2. The Weight of Survival. #8 Wandering
// Afternoon, Eastern Beltrad. Riverside by a Secluded Forest Trail.
Tall grass grew knee-high. A small stream flowed down the gentle hill, and beyond that, a vast stretch of deep blue sea shimmered through the mist.
In a quiet forest clearing beneath a dry tree,
Noah and Erin cautiously stopped walking.
Both wore long black cloaks with hoods, slung with travel-worn, mud-stained packs.
Noah set down his load.
Thud.
It was heavy.
His sleeve slipped slightly, revealing red scratch marks and small wounds across his forearm.
Noah: (exhaling) Whew… Just like Priestess Illisa said—we've finally reached a place where we can see the sea.
Noah looked around at the surrounding area.
Noah: Let's camp here tonight. There's a river, the sea's nearby… looks good, right?
Erin: (scanning the area) Yeah. Looks fine. The water's calm, and that spot under the rock looks perfect for fish.
She brushed off her clothes and sat down in the grass. Her tangled blonde hair and dusty hands showed the toll of days without washing. Tiny cuts dotted her face.
Noah: All right. Tonight we catch fresh fish from the river… and grill them with salt!
Erin: (eyes lighting up) …Really?
Throwing both hands in the air, Erin cheered.
Erin: Ugh… It's been a week of nothing but jerky. My jaw is numb. Seriously. Let's eat real food for once.
Noah: Let's do this!
Even with exhaustion on their faces, both wore small smiles.
Noah dug through his heavy pack and pulled out a large water pouch. He tossed it toward Erin.
Noah: Erin, take this and fill it with seawater.
Erin: (suspicious) Seawater? What for?
Noah: I've got a reason~ Just wait. You'll be amazed.
Erin: (narrowing eyes) You sure that's amazement and not fury?
Noah: (waving his hand) Just go. History might be made today.
Erin: (pulling off her hood and dragging her shoes) Seriously… If this is boring, I swear I'm not letting it go!
Tatatata—!
She pulled her hood back up and jogged off down the trail toward the sea.
Noah rolled his shoulders and pulled out a cast iron pot. Its weight made his shoulders sag.
Noah: Ugh… no wonder this pack felt like a rock… Still, thanks to Priestess Illisa, we've got real food and something to cook with…
Noah: …Thank you. Truly…
He set the pot on a flat stone, then started chopping away at low branches with his dagger—snap, snap—collecting dry wood.
Once a pile had formed, he pulled the Mana-stone from his belt and set it in his left hand.
Noah: (to himself) Hoo— focus… Think of hunger… the fiery emotion of craving roasted fish…!
With a small pulse of Mana,
poof—
a spark flared to life, and the dry twigs caught quickly.
Noah maintained the fire with practiced ease and hung the pot over the flames.
Noah: (to himself, pleased) After a week, I can make fire with my eyes closed.
Just then—
Erin returned, holding the heavy water pouch in both hands, breathing hard.
Erin: (panting) Huff… Here. This thing's so heavy I nearly died… Do I pour it into the pot?
Noah: Yeah. Go ahead.
Erin poured the seawater into the pot until it was full.
A few moments later, it began to boil.
Bubble, bubble—
Erin: (eyes sparkling) …Ahhh, I get it! You're making salt, aren't you? I've heard of that. You boil seawater and it turns into salt!
Noah: (quietly) …Hey… how'd you figure that out?
Erin: (grinning) I'm sharp, okay? Got good instincts.
Noah: (pouting) Tch… well, so much for the surprise…
Erin: Pfft, forget the sentiment. If we're making salt, we'll need more seawater, right?
Noah: Exactly. Keep boiling and drying it out and we'll have the real thing.
Erin: (picking up the pouch again) Haah… Fine. But I want salty grilled fish!!
Noah: (smiling) Let's go!
He grabbed a dagger, some rope, and a thick wooden stick, then headed toward the water.
At the wide riverbank,
Noah bent the stick into a Y-shape.
Noah: (biting the dagger handle) That island survival stuff I learned in the Gray World's coming in handy…
Sharpen both ends… wedge in the dagger… Tie it off tight…
He crafted a three-pronged spear.
Noah: (raising it) Behold… the trident. With this, the hunt begins.
Noah stood knee-deep in water, locked in battle with a school of small, slippery fish.
Noah: (gripping the spear) It looked so easy! Why is this so hard, dammit…
He threw the spear.
Splash—
The water rippled, fish darted away.
Noah: (shaking his head) …Throwing's no good. Operation #2: stabbing while moving.
He crept along and jabbed. The fish flitted away mockingly.
Noah: (serious) These guys… they're evolving…
He sighed, retrieving the spear. Stretching his back, he gazed skyward.
Noah: (serious) Okay. Operation #3: Become one with nature. I am a rock. Flowing, yet unmoving… A stone… a boulder…
He stood still as a statue.
Even the wind seemed to pause.
Five minutes…
Ten minutes…
A shadow slid close in the water.
Noah: (in his mind) Now!
Swish—!
The spear sliced through the water.
Thunk—!
Noah: (eyes widening) Got it?!
He yanked up the spear—
a fish squirmed on the end.
Noah: I did it! Erin!!
From beyond the ravine, Erin came dashing over.
Erin: (eyes wide) What?! You really caught one?!
Noah: Look! It's still flapping! Still alive!
She grabbed his shoulders and shook him with glee.
Erin: Amazing!! More more more!! I could eat fifty right now!!
Noah: (grimacing) …It took me over 30 minutes to catch this one.
Erin: Then catch more. Right now.
Noah: …Yes, ma'am.
// Near sunset, makeshift campsite in the woods by the fire.
The sky glowed crimson. The wind carried the smell of salt and dusk.
Noah had caught three fish in total, now skewered and roasting over the fire.
Noah: (slouching) …Just three…
Erin: Hey, you know what?
Noah: …What?
Erin: I'm the happiest person in the world right now. So happy I can't even feel my legs.
Noah: (staring blankly) You mean it?
Erin: Yeah. You caught fish, I made salt, and here we are sitting by the fire.
Noah looked at her quietly and smiled.
Erin: This is one of the best moments of my life…
She sprinkled fresh salt onto the fish
and handed one to Noah.
Together,
they gently grilled their catch,
the skin crisping and sizzling.
Their mouths watered beyond restraint.
Noah: (clutching his mouth) This isn't just survival food. This is art.
Erin: …Don't talk to me. If you burn these, you die. We both die.
Noah: …Focus.
As the fish cooked over the flames, time felt still—precious.
The fire flickered warmly.
Then, Erin spoke softly.
Erin: We're… having a rough time right now. But still… I'm really glad I'm with you.
She smiled,
a small light glimmering through her worn and tired face.
Noah slowly turned to look at her.
A heavy emotion welled in his throat.
Noah: …I'm sorry. And… thank you.
Erin: (grinning) Don't cry before dinner.
───────ㅤ✤ㅤ───────
// Evening, beside the fire.
The flames glowed softly.
Three perfectly cleaned fish bones lay neatly in a row.
Erin: (patting her belly, staring at the fire) …That was amazing. I don't know if I ate them or if they just vanished…
Noah: (arms crossed, satisfied) Now we know the method. Tomorrow we catch more. Roast more. Eat more. Maybe we'll just fish all day.
Erin: (fist raised) Oooooh! Sounds good! Five fish each next time!
Noah: (grinning) Ambitious. I like it.
They nodded like warriors celebrating their spoils.
Erin: Aren't you still hungry? I feel like I ate almost two by myself.
Noah: I've got stamina.
No worries.
Noah stood up and roughly packed some gear, gathering leaves and twigs to make a makeshift bed.
Noah: (dusting off) Not bad. Comfiest one yet.
Erin got up and silently helped him.
Only one bed was made.
They stared at it.
Silence.
Only the wind moved.
Noah: (raising his eyebrows) First night watch is… yours, right Erin? I'm off to dreamland!
He flopped down.
Erin: (grabbing his collar) Hold it.
Noah: (pausing mid-lie-down) Uh…?
Erin: (frowning) You don't remember me hauling water a dozen times?
Noah: (looking away) That was your role! I slaved over those fish too!
Erin: (shoving him away, lying down) Nope. You can't exploit the weak like that. It's cruel.
Noah: (getting up) You're so selfish!
But then he crossed his arms and nodded, changing tone.
Noah: Fine~ Sleep tight~ I'll just sneak off and grill something… maybe roast some chestnuts all for myself~ Mmm~
Erin: (glancing) …Leave me some.
Noah: (smirking) That'll cost you.
Erin: After a real meal like this… it makes me think of home… warm food…
▫ㅤ▫ㅤ▫ㅤ▫ㅤ⧖ㅤ▫ㅤ▫ㅤ▫ㅤ▫
—In Their Memory.
// One Week Ago, Dawn. Western Beltrad. Calmorin Duchy. Terian Village. Freya Chapel.
The chapel still lay shrouded in darkness. Only starlight peeked through the windows. Inside, Illisa sat by a candle, packing supplies.
Dried rations, spare cloth, even a hand-embroidered handkerchief. Her hands moved with gentle care.
Lia: (hands clasped) Are we really doing this…? They're still just children…
Illisa: (pausing quietly) …They must go. This village will only be a cage for them.
Kosten sat nearby, resting an old sickle on his knees. Deep lines carved his silent face.
Erin: (hands on hips) Don't worry. I'm sick of living like a slave. This is good. For once, I feel like I can breathe.
Kosten: (faint smile) Yeah… it's good. You've got talent. No need to rot in this tiny land. Stay alive… and if one day you come back… the world might be different.
Illisa: (handing over the last pack) This is the last of it. I packed it light so it won't weigh you down.
Noah: (bowing quietly) Thank you… truly.
Illisa: (spreading a small map) Listen carefully. Heading toward the Holy Kingdom of Esca is dangerous. Go east until you reach the coast, then south. That path leads to Arcebon, capital of the Kingdom of Caldenia.
Noah: (nodding) Arcebon… Got it.
Kosten: (low voice) None of them are clean… but the Esca bastards are real scum. Be careful.
Illisa: (sternly) Avoid main roads. Too many bandits. Worst case… if you meet a lord's knights and get searched—it's over.
She looked directly at Noah.
Illisa: Stick to the mountains.
Slowly. Quietly.
Erin: (clenching fists) Don't worry about us. I'll survive. I'll earn money and one day, I'll buy you both freedom.
Lia: (to Noah) Noah… take care of Erin. She acts tough, but she's always been a lonely child.
Erin: (grumbling) Mom, I'm not a kid, you know?
Noah: (smiling softly) Don't worry. We'll make it through. And… thank you, Illisa, for everything.
He bowed deeply.
Noah: (turning) And… Erne.
In the corner, knees hugged close, sat their childhood friend Erne.
Erne: (teary-eyed) Noah… Erin… you're really leaving?
Noah: Thank you, Erne. Because of you… we're alive.
Erin: Hey Erne! Don't cry!
(Turning) If you cry now… I'll break too…
Erne: (closing eyes) Sorry… but…
She began to sob.
Noah: We'll survive… and someday come back to see you, Vigoran, Nas… and you.
(Smiling) Stay well until then, okay?
Erne: (looking up) I will… I'll live proudly. You'll be shocked when you see me again.
Erin: (sniffling) Good… that's what I want. I'll be watching to see how cool you become!
Lia burst into tears.
Lia: Hh-hhk… survive… please survive…
Kosten held her tight.
Erin: (sniffling) Let's go. We have to go…
She tugged at Noah's sleeve.
Erin: Illisa, thank you so much…
Dad, Mom… don't worry!
Illisa offered a silver Freya emblem.
Illisa: Noah. Take this.
Noah: Freya… I will.
She placed the necklace around his neck.
Illisa: May the Goddess Freya protect you both.
She prayed with eyes closed as they departed.
Outside, dawn began to rise.
A red light stretched across the distant blue ridges.
Noah and Erin carried their packs and walked slowly toward the chapel doors.
Illisa, Lia, Kosten, and Erne watched their backs in silence.
▫ㅤ▫ㅤ▫ㅤ▫ㅤ⧖ㅤ▫ㅤ▫ㅤ▫ㅤ▫
Erin: (eyes misting) Mom… Dad… Illisa… Erne… I hope everyone's okay…
Noah gently patted her shoulder.
Noah: Don't worry. They're stronger than us. Our survival… is the best way to repay them.
Erin's shoulders trembled slightly.
Noah: (looking at the fire) We'll make it. We have to.
Erin wrapped herself in her cloak and lay on her side, trying to sleep.
The dying firelight painted her face in soft orange hues.
Noah sat close by, gently feeding in small twigs, whispering.
Noah: Still… today was a pretty good day.
───────ㅤ✤ㅤ───────
// Pre-dawn, Beside the Fire.
The flames had mostly died.
Only ash and fading warmth remained.
Erin, leaning against a tree stump, blinked drowsily as sleep overtook her.
Sss…
Her eyes snapped open.
Erin: (startled) Ack— I can't fall asleep…
The ground was dark, but the sky to the east was beginning to pale.
Erin: Ugh… ugh… uuuugh—
Stretching with a groan—
CRACK—!
A dry branch snapped somewhere in the woods nearby.
Erin flinched and turned sharply.
Beyond the darkness—
two red points of light.