A Time for Us.
Odin Sphere fanfiction by:
Blue Trinkets
Valkyrie Epilogue Act 6.
He was trembling. He who had fought dragons and powerful kings without fear.
And yet, the delicate form of the woman in his arms was enough to shake him. How he had yearned to see more than cold indifference in her eyes, and hear soft words spoken from her lips, gentle words that meant she cared for him.
He had thought he'd never wake up again, that the last thing he'll see was the Halja that took his life. But when he came to, he woke to the voice of the Demon Lord talking about the Netherworld. He had felt disoriented for a while, wondering what had transpired. The last thing he remembered before the Halja took his life was the pain of Gwendolyn's rejection and the despair that ate at him until he lost all will to live.
But even as he remembered the pain and despair, he realized that he had woken up in Odin's palace, not in some dark, dismal place of the Netherworld. The Demon Lord wouldn't life a finger to rescue him so...that could only mean--
He turned around, seeking her beloved face. How he had feared he'll never see her again.
The first sight of Gwendolyn in her shimmering blue armor made him tremble with longing. Fatigue had left shadows in her beautiful violet eyes, and the feathers of her wings appeared frayed and worn. But she had never looked so magnificent to him as she was at that moment.
Despite her obvious exhausted state, joy and relief danced in her eyes, and a beautiful smile lit up her face, making him catch his breath.
"Oswald! You are awake." The joyous note in her voice was hard to miss, and looking at her relieved face, at the loving concern that made her eyes look soft as she gazed at him, Oswald thought for a moment that he was dreaming.
"...Fulfill your promise. Give me the ring." The Demon Lord's voice that broke through his slightly muddled mind convinced him he's not.
Ring? There was only one ring that Odin desires, the ring Titrel. Does this mean she had reclaimed it back from the Fairies?And what promise had Gwendolyn made? What had she asked from him in exchange for the ring?
Gwendolyn looked at the ring that glittered on her finger. "This ring is a symbol of Oswald's love."
The ring represented all his love, the sacrifices he had made, the risks he had taken for her. To give the ring away, was the final rejection of his devotion.
"Right now, it represents all I am." She continued softly."If you take this away there would be nothing left of me. If you must take it, my life must be taken too."
"Gwendolyn." Oswald felt dumbfounded at her words. There's no way in Hell would he allow anyone to lift a finger against her, they'll have to go through him first.
He was about to protest when she looked at him, Oswald stared at her in confusion until understanding came and he could only suck in his breath at the impact of her words.
He knew all too well what it's like to have one's entire world held in someone's hands. Just as Gwendolyn had the power to destroy him, he now knew that he wielded the same power over her.
Her love was the only thing that sustains him, but now he knew that he too, had become her reason for living.
A warm glow seemed to fill his chest, and inexplicable tears threatened to cloud his eyes. Belatedly Oswald recognized it for what it was:
Happiness.
He had never felt this happy before, even surpassing the elation he had felt when Gwendolyn woke up from Odin's spell.
"Stop this nonsense!" Her father fairly roared. "What you believe to be 'everything' is merely an illusion. You are married because I ordered it."
Demon Lord you are wrong. Nothing can make me marry a girl I do not care for. What I feel for Gwendolyn cannot be an illusion, not when she can break or make my entire world.
"Love is an illusion to begin with. I do not fear losing honor, but I am terrified of losing this illusion." Gwendolyn said softly, with her head bent.
Though she believed her feelings for Oswald to be caused by her father's spell, Gwendolyn knew deep down that she didn't want her love to end. She had never felt so complete, whole, as she was now with Oswald. Nor had she ever felt so much more alive than ever before she met him. And even if the spell should fade, she knew she would still love him, the empty days of waiting in the old castle while Oswald fought Levanthan told her that her entire life has changed since becoming his wife. Nor did she ever wish to relive the agony of losing him again.
"You fool!" Odin fumed."Are you saying you would sacrifice your life and your pride just for love!?"
Livid with rage, the Demon Lord approached his daughter and balled his fist to strike her.
"Stop it!" Oswald commanded, shielding his wife with his own body should Odin still decide to pummel her. "Do you really want to do this to your own child!?"
He would not hesitate to use his sword, even against Odin, Gwendolyn's father. No one or nothing will ever harm his wife while he still lives.
Seeing the crimson shimmer of the Belderiver, Odin turned his back away from the couple as if finally coming to his senses.
"This is unforgivable. You are ruining my plans. But my dear, beloved daughter..."
The Demon Lord took a few steps away from them and looked back. "Look at your father. I am powerless against your decisions. If I am to be any kind of father, I must show you compassion."
Sighing, and with his head bent in resignation, Odin finally conceded to let Gwendolyn keep the ring. "Do as you wish"
"Father--"Gwendolyn knew how much her father coveted the ring, and felt a trifle guilty. She had never gone against his wishes before, but now...Oswald has become the definite force that shapes her life.
"Silence! Speak no more, disloyal one..." It was hard to miss the bitterness from her father's voice and though his words stung, Gwendolyn knew that she had made the right choice. She only wished things could be better between them.
"Holder of the Belderiver, I entrust my daughter to you."Were Odin's parting words as he walked away and left the room.
Alone now, Oswald felt words crowd at the tip of his tongue. He wanted to tell her so many things, ask her so many questions, but seeing how exhausted she was, he relented and silently reached for her hand to take her home.
To be continued...
A/N:Actual dialogues were taken from the game itself, I just incorporated some of the character's inner thoughts...which are my own fancies, of course. Yes, I added a few bits like the Belderiver, it's not there in that scene in-game. The next chapter would change the rating of this story, as it would be a lemon. :D
Disclaimer: Odin Sphere and all related characters are the sole property of Atlus, Vanillaware ltd. No copyright infringement is intended.