Long Time.

It had been a long time. That was what she thought.

She never thought she'd see him again. Not after that last good-bye. It was her first, to went separate ways from a loved one. It was at that night when Luso and the others gave her the cure, when her rotting flesh was restored, when her life revived once more, he could not bear it.

She understood what he felt that night, after all, even though he betrayed her, she never really hated him. Even though twice he begged her to kill him, she had never had the heart to do it, nor did she think it would be right to do so. But doing so, also would let him to feel deep shame, an emotion he always struggled with.

She never knew her parents to begin with, what she knew is that she was raised by a kind, gentle priest along with several others in the orphanage. Which meant, she had in common with him, a lot. Well, they say similar people are attracted to each other, and that's right. That what made them close, decided to travel to this land to serve the people, and eventually, fall in love with each other. It was like inevitable.

But she knew, he was not perfect. He had that devil inside his heart. He was a gallant, honorable, and a kind person, but the darkness lurking, his pride, which they say the worst of the sin, is always there. And it ate him from within, it made him betray her.

Yet, despite repentant, he never was willing to accept his shame, instead he begged her to kill him, to restore his honor it seems. She never understood that way of thinking. It's better to seek forgiveness than death. Maybe that was a part of her decision to let him go. He wanted him to find a way to redeem himself without death.

But a human she was, she never was perfect despite what they all said. By God, she loved him. She shared his heart, mind, and soul with him for a long time. She even imagined a thought of having a family with him after they fulfilled their vow. She would not show it, but she missed his company, even lying to herself that she did not have anything to do with him.

What she desired from the bottom of her heart is that they could be together again as before. But it would be a mere wishful thinking. They have parted ways and would never cross paths again.

Or so she had thought.

Frimelda looked on the familiar face standing quite a distance from her, with a similar statue-like façade. He did not change much, albeit he did not wear his classic Paladin turban anymore, instead he let his hair flowing and his face seemed to have some scars. His robe was also gone and replaced by a standard travelling tunic. It was like he was more of a Warrior than a Paladin, though the Knightsword he was holding would give him away.

Moving closer to him, Frimelda was overcome with a sudden dread, her eyes saw that his former lover's body had broken since the last time they met. There were many new, fresh scars on his face and she could not help but notice, one of his eye was missing with a deep vertical gash mark drawn. His weak hand was also amputated.

"What—What had he done all these years?" Frimelda thought, entertaining her mind with some possibilities. Why? Did he do something brash and hurt himself? Or was he actually trying to?

Nonetheless, Frimelda was the one ran towards him. After all these years, that instinctive protectiveness seemed to not completely left her after all. After the distance between them was closed, both of the former lovers could only look at each other in a deep silence, waiting for each other to make a move.

"It has been a while, doesn't it…Frimelda?" Luc was the one to open his mouth first. Frimelda noticed something different in his voice. It was different from the one she heard when he was with her at the desert, protecting her from the undeads. The despairing tone had gone. It was like the old Luc once again.

"Yes…" Frimelda answered lightly, contradicting her storm-ridden mind. "You changed."

"Change, yes. Probably." He answered in affirmation, looking at his lost limb, cringing slightly. "Now I understood your perspective…the hard way, though."

"Did you hurt yourself?" Luc was slightly surprised by her question, or was it her bluntness? Yet, she was with him for all these years. It seems that part of her that understood him the best did not change.

"Your intuition is as strong as ever, Frimelda." Luc let out a slight laugh. "Yes, I was. Not now, but was once. I lost my purpose, so I drifted the land…taking random hard quests alone, in hope that I would die in honor, but my body refused to. Probably this is God's work. He wanted me to recant."

"I was full of hate, despair. I couldn't forgive myself." Luc continued. "Life is still meaningless without you." His voice trembled at his last words. "But…I came to understand". He said, touching his removed limb. "Self-sacrifice, I understand it all now."

Frimelda dared to ask. "What happened?"

"Things. I saved a kid. When I saw how grateful they are after so much aimless wanderings, it reminded me of my vow."

Frimelda stood in silence, waiting for him to explain.

"It wasn't for honor, it was to serve. Self-sacrifice, selflessness, your quality, I understood it clearly."

Frimelda blushed a bit. I was not rare to be praised by the masses, but coming from Luc Sardarc…you could say it was very unexpected. It was the first sincere praise that came from him. Before that, it was laced with envy and resentment.

"I am not that special." She replied, again with her ever-prevailing humility.

Luc stared at the ground for a moment as uncomfortable silence gripped both of them once more. It was a word that he had wanted to convey for a long while, yet he pondered of whether he should say it or not.

He held a deep breath. It had to be said. He steeled himself before opening his mouth.

"Frimelda i…I'm sorry. For everything."

The female Paladin could only hang her mouth open. Luc…apologizing to her? Sure it is. It wasn't an illusion, what she saw was the once proud man, bowed his head and facing his worst enemy, his shame. So this is what she was feeling at a moment ago. This is not the old Luc she knew.

It was a more mature and determined one.

"I'm sorry. I let my envy get the better of me." Luc continued as he held back his overflowing emotions, almost letting a tear escaping his eye.

"I would walk my path with conviction now, I would not beg you to take my life anymore."

Suddenly, after saying those words, Luc felt a strong warmth near his body. It was almost his shame that he was feeling was coated with it, releasing all of his burden. It was a sight of shock for the fallen Paladin, that his former lover embraced him tightly with a weeping sound could be heard in consistent tempo.

She was embracing him. For Luc, it was like a half of his soul had returned at that moment.

"…I forgive you." Frimelda said between her flowing tears. "You, finally came back. Finally." It was a very relieved voice.

At that time Luc realized it was not just his heart that was free of burden.

"Frimelda, i…" Luc tried to say something, but couldn't seem to get it out of his mind because of the shock of his former lover embracing him.

Frimelda shook her head. "You need not to say it. I also do. Always."

And Luc couldn't hold back his tears anymore. It was like God had found favor in him once more.

"Thank you."