the monsters turned out to be just trees

hope keeps us breathing, just to kill us in the end

It was several steps before the alchemist seemed to hear what it was the summoner had to say, and several more before understanding of the order sank in. Halting, Remi turned with pale and bewildered eyes, looking confused as if having been startled out of a dream. Slowly, his gaze seemed to focus and he took note of the colour high in Loren's cheeks and the way that, despite the layers and layers upon the man's chest, it was rising and falling with the effort of their walk.

"Oh." Remi said, as if noting some strange abject fact. Something not quite real perhaps. Swallowing, the alchemist breathed out a sigh, leaning against the tree nearest to him and letting his eyes drop to the frozen ground underfoot.