Save us.
Kill.
Each dream ended before he could understand them.
Each morning left him with more questions than answers.
---
One afternoon, a familiar knock sounded at Lee's door.
Kai looked up.
"Come in."
The door opened.
Lily's parents entered.
Followed by Ethan.
The family carried several baskets.
Food.
Clothes.
Supplies.
Far more than they could reasonably spare.
Kai immediately stood.
"You don't need to do this."
Lily's father shook his head.
"Yes we do."
The man looked uncomfortable.
As though struggling to find the proper words.
Finally he simply bowed.
A deep bow.
One filled with sincerity.
"Thank you."
Kai froze.
The man's wife bowed as well.
"T-Thank you for bringing her home."
Her voice nearly broke.
"But thank you."
Ethan followed shortly afterward.
The gesture left Kai speechless.
Because he didn't feel like a hero.
He failed.
Lily still died.
Yet somehow these people were thanking him anyway.
The realization stayed with him long after they left.
---
A week later, Kai and Lee stood near the edge of the village.
A dirt road stretched toward the distant mountains.
Far away, barely visible against the horizon, stood a massive fortress-city built into the mountainside.
Yggdrasil.
Kai stared at it.
Even from here, its size was impressive.
Lee folded his arms.
"So."
Kai nodded.
"So."
The letter rested safely inside his bag.