Alliance in the Ice - The Guardians of Noindaith

Alluvial Forest - Paul

On a bright summer's day, we returned to the region where I had grown up. The news of my return had spread like wildfire and the inhabitants gathered on the outskirts of the village to welcome us. The sun bathed the farmhouses with their thatched roofs and the leaves of the oak trees in a warm, golden light. The destruction had largely spared Auenwald, and even though it was not my home village, it still radiated the security of my childhood.

We came riding on horseback, and the people cheered and clapped as we approached. I held a flag of the Western Empire in my hands.

My family stood at the edge of the crowd, tears of joy in their eyes. My sister ran towards me and threw her arms around my neck as I dismounted.

"Brother, you're back!"

She had become so thin, but that wasn't important now. She was alive! For God's sake, she was alive!

My eyes fell on my father and mother, who were watching us. My mother had tears rolling down her cheeks and my father was wiping his face with his sleeve. He looked bad, completely emaciated, like the stick he was leaning on. But now I was here and could take care of the family. They would no longer have to go hungry, and I could easily pay for a doctor from the wages I had saved up.

The villagers continued to cheer and flowers were pressed into our hands. The streets were decorated with garlands and flags, and the church bells rang out.

Mayor Brehm stepped forward and presented me with a medal for my bravery in the war.

"You left us as a boy, and now you are returning as a true hero. You are a role model for us all," said the mayor.

I was overwhelmed by the love and appreciation of my community. Tears welled up in my eyes. "Thank you all. It was only with your help that we soldiers at the front held out and were able to end this disgusting war."

The celebrations lasted all day, with music, dancing and a meal for the whole community. I felt at home again, surrounded by the people I had missed so much.

It was a day of joy and pride that the whole village would remember forever. The war hero had returned home.

While I saw the warm hugs and happy faces of my family and friends, I also felt a deep, gnawing bitterness rise up inside me. Not only had I risked my life at the front for four years, but to make matters worse, I had to face a demon. But the villagers only seemed to know about the horrors at the front, not about the much greater evil of a primal force from one of the darkest corners of the world. Their speeches praised my bravery in battle, but not a word was said about what I had really been through.

Later, when the last guests left the party, I sat down with Kaya.

I quietly confessed to her what was gnawing at me. "You have no idea what it really means to be out there."

Kaya nodded, her gaze serious and understanding. "But you know, and that's what matters in the end. We saved the world, in a way they may never understand."