I just had to, no excuses.
Flames consumed the environment around them, swords clashing against each other as the two opponents locked eyes, neither of them willing to succumb.
And yet…
Byleth began to struggle, opening an opportunity for Edelgard to push him back before she swiftly disarmed him. Wounded and exhausted, Byleth shakily held a hand against his stomach, kneeling on the ground with pain evident in his eyes.
The Emperor stood victoriously in front of him, her sword pointing down at Byleth as she gazed at him with glistening eyes, the latter refusing to look back as he struggled to catch his breath.
But regardless how long he waited for her to simply take his life…
… it never happened.
Suddenly, a sword clattered onto the ground, causing him to finally look up at his former opponent with widened eyes.
Falling onto her knees with teary eyes, Edelgard let her arms merely hang loose on her sides as she gazed at him with a torrent of emotions, begging to be seen.
"Why… why didn't you come with me…?"
"You swore to destroy the goddess and her minion… didn't you…? Where is that resolve now…", Edelgard didn't once divert her eyes from his own as her mask began to fall apart, no longer able to contain her most secret of wishes.
"I don't care if the goddess has gifted you her power! Our time together, these times that I will cherish my whole life, wasn't it worth more than anything else? It didn't matter to me if you were connected to the goddess…", her voice broke before a tear slowly rolled down her cheek, causing him to narrow his eyes.
"I wanted… to walk with you…"
…
Edelgard awoke with a gasp, breathing frantically as she desperately tried to shake off the images that had tormented her. Realizing that it was only a dream, a long sigh escaped her before she slowly managed to calm herself.
And yet, in a current of emotions, the dreadful images returned in front of her mental eye, causing her to shiver as she gripped the bedsheets more tightly. Instinctively turning her head to gaze at the one she feared was not there anymore, her expression softened upon witnessing Byleth's peaceful face, innocently sleeping with a small smile adorning his lips.
Tentatively reaching out her hand, she gently intertwined her fingers with his own to which he unknowingly heaved a joyful sigh. Shifting her gaze downwards, she saw that he held her hand, along with her ring, close to his heart.
With a tender smile of her own growing upon her lips, she shifted closer towards him, slowly cupping his cheek with her left hand before she stroked it, their faces only inches apart as she placed her forehead on his own, gazing longingly at his sleeping expression.
And with it, those dreadful images slowly faded away, his presence reminding her that there was nothing to fear anymore. He was with her, and he wouldn't leave ever again…
Her eyes glistening as the moonlight shone down upon them from outside, her feelings grew only stronger with each moment that passed, leaving her with a longing to show him that they were bound by fate, and that they always had been…
I look to you
Like a red rose
Seeking the sun
No matter where it goes
I long to stay
Where the light dwells
To guard against the cold
That I know so well
The words left her without thinking as she whispered them, intent on desperately trying to voice her feelings, even if he might not hear them. Shifting closer ever so slightly, her nose gently brushed against his own, her hand slowly trailing down upon his chin before she lidded her eyes.
My dearest wish
Is that you'll know
These tender thoughts
That only seem to grow
They are as snow,
Melting away
Yet seeking your warmth
If only for a day
And with that, she carefully connected their lips, showing him what a thousand words couldn't have shown. She only reluctantly pulled back, but upon looking back at him, her joyful smile only grew and she cuddled against him, whispering into his ear.
"I love you, Byleth… don't… ever leave…"