded location, and it was far from crowded. The town was built on a hill and protected by a bloodwood wall. Several stone-worked houses were constructed along the dead-end road that connected the village to a larger town fifty miles northwest of here. The dead-end road was the only road in Tom's Pond. Pathways connected houses, the two shops, farms, and the pond together.

Unlike the mass-producing farms that covered the southern half of the Alderi Empire, Tom's Pond only grew what was needed to sustain the population. The various crop fields covered the two hills adjacent to the town. Nestled at the base of the three hills was the small clear pond. Though I couldn't see it from here, I could imagine the still water reflecting the cloud wisps that painted the blue sky.

The two shops here were a general goods store and a food market that served as the only tavern and inn for traveling guests. When we first arrived, my party stayed a night in the inn. It was quaint, the owners were nice, and the food was satisfying.

Tom's Pond was a romantic town. The people lived simple lives here, and they were all happy. Every single person met us with a smile and kindness. Part of it was because of Lana's high charisma; people couldn't help but smile back at her, but that was a small part. The people were genuine and were not looking for ways to get ahead. They enjoyed their lives and openly shared their joy.

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As I stood on the edge of the forest, looking at the hill-top town, memories resurfaced. Two years. I'd been alone for two years, and not once had the pain of Lana's absence faded. Her flame burned within my heart.

"We should live here," Lana said, tucked into my side. My arm wrapped around her, and I held her carefully, even though it was her who kept me safe.

"Goldi, you won't last here."

"Do you take me for a princess? I will thrive."

"Maybe a couple weeks, three at the most. Then who'd you talk to?"

I rubbed my arm, remembering where Lana playfully punched it, then quickly covered it in kisses.

She squeezed my side, and I squeezed her back. She nestled her head on my chest and listened to my heart. I kissed her crown and left my lips resting there for a second longer. It was one of those moments that felt so pure I wanted it to last forever. I tied my memory to that moment—the rise and fall of her chest, her breath that smelled of wild berries, and her fragrance was that of honey flowers.

The flickering light of the small fire danced in our dark room, providing just enough heat to keep the cold at bay if we held each other close.

I gently put my finger on her chin. She raised her head, meeting her eyes with mine without further prodding. We kissed deeply—two incomplete souls sharing a moment of wholeness.

"We'd still travel," Lana said after catching her breath. "Of course, I'd have to buy us some traveling rings."

I laughed as her doe eyes challenged me to question her. A challenge she knew I couldn't refuse. "And which kingdom would you ransom to pay for it?"

"Mine, of course," Lana said with a smile.

"I love you, Goldi."

"I love you too." Then she whispered softly, a secret for only me to hear. "It's you and me, Bear."

"Against the world." I finished the promise in a similar hushed tone.

I was a fool for trying to save her—to bring her back from death. I knew that. If anyone was in my situation, I'd tell them to move on. I tried to tell myself the same thing. I didn't believe in soulmates. People picked their love and chose to stick with it. Lana picked me and I'd been happily stuck ever since. Life was complete with her by my side. It didn't matter what we were doing; we wanted to be together. We were teammates, determined to make it through life hand in hand.

How did one give up on that? How did one let go... As long as her light burned within my soul, I couldn't.

The memory of our last night together was still so raw. It'd been two years in the loop for me, and I still remembered her touch, smell, and laugh as if she were beside me.

"You and me, Goldi," I whispered our sacred promise as the pain in my chest hammered away.

Tom's Pond was not the place for me. At least, not this day. I wiped my cheek dry, gave the town one more look, and headed northwest. If I hurried, I could still make Cyanne before sundown.