Chapter 31

After long hours walking aimlessly, the delicate snow falling on Arthur's body stopped. When looking at the sky, you can see the gray clouds opening and a dazzling ray of sunlight passing through them. A very gratifying sight to behold, but unfortunately it is not possible at the time. With his eyes dead, the only thing Arthur saw were the gray clouds slowly parting and dissipating across the sky.

I wonder why something that was united starts to come apart. Couldn't they have been together forever? (Arthur)

With a sigh he closes his eyes and without once looking up he goes back to walking. With an extensive layer of snow on his feet that made it difficult for him to walk, he held on to some low tree branches for balance. Since he started walking after the loss of his captain, it didn't take long for him to find something that would surprise him intensely.

-How is this possible? (Arthur)

In front of him was the large and extensive warehouse that was used as a trap by enemies to try to kill his squad.

Looks like I ended up going back to this location while following along with no sense of coordinates.

-Arthur?! (Thomas)

Looking towards the voice that resounded his name he sees Thomas and the rest of his companions.

-Is it really you Arthur?! (Thomas)

-Hey guys, we found them! (soldiers)

The groups I was looking into the forest and the warehouse left and joined the others who circled around Arthur.

-I can't believe we finally found you. (soldier 1)

-We haven't seen each other for two days, we thought we'd never see him again. (soldier 2)

-I'm sorry to have worried you, but I'm fine in the end. (Arthur)

-That's great. Now we just have to find Mike and the captain. (Thomas)

Arthur's gaze that began to see a light will return to be sad.

-That won't be necessary. (Arthur)

-And why do you say that? (Thomas)

-Because the two were with me. (Arthur)

-I see, so where are they? (Thomas)

A tremendous anguish takes hold of Arthur's heart. He closes his eyes and shakes his head as a thin layer of tear rolls down his face. That answer surprised everyone who was there.

-I understand. (Thomas)

Thomas holds back his crying as long as he can, but ends up not resisting and letting it all out, just like the rest of his companions.

-I need to go somewhere. (Arthur)

Looking at Arthur, who showed in his eyes that he had one last task to do, Thomas lets him go.

-Okay, I'll accompany you. (Thomas)

Reentering the forest, Arthur and Thomas walk alone over that extensive area surrounded by trees.

-Could you tell me why you wanted to come here? (Thomas)

-This is where we entered to hide from enemies, it won't take long. (Arthur)

-Won't be long for what? (Thomas)

-It was here that Mike's body took its last breath. (Arthur)

Walking for a few minutes Arthur and Thomas arrive at the area where Mike protected Arthur, but at the price of his own life.

-It was here. (Arthur)

-But I'm not seeing any body. (Thomas)

-The snow must have covered it. (Arthur)

Kneeling on the ground, Arthur begins digging a hole in the snow until he reaches his friend's body. But after digging for a while he finds something that surprises him.

-It's not here... (Arthur)

In that place there was no body, but in its place there was a pile of stones grouped in the shape of a pyramid.

- Why is this here? (Arthur)

-It's like a headstone. How you reacted that way I think they buried you in that spot. (Thomas)

-Impossible... after all we left him here... no one else knew about it. (Arthur)

Looking at the open sky that day, Thomas appreciates the intense blue that covered the entire infinite layer.

-You don't know, but when we found out that you were the ones who opened the gate and that they could still be in danger, we tried to go back to rescue them. Nikolas didn't allow us though, he told us that he wished he could go after you and Mike as well... but that the rules were different. No one would be allowed to go after you, because to the superiors in the soldiers we were just pawns, it wasn't just Nikolas, our captain also knew it would be impossible to get permission for a rescue mission. (Thomas)

-But then why did he come? (Arthur)

When we got ready to leave we realized that the captain was gone, we couldn't find him anywhere. We notified the superiors and you know what they said? That our captain was a very important person and that he knew a lot, so while Nikolas's group returned to base, ours would stay to look for him. It's pretty funny don't you agree? Why would a guy who's always followed all the rules since joining the army break them to look for them? But it was because of that mistake that we were able to come to your rescue. If not for him you would still be lost in this forest, it probably wouldn't last long. So be grateful, he not only gave his life, but also his dignity and respect to save you. (Thomas)

That answer surprised Arthur, it didn't take long for him to notice who had made that tombstone.

So you were the one who gave Mike's body a place to rest. You told me I couldn't go back to the cave... but in the end it was you who had done it. You disobeyed several orders, just so I would be here. You may not have noticed, but in the end, you were free. (Arthur)

Looking at his friend's grave Arthur opens a small smile as a tear comes out of his left eye.

-Thanks for everything friends, we will meet again one day, I promise. And on that day I will thank you for everything you did for me at that time. (Arthur)