Alab is thinking of leaving without me, but I won't let it happen. I know that his plan is reasonable because he does not want to put me in danger. But guess what, I don't care! I'm more afraid of losing him forever than facing threats. It really hurt me when grandma Lola died, so I don't want to lose Alab too; he is the only family I have. I know that I'm irrational. But I don't care, I know I want to go with him, and that's what I'm going to do.

I can see an internal struggle in Alab's eyes. While I'm doing my best not to cry my eyes out. His doubts about his decision made me hopeful that I could convince him to let me come with him. "I don't know what is happening, but I think it is important that both of you should always be together. Your grandma Lola would like you to stick together." Johns's deep voice calmed us both. "You can take both of my horses at the stable."

This made Alab strengthen his resolved to make a choice. "Alright, I'll take you with me but promise me don't leave my side, ill try my best to protect you." I almost jump and hug Alab, but I stop myself midway. I just hold his hand, "Promise, thank you!". I faced John and hugged him. "Thank you so much, Uncle John. We will promise to return your horses someday." He patted my head with his huge hand and said, "Child, just be careful. Keep your brother out of danger," he jokingly said. "Okay, let's go, we need to hurry." Alab and I bade our goodbyes to John and took the two horses from the stables.

We saddled the horses, and John sends us off. We learned how to ride a horse from a young age, so it was easy for us to travel fast on horseback. "Alab, we need to get home first," I instructed. "Why? It will be faster if we leave through the main road." He questioned. "You really think we could survive without supplies. We need some food and some winter clothes if we plan to travel out of the village." I said while the wind is buffeting my face. "Oh! Yeah, sure," Alab responded with his stupid grin. It seems like he did not think this through.

It took almost one hour to reach the house. "We will travel light, so take only the essentials." We tied the horse outside and went into the house to take what we need. Alab went to his room to take his bow and arrows, which he made himself and some clothes for winter. On the other hand, I went to the kitchen to take some of the meat I smoked the other night and some bread and cheese for us to eat along the way. I wrapped them all in a leather pack, then I went to my room to get some clothes.

To be honest, I feel excited about this trip. The considerable part of why I wanted to go with Alab is that I don't wish for us to part. But there is also the part of me that longs for adventure. There is something inside me that is saying that I need to go with my brother.

Grandma Lola also taught me how to read, which is a luxury for people in the village. Only a few can read, and books are even fewer. However, grandma Lola has a dozen of books with her. It took me just a few days to learn, while alab took months. I loved reading because I learned many things about the outside world. This made me think of traveling the world.

I also read a book that grandma Lola gave me a few days before her death like she knows what will happen. This book that she always takes with her is ancient, that is covered with unknown material. It is adorned with different symbols, but it is almost unreconcilable because it already faded due to age. The first few pages briefly talk about the Stained Warriors, which I thought were only myths, so I did not take them into mind. The rest of the book is written in an unknown language I don't understand. I took the text from the bottom drawer and put it in my pack. It puzzled me before why grandma Lola treasured this book. But because of the recent events, I think I have a little inkling.

I'm am excited, but at the same time, I am afraid. I saw the monster that is pursuing my brother, and I felt how strong it was. The more reason that I need to be with Alab. He won't survive without me. Yes, I'm just justifying my decision to go with him, but if Lang was telling the truth about Alab, then we could have a chance. I have a feeling I have a significant role to play for the return of the Stained Warriors.

I finished packing then put on a winter cloak to protect my self. I took all the money we saved and put it in my pouch. After that, I found Alab outside tying his pack on the horse, ready to travel. He helped me with my bag, and we readied to go. We took one last look at the home, where we lived for fourteen years. It caused tears to feel from my eyes, but I wipe them away immediately. "We need to go; I think we should not take the main road. Let's travel through the Dorsum forest. I've been hunting here since I was young. This will make it harder for the monster to find us." Alab said solemnly.

I just nodded and let him lead the way. We followed the old game trail he always uses to enter the Dorsum forest. Alab did not say anything while we travel, which I welcomed. The horses traveled swiftly while Alab leads us skillfully through the woods. It was getting dark when I shouted at Alab, "So what's the plan? What did Lang tell you to do?" He slowed the horse gallop, so I could catch up with him. "He just told me to run, and he would find me. I planned to travel through the main road and go to the next village. Thinking it over, I don't really know how to get to the next village."

"Thankfully, I brought a map that grandma Lola had" I opened the map and study it. "The next village is very far away south of Kasa village. It might take us 5 days to travel because of the terrain of the Dorsum mountain range. We need to circle around a few mountains." I said while looking at the map. Our horses are on a slow trot, which allowed me to ride without falling. "We need to find a place to sleep for tonight since it's getting dark. It is very dangerous in this forest at night. The horses also need rest." added Alab.

Alab really knows his way through the forest. He found right away a good place for us to rest. It is a clearing surrounded by tall trees. This would protect us from the snow. We let the horses graze on some ferns and alab melted some snow for them to drink. After that, we had dinner of cold food, bread, and cheese. It was not my first time sleeping in the wilderness because Alab and I would sleep outside when we were kids.

I spread my bedroll on the ground and lay down. I want to say something to Alab, but he is unnaturally silent. I know he needs some time to think, so I just told him good night. "I'll take watch. You tired, so you need to rest." He forced a smile at me then he sat down at the base of a tree. My body is sore because of the long day of riding, and I felt so tired. I fell asleep as soon as I closed my eyes.