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(Robert's Perspective)

The sounds of my surroundings slowly woke me up. For a moment, I felt like I was in a dream as I watched the leaves of the trees and experienced a brief instant of peace. But after a few seconds, my mind returned to the reality of the situation.

It was as if my own mind was telling me that tranquility wasn't something I should get used to, that I had to stop dreaming and imagining. Maybe I'm being a bit too hard on myself.

I got up slowly and looked at Alex and Alba, who were eating. Even though I was staring at them, it took me a moment to process that they were really there. When was the last time I could truly rest?

I felt a bit dazed, maybe because I had rested more than I had in a long time. I headed to a secluded spot among the trees to wash my face with some water I had stored in my backpack. I needed a moment of clarity and focus.

When I was about to wash my face, I remembered the bandage over my eye. I had forgotten I'd been wearing it all this time. I'm a bit afraid of taking it off because of what happened when I did, so I won't. I'll wash my face as best I can.

Artemis still isn't responding to me, and since I'm tired of insisting, I'll leave it for another time. She's probably upset.

After a moment, a gentle breeze passed by, and I watched the trees sway softly. I went behind a tree and sat down.

As I did, I went over my plan again in my mind.

It is simple: go to the shelter. Years had passed since I abandoned it, I began to recall the reason everything started-the reason I decided to leave my isolation, which, to be honest, felt somewhat comfortable.

My brother had sent me a letter through his eagle; he was the only person in this world who knew where I was. It took me a few days to read it, to be honest, but after I did, it felt like the path back had been illuminated.

I didn't expect to go through everything I've been through. I started alone, and now I walk with other people. So many things have happened... For some reason, this bothers me; you never know where you'll end up. It's such a stark truth that I started respecting it when it happened to me more than once.

You'd think there are places you'd never return to or things you'd never do again, but sometimes, for some reason, those things come back, or you end up doing things you once thought were impossible.

I remember an action movie where the antagonist said that when we tie our shoes at the start of the day, we never imagine how it will end. It wasn't a particularly philosophical line, honestly, but it was so true that it left me fascinated.

I just wanted to go to the shelter, and now I have a strange spirit living inside me and I'm traveling with even more peculiar people.

Sometimes it's hard for me to process all this madness. I was used to normal things, not things that should only exist in my imagination.

Maybe I should...

Suddenly, a splash of water fell on my head, startling me.

I looked to the side, and there was Alba.

Alba: You're really something else; you've been sitting there staring into space for five whole minutes.

Robert: I was in a moment of meditation...

Alba: I hope you don't meditate too often, or you'll get killed sooner or later.

Wow, what a blunt woman. Talking to her is like talking to a rock. I guess she went through some kind of personality change or something after her friend's death.

Robert: It's certainly not a bad idea.

Alba looked at me with a hint of doubt.

Alba: Is something bothering you?

I suppose I can try to share my thoughts with her indirectly.

Robert: Have you ever been shocked by seeing things that didn't exist in your life before?

Alba paused, thinking for a moment.

Alba: I'm a little surprised that the people of this world can't use magic. It must be hard to live like that; they're so weak...

It sounds a bit arrogant. Maybe being superior to something makes you talk or think that way.

Robert: You're not entirely wrong. That's precisely why we have to find solutions to our problems in other ways. Have you ever imagined what it would be like not to have the abilities that make you superior?

Alba: Abilities?

Robert: You said it yourself yesterday. You're from a clan and another world, and from what I can see, you have certain traits, don't you?

Alba: It's hard to imagine losing something I was born with. I don't understand where you're going with this.

Robert: Just because someone is born with two legs doesn't mean they can't lose them.

Alba: Are you implying that you want to take away my abilities?

Robert: Of course not. What kind of person do you think I am? I was just remembering something a friend of mine told me a long time ago. I don't know if he's still alive, but he had a very different way of thinking.

Alba: Did he tell you that taking away others' abilities is the right way to do things?

Robert: He told me that opening our minds leads us to find new paths. Of course, he was referring to the scientific field. There's never just one way to do something or to find a solution.

Alba: Even if they found new weapons to attack the mages, they'll always be weak. You know that, don't you?

Hmm, I like that she's a bit naive.

Robert: You might be right, but I'd recommend not underestimating others.

Alba: Your way of talking is starting to irritate me.

Robert: You're right; I should stop spouting nonsense. I'd better get ready for us to leave.

Alba: I never said I'd leave with you right away.

Robert: Last night, you agreed.

Alba: I have to go back for her.

Robert: Do what you need to do, Alba. I won't stop you. We'll give you what we can; we'll leave after I eat and get everything ready.

Personally, I doubt she'll find her friend's body.

Some time passed as I finished eating and preparing everything, and then we got ready to leave.

We gave Alba some provisions. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing.

We stopped on the trail before parting ways and looked at each other.

Robert: I hope you stay safe; there are many beasts in these areas.

Alba: I'll keep that in mind. Thank you for everything; I won't forget you.

Alba extended her hand to give me a handshake.

Alba: By the way, who were you looking for at the camp? Maybe I know them.

I reached out my hand to shake Alba's.

Robert: Her name is Samantha. We got separated a while ago, and I'm looking for her.

Suddenly, a distant cloud began to rumble. It seemed another storm was coming... Just our luck with this rainy season.

I noticed that Alba still hadn't let go of my hand.

Robert: Alba?

Alba: Looks like it's going to rain soon... Sorry, I don't remember anyone named Samantha, though maybe I'd recognize her by her race. There were many different races at the camp.

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Robert: She's an elf.

I felt like Alba was acting a bit strange, and she still hadn't let go of my hand.

Robert: Are you okay, Alba?

Alba: Sorry, I was trying to remember. My head still hurts.

She finally let go of my hand.

Robert: Take it easy, you don't have to push yourself too hard.

How strange, she definitely reacted to something. Could it be that she really knows Samantha?

Suddenly, a few raindrops began to fall.

Alba: It looks like the rain will complicate the way back. Can I join you?

How odd, this morning she had changed her mind, and now she wanted to come with us again.

Clearly, something was strange here. Maybe I'm being paranoid... But we're in a horrible world that has left me with more than one trauma, so I had to consider all possibilities. What would I do if she attacked us for some reason? She was stronger than us. Although I didn't want her to realize that I noticed her behavior, I will try to act normal while thinking of a solution.

Robert: Sure, we don't have a problem with that.

Without dragging out the conversation to avoid suspicion, we began to walk.

We spent the entire afternoon making progress while the rain was still light. I had plotted the route I thought was the safest, and we managed to make good headway. If we kept this pace, we would likely arrive in a few days.

The rain began to pick up, so we started looking for shelter. We had left the forested area, so it wasn't easy to find one now, although some trees were still visible in the distance. However, we couldn't find any place that seemed like a suitable shelter.

We decided to run through the rain, hoping to find something further ahead. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed something.

I stopped.

I guess that's better than nothing. I saw a small helicopter, destroyed, on top of a group of trees. It was missing its tail, and the cabin was stuck in the branches of a large tree. It was a bit high up, but it seemed well embedded. Hopefully, it doesn't fall, I thought. I mentioned it to Alba, and she nodded, though with some doubt.

Since I'm not the best at climbing trees, Alba had to do most of the work to help Alex and me get up.

After a while, we were all inside the helicopter. It provided good shelter from the rain, but the wind made the rain come in through the open sides, and there was a horrible, stale smell coming from the soldiers' bodies.

As a good scavenger, I searched through all their belongings, took the gear I could, and then threw the bodies out of the helicopter.

I tried to pull something from my backpack to cover one side of the helicopter, but the wind played a nasty trick on me, making it fall...

Alba said she would go get my backpack. I told her it wasn't necessary, but she insisted.

Before going down, the boy handed something to Alba... A strange paper? Why is Alex giving this to someone we met yesterday? What does that letter say?

Before I could ask, Alba took the scroll and quickly went down... How odd.

(Perspective of Alba)

Why did the boy give me a scroll? Does he know how they are used? It's strange, since we used this type of scroll in our camp. The problem is that, when reading the message, it gets destroyed to prevent confidential information from being leaked. I don't understand why the boy gave me this.

Could there be a message from my camp?

I quickly went down and found Robert's backpack. Before going back up, I decided to read the scroll.

.

.

.

Dear Alba...

Hello...

I'm not really sure how to write a letter well; I don't remember the last time I did. Maybe these scribbles I'm making aren't such a bad start to try to remember... or so I think.

I was spending time with a little boy in our camp. He asked me to write something that came to mind, and he would do the same so we could exchange them. I suppose it's an interesting way to pass the time.

So...

I've been thinking, ever since we fell into that portal, that we really were lucky to survive. We've been through so much. I know it sounds strange, but despite being in the middle of a world where only violence and misfortune exist, I've enjoyed all those moments with you.

There are still things we haven't done. I want to see what our next crazy adventure will be. Curiously, every moment by your side always ends up being special.

The boy read me a story from this world, since I don't know how to read the language. I don't even know how he knows how to read-he's honestly smarter than me. I'm not good at that sort of thing, but what he said was incredible.

He said that the stars are incredibly beautiful in this world when you're close to them. Out of curiosity, I went to check it out on a mountain, and they really are stunning. I'd love to see you look at them in the sky and hear all those dreams you whisper quietly when you think I can't hear. Apparently, you forget that we're felines and our senses are sharper.

The boy also said something about instruments. It caught my attention, so I went to one of the residents who had an instrument and he showed me a guitar from this world. It sounded strange when I played it, but the man, when he did, sounded amazingly good. I promise I'll learn to play it so I can see your face when I finally manage it, and you clap for me as if I were an artist.

I know there are things we don't say to each other. I suppose it's not necessary for the two of us, but no matter the time or place, I always want to be the person you can trust.

Although I suppose I should be the one to take the initiative, then I wouldn't be writing these things...

I have bad memory... Eh, maybe I should hide this as a reminder. I'd be really embarrassed if you started making fun of me if you found this scroll.

Maybe in the future, I'll be able to tell you all these things.

We still have many adventures to live.

.

.

.

After that, the letter destroyed itself.

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Because... why, why, why? Saga, wait... you have to come back to fulfill all those dreams, right...? So come...

That pain began to transform. Her sadness, initially deep and overflowing, turned into a dark and bitter feeling, something she had never felt with such intensity. The image of Saga dying in her arms, with her unable to do anything, pierced her mind like a poisonous thorn. The letter spoke of dreams, of a life together... and now only ashes of those promises remained.

Her hands began to tremble, clenching her fists until they almost bled. Desperation turned into an uncontrollable fury, one that grew with every second. Who had taken those dreams from her? Who had decided they didn't deserve that future? As she read and reread those words in her imagination, her mind slowly clouded with a single purpose: revenge.

She felt something inside her break, something that could never be repaired. She was no longer the same, the sweet and hopeful girl she once was. That part of her had died with Saga and the letter. All that remained was the void, an abyss that filled with resentment and madness.

Alba's gaze changed, becoming cold, almost unrecognizable. The trust and attitude that had once been in her eyes had vanished, replaced by a sinister determination. Perhaps that letter had unleashed something in her that she could never contain.

(Robert's Perspective)

It had been a while, and Alba still hadn't returned. I started to worry; she'd been out for about 10 or 15 minutes, and it was beginning to get dark. I carefully leaned out, making sure not to fall, and looked down. There was no one there-only my backpack lying next to the bodies of the soldiers I had thrown.

I looked around the area, but I couldn't see her... Hmm... I had a really bad feeling. I think I need to go down and check the situation. It's possible something attacked her, and we didn't notice because of the rain's noise.

Before going down, I prepared myself. I told Alex to look for some things in the helicopter while I went back.

It took me about six minutes to climb down because I'm a bit afraid of heights.

When I got to the bottom, I noticed footprints in the ground, starting to fade due to the heavy rain.

Damn it... At night, this environment gives me chills. It wasn't completely dark yet, but it was dark enough to scare me.

I moved quickly to avoid losing the trail of footprints, which were nearly gone.

After walking for a while, I saw a trail of blood, though the rain was washing it away.

I continued cautiously.

I reached a small slope, and what I saw left me a little shocked. There was a person kneeling, surrounded by six bodies...

What should I do? I don't feel good about approaching someone surrounded by six bodies, but from what I can see, none of them are Alba...

Could that kneeling person be...?

I carefully climbed down and circled around the kneeling figure to see their face... It was Alba.

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Robert: Alba?

She was covered in blood. Before I could approach, one of the bodies managed to get up and, in a swift motion, threw a knife at Alba, striking her in the face.

I drew my weapon and shot the person in the head. They dropped instantly.

I quickly moved to Alba to assess her condition.

She was still alive... but the knife was lodged in her cheek. There wasn't much I could do here. I needed to get her back to the helicopter.

I tried talking to her, but she was in shock, as if her mind was in another world while her body remained here. I had to lift her carefully; she wasn't moving at all. It felt like carrying a lifeless body, bleeding heavily from the cheek.

I started carrying her, step by step.

Blood continued to flow from her cheek.

What the hell really happened? How could she have gone for my backpack and ended up surrounded by six bodies and in this state? The only thing that makes sense is that she was attacked and defended herself, but I don't understand why she's in shock. She didn't even react when she was attacked and still hasn't. Did they give her something to leave her like this? I also noticed she was wearing a piece of the armor that had been in my backpack.

Good thing I grabbed one of the weapons from the dead soldiers.

I reached the helicopter and shouted. Alex peeked out, and I asked him to throw me a rope.

Alex found one and tossed it down. Since Alba was in shock, I planned to tie her up and climb back up to pull her like a puppet.

I hope she's not too heavy.

After ensuring she was securely tied, I climbed up to the helicopter and started pulling her up with Alex, being extra careful. The last thing we needed was for the helicopter to fall off this tree.

We managed to get her inside. I immediately began examining her. I opened her mouth slightly to assess the situation.

Sure enough, the knife was lodged in her cheek but hadn't damaged her tongue or any deeper areas. She was incredibly lucky it was a small knife.

I asked Alex to hand me the first aid kit from the helicopter. These types of helicopters usually have one. I know because I used to pilot one, and that's why I told Alex to look for these supplies before we went out to search for Alba. Soldiers always use them-at least, that's how it was in my time. Alex found the kit and gave it to me. I started figuring out how to treat the wound.

I grabbed some sterile gauze and dampened it with clean water.

I gently pressed the gauze against the wound to stop the bleeding immediately. The pressure provided brief relief, but as soon as I removed the gauze, the pain returned sharply, making Alba grit her teeth.

It's good to see she's reacting to the pain, but she's still staring into the void.

Robert: First things first.

I grabbed the iodine bottle.

With precision, I cleaned the wound, ensuring there was no dirt or debris left behind after removing the knife.

Once the wound was clean, I took a bandage from the kit and carefully wrapped it around Alba's cheek.

Robert: Looks like it didn't hit anything vital.

I sighed with relief, feeling tense but somewhat reassured.

Although I can't be sure everything is fine. For now, this will have to do.

Finally, I finished bandaging her and stayed by her side, looking at the wound with concern.

My head throbbed from overthinking the situation and everything I noticed. I think the best thing to do is wait for her to come to and tell us what happened. She still kept staring into space and didn't react when I spoke to him.

For now, I'll keep watch on this dark night...