“I’m just trying to figure out how to function in this chaos.” Urach stared out into the blizzard, deep in thought. “This is the tenth refugee we have taken in. The reindeer herds are moving again. We are running out of firewood. We may have to move again, but I don’t know how many of us will survive. What do we do?” He huddled against the cave wall, desperately rubbing his arms to ward off the cold. “Even if we did leave, we don’t know if the next spot will be any better. What if this is the last move we ever make?”

His brother, Kagh, crouched down next to him. “We have to try. Staying here means death. Talk to the others and tell them to gather up their belongings. We will move ahead of the herds. We will survive this.”

Kagh stood up and walked further into the cave, towards an alcove filled with his personal effects. Urach sighed, his breath steaming in the air. It got colder every day. The animal herds seemed endless, but following them only got more difficult. The sun seldom shone, wind seldom ceased, and death was almost guaranteed. The end of the world had been upon them for years now.

Urach stood tall in front of the group, but there was an unmistakable sorrow in his eyes. The emaciated survivors huddled around the embers of a campfire, clutching to their furs desperately. After a long, solemn silence, he spoke. “We must leave. The herds are moving, and we will starve if we stay here. Gather your things, and prepare to leave. Pray to the ancestors that you will not join them.”

Whispered murmurs broke out among the survivors. Kagh placed a hand on Urach’s shoulder, and led him away. “They will survive. Under our protection, we will not let a single one die. I swear that with my last breath, I will lead us to safety. Will you swear with me?”

Urach looked at him sadly. “I cannot guarantee the lives of every human that crosses my path, but I will swear with you. We will not leave one of our own to die.”

Kagh grinned. “Keep your spirits up brother. We are not dead yet. Let us go. If we are to die today, we will die together.”

The wind whipped the group like a carriage driver, pushing them ever forward. Snow stung their eyes, and the freezing cold numbed their fingers and toes. The strongest of the group pulled a sled covered in animal hide, while the children and exhausted hid from the storm inside the pile of fur. A woman crawled out of the pile, and tapped Urach on the shoulder. She shouted over the roar of the blizzard. “Urach! I am warmed and ready to pull again! I will take your place!”

Urach shook his head, and shouted back at her. “No! Take the place of another, for I will not rest until we are safe!”

The woman fell back, and switched positions with a frostbitten man, who gladly retreated into the relative warmth of the fur pile. Kagh looked over to Urach, and waved for his attention. “Impressive! You make a good leader! Not many rulers would refuse rest, and many citizens would never be willing to shoulder the burden in your stead!”

Urach huffed, and leaned into him. “Save your breath, brother. Do not mistake me for a leader, and do not mistake the others for followers. We are all equals. Pulling from the front does not give me authority.”

Kagh shrugged. “Still, they respect you. They would follow you to the ends of the earth. Refusing the title does not change your role.”

Urach grew quiet. “I will not give orders. These people follow me because they want to. I will never claim power over another human being. Now be quiet and pull.”

Kagh began to lean away, but stopped, motioning for the others behind him to do the same. He pointed excitedly ahead, and practically screamed out with joy. “Everybody, look! Salvation!” A bright light shone through the storm, and Kagh dropped to his knees. “A home at last!”

Urach dropped his reins and approached the light. Its source was a perfectly rectangular tunnel into a smooth, black stone monolith. He shouted back to Kagh, steeling himself for disappointment. “Bring the sled inside! I will go ahead! Remain cautious, we may not be safe just yet!” Kagh nodded, and Urach walked forwards into the entrance.

When his eyes finally adjusted, he saw perfectly sterile black walls, harsh corners and outcroppings, and an almost unfathomably high ceiling dotted with glaring yellow lights. As he spun in circles, admiring the huge space and relaxing in the warmth, a previously invisible door slid out from the wall. He stepped in cautiously, not sure what to expect. Hopefully it was food and water, otherwise this haven may be just as terrible as the outside world. However, what he saw was entirely unhelpful. Inside was nothing but a flat sheet of perfectly smooth, jet black stone. Before he could turn around to leave, the slab began spelling out words that he didn’t know how he understood.

“Year: 3067. Welcome home Urach. We missed you.”