The weather was freezing, the wind cold and biting, snow falling so calmly it seemed in no hurry at all before settling on the ground. But it wasn't just snow accumulating there - lifeless bodies lay scattered, pools of crimson blood spreading beside them, the vivid red a stark contrast against the pristine white. The metallic smell of iron mixed with the crisp winter air, creating a sickeningly familiar scent of battle.

My sword felt heavier than before, the worn armor like lead against my shoulders - or perhaps it was just exhaustion eating away at my strength. With each breath, my warm exhalations created small clouds of steam in the frigid air. Every muscle ached, head pounding relentlessly as my vision blurred periodically.

A deafening silence hung over the battlefield. Without the bodies littering the ground, no one would guess what horrors had transpired here. But that wasn't my concern now. The silence, the cold, my own pain - none of it mattered. My mind focused on one thing alone, desperate eyes scanning the landscape: finding you.

I was looking for you. The boy who'd been my constant companion since we met at the orphanage, who'd protected me from bullies, who'd shared his meager meals when I refused to eat. The teenager I'd fallen in love with before duty tore us apart. King Joseph of Gardenia had sent you to reinforce the Black Tower kingdom years ago when they faced crisis, and I hadn't seen you since. You promised you'd return. I promised to wait.

Never could I have imagined our allied kingdoms would turn against each other. Even less that our first reunion in years would be on a battlefield, enemies wearing opposing colors.

I spotted you several times during the fighting - a skilled warrior, moving with deadly precision against my fellow soldiers. You didn't resemble the awkward orphanage boy anymore, nor the sweet teenager who'd stolen my heart. This was a hardened man, focused on duty, fighting without hesitation. And though I should have felt anger or betrayal, all I felt was awe - and an overwhelming, painful love that time and distance hadn't diminished.

Our eyes locked across the battlefield multiple times. I couldn't strike you, couldn't even raise my weapon against you. Your gaze - cold, determined, unflinching - remains etched in my memory.

Now I stumbled through the snow-covered trees, driven by a single purpose: to find you alive. Each step sent jolts of pain through my body, but I pushed forward, ignoring the cold that seeped through my armor.

A trail of blood stained the snow ahead, bright red against white. My pulse quickened as I followed it, praying silently. Please let it not be him. Please.

Up ahead, a figure lay partially covered by snow. As I drew closer, I heard faint, labored breathing. Not dead then. Not yet. Grip tightening on my sword hilt, I moved cautiously through the drifts until I could see the face.

My heart stopped.

It was you.

Sword clattered to the ground as I fell to my knees beside you, snow soaking through my uniform. Blood soaked your torso, spreading outward in a dark pool. Your face was pale, lips blue from cold, eyes closed.

"No... no, no, no..." The words tumbled from my lips as I gathered your head in my lap, ignoring the way my hands trembled.

"Hey! What are you doing lying here, huh?!" My voice cracked despite my attempt to sound stern, desperation leaking through. "You idiot! Come on! This is no time to be lying around!"

I'd never known pain like this - not when my mother abandoned me, not during the worst battles I'd fought. This was a physical ache in my chest, as if my heart itself was breaking. Tears spilled down my cheeks, freezing slightly on my skin.

"You promised you'd come back..." I whispered, brushing hair from your forehead. "So please... stay a little longer..."

Eyes scanned your body frantically, finding the source of the bleeding - a deep wound in your chest. Fingers pressed against it instinctively, trying to stem the flow.

"Hang in there, please. I'll figure this out!"