(Continuation of previous events…)
In the heart of the village, life pulsed with warmth despite the biting cold.
The old man, wrapped in his heavy woolen robe, toiled at clearing snow from the paths. On the other side, children's laughter rang out as they hurled snowballs, crafting funny snowmen and sometimes snow monsters with carrot noses and stone eyes.
The village, despite its simplicity, was living a magical moment, like a warm dream amidst the storm.
(The same old man Ethan had met)
Amidst it all, a familiar voice called out to the old man: "Have you prepared what I asked for?"
The old man turned with surprise toward the voice, finding Nicholas standing behind him, dressed head to toe in winter gear, hands in his pockets, staring into the old man's eyes with a mix of determination and seriousness.
Leaning calmly on his shovel, the old man took a deep breath before looking at Nicholas, his eyes tinged with fear and concern as he said, "Are you still sure about this decision, my boy?"
Nicholas responded, his voice brimming with resolve: "I've already told you my reasons for doing what I intend to do, so please, spare me the talk and give me what I asked for."
The old man let out a soft sigh, his face showing signs of resignation and a touch of sadness. He walked toward the pile of snow he'd been gathering, reached into it, and pulled out a medium-sized bag. Stepping toward Nicholas, he stopped just a pace away.
He handed over the bag in silence, but before letting it go, he said in a low, encouraging tone, "I would've tried to stop you, tried to convince you to abandon this reckless act, but your cause is different… Just go, don't keep them waiting any longer."
Nicholas took the bag without hesitation, slung it over his shoulder, and gave a respectful nod to the old man before turning to leave. His footsteps crunched on the snow under the weight of the decision he'd made.
Minutes turned to hours, and night fell over the village, with everyone retiring to sleep.
Except for a small group of five stationed at the broken gate, tasked with guarding it until repairs could be made.
Jesse was recounting a story to Ethan, while Jenny sat alone, silently gazing at the moon. On the other side, Joseph and Luke were locked in a heated board game, tension simmering between them, all gathered around a crackling fire to stay warm.
Jesse suddenly raised his hand, eyes gleaming with excitement: "And so, the knight succeeded in saving the kingdom from destruction…"
He paused, his face softening with satisfaction. "Did you like the story?"
Ethan's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm and anticipation as he nodded in approval.
On the other side, Luke pressed a game piece firmly, moving it forward with a challenging tone: "Checkmate."
Joseph raised his eyebrows and let out a short, carefree laugh. "That easily? You must've cheated somehow."
Despite their laughter, Jenny remained still as a statue, staring at the moon as always, her hair fluttering slightly in the wind.
Jesse stood up, feeling thirsty and searching for water nearby, but despite his efforts, he found none. He called out loudly, "Joseph! Where'd you put the water jug?"
Joseph replied quickly, as if he'd been waiting for this moment for years, a mischievous grin on his face: "It's up your ass, hahaha!"
He burst into hysterical laughter, while Jesse, annoyed but trying to keep his cool, said, "I'm serious, where is it?"
Joseph calmed his laughter slightly and replied with a mocking smile, "Haha, sorry, I forgot to bring one."
Jesse sighed in frustration, then turned toward the village. "Fine, I'll go get it," he said, heading toward his hut until he disappeared from view.
The others continued what they were doing after he left.
Ethan sat quietly, lost in thought, replaying Jesse's story in his mind.
A few minutes passed in heavy silence, and Jesse still hadn't returned. No one noticed at first, relaxed by the fire's intermittent warmth in the cold air.
Luke glanced at Ethan, then at Joseph, and said in a calm tone laced with concern, "He's been gone a while, don't you think?"
Joseph brushed it off. "Don't worry, probably just some minor issue."
Luke moved a chess knight, replying, "But what if it's a bigger problem?"
Joseph, lazily moving his king, said, "If you're so worried, go check on him. No one's stopping you."
Luke responded coolly, moving a pawn, "Fine."
He stood and began following Jesse's footprints.
Joseph shouted after him, irritated, "Hey, you idiot, go after we finish, not now!"
But Luke ignored him and kept walking.
Joseph slapped his face in annoyance, then turned back to the fire, trying to pass the time until Luke returned.
He glanced at Ethan for a few seconds, then at Jenny, both lost in their thoughts.
Adjusting his seat quietly, Joseph, ensuring no one was watching, swiftly rearranged the chess pieces in his favor, a sly grin spreading across his face.
At that moment, Nicholas emerged silently from the gates, his footsteps barely audible on the snow, carrying a large backpack with a clearly handmade rifle slung behind it.
He approached Joseph, who looked at him with a mix of surprise and unease. "Uh, Nicholas? What's up, man?"
Nicholas stopped close to him, his eyes filled with determination and seriousness. He opened his coat, extended his arm toward Joseph, and said firmly, "Give it to me."
Joseph raised an eyebrow, confused. "Give you what? Why?"
Nicholas's tone grew sharper. "The map. It's none of your business what I'll do with it."
Joseph stared at him for a moment, as if checking if he was joking, then stood slowly, saying with a mocking tone, "What're you gonna do with it? Go fight the Katorans, haha?"
Nicholas didn't laugh or even smile. He stood like a wall, staring at Joseph with an icy gaze.
"Give me the map," he said, his voice calm but edged with anger.
Joseph scratched his head, unease creeping into his expression. "Even if I gave it to you, how would you even read it? You don't know how it works."
Nicholas touched his chin, as if just realizing this, then said, "Then you're coming with me."
Joseph blinked. "Wait, what?"
Nicholas grabbed him by the arm, pulling him forcefully away from the village.
Joseph struggled, annoyed. "Hold on, let me go! Where are you taking me, you idiot?"
Nicholas's voice dripped with hatred. "Grab your damn bag and lead us to the Katorans."
Shock and fear washed over Joseph's face. He swallowed hard, stammering, "Wait, wait, wait—you're seriously going to the Katorans? Have you lost your mind?!"
He struggled harder, terror evident on his face.
In a fit of rage, Nicholas landed a brutal punch to Joseph's stomach, causing him to double over in pain, clutching his abdomen before vomiting profusely.
This alarmed Jenny and Ethan, who rushed over to see what was happening.
Nicholas, unfazed, barked, "Get the map and lead us to the Katorans."
Joseph looked up slowly, his face contorted with pain and fear, and muttered shakily, "You're insane, man… you're walking to your death and dragging me with you."
Ethan hurried to Joseph's side, checking on him, his innocent face now mixed with confusion and shock as he glanced at Nicholas.
Jenny shouted at Nicholas, panicked, "What are you doing?! Have you gone mad?"
But Nicholas ignored them both, dragging Joseph along, while Ethan tried pulling Joseph back, to no avail.
Jenny stood frozen, torn between running after them or returning to the village for help.
As they faded from view, her indecision broke, and she sprinted after them, hoping to stop this madness.
She caught up, breathless from the cold and exertion, and grabbed Nicholas's shoulder with a trembling hand. "Nicholas, please, stop this and let's go back to the village," she pleaded.
He didn't even glance at her, replying coldly, "If you want to go back, go. I only need Joseph right now. This doesn't concern you."
Jenny froze, glancing at Joseph, whose pale face and unsteady steps showed his terror.
Her heart ached at the pleading, fearful look in his eyes, silently begging for Nicholas to let him go.
Her voice trembled as she whispered, not daring to touch Nicholas again, "I'm not going anywhere unless you let Joseph go. He's not safe with you…"
Nicholas gave her a brief sidelong glance, then looked ahead and kept walking. Ethan and Jenny exchanged worried looks, following him, hoping he'd stop at some point.
Minutes later, Jesse and Luke returned from the village, Jesse carrying a water jug. "Sorry for the delay," he said. "The snow changed the landscape, and in the dark, I forgot where the hut was…"
He stopped, noticing no one was there, and looked at Luke, confused. "Where'd everyone go?"
Luke glanced around, uneasy. "I don't know… they were here when I left."
Jesse scratched his head, looking at the campfire. "They were supposed to wait for us… I can't think of a reason they'd leave in this weather."
Luke approached their sitting area, noticing the chessboard scattered on the ground. At the same time, Jesse pointed and said, "Is that… vomit?"
Luke's face darkened with worry. "Oh, damn… they must've been attacked!"
Jesse's breathing quickened. "Then we need to find them fast—they can't have gone far."
Luke nodded, and they began searching around the village walls, inside the village, and near where they disappeared.
But they found no trace, as if all evidence had been erased.
Luke slumped by the fire, exhausted, his heart heavy with worry. "Damn it, why's there nothing? We should've seen their footprints in the snow."
Jesse, equally tired, leaned back. "The snow's falling heavily, and the wind's strong—it must've covered their tracks."
Silence hung between them for minutes, both grappling with fear and frustration.
Luke glanced back at the thick snow covering the ground, half-expecting this to be one of Joseph's pranks.
Jesse, lost in thought, forgot the cold, his hand covering his face in frustration.
"You failure… all you had to do was protect him. Stay with him or take him with you… but no, you left him with them, as if they'd keep him safe, forgetting your responsibility… A simple promise you couldn't keep, like it was too hard…"
He lowered his hand, his face etched with exhaustion and sorrow, and whispered inaudibly, "Ethan… please be okay…"
He stood abruptly, startling Luke, and marched toward the village with quick steps. Luke followed, struggling to keep up, asking, "Where are you going?"
Jesse's voice was firm. "I'm getting help from Mira. She'll know what to do."
Luke raised an eyebrow. "Do you even know where her hut is?"
" Jesse replied, "It's in the village center, man."
Luke answer"And if she's not there?"
Jesse replied, annoyed, "Just shut up and move."
(the end)