The sun set on the final day before Azure Storm and The Gilded Templars' first boss raid. Veille had agreed to help out with a small group of his most trusted guild members. Since his duel with Arcadia, the only other Azure Storm member Chrome had seen was Muko. The two had spent the day shopping for items and any better equipment they could get their hands on. Hakuya had sent Chrome a shield that Lisbeth had custom made to replace the one he had lost, he also sent an identical one to Muko.

Chrome examined the new shield on his arm. It was a circular shield made of a hard but lightweight steel. The main body of the shield was a dark green that seemed to glow slightly. The outside rim was a dull golden colour and in the centre of the shield sat a beautiful purple gem. The shield didn't look like anything overly fancy but its stat were anything but average. In fact they were much higher than Chrome's previous shield.

"It was really nice of Hakuya to give a shield to both of us wasn't it?" Muko asked, watching as Chrome studied the piece of equipment.

"Yeah. These will really help in the next few battles," Chrome replied, sending the shield to his inventory.

"Hopefully those battles will end all of this. I miss my family," Muko said with a sad expression. "I bet my mum is really worried."

"Don't worry. I promise that I'll get us out of here no matter what it takes," Chrome said, taking Muko into his arms.

"But what if… what if there is no way out? It's not like beating Nobunaga will kill him. Nobody ever said defeating him in the game would free us."

"I'll find a way, there has to be one. Even if I have to beat him over and over again, I'll get us back to the real world."

"I know you will, I guess I'm just a bit scared."

Chrome ran his hand slowly through Muko's blue hair as he held her against him. If nothing else, he would find a way out of this game for her. There was no way he was going to lose the coming fights, that was something he knew. Chrome looked down slightly as he saw Muko bring up her menu behind him.

"So um… there's something I want to ask you," Muko said in almost a whisper, Chrome could see that her cheeks were bright red.

"What is it?" the swordsman asked, letting go of her and moving back slightly.

"Well, you see, I really love you Ren. In here and in the real world. Before I met you, I was always by myself and I only played this game because I was forced to by the other Death Gamers. But since you came into my life I've made all these great friends and I really started to enjoy ALO. I want to always be with you so um…," Muko summoned a small, white box from her inventory and opened it. She held the open box out with both hands, allowing Chrome to view its contents.

Within the box, resting on a piece of blue velvet were two identical rings. They were both a brilliant gold and shone beautifully under the room's light. Embedded in each ring was a small, light blue stone. Chrome could see that the inside of one of the rings was engraved but he couldn't make out the words without picking it up. He was unable to take his eyes off the two items.

"Megumi… these are," he whispered.

"I want to become your wife Ren. I want to spend my life with you, each and every day. That's, only if you want me to be," Muko said. Chrome could see the tears welling in the girl's eyes as she spoke. Chrome couldn't supress the smile that came across his lips.

"You dork, of course I want you to be," he said, taking her into his arms suddenly. Muko gave a small yelp at the sudden embrace before leaning against him without a word. As Chrome released her, he reached for the engraved ring and looked to Muko who nodded, indicating it was his one.

He took the ring from the box and inspected the inside which read: The love of my life, Ren 'Chrome' Hikari. Megumi 'Muko' Junko. Chrome closed his eyes and smiled as he slowly slid the ring onto his finger. He took the other ring from the box and gently slipped it onto Muko's thin finger.

"It's perfect," Chrome said, kissing his new wife on the cheek.

"I'm glad you like it," Muko said in reply, tears of happiness flowing down her cheeks.

"Isn't the guy supposed to propose though?" Chrome asked, taking Muko and sitting down on the couch. The girl rested her head on Chrome's shoulder and placed her hand in his.

"Yeah, but you would've messed it up."

"Fair point."

Chrome placed his free arm around Muko's shoulder and held her close to him. The two sat together for the whole night until Muko eventually fell asleep. Chrome smiled down at her, brushing her hair from her closed eyes. "I love you," he whispered as he too closed his eyes.

As the morning sun filtered through the living room window, Chrome's eyes slowly flickered open. He could still feel Muko gripping his hand rather tight and his shoulder had gone to sleep with her head resting on it. Chrome spent a few minutes listening to the cute snores coming from his wife as she slept peacefully.

As if sensing she was being watched, Muko's eyes slowly opened and she raised her free hand to rub one of them with a quiet groan. She looked up at Chrome with tired eyes, blinked a few times then smiled. Chrome returned the smile and watched as she sat up.

"Sleep well?" Chrome asked quietly. Muko nodded silently in response. He could tell she wasn't fully awake yet. "I'll make us some breakfast." Muko made her way to the shower while Chrome turned on the stove to prepare some bacon.

Once Muko returned, more awake now the two ate breakfast together as the sun began to warm the house. Both Chrome and Muko were eating without speaking, thinking of the night that had just passed and what it meant for them now. Chrome knew the others were going to flip when they heard the news.

"So, I guess you're my husband now huh?" Muko asked, looking at Chrome with the smile that had rarely left her face since he had accepted her proposal.

"It would seem that way," Chrome replied.

"So does that mean I'm Mrs Chrome now?" Muko giggled. Chrome raised his eyebrow slightly and smiled at the girl's amusement. "I'm glad I met you Ren," she said, smiling happily at her new husband.

"I'm glad I met you too Megumi," Chrome said.

The two enjoyed their peaceful morning together, they both new it would be the last time they'd be able to just sit like this for a while now. The coming days would be filled with tough battles and hopefully, they would lead to the end of their entrapment. The next few days would decide everything…