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Ryu's POV
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Because we had set up camp close to the edge of the forest, we sectioned off the soldiers into groups that would rotate during the night, to keep watch in case any stray monsters spot us.

We, of course, were not excluded from this, and were chosen to be the first group to stay on watch.

I was slightly thankful for this, since the momentum from the previous days had been keeping my fatigue down, and being first let us rest without interruption after the watch.

It also allowed me more time for what I wanted to do.

With around 50 soldiers, each in groups of 5, I have about an hour before the next group switches with us.

Confirming the timing, I grab my backpack, and ensure no one is watching me before dashing towards the forest.

I reach it surprisingly quickly, with the silhouette of the forest seeming further than it actually is from the camp.

I stand at the edge of the forest, running through the mental map I have of it in my head.

I'm currently at the north side of the forest, and where I want to go is further towards the south-west side so, provided I don't encounter anything, I should reach it in about 10 minutes.

With about 25 to 30 minutes travel time to and from the camp, I have about half an hour of leeway time for anything unexpected to occur.

Not that I'm hoping for it, of course.

Having confirmed the timings in my head, I take my first step into the forest, pushing away the branches of the trees that seem to overwhelm you with pressure from the way they loom over you.

I try to make as little noise as I can, but it proves to be difficult with the amount of bushes that obstruct my path, as well as the snow crunching under my feet.

I managed to push through the bushes with as little noise as possible, and heave a sigh of relief as I hear no movement around me.

I'm about a quarter of the way to my destination, and from now until where I want to reach, there shouldn't be any obstructions.

With that in mind, I continue walking, taking care not to step on fallen twigs that litter the ground.

I walk for another few minutes before feeling a tingle down my spine, and my instincts tell me to duck.

Following it, I look forward only to see a pack of firnirs walking across the path that I'd be taking.

My breath seems to stop itself from leaving my mouth as I opt out of a fight, knowing that the odds would be severely against me.

Time seems to pass slower as I watch the pack stand on the path and sniff around, probably slightly aware of my situation.

The hairs on my body stand on end as my eyes stay glued on the firnirs, knowing the slightest movement would alert them.

I can feel my body protest at the lack of breath as the pack of firnirs move away, and I slowly breathe, making sure that the pack had fully left before moving again.

This time I make it to my destination without any detours.

Standing in a large, open area, a cliff looms over me, as if trying to intimidate me to leave.

The last time I saw this place, it was similar to how it was now, a winter wonderland.

The snow that had settled had little to no deformations to it, it had simply fallen and sat there, not disturbed by anything.

Lighting the snow around me, the stars make this place seem almost mystical, as if it were something not from this world.

Of course, I pay little mind to it, and instead focus on the cliff face, knocking on it while listening for something.

I walk along the side of the cliff while knocking before hearing a slight echo from an area of the wall.

Recognising that I found it, I step back and place my hands of the cliff face and mutter,
"[Fall]"

Being a little too loud for my liking, the a section of the cliff face starts to sink to the ground, dissappearing from view.

The sight that welcomes me is that of the place that I had been living in, my home in the forest.

"I'm back." (Ryu)

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Astrid's POV
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What does that idiot think he's doing?

To think he'd skip the night watch to go into the forest. At night, no less!

He may have lived here for 3 years, but going in at night's practically suicide!

Actually, if it's suicide, why the hell am I following him?!

My internal thoughts all seem jumbled as I follow Ryu from behind, having watched him dash from the camp towards the forest.

Honestly, I don't even know why I had put on a mana cloaking magic for a night watch, it just seemed like the right thing to do, but all it brought me was Ryu rushing into the forest.

Now I feel a responsibility to see what he's doing, since I basically let him go in.

But enough of this, I'm currently trying to stay as quiet as possible, since just ahead of Ryu is a pack of firnirs, which are said to be around rank B as of now.

In a fight, I don't think I'd be able to take on a pack of them. Maybe 2 or 3, but not 8 of them. Maybe I'd be able to take on a 4th.

As I weigh my chances of winning a fight with them, the pack and Ryu had moved, so I rush to catch up, being as quiet as possible.

I finally reach him after a few minutes of short dashes and come up on a surprisingly open space, and spot Ryu tapping on the side of the cliff face.

I truly think he's lost it until he places both hands on the cliff face after a few more knocks.

In disbelief, I watch a section of the face fall into the ground and, after regaining my senses, recognise it as [Fall].

So that's how he managed to live here. But why would he come back to it?

Realising that sitting this far away wouldn't answer any questions I have, I move closer.

I watch as Ryu walks over to a small outcropping in the hole he used to live in and pick up something.

"--an't believe I left th--." (Ryu)

I barely managed to make out scraps of what Ryu mutters, so I moved even closer, nearly hugging the cliff wall right now.

"I'm sorry, Akari. I screwed up. They aren't here now." (Ryu)

Peeking around the corner, I see Ryu holding something like a charm close to his chest while speaking.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. It's my fault. It's my fault." (Ryu)

I watch as Ryu dry sobs while speaking to himself, his self-deprecating words leaving me stunned.

What had he done? Who was Akari? Who wasn't here?

Questions cloud my mind as I turn around the corner again, casting my gaze away from Ryu.

In the process of doing that, I slip slightly, and the snow under my foot crunches loudly.

I can hear Ryu unsheathe his sword in reaction to the noise, so I stand up and walk around the corner, arms up.

"Sorry for snooping on you." (Astrid)

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Author Notes
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It's another chapter! This one was 100 times easier to write than the last one, maybe because it actually had some sort of purpose? I'm not too sure.

But I have finally started stocking up on reserve chapters. My motivation is back and I'm writing again!

Also, we get to see more of Ryu's back story, kinda. Who's Akari? Who knows. Maybe you'll find out soon. Maybe you won't.

I honestly have no idea when you will, I haven't mapped this story out whatsoever.