It's so beautiful that it doesn't seem real. A dream. I've been an adventurer for about 7 months now, and today I finally reached level 6. I gaze up at the sky, the setting sun painting the city in red, and the adventures I've lived through flash before my eyes: the first day in the dungeon, the first goblin, the minotaur... It feels like a lifetime has passed since I was a total beginner. A farmer with a dream and so much hope for the future.
Ahhh... if I think back to my first battles, I seemed more like a crazed cook with a kitchen knife than an adventurer. But if I look at myself now... Hmm...
"Aiz..."
I sigh her name. Yes, when I'm in battle, I see myself in her. Her teachings are etched inside me, like they've been branded. The time spent together, the training, the dance at Apollo's banquet, the fight on Daedalus Street... As these thoughts wander randomly through my mind, I feel my heart race. It beats for her, it's always beaten for her since that day.
I want to see you.
"Fool"
"..."
"..."
"Master"
Hedin approaches with Haruhime by his side, it's his turn to guard our precious fox.
"What the hell are you doing? Do you think it's the time to be romantic and watch the sunset?"
"Ehh... I was just taking a break."
"I've been observing you. You've squandered the entire day slicing through the air with that dagger. Effective training eludes you when your physical presence resides here while your mental focus wanders elsewhere"
"..."
"Perhaps it's high time to reacquaint you with the ways of Folkvangr"
"Eeeeeeeh!"
"Soldiers of light..."
"No, Mr. Hedin, please don't!"
Haruhime has an immediate reaction and clings to Hedin's outstretched arm before he can finish his super-short chant. Hedin stops and turns his gaze to the fox-girl's face. Her beautiful emerald eyes plead for mercy on my behalf.
Sigh
"Yours is truly a family of good-for-nothing crybabies."
"..."
"Do you think it helps to sit there with your eyes lost in the void?"
Of course not, I know that. But I need to think, I really don't know what to do. After the war game, Aiz didn't come to our party because she wasn't feeling well. However, some time has passed now, and she still hasn't shown up, nor have I seen her in the city. What should I do? Wait? Go to her? What if she doesn't want to see me? But why wouldn't she?"
"Arrghhhhh..."
Questions, questions, questions. I can't seem to find answers. Maybe I could...
"Master!"
"..."
"I need your guidance once again."
Hedin gazes at me with a serious look and in an instant draws his rhomphaia.
"Ready yourself then!"
"Ehhhhh! No, not that kind of..."
In the blink of an eye, his blade materializes just inches from my face. I don't have time to react; I close my eyes and brace for the pain that awaits me...
Nothing happens. I slowly reopen my eyes, only to see Master in front of me, his blade grazing my face, stopping at the very last moment. Perfect control, befitting a first-class adventurer.
"Master, but..."
"In a normal situation, your head would be rolling on the ground."
"..."
"In combat, and in life, one must take the initiative and act. Those who hesitate are lost. Or dead. Have you forgotten? How many times do I have to repeat things to get them into that empty skull of yours?"
"But..."
"Shut up. Hey, you fox-girl, come closer."
"Uhm?"
Haruhime, who had been frozen in place watching the scene, approaches with a hesitant look.
"What are you waiting for, fool? Take her hand."
"Wha...?"
"Just do it."
"Yes, sir!"
I don't understand anything anymore. Sometimes Master is really strange. It's better not to argue; I'm tired both mentally and physically, and I have no desire to get electrocuted.
I take the renart's right hand in mine and look into her eyes. She blushes immediately and looks down at the ground. I can't help but feel embarrassed too. What's the point of all this?
"Now, imagine that in front of you is her. What do you intend to do?"
Ah, I see. I close my eyes for a moment, trying to concentrate. Aiz is in front of me, her hand in mine. I slowly reopen my eyes and turn them toward hers.
I open my mouth to say something, but nothing comes out. There's so much I want to say, but I can't... I grit my teeth, desperately trying to get something out. But nothing... just incomprehensible sounds.
"Tsk, pathetic... Soldiers of lightning!"
A lightning bolt cuts through the air at the speed of light. I only have time to push Haruhime away before getting hit directly. Ahh... I remember this sensation. Despite being level 6 now, it still hurts. An indescribable pain that lasts for a split-second. I feel my entire body boil and tremble from the violent electric shock.
I'm about to pass out when a gust of wind brushes past my ears, and then...
Clash!
A metallic clang, the two blades collide with incredible force.
"What do you think you're doing?! You're in enemy territory, Princess!"
Aiz and Hedin are face to face, and I hadn't noticed a thing. But what is she doing here? Their gazes lock in a menacing standoff. With a backward somersault, Hedin puts some meders between them, while Aiz raises her guard, preparing for the next assault. The Sword Princess is undoubtedly in combat mode, her doll-like expression unchanged, resolute, completely focused on her adversary. Beautiful and formidable.
"Do that again, and I'll cut you!"
"You aren't scary, little girl."
The two lunge at each other again, ready to clash blades once more. Without even thinking, I draw the Hestia Knife and leap into the midst of the battle. The dagger meets Hedin's blade in mid-air, blocking the strike.
"Please, stop."
My heart races; I've just grasped the gravity of my actions. Stepping into a battle between these two... Even a slight misstep could have been a death sentence.
"Bell, what's all this about?"
Aiz has completely misunderstood, but how can I blame her? Anyone witnessing such a scene would draw the same conclusion as her.
My gaze is still locked onto Hedin's, who, in turn, continues to glare at Aiz. However, the challenging look shifts back to me once again when, suddently, I swear I can see a faint smile on his lips. Or maybe it's my mind playing tricks after being electrified.
"Very well! Training ends here. Don't disappoint me again."
Master sheathes his weapon and heads towards Haruhime, who has fallen to the ground after I pushed her to save her from almost certain death. The two of them move away, heading towards Hearth Manor.
Sigh. Relief. Describing Master's methods as extreme would be an understatement.
"Bell..."
"Uh?"
Aiz stands beside me, looking at me with a perplexed expression. I wonder what she's thinking. Probably that we're all out of our minds?
"Aiz... What are you doing here?"
"Well, I... actually..."
There's a silence for several seconds. A gentle breeze blows in from the east, causing her beautiful golden hair to sway. It's obvious that she came here to meet me; it couldn't be any other reason. Yet, even she can't find the words. We're truly two bumbling fools, and that thought makes me smile.
Those who hesitate are lost.
"Aiz..."
"..."
"... It's nice to see you."
"Uhm... yes."
"I missed you."
Her lips part slightly, and her eyes widen, gazing at me in astonishment. Well, that was to be expected. Nevertheless, I want to voice my thoughts. Some time has passed, and I'm just happy she's in front of me. Right now, it's just her and me; nothing else matters.
"Well... I wanted to say that a lot has happened. And now, I'm not exactly sure what to do or say... But I know I miss the time we used to spend together."
She continues to look at me puzzled for a moment, then looks down. Her arms are stretched along her sides, trembling slightly.
"Bell... I... I'm so sorry."
"Uhm?"
"I didn't come to your victory party..."
"It's okay. Tione told me..."
"No. The truth is, I didn't want to come. I... I was afraid to see you. I was afraid that you'd hate me."
Her words come out almost like sighs. Her eyes are hidden by the strands of her golden hair, but I can sense she's holding back tears. I've never seen her so distressed.
"What are you talking about?"
"..."
"..."
"The war game. I didn't support you. And now... I... I feel terrible about it."
She's really struggling to get the words out; it's not like her to speak so much. Normally, I find this side of her very sweet, but right now, it's clear she's in pain. Silence descends again.
"Aiz..."
I can't bear to see her like this any longer; it breaks my heart. I want to see her smile again. I take a deep breath and prepare to speak from my heart. I move a little closer and take her hand, just like Master told me to do. She looks up in surprise, but I expected that. She's not the sharpest tool in the shed. Neighter am I though, so that's ok.
"Aiz, listen... I don't know what happened, but there's one thing I can say for certain."
Her eyes are glistening, and as I suspected, she's barely holding back tears. I continue to dig deep into my heart, and I feel my emotions welling up. It's a good feeling, so much so that my lips curve slightly upwards to form a faint smile.
"I could never hate you."
"Uh...?"
Her gaze becomes even more surprised, her golden eyes fixed on mine. Maybe I'll seem like a complete idiot to her, or maybe she just won't understand what I'm trying to say. But I don't care.
"You're important to me. You have been since the first day we met. If I am who I am today, I owe so much to you."
"Bell..."
"If it weren't for you, I could have been a taken by Apollo or Freya by now. If I hadn't met you, I wouldn't know how to dance. Or I might have been killed by a minotaur, two times, three times, who knows? But I'm here now. With you. And I'm happy to be able to live this moment. For all of this, I can only thank you."
"..."
"..."
"I... I don't understand. How can you...?"
She's clearly struggling, maybe I've made her uncomfortable. Have I been a fool? The thought creeps into my head. As I wrack my brain to find something more appropriate to say, I see her eyes narrow slightly, and her lips form a sweet smile.
Ahh... It's a rare and beautiful sight, and my heart can't help but skip a few beats.
"You're always so kind to me, Bell... I don't know if I deserve it... But..."
"Aiz, it's not like..."
I don't have time to finish what I was about to say.
"I feel... happy."
"Uh?"
"Yes, that's it... When I'm with you, I'm happy."
Few, simple words, but they leave me breathless. A warmth spreads through my entire body, a shiver I've never felt before. I feel my eyes moisten slightly. When she's with me, she's... happy? If she only knew how happy I am right now! It's like I'm about to burst. I want to run through the streets of Orario and shout my happiness to the world.
My mind clears, and I feel light. My actions are now completely uncontrolled; there's no logic in what I'm doing anymore. My right hand moves on its own and gently touches her cheek, while my left hand rests on her side and pulls her slightly closer to me.
Her gaze remains sweet, her cheeks slightly flushed, her eyes, now on the verge of tears, are still fixed on me. Her arms slowly wrap around my neck, and her face sinks onto my shoulder.
We remain embraced, a moment that seems to last an eternity. I feel her tears wetting my combat attire, and instinctively, I can't help but hold her even tighter.
"It's okay. I'm here."
"Yeah..."
At some point, she pulls away slightly and looks at me again. With the tears now vanished, all that remains is her beautiful, sweet smile.
"Hey, Bell..."
"Yes?"
"I... I'm hungry."
I smile in return.
"All right. Do you have something in mind?"
"Uhm... Jagamarukun... Those made by Goddess Hestia were quite good."
"Eeeek! Do we really have to go to that place!?"
"Yes."
Sigh.
Together, we leave Hearth Manor and head towards the city, her arm tightly around mine.