Entry 17: 8 pm

Pink again. Kozuri and I are halfway through training. I can’t believe we only met a few months ago; we’re closer than brothers. (Or so I believe) We’re receiving updates on our status in the war, and to tell you the truth, it’s not looking too good on our end. Kozuri’s worried, I can tell, but he attempts to hide it from me. He probably still thinks he can protect me, but we’re in the midst of a war. I have reason to believe they’re going to pull our party out of training early and stick us in battle. Our side needs the allies. Everyone knows that our party is ready. Gotta go.

- Pink

Entry 21: 11 pm

More updates on the war. Our party has been driven off of Scria. The main battles are on my home planet, Reiflem. We’re currently evacuating the residents on that planet. Our squad is heading into the battle tomorrow and I’m feeling a bit anxious. Sometimes I wonder if I made a mistake coming here, but then again, I wouldn’t have met my friend Kozuri. I have a feeling we’ll be buds even after this whole war is over. We’ll be alright. I can feel it.

- Pink

Entry 22: 4 am

We’re at the camp now and the battlefield is only about five miles away. Tension is high around the camp because our odds aren’t good. We’ll stay strong. We’ve become brothers throughout this training and we’ll fight to the death for each other. Kozuri is still as supportive and thoughtful as ever. I don’t share the same optimism anymore.

- Pink

Entry 23: 5 am

I know it’s very soon for another entry, but we’re departing for ground zero now. Wish us luck.

- Pink

Entry 24: A fortnight later at 9 pm

The battle is over. There were so many casualties; more than we expected. I won’t ever forget the battle, but I must write it down. This…will be my last entry.

Entry 25: The Battle

We had hiked for miles over the rough terrain of Reiflem. I glanced down at the water bottle in my paws and tipped the bottle back up, the water trickling down my snout as I gulped it down greedily. A rough pat on the back made me choke on the water and spit it on the rocky ground. I flicked my cream colored Veram ears as Kozuri walked in front of me. He sat down on the rock in front of me and I swallowed what little water was still in my mouth.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" he asked me and I flicked my paw in his direction, taking another swig of my water as I did so. I rubbed the beads of sweat that had formed on my forehead.

"Pink, no matter what happens in this war, promise me you won’t let yourself change. You’re a good person, Pink. War can change people for worse." he said and I blinked, surprised by his sudden forwardness on the subject.

"I promise, Kozuri." I answered, knowing I could never let him down. He stood, his eyes seemingly ancient with sadness, and he walked away. I watched him walk across our temporary camp, his brown Veram wings shuffling with anxiety on his back. His tail twitched anxiously and I knew my milky cream one was mimicking the movements.

"Alright; Demi-squad one, you’ll be heading in first." our commander said. Kozuri and I lined up behind our buddies, having been placed in the demi-squad. I hooked the claws on my paws together. I unhooked them. I hooked them. This seemed to go on for a while as we were briefed on our mission.

We were to relieve the squad that was already over there and try to put the enemy’s forces back, eventually causing them to retreat. When our commander sent the signal for our departure from our camp and into the battlefield, the air grew tense. I followed the others and we walked for a few minutes, the screeches and wails of those in combat already being heard to our sensitive ears.

The battle was like nothing we had ever seen before. We could barely determine friend from foe from above and I had no idea how I would tell while in combat. I shuddered and our demi-squad leader gave a hushed signal for us to charge. I added my howl to the chorus of battle-cries as we charged into the battle.

My sharpened claws slashed through flesh and I used all maneuvers that I had learned in training. At some intervals of the battle, I would take to the skies and attack from above. We were pushing their forces back and a ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of the grimace on my mouth.

As I slashed through the throat of one of my enemy’s throats, the clatter of the battle around me dinned. One cry above all others caused me to whip around. I saw, with horror splayed on my face, that one of the enemies had managed to open a jagged wound in Kozuri’s stomach. I watched as he blinked at the wound, shock registering on his face, before he slumped down to the ground.

"No!" I screeched as I ran toward Kozuri, pushing my way through the cluster of bodies as I did so. I stumbled over a few fallen brethren before finally making my way to my friend. Tears streaked down my cheeks, becoming a soft pink as it mixed with the blood on my snout. He reached up a paw toward me and I grabbed it in mine, the blood-stained fur mixing with mine.

"Remember what I said," he whispered to me and I heard him even over the clatter of war.

"Kozuri, you can’t go." I said, but his eyes were already dull. I closed his eyes and let my hand rest on his chest for a moment, my tears falling on his face.

"Good-bye, Kozuri." I said and I disappeared into the midst of the war.