#“everything felt meaningless” - Kratos | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

hereforreadandwrite · 4 months

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Chapter Two

Masterlist

A hundred winters had passed since the disappearance of Tyr.

A lot of things had changed in the meantime. Jormungandr had submerged himself in the Lake of Nine, drowning the temple of Tyr. You lived, or rather survived, day by day. You were trying to live without your beloved husband, but your life was meaningless without him. You did what you could to forget about him and move on. You had put all the things that Tyr had brought back in the cellar which you closed up, hiding the door behind your bookcase. You hid everything that could make you think of him.

To occupy your days, you spent your time outside the house. Strolling through the forest, taking care to stay within the protective field that Tyr had set up. In a hundred winters, you had never left the protective field. You were too afraid that Odin or one of his little dogs would be waiting for you outside. Now that Tyr was gone, nothing could stop the Allfather from finishing what he started.

But to your surprise, Fimbulvetr had started.

Which meant Baldur was dead and Ragnarok was near.

You had no role to play during Ragnarok. You just had to sit and wait for the Nine Realms to be devastated. Until a young man, accompanied by a man with extremely white skin and two dwarves approached your house. You were busy sharpening your arrows when you saw them approaching your garden. A young man accompanied by a dwarf that you knew only too well. Sindri, one of the two dwarves who made Mjolnir. You left your arrows, tightening your grip on your knife as you saw them approach.

“Take one more step and you will not leave this garden alive,” you said in a measured voice, glaring harshly at the intruders.

“S-sorry for disturbing you lady (Y/N),” Sindri apologized nervously as he hid behind the boy. "Good to see you again anyway. It's been a long time. You're still so young. It's your turn to talk, Atreus."

"Yes. You're (Y/N), right? Daughter of Mimir and Sigrun and a friend of Tyr?" asked the boy named Atreus. “I came to see you because we need your help.”

You looked at Atreus sternly before picking up an arrow, starting to sharpen it again under the uncertain eyes of your unwanted guests. Was it Sindri who told the boy about you? You had used their service a long time ago. He was the one who forged the sword that Sigrun gave you when you managed to beat Kara. But that was a long time ago now.

"I'm not that person anymore. (Y/N), daughter of Sigrun and Mimir died, a hundred winters ago now," you said, dipping the tip of the arrow into the fire. "I can't do anything for you, little one. Besides, how did you and the dwarf get past the protective barrier?"

"We…we managed to pass through a mystical door," Atreus replied. "(Y/N). Your father, Mimir, is alive. My father saved him from the tree where he was trapped. Well… in a way.

You froze upon hearing the words. Was Mimir alive? No it's impossible. If he were alive, he would have come to see you. Tears began to blur your vision. That stupid dwarf and that stupid boy dared to come to your house to say such a cruel thing to you. You slowly turned towards Atreus, making the boy flinch under the weight of your gaze. You stood up, slowly turning your body towards the teen who was backing away further. Sindri hurriedly stood between you and Atreus, apologizing for bothering you, but that the boy was telling the truth. Mimir was freed by a man named Kratos. You had enough. You turned your back on Sindri and Atreus, ordering them to leave before you do something you regret. You grabbed your arrows, hurrying back inside the house, slamming the door in Atreus' face and he started pounding on the door.

"(Y/N), please! We're looking for Tyr."

You felt your heart skip a beat. This boy had really just told you that Tyr was alive. You felt anger coursing through your veins. You turned back to the door, opening it forcefully. Atreus and Sindri jumped when they saw you leaving the house. They were surprised to see that your appearance had changed. Your eyes had turned black, your complexion was cadaverous and your veins were becoming black and visible. Sindri hurried to tell Atreus that they had to leave as quickly as possible. But the boy refused to listen to the dwarf.

"You dare to come to my house without invitation. You dare to tell me that the man I considered my father is alive. You dare to mock me by telling me that Tyr is alive! Tyr is dead! Mimir is dead! Everything everyone is dead!” you shouted, getting dangerously closer to Atreus who was retreating.

"N-no! They're alive. I… I have proof. If you came with me, I… I could show it to you and you… you could help us avoid Ragnarok, " Atreus explained as he held his hands out, showing that he was not a threat.

"No! You're just looking for a ghost and you're making fun of my pain. I've suffered enough and you dare to come and make fun. And you too Sindri!" you cried, pointing your knife at Sindri. "Don't think I've forgotten you! Don't think I've forgotten what you and your bastard brother did. I know it's because of you and your brother that Odin He took what was mine. I will never forget it."

"Lady (Y/N), I…I swear we didn't know Odin was planning on you…"

"Enough!"

You used your magic, creating a shockwave, which sent Atreus and Sindri out of your garden. The boy and the dwarf had no choice but to run away. You watched them go deeper into the forest before summoning your sword to search the surroundings. You didn't want to take any risks. You wouldn't be surprised if they were Odin's spies. You found the mystical door which collapsed. They had just entered the portal. How? It's been several years since you last used this door. It was surprising that it still worked. You groaned, turning your back on mystical door, heading back home.

Tyr would be alive?

What a ridiculous idea.

You would know if your husband were alive.

This boy, Atreus, had spoken of a clue. It was impossible. Odin would never have left any clues about his son. The Allfather was paranoid, especially regarding Tyre. It wouldn't make sense for Odin to leave traces.

You shook your head, pushing his thoughts out of your mind. You should no longer think about Tyre. You placed your sword on the table to start cooking, starting to heat up the rest of your stew. You ate your meal. Slowly chewing the pieces of meat. You found your food tasteless, as always. You've never been a great cook. It was always Tyr who took care of preparing the meals. During his travels, he learned many recipes and was happy to let you taste dishes from the countries he had visited. He especially made the decision to prepare meals when you tried to make a stew with deer meat, but the stew turned out to be a thick, inedible liquid. You couldn't help but smile as you remembered seeing him struggle for words so as not to hurt you.

It was another era.

You sighed, leaving the table to place the empty bowl in a bucket full of dirty dishes. You moved closer to the fireplace. You placed new logs there, rekindling the fire. You closed the shutters before undressing, finding yourself in your underwear. You wrapped the blanket around your body, letting yourself fall onto the bed. You buried your face in his pillow. You felt your mind slip into unconsciousness as a light laugh reached your ears. You cringed as you felt fingers brushing your tangled hair.

“Are you cold, my love?” asked Tyr, who was sitting on the edge of your bed. “I can put more logs in the fireplace.”

“No, I’m fine like that,” you said, burying your face further into your pillow. "We could stay like this right? Stay in this bed forever."

"Stick together. Yes. That would be nice," he said, kissing your cheek. "But we can't stay like this. We have to go hunting."

You sighed, leaving your warm bed to put on your warmest clothes. You took your bow and your quiver. Once ready, you followed Tyr out of the house. You set off with him into the forest, following the tracks of a deer that, according to your husband, could feed you for a whole week.

“Your sleep was restless last night too, my love,” said Tyr who walked in the lead. “Did you have a nightmare again?”

"I don't know if it was a dream or a nightmare. It's quite confusing. I thought I saw… wolves and… an eclipse, but I'm not so sure."

"Hm. A splint? It's been several winters since there was one like this," he said thoughtfully before stopping, kneeling down to examine the fresh marks. “This way.”

Tyr stood up, starting to walk again. You wanted to follow him, but your legs refused to move. Your gaze fell to your feet. They were held by roots. You called Tyr, but he had disappeared. You called out desperately as you felt the roots crawl up your legs. You grabbed an arrow, stabbing and cutting the roots. Once freed, you collapsed onto the ground, backing away from the roots. A scream escaped your lips when a flash of lightning tore the sky which turned red. What was happening? You approached, with a slow step, the edge of the cliff. The moon was hiding the sun. An eclipse. Like in your dream. You jumped when you heard grunts. You saw two pairs of eyes watching you through the trees. You wanted to run away, but your legs refused to obey you. What was happening?

“(Y/N).”

You jumped when you saw Tyr appear out of nowhere. The God of War was getting closer to you, his eyes and tattoos were luminous. A sign that he was using his magic.

"Tyr? What's going on?" you asked with a trembling voice.

“Time is of the essence my love,” he said, placing his hand on your head. "I need your help."

A scream escaped your lips as you felt the magic seep into your skull. You sat up with a start, holding your head and looking around you. Looking for Tyr. But unsurprisingly, you were alone. You placed your hand on your chest. Your heart was beating crazy fast.

This dream was really strange. Tyr was asking you for help? An eclipse? You shook your head, pushing his thoughts out of your mind. This boy had managed to put doubt in your mind. You sighed, leaving your bed to put on your warmest clothes. You reheated the stew, thinking about that dream and that boy.

Is Tyr really alive? What did this eclipse mean? What are these monsters lurking in the shadows? Why was this boy looking for your husband? Was Mimir really alive?

You shook your head, pouring what was left of the stew into your bowl. Calmly eating your meal which was always tasteless. A sigh escaped your lips. If you saw Tyr in your dreams and he asked you for help, that probably meant something, right? You cursed your weakness as you put on your warmest cloak, hanging your sword behind your back, leaving your home to find Atreus and Sindri. You went to the Lake of Nine, you were sure, at least, to find one of the dwarf brothers there or at least, one of their workshop. You walk through the forest. Leaving the protective barrier. You faced the cold of Fimbulvetr. You faced the Helwalkers who were trying to stop you.

When you arrived at the Lake, you were surprised and saddened to see that the statue of Tire was destroyed and there was a frozen lightning bolt in the middle of the huge frozen Lake. This flash meant only one thing: Thor had come to Midgard. You sighed, biting your lip nervously. Was he still around? You shook your head slightly. It was too late to turn back. You went down, treading the frozen lake. It's been so long since you've been here. You will travel across the lake, getting closer to what was the helmet of the statue of Tyre. You placed your hand on it, taking a deep breath. You were going to get answers. You walked away from the helmet, finding that stupid dwarf's workshop. You moved closer to the table. There was no one. But the embers were still hot.

“La-lady (Y/N)…?!” exclaimed Sindri who had just come out of nowhere. “It’s… it’s a surprise, and an honor, to see you here.”

“Think again, dwarf,” you said, leaning on the table. "You know some things that will piss me off. I know that. But you better tell me everything."

"About?"

The glare you gave Sindri made him understand what you were talking about. The dwarf stammered, searching for words, looking around nervously. You snapped your fingers under his nose, getting his attention.

“Consider the information I want as some sort of compensation for what you and your brother did to me,” you said through your teeth. “Where is the boy who accompanied you?”

"Fine, but… please don't start a fight in my house. The… the boy's father is there. With him. And he's quite protective of the boy."

"It'll be up to him. Hurry up."

You stepped aside from the workshop, allowing Sindri to pass through to activate the mystical door. Sindri went first. You walked through the door, arriving in a part of Yggdrasil you didn't know. There was a house embedded in the huge mystical tree. How long had he lived here? Sindri invited you to follow him inside. You entered the residence, surprising Brok who stopped hammering a sword.

“By Thor’s purses!”

“Still so rude,” you commented, examining the room. "Where is he?"

"Well… he…"

"What is going on?"

You turned to the man who had just entered the room. A muscular man, whose skin was as pale as a ghost, making his red tattoo stand out. He was armed with an ice axe. You held the gaze of the man who remained at a good distance. Watching for the slightest suspicious gesture. The tension was palpable.

“I assume you must be the father of the boy who came knocking at my door,” you said in a measured voice. "Where is he? He and the dwarf have some explaining to do."

"On which?"

“Given the question, you know exactly who I’m talking about,” you said, crossing your arms. "I just want his information. I don't want to fight. Trust me."

"That voice. Brother! Let me see our guest!"

You felt your heart skip a beat as you heard this voice that you would recognize in its Nine Realms. Kratos reached behind his back, unhooking a head from his belt and holding it out towards you.

"(Y/N)… daugther… you're there…"

You felt your heart racing. But that wasn't a good thing. Your breathing became erratic. You turned your back on Mimir. It was impossible. You must have been dreaming. Why would your father come back now? In this state? It must have been a trap. It must have been Odin playing a trick on you.

“This… this is another one of your tricks… is that it?” you asked, slowly turning towards Mimir and Kratos. “You’re trying to trick me again.”

"What? I… no! (Y/N). It's really me!" said Mimir. “I never set you up.”

"Ah of course!" You said looking in the direction. “So there are only traitors in this house.”

Sindri and Brok avoided looking at you, visibly ashamed. Noticing the dwarves' behavior, Kratos turned to them, asking what you meant. The Huldra brothers didn't know how to explain one of their biggest regrets. Sindri was the first to speak. Explaining that one day, Odin came to see them so that they could make him a weapon capable of cutting anything. Wanting to impress the Allfather, they obeyed. They are created a scythe capable of cutting anything. That satisfied Odin, but what they didn't know was that Odin had planned to cut off and steal your wings. Sindri and Brok looked at their feet, ashamed. You snorted seeing the behavior of the Huldra brothers.

It was pitiful.

“But the worst part of this story,” you said, looking at Mimir. "It's all your and Mother's fault. It was you two who sent me back to Midgard! Neither of you ever came to see me! You abandoned me! "

"No! No daugther! That's not true! Sigrun and I just wanted to protect you from Odin's madness! Look what he did to me! He imprisoned me shortly after you left Asgard. "

“That’s another lie.”

"No, he's not lying," Kratos said, taking a few steps forward. "I found Mimir trapped in a tree. On top of a mountain. The only way to free him was to decapitate him and ask Freya to resurrect him."

You looked at Kratos with a glare. This guy seemed to be telling the truth. You sighed rolling your eyes as you moved closer to the table to lean against it. Looking at Kratos, the Huldra brothers and your father with disdain.

"Let's assume that it's true. Let it not be a trap from Odin. That doesn't explain the fact that a boy knocked on my door to tell me about Tyr. I want to hear his explanations and know everything that he was able to find it."

Kratos turned towards a closed door. He ordered his son to come out of the room and come explain. Atreus opened the door, smiling nervously at his father who gave him a stern look. The young man moved closer to his father, greeting you with a nod.

"You went to see this woman. Without telling me," Kratos growled, glaring at his son severely.

"It… it was to ask for his help. I thought…"

"You thought?"

"Yes, I… I found out she was a friend of Tyr's. I… I thought she might know where he is."

“It was stupid to think that,” you said, moving closer to Atreus. “It’s been more than a hundred winters since Tyr died.”

“But… I found clues that say otherwise,” Atreus replied, taking out his notebook and handing it to you. “Look.

You took the boy's notebook, reading the notes that talked about your husband. According to his notes, Atreus saw Tyr imprisoned, but he did not recognize the place. The clues he found spoke of black smoke and bleeding earth. You turned your back on the group of men, thinking over his clues. It couldn't be Niflheim. There was the black mist, but this land didn't bleed so it could only be Svartalfheim.

"Black smoke and bleeding earth. It can only be Svartalfheim," you said, turning to face the father and son. "Odin has held the dwarves under his rule for centuries and my father did something that created this black smoke. Isn't that right Mimir?"

“Yes,” Mimir replied sadly.

"If all this is true. If there is someone locked up in Svartalfheim, it can't be Tyr. At least, it can't be him anymore. Even he would go crazy if he was locked up and tortured by Odin all this time. this time," you said, returning the notebook to Atreus. "I don't know your intentions, but Odin won't let you. It wouldn't be surprising if it was a trap."

“She is not wrong,” Mimir replied.

“What do you recommend?” Kratos asked.

"Not to go. But I don't think you're going to listen to me, are you?"

“Are you… are you coming with us?” Atreus asked, looking at you surprised.

"I know Svartalfheim. The dwarves will run away when they see a muscular guy arrive with a severed head hanging from his belt. They will say to themselves that Odin sent one of his men to kill them. And they will not be happy when they see Mimir again . Especially after what they did to them."

Atreus turned to Katos. He shook his head slightly, showing that this was not the time to ask questions. Your attention was caught by Sindri. The dwarf had just placed your sword on the counter. You picked up your weapon, checking the blade. It pained you to admit it, but Sindri still had talent. You made the sword disappear before Atreus' amazed eyes. The young man asked you what magic you used to make your weapon disappear and reappear as you wish. Your response was to tell him that it was none of his business. You looked at Kratos, asking him if he was ready to leave. Kratos grunted; The God of War walked towards the door. You followed the father and son out of Sindri's house. Kratos activated the mystical access before being interrupted by the Huldra brothers. Apparently, access to the Kingdom of Svartalfheim was blocked. Luckily, they had created a machine capable of unblocking the access, they were just missing the bifröst and the head. Brok unhooked the bifröst and Mimir from Kratos' belt, placing everything on their strange machine. Sindri calibrated the machine when a ray of light hit Mimir's face, causing Brok to laugh. When Mimir's bifröst's eyes were charged, Sindri hurried to aim for the door. Bifröst's ray struck the mystical door, opening a passage. Brok and Sindri hurried to fix everything, opening a passage to Svartalfheim.

You clenched your fists, taking a deep breath. This was going to be the moment of truth.

You were finally going to know if your husband was alive.

Tag: @ladycrowsworld

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july13th2004 · 5 years

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Always, Evermore

Kranna Week 2019 Day 6

Characters/Relationships: Kratos/Anna, Kranna, Lloyd Irving

Rating: T - For slight sensual themes

Genre: Romance/Fluff

Prompt: Always/Forever

Word Count: 1,573

Summary: Before the final battle with Mithos, Kratos visits Anna’s grave one last time. He falls asleep and dreams about the significant moments in their time shared together, and ultimately comes to an agreement regarding the answer to a question she once asked that keeps haunting him. Manga/OVA canon where everyone lives to fight in the final battle.

Author’s Note: This might be sort of long because I have a few references, so if you want to just skip this and go straight to the story, the story will be after the break.

About five years ago, I came across this song (skip to 1:25 for the song, unless you want to listen to some banter) by the frontman of one of my favorite bands. I immediately thought of Kranna, and it wasn’t until three years later that I would get to hear the studio version, and it was everything I wanted and more. Around that time, I was inspired to make a gifset based on the chorus of the song. So, I was heavily inspired by this song in order to write this one-shot, and I hope it’s more of an unique take on a songfic.

I would also like to credit this song for helping me get through some major writer’s block in order to write the majority of this story, there’s just something calming about it to me I guess.

Parts of this were also inspired or loosely inspired by the drama CD ‘A long time ago’, particularly the track “To Protect”, or “The Ones I Must Protect”. You can read all of that here. You’ll probably notice that I use one quote a few times throughout the story. I also heavily relied on some of the material found in Kratos’ biography that was posted a few years ago.

Lastly, if you bought the Kratos zine by @moldy-mold, you might notice that I was inspired by the piece, ‘Forgiveness’ for a certain part of this story.

Now, without further ado, let’s move on with the story, which is after the break.

“Always together? Always… Always…”

It was a question that haunted him often, even when everything felt meaningless after her death; with his world having lost all its light and hope. A question in which he wasn’t sure if he agreed with the answer quite yet.

Kratos knelt before Anna’s grave for what would be the final time, explaining to her how strong Lloyd, their son, had become. He missed her terribly still, hoping that someday he could join her in the afterlife, but that day would not arrive anytime soon; which was another lesson Lloyd taught him after their one on one battle a few days before.

Noishe was curled up next to the gravestone, sleeping, and the protozoan’s presence gave him a fleeting sense of comfort from his current thoughts. Lloyd and the rest of the party had gone to bed hours ago, as it was around midnight, not aware that he was there. The next day, they would fight the final battle against Mithos, and he hoped they would allow him to join in one last time.

Averting his eyes from her name on the gravestone and bowing his head, Kratos began to reminisce about a time long ago when the three, and eventually the four of them would travel around as if they were the only ones. He thought about the time where the four of them camped out one night in the middle of an open field and looked at the stars. Lloyd was sitting on his shoulders and pointing at various constellations in the sky, wondering what the names of each one was. He then recalled a conversation they had a few days later as they watched Lloyd playing and running around with Noishe, giggling and smiling all the while. Kratos had asked her why he looked so happy, and her response was that he realized that the world was pure and beautiful, a wonderful place to live. She was right, or so he felt at the time, simply because the two of them were alive and gave him a reason to keep going. The conversation ended with Anna asking the question that kept haunting him.

“Always together? Always… Always…”

He let out a small sigh as his head and back slumped against the grave and closed his eyes. Another memory taking place shortly after they got married flashed before him. They were curled up by a campfire on a chilly night out in the desert, with her in his arms and wrapped in a worn-out blanket. She was starting to fall asleep against his chest when she mumbled the next few words.

“Forever mine, I’ll be forever yours…”

He softly smiled and kissed the top of her head before leaning down to whisper in her ear and kiss her cheek.

“Always, evermore…”

They were married in a covert location by a member of the Desian Resistance group they were in communication with, and those words were some of their wedding vows.

The following memory that appeared before him happened about year after the previous one. It took place following a night of intimacy on a cold night in November. They were inside an abandoned cabin with a fireplace and their own futon and blankets. The two were situated in front of the fireplace on the futon the next morning, with Kratos once again holding Anna in his arms. She leaned against his chest and looked up at him, giving him a wry but tired smile. He leaned down to whisper something to her.

“Forever mine, I’ll be forever yours…”

Her breath hitched and she closed her eyes, letting out a blissful sigh as he kissed her neck before tracing a few scars along her shoulder with rough kisses. Anna reached up to run her fingers through his auburn locks before responding.

“Always, evermore…”

She had always thought she wouldn’t be able to have children due to her experience at the ranch and the frequent illness caused by her Exsphere. Destiny would later prove her wrong.

It was twilight when he jolted awake, unaware that he had fallen asleep. Lloyd and the others would be up in a few hours, and suddenly he felt a pain in his chest, as if something was missing. That something was her, and once again he felt himself missing her terribly, needing her. He closed his eyes once again, a tear beginning to trickle down one side of his face as he felt the spirit-like presence of her hands touching his face and lulling him into another dream, another memory.

This next memory would take place a few days after Lloyd was born in a Desian Resistance group hideout just outside of Izoold. There were complications from the birth, causing Anna to become ill and requiring bed rest. Kratos was scared he was going to lose her again, just like a time before they were married where she became gravely ill.

He rushed into the room, and upon seeing that her eyes were open, and that she was sitting up in bed, frantically embraced her.

“Kratos…?”

She gave him a slightly worried look as his arms gently gripped her shoulders.

“I thought I was going to lose you again,” He cleared his throat, referring to Lloyd, “That we were going to lose you.”

“Oh, Kratos…” She gave him that gentle but knowing smile that she had whenever he worried about her.

Anna cupped his cheek before leaning in to kiss him, hoping that would assuage some of his worry. He reciprocated before letting out a sigh of relief. She then softly held his face in her hands, her eyes boring into his as her visage turned serious.

“Remember our wedding vows? No matter what happens to me I will always be with you and Lloyd. Forever mine, I’ll be forever yours…”

Kratos gently placed his forehead against hers before replying.

“Always, evermore…”

Her positivity and determination under difficult or trying circumstances was one of the many things he loved about her. His strength, gentleness, and resolve to protect, along with his willingness to atone for his wrongdoings, were just a few of the things she loved about him.

The final memory he would recall before waking would take place a few months after the previous one, when Lloyd was just a couple months old. A street artist in Palmacosta painted two small pictures of the three of them, which was Anna’s idea, though she wouldn’t tell him what she had planned for them. He wouldn’t understand until later what her plans were.

“Kratos, I’m going out for a while. You don’t mind taking care of Lloyd while I’m gone?”

Kratos, holding Lloyd, who was sound asleep, while sitting at the edge of their bed at the inn, looked up at her, his face stern and clearly worried.

“Where are you going? How long are you going to be gone?”

She gave him that gentle smile once again, noticing the worry written all over his face. He had been like that since even before they were married, worried that something might happen to her when she was out in public and he wasn’t there to protect her.

“I won’t be gone very long, an hour at most. There’s just a little something I want to buy at one of the shops down the street from here.”

He decided against inquiring further as she walked over and gave him a kiss on his forehead before leaning down to give Lloyd a kiss on his as well.

Then she left, leaving him to his own devices, and came back about an hour later just like she promised. In her hand she held a small box and walked over towards the small bedside table where the portraits had been placed. He wordlessly watched her as she took out a gold pendant from the box and placed one of the portraits inside.

“A locket?” He thought as his visage turned curious.

“There!” She exclaimed as she held the locket towards him. “This is for you!”

“Me? But why?”

She sat down next to him on the side of their bed, unclasped the chain and placed it around his neck. Later on, she would put the other portrait inside the other locket, which was for her to wear.

“Well, I thought that if anything happened to me and Lloyd, that you would have something tangible to remember us by. A reminder that we’ll always be with you, no matter what.”

Kratos was visibly moved by the surprise gift from her.

“Forever mine, I’ll be forever yours…” He murmured as he pulled her in for a kiss.

Anna kissed his cheek before responding, “Always, evermore…”

He woke up shortly after dawn, coming to the realization with that last dream that a part of her would always be with him, those memories would always be with him; and with Lloyd now in possession of the locket, a part of both of them would always be with him. He finally agreed with the answer to her question, the question that now no longer haunted him. She was right, no matter what, they would always be together.

“Always together? Always… Always…”

Close your eyes

And dream me home

Forever mine, I’ll be forever yours

I’ll be forever yours

Always, evermore, and on and on

Always, evermore

#tales of symphonia #Kratos Aurion #Anna Irving #Kranna #krannaweek2019 #Lloyd Irving #Noishe

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everythinggodofwar · 5 years

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The Treasure of Koninsgard (part 6)

“She’s a god! That’s why she can control fire! That’s why she was asking about Asgard! But.. where did she she come from?”

“It certainly explains a few things.” Mimir stated. “But it also brings more questions to mind.”

“She’s sick, Father.. We have to help her.”

“As much as I hate to admit it, brother, we need Freya.”

“No.”

“Father!”

“Freya would turn us away with hesitation.” Kratos scolded. “It is a fools errand.”

“We have to try! Please, father..” Atreus begged with an obvious sense of fear lacing his words. “She helped us.”

“That was her decision.”

“So she should die for it?!”

“I did not say that.”

“She could if we don’t help her! It’s been a couple months.. maybe Freya’s not that mad anymore?”

“I don’t know if I’d go that far, lad... But if you ask me-”

“We did not. Now let me think.” With grim eyes, Kratos looked at Sigyn, who seemed to be getting worse by the moment. Of course he didn’t wish for her to die- especially considering how much Atreus seemed to like her- but he hadn’t spoken to Freya in months. How was he to know that she wouldn’t pull some trick and end up killing the girl anyway? Or Atreus? He knew that after Baldur died Freya had sought Mimir out to ask where her Valkyrie wings were and to reclaim her warrior spirit.. who was to say that she wasn’t about to hadn’t already succeeded? I

And this girl was a god.. so she was a target. As was Kratos. As was Atreus. And Mimir. If she were important enough to lock away for however many centuries, surely someone would come for her after word gets out that she’s free. Mimir was right when he said Atreus was in enough danger as it was.. Kratos wasn’t willing to knowingly put Atreus in harms way for the sake of a girl they had only just met.

“Look, brother.. There’s no easy choice, but it would be wrong to just let the girl die. If Freya is even a shred of the person she used to be, she’ll help.. We have to try.”

“If Odin-”

“If Odin or Thor were to come for us they‘d have done it by now.”

“Please, Father.. She’s my friend.”

Kratos shifted his gaze to his pleading son. The words ‘my friend’ rang in his head like a bell. It wasn’t difficult to see that Atreus had taken a liking to her, but this simple, seemingly meaningless phrase showed Kratos just how deep and personal it had already become.

Finally, Kratos nodded. “Very well.”

“Yes!”

“Do not get your hopes up. Freya is likely to turn us away.”

“I- I know.. I should keep my expectations low... but still.”

“We must hurry.” Kratos picked the frail girl up with a certain gentleness that he scarsely ever showed to anyone except Atreus, and started off toward the boat.

Atreus grabbed his bow and followed silently; he was happy that his father had agreed, but he wasn’t stupid. He knew that if Freya was still as vengeful as she was when Baldur died, there would be no way she would help them. Still.. they had to try. To him, Sigyn was worth the risk.

Kratos looked up at the now red and stormy sky at the sound of cracking thunder. He hadn’t noticed the storm till that moment, but now the sky seemed to grow darker with each passing moment as Atreus grew more distressed.

As they walked past the dead boar Kratos had left on the ground, he snatched it by the hoof and dragged it along behind him. Thankfully the boat wasn’t far Once they reached it, Kratos set the boar on the boards and gently laid the girl down on the bottom, resting her limp head on the board Atreus sat on. Atreus hopped in, took Mimir from his father, and sat down, not once taking his eyes off Sigyn.

Sigyn’s nose bleed seemed to have stopped, but that was just about the only positive. Her face was so flushed it looked gray now and her fever burned hotter by the minute. Neither Kratos or Mimir understood why she was ill.. Unless she, like Atreus used to be, was unaware of her true nature, but that seemed unlikely. Perhaps her sickness came from some attempt to suppress her powers? It would make sense; she had said that her mother didn’t like her using magic.

“Father?”

“Yes.”

“What if we can’t save her?” His voice shook as he began to really grasp the fact Sigyn might not survive. “What if she dies? Wha- what if-”

“Do not dwell on those thoughts, boy... You must not concern yourself with what might be. Remain focused on our goal..” Kratos spoke sternly but softly as to comfort Atreus.

“.. Yes sir.”

The rest of the way was rowed in death-like silence. Atreus had a certain expression of worry, terror, and hopelessness on his face that Kratos hadn’t seen since right before Faye died.

Kratos knew he couldn’t let Atreus go through that again..

“Boy.”

Atreus broke out of his trance like state and looked up at Kratos.

“You may come with, but when I speak to Freya, do not come near. You will keep your distance and not speak to her. And... should she attack or try anything.. you run.”

“But-”

“It is not up for discussion. You will not fight her, Atreus. If need be, you will get out of this place and not look back.”

“But-” he sighed, “Yes sir.”

Finally, they reached the boat dock and Kratos stopped the boat. “Are you ready?”

Atreus nodded.

“Mph. Good then. Come.” He took Mimir back and hooked him on his belt, and he gently picked Sigyn back up.

Silently, they made their way to the elevator. Once Atreus was situated, Kratos moved Sigyn to his shoulder with one arm and turned the crank with the other, like he had done with Atreus when he fell ill all that time ago.

“Do you think she’ll even be home?” Atreus asked.

“She’s nowhere else to go, little brother.” Mimir pointed out. “This is the only place she’s safe from Odin’s wrath; she’ll be here.”

The elevator suddenly came to a stop near the foot of the bridge that lead to Freya’s back door. Luckily, the tortoise was lowered so they could easily get to the door without climbing.

“Stay here.” Kratos ordered at the bottom of the bridge.

Atreus obeyed.

Cautiously, Kratos made his way up to the door. He stopped before knocking. This was an ill advised idea and he knew it, but it seemed there were no other options -at least none that didn’t involve the girl dying.

After a moment of careful consideration, Kratos made his decision. With his foot, he knocked on the door and called out, “Freya!”

The door creaked open a small bit at the contact. This was strange; why was it not locked?

Kratos peered in through the crack in the door. The light was dimmer than usual, but vaguely he could see Freya’s silhouette sitting on the ground leaning over something. He could hear her chanting ever so faintly.

Hesitantly, he pushed the door open wider with his foot and took a small step over the threshold. “Freya..”

She quit whatever she was chanting, but she didn’t move or look at him. “What are you doing here?” Her voice vengeful and laced with malice.

“We need your help.”

She scoffed. “Last time I helped you you repaid me by snapping my son’s neck.”

“Freya.. he meant to kill you.”

“You have a lot of nerve coming here.” She continued on mixing some sort of glowing concoction in the bowl she had on the floor in front of her. She really looked horrible after all this time.. The tie in her hair barely managed to keep her now matted, unkept hair from overcoming her face. The dark paint she wore around her eyes was smudged, and she looked as if she hadn’t gone outside much if at all in the last couple months. She had changed... and it was so much more than just physically.

“Freya..”

“I don’t care what you need..” She shook her head and tried to focus on what she was doing. “I want you to leave.”

“The girl is ill, Freya.. Most likely, she will die if-”

“I. want you. to leave..” she turned her head slightly to shoot him a hateful glare. “Now.”

Kratos nodded. “Fine.” As he turned around to leave, he was stopped by Atreus standing in the doorway. How long had be been standing there against Kratos’ wishes? “What are you doing, boy?”

Atreus looked past his father at Freya. He tried to step forward, but Kratos moved to the side to block his path. “I told you to keep your distance, boy.”

“Please, Freya.” Atreus begged, ignoring Kratos standing there and looking past him. “She’ll die..”

Freya remained silent, but something in her softened at hearing Atreus’ pleas. After everything how she felt about the child hadn’t changed; she could never loathe Atreus like she did his father. Nevertheless, she said nothing.

“Come, boy.” Kratos urged. “Let us go.”

Atreus sighed sadly and turned to head back down the bridge.

“Wait.” Freya called out.

Atreus stopped and looked back at her with hopeful eyes.

Freya stood up from what she was doing and walked over to her table where she picked up a few igredients and threw them together in a bowl. “Bring her here.”

Cautiously, Kratos carried Sigyn over to Freya who hastily mixed up to potion and put a few drops in the unconscious girl’s mouth.

“This will break the fever.. the rest she’ll have to do on her own.” Freya explained as she held the girl’s mouth shut long enough for the potion to take effect.

“But.. how can she do it on her own if she’s not awake?” Atreus wondered.

“She will wake.. soon enough.” She turned away and set the bowl back where she got it. “And Kratos..” she turned her head just enough to look at him in the corner of her eye. “Don’t ever step foot in my home again.”

Kratos said nothing. Simply he turned around, motioned for Atreus to follow, and walked away.

“Thank you, Freya.” Atreus made sure to say before they left and shut to door behind them, shutting Freya back out of their lives.

In silence, they took Sigyn back to their home to rest. Kratos laid her back on Atreus’ bed; hopefully, she would wake soon and finally give them some answers.

Kratos headed outside to skin the boar and freeze the rest of it by burying it in the snow to keep it from rotting for as long as possible. “Atreus.”

“Yes, Father?”

“Get a fire started.. And the moment she wakes, let me know.”

“Yes sir.”

With that, he shut the door behind him began working.

“I’ve got to say, brother, I’m surprised Freya agreed.”

“.. Yes..” As he spoke, he cut into the boar’s thick hide with his knife that matched Atreus’. “She would not have if it weren’t for the boy.”

“True.. She certainly still cares for the lad.. -to some extent- I do believe he might just be the only reason she hasn’t exacted her vengeance on you yet.”

“Perhaps.”

“Though there’s only so much her caring for the boy will do.. I don’t imagine she’ll be much willing to help out again in the future.”

“Definitely not.”

“I do hope she didn’t give the girl some sort of poison.. Though I wouldn’t be surprised.”

Kratos just continued to cut the hide off the boar. Silently he hoped the same thing. Atreus would be quite distraught if that were the case.. and maybe Kratos would be a little sad too.. a little..

“Well, here’s hoping the girl gets well.”

“Yes..”

“Out of curiosity, I don’t suppose you have any theories going as to who that girl is.”

Kratos grunted as he ripped the last of the hide off the dead animal. “Her father is important.”

“Well.. I gathered that.”

“She is afraid of him; as was her mother.”

“Again.. That much is clear.”

“And she is a god.”

“Aye.. And an Aesir by the sound of it.” He grew thoughtful. “You don’t suppose- ah- never mind.”

“Finish what you were saying, head.”

“Ah- Well, you don’t think she’s-”

“Father!” Atreus burst outside in a rush.

“What is it?”

“She woke up.”

“Hm.” Kratos nodded, letting Atreus know to go back inside and that he would be right there. He hung the boar hide over the side of the fence, quickly buried the boar in the snow, and made his way inside.

“Are you okay?” Kratos heard Atreus asking Sigyn.

She just nodded. She was now sitting up; though disoriented, she seemed well.

“Boy.” Kratos started in a warning for Atreus to get away from her. The boy seemed to understand as he begrudgingly backed away to his father’s protective side.

“How did we get here?” She asked while rubbing her aching head.

“Do you remember nothing?”

“Well I remember I-” her eyes went wide and she froze. “Did I- no no no no no.. Did you see something?”

“You took down a troll without even touching it!” Atreus exclaimed.

“BOY.”

“Sorry.”

“But I- I couldn’t have. I wouldn’t have! I’m not supposed to- I shouldn’t use my magic! Mother taught me not to..”

“You did use it.” Kratos stated plainly. “And it made you ill.”

“Ill?” She shook her head in confusion and started to subconsciously pull at her hair; she couldn’t imagine that she would’ve let herself lose control. She knew better... “I don’t understand..”

“Try to.”

“I-” she sighed. “I can’t.. but I suppose you want answers..”

“Yes.”

“Okay..” she looked up at them. She hated this.. The first people she had seen in so long and the ones she had grown to think of as friends standing on the opposite side of the room because they didn’t trust her. Along with a whole other list of reasons, this was why she didn’t want them to know the truth; though, deep down she understood that they would’ve had to know one way or another. If she was going to find her mother again they would have to know. “I’ll tell you everything.”

#god of war #god of war 4 #atreus #kratos #atreus and kratos #gow #gow sigyn #gow4 #mimir #sigyn #ateeus and sigyn #the treasure of koninsgard #the treasure of koninsgard 6

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darkhymns-fic · 6 years

Text

Hollowed

Lloyd would make sure to stay by her side, even when everyone said she was already gone.

Fandom: Tales of Symphonia Characters/Pairings: Lloyd Irving/Colette Brunel, Raine Sage, Genis Sage Rating: G Mirror Links: AO3 Notes: For Tales Whump Week, Day 7, “Stay with Me.” Bit of a tragic romance, fair warning. (I’m sorry).

It was Lloyd’s role to help make camp for the night.

He would find a place underneath the wide-branched trees, the moonlight seeping through the space between the leaves. He’d make sure to put out the campfire when it was time, stomping out the ash and in turn, the smoke. He’d roll out their sleeping packs, always making two, although one would remain virtually unwrinkled by morning. He’d feed Noishe when the dog-creature came back from his wanderings, scratching behind his ears, Lloyd brightly smiling as he did so.

Once all that was done, Lloyd would look forward, to where Colette stood, staring out into the night sky. The soft hue from her wings would paint the grass beneath her, making the stalks turn dark violet. Before he called out to her, he would always hesitate.

“Colette, we should go to bed now.”

But she’d been awake for the past three years.

Genis once told him it was hard to look at her face for very long. The flat plateau of red that gazed out from those eyes only made the heart slow. Time was meaningless for Colette, so anyone who looked at her felt that same meaningless reach out to them, leaving them stranded in silence and monotony.

Lloyd couldn’t really understand such a feeling. Why look away? Doing so would only leave Colette alone.

He watched her come to him, footsteps even, her hair barely lifted by the air. She was framed by her wings, which she rarely dismissed. As if the eyes were not enough of a reminder.

“There’s supposed to be a bunch of Exsphere traders to the south,” Lloyd told her, stretching out the blankets a bit more. The night was cold, so he kept his jacket buttoned around him tight. “Somewhere near Triet. Remember? I wonder if they have that old poster of me somewhere…”

Colette said nothing. Instead she knelt on the grass before him, her eyes fixated on his movements.

“I guess they’d have gotten rid of it by now.” He sat down as well, then tried to call Noishe over. But the dog fidgeted, scurrying back to the trees as much as possible. “We haven’t been there for a while…” He turned back to Colette to smile at her. “Kind of exciting, huh?”

Colette’s eyes were full of crimson and reflected starlight.

There were four moments when Lloyd felt the world around him falling away. And one where he decided against it.

The first was when she stepped away from him and said goodbye. After that, neither a failed necklace, an old dwarf’s failing hands, nor weakening hopes could change the inevitable. Colette’s soul was lost, and in her place was a marionette, motivated by the guidance of others and self-preservation written into her core.

It was enough to have her break Pronyma’s arms in two in that parallel world. Raine had explained that Colette’s basic instincts must have thought the woman was reaching out to strangle her. Her voice had been shaking just as much as Lloyd’s heart did, remembering the loud crack and the Grand Cardinal’s screams. It had even been enough to quiet down Zelos for a few hours.

In Sybak, Kratos had come to Lloyd alone. “You should leave it be.”

That was before, when hope still kindled in his chest. “Why? So you and Cruxis can take her?”

Lloyd’s hands had been on his sword hilts. Kratos made no similar motion. His face showed much of nothing, keeping him as unreadable as the day they first met. “Do not get your hopes up. Sometimes we lose something precious, and nothing can be done about it.”

In the hotel they stayed at, Colette would stare out the window, the light of her wings shining like a beacon, lost in fog.

The second was when a new face came to share the grief. Someone who had never known that Colette could still laugh after a brutal fall, or wave away certain greens from her dinner plate.

That face was Zelos, one that shared Colette’s status, if not her ultimate destiny. His nickname for her seemed more cruel than anything else. There was no need for reminders – her wings, always manifested, were enough. He once tried to sidle up to her, teeth wide in a grin, as he bestowed upon her a shower of compliments that made Lloyd’s head stir with static. Just before he could tell the other to cram it, Zelos walked ahead, eyes lowered, lips twisted with something that Lloyd hesitated to call a smile.

Then there came more. With Presea, the engulfing presence of silence, of walking death, was becoming harder to ignore. Yet even Presea would speak, no matter how hollow her throat was, and she took no offense to Genis holding her hand as they both traversed a fallen log in the Gaoracchia forest. Lloyd could only look to Colette, watching her avoid the obstacle with her wings, and his hands would clench.

Genis and Raine would speak of Colette, of who she used to be, to each new face that joined their quest. To explain away the loss of a friend is difficult, even more so when they were standing just behind your shoulder. Not that Lloyd would ever say she was lost – merely absent, sleeping, waiting for someone to wake her up. He listened to their explanations, and it never felt enough.

Regal was the only new face that spoke with him directly. “She means much to you, doesn’t she?”

They got the ore from the mine that night. Ideas flitted through Lloyd’s mind as he wondered how he could coax Colette to borrow her necklace. Or perhaps make a new one, one that was better, one that would actually work despite his lacking skills. “We’ll get her back.”

Regal seemed to know when to end conversations. He didn’t press on and instead said, “Thank you for helping Presea as well.”

“I have to save the people in front of me,” Lloyd answered him.

When did he become such a liar?

The third was at the Iselian Ranch, when Colette, the girl who sliced through Desians without remorse, did the unthinkable.

No one understood why she would put herself in harm’s way. Perhaps it was the bubbling of the world’s mana as Sheena prepared the cannon, messing with the crystal’s hold on her. Lloyd was as surprised as anyone that she rushed in front of Forcystus’ weapon, taking the brunt of his shot. His hands still ached from the strain of plunging his sword deep in the half-elf’s torso.

It was pure luck finding out about Colette’s sickness, the crystal eating up her skin. Raine theorized that perhaps this was her self-preservation at work, revealing her problem because she innately knew that they would do something about it. Lloyd had to bite his lip to keep from shouting at her, speaking of Colette as if she wasn’t right here with them. She wasn’t dead, no matter how much everyone else might have wished that.

Then Zelos made the mistake of speaking. “Well, least she ain’t really bothered by it.”

Genis was only successful in holding back Lloyd from throwing a second punch.

The fourth was back at the tower, further gone, and crueler than the last.

The only reason Lloyd knew anything about Martel was because of Colette. The stories she would tell him, learned from her Church lessons, the soft recitations of prayers he would hear her speak beneath her breath, and the awe in her eyes of knowing the benevolence of such a Goddess. It was only through Colette’s mouth that Martel ever seemed important.

He had fought his way through the tower, and then Colette stepped out of that small chamber, her wings vanished and her steps no longer so autonomous. Yggdrasill had been radiant, hands reaching out, draped in blinding light. Colette’s eyes squinted from the strain, her mouth shaped in an o. She pressed one hand against her chest, each motion of her so human and so real that Lloyd was ready to rush to her, to make sure that nothing of her left was still as rigid as steel.

Then when she spoke, a different voice left her throat.

After Yggdrasill vanished and Colette went back to being motionless, pink and violet sparkling from beyond her head, Lloyd hadn’t realized how much he had been crying since then.

The now single world moved on, but Colette never shifted.

Lloyd took her to his home once everything was done with. Kratos had been seated by the table, leg still aching. “What will you do now?” he asked his son.

Behind him, Lloyd could hear his dwarven father continue his metalsmithing, unmindful to the turbulence of the world for the past couple of days. His dedication to his commissions was almost to a fault. “Me and Colette will be gathering the Exspheres.”

Kratos’ impassivity broke slightly. He looked pained. Lloyd could hear the words waiting on the man’s breath. She could join with me and the others, on Derris-Kharlan.

“Colette loved Sylvarant,” he said quickly. “I think she’d rather be here.”

When Raine and Genis visited later, they were a little more forceful.

“Lloyd, I really don’t think this is a good idea.” Genis sat at the same table, fingers tapping the surface. Colette was seated next to him, back straight, her gaze boring into the wall across from her. “You remember that fighting with her was always like walking on eggshells, right?”

Whenever someone got too close, especially as they swung a weapon, Colette would lash out. She could only stay back, summoning her spells, a wide berth of emptiness around her.

“She’s getting better,” Lloyd stated, carefully sheathing both his fathers’ swords. The pit of his stomach was cold. “She’s already more used to people now.”

“Wishful thinking,” Raine countered back. “Lloyd. You should come with us. You can still find Exspheres as we move along. What Colette needs now is an environment where she won’t be challenged into her defensive measures at every possible opportunity.”

Lloyd’s voice grew hard. “She can’t go home.” He saw Frank and Phaidra’s faces. Their young daughter and granddaughter might as well have been dead to them. It’s easier when you thought of someone dead instead of suffering, he realized. “And I won’t have Kratos take her. What if she finally wakes up and she finds herself all alone with strangers?”

“I thought we explained this to you.” There was condescension in Raine’s voice that he hadn’t heard since he was in the classroom. “Her soul is highly likely to be gone now. There is no one left in there to wake. Come with us.”

He hated himself for being tempted.

Genis stood, making his way around the table to get near Lloyd’s side. “Seriously, Lloyd. We tried everything. Maybe just-”

He had to go around Colette to do so though.

His body had slightly brushed against her shoulder. She turned, fingers wrapped around the chakram’s blade, and wound her arm back to strike. Lloyd rushed on top of the table, tackling Colette to the ground before she could slice open Genis’ neck. Raine gathered her little brother in her arms, scuttling them both to the front door. Both were pale.

“Colette!” Lloyd kept his arms around her as he held her from behind, locking her shoulder. “It’s okay! It’s fine!”

“Lloyd, get away from her!” Raine frantically searched for her staff, which she had left standing outside the home.

“No! It’s alright! Colette!” He embraced her tightly, face buried in the back of her hair. She moved violently, smashing him near the stove. Pans and vases fell around them. “No one’s going to hurt you! I’m here, okay? No one will ever hurt you!”

Then she had stopped.

The sudden stillness was more frightening than her movements from before. Hands lowered, and she laid back against Lloyd’s chest, looking up at the ceiling. Broken pieces of crockery fell around them like the mistakes of a watercolor painting. Genis and Raine didn’t dare to move forward.

All the while, Lloyd relaxed his grip, then placed one hand against Colette’s head. His breath nearly choked him.

“Everything’s okay,” he told her, ignoring his friends, attention only on her.

He would not let Colette fall away to nothing.

No one argued with Lloyd when he took her with him.

The last night before they set out, Colette had stood by Lloyd’s side. She seemed to watch over his shoulder as he got their supplies ready, as he talked with her, voice as light as it used to be. Dirk, more silent than he had been in years, took the boy aside.

“I’ve fixed up the nicks in your swords. Fully reinforced. Not even another mad god can damage them.” The dwarf held out the materia swords to his son, their dancing colors of red and azure slipping through their sheaths.

“Thanks,” Lloyd said, reaching for it until Dirk placed a thick hand over his.

“You come back whenever you need to. You and Colette. Understand?”

Lloyd recognized this. The same worry that had passed over Kratos’ face the last time he saw him before leaving. Only difference was that Kratos hadn’t uttered these words, knowing that he could not promise Lloyd anything else but a memory.

He nodded at the dwarf, and took the swords. “We’ll be okay. I promise.”

Lloyd wouldn’t leave Colette alone anymore.

So on that night they camped underneath the stars, Lloyd stayed beside her, reaching for her hand. It was cold, barely reacting to much at all. He kept his grip, intertwining their fingers together. If he kept looking up at the stars, he could imagine it was just like how they always used to be, back in Iselia. She would sit next to him on the grass, trying to match patterns in the sky, and she’d laugh while doing so.

But that’s what everyone did with Colette – look away, pretend she didn’t exist.

He turned to her, her gaze still hollow, but her hand never leaving his.

“Maybe I should have asked… if you wanted to come with me first.” A thumb rubbed against her palm, half-tracing words he was thinking. “Your family would still take care of you… and Kratos would, too. I guess he would know how to…” He paused, still looking at her. “But… I didn’t want that.”

The breeze had become sharp, the cold so deep that it made Lloyd shake. He reflexively reached for a blanket that he had folded up a bit messily, throwing it around both of their shoulders. Colette didn’t try to hunker down into it, and her side of the blanket kept slipping off her shoulder. The light of her wings slipped through the material, still hovering behind them, lighting up the grass in soft, dark hues.

“Ah, sorry,” he said, still looping the blanket on her until it finally stayed. “But I guess it wouldn’t –” he stopped himself before he could go on. He just kept the blankets on them both, bending his head slightly. He could see her eyes clearly, even in the night’s shadows. If he looked hard enough, then maybe.

Then maybe.

“I just wanted you to stay with me,” he said. So odd to just hear his voice and not hers. But she breathed. Just slightly, just barely. But she did, and she was alive. How could no one else see that? “I messed up everything, I didn’t protect you like I said… But I still want you to stay with me.”

If she had a voice, wouldn’t she say how she wanted to leave?

Only since that time he had calmed her down, had he ever been able to stay this close. Throughout most of the journey, there was only distance, because to get near was too risky. But every day, she walked beside him. And every night, she sat next to him, too. That had to have meant something.

This was around the time that he would go to sleep, and she would stay seated on the grass, her wings the last sight he would see before slumbering. But he didn’t want to move. He didn’t want to let go.

“I love you, Colette. I’m sorry I never said that earlier.” He leaned in just a bit more, forehead just barely touching hers. Her eyes stayed the same. “I’m sorry.”

Then she leaned forward, too.

It was only towards the crook of his neck, resting her head against his shoulder. Her eyes never blinked, or shift their gaze from always looking straight forward, but she had moved, her hair brushing his chin. Something tightened around his hand. It was her own.

It had all been so small. Every action of Colette’s was like that now, everything except when she fought against a threat. It was small, but it had felt so alive.

Lloyd wrapped his other arm around her back, keeping her close, the blanket shielding them from the cold. Tears left his eyes, falling against Colette’s cheek. She couldn’t cry anymore, so he would do it for the both of them.

Her hand stayed in his grip, still holding fast. She would stay, she would stay.

#tales of symphonia #colloyd #taleswhumpweek #lloyd irving #colette brunel #fanfiction #theres been best arts in the colloyd tag and then i put this in aagh

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