The pleasant chirping of wild birds flowed into my ears with every step—truly, nature’s own symphony.
The soft earth beneath my feet was blanketed in fallen leaves, like a plush carpet.
Trees of all shapes and sizes lined the forest path, adorned with a vivid array of flowers.
In a place like this, it’s hard not to let your guard down.
The forest in the northern part of my homeland used to rival this one in beauty. But war had left it in ruins. The lush vegetation was scorched by incendiary bombs, and even the animals that once lived there were driven from their homes. Once again, I found myself thinking—humans are cowardly, yet cruel. At the very least, I hope peace can remain in this forest.
While walking along a natural path through the woods, I spotted a small stream flowing between the trees and made my way toward it.
Once at the bank, I dropped my gear and jumped in like an excited child seeing a pool for the first time.
“This... yeah, this is exactly what I needed.”
The sweat clinging to my body was washed away by the fresh, cool water.
While I was at it, I figured I’d quench my thirst too. There might be some impurities in the water, but if that’s the case, I could just filter it later.
I returned briefly to the riverbank and took an aluminum dish—the kind I used for meals—from a small pouch on my plate carrier. Scooping up the river water, I found it perfectly clear; I could see the rust-stained bottom of the dish, where the paint had peeled off, as clearly as if it were glass.
I poured the water into my parched throat.
“Damn, that hits the spot.”
Sure, we had water back at the base—but it came from storage tanks, always murky and always needing filtration before it was safe to drink. This, on the other hand, was perfect. Clean, clear, and drinkable without a second thought.
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