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"Watch your step. The ground seems quite unstable here."
Ardbert held out his hand to you as you held your wand close, stepping over rock and brick. You nodded, taking his hand.
You and Ardbert happen to have stumbled upon each other *trying* to have a relaxing time at Costa del Sol( while trying to hide from Lalafels wanting the two to run long, arduous fetch quests), when your link shell went off. The Wood Wailers needed your assistance in traversing the long winding labyrinth they had found. You were elated when your fellow Warrior of Light decided to tag along.
"I wonder if this is why they call this place 'Palace of the Dead'. Seems like you could very easily fall here and-" Ardbert clucked his fist to his head, making a dramatic clicking noise. "- that's the end of it."
You sigh. " Ardbert, your not helping the matter of us being here."
The warrior gave you a cheesy grin. "That's what I have you here for."
You smiled warmly as him as the two walked in comfortable silence for a bit until you spoke.
"I feel a bit nervous being here."
"Aye. I've felt it since we entered the place. Almost like a fog around here. Nothing a couple of Warriors of Light can't han-"
Before Ardbert could finish his sentence, a large toad had spit it's tongue, pulling you into it to pounce it's large body on top of you.
"I got it." Ardbert yelled, swinging his large axe cutting it's tongue in half.
You looked disgusted as you removed the rest of the slimy tongue to pull your want back out. It felt slightly foreign, given the weapons you were handed to use were of Padjali design. They almost seemed to glow, you thought.
Ardbert swung his axe again leaving a large gash in the side of the toad. This anger the creature as he lashed out, pushing the warrior away and smack dab into a wall.
"Ardbert!" You yelled, holding out your wand to being chanting.
"I'm fine" He replied. " Focus on the toad."
You nodded, and became chanting an offensive spell. The stones that were around you began floating in the air. With a push of your arms, the rocks went flying into the toad. This gave Ardbert time to recover and lunge back at the monster.
With a large croak, the monster fell. Ardbert pushed it with his weapon just to make sure it was dead.
"Here." You said, as you brought your hands to Ardbert's chest. A warm glow radiated from you as you healed his wounds.
"Thanks." He smiled. " Let's continue on."
"You know, I'm sometimes surprised how you can throw that axe around like it's nothing."
"Practice, My Dear, lots of practice."
~~~
After a few battles, the two decided to rest for a moment. The atmosphere of the place was draining energy rather quickly. Ardbert helped you to the ground to sit.
"I'm not helpless you know." You said, a small smile on your face. " I might be a healer, but I'm a Warrior of Light as well."
He smiled, patted you on your head. You swore a small blush appeared on his face. "Aye, but I enjoy helping you. I know you are strong, but physicality isn't your strong point."
You giggled, as he poked you lightly in the stomach. "You're the brains and I'm the brawn of this operation, and I enjoy every minute of it."
Now it was your turn to blush. You noticed he was being rather forward lately, but didn't think much of it until now. You shyly played with the seam of your robe.
You watched as Ardbert pulled a canteen of water from his armor.
" Here." He said as he handed the flask to you. "Drink. We need to stay hydrated."
If he was going to tease, you were going to give it back.
" You sure it isn't ale?" You grinned, taking a gulp of the water. It felt heavenly going down your throat. You two much have been down here longer than you thought. How many floors has it been?
"You sure it isn't ale." He mocked. " I'll have you know while I do like my ale from time to time, I'm no drunkard."
Ardbert stole the canteen from you and proceed to drink his share of the water. "Alright, let's go."
~~~
After what seemed like hours of fighting vilekin that had made their way down the hallways of the dungeon, the couple reached an area that was different than the rest.
"My... That's a lot of candles." You said, absentmindedly.
"It's you..." You heard Ardbert say, as you followed your eyes to where he was looking.
"Edda?" You said shocked. " But...I watched you fall to your death!"
This wasn't the Edda you had spoke to so long ago. The Edda you had consoled when she lost Avere. Even the Edda who had gone mad with grief, and had consorted to necromancy to bring her fallen betrothed back to life...in a way.
Edda smiled a wicked smile. "Ah. It's you the Warrior of Light...and I see you brought a friend as well. Is he your beloved, as Avere was to me?"
A small blush appeared on both faces as they looked at each other.
" Well, it matters not." Edda spoke as she pulled her scythe from her back. " It seems our guests have overstayed their welcome. Come, my love, let's show them the way out!"
Large red ruins lit up the ground.
"This does not bode well." You said, preparing yourself to cast a spell.
"Let's do this." Ardbert yelled, charging toward the girl with his axe.
Edda dodged, swiping at the warrior with her scythe.
You chanted a spell under your breath, causing the air around her to lash out as blades of wind.
" I was once the same as you. I know all your tricks." Edda said. She mutters something causing the glyphs under your feet to glow brighter.
"But you don't know mine!" Ardbert yelled, causing a chain of aether to shoot from his hand, binding the necromancer still."Now!"
Time to pull out your strongest. Your body began to float as you chanted your spell. A bright light over took the whole room, and you heard Edda's body hit the floor with a loud thud. Your spell had hit!
The two warriors walked to the body of your former fellow adventurer. You kneeled before her and said a small prayer.
Edda looked at you with a smile. "Thank you...again."
"Rest now." You said, placing you hand on her body. Tears became to well up in your eyes, but you fought them back.
" Treat him well." She said closing her eyes. " It's the most painful think to lose your whole heart."
The tears finally fell as you watched her body fade away to nothing. You felt two strong arms wrap around you, holding you close. He didn't speak. He didn't know what to say. So he just held you as you cried, rubbing your back in a calming motion.
" I couldn't save her...again!" You sobbed.
"She's with him now. With Avere." He said, petting your hair. "That's what she wanted. She is happy now."
It took a few minutes for the sobs to stop, and Ardbert continued to hold you.
"Ardbert. I'm okay." You said, drying your eyes.
" I know." His arms tightened around you. "Please just let me stay like this. Just for a little while."
You looked up into his blue eyes. They were gentle and calming.
Ardbert gave a small smile has he reached out wiping your tears away with his calloused thumb.
"Ardbert..." You whispered.
He didn't reply, just tilted your chin and brought his lips to yours. It was a gentle kiss, though didn't lack feeling or passion.
When Ardbert pulled away, he spoke. " I know we've been dancing around this for a while, but Edda's words spoke to me. I kept thinking...what if it was you...and my heart...it hurt. What if I lost you...or you lost me...I couldn't bare the thought...lest it be unspoken."
You brought you lips back to his in another gentle kiss.
"I...I feel the same." You spoke shyly. " When we aren't together, I find myself wondering how you are doing. If you are hurt."
Ardbert smiled as he held out his hand to help you stand up. " So the feeling is mutual?"
You nodded, placing your hands on him to heal his wounds. "Aye. The feeling is mutual."
He took your hand as you walked toward the exit of the palace. " At least we got a happy ending...Edda is with her love again...and I'm with mine, which I do believe I owe her a relaxing date on the beach in Costa del Sol."
You grinned. Maybe this did have a happy ending after all.