Notes: SPOILERS FOR COLD STEEL 4's Normal Ending!
In a meadow of colorful flowers, a gentle breeze passed. The girl's skirt rustled and swayed with the wind; her beautiful silver locks flowed as she stood at the garden of lilies. The sky was painted in a shade of amber; the sun is setting as her gaze remained at the flowers. She tucked a strand of her hair as her orbs looked at the man. A smile crept on her face as she offered her hand.
Slowly, he walked towards her, the winds blew and her white dress swayed. It was a stunning sight. She was beautiful in every way. He took her hand, and she began pulling him away. The silver-haired girl frolicked through the fields with her lover; her smile always did melt his heart. It was picture-perfect.
Holding his hand tight, she led him to her favorite spot underneath the oak tree. The black-haired man followed with a smile of his own; they strolled through the field while admiring the beauty of the flowers planted around them. The girl let his hand go as she sat near the tree; she patted her lap to signal the man.
The man blushed and scratched his cheek; too bad it wasn't an offer he needed to think about. The girl gave a slightly annoyed look, thinking to herself that he hasn't changed after everything they have been through. Taking the initiative, the girl with chartreuse eyes pulled the man's arms down as he fell gently on her lap. A playful smirk crossed her face, her pretty orbs looking deeply at his lilac hues.
Despite the blush he wore, he relaxed at the sight of her smirk. He always did feel right at home whenever he saw her catlike grins, her smug smirks, and her soft, loving smiles. He would do anything to protect the girl's smile; it was his most important treasure.
With another breeze passing by, her messy silver hair danced again. Looks were deceiving, and he knew that all too well when they first met. For a girl of her size, she was a powerhouse. Her cool persona masked her playful and teasing nature that caused him to blush numerous times. Her hair may look messy, but it was the softest locks he has ever run his fingers on.
Maybe love does that to his reasoning.
But he didn't care.
The girl stroked his black hair, causing his cheeks to be painted with red once again. She lets a soft chuckle escape her as she runs her fingers through her partner's soft hair. She loved his hair just as much as he loved hers. Twirling her finger gently at his locks, she gave a warm smile that melted his heart. She was always fond of playing with his hair, much to the man's embarrassment.
She would often do it when they were alone. It was better than way, like their own little secret. The girl yawned as she leaned at the tree behind her; her hand remained at the man's mane as she continued stroking it. He smiled fondly at her sleepy face as he held her free hand. The two smiled at her each other, just like in the good old days. When was the last time they had some time alone? They were both just so busy. They felt like it's been weeks, months, and even years since they were last together.
The feeling of loneliness was dreadful. It was hard whenever they were not together. But it wasn't so bad; letters and calls provided them some form of interaction each day they were apart.
He would call her; she would call him. Even in the most ridiculous situations that happened more frequently than they cared to admit. Showering, fishing, training, and even sleeping, they wouldn't miss each other's calls for the world.
Their friends knew that.
His students knew that.
Hell, maybe the whole world knew about the two's lovey-dovey calls.
It didn't matter to them, though. All they needed was each other. As long as they heard each other's voices for the day, they were less lonely.
Intertwining their fingers together, the black-haired man sat up and moved closer to his beloved. The girl scooched a bit to let him sit beside her. She rested her head on his shoulder as she tightened her hold in his hand, not wanting to let go. The man smiled warmly as he stroked her silver mane. A catlike purr escaped her lips, closing her eyes as she relaxed at his touch.
The sun was setting as the heaven's shade slowly turned to blue. Stars popping out of nowhere like it was a picture book. He felt a palm cup his cheek as his head turned to meet a pair of lime-green eyes. His heartbeat went wild at how close she was; she smirked at his flustered face as she leaned her face closer and closer.
"You're so red..." Her soft voice was like music to his ears. He could listen to her all day.
As he opened his mouth to reply, he was immediately sealed by her lips. Her lips were as soft as pillows and sweet as honey; he even tasted a hint of strawberry. Wrapping his arms around her, the man pulled her closer as he kissed her deeply under the now starry sky. Under his dense shell was a passionate man who wanted to give his best for his lover.
The two shared their sweet kiss before pulling apart. The silver-haired girl couldn't hide her pink hues from him as she smiled sheepishly. The girl nuzzled her face on his white-collared shirt as she felt his heart pounding against his ribcage. She looked up at his fuchsia orbs and smirked, causing the man to chuckle as he rubbed the back of his neck.
He held his lover close, letting her ears be filled with the sound of his heartbeat. She chuckled softly as she wrapped her arms around his muscular form, embracing him tightly. Letting the man hold her in his arms, she always felt warm and safe because of him. His headpats, his hugs, and his kisses always made her feel so warm and so full of love. Her chartreuse orbs looked up to his lilac ones once again as she gave him her warmest, most loving face she has ever made.
The black-haired man was mesmerized by his partner's beauty. She truly was like a fairy from a fairy tale, so magical and so dazzling. Her shimmering orbs gazed at him with anticipation, her heart resonating with his as they beat together. The man cupped her cheek as she smiled wider, leaning his forehead and resting it against hers.
Only three words were said.
Simple words yet they carried so much of his feelings.
"I love you."
A blush dusted her pale cheeks; she caressed his cheek with her thumb. Her lips opened to give him her sweet reply.
"I love you too."
Why?
Why did it have to be a dream?
His eyes were already open when he awoke from his slumber. His body had gone all numb from all the pain and exhaustion. When was the last time he had even slept like that? A malicious voice rang through his head as he writhed in pain, his teeth gritted as his desire to die was getting stronger.
Was this even worth it?
Did he save all of them?
No one has to get hurt anymore because of the curse, right?
Meaningless questions which no one could answer for him filled his head. The damn voice grew louder and louder as he held his head tightly. He was cold, tired, and his whole body was in excruciating pain. Is this the price he had to pay to save the people he cared about? To save his most precious person? Even if it meant not being able to see her... forever?
A scream of agony escaped his mouth as he wrapped his arms around him. His crimson orbs bloodshot as his breathing had gone ragged. He was cold and alone; his two companions' voices were only a mumble at that point. His only company now was the vile monster inside his head in the dark empty void. His only peace of mind vanished the moment he woke up.
The face of his beloved Fie, her beautiful smile... it was the medicine for everything he was dealing with. But her face was nothing more than a blur at that point; his mind was starting to erode. The memories they've shared, the feelings that were brought out that night, and a promise that he would not be able to fulfill. Those memories with her were starting to disappear. They were starting to fade away...
He had to be a hero.
He had to pay the ultimate price to keep the world safe.
He had to ignore their pleas for him to stay. Their begging for him to not leave them.
He begrudgingly blocked her cry to his name.
If he fully listened to it... his heart might break.
If only he had found another way... if only there was another way...
Maybe there was... but he didn't find it.
In the cold and empty void, Rean Schwarzer drifted away. His body slowly disintegrating into nothingness, yet his mind was still intact.
Or in his case... barely intact.
He was tired. He was in pain. He was just... done.
Let me rest... I've done my best... I want to see my father and mother again...
He couldn't help but think those sad thoughts. It was understandable, though; he's all alone. He couldn't hear anyone's voice: but the curse and his alone. The negative thoughts, the malice, and hatred it had... he was so tired of hearing its voice over and over... it wouldn't shut up.
His last memory was when he flew up along with Crow and Millium. The feeling of his body disappearing as his soul saw his friends off. It drifted to his sobbing lover; the feeling of regret and sadness consumed him. He used what little power he had left to give her one last gift... everything he had felt about her was conveyed into that one action. The man felt sleepy, tired even, as he looked up to see millions of shining feathers fell from the sky. With little time he had left, he was thankful he could hear the words from his students.
He'll come back. Because he's Rean Schwarzer from Thors' Class VII.
As he heard those words, he smiled as his soul drifted away to the cold and empty abyss.
Remembering the only memory he could recall, his other memories, the memories he cherished so much, slowly resurfaced as fragments. Every memory he had with his lover gradually returned. The memories of all of the times they have spent together came back as the voice in his head weakened into a mumble. His eyes widened ever so slightly as three figures appeared before him.
"Damn. You look like you've been shitted by a monster." A figure resembling the Jaeger King jeered, minus a mocking tone.
"He has endured so much... I'm not surprised by his state right now." Another figure who resembled the Lance Maiden commented. "And you shouldn't be speaking so harshly to your son-in-law about his state."
"Haha, I agree. I think Rean has proven to be more than worthy of your daughter's hand at this point, Rutger." That laugh... it was so familiar that Rean couldn't help but smile despite the pain in his body.
The figure fully revealed himself, out of the three of them; he was the only one the man could see clearly. The face of his biological father—Giliath Osborne, was right before him. Rean didn't know if this was some kind of trick, but it was useless thinking about it. Even if he wanted to, he would only receive a headache for his troubles. Despite all of that, a genuine smile formed on his lips as he looked at the three Awakeners.
"Normally, I would have beaten Schwarzer's ass for making a move on my little girl." The Rutger lookalike started as he crossed his arms. His face softened, a nostalgic look plastered his face as he looked at the tired man. "But I did say to take care of her, and you gave up your own happiness to save Fie and the rest of the world from the curse. Even knowing you won't be able to see her again... Boy, you earned my blessing. I regret not being able to pour you a drink and not being able to congratulate you two..."
Lianne chuckled as she held Rean's hand. "You did a wonderful job, Rean. This realm doesn't follow the rules of time; I wouldn't be surprised if you thought you had only been here for a few hours. But you have been fighting the curse's influence for more than a year now... and even now, you're still fighting it."
"But now it has weakened." His father interjected as he approached him. "Your memories with your lover, the memories of the people you care about... don't forget them, Rean. How can you return to them if you forget their faces?"
"D-Dad..." Rean breathed, his voice had gone raspy and dry.
"We don't know how long... but I know you'll return to them eventually. Don't forget the people that care about you, and don't forget us. We will always be watching you."
The other two nodded as their form began to fade.
"Rest up for now... you deserve a little breather after going through hell." Rutger chuckled as he threw a shining fragment of stone to Rean. "I think this will help."
Reaching his arm out, he grabbed the fragment as it changed into his tachi. The emblem of Zephyr hanging around its hilt.
"Let that be a reminder of your most precious person." The blonde maiden smiled as she pulled away from the man. "You chose a painful decision, but that doesn't mean you have to keep all the pain inside anymore. And I don't mean the physical pain you have been feeling..."
"She's right. You aren't alone, but that doesn't mean you don't have to cry. Cry as much as you want, and even if our forms disappear now. We are always here for you, even if you don't see us. "
The three glowed brighter than any star, a smile on their faces as they slowly faded away. At that moment, Rean's whole body started to function normally again as he reached to stop them from disappearing. But just as his fingers were about to come in contact with his father's, they disappeared.
With tired eyes, he looked at the bird emblem with a frown. Rean didn't understand what they meant by it being a reminder of his most precious person. He didn't have anything to lose at this point; only the words the three Awakeners left for him were what kept his mind occupied. He turned the crest around as his jaw dropped slightly at the sight.
There was a flower drawing carved behind the emblem. Something was wrong. Rean felt something prickle his eyes as he looked at the carving intently. Without thinking, he brought it close to his head. Emotions and memories rushed through his head. A smile from a silver-haired girl caused his heart to ache like never before. The feeling of her lips against his, her fingers intertwining with his own, and how she cupped his cheek whenever they were alone; the memories filled him with mixed emotions. Fie's image was clearer than ever, he could see his lover's face clearly again.
The man hugged his tachi like it was more important than his own life, afraid to let go of the weapon. Tears flowed through his cheeks; a tired yet warm smile etched itself on his face. He couldn't even remember the last time he smiled like that. Rean gripped the sheath for dear life as he closed his eyes.
Her sweet and soft voice echoed in his mind as his tears refused to stop. The words that meant everything to him rang through his ears once again.
'I... I love you too, Rean. I want you to be more than just my friend. More than just part of my family. I want you as someone I can proudly present to the boss. Someone I can someday start a family of my own with.'
Exhaustion and sleepiness made him struggle to talk, but he didn't care.
"I'll... make sure that happens... someday. I promise... I'll never forget you again. Your voice. Your face... All of it, I don't want to forget anymore." He felt like his throat was going to break at any time, yet his feelings and resolve kept him going. "You're my most... precious person in my... life."
There was no one in the void; he was just by himself. But he felt Fie was so close; he felt like she was listening to his every word. He closed his red orbs as a yawn escaped him. His body slowly drifting away into the abyss as he held his tachi tightly.
"I love you... forever and ever. I'll never forget you... Fie."
Notes: Did you cry? I'm sorry if you cried, but kudos to you if you read it without feeling... something! ðŸ˜
Thank you for ChartreuseRed beta reading!