Chapter 4: The Parting

After Lyn defeats her great uncle and takes back Caelin, Erk and Serra leave the group to head back to Ostia. They are nearing the end of their journey...

For now.

On the last night before reaching Ostia, Erk builds a fire, and the two of them talk about their homelands and what they are currently missing right now.

"Well, I'm one of the castle clerics for Lord Uther. When I get back, I shall do my job of healing the royal family and being loved by the populace." She starts speaking in a very manner-of-fact tone. "I know that one day my good looks and charm will promote me to Top Cleric of the royal family, and when that happens, I shall lead the life of luxury!"

You already lead a life of luxury. Why is she so spoiled?

"What will you do when you get back Erk?"

He thinks for a moment. "Well, I'm studying magic with my mentor, Lord Pent, one of the greatest magic users on the entire continent. When I have finished my studies... well, I don't know. It would be nice to be able to protect my family if I settle down."

"Aww! That's so sweet! I won't ever marry. I find love isn't as great as it's cracked up to be. Unless you're ugly, men only want to marry women for their looks. And with someone as beautiful as me, every man on Elibe will be fighting over me!" She sighs and looks down. "No man would want to be with me for my personality."

Erk snickers. "You got that right."

Serra gasps, and Erk's eyes widen as he evaluates what he just said.

WAIT A MINUTE!

DID I JUST SAY THAT OUT LOUD?

I only meant to think that!

Serra grunts, folds her arms over her chest, and faces away from Erk.

"WELL! You're just jealous because I'm beautiful and I'll have all the men flocking to me like sheep. You'll have to settle for the lower class ladies while I'll be with all the rich men."

After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, Erk speaks up.

"...Serra, I... I'm sorry."

She looks back at him. "Hmm?"

"For everything. The insults, the rude comments, what I just said now... I'm sorry. It's just... it seems like you get on my nerves once in a while, and I snap."

More like every time you speak I think about tying you up so you'll stop talking.

Thankfully, he doesn't say this out loud.

"Oh! Well, thanks Erk!" she replies, smiling. "I accept your apology!"

Ah! It's good to end the night off on a high note.

"Now maybe you'll appreciate my natural superiority over you."

Yes, the night to end on a high note IS too much to ask for.

"What the heck is that supposed to mean?"

"I'm good looking. I exhibit power over you. That makes me superior."

That's NOT how life works.

Erk rolls his eyes and lays out his sleeping bag. "I'm not going to get into your flawed logic tonight... let's just go to sleep."

"Okay then, good night!"

Serra puts her sleeping bag together and goes to sleep, as Erk just sits for a while, thinking. Later, while lying down, he looks at Serra, and watches her sleep. Her pigtails are untied so her purple hair is flowing freely on her side, and her face beams from the moonlight. Even her nose is cute.

Although she's sleeping, he doesn't want to look at her for too long, in case she wakes up and wonders why he's staring at her. But before he closes his eyes, he notices that she is shivering.

It's warm out tonight! How could she be cold?

You know, now that I think about it, she shivers every night, even when it's really warm outside. Nor does she smile when sleeping. Ever.

He ponders over her for a moment.

Maybe her cold heart prevents her from keeping warm at night!

Erk silently laughs at his own joke.

But seriously, why does she look so... upset?

He feels a slight panic come over him for no particular reason, so he lies down beside her and covers her up with his robe. She seems to notice, and subconsciously grabs the robe and adjusts herself under it to cover herself.

But the shivering doesn't stop.

Hmm... perhaps she has some sort of condition?

Yeah. Spoiled Brat Syndrome.

Suddenly, Serra somehow rolls over and grabs onto Erk. Erk jumps as she holds him, but strangely, he feels a warm calm fall over him after a couple of seconds. When he looks over at Serra again, he notices that Serra's shivering is slowly stopping.

And then, she begins to smile. She looks positively divine.

They both sleep in each other's arms that night, as the stars twinkle throughout the sky...


In the morning, Erk wakes up, and somehow escapes from Serra's embrace. Not that he minds it, but it would be awkward if Serra woke up while he was stilled wrapped in her arms.

About a minute later, Serra slowly starts to wake up as well. She looks much more refreshed than usual.

"Wow! I had the most rejuvenating sleep last night! I'm not sure what happened, but I feel amazing!"

"I put my robe on you to warm you up."

And then you grabbed me and cuddled me to death.

Although I have to admit it felt nice.

"Hmm... I thought I felt something cover me." She starts to brighten. "But later, I felt a warm calming feeling over me... not like heat warmth, but a different kind of warmth. Like I felt... content."

Erk rolls his eyes.

"Oh well. I feel much better! Let's go!"


They finally reach the Ostian gate. After many months of traveling, they have arrived at their destination!

Apparently, the best course of action at this point is to stare blankly at each other. They're just kind of standing there awkwardly, not sure what to say to each other. Finally, Serra hugs Erk.

"Thank you for escorting me here Erk."

"You're very welcome Serra. I'm sorry we fought so much..."

She lets go of him, and hands him a small bag of gold.

"I dragged you here a little longer than anticipated... hopefully this can..."

Erk hands back the gold to her. "No Serra, keep it. If I had wanted to escape your... antics, then I could have left a long time ago. Don't worry about it."

Serra looks at the ground, sullen, before letting her gaze move back to Erk. She has a mischievous smile on her face.

"Well then, the least I can do is give you this..."

She embraces him and gives him a long kiss, right on the lips. Erk's eyes widen considerably (he's never been kissed by a girl before!), but after a moment, he starts to enjoy it.

When she's finished, Erk turns beet red. Serra laughs at him.

"Tee hee! Oh Erk! So cute!"

She walks through the Ostian gate, and Erk starts walking back to Etruria to meet Lord Pent. His face is still as red as his robe.

"Now THAT was worth the trip."

Our heroes are now on their way to their next phase in life. This is the last they see each other.

For now.


Author's Notes

Lucky Erk! He's gotten more action than I ever will! At this point, I'm hoping that Serra isn't acting too OOC at the end of the chapter...

Speaking of which, I am trying to decrease the OOCness in Erk, and I think it's working. Unless I'm just mistaken. I AM a pessimist, after all. Hopefully, I'm not killing some other aspect of the story now because of it!