The First Trip

Since the day the General decided to visit the Heaven's gate, he was only able to take the time off now. This was the first time he would return to that fateful place… It was both blessed and cursed. Blessed because he found her there, cursed because it was there that he lost her. It was almost one year since he had heard her voice, seen her face, held her close.

Worry seemed to have been occupying his mind recently. Actually, he had no clue how to properly prepare for what was to come. He readied himself as if for a battle, conditioning the body and focusing the mind.

A few simple steps before he departed. He laid out his traveling garments and picked up the sword. The methodical repetitive motion of cleaning his sword put his mind almost into a meditative state. The plan began to take shape. He thought of the best route, either to take horseback on the main highway, saving him time, or to go through the backcountry, where he took Eun Soo when they tried to escape to the Heaven's gate from the death warrant by Yuan. The thought of walking the same road where they were together comforted him.

Despite the nagging ache in his heart that those recollections brought, having such vivid memories of her was crucially important.

I can never forget. I can never forget.

He was scared to death to forget her face, like he forgot the face of his fiancé when he started to fall in love with Eun Soo.

This is different, he tried to convince himself. Imja is different, I'm different. And it's only been one year. I remember everything distinctly.

The decision was obvious: he would walk, not ride.

As he left, he truly had no idea what to expect. It would be unrealistic to hope that she would appear in front of him at the time when he decided to show up. Yet, from the corner of his heart, hope was pushing him forward.

He was amazed at how easily memories came to life triggered by a mere sight or sound.

Yogi: They were walking on this path, and Eun Soo was chatting brightly, while a song bird's call was heard. These were the things she taught him: high five; promise with a stamp at the end – silly things, designed to help when she was gone. Back then, he could not see the value. Never say never, because they kept him going.

Yogi: There was a shady tree where they sat to rest. The sound of wind rustling the leaves brought back that moment like it was yesterday…

Yogi: When he reached the basin with the stream where Eun Soo found a message left to herself, he tried to find the exact spot where they stopped. All the stones looked kind of similar, and he grew frustrated. He needed something to jog his memory. He looked around willing his eyes to find a clue.

Oh, over there, close to the water…

He closed his eyes, retracing the steps he took then. Nothing, nothing, just water tricking over the rocks. Resigned, he decided to at least have a sip to refresh before he moved on. He came up to the stream and kneeled, leaning over to scoop some water with his palm.

This, that was it – he fed her water like that. He sat on the nearby rock. Now the memory came alive: her expression, her looking at him just so…

He noticed a faded petroglyph on a rounded boulder. It was definitely engraved by a human hand. He looked closely. Gasping in surprise, not believing his eyes, he traced his fingers along the groves. There was no mistake, the carving said Young + Eun Soo, circled with a heart shape. The same one she did by his fishing shack when they went on a date.

Imja, thank you, thank you! She sent him a message. How did she know he would pass here? In gratitude, he kissed the stone. Looking up to the sky, he called, "Are you there? I'm here, I'll be waiting."

He arrived at the Heaven's gate by the next day. Standing next to the portal, he was at peace. He turned around and walked toward the nearby field, stopping at a tree. There were yellow flowers all around it, welcoming him. He sat down on a thick root sticking out from the ground. He was resolute to wait here; he realized that for him it was not the destination, but the journey that mattered. As long as he kept going toward her, her road to him would shorten with each step he took.