Chapter 10

Midsummer Night's Dream (Part 2)

Ave struggled against Einhard's unyielding grip, his breath ragged as he tried to keep his composure. Her strength was formidable—a testament to years of rigorous training and raw talent that had honed her into a formidable fighter. His heart raced wildly, not just from her grip but from the overwhelming warmth that radiated through his body, as though he had stepped too close to an open flame. Each breath he drew was thick and heavy, filled with a strange energy that made his senses spiral into overdrive.

The scent of sandalwood soap lingering from her recent shower mixed intoxicatingly with the salty tang of summer air wafting through the open window. The room seemed to pulse with an invisible force, amplifying every sound—the rustle of fabric, the soft hitch of their breaths, and the faint creak of the floor beneath them. His senses were ablaze, every nerve heightened by an inexplicable sensation that left him teetering between desire and bewilderment.

Einhard's beautiful mismatched purple and blue eyes gazed down at him, dazed yet filled with longing. Her damp silver-green hair cascaded around them, framing her flushed face, with droplets clinging to the strands and catching the dim light of the room. "Ave-kun... I just want to be close to you," she whispered breathlessly, her voice trembling with a rawness Ave had never heard before. "I love you... I want you."

Ave's heart clenched painfully. Her voice, usually strong and resolute, now carried a fragile yearning that unsettled him deeply. The Einhard he knew would never lose control like this. He felt the weight of her longing pressing down on him, her warmth both alluring and alarming.

"Haru... this isn't you," Ave managed to say, his voice strained with both emotion and urgency. "Someone or something must have done this to us. You have to fight it. Please."

Einhard's grip on his arms tightened, her strength making him winced. "I don't want to fight it," she murmured, her breath warm against his cheek, sending shivers down his spine. "I just... I need you." Her words were laden with desperation, each syllable heavy with a desire she couldn't suppress.

The room seemed to blur around them, the pulse of whatever force gripped them thrumming in the air. Ave's mind raced, battling both his own rising instincts and the need to bring Einhard back to herself. "Please, Haru," he pleaded, his voice cracking slightly. "I need you to come back to me."

Ave's mind raced, desperate for a solution as Einhard's grip tightened, her strength making his muscles tremble. His thoughts flickered to a conversation he once had with one of Vivio's two mothers—a discussion about Intelligent Devices. She had mentioned that autonomous-action models like Asteion excelled in auxiliary control and mana regulation. They could even assist their owners in resisting mind control through a technique called "Contact Mode." That information now felt like a lifeline.

His gaze snapped to Asteion, who perched nearby on a wooden shelf, its plush snow leopard form trembling slightly as it watched with wide, worried eyes. The glow from its embedded gemstone flickered as though it sensed the crisis. "Tio, help!" Ave pleaded urgently, his voice raw with desperation.

Asteion let out a resolute meow, its eyes gleaming with determination. With an agile leap, it soared toward Einhard, its small body enveloped in a burst of shimmering light. The soft, radiant glow intensified as Asteion was absorbed into her form, activating her Armed Mode by force. Einhard's Barrier Jacket materialized around her, gleaming with silvery green energy that rippled through the air like waves of concentrated mana.

Einhard gasped as clarity returned to her eyes. Tears welled up, spilling down her flushed cheeks like shimmering jewels caught in the dim light. Her breath hitched, ragged with emotion. "Ave-kun... I'm sorry," she choked out, her voice raw and trembling. "I can't control it... please, get away before I hurt you." Her body shuddered as she fought desperately against the overwhelming sensations surging through her.

Ave gently shook his head, a soft, reassuring smile on his lips despite the ache in his arms from her grip. His gaze softened, unwavering in its tenderness. He reached up to stroke her damp hair, his fingers tangling gently in the silken strands. "I'm not going anywhere," he said firmly, his voice steady with conviction. "We'll face this together. I love you, Haru. Not because of Claus' memories or your title as champion, but because you're you—the girl who challenged me to a street brawl with those sad, beautiful eyes. The girl who smiles brighter than anyone else. The girl who never gives up." His words carried the weight of countless moments that had shaped his love for her, pure and undeniable.

Einhard's sobs grew louder, each tear a testament to the turmoil inside her. Her grip on Ave's arms weakened, trembling fingers finally releasing their hold. Her strength faltered completely, and she collapsed against him, seeking solace in the warmth of his embrace. The weight of her body pressed into him, grounding them both in the reality of their bond.

Ave wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as though shielding her from the chaos that had threatened to consume them both. "It's okay now," he whispered soothingly, his breath warm against her ear. "You're okay. We're okay. I've got you."

Einhard clung to his words, her body trembling as the storm within her subsided. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her cheek became her anchor, drawing her back to a place of calm. They stayed like that for what felt like an eternity, the world outside fading into insignificance. The warmth between them, once overwhelming, now settled into a gentle comfort, a testament to the love and trust that bound them together.

Eventually, exhaustion claimed them, and they drifted into a deep, dream-filled sleep.

Ave found himself in a dreamscape filled with shifting hues of light and shadow. The atmosphere carried an ethereal tranquillity, yet beneath it lingered echoes of sorrow. In the distance, he saw a familiar figure—a young Einhard, cradling Asteion in her arms as shimmering tears streamed down her face, reflecting the fragmented light around her.

His heart ached at the sight. This was Einhard as she had been before they met—lonely, burdened by Claus' memories, and driven by an unrelenting desire to prove her strength. Her small frame trembled, burdened by the weight of duty and expectations she had never asked for.

Ave approached her, his steps deliberate yet gentle, as though any sudden movement might break this fragile moment. He knelt beside her, his presence radiating warmth against the cold void of the dreamscape. He reached out, his hand resting gently on her head, his touch steady and reassuring. "It's okay now, Haru," he said softly, his voice filled with tender conviction. "You're not alone anymore. You never have to be."

The chains that bound her, shimmering with oppressive light, shattered one by one, dissolving into radiant motes that scattered into the dreamscape like freed fireflies. The child Einhard's tear-streaked face tilted upward, her lips quivering as a tentative, hopeful smile broke through the sorrow.

Ave's heart swelled with a deep, protective love. "See? You're strong, but you don't have to carry everything alone anymore," he added gently. The weight that had once pressed on her seemed to lift, and a serene calm settled over them both as the dream began to shift into warmth and light.

Einhard's dream was equally vivid, but tinged with sorrow. She saw a version of Ave from his original world—bitter, cynical, and indifferent. He sat hunched over in front of a dimly glowing computer screen, his shoulders heavy with invisible burdens, as though carrying the weight of a thousand unspoken regrets. The flickering monitor cast eerie shadows across his hollow expression, and the room around him felt lifeless, cold, and oppressive.

Her heart clenched painfully at the sight. Is this what you were like before we met? she wondered, tears welling in her eyes, blurring the dismal scene.

Unable to bear his loneliness, Einhard stepped forward with resolve. Her bare feet made no sound as she crossed the void-like space between them. Reaching him, she gently wrapped her arms around his tense shoulders from behind, pressing her cheek against his back. The warmth of her embrace contrasted sharply with the chill that clung to this dreamscape. "I love you," she whispered fiercely, her voice trembling with emotion. "I won't let you be sad and alone anymore. No matter what happens, I'll always be by your side." Her words resonated with unwavering sincerity, filling the void with palpable warmth.

A shudder ran through Ave as the bitterness and loneliness clinging to this version of him began to dissolve. The bleak shadows that loomed over the scene retreated, replaced by a gentle, iridescent light that bathed them both. Ave's hollow expression softened, and a hint of peace flickered in his eyes.

The oppressive silence broke, replaced by the soothing hum of life returning. Einhard held him tighter, vowing silently to never let him feel such isolation again. The love she offered was a beacon, illuminating the path toward healing and connection.

Morning came softly, the first rays of sunlight filtering through the shoji screens and casting a warm, golden glow across the room. The faint scent of tatami mingled with the fresh morning air. Einhard's Barrier Jacket shimmered faintly, its silvery green energy dissipating like morning dew under the sun before fading completely. Ave blinked groggily, his gaze meeting Einhard's mismatched eyes—one a striking purple, the other a serene blue, both glimmering with a mix of lingering emotions.

They stared at each other in a fragile silence, the memories of their shared dreams vivid and raw between them. The weight of everything they had seen clung to the air, palpable and unspoken. A blush crept onto their faces, colouring their cheeks with a rosy hue as their hearts raced.

The warmth of the morning wrapped around them like a gentle reminder of a new beginning, fragile yet filled with infinite possibilities.

"Ave's voice wavered slightly as he broke the silence. "I... saw your past."

Einhard nodded, her mismatched eyes shimmering with emotion. "I saw yours too," she admitted softly. "It was... painful to see you like that." Her voice caught in her throat, filled with empathy for the loneliness and bitterness she had witnessed.

Ave sighed heavily, his gaze dropping to the floor. "Maybe whatever happened to us last night caused it," he theorized, still trying to piece everything together.

Einhard shook her head, a gentle smile spreading across her lips despite the weight of their shared dreams. "No... I think it was the bond we share," she said earnestly, her tone carrying a newfound certainty. "Through those dreams, we accepted each other completely. That's what love truly is, isn't it? To see every part of someone—their pain, their flaws—and love them anyway?"

Realizing the depth of her words, Einhard's face turned a deep shade of red. She quickly waved her hands in flustered embarrassment. "Forget I said that! I didn't mean to get all philosophical or anything!"

Ave's lips curled into a warm smile as he leaned closer. "Forget? Not a chance," he teased gently, his eyes gleaming with affection.

Einhard pouted adorably, her blush deepening. "You're unfair," she muttered. "I love you so much that I can't resist when you're like this."

With hearts full and barriers broken, they leaned into each other, sharing a kiss that was deeper, more heartfelt than before—a silent promise of everything they had accepted and everything they would become.

The tender moment was abruptly shattered by a sudden explosion that rattled the walls of the inn, jolting them apart.

Einhard, already in action mode, sprang to her feet. Her Barrier Jacket shimmered faintly as she extended her hand to Ave, her expression determined. "Let's go check on Keiichi-san and the others," she urged.

Ave grinned, his heart pounding from both the kiss and the unexpected chaos. He took her hand without hesitation. "Lead the way, Haru."

Together, they raced toward the source of the commotion, ready to face whatever awaited them—stronger and more united than ever.

To Be Continued.