I looked down at the three Lycans I had slain, their bodies lying on the ground as stiff as pieces of wood. But my attention was fixed on my fallen comrades, their lifeless forms a stark reminder of how much I had lost. They had been my childhood friends, my brothers and sisters since the day I joined the Organization. This was our first battle where we had lost like this—utterly, with nothing left to hold on to.

Now, I stood alone.

The only family I had left was back in the capital. I felt a wetness slide down my cheek, not from sweat, but from tears—something I rarely experienced. Sadness was an unfamiliar feeling, like a forgotten emotion that had been locked away for years. And now, it had broken free, sweeping through me like a storm.

I’d seen death before, but always from a distance. I never thought it would come so close, never thought I’d have to bury my own. The weight of it all pressed down on me, and for the first time in my life, I didn’t care if the demons returned for revenge. I was numb to it all.

I stepped toward their bodies, untouched and whole despite the Lycans’ vicious attacks. My legs gave out beneath me, and I collapsed in front of them.

“I would love to take you back, but I can’t…” I whispered, my voice shaking. “I’m sorry. I want to… I want to. Until I come back, please rest easy.”

I reached for Michelle’s wrist, taking the old bracelet she always wore. She had been the heart of our little group, always laughing, always full of joy. Her happiness had held us together like glue, and now, that glue had shattered. Her eyes—those wide, lifeless eyes—froze me in place. The one person who had always been full of life was now gone, and I couldn’t even give her a proper burial.

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I closed her eyes gently, wishing I could do more. But leaving her here, exposed to the elements and the beasts, was all I could do.

Next, I moved to Laurence and Marken, the inseparable pair who had fought and lived like brothers. Though they weren’t twins, they might as well have been. I took their bracelets too, slipping them onto my wrists to remember them by. Their eyes were already closed, and I could only hope they had found peace.

The wind stirred, and I stayed there a while longer, clutching their memories like fragile things that could break at any moment.

As I stand up, the only thought in my mind is that I need to bury them. But another thought quickly follows—the Lycans could come back, and if they do, I might not survive. I don’t know if I can trust their retreat, or if they’re just waiting for the right moment.

They may be trying to lure me into a false sense of security, or something more sadistic—waiting to finish me off when I’m at my weakest. I step away from my fallen comrades, the weight of their loss heavy in the air. I bow my head, offering one final goodbye.

“My brothers, my sister… I am sorry for leaving you like this,” I say quietly, my voice cracking. “Truly.”

Even though we weren’t blood-related, it truly felt like we were a family. With a heavy heart, I turn around and start walking away, pulling out my compass, knowing that heading south will lead me to the Engauis River.

As I walk away from the only world I’ve known, the only thing left is me—and my family back home. I haven’t visited them in years, but maybe it would be good to see them again. I guess that’s the only silver lining in all of this. At least, when this is over, I’ll see everyone again…