Chapter - 11

The morning came slow, I slept clutching Asta's body close to mine, I was scared if I let her go she'd disappear. I felt as if I was just dreaming. Most of the night I laid away staring at my lover with eyes filled with fear, happiness, and love. She looked so beautiful under the light of the moon, it illuminated her fiery red hair and the soft glow of the moon made her skin glow like a goddess, I thought for a while how a mere man like myself stole the heart of such a beautiful and kind-hearted person. I pulled her closer to me and rested my head above hers and closed my eyes before sleep came I saw it once more, a bright golden glow in the corner of my eye. I ignored it and embraced sleep.

Morning came swiftly, I woke to see Asta was no longer beside me. I sat up slowly and rubbed my eyes, I scanned the room slowly to look for her. But she wasn't there. My face lost all its color, my heartbeat slowed, and my hands began to tremble. I stood up slowly, not daring to take a breath. I walked towards the door and held the skin that covered the door frame, I stood there just holding it with fear of what might be on the other side. My mind kept on showing me images of the beast that had killed my brothers, the beast who haunts my dreams and fills my heart with fear. Those screams still haunt my mind... I stood there motionless for a few moments, I was paralyzed with fear. I saw a hand come through the door, I still stood motionless behind the door, the skin was pulled to one side slowly. Asta stood in the doorway, she stared into my eyes, her eyes were filled with worry and fear. I still just stood there looking into her eyes to try and find some comfort. She threw herself at me and wrapped her arms around me and buried her head into my chest and began to cry softly. Hearing my love cry into my chest brought me back to my senses, I wrapped my arms around her and said "Asta I'm right here my love there is no need to cry.", "I thought I had just imagined your presence, I thought you had died and left for Valhalla without me!" She replied. "I won't ever leave you, my love, I swore this Asta," I said while holding her tightly in a loving embrace. I placed my hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes, they were still filled with tears and fear, I grinned and said "Asta, I'm right here" I placed her hand on my chest " Can you feel my heart beating. It beats for you Asta. As long as you are in this world, I will always be here with you." Asta hugged me closely, I felt her heartbeat and it merged with mine. Two hearts beating the same song, two hearts that were separated for many moons, now reunited and filled with love once more.

My father came to my room, he saw Asta and I holding each other closely, he smiled and said: "You two are late for dinner." I looked at my father, smiled and said: "We are coming now father" Asta let out a small chuckle and smiled, I grabbed her hand and we went to have breakfast. We sat and ate just smiling at each other, no words were said but none had to be. After eating we decided to go to the place where we had our first kiss, our special place in the forest where we could be alone, just us and the animals. No one would disturb us and no one would be able to find us there. The thought of us being back there warmed my heart, it was only a few weeks ago, but so much has changed since then, I have become a hero among my people, I've killed an alpha dragon, and I lead my brothers to their deaths... I wish to go back to those simple days.

We had begun the walk from my house, the sun was still rising and the birds still singing their song, the sky was a deep shade of reds and oranges, It was an amazing sight to see. Asta wrapped her right arm around me, I chuckled and placed my left arm on her shoulders holding her close to me. She looked at me and smiled. Her eyes where mesmerizing this morning, they sent me into a sort of trance, I felt a warmth inside me, and I couldn't help but smile and let out a love-filled sigh.

It took about an hour to get to our secret spot in the forest. When we reached it the sight filled me with memories rushing back to me, the first kiss Asta and I had shared, the moment that I had confessed my love to Asta, and all the times we had come here to get away from everyone, to be alone, to be free.

Asta and I climbed a large Willow tree, we sat on its mighty branches which were as thick as a man, I laid my back against the trunk of the tree, and Asta laid her back against my chest. I wrapped my arms around her waist. We sat there just listening to the sounds of the birds, their songs filled the air with life, they took away all the pain and worry I had deep in my mind.

"Asta." I said, "Yes?" she replied, "The voices of our fallen brothers have been haunting me. They won't let me sleep, the sound of their voices are driving me mad, I-I don't know what to do..." I said with a soft defeated voice. She turned around and placed her hand on my cheek, "Hunter, I can't bring them back from Valhalla, but I can tell you this. They are looking down on you, they are thanking you for helping them get to the gods. And no matter what troubles you, my love, I will always be here with you.". I placed my hand on her cheek and brought her face closer to mine, I pressed my lips against hers, the feeling of her soft lips was intoxicating, it made me feel whole again. We sat there for the rest of the day, relaxing and enjoying the peace and the songs of the birds.