I must move forward.

My vision was blurred. The world was hazy, while my peripherals were dark; the darkness threatening to consume the last vestiges of my vision. My eyes wanted to close, and I wanted to stop. But today, there was no rest for the weary. A single thought consumed my mind: I must move forward.

I must save her.

My thoughts were jumbled, but I started to remember the bits and pieces. I looked down at my body  -- torn and bloody. A deep and jagged cut extended from my shoulder to the opposite hip, oozing blood with every step I took.

Ah, that’s right. I remember now.

Both of my arms were severed, replaced by bloody stumps located only several inches below my shoulders. But my legs were still working, and I continued to march forward.

My vision slowly panned upwards. It was a beautiful white landscape, covered by snow and ice. But the sky – the sky! It was gone. It was black. Not the darkness of the night sky, but an empty void without stars or light.

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The only source of light was in front of me. A lonely light extended from a lantern hanging from the backside of a carriage. No – that was no carriage. It was a slave wagon. Surrounded by unbreakable mithril-infused bars. And from within, I heard a wretched cry.

No. Don’t touch her…

My mind flooded with rage and despair. I tried everything to stop it, to protect her. But my body was failing me. I tried to call out, but all that left my mouth was a croak as my vocal cords refused to function. Instead, my legs gave in, and my knees plummeted into the deep snow.

My body was cold. My legs wouldn’t respond. As if the gods were mocking my inability to speak, a terrified cry rang out from within the carriage: “No, NO! NOO! My knight, please, where are you?? Please, SAVE ME!!”

A burning rage ignited from within me. I moved to grab my weapon – to perhaps stab it in the ground for leverage to stand up and protect her. Maybe, if I put my life on the line once more, I would --

But I remembered. I no longer had arms.

And the cold. It was so, so cold.

My eyes were impossibly heavy. And my vision was fading to black.

When my eyes closed, reality sunk in for the first time: I had failed. The rage disappeared. In its place was an overwhelming feeling of regret.

As my consciousness slipped away into the void above, I heard a last, desperate plea.

“Zach, where are you? Zach… I miss you…”