Finally, peace...
---
The next morning me and my friends left off, I had no idea where we were going so I just had to follow behind the carriage that my friends were riding on.
Back to work... Motivation drained once more... What is up with mood swings? Can't I just stay in a good mood?
We made it to town, and people looked at me with such admiration. They waved at me, smiled, cheered for me. I didn't need any of this recognition. I didn't care about any of it. I went straight to Wiz's shop. The bell rung and I walked in, Wiz stood behind the counter. "Hey Wiz." I say, but my voice wasn't as enthusiastic as hers.
"Hey, Svetislav! I heard you slain Sylvia, congratulations!" Wiz said, in her usual cheerful way.
"Yeah... Thanks. By any chance is Vanir here?"
I didn't need an answer to understand. Suddenly a familiar presence was felt behind me, smooth and theatrical. "Why, hello there!"
I'm not questioning how he snuck up behind me.
I turned slightly. "Hey, Vanir, I came for-"
"The blueprints, yes, yes. I've already foreseen this little visit." He placed a hand on his forehead(mask), his lips forming a slight pout. "Sadly, production would be slow, Kazuma is making the first batch. However, the product should sell fairly quickly, so once he's done and I have finally bought the rights, you can begin production. You will have to coordinate with him, of course."
"Well then... that answers my questions."
"Splendid! Concise as ever," Vanir said with a clap of his gloved hands. Then he added, "since business is rather slow at the moment, would you care to stay and chat?"
I rubbed the back of my neck, staring off toward the shelved. "Not really..."
Vanir chuckled, the sound smooth and almost musical. "Ahh, yes. The ever-troublesome aftermath of victory - the world celebrates while the hero feels hollow. A tale as old as time." He leaned closer, voice dropping just slightly. "Tell me, do you mope because you cannot accept their praise, or because their cheers remind you of the wish you still chase?"
I gave him a sharp look. He smiled wider.
"Don't worry," he continued, holding his hands up in mock surrender, stepping back. "I already know the answer. I just wanted to see your reaction."
Wiz looked between us, clearly unsure what to make of this situation - is it to scold Vanir or laugh.
Vanir, unbothered, leaned against the counter and crossed his arms. "Go, then. Rest, work, sulk - whichever order you prefer. But remember: mood swings or not, you are walking a part that only you can tread. Don't waste too much time staring at the ground."
I didn't have anything to say - I just exhaled and shrugged.
He nodded knowingly.
As I walked out Wiz gave a little wave. "Take care of yourself, alright? Everything will turn out okay."
I raised my hand in return, letting the door close behind me.
Acat was waiting for me; I jumped in and laid down in the back seat. The destination - the herb house. It's a fully functional house with a pretty nice bath and a lot of soup. And so she drove me out of the noise and people.
I closed my eyes, despite getting a good night's rest I feel tired... I trapped myself in my own thoughts.
Soon enough Acat stopped in front of my humble emergency home, though, in this state I'd prefer to rest here.
I go inside, the smell of herbs immediately hitting my nostrils. I give a sigh. Maybe a bath will give me some rest of mind.
I got out of my clothes and slipped in the pool off water, taking a seat on one of the underwater stones.
It was meant to be peaceful, but instead it left me staring into myself. Maybe if I use my own product... Maybe if I just scrub hard enough, I'll wash off the mood.
The thought was empty. The ache wasn't in my skin.
"Eris... my love," I whispered into the stillness despite my fears of abandonment. My voice twitching more than I liked. I need to trust her... If she's the one meant for me, she'll hold me when I'm at my lowest.
Moments later, a soft glow seeped through the space under the door. The light quickly faded, but her presence stood. Then the door opened.
"Yes?" Her voice was gentle, but touched with worry.
I turned my head, she still hasn't entered, holding the door opened just a little.
"I have some... mental fog." I admitted. "I'm not feeling the brightest. I thought... maybe your presence would lighten the weight."
She was confused, but her worried expression didn't waver. "What do I do?"
"Just rest with me for a while. Your presence always brought me peace." I say, my voice low as if i'm contemplating something.
She stood there, behind the door, contemplating. Her hands clutched the handle, unsure if she should step inside. "Are you... sure?" she asked softly, cheeks pink, but voice steady.
I leaned back against the stone edge, closing my eyes for just a moment. "I'm always sure about you," I murmured. The words surprised even me with how easily they slipped out, no hesitation, no shield.
Her lips parted slightly. Then, after a heartbeat, she pushed the door open all the way and stepped inside the room. Her presence filled the room before she even sat on the stool - the faint, warm pressure that always told me she was real, not a dream or trick of the fog in my head.
She didn't come straight to me. She moved quietly, setting her shoes aside, as well as her socks. Folding her hands together for a moment like she had to steady herself. Then, finally, she came to the edge, grabbed onto her dress and lowered herself onto the edge of the pool, just close enough for her knees to brush the surface of the water.
I tilted my head toward her. "You can come closed. I... don't bite."
That earned me the tiniest giggle, quick and nervous, but she slid down until her legs dipped into the pool beside me.
For a long moment, we didn't say anything. Just sat in the hush, steam curling around us, the water lapping gently. I could breathe again - not because the fog had lifted, but because she was willing to share it with me.
"You always act so strong," she said at last, her voice quiet. "So... untouchable. But when you call me like this..." She trailed off, her hands resting in her lap. "I feel like you're trusting me with something important. And I don't want to fail you."
I opened my eyes and turned, meeting hers. They weren't divine in that moment - not the eyes of a goddess, but a woman trying, worrying, caring. That made them even more radiant.
"You never fail me," I said. My voice was quiet, but not forceful - the truth didn't need force. "Just being here... it's enough. You're enough."
Her lips trembled into the softest smile, one she tried to hide. But her hand, hesitant at first, reached out and rested against my arm.
Warmth spread through me like the water itself had been blessed.
For the first time in days, my chest loosened. I exhaled, a long, unguarded sigh, and leaned my head back against the stone, letting the weight roll off my shoulders bit by bit.
"See?" I muttered with a small smile, eyes half-closed. "Lighter already."
She gave a quiet laugh, shaking her head. "You're impossible."
But she didn't pull her hand away.
It was peace that I felt - but there was something else, tugging me forward like the currents of some unseen tide - not from her, not from me, but from something deeper, instinctual. My purposelessness, my fog of thought, evaporated in an instant as I turned towards her.
I placed my hands on the edge and raised myself up, the water lapping around my legs, I saw her hesitation melt into something far more vulnerable. Her cheeks were aflame, eyes wide.
She froze, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of pink as out proximity became undeniable.
"I..." she whispered, but the word faltered. Her voice was a shiver in the quiet room, a fragile thing I wanted to protect - and consume all at once.
I shifted slightly, our breaths catching, before I pushed myself, giving her a gentle, yet testing kiss. After a moment it began again, but this time it was claiming.
She moved slightly in her position, her hands trembled, but eventually held onto my shoulder and face.
The kiss deepened, tended but insistent, a confession without words. Everything has lead to this moment. The warmth of her touch, the subtle pulse of her heart against mine.
"I... missed you," I breathed against her lips, the words spilling out before I could stop them.
Her response was a soft sigh, almost a whisper, "I... I've waited." And in that single phrase, the weight of our worlds fell away. All that remained was this moment and us.
My hands tangled in her hair, tilting her head, guiding, savoring, and her fingers traced the edges of my shoulders, memorizing the lines that had carried m through so many battles.
I pulled back just slightly, resting my forehead against hers, breathing her in, feeling the rapid beat of her heart matching mine. "Eris... you are my purpose," I said, voice low but certain, carrying a weight far heavier than any victory or wish.
Her eyes glistened, and a trembling smile spread across her face. "Then... I'll be yours. Always."
Those words left the air warmer. For once, the fog in my chest had lifted, and all that was left was a quiet comfort. My body ached for rest, so I let the silence linger as I lowered myself back into the water, resting my head gently against her thigh. She didn't protest - if anything , I thought I felt her steadying herself so I wouldn't slip.
A nap would be nice. I deemed that I have soaked long enough.
I rose from the water, the droplets falling off of me as I stepped out. Eris's sharp intake of breath was impossible not to notice. She turned her face away so fast I thought her neck might snap, her cheeks burning red. I reached out for her hand and helped her up.
While I lead her away I leaned down and grabbed her shoes and socks, before leading her out of the bath and sitting her down on the bench. I dried her legs off, before rolling up the socks and putting them on her. Then the shoes.
Finally, with her taken care of, I started to dry myself off but she stopped me. She scratched her cheek before folding her hands together. "Um... would you like me to... dry you off? It's only fair."
I nodded once and gave her the towel, which she took with trembling hands.
From there, she carefully worked, embarrassed, but determined. I couldn't help but admire how much effort she put in such a small gesture. I changed into a loose shirt and a comfortable baggy bottom.
Then when I looked at her I thought to myself. I should probably get he a nightgown or something.
I rub my chin and say. "I should probably buy you some clothes for home, maybe a night gown, or something like what I have."
Her eyes widened and sho shook her head quickly. "N-no, I'll handle it myself... but-" she hesitated before adding, "could I borrow some money for it?"
"You don't have to worry about returning them, I'm your provider after all." I said, pulling a bunch of coins from my astral storage, before placing them in a pouch, which I also pulled out of thin air, and handing them to her.
She was surprised by the weight of it, definitely more than needed.
After this we went to the bedroom, she placed the coin pouch on the bedstand.
I laid down first, pulling the covers up and welcoming her to lay with me.
She took her shoes off, and after a beat, she laid down beside me. I threw an arm over her waist pulling her closer.
I closed my eyes and easily fell asleep, with her in my hold.